Wed Nov 26 11:32pm ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
We have another long injury list this week. And to complicate things even more, there are three games Thursday and another Friday. So if you have some iffy players this weekend and replacements the early games, you are going to have some tough decisions this week. Good luck in sorting it all out.
Here is the latest. . . . .
Josh Jacobs, RB, Packers. Jacobs was close to playing last week but held out because of his bruised knee. He is ready to go for the Packers game on Thanksgiving, though. He is expected to return to the lineup and return to his starting role. He should be a fine play for fantasy owners.
Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints. Kamara suffered a sprained MCL last week. He is expected to be sidelined several weeks because of this injury. Devin Neal should get first chance to start while Kamara is out.
Baker Mayfield, QB, Bucs. Mayfield had to leave the game last week because of a sprained left shoulder. He is not being ruled out yet this week and could play. He looks about 50/50 to play right now, but we should get a little better idea of his status before the week is out. Keep an eye on the player notes for the latest.
Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals. Burrow seemed close to playing last week but the Bengals held him out because of his toe injury. He is right on track to play this week. Burrow is expected to return to the starting lineup Week 13.
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Steelers. Rodgers is set to return in Week 13. He has a broken left wrist, but is going to be healthy enough to play for the Steelers. You still have to wonder how this impacts him going forward, though. It could be an issue. Stay tuned.
Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders. Daniels has been out since suffering a dislocated elbow in Week 9. He is getting healthy and hopeful to return for the Week 14 game. But for now, Marcus Mariota gets another start this week for the Commanders.
Bucky Irving, RB, Bucs. Irving has been practicing the last few weeks but not playing. He is looking even better in practice this week, so a return seems likely for him in Week 13. Irving has been out because of foot and shoulder injuries. The only thing you have to worry about is the Bucs easing him into action after missing so much time and with Sean Tucker playing well in recent weeks. So don’t be surprised if Irving has a slightly less workload this week.
Drake London, WR, Falcons. London is expected to miss another week of action because of his knee injury. The Falcons are calling him doubtful to play. Darrell Mooney should serve as the top target at receiver for the Falcons once again this week.
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills. Kincaid did not practice Wednesday but the Bills still think he has a shot to play this week. He has been out since hurting his hamstring in Week 10. We should know more before the week is out. But for now, we would expect him to miss another week of action.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Commanders. McLaurin has been out with a quad injury but is practicing some this week. He is trending the right way, coming out of the Commanders bye. He has already stated he plans to return this week, so we would expect him back out there Week 13, barring some late-week setback.
Jaxson Dart, QB, Giants. Dart is practicing in full and seems ready to return from his concussion. He has not been officially cleared just yet, though. But as long as that happens in the next day or day, Dart will be good to go for Week 13.
DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles. Smith is apparently battling both chest and shoulder injuries. He has yet to practice this week. And with the Eagles on a short week, he seems to be in real danger of sitting out Week 13. Get other options ready. It is not looking good right now.
Marvin Harrison, WR, Cardinals. Harrison is back practicing this week after getting his appendix removed. He is set to return to action against the Bucs in Week 13. He might move to a more No. 2 receiver role with Michael Wilson playing so well.
Trey Benson, RB, Cardinals. Benson is practicing some again this week. He did the same thing last week but sat out. His knee injury is doing better. There is a shot he is able to play this week but might not get a full workload in his first game back. This makes him a bit of a risk to use if active.
C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans. Stroud seems set to return to the lineup this week. He is practicing and making strides towards being cleared from his concussion suffered in Week 9. As long as he keeps getting better, look for Stroud to play Week 13.
Omarion Hampton, RB, Chargers. Hampton has a chance to return this week but the Chargers are claiming he might split the work in his first few games back with Kimani Vidal. This is a little concerning. But as long as Hampton is playing, he has good fantasy value in this offense. He was producing big before getting hurt. Keep an eye on the notes for the latest on Hampton. He is getting close.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs. Pacheco has been out because of a knee injury. He is going to return Week 13, though. He has practiced in full all week and the Chiefs already stated he will be ready for the Thanksgiving Day game.
