Welcome to Week 16 of the 2014 NFL season. Here we'll be posting live updates and analysis as NFL teams release their Sunday inactive lists. All cited player rankings come from our weekly rankings, which are updated to exclude players from the Thursday night game.
Refresh often for the latest information.
Monday Night Football: Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals, 8:30 p.m. ET.
We track key injuries Monday-Friday in Injury Central.
Full Week 16 NFL inactives lists
Ruled out before Sunday
CB Kyle Arrington (hamstring), LB Anthony Barr (knee), RB LeGarrette Blount (shoulder), DT Josh Brent (calf), CB Tarell Brown (foot, IR), WR Vincent Brown (groin), CB Chimdi Chekwa (hamstring), T Gosder Cherilus (groin), S Chris Conte (back), G Jonathan Cooper (wrist), T Paul Cornick (toe), WR Julian Edelman (thigh), DT Nick Fairley (knee), T Nate Garner (illness), S Tashaun Gipson (knee, IR), K Robbie Gould (right quadricep), TE Garrett Graham (ankle), CB Davon House (shoulder), RB Rashad Jennings (ankle), G Charlie Johnson (ankle), TE Brian Leonhardt (concussion), LB Brandon Marshall (foot), S Rontez Miles (shin), LB Mike Mohamed (concussion), WR Denarius Moore (knee), T Russell Okung (chest), G Joe Reitz (ankle), QB Tom Savage (knee), G Xavier Su'a-Filo (back), G Hugh Thornton (knee), LB Dekoda Watson (hamstring), T Menelik Watson (foot), CB K'Waun Williams (hamstring), S Major Wright (ribs, IR).
Top players we're watching
Early games, 1 p.m. ET (8 scheduled)
WR Dwayne Bowe (illness, questionable): active
WR DeAndre Hopkins (ankle, questionable): active
WR Andre Johnson (concussion, probable): active
WR Julio Jones (hip, questionable): active
WR Brandon LaFell (shoulder, questionable): active
QB Cam Newton (back, probable): active
TE Kyle Rudolph (ankle, doubtful): inactive
RB Shane Vereen (ankle, questionable): active
RB DeAngelo Williams (hand, questionable): inactive
Late games, 4:05 and 4:25 p.m. ET (3 scheduled)
WR T.Y. Hilton (hamstring, questionable): inactive
RB DeMarco Murray (hand, questionable): active
Sunday Night Football, 8:30 p.m. ET
No significant players affected.
Updates/analysis (most recent first)
Tony Romo active (3:36 p.m. ET): The Dallas Cowboys' official Twitter feed reports that QB Tony Romo (back, probable) is active. Romo's back hasn't been a problem the past two weeks, as he has scored exactly 20 fantasy points in each, so he's a fine, low-end QB1 for championship matchups. We ranked him ninth for Week 16.
Rolando McClain active (3:36 p.m. ET): The Dallas Cowboys' official Twitter feed reports that LB Rolando McClain (knee, probable) is active. McClain is Jim McCormick's No. 26 linebacker for Week 16.
DeMarco Murray active (3:13 p.m. ET): The Dallas Cowboys' official Twitter feed reports that RB DeMarco Murray (hand, questionable) is active. Though active, Murray will wear a protective wrap on his hand, and it's fair to question how extensive his workload will be. Reports earlier this morning hinted that the Cowboys are concerned about him in pass protection; he might therefore be on a snap count and could be a little more predictable being in there only on running downs. In addition, with the Cowboys only a win away from clinching a playoff spot, if they grab an early lead, Murray might get additional rest later in the game, affecting his workload and fantasy stats. He's still that RB1 you've ridden all year to this point, so keep him in there if you own him, but temper your expectations from him somewhat knowing he's not at full strength.
Derek Carr active (3:06 p.m. ET): The Oakland Raiders' official Twitter feed reports that QB Derek Carr (right thumb, probable) is active. Carr is not a recommended fantasy play facing the stingy Bills defense. We ranked him our No. 24 quarterback for Week 16.
T.Y. Hilton inactive (3:03 p.m. ET): The Indianapolis Colts' official Twitter feed reports that WR T.Y. Hilton (hamstring, questionable) is inactive. Hilton didn't practice this week, and with the Colts effectively playing only for seeding between three and four in the AFC these next two weeks, it makes a lot of sense for them to take a conservative approach to his health in the short term. His absence thrusts Donte Moncrief back into the fantasy spotlight, as he'll see an increase in snaps and targets in the Colts' receiver rotation including Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks. Moncrief is our No. 26 wide receiver for Week 16.
