November 18, 2025
Cleveland Browns wide receiver
Cedric Tillman led the team with 52 receiving yards in a Week 11 loss to the Ravens and now prepares to face a Raiders defense that has struggled to defend the pass all year. In his second game back after missing four games with a hamstring injury, he showed glimpses of the play strength that showed up in his sophomore season, before suffering a season-ending concussion. Unfortunately for Tillman and the rest of the Cleveland pass catchers, the Browns quarterback situation is currently one of the least desirable in the league. With
Dillon Gabriel still in concussion protocol,
Shedeur Sanders will likely get the first start of his career in Week 12. And while this week will mark the first time that Sanders gets any reps practicing with the team's starters, what he put on film on Sunday while filling in for the injured Gabriel should not inspire confidence for fantasy managers. Even facing a generous Las Vegas defense, it would be difficult to trust Tillman this week. However, he remains an interesting stash, if only to see what sort of chemistry he's able to develop with whoever remains Cleveland's starter down the stretch.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
November 18, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders third-year wide receiver
Tre Tucker has become the team's top receiving option outside of All-Pro tight end
Brock Bowers, and on Monday night, he found the endzone for the first time since his Week 3 three-touchdown breakout. With
Geno Smith barely throwing for over 200 yards per game, while throwing only 12 touchdowns in 10 games, there isn't a ton of fantasy value to be gleaned from the Raiders' passing attack, especially with Bowers commanding double-digit targets in two of his three games since returning from a knee injury. That said, Tucker's 54 targets and 38 receptions on the year put him in a different stratosphere than the rest of the Raiders' wide receivers. With
Jakobi Meyers no longer on the roster,
Tyler Lockett's eight receptions over his three games since being acquired rank second on the team by wide receivers. Tucker has displayed the explosiveness to find the occasional fantasy ceiling in a bleak situation. As the team continues to make him more of a focal point, he should be able to provide a safer floor as well.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
November 18, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) is a name to look for on waivers this week, as he is currently rostered in under 50% of leagues and is expected to return to practice on Wednesday after missing the last two games with a hamstring injury. In his third season, Boutte has become a favorite downfield target of MVP candidate
Drake Maye, already racking up a career-high five receiving touchdowns in eight-plus games. While his target numbers have not been off the charts, the looks he's getting have been extremely valuable for fantasy, with an average depth of target of 17.7 yards. His 74.2% catch rate while maintaining such a high ADoT speaks volumes to the connection he's forged with Maye. Should he return for Week 12, he walks into a plus matchup against a struggling Bengals defense. If active,
Mack Hollins, who has been the Patriots' downfield threat in Boutte's absence, will likely return to a less fantasy-friendly role closer to the line of scrimmage.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
November 18, 2025
Houston Texans general manager Nick Caserio spoke on Tuesday about running back
Joe Mixon (ankle, foot), saying that "it's a very gray situation." There have been very few updates in regards to Mixon's recovery process, and the ones we have gotten have not been positive. It's looking increasingly unlikely that Mixon will be able to return in 2025. Caserio went on to say that there were times when the 29-year-old was making progress and other times when the progress stalled. As we are already in Week 12, there aren't any expectations for Mixon to come back after being placed on the Non-Football Injury list in the offseason. The Texans will continue to rely on veteran
Nick Chubb and rookie
Woody Marks in the meantime.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Audacy Sports
November 18, 2025
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that tight end
Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) will not participate in Tuesday's practice session, according to Maddy Glab of the Buffalo Bills. Kincaid also missed Monday's practice, and with a short week ahead of a Thursday night matchup with the Houston Texans, it's looking unlikely that he will be able to suit up. The 26-year-old suffered the injury in Buffalo's Week 10 loss to the Dolphins and has been labeled as week to week. Backup tight end
Dawson Knox filled in Kincaid's place, playing 75% of the snaps in their Week 11 win over the Buccaneers, but recorded one reception for 23 yards on three targets. Assuming Kincaid is ruled out for Thursday, Knox should again see a healthy role and be considered a low-end TE2.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Maddy Glab
November 18, 2025
Houston Texans kicker
Ka'imi Fairbairn (quadriceps) is back at practice on Tuesday, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Fairbairn suffered the injury during Houston's Week 9 loss to the Denver Broncos and was forced to miss the past two games, but he was estimated as a full participant in Monday's practice and is on track to return on Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills. The 31-year-old has been one of the most reliable kickers in the league this season, making 22 of his 25 attempts and nailing all 12 extra points.
Matthew Wright served as his replacement for the two weeks, but Fairbairn will take over once he is healthy. Fairbairn will project as a strong streaming option for Thursday, assuming he plays.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Jonathan M. Alexander
November 18, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said that running back
Jaylen Warren (ankle) will be limited in the early portions of practice this week, but he is "optimistic" about Warren's chances to suit up in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Warren left early from the Steelers' 34-12 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but he said after the game that he could have returned. The 27-year-old was off to a good start in the game with a 35-yard chunk gain on the opening drive, and ended with 10 carries for 62 yards while adding two receptions (two targets) for five yards.
