Chargers "Really Optimistic" That Justin Herbert Will Play on Monday
The Los Angeles Chargers remain optimistic that quarterback Justin Herbert (hand) will be able to play on Monday night in Week 14 against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles despite having surgery to fix a metacarpal fracture in his left (non-throwing) hand on Monday, according to ESPN's Kris Rhim. "We're really optimistic Justin's going to play," offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. Herbert told reporters after having surgery earlier this week that he plans to play in Week 14, and all signs point to the 27-year-old signal-caller being active. Herbert is as tough as they come in the NFL. After a strong start to the 2025 season that featured five touchdown passes in the first two games, Herbert has thrown only two TD passes with two picks and just 232 passing yards in the last two contests. Going against a strong Eagles defense in Week 14 with a suspect offensive line in front of him, fantasy managers should downgrade Herbert to high-end QB2 status.
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Source: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
Aaron Rodgers Back at Practice on Thursday
As expected, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) returned to practice on Thursday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Rodgers suffered three fractures in his left (non-throwing) wrist in Week 11 and sat out of Week 12. The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer returned in last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills, going 10-for-21 for 117 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions. Although Rodgers was beaten up in the Week 13 loss, he's fully expected to take the field this Sunday for a big divisional clash against the Baltimore Ravens. With limited options at his disposal in the passing game beyond receiver DK Metcalf, Rodgers has been the QB22 in overall fantasy points in 2025 through 13 weeks, with 2,086 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Against a Ravens defense that has stiffened in the second half of the season, Rodgers will be a QB2/3 in fantasy while playing through a broken left hand.
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Source: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
Kyle Monangai Limited in Practice Thursday
Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai (ankle) was upgraded to a limited participant in Thursday's practice session after missing Wednesday, according to the team's official website. Monangai returned to practice on Thursday and should be good to go for Sunday's pivotal matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The rookie seventh-rounder has scored in four consecutive games and has emerged as a viable flex play in Chicago's dominant run game. Monangai has totalled 53 carries for 229 yards and four touchdowns, along with one reception (three targets) for 14 yards over the past four games as he splits carries with D'Andre Swift.
Source: Bears Communications
Source: Bears Communications
Rome Odunze in Danger of Missing Week 14?
Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) missed a second day of practice this week with a foot injury on Thursday, putting his status firmly up in the air for a crucial Week 14 matchup against the division-rival Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. It's a new injury for Odunze, who has played through ankle and heel issues in 2025. Perhaps it's the reason why the 23-year-old has gone into a slump after a strong start to his sophomore campaign. The former first-rounder scored five touchdowns in the first four games of the year, but he has just one trip to the end zone since (back in Week 10). In the last three contests, Odunze has just seven catches on 21 targets for 102 yards. His fantasy stock as a WR3/flex with upside has taken a hit, especially now that there's an injury concern to boot. If Odunze is not active in Week 14, DJ Moore, rookie Luther Burden III, and Olamide Zaccheaus would operate in three-wide sets for the Bears offense.
Source: Bears Communications
Source: Bears Communications
Mike Evans has "Real Chance" to Return in Week 14
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (clavicle) was back at practice on Wednesday and Thursday and has a "real chance" to make his return in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Evans has missed five games after suffering a broken clavicle during Tampa Bay's Week 7 loss against the Detroit Lions, but he is on track to be activated from Injured Reserve and play on Sunday. The 32-year-old wideout recorded 14 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown on 32 targets in four games before being placed on IR, and he would immediately slot in as the Bucs' top option in the passing game alongside Chris Godwin Jr. and rookie Emeka Egbuka. Evans should be scooped up immediately if he's somehow available on your league's waiver wire.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Joshua Palmer Not Practicing on Thursday
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee, ankle) was listed as a non-participant for Thursday's practice session, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN reports. Palmer is trending in the wrong direction to play in Sunday's matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals after beginning the week with two missed practices. The 26-year-old hasn't played a big role for the Bills when healthy, collecting 18 receptions for 272 yards and zero touchdowns on 29 targets in eight games. With Palmer's limited impact and Keon Coleman's disappointing second season, the Bills have signed multiple free agents off the street for wide receiver help, bringing back Gabe Davis and recently signing a speed threat in Brandin Cooks after he was released by the New Orleans Saints. Davis and Cooks could see the field more on Sunday if Palmer does not play, but they are both deep-league dart throws, at best.
