Thu Nov 14 5:47pm ET
Field Level Media
Harrison Butker landed on injured reserve with a left knee injury, forcing the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs to sign a replacement, Spencer Shrader, off the Jets' practice squad on Thursday.
Butker won't be on the field when the Chiefs (9-0) visit the Buffalo Bills (8-2) on Sunday trying to win an 16th consecutive game dating to last season.
Eighth among NFL kickers in points with 75 this season, Butker connected on 18 of 20 field-goal attempts and 21 of 22 extra points. Both of the missed field goals were on tries beyond 50 yards.
Butker's career 89.21 field-goal percentage ranks third in NFL history.
The Chiefs have won seven of nine games by a one-possession margin in 2024. Their last visit to Buffalo was a 27-24 nail-biter win in last seasons's AFC Divisional Playoffs, and the regular-season meeting with the Bills was a 20-17 loss. The Chiefs also dropped a 24-20 decision to the Bills in the 2022 regular season.
A 25-year-old rookie from Notre Dame, Shrader connected on both of his field-goal attempts for the Jets last week at Arizona. He joined the Jets after being released by the Indianapolis Colts, who used Shrader in Week 1 for three successful PATs as the injury replacement for placekicker Matt Gay.
He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent and played college football only after first pursuing a pro soccer career. He enrolled at USF in 2019 and was the primary kicker for four seasons. As a graduate transfer in 2023, Shrader had four 50-yard field goals for the Fighting Irish.
Butker, 29, signed a self-negotiated four-year, $25.6 million extension in August that made him the highest-paid kicker in the NFL.
Butker set the Super Bowl record for longest field goal during the Chiefs' 25-22 overtime win over the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII earlier this year. Butker's 57-yard field goal with 5:01 left in the third quarter supplanted the previous record that had been set just one quarter earlier by 49ers rookie Jake Moody, who kicked a 55-yarder to give San Francisco an early 3-0 lead.
Originally drafted out of Georgia Tech by the Carolina Panthers in the seventh round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Butker has played all seven of his NFL seasons with the Chiefs.
Shrader participated in the Colts' 2024 offseason program and training camp after originally signing with the team as an undrafted free agent.
With Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) returning to action on Thursday night against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, Chris Rodriguez Jr. is a healthy inactive. Robinson missed the team's previous two games, which afforded Rodriguez 13 carries for 56 yards as a change-of-pace option behind Austin Ekeler. With B-Rob back in the fold, the Commanders will roll with Robinson, Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols as their three backs against Philly. The 24-year-old Rodriguez has played in only four games in 2024 in his second year in the league, with all his statistics coming in the last two games with Robinson sidelined. Obviously, the former sixth-rounder in 2023 out of Kentucky is off the fantasy radar.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts defensive lineman DeForest Buckner (foot) put in a full practice on Thursday after picking up a DNP for the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Safety Julian Blackmon (shoulder) has been practicing in full this week, while linebacker E.J. Speed (knee) has put in two limited practices. Unless he has a setback on Friday, Buckner should be good to play on Sunday against the New York Jets while getting after quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The 30-year-old veteran missed Weeks 3-7 while on Injured Reserve but has been active the last three weeks, picking up nine solo tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss and six QB hits. The Colts defense/special teams unit is a fade in fantasy this week against the Jets, but Buckner is certainly in play as a starting defensive lineman in IDP formats.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) had a biologic injection to deal with intermittent swelling in his right knee, according to a source, not a second surgery, as was reported on Wednesday. There has been no change in McCarthy's recovery timeline. "He's really knocked it out of the park every step of the way, and as his rehab has picked up, we noticed a little swelling in there. He's been doing everything we asked of him, but just wanted to make sure that there was no cause for concern, and all reports were very positive," head coach Kevin O'Connell said. The 21-year-old first-rounder had surgery for a torn meniscus on Aug. 14, assuring he won't make his NFL debut until 2025. McCarthy should be rostered in all dynasty/keeper formats with the Vikings hoping he can be their QB of the future. Current starter Sam Darnold has faded a bit after a hot start in 2024.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams (groin) was not seen at practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. Williams has not played in each of the team's last two games, and with no practice yet after two days, he's once again trending towards not playing this Sunday in Week 11 against the visiting Cleveland Browns. Kendre Miller (hamstring) is on Injured Reserve, so the Saints are down to Jordan Mims as the backup to workhorse back Alvin Kamara. Tight end Taysom Hill has gotten more involved in the backfield as well, but Kamara will most likely continue to see the lion's share of opportunities for the Saints. The 29-year-old Williams has only 32 carries for 124 yards (3.9 yards per carry) and one touchdown in 2024 and is only a handcuff for Kamara in deeper fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (quadriceps) is on his way to being available to play in Week 11 on the road against the Denver Broncos on Sunday after putting in a full practice on Thursday. Allgeier started the week off with a limited session on Wednesday. The matchup on the road against a top-five defense in the NFL isn't an ideal one for fantasy purposes, but the 24-year-old should remain involved alongside Bijan Robinson in Atlanta's offense. Allgeier has had double-digit touches in three