Panthers 'hopeful' Jonathan Stewart plays Week 17

Dec 29, 2015

The Panthers missed Jonathan Stewart in their first loss of the season on Sunday in Atlanta. They could have their top running back on the field when they try to lock up the NFC's top seed in Week 17.

ESPN's Ed Werder reported Tuesday that the Panthers are "hopeful" Stewart will return to the lineup next Sunday against the 6-9 Buccaneers. Stewart -- who has missed the past two weeks with a foot injury -- ran on a treadmill and could practice on Wednesday, according to a source.

In a perfect world, the Panthers would rest Stewart's foot until the divisional playoffs. But Week 17 still has meaning for the Panthers, who would fall to the NFC's No. 2 seed if they were upset by Tampa Bay on Sunday and the Cardinals topped the Seahawks at home.

Fantasy Impact:

Fozzy Whittaker suffered a high-ankle sprain against the Falcons and won't be available, according to reports. If Stewart isn't able to go, Carolina will ask seldom-used Cameron Artis-Payne to lead the backfield attack.

yesterday

Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson officially Out for Week 12

Adam Schefter

yesterday · 4:12 PM EST

Cowboys list TE Jake Ferguson as out for Sunday’s game vs. Washington due to his concussion.

Related Players: Luke Schoonmaker

Fantasy Impact:

This puts Schoonmaker more or less in TE streaming consideration, but there are far better options this week, which puts him low on the totem pole.

Eagles WR DeVonta Smith officially Out for Week 12

Mike Garafolo

yesterday · 4:04 PM EST

Eagles ruled out WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring) for Sunday against the Rams.

Related Players: A.J. Brown, Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson, Dallas Goedert

Fantasy Impact:

It's a bit of a crapshoot as to who the "WR2" on the offense will be, but now that he's ruled out, Brown and Goedert should get a nice boost to their bottom line. That would lock Goedert into a no-doubt TE1 role in Week 12.