Source: Alaina Getzenberg
Source: Alaina Getzenberg
Dalton Kincaid Practicing Again on Thursday
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) is practicing again on Thursday, according to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN. Kincaid was also listed with a knee injury on Wednesday's practice report while continuing to work back from the hamstring injury he suffered during Buffalo's Week 10 loss at the Miami Dolphins. The 26-year-old tight end appeared close to returning last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers after practicing in a limited capacity all week, but he was ultimately held out. Kincaid has a good chance of returning in Week 14 versus the Cincinnati Bengals after a three-game absence, but more will be known about his status after Friday's practice. He has been productive in the limited number of games he's played this season and would project as a borderline TE1 for Week 14 if he suits up.
Source: Alaina Getzenberg
Source: Alaina Getzenberg
Realistic Expectation is for Amon-Ra St. Brown to Return Next Week
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) was unable to practice this week due to an ankle sprain, and a return next week against the Los Angeles Rams is considered the more "realistic expectation," according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. St. Brown is currently listed as questionable for Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys, and while it's possible he is still able to play, the team is unsure of his status. It's tough to expect the star wideout to suit up after not practicing during the week, but St. Brown is pushing to play a week after suffering a low-grade ankle sprain on Thanksgiving Day. It was initially reported that the 26-year-old would miss one to two weeks with the injury, and that timeline still seems to be accurate as of now. St. Brown's status for Thursday night will be known soon, and if he's unable to go, Jameson Williams would be in line to lead Detroit's passing game, with rookie Isaac TeSlaa and Tom Kennedy also seeing increased opportunities.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Another Missed Practice for Marvin Harrison Jr. on Thursday
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) was not seen at the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, according to Arizona Sports' Tyler Drake. Both Harrison and Greg Dortch (chest) have not practiced this week, so the Cardinals could be missing two of their top wideouts in Week 14 against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. The 23-year-old Harrison missed Weeks 11 and 12 following an appendectomy, but he returned last weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to catch six of his seven targets for 69 yards. He'll have one more chance to practice on Friday. If both Harrison and Dortch aren't cleared to face the Rams, Michael Wilson will pretty much be a lock for double-digit targets in the passing game, and tight end Trey McBride will also have an incredibly high ceiling. Receivers Xavier Weaver and Andre Baccellia would be in line for a boost in snaps as well.
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Trey Benson Missing Practice Again, to Stay on IR Another Week?
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) was not seen practicing in the portion open to the media on Thursday, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. Benson has now missed five straight practices, dating back to last week, making it more unlikely that he comes off Injured Reserve to play this Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. If the 23-year-old second-year RB misses yet another game, Bam Knight figures to once again do most of the heavy lifting after he had 11 carries for a season-high 62 yards while adding three catches for a season-high 36 yards and a touchdown in the Week 13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Emari Demercado (ankle) is trending in the right direction to return this weekend, though, so he could steal valuable backfield touches from Knight. Benson should be stashed in all fantasy football leagues, but he's running out of time to contribute with the fantasy playoffs looming.