of the last five games, including valuable ones near the goal line. Denver's defense has been good, but they've also been vulnerable on the ground in recent weeks. Allgeier ranks 32nd among RBs with 85 carries and is averaging a career-high 5.0 yards per carry. The ceiling is obviously limited behind Robinson, but Allgeier should remain an RB3/flex consideration in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (illness) was under the weather and unable to practice on Thursday, the team's first session of the week. Ferguson has an extra day to recover in Week 11 with the team's contest falling on Monday night versus the Houston Texans. He still has two more days to return to practice, and we think there's a good chance he'll play against the in-state rivals. If for some reason the 25-year-old is questionable to play on Monday night, fantasy managers may be in a quandary at the position. On top of it, the 25-year-old's fantasy stock will be down the rest of the year with quarterback Dak Prescott (hamstring) done for the season. In his first game taking passes from Cooper Rush, Ferguson caught four of five targets for 24 yards. Luke Schoonmaker is the backup in Dallas if Ferguson is too ill to play by Monday.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (quadriceps) was limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week after coming off the team's bye. In addition to Jacobs, rookie RB MarShawn Lloyd (ankle, hamstring) has practiced on a limited basis twice this week after the team opened his 21-day window to return from Injured Reserve. We should have a better idea of Jacobs' status for the Week 11 divisional game against the Chicago Bears after Green Bay releases their final injury report on Friday, but it would be a surprise if Jacobs wasn't active. Lloyd could be a threat to Jacobs' volume down the stretch, but only an injury would supplant the former Raiders RB from top-dog status in the Packers' backfield. As long as Jacobs is active, consider him a high-end RB2 against a Bears defense that has been more vulnerable to the RB position in recent weeks.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr. (chest) and Gabe Davis (shoulder) were both limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. Thomas suffered a chest injury in the Week 8 loss to the New England Patriots and has been limited in practice ever since, but he hasn't missed a game. Davis, meanwhile, has been on the injury report for most of the year with various ailments. Neither wideout is expected to be in danger of missing the Week 11 game at the Detroit Lions, but both Thomas' and Davis' fantasy floor will remain low for however long quarterback Mac Jones is running this offense -- Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) was ruled out for a second straight game in Week 11. Thomas has been Jacksonville's leading receiver in his first year in the NFL and is the better fantasy option, but his stock has fallen to WR3/flex value.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (foot) was able to get in a limited practice on Thursday after being listed as a non-participant on Wednesday. In Tyjae Spears' return from injury in the Week 10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, Spears played 54% of the offensive snaps to Spears' 46% and handled 13 touches for 63 yards. Spears had 10 touches for 51 yards. The 27-year-old Pollard continues to deal with a foot injury but hasn't missed any time because of it. He had a season-high 28 carries for 128 yards in the overtime win over the Patriots on Nov. 3, but immediately after that game, the Titans coaching staff said they'd likely to reduce Pollard's workload moving forward. Pollard should play this Sunday against the Vikings, but Spears is going to take valuable touches away, setting him up as a low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex for fantasy managers.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (leg) had his 21-day practice window opened on Wednesday and put in a second straight day with a limited showing on Thursday. However, the Chiefs don't expect Pacheco to come off Injured Reserve to face the Buffalo Bills this Sunday, and fantasy managers may not want to expect his return until later in November. Remember, the 25-year-old suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2 and hasn't played since, so it's going to take him some to get back up to speed before the Chiefs trust him in game action. In the meantime, he should remain stashed in all fantasy leagues while Kareem Hunt continues to serve as the lead back. When Pacheco does return, the Chiefs could ease him back in alongside Hunt, who has been a game-changer for fantasy managers that scooped him up off the waiver wire earlier this season.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (hamstring) was limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday but was upgraded to full participation for Thursday's session, putting him on track to return in Week 11 to face the Buffalo Bills on the road. Head coach Andy Reid already said earlier this week that it's likely that Smith-Schuster would make his return against Buffalo after missing the previous three games with a hamstring injury. The 27-year-old wideout was a popular waiver-wire target after going for 130 receiving yards on seven catches in the win over the Saints on Oct. 7, but he was injured on Oct. 20 against the 49ers, and the Chiefs have since acquired DeAndre Hopkins in a trade with the Titans. At best, Smith-Schuster will probably be quarterback Patrick Mahomes' No. 3 target behind Hopkins and tight end Travis Kelce, making him a boom/bust WR4/flex in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (neck) is not at practice on Thursday after logging a limited session on Wednesday. The 2023 first-team All-Pro is dealing with a neck injury that could affect his Week 11 availability for Sunday night's contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, his Friday practice status and game designation will tell us whether he's at real risk of being inactive. The 29-year-old has 11 sacks in 10 games this season after logging 17.5 sacks in 2023. Needless to say, he's a critical piece of the Bengals' struggling defense, and his absence against Justin Herbert's ascending offense would be significant.
