Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys placed rookie running back Deuce Vaughn (ankle) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday and activated defensive lineman Viliami Fehoko (knee) from Injured Reserve in a corresponding move. Vaughn's move to IR is a sign that Rico Dowdle (ankle) should be OK to play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Washington Commanders on Sunday after he sat out last week's win over the Detroit Lions on Saturday. The 22-year-old Vaughn was the talk of training camp over the summer, but he never really found a meaningful role with Tony Pollard and Dowdle in front of him in his rookie season. He finishes his first year in the NFL with 23 carries for 40 yards and seven catches for an additional 40 yards through the air. With Vaughn now out heading into the playoffs, Malik Davis will serve as the team's No. 3 RB.

The Carolina Panthers placed rookie wide receiver Jonathan Mingo (foot) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday with a foot injury and signed veteran running back Mike Boone to their practice squad in a corresponding move. Mingo will now miss the final game of his rookie season in Week 18 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 22-year-old second-rounder predictably had an inconsistent first year in the NFL while working with struggling first-round quarterback Bryce Young. In 15 games played, Mingo caught 43 of his 85 targets for 418 yards and no touchdowns. Mingo and Young will continue to work on their chemistry this offseason in hopes of connecting more often in 2024. With Mingo sidelined this weekend, Terrance Marshall Jr. should be active, while Ihmir Smith-Marsette and Mike Strachan should have bigger roles behind Adam Thielen and DJ Chark Jr.

The New York Jets are releasing veteran running back Dalvin Cook on Tuesday. The former Pro Bowler and the organization are reportedly parting ways mutually, as Cook looks to sign with a playoff team over the next week or two. Cook has had his worst season in the NFL by far, rushing 67 times for 214 yards (3.2 YPC) and catching 15 passes for 20 yards. He did not reach the end zone during his stint in New York. Ultimately, it would be surprising if any playoff team had a ton of interest in the 28-year-old given his lack of success in 2023. At best, he might end up as a team's RB3 or on a practice squad.

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jonathan Mingo didn't make an impact at all in the team's 26-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday in Week 17, catching two of his three targets for a gain of zero yards. The poor performance for the 22-year-old first-year player came a week after he caught his only target for a nine-yard gain. Mingo and first-year quarterback Bryce Young have a lot of maturing to do in the coming seasons and could form a nice bond eventually, but it has been entirely inconsistent for fantasy managers this year. The Mississippi product has not found the end zone in his first 15 NFL games and had 43 receptions on 85 targets for 418 yards. Mingo is seeing his fair share of playing time in his rookie campaign, but he won't be a realistic starting option for fantasy lineups in Week 18 versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott rushed 14 times for 39 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's loss to the Buffalo Bills. He also caught one of two targets for a gain of six yards through the air. The veteran running back has filled in admirably for Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle), though he did take a major step back in the passing attack on Sunday. He had been averaging 6.3 catches over his last four games before this week's one-reception performance. Nevertheless, he salvaged his fantasy performance by finding the end zone and should continue to be viewed as a low-end RB2 option against the New York Jets during next week's season finale.