Brian Thomas, WR, Jaguars. Thomas continues to practice on a limited basis because of an ankle injury. He has missed three straight games. He will need to ramp up his work in practice if he hopes to play this week. We would consider him very questionable right now.
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.
Washington Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols has maintained his role as the team's primary back on pass downs for the majority of this season. McNichols has totaled 26 carries for 181 yards and a touchdown to go along with 15 receptions for 149 yards on 20 targets as a receiver. The veteran has two games with double-digit PPR points this season, with the first coming in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders when he broke off a career-long 60-yard touchdown run, and the second in Week 8 versus the Kansas City Chiefs when he racked up five receptions for 64 yards. McNichols' season high for touches is only six as he remains behind Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jacory Croskey-Merritt, so the weekly floor for fantasy is still low, keeping him relevant primarily in deeper leagues.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka hasn't found much success over the last few weeks. Egbuka has been held to 40 receiving yards or fewer in three of the last four games. The rookie wideout has shown great flashes, but has also posted a good amount of duds. It's also worth noting that quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) is extremely banged up right now, so it's unclear how well he'll be in the passing game this weekend. Egbuka has tremendous upside, but has the floor of a WR3 for the upcoming Week 13 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins kicker Riley Patterson will continue to fill in for Jason Sanders (hip) as he has all season, and this week, he's in a good kicking matchup against the Saints as the Dolphins return from their bye week. Patterson has connected on 17 of his 19 field goal attempts and 23 of his 24 extra points on the year, although he did miss his only attempt from 50+ yards. Before the bye week, he made all three of his field goals in Madrid, and he'll return to action in Week 13 at Hard Rock Stadium this week. In the RotoBaller Week 13 rankings, he checks in as the No. 18 kicker, meaning he can be used in deep leagues but is probably not the strongest available option in standard-sized leagues, during this week with no teams on a bye week.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins tight end Greg Dulcich split snaps with Julian Hill in the team's last game in Week 11, but he could play a smaller role in Week 13 against the Saints. Darren Waller (pec) is questionable and could return from IR, forcing Dulich into an uninvolved role off the bench. Dulich was brought in to provide some pass-catching at the position while Waller was out, and he hauled in eight catches on 13 targets over the last three games, producing a total of 89 receiving yards and no touchdowns. If Waller comes back, Dulcich is not a strong play in any format, since he is unlikely to get significant work. If Waller needs another week before being activated, Dulich would be a low-end TE2 while getting time along with Hill in a favorable matchup against the Saints.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Sean Tucker earned himself a larger role in the offense after scoring three touchdowns in Week 11. He followed up that performance with 42 rushing yards on 12 attempts during last week's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Now, it's unclear what kind of role Tucker is going to have with lead back Bucky Irving returning this weekend. The 24-year-old figures to still have a role, but this could turn into a three-back committee with Rachaad White involved as well. The Bucs figure to limit Irving during his first game back in the mix. Tucker should remain involved, but shouldn't be viewed as anything more than a low-end flex option for Week 13.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt has lost his lead role in the team's backfield over the past few weeks. Third-year back Chris Rodriguez Jr. has taken over as the lead back for the Commanders, with Croskey-Merritt rotating in on early downs and veteran Jeremy McNichols holding down the pass-down responsibilities. The rookie seventh-rounder's production dropped off a cliff after the first five games of the season. After recording 43 carries for 283 yards (6.6 YPC) and four touchdowns to go with five receptions (seven targets) for 54 yards in Weeks 1 through 5, Croskey-Merritt has 71 carries for 215 yards and zero touchdowns with four receptions (six targets) for 14 yards in Weeks 6 through 11. That leaves him off fantasy radars for Sunday Night Football against a strong Denver Broncos defense that has allowed the 10th fewest PPR points per game to opposing running backs.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (leg) was a limited participant in practice on Friday but has been cleared from the final Week 13 injury report and will play on Sunday against the visiting Arizona Cardinals, according to the team's official website. The Buccaneers still have Godwin on their injury report after he returned in Week 12 for the first time since fracturing his fibula in Week 5. The 29-year-old only played 36% of the offensive snaps and caught two passes for nine yards in the Sunday night loss to the Los Angeles Rams as the team eased him back into the offense. He was limited on Wednesday and Friday but had a full session on Thursday. Tampa is expected to get Godwin more involved this weekend in a good matchup against Arizona, making him a more palatable, albeit still risky WR4/flex for fantasy managers in Week 13.