Reggie Wayne active (3:03 p.m. ET): The Indianapolis Colts' official Twitter feed reports that WR Reggie Wayne (not injury related, probable) is active. With T.Y. Hilton inactive, Wayne might see a few more targets than usual. Still, he has a limited ceiling, and we ranked him 33rd among wide receivers for Week 16.
Dan Carpenter active (2:54 p.m. ET): ESPN NFL Nation reporter Mike Rodak reports that K Dan Carpenter (right groin, probable) is active for the Buffalo Bills. Facing a Raiders team that has afforded opposing kickers the fifth-most fantasy points this season, Carpenter is our No. 5 kicker for Week 16.
Anthony Dixon active (2:54 p.m. ET): ESPN NFL Nation reporter Mike Rodak reports that RB Anthony Dixon (chest, probable) is active for the Buffalo Bills. Dixon's workload is somewhat uncertain, what with C.J. Spiller active this week. Expect minimal use, making him a weak fantasy choice. We ranked Dixon our No. 47 running back for Week 16.
C.J. Spiller active (2:54 p.m. ET): ESPN NFL Nation reporter Mike Rodak reports that RB C.J. Spiller is active for the Buffalo Bills. It's unclear just how much Spiller will be used in his first game back from a broken collarbone, and fantasy owners should keep him reserved if possible to get a read on both his health and workload. His active status is actually more of a negative for Fred Jackson than a positive for Spiller; the Raiders represent a favorable matchup for whomever gets the bulk of the carries. We ranked Jackson 15th and Spiller 40th accounting for this.
Chris Long active (2:33 p.m. ET): ESPN NFL Nation reporter Nick Wagoner reports that DE Chris Long (ankle, probable) is active for the St. Louis Rams. Long is Jim McCormick's No. 35 defensive lineman for Week 16.
Jameel McClain active (2:26 p.m. ET): ESPN NFL Nation reporter Dan Graziano reports that LB Jameel McClain (knee, probable) is active for the New York Giants. McClain is Jim McCormick's No. 21 linebacker for Week 16.
Travaris Cadet inactive (11:53 a.m. ET): The New Orleans Saints' official Twitter feed reports that Travaris Cadet is inactive. He is a healthy scratch, presumably because the Saints are comfortable with Pierre Thomas as their passing-down back at this point. Cadet can be safely cut if you need the roster space in deeper leagues.
Percy Harvin active (11:52 a.m. ET): ESPN NFL Nation reporter Rich Cimini reports that WR Percy Harvin (ankle, probable) is active for the New York Jets. Harvin, unfortunately, is going up against Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, making his matchup look awfully unfavorable. Harvin is only our No. 42 wide receiver for Week 16.
Chad Greenway active (11:51 a.m. ET): The Minnesota Vikings' official Twitter feed reports that LB Chad Greenway (not injury related, probable) is active. Greenway is Jim McCormick's No. 8 linebacker for Week 16.
Brian Cushing active (11:51 a.m. ET): ESPN NFL Nation reporter Tania Ganguli reports that LB Brian Cushing (ankle, probable) is active for the Houston Texans. Cushing is Jim McCormick's No. 35 linebacker for Week 16.
Daryl Smith active (11:50 a.m. ET): The Baltimore Ravens' official Twitter feed reports that LB Daryl Smith (not injury related, probable) is active. Smith is Jim McCormick's No. 13 linebacker for Week 16.
Thomas Davis active (11:50 a.m. ET): The Carolina Panthers' official Twitter feed reports that LB Thomas Davis (knee, probable) is active. Davis is Jim McCormick's No. 24 linebacker for Week 15.
Roddy White active (11:49 a.m. ET): The Atlanta Falcons' official Twitter feed reports that WR Roddy White (knee, probable) is active. The Falcons have all three of their top wide receivers active for Week 16, though their matchup is extremely favorable for the position. He should get a healthy number of targets and be a WR2; we ranked him 13th for the week.
Eddie Lacy active (11:48 a.m. ET): ESPN NFL Nation reporter Rob Demovsky reports that RB Eddie Lacy (eye, probable) is active for the Green Bay Packers. Lacy's contact-lens issue isn't a concern for fantasy owners; he remains a RB1 in a favorable matchup against the Buccaneers, who rank 11th in terms of fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Lacy is our No. 2 running back for Week 16.
Donnie Avery inactive (11:44 a.m. ET): ESPN NFL Nation reporter Adam Teicher reports that WR Donnie Avery is inactive for the Kansas City Chiefs. Avery is a healthy scratch after missing Week 15 with a groin injury; he isn't fantasy-relevant.
