Kansas City rests a handful of veterans in Week 3 preseason against Chicago, with several depth pieces not slated to play. Chiefs inactive list includes Nazeeh Johnson, Jake Briningstool, Jack Cochrane, Omarr Norman-Lott, Ethan Driskell, plus Jaylen Royals and Mike Edwards. Chicago mirrors that approach, keeping Deion Hankins, Jaylon Johnson, Terell Smith, Shaun Wade, Kyler Gordon, Austin Booker and Dominique Robinson sidelined. Inactives emphasize rest and evaluation over injury, and rosters must disclose who sits about 90 minutes before kickoff. Fantasy takeaway: this is the weekend to watch untested backups seize reps and potentially carve roles behind the top units.

Expect Briningstool and Cochrane to get looks that could foreshadow later usage, while Norman-Lott and Driskell bubble up opportunities on the Chiefs’ interior line and depth chart. For Chicago, the absence of the starting DBs sharpens the spotlight on reserve corners and versatile linemen, which can tilt snap shares for those chasing late-round DFS angles. In other words, Week 3 becomes a stage for rookies and depth players to prove themselves and potentially alter late-season fantasy plans.

Overall, the matchup serves as a practical lab for evaluating depth and future rotation shifts, with inactives signaling thoughtful rest rather than injury. Both franchises leverage the game to test cohesion and identify hidden value among backups, a reminder that preseason results often illuminate future fantasy opportunities more than box-score highlights.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Baltimore Ravens in Dallas kicks off a critical preseason storyline: who among the ambitious camp risers can press for the 53-man roster and who will fade as cuts loom. Joe Milton III is the focal point, tasked with accelerating in Schottenheimer’s system, refining timing and ball placement rather than blasting throws. Tyler Booker makes his NFL debut in this rematch, a big test for the first-rounder as the Cowboys look to solidify their blocking unit and run game in live action.

Across the depth chart, Deuce Vaughn and Jaydon Blue will vie for meaningful touches alongside Phil Mafah, Malik Davis, and Hunter Luepke, all seeking to prove they belong on the final roster. At receiver, Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Brooks, Traeshon Holden, Ryan Flournoy, and Jalen Cropper battle for snaps behind the topters, with Holden and Flournoy drawing particular attention after productive Rams performances. The Rams reference in Week 1 lingers as a benchmark for polish and timing, while the Ravens contest provides a fresh gauge on the Cowboys’ roster prospects and fantasy upside ahead of the final cuts.

The Carolina Panthers will head into Week 18 without their standout cornerback, Jaycee Horn, who has been ruled out due to a hip injury. Horn, the only Panthers player selected for the Pro Bowl this season, did not participate in practice throughout the week and also missed the previous game. Despite his absence, Horn's impressive 2024 season included 68 combined tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 13 pass defenses, and 1 interception, marking a significant milestone in his career.

With Horn sidelined, the Panthers will likely rely on cornerbacks Michael Jackson and Caleb Farley during their matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on January 5. The Panthers have also listed four other players as inactive for the game, including linebackers Amare Barno, DJ Johnson, and Josey Jewell, along with cornerback Lonnie Johnson. Notably, Jewell has been a key player for the Panthers, starting 12 games and recording 97 combined tackles this season.

As the Panthers prepare for the crucial game against the Falcons, they face additional injury concerns. Offensive tackle Robert Hunt is questionable due to a knee injury, while fellow offensive tackle Taylor Moton and defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson are also uncertain after limited participation in practice. However, running back Miles Sanders has returned to full practice and is also listed as questionable.

The Falcons, needing a win to secure a playoff spot, will face the Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. They must win and hope for a loss from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to clinch their first postseason berth since 2017. The game is set to kick off at 1 pm ET, coinciding with the Buccaneers' matchup against the New Orleans Saints.

The Carolina Panthers held a regular practice on Thanksgiving as they gear up for their upcoming game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, the team is dealing with injuries to key players.

Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney missed his second consecutive practice due to a shoulder injury, while rookie wide receiver Jalen Coker and rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders were also sidelined. Clowney's absence would be significant, especially after his standout performance last week.

With Clowney potentially out, DJ Johnson is likely to step in. The Panthers are also facing depth issues at tight end, with Ian Thomas on injured reserve and Tommy Tremble expected to start if Sanders cannot play.

The Carolina Panthers are facing a challenging Week 12 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, coming off a bye week that provided some recovery time for players. However, several key players are still dealing with injuries, which could impact their performance.

Notably, Jadeveon Clowney did not practice due to a knee issue, and he was joined by Miles Sanders, Damien Lewis, and A'Shawn Robinson on the sidelines. While Adam Thielen is expected to return from Injured Reserve, he was limited in practice due to a hamstring problem. The Panthers will need to monitor the status of these players closely as they prepare for a crucial game.