NFL Week 14 inactives and fantasy tips: Breece Hall out, Allen Lazard activated from IR

Welcome to the Week 14 NFL fantasy and betting cheat sheet, a one-stop shop for The Athletic’s game previews, injury and weather updates, and expert analysis. Bookmark this page and check back often, as we offer regular updates to assist with fantasy lineups and betting decisions.

Player rankings referenced in this article are current as of Dec. 8. For updated rankings, see the “Fantasy football player rankings” section.

The latest NFL news and headlines

Last updated: 8 a.m. ET, Dec. 8

Injury news | Weather report
Featured games | Market share report
Flex Fliers | Fantasy football player rankings

Injury news

Last updated: 8 a.m. ET, Dec. 8

Sunday 1 p.m.

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars (concussion) — Injured reserve
Trevor Lawrence was placed on injured reserve after taking a massive blow to the head in Week 13, clearing the way for Mac Jones. WR Brian Thomas Jr. and TE Evan Engram take big hits with Lawrence out. Jones’ highest passer rating (100.0) came in Week 3. In Week 10, his next game, he achieved only a 38.2 passer rating. On the season, he has a 62 percent completion rate, lower than Daniel Jones, Aidan O’Connell, Will Levis and Aaron Rodgers.

Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets (knee) — Out
Hall is out, which makes Braelon Allen a flex consideration on a heavy bye week. Hall only had 60 yards rushing in Week 13 but averaged five yards per carry and had 31.1 PPR points in Week 11. Allen is averaging 5.31 PPR points per game but should see increased usage with Hall out. With Aaron Rodgers’ struggles, the Jets may lean on Allen against the Dolphins in Week 14.

Allen Lazard, WR, New York Jets (chest) — Expected to play
Lazard was activated from injured reserve and is expected to play. But with Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson handling most of the Jets’ targets, Lazard may not be the fantasy force he was early in the season.

Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (hip/back) — Questionable
Irving was a non-participant in Thursday’s practice but is expected to play according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Irving has been getting the bulk of the carries for the Bucs since Week 10 and has been efficient. He’s had just over 27 PPR points the past two weeks and had 152 yards rushing in Week 13. Rachaad White is down to 13.2 PPR points per game on the season but put up 6.9 yards per carry in Week 13, though half of his 76 rushing yards came off a 38-yard run.

Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints (knee) — Injured reserve
Hill is out for the season due to a torn ACL. Hill’s skillset is unique, and he’s utilized like no one else in the league, but Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau should see more work with Hill out.

Cedric Tillman, WR, Cleveland Browns (concussion) — Out
Tillman hasn’t played since Week 12, but the real Cleveland WR to start in fantasy is Jerry Jeudy, who had 40.5 PPR points in Week 13. I suggested flexing Jeudy last week, and this week, he may even deserve a WR slot on your roster with six teams on bye.

Will Reichard, K, Minnesota Vikings (quadriceps) — Questionable / injured reserve
Reichard was designated to return to practice on Tuesday. In Reichard’s absence, John Parker Romo has gone 11-for-12 on field goals and 7-for-8 on extra points this season; his longest kick was a 55-yarder. While Romo played well, Reichard will start for the Vikings when healthy.

Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles (knee) — Injured reserve
Goedert injured his knee in the win over the Ravens and has been placed on injured reserve. It’s Grant Calcaterra time again … but probably not for your fantasy team. Calcaterra scored zero PPR points in five games this season, and his high of 10.7 points came in Week 6. Even with six teams on bye, starting the Eagles backup tight end is for the desperate.

Theo Johnson, TE, New York Giants (foot) — Injured reserve
Johnson was placed on injured reserve and underwent season-ending foot surgery, according to SI.com’s Patricia Traina. Chris Manhertz is now atop the depth chart at TE for the Giants.

Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants (groin) — Questionable
Nabers did not practice Friday and is questionable for Week 14 but has a realistic chance to play, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Nabers is the No. 1 receiver in New York, and with him out, many targets are up for grabs. Look for Wan’Dale Robinson and Darius Slayton to see more usage in Nabers’ absence.

Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Carolina Panthers (neck) — Questionable
Sanders missed last week and has had only two games with over 10 PPR points this season. Backup TE Tommy Tremble, who had 12.7 PPR points in Week 13, would get another start if Sanders sits again.

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders (ankle) — Questionable
Meyers didn’t practice Thursday and is questionable for Week 14, but NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport said he is expected to play. Meyers has been a bright spot, along with Brock Bowers, on an otherwise hard-to-watch team. Tre Tucker could have some flex relevance without Meyers. Tucker was targeted eight times in Week 12 and had seven receptions for 82 yards.

Zamir White, RB, Las Vegas Raiders (quadriceps) — Out
Alexander Mattison, RB, Las Vegas Raiders (ankle) — Questionable
With both White and Mattison out last week, Sincere McCormick led the backfield with 12 carries and 64 yards, while Ameer Abdullah had 10 rushes for 39 yards. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Mattison is a long shot to play today. With White already ruled out, McCormick has some flex appeal with six teams on bye this week.

George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers (hamstring) — Questionable
Pickens was a limited participant in practice Friday and is now questionable. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, he is likely to play but will need to test his hamstring during warmups. Van Jefferson and Calvin Austin III are lower-end flex options this week, with six teams on bye. In Week 13, Jefferson saw more targets, but Austin scored a touchdown, had more fantasy points, and has more targets per game this season than Jefferson.

Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins (hip) — Questionable
Mostert is questionable heading into Week 14. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that he is not expected to play. De’Von Achane is the No. 1 RB in Miami, but with Mostert out, Jaylen Wright could see more usage. On the year, Wright is averaging 4.1 yards per carry.

Sunday 4 p.m.

Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers (knee) — Injured reserve
Jordan Mason, RB, San Francisco 49ers (ankle) — Out
The Niners placed McCaffrey on injured reserve early this week, and Mason is expected to join him, so I subsequently placed a waiver claim for Isaac Guerendo in every one of my leagues (seven) and was successful in one. Guerendo is now San Francisco’s No. 1 back, and he’s been good when given the chance. He has averaged 5.9 yards per carry, and among RBs with over 40 carries — Guerendo has 42 — he’s ranked first in yards before contact per rush.

Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks (ankle/calf) — Out
Walker is out for Week 14, making Zach Charbonnet a great flex option. Charbonnet had 12.1 PPR points last week and averaged seven yards per carry; however, on the season, he is averaging only 3.5 yards per rush.

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills (knee) — Questionable
Kincaid is not expected to play, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Kincaid hasn’t played since Week 10, and if he sits again, Dawson Knox is a streaming option during a week with six teams on bye.

Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills (wrist) — Questionable
Coleman remains questionable heading into Week 14 and is a game-time decision, according to Ian Rapoport. Khalil Shakir gets the most usage for Buffalo. If Coleman sits, Shakir’s and Cooper’s stock rise when the Bills head to Los Angeles to face the Rams.

D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears (quadriceps) — Questionable
Roschon Johnson, RB, Chicago Bears (concussion) — Out
Swift and Johnson did not participate in Thursday’s practice, and Johnson was subsequently ruled out. Behind them on the depth chart is Travis Homer, who has three carries on the year. Swift (3.9 yards per carry) is the No. 1 back in Chicago, but Johnson (2.9 YPC) did see 10 carries in Week 11. Swift is averaging 13.89 PPR points per game, with a 29.5-point season high in Week 4.

DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears (quadriceps) — Questionable
Moore is questionable heading into the week. If Moore doesn’t play, high-ceiling, low-floor WR Rome Odunze could be a viable flex option.

Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams (knee) — Out
Higbee practiced this week and had a chance to be activated off injured reserve but will remain out for Week 14. Davis Allen is the Rams’ No. 1 on the depth chart but has no fantasy relevance, scoring 0.99 PPR points per game. Colby Parkinson has done slightly better with 4.8 points per game.

