November 17, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell had nine rushing attempts for 24 yards in the Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, adding a season-high seven receptions on eight targets for 81 yards and receiving touchdowns. The 26-year-old played 63% of the offensive snaps, his second-highest mark of the year, but it coincided with lead back
Jaylen Warren (ankle) getting injured in the third quarter and never returning. Warren said after Sunday's win that he could have retaken the field, but the decision to sit out the rest of the game "was part of being smart." It looks like Warren has avoided a serious injury, but fantasy managers with Warren rostered or who need RB depth should consider Gainwell a speculative pickup going into Week 12 against the Chicago Bears. Gainwell is only rostered in 32% of Yahoo leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pittsburgh Tribune-Live - Chris Adamski
November 17, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Lane Johnson (foot) exited Sunday's 16-9 win against the Detroit Lions on Sunday Night Football with a foot injury that could cause him to miss 4-6 weeks. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the news. Johnson suffered a Lisfranc sprain in Week 11, an issue that, depending on the severity, could be a chore to come back from. Per Rapoport, Philadelphia hopes the injury isn't season-ending, although Johnson will seek additional opinions as it's further assessed. Any time missed by the 35-year-old would hurt the Eagles' offensive line, so it's unfortunate to see that it could be no sooner than a month until his return date. Teammate Fred Johnson figures to man the edge in his stead.
--Alex CiullaSource: Ian Rapoport
November 17, 2025
Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Kirk Cousins, who has been the most expensive backup QB in the NFL this year, could be forced into starting duties under center for the rest of the year after
Michael Penix Jr. (knee) suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury in Sunday's overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. Penix is seeking a second opinion, but the initial diagnosis is not encouraging. At the very least, the 37-year-old Cousins will likely make his second start of 2025 in Week 12 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. His fantasy stock is obviously going to jump drastically if Penix misses the rest of the year, but at least in the short term, fantasy managers might want to temper expectations, especially with top receiver
Drake London (knee) also expected to miss time with a PCL sprain he suffered on Sunday. In Cousins' lone start against Miami in a 34-10 loss on Oct. 26, he did not look good, going 21-for-31 passing for 173 yards, no touchdowns, and no picks.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
November 17, 2025
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) is expected to be available for Wednesday's practice, according to head coach Mike Vrabel. The fifth-year pro has been out since Week 9 as he battles a hamstring injury. While Stevenson returned to practice in a limited capacity to begin his prep ahead of their win against the Jets last Thursday night, he was tagged with a DNP to close out the week. It appears the extra few days of rest were enough to get him back to playing shape at least, although he'll return to a less clear situation in the backfield with
TreVeyon Henderson's recent surge of production. For now, the most likely scenario would be that the split becomes more even moving forward, but it was trending that way even before he picked up the toe issue. This backfield is worth keeping tabs on when New England squares off with the hosting Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12.
--Alex CiullaSource: Doug Kyed
November 17, 2025
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel reports that wide receiver
Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) is expected to practice on Wednesday ahead of the team's Week 12 meeting with the hosting Cincinnati Bengals. Boutte has missed nearly three full games after picking up a hamstring injury early on in their win over the Falcons in Week 9. The LSU alum could only practice in a limited fashion in Week 11, so he'll presumably return to a full participant as they gear up for a road clash with the Bengals. When Boutte makes his way back to the field, teammate
Mack Hollins' production figures to take a hit. The former will be a solid play against a bottom-ranked Cincinnati pass defense if he's active.
--Alex CiullaSource: Doug Kyed
November 17, 2025
Carolina Panthers tight end
Tommy Tremble saw little involvement in the passing game but made a game-changing impact on one singular play in the Panthers' hard-fought 30-27 victory over the Falcons. The fifth-year TE only caught one pass in the entire game during overtime for 54 yards that set up the eventual game-winning field goal. The San Francisco 49ers are Carolina's next opponent for Week 12, and they ranked 25th in the league in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to TEs leading up to Week 11. Although San Francisco is a solid matchup for TEs, Tremble has not provided the volume to take advantage of the matchup. He has averaged 2.3 targets per game and was targeted more than four times once this season, in Week 4. Fantasy players should look for other alternatives to stream for their lineups instead of Tremble.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
November 17, 2025
Carolina Panthers tight end
Ja'Tavion Sanders delivered another unimpressive performance in Carolina's 30-27 win against the Falcons. He caught all four of his targets for 22 yards and totaled just 6.4 PPR Fantasy Points. This marks the fourth week in a row in which Sanders caught all of his targets, but he has also never been targeted more than five times in a game during that span. The Panthers will next take on the San Francisco 49ers, who ranked 20th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed (15.68) over the last four weeks leading up to Week 11 and allowed 115 receiving yards to
Trey McBride on Sunday. Despite the favorable matchup for Week 12, Sanders has not shown enough results throughout the year to be considered a viable streaming or fill-in option.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
November 17, 2025
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Drake London (knee) sustained a PCL sprain in Sunday's 30-27 loss to the visiting Carolina Panthers that could force him to miss multiple games. Uh oh. London was excellent again before exiting Week 11's defeat. Although his injury was initially deemed minor, testing revealed a much more significant finding. Per Rapoport, the USC product is "out this week and potentially more." It's a massive hit to Atlanta's passing attack, as London had absorbed a hefty 33.1% target share through ten games. In his absence, fantasy managers can expect teammates
Darnell Mooney and
David Sills V to operate in two-wide-receiver sets. However, Atlanta's offense is on track to be in flux with the news that quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. (knee) may miss the remainder of the season with an injury of his own.
