November 26, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back
Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) looked "fine" in practice on Wednesday, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports. Irving is expected to practice all week heading into Tampa Bay's Week 13 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, although his status for Sunday against Arizona remains unclear. Irving has not played since Week 4 due to multiple injury issues. Across four games before getting injured, the 23-year-old had recorded 430 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 90 touches and looked like the clear RB1 in Tampa Bay. In his absence, the Buccaneers have turned to
Rachaad White and
Sean Tucker for backfield snaps. Even when Irving returns, the team may choose to operate with more of a committee approach in order to bring him back slowly from the long injury layoff. Still, Irving's return to the field would be a welcome sign for fantasy managers. The final word on his Week 13 status is unlikely to come before the end of the week.
--Will BradySource: Fox Sports - Greg Auman
November 26, 2025
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler speculates that the Minnesota Vikings could make a play for current Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Daniel Jones when Jones hits free agency after the 2025 season. Fowler writes that "a few people inside the league" have wondered whether Minnesota can "bring in a veteran/reclamation project to compete" with struggling quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (concussion) heading into 2026. McCarthy has struggled mightily across six starts this season, completing 54.1% of his pass attempts for 929 yards, six touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He's also missed time with an ankle injury and is currently in the league's concussion protocol heading into Week 13. Minnesota has familiarity with Jones, as he served as the backup to former Vikings quarterback
Sam Darnold down the stretch of the 2024 season. Jones is in the midst of a resurgent campaign with Indianapolis, leading the Colts to an 8-3 record while throwing for 2,840 yards and 17 touchdowns. While Minnesota may have interest, the Colts seem likely to make a strong play to retain Jones as well.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
November 26, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Jayden Daniels (elbow) has been sidelined since suffering a gruesome dislocated left elbow in his team's Week 9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. However, the 24-year-old was able to avoid surgery, and a return in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings is a "realistic possibility," per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Fowler notes that while Daniels has not been officially ruled out for Week 13 against the Denver Broncos, Washington is more likely to go with veteran quarterback
Marcus Mariota for one more week. Across six games this season, Daniels has completed 62.5% of his pass attempts for 1,184 yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions. He's also been a major threat with his legs, rushing for 262 yards and two touchdowns on 54 attempts. While a Week 14 return for Daniels would obviously be a positive thing for fantasy managers, it might be wise to temper expectations, specifically for his rushing workload. With Washington currently saddled with a 3-8 record, the team will likely be cautious with putting its franchise quarterback at risk.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Jeremy Fowler
November 26, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs right guard Trey Smith (ankle) is not expected to play in his team's Week 13 matchup on Thanksgiving Day against the Dallas Cowboys due to an ankle injury, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Smith suffered an ankle injury that forced him to exit early from Kansas City's Week 12 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Losing Smith is a significant blow for the Chiefs' offense in both the run and pass game. Entering Week 13, Pro Football Focus has graded Smith as the 19th-best guard in the NFL out of 80 qualified players at the position. Without Smith, versatile offensive lineman Jaylon Moore appears likely to get the start at right guard in Week 13 against the Cowboys.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
November 26, 2025
New England Patriots rookie left tackle Will Campbell (knee) is expected to miss at least four weeks with an MCL sprain. Campbell suffered the injury in Week 12 against the Cincinnati Bengals and left on a cart with a towel over his head. While it's unclear whether Campbell is a candidate for the injured reserve, Mike Vrabel has been very quiet so far about this situation. With Campbell and left guard Jared Wilson set to miss time, the Patriots might be in for a rough few weeks with their left side of the offensive line out. If Campbell is placed on the injured reserve (which we'll know by Saturday), he won't be eligible to return until Week 18 at the earliest.