Sunday Night Football

Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers (knee) — Questionable
McConkey is a true game-time decision, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. If he can’t play in Week 14, Quentin Johnston will benefit the most, and Joshua Palmer could also see additional targets. On the season, McConkey’s seen 24.9 percent of team targets; TE Will Dissly’s had 16.3 percent, Johnston’s absorbed 14.2 percent and Palmer gets only 12.6 percent. McConkey’s absence leaves a lot behind, and Johnston’s ceiling is around the 22 PPR points he scored in Week 9, while he’s averaged 9.72 points this year.

Spencer Shrader, K, Kansas City Chiefs (hamstring) — Injured reserve
After Harrison Butker was placed on IR, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Shrader from the Jets’ practice squad. Shrader was 3-for-3 on field goal attempts (including a game-winner in Week 12) and made all six extra-point attempts. But a hamstring injury sent Shrader to IR, and the Chiefs signed Matthew Wright to their active roster. In Week 13, Wright made 4-of-5 field goal attempts (missing only a 59-yarder) and hit his only extra-point attempt.

Monday Night Football

Evan McPherson, K, Cincinnati Bengals (groin) — Injured reserve
McPherson has been placed on injured reserve. In his absence, the Bengals are signing Cade York to the practice squad, and he’ll likely be next in line to kick for Cincinnati. York kicked for the Commanders in Week 1 and went 0-for-2 on field goals but made both of his extra-point attempts.

CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys (shoulder) — Expected to play
Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys (concussion) — Expected to play
Lamb is the only reliable Cowboys receiver and Dallas owner Jerry Jones said he will benefit from rest and should be ready for Week 14, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. With all the Cowboys’ struggles and Cooper Rush taking over QB duties, Lamb is still averaging 16.49 PPR points on the season. Ferguson hasn’t played since Week 11 and is only averaging 8.66 PPR points per game, but he has averaged 6.44 targets and 4.78 receptions per game and should make it back for Week 14.

Weather report

Outdoor games only

According to Rotowire’s aggregated NFL-related forecasts, no games on the schedule will be impacted by weather. None have expected temperatures below 35 degrees, which would impact the passing game as per Jake Ciely’s fantasy football strategy guide to weather and as illustrated in the table below.

Featured games

Game-specific previews and live updates are available on the day of the game.

Sunday afternoon

Buffalo Bills (10-2) vs. Los Angeles Rams (6-6)

• Venue: SoFi Stadium — Inglewood, Calif.
• Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
• TV: Fox

The Buffalo Bills, having clinched the AFC East, go on the road as favorites to face the Los Angeles Rams. The 6-6 Rams still have a shot at the NFC West title and have plenty to play for, but motivation does not equal victory. LA’s defense ranks 28th in rushing yards allowed per game, which bodes well for James Cook who averages 4.7 yards per rush and has 11 rushing TDs on the year. Josh Allen has the odds to win MVP this year with 2,691 passing yards, 334 rushing yards, 26 total TDs and only five interceptions. His primary targets are Khalil Shakir (6.64 targets per game), Amari Cooper (6.6) and Dalton Kincaid (5.9).

The Rams suffered from wide receiver injuries early in the season, but Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are now healthy. Matthew Stafford ranks in the top 10 in passing TDs and passing yards but ranks last in passer rating under pressure. Fortunately for him, the Bills rank in the bottom half of the league in sack percentage and opponents time to pressure and time to throw. Kyren Williams has 926 rushing yards (5th in the NFL) and 10 rushing TDs (T-7th) on the year. Blake Corum had eight carries in Week 13, tying his season-high in Week 2 but remains a handcuff with limited fantasy viability.

Read the full preview.

Sunday night

Los Angeles Chargers (8-4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (11-1)

• Venue: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium — Kansas City, Mo.
• Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC
• Streaming: Peacock

The Kansas City Chiefs are home favorites in their second matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. In the teams’ first meeting, the Chiefs won 17-10, typical of a skin-of-their-teeth season in which they’ve won by three points or fewer in three of their last four games — the fourth game was their only loss, to Buffalo. Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce have renewed their chemistry since Week 4, and Kelce has had three 20-plus PPR performances since then. During the past three weeks, DeAndre Hopkins has run the most routes (87) and been the most targeted (19) receiver (outside of Kelce). Xavier Worthy is right behind him with 19 targets and 83 routes. Isiah Pacheco averaged 6.3 yards per carry in his first game back last week, and he’ll likely see more touches going forward.