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. led the backfield in Week 11's loss to the Miami Dolphins, handling 15 carries for 79 yards and adding one reception (one target) for six yards. Rodriguez should be expected to lead Washington's backfield again out of their Week 12 bye against a stout Denver Broncos defense on Sunday Night Football. The third-year back from Kentucky missed Wednesday's practice this week due to an illness, but practiced in full on Thursday and Friday and heads into Sunday without an injury designation. He doesn't have the highest single-week upside because of the lack of receiving upside, but he's found the end zone in two of the last three games to go with 160 yards on 33 carries. Plus, rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt should stay involved on early downs while Jeremy McNichols handles the pass-down work. Rodriguez ranks as RotoBaller's RB39 in PPR leagues for Week 13 against the Broncos, who have allowed the 10th fewest PPR points per game to opposing running backs.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (pectoral) is questionable for the team's Week 13 contest against the Saints. He is still on IR and would need to be activated before Sunday's matchup, but coach Mike McDaniel said when asked about Waller, "He's in play... We'll see how he feels today, but if there's not a setback, I'm feeling optimistic." Waller has been sidelined since Week 7 with a pec injury, but in his three full games, he hauled in 10 of his 12 targets for 117 yards and four touchdowns. If he is able to get back in the action for the Dolphins' offense this week, he'll be in a favorable matchup against the struggling Saints. He would instantly be a solid starting TE option with a high ceiling, especially since he showed such a strong connection with Tua Tagovailoa in his limited work. If you need tight end help, he's a great stash coming into this week to see if he can come back healthy for the stretch run.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers kicker Eddy Pineiro (hamstring) did not practice all week and has been ruled out for the Week 13 contest against the hosting Cleveland Browns this Sunday, according to The Athletic's Zac Jackson. Pineiro will miss another game with a right-hamstring injury. Matt Gay will kick for the team for the second straight week. The 31-year-old veteran made both of his field-goal attempts and both of his extra points in his debut with the Niners in their Monday night win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 12. Inclement weather is scheduled for Cleveland on Sunday, so fantasy managers may want to steer clear of Gay as a streaming option at the kicker position. The 49ers have their bye in Week 14, so Pineiro might be ready to roll when the team returns to action on Sunday, Dec. 14, versus the Tennessee Titans in Week 15.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has thrown for over 170 yards in four straight games, and his team has won three of the four games, with six touchdowns and three interceptions during that span. Tua managed to lead his team to a win over the Commanders before last week's bye week, completing 14 of 20 pass attempts for 171 passing yards. Tagovailoa didn't throw any touchdowns in that game, but the team's run game, led by De'Von Achane, has been doing most of the work during the team's recent success. Even though the Dolphins have been playing better, Tagovailoa's numbers have still been mediocre. He is only the QB21 this week in RotoBaller's Week 13 rankings, so he is a low-end QB2 in deep leagues, even though he has a favorable matchup this week at home against the Saints.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota will make his third consecutive start in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos with Jayden Daniels (elbow) ruled out. Daniels returned as a limited participant in practice this week, but hasn't been cleared for contact yet and will need at least another week. Mariota has performed well this season with Daniels sidelined, completing 65.7% of his passes for 1,065 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions while adding 27 carries for 193 yards and another score as a runner in seven games (five starts). The 32-year-old veteran will have No. 1 wide receiver Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) back from his second multi-game absence on Sunday Night Football against an elite Denver Broncos defense that has allowed the second fewest fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks. Mariota profiles as a mid-range QB2 option for Week 13.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. played more snaps than Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for the first time this season in Week 11 before the team's bye week. He served as the team's third receiver behind Jaylen Waddle and Malik Washington, but he didn't get any targets. He has just two catches for nine yards on the season, but he has been playing more snaps lately, even though his utilization has still been very light. Since the Dolphins don't air it out very much, he doesn't bring much upside, but it is worth noting that he seems to be moving up the depth chart. Wilson is only the WR127 in RotoBaller's Week 13 rankings, so he can be left on the waiver wire for now, but keep an eye on Wilson's usage in the coming weeks, since he could be moving onto the radar for deep league waivers if he keeps getting more snaps.