Jalen Nailor Faces Difficult Circumstances At Green Bay
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor should be avoided in most formats when his struggling offense goes on the road to play Green Bay in Week 12. The Vikings have counted on Nailor in big spots -- like a game-clinching catch at Detroit and a fourth-quarter touchdown against Baltimore -- but his overall volume, 3.7 targets per game, hasn't been enough to rely upon on a week-to-week basis. Additionally, the Vikings are having a hard time simply staying on the field. During the past three weeks, Minnesota has averaged 58 plays as quarterback J.J. McCarthy has struggled to acclimate to the NFL. With Nailor set to face a Green Bay defense that ranks ninth overall against half-PPR receivers, managers should look for a better option this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Quentin Johnston's Fantasy Value on Fumes Heading into Bye Week
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston looked like the team's top receiver to begin the year, but he's cooled off considerably in recent weeks and heads into the team's bye in Week 12 after putting up a donut on just three targets in the Week 11 blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. It was the second time in the last four games that he finished with no catches. The 24-year-old former first-rounder out of TCU does have six touchdown grabs in 10 games in 2025, but half of those came in the first two weeks of the season. Since Oct. 5, Johnston hasn't gone over 53 receiving yards in a game and has scored only twice. With a banged-up offensive line in L.A., Johnston's rest-of-season outlook could be rough. The Bolts have a plus matchup coming out of the bye against the Raiders in Week 13, but after that, they have the Eagles, Texans, Chiefs, and Broncos -- all difficult matchups.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
T.J. Hockenson Not In Consideration Against Green Bay
Fantasy managers should not put much stock into tight end T.J. Hockenson when the Minnesota Vikings take on the Green Bay Packers in Week 12. The veteran has yet to reach 50 yards receiving in a game this season and is averaging just more than two catches per outing during the past month. Minnesota has struggled in back-to-back weeks with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, though Hockenson's fantasy output had diminished relative to prior years even before McCarthy returned from injury. In 10 games this season, Hockenson has finished within the top 10 fantasy tight ends only once, and managers should consider starting him only in formats that play more than one tight end.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Xavier Worthy "Trending in the Right Direction," Officially Questionable to Play in Week 12
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (ankle) is officially questionable to play in Week 12 against the Indianapolis Colts as he battles an ankle injury. However, Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star reports that "all indications this week were that (Worthy) is trending in the right direction." Worthy was able to practice in full on Friday after starting the week as a non-participant in practice. Across eight games this season, the 22-year-old has recorded 27 receptions for 281 yards and one touchdown on 45 targets. It's been a particular struggle of late for Worthy, as he's recorded at least five catches or 50 receiving yards just once in his last five games. If active against Indianapolis, Worthy profiles as a low-end fantasy WR3 in Week 12.
Source: The Kansas City Star - Pete Sweeney
Source: The Kansas City Star - Pete Sweeney
Will Reichard Outside Starting Range In Week 12
Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard should be regarded as a No. 2 kicker option in Week 12, which should keep him off the starting radar in most formats. The former Alabama standout has put together an excellent second season in Minnesota by making 19 of 21 field goal attempts and all 19 extra points, but the Vikings' offense has sputtered in the past two weeks. Starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy is completing just more than half of his passes and has thrown five interceptions in the past three games, which has naturally limited the offense. While tied to a struggling offense facing a road game against one of the NFL's better defenses, Reichard can be stashed in Week 12 with more favorable matchups on the horizon.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Vikings D/ST Too Risky to Play at Packers
While the overall numbers for the Minnesota Vikings' defense remain solid, they should be left out of starting lineups in Week 12 when they face the Green Bay Packers. The Vikings blitz more than any other team in the NFL and are consistently among the best in the league at generating pressure, but a road game against Green Bay qualifies as an unfavorable matchup. The Packers rank in the top 10 in net yards per passing attempt (seventh), turnover percentage (sixth), sacks allowed (sixth), and scoring percentage (ninth), and the Vikings may once again be without Pro Bowl edge rusher Jonathan Greenard (shoulder), who is questionable. Minnesota has a few enticing matchups later in the season that could make the defense worth holding for the fantasy playoffs, but this week, managers should look for a stronger option than this one.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Jerry Jeudy Hard to Trust With QB Change to Another Rookie
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy had his best game of the season in the Week 11 loss to the New York Jets, catching six of his 12 targets for 78 yards and his first touchdown of the season. Fantasy managers who had picked Jeudy up off the waiver wire were hoping he'd continue that momentum into Week 12 versus the Baltimore Ravens, but it didn't happen. The 26-year-old caught three of seven targets for just 21 yards in the loss. The good news is that he led the team with seven targets, but the bad news is that rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel left the game with a concussion and did not return. Gabriel will not play this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders, leaving fellow rookie Shedeur Sanders to make his first NFL start. Sanders completed just 25% of his passes in relief of Gabriel last Sunday and is a serious dice roll this weekend. It will be very difficult to trust Jeudy in a starting lineup spot in fantasy in Week 12.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Brashard Smith Should Be Left Out Of Lineups In Week 12
Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith will face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12. Smith had zero carries and two catches for eight yards in last week's loss to the Denver Broncos. Even with Isiah Pacheco missing the game, Smith did not have a single opportunity in the run game. The same should be expected this week with Pacheco ruled out again for the Colts matchup. Veteran back Kareem Hunt is the most trusted back on the roster and should be leaned on in a crucial AFC matchup. The Chiefs are currently sitting at 5-5 and third in their division, so they need to start stacking wins if they want to make the playoffs. Given the lack of involvement on the ground and sparse usage through the air, Smith should not be trusted in fantasy lineups this week.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Kendrick Bourne No Longer a Factor in 49ers Offense
San Francisco 49ers veteran wide receiver Kendrick Bourne enjoyed a mid-season spike that saw him put up exactly 142 receiving yards in back-to-back games in Weeks 5 and 6. Since then, the 49ers' offense has gotten healthier, and Bourne is no longer a viable fantasy option. In Weeks 7 through 10, Bourne was still listed as a starter, but with All-Pro tight end George Kittle playing in all those games following a five-week absence, Bourne averaged only two receptions for 28 yards. In Week 11, Ricky Pearsall returned after a six-week absence of his own, and Bourne was limited to 13 offensive snaps and kept off the stat sheet. While his chemistry with Mac Jones made him a surprising fantasy producer just as bye weeks struck, it is apparent that Bourne is no longer a reliable piece of San Francisco's offense and can be dropped by any fantasy managers who have not yet done so.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kareem Hunt Will Dominate Touches Against Colts In Week 12
Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt will face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12. Hunt handled 13 carries for 59 yards and a touchdown, along with one catch for three yards. His 59 rushing yards were a season-high, and his 13 carries tied his season-high. With Isiah Pacheco out in Week 11, Hunt was the only back to get any rushing work. Rookie Brashard Smith was relatively uninvolved in the contest, only catching two passes for eight yards. With Pacheco ruled out again for Week 12, Hunt should dominate touches against Indianapolis. The Colts defense has been an average matchup for fantasy running backs this season, but the scoring potential makes Hunt an interesting play. The Colts offense is the highest-scoring in the league, and this game has a nearly 50-point projected total, meaning that Hunt could visit the end zone once or twice. Hunt should be viewed as a viable RB2 with upside in Week 12.