The Chargers’ 8-4 record is their best at this point in the season since 2018, but much of their success has come against weaker opponents. They’ve lost to the Steelers, Cardinals, Ravens (and Chiefs). Head coach Jim Harbaugh has made massive improvements to the defense, and Justin Herbert and the offense are coming along. But J.K. Dobbins is out for the season, Gus Edwards is an inadequate fill-in, and Ladd McConkey is battling a knee injury. If McConkey plays, he’s shaping into an every-week starter with 17.8 PPR points per game over the past three weeks, fantasy’s WR13 during that time.

Read the full preview.

Monday night

Cincinnati Bengals (4-8) vs. Dallas Cowboys (5-7)

• Venue: AT&T Stadium — Arlington, Texas
• Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN, ABC
• Streaming: ESPN+

The 4-8 Cincinnati Bengals are favored on the road against the 5-7 Dallas Cowboys. While the Cowboys defeated the Giants on Thanksgiving, they face a tougher QB in Joe Burrow, who is having a career year with a 108.4 passer rating to go with a league-leading 3,337 passing yards and 30 passing TDs. Chase Brown is averaging 14.78 PPR points per game, and Ja’Marr Chase leads the league in receiving yards (1,142). Tee Higgins ranks fourth overall in PPR points per game (18.4) for receivers who have played in five or more games, putting up WR1 numbers as the team’s No. 2 receiver.

The Cowboys may struggle to stop Burrow, but even with Cooper Rush under center, they may be able to score on the Bengals, who allow the second-most points and are ranked 27th in yards per game allowed. CeeDee Lamb, tied for fourth in total receiving yards, tweaked his shoulder on Thanksgiving but should be ready for MNF, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Rico Dowdle is a boom-or-bust RB3/flex (in 12-team leagues) with under 10 PPR points in five games this season and over 19 in three but should find opportunities against Cincinnati’s defense.

Read the full preview (coming Monday).

Statistics in this section come from TruMedia.

Market share report

Michael Salfino studies utilization to help you set your Week 14 lineup.

Target and touch totals are important but not as important as the market share. “Targets” is mostly a receiver stat (although there are some notable early exceptions). Touches are the currency of the running back.

What we’re doing is really simple. For pass-catchers, market share is targets divided by team pass attempts. For running backs, it is touches divided by team plays from scrimmage (not team touches, to be clear).

Rico Dowdle should be starting for you. He’s been in the top 10 for the past two weeks now. Ditto Bucky Irving, who is electric (but who may be banged up — check the practice reports). Don’t ask me questions about these guys, who play each other in Week 16.

—Salfino

Read all of Salfino’s insights.

Flex Fliers

Scott Engel discusses last-minute free agency options to fill roster holes.

Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, NO (52 percent rostered): MVS’ rostered percentage continues to climb, but many skeptics remain because of his long history of following good games with long quiet spells. But the new reality is that Derek Carr enjoys hitting Valdes-Scantling downfield frequently, to the tune of four TDs in the last three games. The New York Giants rank sixth in fantasy points per game allowed to WRs over the past four weeks, but their defense may also spend a lot of time on the field.

Kimani Vidal, RB, LAC (32 percent): Gus Edwards could start losing touches to the rookie as soon as this week. Vidal averaged five yards per carry last week and can invigorate a Los Angeles Chargers offense that needs a sparkplug in an important matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs.

See all Week 14 flex fliers.

Jake Ciely’s Week 14 fantasy football player rankings

Find out Jake’s top QB, RB, WR and TE for the week!

• There is no perfect widget out there, sadly, still. I know many view this on your phone, but 1) use the rankings widget on a PC/laptop/etc. if possible or 2) open in your phone’s browser, especially for Android users, to get the scrolling to work (or Android people can try a two-finger scroll).
• ECR = “Expert” Consensus Ranking (which isn’t updated by everyone consistently, so take with a grain of salt).
• Updated regularly, so check up to lineups locking.

Get Ciely’s full Week 14 analysis. Plus sleepers and projections.

(Photo of Breece Hall: Jaiden Tripi/Getty Images)