Who Should I Start? Geno Smith or Rome Odunze

Monday, December 15, 2:59 PM

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Geno Smith (shoulder, back) has a chance to return to practice this week and play in the team's Week 16 game against the Texans, according to head coach Pete Carroll. Smith was unable to practice in any capacity leading up to the Raiders' Week 15 contest with the Eagles and was officially ruled out on Saturday, leaving Kenny Pickett to make his first start for Las Vegas. Pickett was unable to throw for even 65 yards in the shutout loss to the Eagles, rendering all Raiders players unusable for fantasy. Carroll noted that the team will know more about Smith's status on Wednesday. Whether or not he's able to suit up carries major fantasy implications for managers who were able to slip into the semifinals with Brock Bowers or Ashton Jeanty and are now wondering if they'll need to make the difficult decision to leave them on the bench.

Monday, December 15, 9:47 PM

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) could be in danger of missing more time down the stretch. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, Odunze is currently considered week-to-week. The second-year wideout missed his second straight game in Week 15 due to a stress fracture in his foot. The organization is keeping all options on the table in the final three weeks of the regular season. The Bears will likely need to lean on DJ Moore, Luther Burden III (ankle), and Olamide Zaccheaus over the next few games if Odunze misses more time. It seems unlikely that Odunze will be ready in time for the upcoming Week 16 rematch with the Green Bay Packers. Fantasy managers should stay tuned for updates, but they need another option lined up in case Odunze sits out another game.