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Source: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
Lamar Jackson Not Practicing on Thursday
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) is not practicing on Thursday due to an ankle injury, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Jackson is on the injury report for the second straight week with an ankle injury, and it's concerning that he was downgraded from limited to a DNP this week. The 28-year-old two-time MVP has been limited in each of the last three weeks with ankle, knee, and toe ailments, but he has not missed any games. Jackson might not be in danger of missing a big divisional game this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he'll need to return to practice on Friday. A hamstring injury cost Jackson several games earlier this season, and he just hasn't looked like himself as a runner in 2025. Jackson hasn't scored on the ground since Week 1 and has 31 rushing attempts for 98 yards and no TDs since returning from his hamstring injury in Week 9. He's still a must-start at QB in fantasy, but he's dropped from the elite ranks at the position to the midrange tier going into Week 14.
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
Source: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
Jalen Carter Won't Play in Week 14 After Having Shoulder Surgeries
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (shoulders) will not play on Monday night in Week 14 against the hosting Los Angeles Chargers after undergoing a procedure on Monday on both of his shoulders, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN. Carter is undergoing treatment on both of his shoulders and will be considered week-to-week. The former ninth overall pick in 2023 wants to be as close to 100% as possible for a playoff run. Carter is not expected to go on Injured Reserve. The 24-year-old interior defensive lineman has recorded 32 tackles, two sacks, and six pass breakups in his 11 games played for Philly this year. With Carter out for potentially a couple of games, the Eagles will look for Byron Young to step up on their D-line. Carter's injury will be good news for a struggling Chargers' offensive line, although they could still have plenty of issues protecting quarterback Justin Herbert (hand) on Monday night.
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Woody Marks Returns to Thursday's Practice
Houston Texans rookie running back Woody Marks (ankle) is back at practice on Thursday, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Marks did not practice on Wednesday, but head coach DeMeco Ryans said the 24-year-old is expected to be fine to suit up in Week 14 on Sunday Night Football versus the Kansas City Chiefs. With veteran Nick Chubb lacking explosiveness, Marks has been the better upside play in fantasy football in Houston's backfield this year. The fourth-rounder out of USC has had double-digit carries in each of the last seven games, including at least 16 rushing attempts the last three weeks. Marks had a season-high 19 carries in last week's win over the Colts, producing 64 yards while also catching one pass for three yards. The Chiefs aren't an ideal matchup for Marks -- they've allowed only eight TDs to the position all year -- but for the volume alone, Marks is at least a low-end RB2 for fantasy.
Source: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
Source: Houston Chronicle - Jonathan M. Alexander
Samaje Perine Back as the Bengals RB2
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine missed two games due to an ankle injury, but he returned in the Thanksgiving night win over the Baltimore Ravens last Thursday and had one fewer carry than starter Chase Brown in the 32-14 victory. Perine surprisingly had a season-high 14 rushing attempts in his return from injury, but he didn't do much with the additional opportunities, gaining just 39 yards on the ground (2.8 yards per carry) while also losing his second fumble of the year. The 30-year-old veteran added two receptions for 15 yards. Now that he's back to full health, Perine should continue to work as Cincy's RB2 behind Brown, but fantasy managers can't bank on him seeing double-digit carries again as the Bengals head into a Week 14 date with the Buffalo Bills this Sunday. At best, Perine is a handcuff for Brown in deeper fantasy football leagues.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Darius Slay Contemplating Retirement, Won't Report to Bills
Six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay informed the Buffalo Bills that he is contemplating retirement and will not report to the team after he was claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday, sources tell Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. The 34-year-old veteran defensive back was cut by Pittsburgh on Tuesday after he was a healthy scratch in Sunday's loss to the Bills. In 10 games with the Steelers this year, he had 36 tackles (28 solo) and three pass breakups. The Bills were hoping to beef up their secondary with the addition of Slay for the remainder of the season, but it looks like that may not happen now. Buffalo's defense is allowing the fewest passing yards per game (163.2) through 13 weeks of the season. If this is it for Slay, the former second-rounder by the Lions in 2013 out of Mississippi State will finish his 13-year NFL career with 655 tackles (544 solo), one sack, 28 interceptions, and 163 pass breakups in 187 regular-season games with Detroit, Philly, and Pittsburgh.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
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