Mike Evans Could Return Before End of Regular Season
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) has been rehabbing to get back onto the field, and according to head coach Todd Bowles, his return is expected to come before the end of the regular season. While Bowles was unable to provide an exact date, he pointed to the work being done by both Evans and second-year receiver Jalen McMillan as the team enters the stretch run of the season. Evans was placed on IR after exiting a Week 7 loss to the Lions with a concussion and broken collarbone. At the time, the team was 5-2, but after losing three straight games, they have fallen to 6-5, and in a season defined by injury, quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) was unable to finish Sunday night's game after spraining an AC joint on an end-of-half Hail Mary attempt. With the Buccaneers now holding the same record as the Carolina Panthers atop the division, a return to health is critical to their playoff chances.
Source: Pewter Report
Source: Pewter Report
J.J. McCarthy in Concussion Protocol
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (concussion) has entered the league's concussion protocol after reporting symptoms following a Week 12 loss to the Packers. McCarthy was evaluated on Sunday night by the team's training staff and doctors, who then made the decision to place him into protocol. The Vikings will travel to Seattle for a Week 14 matchup with the Seahawks, and McCarthy will now need to clear protocol if the team hopes to have him available. Should he miss any time, the Vikings will turn to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer. On the surface, this would seem to be a blow to the fantasy value of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and the rest of the Vikings offense, but with McCarthy averaging fewer than 155 passing yards per game in six starts, while throwing 10 interceptions to only six touchdowns, any dip should be negligible. Fantasy managers should continue to trot out their underperforming stud receiver based on talent alone.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Tyrod Taylor to Remain the Jets' Starting QB
New York Jets veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor will remain the team's starting QB, according to Dennis Waszak Jr. "I thought he did a really good job for us. So, looking forward to seeing how he's going to operate moving forward -- because I know you guys want to ask me that question," head coach Aaron Glenn said on Monday. In his second start of the year, Taylor went 17-for-28 passing for a season-high 222 yards, one touchdown, and one interception in the 23-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. The 36-year-old also added five carries for 19 yards. Although Taylor couldn't help the Jets win, he did improve the passing game slightly and will continue to make starts with Justin Fields sitting on the bench. Taylor brings a low ceiling in fantasy football, though, as a QB2/3 as he heads into a Week 13 meeting with the Atlanta Falcons.
Source: Dennis Waszak Jr.
Source: Dennis Waszak Jr.
Dillon Gabriel has Cleared the Concussion Protocol but Won't Start in Week 13
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said on Monday that rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel (head) has cleared the NFL's concussion protocol, according to Camryn Justice of WEWS. The Browns previously said that Gabriel would return to the starting role under center when he was cleared of his concussion, but that won't be the case, as they have named fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders as the starter for Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers after he led the team to their third win of the year in Week 12 against the Las Vegas Raiders. If Sanders continues to play well, the 24-year-old Gabriel could finish out his first year in the NFL in a backup role. Sanders didn't play exceptionally well in his first career start, but he did help the Browns stretch the field, something that Gabriel could not do. In eight games (six starts), Gabriel completed 59.2% of his passes for 937 yards, seven touchdowns, and two picks while averaging just 117.1 passing yards per game.
Source: WEWS - Camryn Justice
Source: WEWS - Camryn Justice
Shedeur Sanders to Make Another Start for Browns in Week 13
The Cleveland Browns have named rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders as their starter for their Week 13 game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, sources tell Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel (head) has cleared the concussion protocol, but the Browns will stick with Sanders after he impressed with 209 passing yards and a touchdown in Sunday's victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Cleveland previously said that Gabriel would return to the starting role when he was cleared of his concussion, but the Browns will go back on that statement after they liked what they saw from Sanders in Week 12. The 23-year-old went 11-for-20 passing and also threw an interception, so it's not like he went off. He'll have a solid matchup against a banged-up 49ers defense in his second career start, but he should still be viewed as a low-end QB2 option in fantasy in Week 13.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Tahj Brooks Ruled Out for Week 13 With Concussion
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has ruled out rookie running back Tahj Brooks (concussion) for this Thursday's Thanksgiving Day game against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 13, according to Jay Morrison of SI.com. Brooks suffered a concussion in Sunday's loss to the New England Patriots, and on a short week, the 23-year-old won't be able to clear the league's concussion protocol. Veteran Samaje Perine (ankle) has missed the last two games due to injury and might not be available this week, either, so the Bengals' backfield could be extremely thin behind Chase Brown this week versus Baltimore. If Perine ends up missing a third straight game, expect Gary Brightwell to operate as Cincy's RB2 behind Brown on Turkey Day. Brooks has only nine rushing attempts in 11 games this year for 28 rushing yards.
Source: SI.com - Jay Morrison
Source: SI.com - Jay Morrison
Trey Hendrickson to Miss Another Game in Week 13
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said on Monday that All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson (hip) will not play on Thursday in the Thanksgiving Day game against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 13, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Hendrickson will miss a fourth straight contest after aggravating a hip injury in the Week 8 loss to the New York Jets. The Bengals' defense/special teams will continue to be a unit to avoid in fantasy football, especially against the Ravens offense. The 30-year-old Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks a year ago, but he's only played in seven games so far in 2025 and has four sacks, 16 tackles (11 solo), eight QB hits, and a forced fumble for the Bengals. His next chance to return will be in a Week 14 game versus the Buffalo Bills on the road on Sunday, Dec. 7.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Tee Higgins Won't Play on Thanksgiving
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said on Monday that wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) has been ruled out for the Week 13 game this Thursday on Thanksgiving Day against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Higgins is in the league's concussion protocol after coming down hard on his head on the team's final drive of the game in Sunday's Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots, and on a short week, he will not have enough time to clear the protocol. It remains to be seen if the 26-year-old will gain clearance to play in Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Dec. 7. The good news for Cincy's offense is that quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) is expected to play for the first time since Week 2, and they will also be getting top wideout Ja'Marr Chase back from a one-game suspension. With Higgins out, though, Andrei Iosivas will be in line for an expanded role for a second straight week.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Brock Wright Held in Check in Modest Week 12 Outing
In his second game since taking over for the injured Sam LaPorta (back) in Week 12, Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright recorded three catches for 29 yards on four targets against the New York Giants. With LaPorta likely out for the remainder of the 2025 season after undergoing back surgery, Wright likely has an extended runway as the TE1 in Detroit. He was on the field for 88% of his team's offensive snaps in Week 12. Still, Wright has always been more of a blocker than a receiver throughout his NFL career. Across 69 career NFL games (all with Detroit), the 26-year-old has recorded 70 receptions and 11 touchdowns. He's probably a safe bet to see around five targets per game, but Wright still likely needs to find the end zone to provide fantasy-relevant production. He does not profile as a top-12 fantasy tight end heading into a difficult Week 13 matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bengals Expect Joe Burrow to Play on Thursday
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reports on Monday that the team expects quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) to play on Thursday in the Thanksgiving Day game against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, although there hasn't been an official determination, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The 28-year-old has not played since Week 2 after having turf-toe surgery, but he practiced in full last week and is on the verge of returning this week. The Bengals won't make an official determination until probably Wednesday. Burrow's return will provide a huge boost to the Bengals' offense as they desperately try to get into playoff contention with time running out in the 2025 season. However, Burrow could be a bit rusty after his long layoff, and he'll be without top wideout Tee Higgins, who suffered a concussion in the Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots.
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Source: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
Jameson Williams Blanked in Major Week 12 Letdown
Heading into Week 12, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams had recorded at least 66 receiving yards and a touchdown in three straight contests. However, the 24-year-old put up a massive dud in Week 12 against the New York Giants, failing to record a single catch on three targets. Williams has increased target opportunity in Detroit with tight end Sam LaPorta (back) on Injured Reserve, and the wideout's big-play ability gives him explosive upside on a week-to-week basis. However, Week 12 was a stark reminder that Williams' production floor is as low as any player in the league. So far this season, he's recorded three games with fewer than 10 receiving yards and two without a single reception. The Lions have a difficult matchup in Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers, who held Williams to four catches for 23 yards back in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
David Montgomery Logs Single-Digit Touches for Second Straight Game in Week 12
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery was held in check by the New York Giants in Week 12, recording 37 scrimmage yards on eight touches in his team's overtime win. The 28-year-old played just 34% of Detroit's offensive snaps against New York, the third time in four games since the Lions' Week 8 bye that he's failed to reach the 40% mark. Once one of the league's most reliable touchdown scorers, Montgomery has now failed to hit pay dirt in five out of his last six games. He's recorded single-digit touches in consecutive weeks and 40 or fewer rushing yards in six out of his last eight outings. All indications suggest that Montgomery is fading into a true RB2 role in Detroit, behind star running back Jahmyr Gibbs. Fantasy managers may want to avoid Montgomery when the Lions will face one of the league's best defenses in the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day in Week 13.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Tutu Atwell Expected to "be Ready to Roll" in Week 13
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Monday that the team will open the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Tutu Atwell (hamstring) this week, and "expect him to be ready to roll" in Week 13 against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, according to Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. The 26-year-old has not played since injuring his hamstring in Week 7, but he should be back this weekend to give the high-scoring Rams offense yet another weapon for MVP candidate Matthew Stafford. Atwell will help the Rams stretch the field, but for fantasy purposes, he won't be much more than a boom/bust deep threat in deeper leagues with limited volume. The former second-rounder has 41 yards per catch on the year, but he's caught just four of his nine targets for 164 yards and one touchdown in six games played.
Source: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
Source: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
Jared Goff Volumes His Way to Solid Production in Week 12
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff did not have his most efficient day in his team's 34-27 overtime Week 12 win over the New York Giants, averaging just 6.6 yards per pass attempt. However, Goff found his way to solid production with volume, completing 28 of 42 pass attempts for 279 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The 31-year-old has now completed 69.3% of his pass attempts for 2,769 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions across 11 games this season. Still, it's worth noting that Goff has been sacked 14 times in his last five outings and has failed to crack seven yards per pass attempt in consecutive weeks. With the Lions offense looking a bit disjointed, fantasy managers in single-QB formats may want to avoid Goff in a difficult Week 13 matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving Day.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jaleel McLaughlin to be "Important" Down the Stretch?
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that running back Jaleel McLaughlin had a number of good runs in the team's big Week 11 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs and pointed to him "being important down the stretch," per Zac Stevens of DNVR Sports. McLaughlin played only 13% of the offensive snaps before the team's Week 12 bye and had six carries for 19 yards, but he did find the end zone for the first time this year in just his second game played. Rookie RJ Harvey is expected to lead Denver's backfield the rest of the way with J.K. Dobbins (foot) done for the year, but it sounds like McLaughlin is going to have a bigger role to close out 2025. At the very least, McLaughlin could become the Broncos' preferred goal-line back, which would give him streaming appeal in deeper leagues as a touchdown-dependent option. McLaughlin is currently rostered in 1% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
Source: DNVR Sports - Zac Stevens
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