Team news: Minnesota Vikings | Page 17

On Monday, Rams head coach Sean McVay cited that recent success in response to a question about whether the Rams would consider dealing Cam Akers this offseason.

“Oh, no,” McVay said, via Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times. “I think right now, with what he’s done continuing to build on that momentum, I think it’d be silly based on what a great job he’s done to think of it anything differently than him being a big part of what you want to be able to do moving forward.

The story summed it up nicely: there was a point this season when it looked like running back Akers had played his final snap for the Rams, but attempts to trade him didn’t go anywhere and Akers eventually returned to the lineup. Akers has run 64 times for 285 yards and six touchdowns over the last four games, including a 118-yard, three-touchdown performance against the Broncos in Week 16. As of now, Akers looks like he has a future with the Rams, especially since the team doesn't have a lot of draft assets. If the Rams can get back to their Super Bowl potential, Akers could have some fantasy value in 2023.

Wide receiver Ben Skowronek is out for the season after straining a calf muscle Monday night against the Packers.

Related players: Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, Brandon Powell

The Rams are just trying to get to the end of the season at this point but lose yet another player to the IR. Jefferson and Atwell will look to lead the way at WR to close things out.

A.J. Dillon has cleared concussion protocol, Matt LaFleur says.

Related players: Aaron Jones

Dillon has four TDs over his last three games and has 8, 18 and 11 carries in that same span to go along with three catches in each game as well. The Packers still have an outside shot at making the playoffs and will need another win this week, on Christmas Day, in Miami. It's good news for Dillon owners, and it looks like he'll play so owners can save a spot in lineups if they were counting on him. Keep in mind most games this week are on Christmas Eve.

Packers injury update: RB A.J. Dillon is being evaluated for a concussion.

Related players: Aaron Jones, Patrick Taylor

Jones and Dillon ran all over the Rams, which included three TDs in the win - two of which came from Dillon. We'll have to see Dillon's status going forward this week leading up to Week 16's games, which is Christmas Day at Miami. After being unplayable in lineups this season, Dillon has turned it on a bit over the last few weeks. However he may be risky to wait on for owners as most of Week 16's games are Saturday.

Steve Wilks says Sam Darnold will, in fact, start at QB this week against the Lions.

Darnold now has 66 pass attempts through three starts, which is 12 more than Kirk Cousins had in Week 15. It's clear that the Panthers have no interest in throwing the ball, and D.J. Moore is the only fantasy option in the team's passing game.

Broncos ruled out Russell Wilson for Sunday’s game.

Related Players: Brett Rypien

No matter your feelings on Wilson or the Broncos in general, there is no denying that the offense has been a disaster over the course of the first season of their marriage. Last week's 28-34 loss to the Chiefs was the first time this season that the team had scored more than 23 points. Brett Rypien is absolutely a stay-away this week but he should be able to support a WR2/3 game out of Jerry Jeudy.

The Panthers are expected to release QB Baker Mayfield. He'll hit waivers when it's finalized later today.

Related Players: Sam Darnold, P.J. Walker

Carolina quarterbacks have been a dumpster fire this year and Mayfield will now have to find a new home for an improbable career resurgence. Like for the Panthers to come out of their bye week with Sam Darnold solidified as their quarterback down the stretch.

Packers RB Aaron Jones is questionable to return with a shin injury.

The hits keep coming for the Packers. Fortunately, AJ Dillon can jump right in and take over. Jones had 4 carries for 4 yards before coming off the field.

The Rams officially ended Allen Robinson‘s season Tuesday, placing him on injured reserve.

Robinson injured his foot in Week 11 against the Saints, and a CT scan Friday revealed a stress fracture on the navicular bone and will need surgery to repair the injury.

Related players: Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek, Tutu Atwell, Brandon Powell

The hits keep coming for the Rams. Robinson had 33 catches on 52 targets for 339 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games for the team. Robinson remains under contract with the team through 2024 after signing a three-year, $46.5 million deal in March. Jefferson, Skowronek, Atwell and Powell will be the team's top-four WRs. Needless to say, the Rams offense looks to be one to stay away from in fantasy.

A QB change: Panthers will start QB Sam Darnold vs. the Broncos on Sunday.

Related players: P.J. Walker, Baker Mayfield

It will be a tough matchup against the Broncos for Darnold. And, it will tough to expect a lot more to the Panthers offense with this QB change, but it's worth noting for those in deeper supflex or two QB leagues. Owners of D.J. Moore can always hope this change will be the one to get him going, however.