Kyle Rudolph inactive (11:41 a.m. ET): The Minnesota Vikings' official Twitter feed reports that TE Kyle Rudolph (ankle, doubtful) is inactive. Chase Ford and Rhett Ellington will serve as the Vikings' tight ends this week, with Ford the better pass-catching choice of the two for the desperate. Neither made our top 25 tight end rankings for Week 16.
Joe Haden inactive (11:39 a.m. ET): The Cleveland Browns' official Twitter feed reports that CB Joe Haden (shoulder, questionable) is inactive. It's good news for Kelvin Benjamin's fantasy owners, as his matchup becomes somewhat better with Haden sidelined. Benjamin is our No. 12 wide receiver for Week 16.
DeAndre Hopkins active (11:38 a.m. ET): ESPN NFL Nation reporter Tania Ganguli reports that WR DeAndre Hopkins (ankle, questionable) is active for the Houston Texans. Hopkins missed three straight practices this week, but apparently he's good to go after going through the pre-game warm-ups. That said, while he's facing a Ravens defense that has struggled to defend opposing wide receivers, that he's less than 100 percent and has Case Keenum as his quarterback tempers fantasy enthusiasm regarding him. I'd call Hopkins more of a WR3; I was on board as potentially a high-end WR2 earlier in the week before practices begun, but now he's riskier than a lot of the members of the top 25.
Andre Johnson active (11:38 a.m. ET): ESPN NFL Nation reporter Tania Ganguli reports that WR Andre Johnson (concussion, probable) is active for the Houston Texans. DeAndre Hopkins' active listing this week is bad news for Johnson, who will now have to battle for targets with Case Keenum as his quarterback. Among quarterbacks with at least 250 pass attempts since the beginning of 2012, Keenum's 54.2 percent completion rate is second-worst only to Josh Freeman's 52.3 percent. Consider Johnson at best a WR3 and a bit of a guess in that class; he checks in 28th in our rankings for Week 16.
DeAngelo Williams inactive (11:36 a.m. ET): The Carolina Panthers' official Twitter feed reports that RB DeAngelo Williams (hand, questionable) is inactive. With Williams sidelined, Jonathan Stewart has the Panthers' backfield mostly to himself for a third consecutive week, he'll probably get the goal-line work with Cam Newton perhaps being used more conservatively as a runner, and he's facing a Browns defense that was slaughtered for 42 fantasy points by Bengals running backs in Week 15. Mike Tolbert will serve as Stewart's backup.
Troy Polamalu inactive (11:34 a.m. ET): The Pittsburgh Steelers' official Twitter feed reports that S Troy Polamalu (knee, doubtful) is inactive.
Ike Taylor inactive (11:34 a.m. ET): The Pittsburgh Steelers' official Twitter feed reports that CB Ike Taylor (shoulder, doubtful) is inactive. This, coupled with Troy Polamalu's inactive listing, hurts the Steelers' defensive prospects for Week 16; they will be particularly vulnerable to wide receivers. On the bright side, they're facing a team with only one touchdown from a wide receiver: The Chiefs, who have gotten theirs from Jason Avant. We ranked the Steelers' D/ST 18th for the week.
Daniel Thomas inactive (11:33 a.m. ET): The Miami Dolphins' official Twitter feed reports that RB Daniel Thomas (knee, doubtful) is inactive. With Thomas sidelined, Damien Williams will serve as Lamar Miller's backup, which is only fantasy-relevant in that Miller's stats tend to worsen with increased in-game work, meaning that there could be some late-game, change-of-pace carries for the backup.
Harry Douglas active (11:30 a.m. ET): The Atlanta Falcons' official Twitter feed reports that WR Harry Douglas (foot, probable) is active. Douglas' fantasy prospects, however, are tempered by Julio Jones' exclusion from the inactives list; Jones is active and expected to start and handle his usual role. Douglas might see more targets as the No. 3 wide receiver than he normally would, what with Jones perhaps not at full strength, and the matchup does lean towards three wideouts putting up numbers. Still, Douglas is a WR3 at best now, checking in 29th in our rankings.
Julio Jones active (11:30 a.m. ET): The Atlanta Falcons' official Twitter feed reports that WR Julio Jones (hip, questionable) is active. It's great news for Jones' fantasy owners but bad for Harry Douglas', though it's unclear just how healthy Jones is for this game. That said, he did put in some side work during the practice week, despite not participating in any one session, and he did participate in the Saturday walk-through, meaning he's probably not active as a mere decoy. Jones' injury puts him in the risk/reward class, but his matchup makes him worth the chance; we ranked him our No. 8 wide receiver for Week 16, and that's accounting for the health risk.