Dynasty | Vikings quarterback JJ McCarthy had a second surgery to repair damage in his knee. Dynasty Analysis: While this may sound terrible, it really isn't that concerning as it won't affect his timeline much. The bigger concern for McCarthy managers is the fact Sam Darnold has played really well this season, making McCarthy more of a luxury at the moment. Regardless, he should get his chance to start next season on time unless Darnold really sets the league on fire here over the second half of the season and forces Minnesota to change course. His dynasty value is stable.
Denver Broncos WR Josh Reynolds (hand) fully participated in practice Thursday, Nov. 14.
Fantasy Spin: Fantasy players should monitor the situation to see if Reynolds will be activated from the Reserve/Injured before the Week 11 game. He will see a few targets if he is cleared to play and could be a possible flex option in deeper leagues.
From TheHuddle
Philadelphia Eagles TE C.J. Uzomah was elevated from the practice squad for Week 11 on Thursday, Nov. 14.
From TheHuddle
Cincinnati Bengals LB Joe Bachie (hip), OG Alex Cappa (illness), DE Trey Hendrickson (neck) and WR Charlie Jones (groin) did not participate in practice Thursday, Nov. 14. OT Orlando Brown (leg, knee), DT B.J. Hill (knee) and LB Logan Wilson (quadriceps) were limited during practice.
From TheHuddle
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (hand) was listed on the Week 11 injury report with a right-hand injury, but he was able to practice in full and should be fine to play in the Monday night game against the Dallas Cowboys. Stroud had a disappointing finish to the Week 10 loss to the Detroit Lions, ultimately going 19-for-33 for 232 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. However, he's set to get top wideout Nico Collins (hamstring) back from Injured Reserve this week and has a fantastic bounce-back matchup against the disappointing Cowboys defense on tap. Dallas' defense has allowed the fourth-most fantasy points per game to the QB position this year, giving Stroud clear QB1 upside this weekend for his fantasy managers. Overall, Stroud has been a disappointment after taking the league by storm in 2023. He's averaging 14.6 fantasy points per game, which ties him for 23rd among QBs with Aaron Rodgers.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (ribs) was limited in Thursday's practice for the second straight day this week. Jones missed almost a quarter of action in the Week 10 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars due to a rib injury, but X-rays came back negative, and he was able to return to the contest. The 29-year-old may have to deal with some pain, but all signs point to him suiting up in Week 11 on Sunday to face the Tennessee Titans on the road. If for some reason Jones was limited or out this weekend, the Vikings would likely split their backfield with Cam Akers and Ty Chandler. Jones only has two rushing touchdowns in his first year with the Vikings, but he also has rushed for 653 yards on 142 carries while catching 28 passes for 258 yards and another TD in nine games. If active this weekend, he should be locked into fantasy lineups as an RB2.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (wrist) was limited at practice on Thursday, Nov. 14, after not taking part the day before.
Fantasy Spin: The upgrade in participation puts Hill on track to play, but we'll be keeping an eye on Friday's practice report just in case. Between playing banged-up and the injury to Tua Tagovailoa earlier in the season, it has been a nightmare campaign for Hill, who has just two scores and one single 100-yard game all season. He's more of a low-end WR2 option with elite upside at this point, and that's really only because of his reputation. In reality, his production is that of a flex option.
From TheHuddle
Baltimore Ravens S Kyle Hamilton (ankle), DT Travis X. Jones (ankle) and CB Arthur Maulet (calf) were limited during practice Thursday, Nov. 14. CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (knee), DE Brent Urban (concussion) and LB Kyle Van Noy (illness) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle