Mecole Hardman, Curtis Samuel Ruled Out for Thursday Night
The Buffalo Bills will be without both wide receivers Mecole Hardman (calf) and Curtis Samuel (elbow, neck) when they face off against the Houston Texans on Thursday night. The Bills will once again lean on wide receivers Keon Coleman and possibly Josh Palmer in the passing game with the sudden plague of injuries hitting the team. Tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) also remains out, and leading receiver Khalil Shakir (personal) has yet to practice this week. The Bills face an uphill battle against a stingy Texans defense on the road with short rest, meaning it will largely be up to quarterback Josh Allen and running back James Cook to carry the load this week.
Source: Buffalo Bills PR
Source: Buffalo Bills PR
Brandin Cooks and Saints Part Ways
The New Orleans Saints released wide receiver Brandin Cooks on Wednesday, giving the veteran a chance to land elsewhere. The 32-year-old pass catcher has recorded just 19 receptions this season for 165 yards despite appearing in every game. The departure of Cooks opens the door for Devaughn Vele and Mason Tipton to see expanded roles behind Chris Olave in the Saints' wide receiver room. Vele grabbed an 87% snap share last week, despite converting just one of three targets for 15 yards. Look for the Saints to heavily lean on Olave and running back Alvin Kamara as rookie quarterback Tyler Shough builds his confidence in just his third career start Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons
Source: Nick Underhill
Source: Nick Underhill
Darius Slayton Remains Unavailable for Practice
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (hamstring) missed practice on Wednesday after being sidelined for the team's matchup with the Packers last week. Slayton has just 23 receptions for 343 yards this season. This is another blow in a long list of injuries to the team's position players this season. In Slayton's absence last week, Isaiah Hodgins appeared on 79% of offensive snaps, while Jalin Hyatt saw 61%. This leaves the door open for Wan'Dale Robinson to be a target monster again after getting nine looks last week. The viability of the Giants' pass catchers also hinges on the availability of starting quarterback Jaxson Dart (concussion), who missed last week.
Source: Jordan Raanan
Source: Jordan Raanan
Matthew Golden Remains Limited at Wednesday's Practice
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (shoulder) remains limited in practice, as the rookie ran routes, but isn't catching passes. The speedster has struggled to get going this season and has just 24 catches for 286 yards and no touchdowns through nine games. Golden entered the season as one of the league's most hyped rookies, but has done little to move the needle for the Packers' offense. Meanwhile, Romeo Doubs continues to be the pass-catcher to target in the Green Bay offense ahead of a divisional matchup with a strong Minnesota Vikings defense this week.
Source: Bill Huber
Source: Bill Huber
Rhamondre Stevenson Targeting a Return in Week 12?
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (toe) is reportedly targeting a return for the team's matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals after missing the last three weeks. Stevenson had started every game before his injury, managing 279 yards and three touchdowns on 83 attempts. The emergence of rookie TreVeyon Henderson could limit the veteran's workload upon his return, but the team still expects to use the duo as a one-two punch. Fantasy owners should exercise caution with Stevenson, as Henderson is likely to garner the bulk of the work this week. UPDATE: Stevenson was back at practice on Wednesday, as expected, in a limited capacity.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Lamar Jackson Absent From Practice on Wednesday
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (knee) was absent from practice on Wednesday, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Hensley writes that this could be a similar situation to last week, when Jackson missed Wednesday's practice with a sore knee but still played in the Week 11 win over the Cleveland Browns. The 28-year-old two-time MVP didn't look great against a strong Browns defense last Sunday, going 14-for-25 passing for 193 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions in a 23-16 win. He added only four carries for 10 yards on the ground. Jackson missed several weeks with a hamstring strain earlier this season and might not be operating at 100%, but he should be available for Week 12 against the visiting New York Jets in a matchup where he should be able to bounce back for fantasy managers as a strong QB1 option.
Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
Source: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
Joe Flacco Missing Another Wednesday Practice
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that quarterback Joe Flacco (shoulder) will not practice on Wednesday, but the plan is for him to return on Thursday, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. It's the same plan the team has had for Flacco in recent weeks as he deals with a right-shoulder issue. "We'll keep working through it and see how we go through the week," Taylor said. The Bengals aren't saying definitively that Flacco will start in Week 12 against the New England Patriots, but we'd be surprised if he's not cleared from the injury report by the end of the week. The 40-year-old gunslinger was finally slowed down by the Pittsburgh Steelers last week, going for under 200 yards with only one touchdown and an interception. He could struggle again this Sunday against the 9-2 Patriots in what could be his final game as Cincy's starter with Joe Burrow's (toe) return on the horizon. UPDATE: Flacco was listed as limited Wednesday.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Source: The Athletic - Paul Dehner Jr.
Xavier Worthy Dealing With Ankle Injury
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that wide receiver Xavier Worthy (ankle) is dealing with a tweaked ankle, and the team will see how he's feeling in regards to practice on Wednesday, per Matt McMullen of the team's official site. It leaves Worthy's status in doubt for this Sunday's battle against the visiting Indianapolis Colts. The 22-year-old second-year wideout played 76% of the offensive snaps in last week's loss to the Denver Broncos, recording three catches on five targets for 25 yards. Worthy was listed with an ankle injury last week, too, but he was eventually cleared to play in Week 11. Since the return of Rashee Rice, Worthy hasn't been nearly as intriguing as a lineup play for fantasy managers. He has not scored since Week 6 (his only TD of the year), and he's had two or three catches in four of the last five games.
Source: Chiefs.com - Matt McMullen
Source: Chiefs.com - Matt McMullen
Isiah Pacheco Returning to Practice on Wednesday
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) will return to practice on Wednesday, according to Matt McMullen of Chiefs.com. While Pacheco isn't a lock to play in a Week 12 showdown against the Indianapolis Colts, the fact that he's back at practice is a good sign for his availability. The 26-year-old hasn't played since Week 8 and was unable to return coming out of a bye to face the division-rival Denver Broncos last Sunday. Injuries have stunted Pacheco's progress over the last two years, and in eight games in 2025, he's gone for only 329 rushing yards and one touchdown on 78 carries, adding 11 receptions for 43 yards and another score. Pacheco will have a role in KC's backfield when he returns, but Kareem Hunt will remain a thorn in his side as the team's preferred goal-line option.
Source: Chiefs.com - Matt McMullen
Source: Chiefs.com - Matt McMullen
Brenton Strange on Track to Play This Weekend?
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said on Wednesday that he's "optimistic" about tight end Brenton Strange (hip) returning in Week 12 to face the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, according to Mia O'Brien. However, Coen also said, "I really don't know" about Strange's status. The Jaguars opened the 24-year-old's 21-day practice window last week, and he managed to put in two limited practices before being ruled out for the Week 11 blowout win over the Los Angeles Chargers. Strange is probably going to need to upgrade to full practice this week if the Jags are going to activate him from Injured Reserve and have him active this Sunday in Sin City. But fantasy managers looking for a streaming TE the rest of the way should be looking at Strange, especially since rookie receiver Travis Hunter (knee) is out for the rest of the year. Strange caught 20 passes for 204 yards and no TDs in five games before his injury. UPDATE: Strange was limited on Wednesday.
Source: Mia O'Brien
Source: Mia O'Brien
Jaguars "Optimistic" About Brian Thomas Jr.'s Week 12 Status
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said he's "optimistic" about wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle) returning to face the Las Vegas Raiders on the road this Sunday in Week 12, according to Mia O'Brien. However, Coen also said, "I really don't know" regarding Thomas' status. Thomas was limited in practice all of last week, but he ended up missing a second straight game in the Week 11 win over the Los Angeles Chargers after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 9. The 23-year-old's Week 12 status will probably depend on whether he's able to upgrade to a full practice this week, so fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on his status. Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington have been operating as the team's top two receivers with Thomas out, with Dyami Brown and Tim Patrick having secondary roles. At best, the struggling Thomas should be considered as a WR3/flex in fantasy if he plays this weekend. UPDATE: Thomas was limited in Wednesday's practice.
Source: Mia O'Brien
Source: Mia O'Brien
Josh Jacobs Will Not Practice on Wednesday
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that running back Josh Jacobs (knee) will not practice on Wednesday, according to Weston Hodkiewicz of the team's official site. "The plan is to try to get him healthy enough to go. It's gonna be a day-by-day thing ... and we'll see how he progresses as the week unfolds," LaFleur said. Jacobs suffered a knee contusion in the Week 11 win over the New York Giants, and the Packers are calling him day-to-day for now. The 27-year-old isn't being ruled out for a Week 12 divisional contest against the Minnesota Vikings, but he's going to need to get back on the practice field in the next couple of days to avoid being ruled out. Emanuel Wilson operated as Green Bay's RB1 after Jacobs left last Sunday, making him one of the most popular waiver-wire pickups this week, even if it's for the short term. Chris Brooks would also see an elevated workload if Jacobs is unable to play this weekend.
Source: Packers.com - Weston Hodkiewicz
Source: Packers.com - Weston Hodkiewicz
Jayden Reed Won't Return to Practice on Wednesday
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that wide receiver Jayden Reed (foot, shoulder) will not return to practice on Wednesday, according to Weston Hodkiewicz of Packers.com. "As soon as medical clears him, he'll be out there. I know he's excited to get back, as am I," LaFleur said. The head coach said earlier this week that he's hoping to open Reed's 21-day practice window this week, so it's certainly possible he could practice on Thursday or Friday. However, fantasy managers who have been stashing the 25-year-old wideout since he broke his collarbone in Week 2 shouldn't expect him to play this weekend versus the division-rival Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. In addition to recovering from a broken collarbone, Reed also had surgery for a Jones fracture in his foot. He's expected to be a key part of the offense when cleared, but the Packers might ease him back in, too. The third-year pro could still be several weeks away from making his return.
Source: Packers.com - Weston Hodkiewicz
Source: Packers.com - Weston Hodkiewicz
Dillon Gabriel Improving, but Still in the Concussion Protocol
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel (concussion) is improving, but he remains in the league's concussion protocol, according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. Gabriel will not start this weekend against the Las Vegas Raiders after suffering a concussion in the Week 11 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, paving the way for rookie fifth-rounder Shedeur Sanders to make his first NFL start on Sunday in Sin City. The Browns are saying that the 24-year-old Gabriel will be the starter once again when he's cleared from the concussion protocol, though, so he could return to duties under center as soon as Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers. Gabriel has been a shaky low-end QB2 for fantasy purposes in his first eight NFL games (six starts), completing 59.2% of his pass attempts for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Source: Browns Zone - Scott Petrak
Source: Browns Zone - Scott Petrak
Mike Gesicki Returning to Practice
Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki (pectoral), who remains on Injured Reserve due to a pectoral injury, had his 21-day practice window opened on Wednesday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. It's probably unlikely, but Gesicki will now be eligible to return this weekend when the team takes on the visiting New England Patriots. The 30-year-old tight end could have a chance to supplant Noah Fant as the team's top pass-catching tight end once he's fully recovered, which means he's a name to watch in fantasy leagues as we approach the playoffs. Gesicki has not played since getting hurt in Week 6. Before his pectoral injury, he had caught eight of his 16 targets for 61 yards and no touchdowns in six games. In two-TE fantasy leagues, Gesicki is worth stashing now if he's available on the waiver wire. UPDATE: Gesicki was a full-go in Wednesday's practice.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
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