Denver Broncos

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. McLaughlin opened the week as a non-participate but was able to upgrade to a limited participant on Tuesday. However, he was downgraded on Thursday and will set his sights on returning in Week 17 to face the Cincinnati Bengals. The 24-year-old left last weekend's game early with this injury. Before departing, McLaughlin tallied 21 yards on seven attempts. McLaughlin has struggled to find consistent attempts in the offense but has flashed some upside when given work, as he has averaged 5.3 yards per carry over his past four games. With McLaughlin ruled out, fantasy managers should expect Javonte Williams to see a majority of the opportunities out of the backfield.

Denver Broncos running back Jaleel McLaughlin (quad) did not suit up for practice on Monday. It's worth noting that this was an estimated practice report, so fantasy managers shouldn't read too much into it. McLaughlin was forced to exit early during Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts. That being said, McLaughlin appears to be in danger of sitting out Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. If that happens, Javonte Williams and Audric Estime would see more snaps in the backfield. Between the two, Williams is the more appealing fantasy option. Williams has struggled recently, but had some decent performances earlier in the season.

Although it wasn't the best fantasy day for Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz in the 31-13 victory over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in Week 15, he did extend his streak of perfection to four straight games. Lutz nailed his lone field-goal attempt on the day from 44 yards out and was also successful on all four of his extra-point opportunities to send the Broncos to 9-5. The 30-year-old veteran has made 90 percent of his 30 field-goal tries in 14 games in his second year in Denver, with two of his three misses on the year being a blocked kick and a try from over 60 yards out. Lutz has been money in the bank, and with Denver's offense picking things up under rookie quarterback Bo Nix in the second half of the season, Lutz has become a top-10 fantasy kicker. Heading into a Thursday divisional showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers, he should once again be considered a top-10 option at the position.

None of the Denver Broncos wide receivers were able to do much in the Week 15 win over the Indianapolis Colt on Sunday with rookie quarterback Bo Nix struggling and throwing for only 130 yards on the day. Marvin Mims Jr. caught all four of his targets but had only 20 receiving yards. He also had one carry that went for no gain. The disappointing performance comes on the heels of the 22-year-old's three-catch, 105-yard, one-touchdown performance in the Week 13 win over the Browns. Mims' big day before the bye week came thanks to a 93-yard touchdown strike against Cleveland. The Broncos have made it a point to get Mims involved in the second half of the season, but it's been only minimal involvement. Outside of his 100-yard game in Week 13, Mims hasn't cleared 50 yards or four receptions, making him a desperation flex option for fantasy managers in deep leagues.

Denver Broncos tight ends Adam Trautman and Nate Adkins both found the end zone in the team's 31-13 victory over the visiting Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Empower Field in Week 15. Trautman and Adkins hauled in rookie quarterback Bo Nix's first two touchdown passes of the day in a huge victory that boosts Denver's chances of making the postseason for the first time since they won Super Bowl 50 with Peyton Manning. Trautman finished with two catches on two targets for 20 yards and the score, while Adkins only caught the one TD pass of 15 yards on the day. The Broncos haven't utilized their tight ends much in the offense this year, so neither Trautman nor Adkins should be in consideration for a waiver-wire pickup in the fantasy playoffs. Trautman has 11 catches for 178 yards and two TDs in 14 games, while Adkins has only eight grabs for 65 yards and three scores on the year.