The Saints placed WR Michael Thomas on IR with his knee injury. He's out for at least the next four games, which makes Week 16 his earliest possible return date. Thomas would be tough to trust in fantasy lineups at that point. He can be dropped from redraft rosters. His absence should leave WRs Rashid Shaheed and rookie A.T. Perry in full-time roles. See where those guys sit in the Week 12 WR rankings.
Ravens TE Mark Andrews will undergo surgery on Tuesday to repair his injured ankle, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports. "Andrews is likely out for the year, though as John Harbaugh said, there’s a chance he could return if Baltimore makes a deep playoff run," Garafolo adds. Andrews can be dropped from all redraft rosters.
The Colts have waived LB Shaquille Leonard. The veteran LB's playing time has been down vs. previous seasons, but he played at least 69% of the snaps in seven of his nine appearances -- including Indy's last game. Leonard played poorly in that contest, though. And for the season, Pro Football Focus has him at the highest missed-tackle rate of his career. Leonard still figures to catch on elsewhere -- likely after he clears waivers so that the new team doesn't have to pay the rest of his sizable contract. We'll see whether the 28-year-old can land somewhere with a path to full playing time. His departure should elevate E.J. Speed to No. 2 LB behind MLB Zaire Franklin.
Packers RB Aaron Jones is considered "week-to-week" with an MCL sprain, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports. Schefters adds that Jones is "unlikely" to play vs. the Lions on Thanksgiving. We'd consider him no better than 50/50 to be ready for Week 13. RB A.J. Dillon will take over as Green Bay's lead ball-carrier in Jones' absence. But Dillon lost passing-down work to RB Patrick Taylor when Jones was sidelined earlier this season.
Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks is in the concussion protocol. He's also dealing with a knee injury and was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report. The concussion makes Wicks a long shot to be cleared for Thursday's game vs. the Lions. The rookie has played about one-third of Green Bay's offensive snaps over the past four weeks, totaling 17 targets (11.6% share). His absence is a slight boost for WRs Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed.
The Steelers have fired OC Matt Canada, who has been running the unit since 2021. In that time, Pittsburgh has ranked 21st, 26th, and 28th (so far this year) in scoring. Each season has found the offense ranking 28th in yards per play. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that the team plans to promote RBs coach Eddie Faulkner to OC but hand play-calling duties to QBs coach Mike Sullivan. Faulkner has coached Steelers RBs since 2019 (and previously served in the same role for the team in 2012). His only OC experience to date has been with Ball State in 2009-10. Sullivan has been coaching at the college level or higher for 30 years. He has been in the NFL since 2002, including stints as Buccaneers OC (2012-13) and Giants OC (2016-17). Those offenses finished -- in order -- 13th, 30th, 26th, and 31st in scoring; eighth, 32nd, 24th, and 25th in yards per play. Sullivan didn't get great QB play across those offenses. He started with fourth-season Josh Freeman in Tampa, and then got primarily Mike Glennon the following year. His two seasons at the Giants' offensive helm came in Eli Manning's age-35 and age-36 campaigns. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo says Sullivan has a "strong relationship" with Steelers QB Kenny Pickett, but the new guy probably isn't an upgrade on those previous situations. The switch should be positive for usable skill-position Steelers, though. Canada never won as a play caller and often sported questionable run-pass splits given the output. This year's Steelers also should find upside in a softening schedule. According to FTN's Aaron Schatz, Pittsburgh faced the league's toughest schedule so far this year by total defensive DVOA. Over a full season, the 2023 schedule to date would rank third-toughest of any team since 1981. You can see the negative fantasy impacts of those opponents on our Strength of Schedule pages. The remaining schedule ranks fifth-best for RB scoring and ninth-best for WRs. (Just 17th for TEs, though.) We'll see whether the run-pass splits change. That question plus Pickett's limitations make the WRs tough to get excited about. RB Najee Harris looks interesting, though -- especially because his trade cost has been driven down by meager production and Jaylen Warren's recent numbers.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce caught 7 of 9 targets for 44 yards and a TD in Week 11 vs. the Eagles. The veteran did lose a fumble in the contest, which cost fantasy managers just a little bit, but his 15.4 points were enough for Kelce to finish as the TE2 in PPR scoring on the week. Even so, it’s troubling to consider how much he’s started to dip in production of late. Kelce is averaging just 5.3 catches, 38.7 receiving yards, and 10.5 PPR points per game over the past three games. This information shouldn’t dissuade you from continuing to trust him as a TE1 every week. We are talking about Travis Kelce after all. It’s just something to be mindful of in the coming weeks.
Week 11 saw the struggles of Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes continue. The reigning NFL MVP completed 24 of 42 passes for 177 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT vs. the Eagles on Monday night. He was able to supplement some fantasy value with his legs (38 rushing yards), though the rainy conditions in Kansas City and the lack of support from his teammates really let him down. The Chiefs’ offense now leads the NFL in drops (23) and has failed to score a TD in the second half of a game for three games in a row. In that span, Mahomes is averaging just 200.7 passing yards per game with a 74.2 passer rating, well below his career average of 100.1. His path doesn’t get any easier down the stretch either. The Chiefs’ remaining schedule ranks as the fifth-toughest for QBs per our adjusted fantasy points allowed. Mahomes' prolific talent and track record of success will keep him ranked as a QB1 weekly, though there is reason for fantasy managers to be at least slightly concerned about him.
