The Las Vegas Raiders are gearing up for their Week 17 clash against the New Orleans Saints, with both teams releasing their final injury reports ahead of the matchup. The Raiders have listed five players on their report, while the Saints have nine, indicating a potentially challenging game for both squads. Notably, the Raiders did not practice on Wednesday due to the holiday, adding to the anticipation of how their injured players will perform come game day.

Linebacker Kana'i Mauga leads the Raiders' injury report, dealing with a calf issue that limited his practice time earlier in the week. However, he made significant progress by Friday, fully participating in practice, which bodes well for his availability. In contrast, guard Jordan Meredith remains sidelined with an ankle injury, officially marked as OUT for Sunday’s game, as his recovery has not progressed sufficiently.

Rookie guard Jackson Powers-Johnson has also been nursing a quad and ankle injury but showed resilience by participating fully in practice on Friday, making him a likely candidate to play. Running back Dylan Laube, who has been battling an illness, showed some improvement by moving to limited participation, suggesting he could be available for the game. K'Lavon Chaisson, another Raider, has been practicing without setbacks and is expected to play. A new concern arose with cornerback Nate Hobbs, who was added to the injury report due to an illness but, like Laube, is not ruled out for the game. As the Raiders aim for back-to-back victories, the status of these players will be crucial in their performance against the Saints.

The Las Vegas Raiders recently secured a narrow 19-14 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars, setting the stage for their upcoming matchup against the New Orleans Saints. As the team prepares for this NFC clash, they released an injury report highlighting several key players. Notably, guards Jackson Powers-Johnson and Jordan Meredith are dealing with injuries, with Powers-Johnson limited in practice and Meredith not participating at all. Both players have been crucial to the Raiders' offensive line this season, contributing significantly to the team's performance. Powers-Johnson, a second-round draft choice, has shown remarkable versatility as a rookie, while Meredith has emerged as a pleasant surprise on the roster.

Despite their recent win, the Raiders find themselves in a complicated position regarding the draft. Their victory against the Jaguars cost them the No. 1 overall pick, which could have been used to select potential franchise quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Additionally, rookie running back Dylan Laube was sidelined due to illness, further complicating the team's preparations. On the defensive side, K'Lavon Chaisson, a former first-round pick of the Jaguars, has been a bright spot in the lineup, fully participating in practice and contributing four sacks and six tackles for loss this season.

The Saints may also face challenges, as star running back Alvin Kamara is nursing a groin injury and did not practice, while wide receiver Chris Olave is expected to return, adding a dynamic element to their offense. The Raiders' defense has been performing admirably, allowing only 15 and 14 points in their last two games. Defensive coordinator Patrick Graham emphasized the importance of fundamentals such as effort, communication, and discipline, which he believes are essential for continued success on the field.

Week 12 of the fantasy football season presents a significant challenge with six teams on bye, pushing managers to consider unconventional players for their lineups. Key running backs Austin Ekeler, Ameer Abdullah, and J.K. Dobbins are under the spotlight as they navigate unique situations that could impact their performance.

Ekeler faces a favorable matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, known for struggling against pass-catching running backs. Despite sharing the backfield with Brian Robinson Jr., his dual-threat capability makes him a solid RB2 option.

Meanwhile, Ameer Abdullah has the chance for a heavy workload with the Raiders, but he faces a tough Denver Broncos defense, which complicates his potential output. J.K. Dobbins, on the other hand, confronts his former team, the Baltimore Ravens, in a challenging matchup that could limit his effectiveness. Managers must weigh these factors carefully as they finalize their lineups for a critical week.

As Week 12 of fantasy football approaches, managers face tough start/sit decisions, especially with injuries affecting key players. Chicago Bears' Roschon Johnson may see increased action if D'Andre Swift is unable to play, but he remains a risky start.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia Eagles' Jahan Dotson lacks upside despite DeVonta Smith's absence, while Las Vegas Raiders' Dylan Laube is a desperation option against a strong Denver Broncos defense. Fantasy managers must navigate these challenges carefully.

The Las Vegas Raiders have made significant roster changes, signing running back Chris Collier and cornerback Keenan Isaac to their practice squad. Collier, who went undrafted in 2024, has played primarily on special teams this season, while Isaac, also an undrafted free agent, has similarly contributed as a special teamer.

These moves come in response to injuries sustained during Week 11, leaving the Raiders' secondary and running back corps depleted. With starting cornerbacks Jack Jones and Jakorian Bennett unable to play, and running backs Alexander Mattison and Zamir White also sidelined, the team faces challenges ahead of their Week 12 matchup against the Denver Broncos.