Report: Fozzy Whittaker won't play Week 17

Dec 28, 2015

According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Panthers reserve running back Fozzy Whittaker suffered a “mild high-ankle sprain” yesterday in Atlanta and won’t play in the regular season finale against the Buccaneers.

Whittaker was carted off yesterday, but the Panthers have already secured a bye week, so he’ll have some time to get well.

The Panthers appeared to be hoping to give Stewart the rest of the regular season off to have him 100 percent for the playoffs, after he suffered a foot injury two weeks ago against the Falcons. Coach Ron Rivera said that day he thought Stewart could have returned to the game if they weren’t so far ahead, but now it looks like they want to park him until the divisional round.

Fantasy Impact:

That would leave the Panthers with fifth-round pick Cameron Artis-Payne and undrafted Brandon Wegher behind fullback Mike Tolbert in the backfield for Week 17, the story said. It also added that with those two in the backfield, pass-protection is something to worry about when the main goal is to keep quarterback Cam Newton upright and healthy.

today

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans practices for second straight day

Greg Auman

0 minutes ago

Cooler weather for Bucs practice today -- Wirfs and Evans practicing again. Still no Zyon McCollum, but Troy Hill and Greg Gaines were practicing today.

Related Players: Sterling Shepard, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer

Fantasy Impact:

Fantastic news for fantasy managers hanging on to Mike Evans: he should be considered a WR1 option immediately.

yesterday

49ers TE George Kittle "good to go" for Week 12

KNBR

yesterday · 5:34 PM EST

“I will be playing on Sunday. Very excited, can’t pass up playing the Packers. I will be out there for sure.”

George Kittle says he’s good to go for Sunday

Related Players: Eric Saubert

Fantasy Impact:

Kittle returns to a great matchup against a Packers defense that ranks 26th in TE aFPA. He should be fired up as a high-end TE1 once again.

Bears RB D'Andre Swift misses Wednesday practice

Kevin Fishbain

yesterday · 1:29 PM EST

Per Bears head coach Matt Eberflus: Ryan Bates remains in the concussion protocol. Elijah Hicks (ankle) and D'Andre Swift (groin) won't practice.

Teven Jenkins will be limited.

Related Players: Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer

Fantasy Impact:

This is definitely a situation to keep an eye on, as Johnson would have a huge workload if Swift were to miss Week 12. Homer has three rush attempts and zero targets on the year.