Dont'a Hightower active (11:28 a.m. ET): The New England Patriots' official Twitter feed reports that LB Dont'a Hightower (shoulder, questionable) is active. Though linebackers are a dime a dozen in IDP leagues, Hightower has been plenty productive of late: He has 13 solo tackles, 13 assisted tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble in his past three games combined. He's Jim McCormick's No. 28 linebacker for Week 16, making him a viable fill-in if you're hurting at the position.
Chandler Jones active (11:28 a.m. ET): The New England Patriots' official Twitter feed reports that DE Chandler Jones (hip, questionable) is active. Jones had four solo tackles, three assisted tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and a forced fumble in his return to the lineup in Week 15, cementing once again his status as a DL1. He's third in Jim McCormick's defensive linemen rankings for Week 16.
Brandon LaFell active (11:28 a.m. ET): The New England Patriots' official Twitter feed reports that WR Brandon LaFell (shoulder, questionable) is active. The Patriots actually provided somewhat of a hint to their inactives on Saturday, when it was revealed that Julian Edelman didn't travel with the team to New York. That made it clear that not only LaFell would play, but that he'd be the team's top target among wide receivers for Week 16. That's good news considering that the Jets had allowed 20.8 fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers from Weeks 12-15 -- that 16th-most -- against four teams with middling-to-mediocre passing games. It makes LaFell a solid WR2 in all formats, and he checks in 15th in our rankings.
Rob Ninkovich active (11:28 a.m. ET): The New England Patriots' official Twitter feed reports that DE Rob Ninkovich (heel, questionable) is active. Ninkovich has been one of the most consistent defensive linemen in IDP formats, with at least three solo tackles in each of his past three games. He's Jim McCormick's No. 11 defensive lineman for Week 16.
Shane Vereen active (11:28 a.m. ET): The New England Patriots' official Twitter feed reports that RB Shane Vereen (ankle, questionable) is active. Even with LeGarrette Blount inactive, Vereen's role shouldn't change; he's their pass-catching running back and his snap count had already been pacing the team besides. It's possible that he'll get goal-line carries, the one plus with the Blount news, but fantasy owners should treat him as they always do: A flex play in standard -- he's our No. 27 running back there -- and an RB2 in PPR.
Dwayne Bowe active (11:27 a.m. ET): ESPN NFL Nation reporter Adam Teicher reports that WR Dwayne Bowe (illness, questionable) is active for the Kansas City Chiefs. He's active despite not getting in a practice all week, though in his defense, he's facing a Steelers defense that has afforded opposing wide receivers 103 fantasy points combined the past three weeks, most in the league, and will be without Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor this week. Bowe is a decent WR3/4 in deeper leagues, checking in 40th in our rankings.
Cam Newton active (11:26 a.m. ET): The Carolina Panthers' official Twitter feed reports that QB Cam Newton (back, probable) is active. He was cleared Saturday to play, though it's unclear just how much he'll be utilized in the running game, putting a bit of a cap on his fantasy upside for Week 16. He's a QB2, checking in 11th in our rankings.
LeGarrette Blount won't play Sunday (Saturday, 10:00 p.m. ET): ESPN NFL Nation reporter Mike Reiss tweeted Saturday that RB LeGarrette Blount (shoulder, out) has been ruled out for Week 16 by the New England Patriots. It's somewhat unexpected, as Blount did put in limited practice time this week, but at least his fantasy owners have early enough word about his status to plan ahead. With Blount sidelined, Shane Vereen (ankle, questionable), Jonas Gray and Brandon Bolden will share the rushing duties for the Patriots, with Vereen likely to lead in snaps but play the bulk of them on passing downs. Gray should absorb Blount's short-yardage work, making him a touchdown bet much the way he was during his 44-point fantasy outburst of Week 11 -- though that's not to say that he'll score anywhere near that many in Week 16. Vereen remains a standard-league flex play with RB2 upside in PPR formats, while Gray is actually the more attractive standard-league play, a high-end flex but one who's more of a low-to-mid flex in PPR.
Julian Edelman won't play Sunday (Saturday, 10:00 p.m. ET): ESPN NFL Nation reporter Mike Reiss tweeted Saturday that WR Julian Edelman (thigh, out) did not travel with the New England Patriots to New York, meaning Edelman will be one of their Week 16 inactives. With Edelman sidelined, expect Brandon LaFell (shoulder, questionable) and Rob Gronkowski to dominate targets, though Danny Amendola could see enough targets behind them to be a deep-league hail mary play.