Championship Weekend: Essential NFL Practice News & Notes for Friday
Steelers QB Zach Mettenberger (illness) took full practice reps again Friday.
Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger (not injury related) was removed from the injury report Friday. No worries here, Big Ben will be out there against the Patriots. Roethlisberger has averaged 44% fewer fantasy points in 14 road games over the past two seasons.
Steelers RB LeVeon Bell (not injury related) took full practice reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week. Bell will be fine to face the Patriots. Unlike his quarterback, Bell has actually been 10% better (PPR) on the road. He has averaged 0.78 rush TD in nine road games over the last two seasons.
Patriots RB Brandon Bolden (knee, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 20.
Packers RB James Starks (concussion, out) missed practice all week and is out for Week 20.
Steelers RB Fitzgerald Toussaint (concussion, questionable) took full practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 20.
Packers WR Davante Adams (ankle, questionable) and Geronimo Allison (hamstring, questionable) missed practice all week and are questionable for Week 20. Jordy Nelson (ribs, questionable) missed practice Friday after taking limited reps Thursday and is questionable for Week 20. All three players are game-time decisions. Adams and Allison are expected to play, and Nelson is apparently trending up.
Falcons WR Taylor Gabriel (foot) took full practice reps on Friday after being limited earlier in the week. Gabriel typically lines up on the right side of the field, which gives him a great matchup with the left side of the Packer secondary.
Steelers WR Darrius Heyward-Bey (illness) took full practice reps again Friday.
Patriots WR Chris Hogan (thigh, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 20. Hogan had a “solid limp” in the locker room on Friday per SI’s Greg Bedard, so he may be limited or sidelined this week. If he’s out, Danny Amendola, Malcolm Mitchell and Michael Floyd will try to pick up the slack. Malcolm Mitchell (knee, questionable) and Danny Amendola (ankle, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and are questionable for Week 20.
Packers WR Jeff Janis (quadricep) took full practice reps again Friday. Janis may see more snaps with the GB receiving corps extremely banged up.
Falcons WR Julio Jones (toe) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice earlier in the week. HC Dan Quinn said Jones “looked good” on Friday and “won’t have any limitations” on Sunday. His toe injury is a concern, but he has a great matchup against the Packers.
Patriots TE Martellus Bennett (knee, questionable) took limited practice reps all week and is questionable for Week 20. Bennett has just 91 yards receiving in his last four games, but has three touchdowns in his last five.
Steelers TE Ladarius Green (concussion, illness, questionable) returned to take limited reps Friday after missing practice Thursday and is questionable for Week 20. Green is trending the right direction, though he hasn’t played in a while and may see limited snaps if he does suit up. His return would provide a boost to the Steeler passing game.
Steelers K Chris Boswell (illness) took full practice reps again Friday.
Packers K Mason Crosby (illness) took full practice reps again Friday.