--Alex CiullaSource: Ian Rapoport
November 17, 2025
Once again, Carolina Panthers wide receiver
Jalen Coker did not finish with impressive totals during the Panthers' 30-27 victory in Week 11, even though he did have his best performance yet this season. The second-year WR had four receptions for 52 yards and logged 11.4 Fantasy PPR Points. This was the first time in 2025 that Coker finished with double-digit PPR Fantasy Points, but he still has not been targeted more than four times in a game. Carolina will next face the San Francisco 49ers, who ranked 28th leading up to Week 11 in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the WR position. Despite the favorable matchup, fantasy players should not pick up Coker for Week 12. He's unlikely to capitalize on the matchup.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
November 17, 2025
Carolina Panthers running back
Rico Dowdle had one of his worst performances on the ground this season in Carolina's 30-27 win over the Atlanta Falcons. The Carolina RB rushed for 45 yards on 19 carries while averaging 2.4 yards per attempt, his lowest since Week 2. In the air, Dowdle did have his best game since Week 6, as he totaled 55 yards on a season-high five receptions. Despite the disappointing rushing numbers, Dowdle totaled at least 15 Fantasy PPR Points for the third straight week. In Week 12, the Carolina Panthers will face the San Francisco 49ers, who ranked 21st in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs in the last four weeks leading up to Week 11. Fantasy players should continue to start Dowdle every week, as he provides a solid statistical floor in any matchup.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
November 17, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. posted season-bests in Sunday's 16-13 OT loss to the Dolphins in Madrid, and would be an intriguing waiver add if he retained his workload moving forward. The 26-year-old recorded his highest snap share of the season (45%) in Week 11, while carving out 79 yards on his 15 carries. It's modest production, but noteworthy considering he was the clear preferred option on the ground ahead of both
Jacory Croskey-Merritt and
Jeremy McNichols for the first time all campaign. The offense's floor has dropped significantly since quarterback
Jayden Daniels (elbow) suffered another injury. That said, a shift in backfield philosophy could put Rodriguez Jr. on the lower end of the fantasy map. The next time he takes the field will be against a staunch Denver Broncos defense in Week 13.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
November 17, 2025
The knee injury that Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. (knee) suffered during his team's Week 11 loss to the Carolina Panthers is "potentially season-ending," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Schefter reports that Penix Jr. "will be seeking a second opinion, but it is not encouraging." Knee troubles are particularly worrisome for Penix Jr.'s long-term outlook, as he suffered two ACL tears during his college career. If his 2025 season is indeed over, he will finish the year with 1,982 passing yards, nine touchdowns, and three interceptions across nine games played. Veteran quarterback
Kirk Cousins took over for Penix Jr. in Week 11 and would likely be Atlanta's starter for the remainder of the 2025 season. Cousins has struggled so far this year, completing 32 of 52 pass attempts for 250 yards, zero touchdowns, and zero interceptions across three games (one start). There should be more clarity around the exact nature of Penix Jr.'s injury in the coming days, but fantasy managers should prepare for Cousins to get the start in Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints and beyond.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
November 17, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs running back
Kareem Hunt scored a rushing touchdown for the third consecutive game in his team's 22-19 Week 11 loss to the Denver Broncos. The 30-year-old finished the game with 13 carries for 59 yards and one score. With
Isiah Pacheco (knee) sidelined by a knee injury, Hunt has taken over as Kansas City's lead rusher in the team's last two games. While he's not an explosive player at this point in his career, Hunt has six rushing touchdowns on the season and has proven to be an effective goal-line rusher. Pacheco could return in Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts, which would cause Hunt to lose a few touches. However, Hunt seems likely to retain his goal-line role even when Pacheco gets back on the field. In leagues where Hunt remains available, he could be worth targeting on the waiver wire as a touchdown-dependent flex option for fantasy managers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
November 17, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Trey Benson (knee) has been on Injured Reserve since Week 4 due to a knee injury. However, Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon indicated leading into Week 11 that Benson is a candidate to have his activation window opened in the near future. That could mean Benson has a chance to return for Arizona's Week 12 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars, although that's far from a guarantee at this point. With Cardinals running back
James Conner (ankle) out for the season, Benson profiles as the team's RB1 upon his return. In leagues where he is available, Benson may be worth targeting on the waiver wire for the stretch run of the fantasy season. If he remains out in Week 12, Arizona will likely continue splitting backfield work between
Bam Knight,
Emari Demercado, and
Michael Carter.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
November 17, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Jaylen Warren (ankle) was forced to exit early from his team's 34-12 Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals due to an ankle injury. However, Warren said after the game that he "could have (played), but (not returning) was part of being smart," per Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Warren's status for Week 12 against the Chicago Bears is unclear, but it seems he may have avoided a serious injury. Before leaving the game, Warren recorded 67 scrimmage yards on 12 touches. Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell took advantage of the additional playing time in Warren's absence, hauling in seven receptions for 81 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 24 rushing yards on nine carries. The Steelers' running back situation will be one for fantasy managers to closely monitor this week. If Warren is unable to go, Gainwell could be a must-start fantasy running back in Week 12 against Chicago.
--Will BradySource: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Chris Adamski
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