Eagles WR A.J. Brown hit a bump in Week 11, hauling in just 1 of 4 targets for 8 receiving yards vs. the Chiefs. For as disappointing as this performance is, crummy weather impacted pass-catchers on both teams. Yes, Eagles wideout DeVonta Smith (6 catches for 99 yards) had a fine outing, but he was the only player to amass greater than 60 receiving yards in this contest. So don’t let this showing stop you from going right back to Brown as a top-flight WR1 in Week 12 vs. the Bills. Remember: the superstar had posted no fewer than 18.7 PPR points in a game since Week 2 prior to Monday night.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts completed 14 of 22 passes for 150 yards with 1 INT in Week 11’s win vs. the Chiefs. Things for scary for fantasy managers on Monday night as Hurts had only completed 5 attempts for 46 yards with just 3 rushing yards to his name through the first two quarters of action. Fortunately, things turned around, and he scored 2 rushing TDs in the second half to salvage his day. Let this be a reminder that Hurts should still be thought of as a high-end QB1 on a weekly basis as long as he’s able to maintain value as a runner. Next week, the Eagles will square off at home vs. the Bills.
The Commanders opened the 21-day practice window Monday for LB Cody Barton. He's been on IR the past four weeks after suffering a high-ankle sprain in October. We'll see how soon Barton can make it back to the active roster. We'd bet on him reclaiming the lead LB role once he does. That makes Barton worth a look on the waiver wire in some leagues this week. Jamin Davis would slip to No. 2 and David Mayo back to a reserve role.
The league has suspended Broncos S Kareem Jackson four games after a spearing hit he made on Vikings QB Joshua Dobbs on Sunday night. That, of course, follows a suspension earlier this season for three illegal hits in separate games. Jackson got his previous suspension reduced to two games on appeal and has appealed this one as well. It would seem another punishment for the same crime should knock Jackson out for longer. We'll see what happens, though. Jackson didn't get flagged for the hit during the game, which may or may not affect this ruling. Any time Jackson misses should elevate P.J. Locke to the starting role. Locke missed Sunday night's game with an ankle injury that knocked him out of Week 10 early. Delarrin Turner-Yell would seem to be the next guy up if Locke remains out for Week 12.
Rams HC Sean McVay confirmed on Monday that RB Kyren Williams (ankle) will return for this weekend's game vs. the Cardinals. He's been sidelined since Week 6. Williams was dominating Rams backfield work before going down, averaging 16.4 carries, 81 rushing yards, 4.4 targets, 2.6 catches, and 21 receiving yards from Week 2 to 6. We can't bank on Williams regaining that type of workload, but we are expecting him to return as Los Angeles' clear lead back. RBs Darrell Henderson and Royce Freeman didn't do nearly enough in Williams' absence to lock in significant roles.
Chargers HC Brandon Staley said Monday that Edge Joey Bosa is dealing with a foot sprain and will likely land on IR, according to multiple reports. That would knock Bosa out through at least Week 15. At best, Bosa would return for the penultimate week of most fantasy football seasons. And you're not likely to play him in his first game back from this injury. We've already seen Bosa play limited snaps while dealing with injuries this year. Bottom line: You should go ahead and dump Bosa for a replacement in redraft leagues this week.
Bills TE Dawson Knox (wrist) is eligible to come off IR this week, but HC Sean McDermott said Monday that Knox isn't ready yet. Buffalo has a Week 13 bye, so we'll see if Knox is cleared to play in Week 14. His continued absence is excellent news for TE Dalton Kincaid, who has been TE3 in PPR points over the past four weeks.
Rams WR Cooper Kupp is considered "day-to-day" with his sprained ankle, a source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter. It continues to sound like Kupp avoided a serious injury. But Schefter adds, "Given Kupp’s history with ankle injuries, the Rams will be careful with him as they determine whether he can play Sunday vs. the Cardinals." Consider Kupp no better than 50/50 to play this weekend. We'll keep you updated on his status.
Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell said Monday that, "as of now," WR Justin Jefferson (hamstring) is questionable for next Monday night's game vs. the Bears. "It's one of those things that knowing you have the bye, and knowing there are five critical (games) to come after that bye, we do have to be smart," O'Connell said. It sure sounds like Minnesota is leaning toward holding Jefferson out for one more game and bringing him back after the Week 13 bye. We'll keep you updated on the situation throughout the week.
Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said Monday that RB Ken Walker's injured oblique is still being evaluated. Carroll at least said that Walker shouldn't need a trip to IR. We'll look for further updates on his status, but Walker is a long shot to play vs. the 49ers on Thursday night. That'll leave rookie Zach Charbonnet as Seattle's lead back. Carroll also said Monday that RB Kenny McIntosh is expected to make his regular-season debut on Thursday. He'll join RB DeeJay Dallas behind Charbonnet.
Seahawks HC Pete Carroll said Monday that there's no structural damage to QB Geno Smith's elbow. Smith is sore, though, and will be evaluated over the next few days, Carroll added. It sounds like Smith is uncertain for Thursday night's game vs. the 49ers, although we'd expect him to push to play in such a big game. We'll keep tabs on his status. QB Drew Lock would be a significant downgrade for the offense if Smith is unable to play.
Ravens HC John Harbaugh said Monday that WR Odell Beckham's shoulder injury is not a long-term deal. Harbaugh didn't say, though, whether Beckham will be available for Sunday night's game vs. the Chargers. Baltimore could certainly use him with TE Mark Andrews sidelined. We'll track Beckham's practice participation throughout the week. He's worth adding off the waiver wire in fantasy leagues of 12+ teams.
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