Kenneth Gainwell was heavily involved even before Warren's injury, and he finished with a big day in the blowout victory, totaling nine carries for 24 yards to go with seven receptions (eight targets) for 81 yards and two touchdowns. Warren's status will be monitored throughout the week, and if he is unable to play, Gainwell would be a must-start in Week 12 against the Bears.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Brooke Pryor
November 18, 2025
Houston Texans quarterback
C.J. Stroud (concussion) is expected to practice on Tuesday, but he remains in the league's concussion protocol and is "not slated" to play in Week 12 on Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills, a source told Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Stroud is doing a lot better, though, and is trending toward returning for a Week 13 date against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts next weekend. The 24-year-old is likely to be listed as limited on Tuesday's practice report. Stroud suffered a concussion in the Week 9 loss to the Denver Broncos and is now on track to miss a third straight game due to his head injury. It means that
Davis Mills is set up to make a third consecutive start for Houston. Mills has won two straight games in place of Stroud and has thrown for 566 yards, three touchdowns, and one pick on 86 pass attempts. He's certainly in play as a low-end QB2 streamer in Week 12 versus Buffalo on Thursday Night Football.
--Keith HernandezSource: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
November 18, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin (leg) has played in only two games in 2025 and hasn't been on the field on game day since Week 5 due to a fibula injury. The good news, though, is that he was limited in practice all of last week and is making progress. It remains to be seen if he'll be cleared to play in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday Night Football, and it will depend on how much he's able to do in practice this week. Godwin is currently rostered in less than 50% of Yahoo leagues because of his extended absence. However, with a potential return on the horizon, fantasy managers in need at the position and with room on their bench may want to consider stashing him for the stretch run. When back to full health, Godwin should be a primary aerial weapon for quarterback
Baker Mayfield, especially with
Mike Evans (collarbone) likely done for the rest of the regular season.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
November 18, 2025
New England Patriots tight end
Hunter Henry is the TE12 in half-PPR scoring through 11 weeks with 34 catches for 422 yards and four touchdowns on 53 targets. He has not scored in the last three games and has typically been a hit-or-miss TE streamer in fantasy in his career. However, the 30-year-old did have a bounce-back game in last Thursday night's win over the New York Jets, with four catches on six targets for 45 yards. The week before, he disappointed with just one catch for nine yards in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Henry will probably remain inconsistent through the end of the year for fantasy purposes, but the upside is real in a Patriots offense that has shown a big jump in quarterback
Drake Maye's second season. If you're looking for a TE to stream in Week 12, Henry is an excellent option, as the Bengals defense allows the most fantasy points per game to the position this year.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
November 18, 2025
Four games and two starts into his rookie season, New Orleans Saints quarterback
Tyler Shough has completed 61.4% of his pass attempts for 586 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Shough had his best performance by far in his final outing before the Saints' Week 11 bye, throwing for 282 yards and two scores in a win over the Carolina Panthers. Coming out of the bye, Shough and the Saints will face an Atlanta Falcons defense that just allowed 448 passing yards and 30 points to the Carolina Panthers. Shough has limited talent around him in New Orleans, but he could still be in a position to take advantage of Atlanta in Week 12. Fantasy managers in two-quarterback formats should consider Shough a low-end QB2 heading into a favorable matchup against the Falcons.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
November 18, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers (wrist) will not require surgery to repair the left-wrist fracture he sustained during Pittsburgh's Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Pelissero reports that Rodgers is still pushing to play in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears, but "doctors must clear him, and his status moving forward is TBD." Across 10 starts this season, Rodgers has completed 66.4% of his pass attempts for 1,969 yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. If he is unable to go in Week 12, Steelers backup
Mason Rudolph would be in line to make the start against Chicago. More should be known about Rodgers' short-term availability in the coming days, but it appears he has avoided a long-term absence.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero
November 18, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Tyler Lockett looked like he was on his way out of the league earlier this season as a minimally utilized member of the Tennessee Titans. However, since being released by Tennessee and picked up by Las Vegas, the 33-year-old has found some new life. Over his last two games with the Raiders, Lockett has recorded eight catches for 77 yards on nine targets. Lockett is tied with wideout
Tre Tucker for the target lead among Raiders wide receivers over that span, and he has established chemistry with Las Vegas quarterback
Geno Smith from their time playing together with the Seattle Seahawks. Lockett is no longer an explosive downfield threat, but he appears to have established a relatively stable role in Las Vegas. He could be worth targeting in deep fantasy leagues heading into a Week 12 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
November 18, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings are now 4-6 behind struggling young quarterback
J.J. McCarthy, but the team is betting that McCarthy can overcome his current issues and acclimate to the NFL with time. Receiver
Adam Thielen, who is back in Minnesota after two full seasons in Carolina, pointed to Panthers quarterback
Bryce Young, whose improvement in his third season came after two mostly rough years at the helm. "I'm sure he's leaning on a ton of experience from the last few years that (included) some really tough moments," Thielen said, according to The Athletic. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell hasn't entertained a move and maintains McCarthy's issues are mechanical and can be corrected. Minnesota is going to give McCarthy the runway to improve, so managers in Superflex leagues will know they'll have a playable QB, albeit one going through the ups and downs of being a first-time starter.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: The Athletic
November 18, 2025
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver
Jayden Higgins may be emerging as a more consistent feature within his team's offense. He recorded four catches for 55 yards on seven targets in Week 11 against the Tennessee Titans, marking the third time in his last four games he's been targeted at least seven times. A second-round pick out of Iowa State, Higgins looks like he could be assuming the WR2 role in Houston alongside star wideout
Nico Collins. Perhaps most importantly for Higgins' fantasy outlook, the Texans have seemingly shifted to a pass-heavy offensive approach. Since the team's Week 6 bye, Houston quarterbacks have attempted at least 39 passes in every game. The Texans will face a stingy pass defense in Week 12 when they face the Buffalo Bills. Still, Higgins appears to have a relatively safe target floor. He should be a waiver-wire target for all managers in PPR leagues with 12 or more teams.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
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