NFL Player News

The Texans are quite healthy heading into their Sunday game against Indianapolis. Only tight end Garrett Graham (hamstring) and wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (ankle) are questionable. The rest are probable.

The offensive probables include quarterback Case Keenum (shoulder) and running back Ben Tage (ribs). The others are fullback Greg Jones (knee), tackle Derek Newton (knee), guard Wade Smith (knee) and quarterback T.J. Yates (back). 

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been ruled out Week 15 against the Cowboys.

Rodgers is still dealing with a collarbone injury. Though he was able to participate in limited practice all week, team doctors said it was not safe for him to return. Rodgers believes he's ready to go, but will not play Week 15.

Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is riding arguably the best stretch of his career, having won four of his last six games, while completing 65.0 percent of his passes and amassing 10 turnovers in that span. He will need to be solid yet again in Week 15, with a big game coming against the Patriots Sunday.

Tannehill hasn't enjoyed much success against the Patriots in his nearly two-year NFL career. He failed to throw a touchdown in either game against them as a rookie, and matched his two-touchdown performance in a Week 8 game against the Patriots earlier this season with a pair of costly interceptions.

Since that game against Tannehill, the Patriots defense hasn't been particularly great against quarterbacks, however. Opposing passers have racked up 30-plus points in three of five games since, and are averaging 26.2 Fantasy points per game with 13 touchdowns and only four interceptions in that span.

Tannehill's track record against New England doesn't bode well, but there are reasons to think he might be able to turn it around against them. Given his recent play, as well as New England's poor recent track record against the pass, has some upside as a low-end starting option for Week 15.   

Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin will look to stay sharp, although he may lose some snaps heading into a difficult matchup in Week 15 against the Chiefs.

McGloin threw for multiple touchdowns for the second time this season in Week 14 against the Jets. He's been named the starter but the Raiders have not ruled out using Terrelle Pryor in a few drives as part of the gameplan. 

McGloin will face a Kansas City defense that has allowed 244.6 passing yards per game, which ranks 19th in the league. Opposing quarterbacks have scored 18.00 Fantasy points per game against the Chiefs this season. McGloin should not be viewed as a reliable option for Week 15.

Jets quarterback Geno Smith snapped out of his offensive funk last week against the Raiders, but he may not have what it takes to keep things going in a difficult matchup against the Panthers in Week 15.

Smith completed 16 of 25 passes for 219 yards with one touchdown and one interception in Week 14 against Oakland. He'll face a Carolina defense that has allowed only 216.8 passing yards per game, which is the fifth fewest allowed this season. Opposing quarterbacks have scored 12.08 Fantasy points per game against the Panthers this season.

Smith has only thrown for multiple touchdowns twice this season and has been way too unreliable to trust. Fantasy owners should avoid Smith for Week 14.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be evaluated Friday, according to head coach Mike McCarthy. 

Rodgers was a limited participant in practice Thursday, leaving a chance that he's activated for Week 15. McCarthy said Rodgers "did a little more than [Wednesday]." He is typically evaluated Wednesday and Friday each week. Rodgers has missed the past five games due to a collarbone injury. 

The Cowboys are preparing for both Matt Flynn and Aaron Rodgers, according to the Star-Telegram. 

Rodgers has not been cleared to return from a broken collarbone yet, but the team doesn't want to take any chances. "We’ve got to go out there and prepare for both," defensive end George Selvie said. He added that the Packers employ a different scheme with Rodgers at quarterback, so the team needs to be prepared for both situations. Rodgers has been participating in team drills, and seems close to returning. 

Frustrated by their lack of scoring over the last four weeks, during which they have averaged 12.3 points, Redskins are preparing to give quarterback Kirk Cousins his first start of the season and just the second of his career Week 15 at Atlanta.

They've picked a good time to ease him in. The Falcons rank 20th against the pass, surrendering 245.8 yards per game. They've also allowed the highest quarterback rating and the fourth-most Fantasy points to quarterbacks.

Then again, they stepped up against an inexperienced quarterback last week, sacking the Packers' Matt Flynn five times. Flynn still threw for 258 yards and a touchdown, but the point is the Falcons won't just roll over for Cousins.

The Redskins as a whole are in disarray right now, with unrest at head coach as well as quarterback, so the environment isn't right for Cousins to succeed. Why take a chance on him at this crucial stage of the season?

Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has produced six touchdowns and eight turnovers his past three games. He completed a season-low 10 passes in the Week 14 blizzard in Philadelphia. After all that, he's the No. 3 Fantasy quarterback.

Stafford plays the Ravens on Monday Night Football, and fortunately the game is at Ford Field. In 29 career home games, Stafford has accounted for 65 touchdowns (6 rushing). He's been dynamite against the AFC, too, throwing 36 touchdowns against eight interceptions in 14 games.

The Ravens give up the 9th-fewest Fantasy points (17.2 per game) to opposing quarterbacks. But Matt Cassel (22 points) and Ben Roethlisberger (23) fared well the past two weeks vs. Baltimore. Stafford is better than those guys, has better weapons. He's expected to get back running back Reggie Bush from a calf injury.

Consider Stafford a top-5 play Week 15.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers "took some 11-on-11 reps with the first-team offense in practice Wednesday," reports ESPN.com, citing tight end Andrew Quarless as the source. Rodgers broke his collarbone Nov. 4 and has not yet been cleared to play.

Rodgers "looked real good today," Quarless said, per the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. "It was good to see him out there."

Green Bay visits Dallas on Sunday.