--Nathan HarveySource: New York Times
November 26, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (wrist) is slated to return in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills. Rodgers suffered a broken left wrist in Week 11 and was unable to play in Week 12's loss to the Chicago Bears. Head coach Mike Tomlin stated that he was "highly optimistic" that Rodgers was going to be back against the Bills. The Steelers held him back from playing last week, preparing him for this marquee showdown against the Bills, which will be extremely important as the Steelers chase a divisional title. Buffalo has been among the best pass defenses in the NFL this season, allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. Despite Rodgers trending towards playing this week, a tough matchup could limit his fantasy value in Week 13.
--Nathan HarveySource: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
November 26, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
Joe Burrow (toe) said to the media on Tuesday that he will not sit if he's healthy enough to play. Burrow suffered a grade-three turf toe injury in Week 2 and underwent surgery to repair the ligament. With the Bengals' current situation and the unlikelihood of them making the postseason, some are speculating whether Burrow should return this season. However, Burrow shut down those conversations on Tuesday, stating, "I'm not going to live my life and play this game scared of something happening." Burrow is set to return in Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens, which will be a must-win game for the Bengals. Burrow offers low-end QB1 value in Week 13, as he makes his highly anticipated return to the field.
--Nathan HarveySource: NFL.com
November 26, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback
Baker Mayfield (shoulder) could play this week, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Mayfield suffered a minor AC joint sprain in Week 12's blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams and was spotted wearing a sling over his non-throwing shoulder. While there was legitimate concern about this injury, the Buccaneers may still have their starting quarterback in Week 13. Mayfield hasn't practiced on Wednesdays in recent weeks, so don't be surprised if he isn't participating. Thursday and Friday's practice reports will be key in determining Mayfield's status. The Buccaneers face the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13, who have lost eight of their last nine games, so resting Mayfield could be on the table.
--Nathan HarveySource: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
November 26, 2025
New Orleans Saints rookie running back
Devin Neal is expected to have his first career start in Week 13, with starting running back
Alvin Kamara (knee) injured. Kamara suffered a MCL sprain in Week 12, which could sideline him for some time. After the veteran left in the first half, Neal had seven carries for 18 yards, while adding 43 yards on five receptions against the Atlanta Falcons. With
Kendre Miller (ACL) done for the season and Kamara banged up, Neal will carry the load, with former Broncos back
Audric Estime handling the backup role. The Saints have a very favorable upcoming schedule, including Week 13's game against the Miami Dolphins, who have allowed the fourth most rushing yards this season. If Kamara's out, Neal offers RB2 value in Week 13 in his first career start.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
November 26, 2025
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Greg Dortch has delivered back-to-back productive games with
Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendix) sidelined. Over the past two weeks, Dortch has caught 12 passes on 15 targets for 119 yards and a touchdown in each game. Dortch has played 65% of the snaps during this period, more than doubling the snaps he previously played. Head coach Jonathan Gannon stated that there is no timetable for Harrison's return, which gives Dortch the opportunity to continue producing. The Cardinals face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13, who have allowed the tenth most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. If Harrison remains out, Dortch should remain a valuable asset for fantasy managers.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
November 26, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end
Brenton Strange returned from the Injured Reserve in Week 12 against the Arizona Cardinals and showed no signs of rust. He converted on all five of his targets for 93 receiving yards. Strange has always been a favorite target of quarterback
Trevor Lawrence, and given their history together, Strange provides a reasonable floor as a tight end in PPR formats. His upside will be limited by the cluttered pass-catching room that now includes
Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle),
Jakobi Meyers,
Parker Washington, and Strange. And while Lawrence is not the type of quarterback to make all of those pass-catchers a great fantasy play weekly, Strange's rapport with Lawrence provides a floor that makes him worth an add if you are struggling at the tight end position or lost
Tucker Kraft (knee) or
Sam LaPorta (back) to injury. Fantasy teams in a pinch, deep leagues, or even two flex spots can also consider Strange for that role. On the season, he's hauled in 25 of his 29 receptions for 297 yards in six games (one of which he was injured early on and did not return).