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of the Week 13 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Ford has been limited in practice this week due to a lingering hamstring issue. The limited snaps will slap Ford with a questionable tag ahead of this contest. His absence isn't going to mean much for this Browns offense considering Ford's lack of involvement lately. Dylan Sampson could see an expanded role if Ford is unable to play. Regardless, Quinshon Judkins figures to see the majority of the snaps in the backfield.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 13 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Njoku was limited during the first two practices of the week before getting in a full session on Friday. The full practice session was enough for Njoku to avoid an injury designation this weekend. At the moment, Njoku is looking like a touchdown-dependent option. Fellow tight end Harold Fannin Jr. continues to split up the reps with Njoku. The rookie tight end has been having good success and appears to be pulling away with the starting spot.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Tre' Harris had a 52.1% snap share and ran the third-most routes he has all season, but he only caught one pass on one target for 12 yards in the team's Week 11 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Harris is still well behind the team's other pass-catchers in terms of production and opportunities. He is set to face a Las Vegas Raiders defense that mainly runs zone coverage, a scheme that the rookie performs better against in every metric compared to man coverage. While the increased snap share is a positive sign for his long-term outlook, he remains too low on the depth chart to be a viable fantasy option. Fantasy managers should keep Harris on their bench unless a significant injury pushes him higher in the depth chart.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (ankle) is unlikely to suit up for Sunday's Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mayer hasn't been able to practice all week due to a lingering ankle issue. Head coach Pete Carroll said Mayer wasn't moving well, so it seems unlikely that Mayer is going to suit up. His absence won't be too significant with Brock Bowers healthy at the moment. Carter Runyon is likely to see more run behind Bowers, but he won't be worth a look in fantasy formats. It remains to be seen if Mayer will be healthy enough to play against the Denver Broncos in Week 14.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Malik Washington has hauled in multiple catches in nine straight games and has served as the team's second receiver since the injury to Tyreek Hill (knee) in Week 4. While the receptions have been consistent, his yardage has typically been very minimal. He has only averaged 21.3 receiving yards per game and hasn't gotten to 50 yards in any game this season. He did have three catches for 42 yards in his last game before the bye week and had two touchdowns in his last four games. He does have a consistent role and limited upside, but he's only the No. 47 WR this week in RotoBaller's rankings, so in most standard-sized leagues, he is best left on the bench.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba should have an excellent game in Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings are not the best matchup for wide receivers because of their ability to get to the quarterback up front and deploy confusing coverages on the back end. However, JSN has been nothing but matchup-proof all season. Even in the toughest of matchups, Smith-Njigba somehow finds a way to push for 100 receiving yards and earn a scoring opportunity or two. At this point in the season, Smith-Njigba has established himself as one of the very best wide receivers in the league. He has a chance to become the first player to accumulate more than 2,000 receiving yards in a season. He is simply unstoppable. No matchup is going to keep JSN down this season. You can safely deploy him as a top-five wide receiver with upside for a No. 1 overall week in Week 13.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold should have a fine game in Week 13 against the Minnesota Vikings. Although Minnesota boasts a tough defense, Darnold has been able to consistently toss a couple of touchdown passes per game this season. Additionally, Darnold's connection with wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba has helped buoy a QB2 season from the veteran quarterback. Minnesota has a stout rushing defense, so expect the Seahawks to lean heavily on play-action passes. While Minnesota has a chaotic, attacking passing defense, Seattle should be able to find room to throw in this game. What is more, the Vikings will be starting rookie quarterback Max Brosmer in Week 13 with J.J. McCarthy (concussion) still in concussion protocol. As such, the Seahawks should be able to force short fields with an attacking defense of their own. With no teams on a bye this week, you may not need to stream Darnold. However, if you have struggled to find consistent quarterback play elsewhere, you could do much worse than Darnold in Week 13.
From RotoBaller