Injury Status: Week 12

Thu Nov 20 8:45am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Well, this injury list is huge once again. This is the second straight week for such a long list. You hate to see it, especially at this time of year. A healthy fantasy team has a much better chance for success. Let’s hope this trend breaks this week and the injuries go down. Enough already.

Here is the latest. . . . .

Drake London, WR, Falcons. London suffered a sprained PCL during last week’s game. He is out this week and could miss multiple weeks because of the injury. Darnell Mooney takes over as the No. 1 reliever for the Falcons while London is out.

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills. Kincaid has already been ruled out for this week’s game because of his hamstring injury. He missed the game last week as well. It is not certain when he’ll be able to return to the lineup. Dawson Knox will serve as the top tight end for the Bills.

Dillon Gabriel, QB, Browns. Gabriel suffered a concussion last week and is improving but will be held out of this week’s game Shedeur Sanders will start the Week 12 game for the Browns.

Jaxson Dart, QB, Giants. Dart is back practicing Wednesday and seems to have a decent shot to pass the concussion protocol before the week is out. We should know more in the coming days but Dart is trending in the right direction for a Week 12 return.

Michael Penix, QB, Falcons. Penix tore his ACL and is done for the season. He faces a long recovery and might have a hard time even playing next year. Stay tuned. Kirk Cousins takes over the starting role for the Falcons while Penix is out.

Marvin Harrison, WR, Cardinals. Harrison will miss his second straight game this week as he recovers from his appendix removal. Michael Wilson will continue to serve as the top receiver for the Cardinals while Harrison is sidelined.

Emari Demercado, RB, Cardinals. Demercado will miss the Week 12 game because of a high-ankle sprain. He could miss multiple games because of the injury.

Chris Godwin, WR, Bucs. Godwin continues to recover from his mysterious leg injury and is doing little in practice, being limited. He seems likely to miss another week of action. Get other options ready.

Bucky Irving, RB, Bucs. Irving continues to be limited in practice. He is making progress, though, which is a positive. His foot and shoulder injuries are improving. He has not played since Week 4 but is inching closer to a return. Unless he really ramps up his activity in practice before the week is out, look for Irving to miss one more week of action.

Brian Thomas, WR, Jaguars. Thomas has a shot to play this week and the Jaguars are optimistic he is able to return from his ankle injury. If he keeps practicing all week, look for Thomas to return in Week 12.

Josh Jacobs, RB, Packers. Jacobs is out of practice to start the week. This is not a great start for Jacobs. He seems to have avoided something too serious with his injury, though, battling a knee contusion. He is not being ruled out just yet but don’t be surprised if the Packers hold him out as a precaution. Emanuel Wilson starts if Jacobs misses the game.

Brenton Strange, TE, Jaguars. Strange is making progress from his hip injury and has a real shot at finally making his return Week 12. We would expect him to play, barring a setback later in the week.

Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs. Pacheco is back practicing Wednesday on his knee injury. He is trending the right way, but isn’t 100 percent certain to play. We should know more in a day or two. And even if he returns, Pacheco could play more of a backup role to Kareem Hunt, who has run well in his absence.

Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Patriots. Stevenson is expected back in the lineup for the Week 12 game. His toe injury is finally healthy enough for him to play after missing the last three weeks. It isn’t certain if he will get back his starting job, though, with rookie TreVeyon Henderson running wild while Stevenson was out.

Darius Slayton, WR, Giants. Slayton missed the game last week because of a hamstring injury and remains out of practice. He is not expected to return this week, leaving the Giants very thin at receiver once again.

Jaylen Warren, RB, Steelers. Warren claims his ankle injury suffered last week is pretty minor but he is out of practice to begin the week. He is uncertain to play right now. Warren will need to get in some practice before the week is out, so keep an eye on the player notes for the latest. Kenneth Gainwell would start if Warren were unable to go.

Aaron Rodgers, QB, Steelers. Rodgers suffered a fracture in his left wrist last week but is holding out hope to still play Week 12. He is pushing to play. We would not rule him out, but it would not surprise to see the Steelers sit him at least a game. Mason Rudolph could get the start for the Steelers this week.

Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals. Burrow was a full participant in practice Wednesday. This was a big surprise. At this point, we think he has a really good chance to return to the lineup this week. He is certainly trending the right way while Joe Flacco remains beat up.

Kayshon Boutte, WR, Patriots. Boutte is back at practice Wednesday. He has missed the last two games because of a hamstring injury. He is right on track to make his return for the Week 12 game, though. Look for Boutte back in action this week.

C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans. Stroud remains out because of a concussion. He is not ready to return to action, giving Davis Mills another start for the Texans.

Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jaguars. Tuten opened the week with a limited practice. He was knocked form last week’s game because of an ankle injury. This is a good sign for Tuten to be practicing some already, giving him a pretty good shot to play week 12. And he could have a big role in the game with how well he played last week.

Trey Benson, RB, Cardinals. Benson returned to practice Wednesday and has a legit chance to play Week 12. He was limited in practice, though, so nothing is certain right now. We should get a better idea in a few days but things are finally trending up for Benson. He would give the Cardinals rushing game a huge lift.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Injury Status: Week 12

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