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
November 26, 2025
With
Garrett Wilson (knee) currently on the Injured Reserve, the New York Jets have been looking to see who would step up and be the team's top pass-catching option. Over the last two weeks, third-year receiver out of Alabama, and a former second-round pick,
John Metchie III, has stepped up and answered that question. The Jets brought in
Adonai Mitchell via trade, and although he has seen 13 targets over the past two games, he has yet to turn that into any production. On the other hand, Metchie has seen 10 targets in the last two games, scored twice, and has hauled in nine of those 10 targets for 110 receiving yards. In Week 12, with
Tyrod Taylor under center, Metchie saw a season high of seven targets, and could be working his way into flex consideration in fantasy football while Wilson remains sidelined with the injury.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
November 26, 2025
NFL Insider Ian Rapoport reported Wednesday that Green Bay Packers running back
Josh Jacobs (knee) is "good to go" and will be available to return from his injury for the pivotal Thanksgiving matchup between the Detroit Lions and the Green Bay Packers. The Packers (7-3-1) sit half a game ahead of the Lions (7-4), and the Packers won comfortably over the Lions in Week 1 and have a chance to cement themselves at the top of the NFC North with a win on Thursday. The Chicago Bears (8-3) currently sit atop the NFC North; however, the Packers still face them twice in Weeks 14 and 16, so they control their own fate in the NFC. Jacobs' return is a significant step in the right direction for them to make this end-of-season run. His injury in Week 11 looked bad at first glance, so this news of him already being back is great news for the Packers fans and Jacobs' fantasy owners.
Emanuel Wilson filled in for Jacobs last week and played great, rushing for 107 yards and two touchdowns, so Jacobs' upside may be capped because Wilson has earned more playing time. Still, Jacobs is also a set-it-and-forget-it type of player in fantasy football, regardless of the tough matchup. On the season, Jacobs has 11 touchdowns, 648 rushing yards, and 237 receiving yards.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Ian Rapoport
November 26, 2025
Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports on Wednesday that, despite being limited by calf and knee injuries in practice this week, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
George Pickens (calf, knee) is expected to play on Thanksgiving against the Kansas City Chiefs, per a source. Pickens popped up on the injury report earlier this week, which caused some stress for Cowboy fans and Pickens' fantasy owners. Still, leading up to the Thanksgiving matchup against the Chiefs, it appears that Pickens will be good to go and can be started confidently as a WR1. Pickens has been spectacular in 2025, heading for career highs, and currently has 1,054 receiving yards and eight touchdowns on 67 receptions through 11 games. Even with
CeeDee Lamb returning from injury after missing three weeks earlier in the season, Pickens has continued to produce at an extremely high level and has now scored more than 10 fantasy points in half PPR leagues in all but one game this season, which was Week 1 in his first game as a Cowboy. That puts him at the WR2 overall on the season in fantasy points scored in half PPR leagues, only behind
Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Dianna Russini
November 26, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy, who entered concussion protocol earlier this week, is not expected to play Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports. Next in line to take snaps for the Vikings is rookie quarterback
Max Brosmer, out of Minnesota, who is set to take the first meaningful snaps of his career. Brosmer, undrafted in the 2025 draft, was signed by the Vikings as a priority undrafted free agent. He will look to bring a Vikings offense back to life, featuring playmakers who have underformed all year due to McCarthy's poor play, such as
Justin Jefferson,
Jordan Addison,
T.J. Hockenson, and
Aaron Jones Sr. McCarthy, the Vikings' former first-round pick in 2024, has struggled mightily in 2025, completing only 54 percent of his passes, throwing for 929 yards, six touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in six games played. While it's not clear the timeline and return for McCarthy, as concussion protocols are a tricky game to play, it's possible that if Brosmer plays well, the Vikings continue to let him play to see what they have in him, as it's been a lost season for the (4-7) Vikings after high hopes coming into the season after having 14 regular season wins in 2024 with
Sam Darnold under center.
UPDATE: McCarthy was limited in Wednesday's practice.--Nicho RoesslerSource: Dianna Russini
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