Arizona Cardinals DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (knee) didn't return to Sunday's overtime loss to the Panthers. The veteran had another fantastic showing, amassing 117 yards and a touchdown off 15 carries. He also had four catches for 49 yards. Conner likely would have been more productive in Week 16. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury and didn't return. The 29-year-old will likely undergo testing in the coming days. However, the Cardinals can't make the playoffs, so the team may not put him out there against the Rams in Week 17. If that's the case, Michael Carter, who had 18 yards off five attempts, will presumably remain the No. 1 option out of the backfield.

Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's game with a knee injury. Conner sustained this injury in the third quarter. Before exiting, Conner was enjoying a nice game as he tallied 117 yards and a score on 15 attempts. He also caught all four of his targets for 49 yards. DeeJay Dallas and Michael Carter should handle most of the rushing work while Conner remains sidelined. Dallas has already found the end zone today on a one-yard reception.

Arizona Cardinals running back DeeJay Dallas (illness) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. He had been listed as questionable after missing practice on Friday but evidently recovered enough in time to play this weekend. Dallas will be tasked with handling a bigger workload as he backs up James Conner. His sudden rise up the depth chart comes after the Cardinals ruled out Trey Benson (ankle) and placed Emari Demercado (back) on injured reserve. Nevertheless, Dallas can be left on waivers in fantasy leagues with 14 or fewer teams.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson remains a risky WR3/FLEX play in deeper leagues as he prepares to take on the Carolina Panthers. The 24-year-old has been a beacon of availability this season, playing at least 66 percent of offensive snaps in all 14 games. He has a modest stat line of 41 catches, 482 yards, and four touchdowns so far, ranking 52nd among wide receivers in terms of fantasy points (PPR). He had come on strong with 25.2 fantasy points between Weeks 13 and 14, but he dropped down to just 2.9 points with a pair of catches for nine yards last weekend. This week, Wilson faces the Panthers, who have been mediocre in terms of defending wide receivers. Carolina has allowed the 14th-fewest fantasy points to slot receivers this year, as well as the 12th-most fantasy points to receivers who play out wide. For context, Wilson has taken 212 snaps from the slot (30.6 percent), which is the 34th-most among NFL receivers. Managers can certainly justify starting him in deeper fantasy formats, but we'd advise looking elsewhere for production in leagues with 12 teams or fewer.

Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride is arguably the No. 1 overall tight end play in fantasy football in Week 16 when the Cardinals travel to Carolina to take on the Panthers. McBride is having one of the best seasons we've seen from a tight end in recent memory, and statistically, the best in Arizona in a long time. One statistical category that is lacking is touchdown production, though. McBride just broke the record for most receptions in a season (89) without a touchdown. Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has been vocal about getting McBride into the end zone, and they will have a good opportunity to do so in Week 16, as the Panthers are allowing the most passing touchdowns in the NFL. It's hard to find a better option at the tight end position than McBride, and he should be started in all league formats.