Source: Nate Taylor - Twitter
Source: Nate Taylor - Twitter
Elic Ayomanor Out vs Seahawks
Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Elic Ayomanor (hamstring) has been ruled out of Sunday's Week 12 matchup with the Seahawks. In a season that has produced little offensive firepower, Ayomanor leads the Titans in targets (59), receiving yards (334), and receiving touchdowns (2). His 28 receptions through ten games trail only tight end Chig Okonkwo (32). With veteran Calvin Ridley (leg) placed on season-ending Injured Reserve on Tuesday, Okonkwo and fellow rookie Chimere Dike figure to be the focal points of the Titans' passing offense. While the Seahawks' defense has been smothering for most of the year, the one spot they have shown susceptibility to is the tight end position, making Okonkwo the only Titan worthy of fantasy consideration this week.
Source: Easton Freeze
Source: Easton Freeze
Isiah Pacheco Out Against Colts
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (knee) has been ruled out of Sunday's matchup with the Colts, making this his third straight missed game after spraining his MCL in a Week 8 win over the Commanders. Pacheco had been listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice, giving fantasy managers hope that he could return this week. He unfortunately followed that up with limited participation on Thursday and has been ruled out on Friday. In his absence, veteran running back Kareem Hunt has averaged 12 carries for 54 yards, while scoring a touchdown in both games to bring his streak up to three straight. The 8-2 Colts have been below-average against fantasy running backs, keeping Hunt in play as a TD-dependent flex option. Rookie Brashard Smith will remain limited in the RB2 role behind Hunt.
Source: Jesse Newell
Source: Jesse Newell
Patrick Mahomes Will Take On Powerhouse Colts In Week 12
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes will face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12. Mahomes completed 29 of 45 pass attempts (64%) for 276 yards and a touchdown in the team's loss to the Broncos in Week 11. The veteran QB struggled against the stout Denver defense, taking three sacks and throwing an interception last week. Mahomes and the Chiefs have now lost back-to-back games for the second time this season and will look to bounce back against Indianapolis. The Colts defense has been an average matchup for opposing quarterbacks, but their offense is the main reason to be intrigued. The Indianapolis offense is the highest scoring offense in the league, with the most yards and points scored this season. This Chiefs-Colts matchup is tied for the third-highest total of the week, meaning Vegas is predicting a shootout. Mahomes should be able to keep pace with the Colts, leading to a potential ceiling performance. Mahomes is ranked QB4 in our RotoBaller rankings, making him a must-start QB1 once again.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Drake London Officially Ruled Out for Week 12
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (knee) has been ruled out of Sunday's divisional matchup with the Saints. London left the team's Week 11 loss to the Panthers with what was later revealed to be a PCL sprain. With second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) placed on Injured Reserve earlier this week, the Falcons travel to New Orleans short-handed on offense. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. will presumably be tasked with absorbing some of London's 9.6 targets per game. While Mooney has topped 35 yards only once since returning from a hamstring injury in Week 7, he has displayed chemistry with quarterback Kirk Cousins in the past, topping 100 yards twice in 2024 and recording all of his career-high five receiving touchdowns with Cousins under center. Given the nature of his injury, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if London misses multiple games.
Source: Will McFadden
Source: Will McFadden
Kayshon Boutte Expected to Play in Week 12
New England wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (hamstring) has responded well to a week of practice, and he is expected to return to action when the Patriots face the Bengals in Week 12. Boutte missed the last two games after exiting the Patriots' Week 9 win over the Falcons with a hamstring injury. In his absence, veteran receiver Mack Hollins has stepped in as the team's most prolific deep threat, catching 10 of his 15 targets for 170 yards in wins over the Buccaneers and Jets. With Boutte back in action, the expectation is that Hollins will return to a role closer to the line of scrimmage and Boutte will continue to see work downfield. Boutte's 17.7-yard average depth of target ranks fifth among qualified wide receivers, and he is one of only three receivers with an ADoT above 13 yards and a reception percentage above 70%, illustrating his chemistry with Drake Maye and value within this offense. Against a subpar Bengals defense, he should be right back in play as a high upside flex play.
Source: Chad Graff
Source: Chad Graff
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