Detroit Lions WR Calvin Johnson (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 26.
Footballguys View: This is just some caution on the part of the Lions, though you wonder how much we’ll see him on Sunday given the lack of meaning the season now has. On the other hand, this could be Jim Schwartz’s last hurrah so the team might actually come to play. If Megtron suits up, we have him as his usual rock solid WR1 self.
Lions | No practice for Calvin Johnson
Updating a previous report, New York Giants WR Rueben Randle (knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Dec. 26, due to swelling in his knee.
Footballguys View: Earlier we were more concerned with his quarterback holding him back, now it’s his knee which concerns us. Be cautious with him as this is a meaningless game and we don’t know how much he will be needed. Keep an eye on the reports tomorrow to see if he practices at all. He was already barely a WR3 play – this makes him even more scary.
Giants | Rueben Randle has knee swelling
Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (collarbone) was taking all the first reps in practice during all group drills Thursday, Dec. 26.
Packers | Aaron Rodgers taking first reps in practice
Green Bay Packers WR Randall Cobb (leg) was very close to playing in Week 16, meaning he has a real chance to return in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears.
Footballguys View: It would be a great thing for the Packers but might mess up the value for James Jones and Jarrett Boykin. How many snaps will Cobb see and how many targets? It may make it too hard to start Jones, Boykin or Cobbs as more than WR3s or WR4s.
Packers | Randall Cobb was close to playing
Jacksonville Jaguars CB Demetrius McCray could see snaps in the team’s Week 17 game. McCray has been worked into the mix during practice this week.
Jaguars | Demetrius McCray could see snaps
Aaron Rodgers took first-team reps at Thursday’s practice, leading to increased hope the Green Bay Packers star quarterback will return from a seven-game absence on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
Packers’ Aaron Rodgers takes first-team practice reps
Aaron Rodgers took first-team reps at Thursday’s practice, leading to increased hope the Green Bay Packers star quarterback will return from a seven-game absence on Sunday against the Chicago Bears.
Aaron Rodgers takes first-team practice reps
Jacksonville Jaguars DT Jordan Miller will get the start at defensive tackle in the team’s Week 17 game. Miller played 35 snaps in Week 16. “There’s always room for improvement, but I thought I did all right,” he said. “I’m going back in the lab this week and working on some of the blocking schemes I was familiar with but hadn’t gotten the reps against.”
Jaguars | Jordan Miller to start
Baltimore Ravens RB Ray Rice (quadriceps) is participating in practice Thursday, Dec. 26.
Footballguys View: This year, Ray Rice is the very definition of “unreliable.” You can’t trust him as anything more than a RB3 or RB4.
Ravens | Ray Rice practicing
St. Louis Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said WR Tavon Austin (ankle) has a better chance to return in Week 17 than he did last weekend. Austin has missed the last two games with an ankle injury.
Footballguys View: Austin doesn’t produce enough to be a consistent or reliable fantasy starter. He’ll be a late round, bench addition in next year’s fantasy drafts.
Rams | Tavon Austin has chance to play