Ollie Gordon II Is Only a Deep Sleeper In Week 13
Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II will continue to be the team's primary backup as they come back from their bye week and host the Saints. Gordon had a touchdown in Week 11 with nine carries for 45 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Commanders in Madrid. He has three touchdowns on the year, totaling 164 rushing yards on 50 carries. He played a limited role for a few weeks while dealing with an ankle issue, but he seemed to be past that issue in Week 11 and should definitely be 100% after the bye week. He played 39% of snaps and should continue to get a few opportunities each week as a change-of-pace back. He is the No. 57 RB in RotoBaller's Week 13 rankings, meaning that he is best left on the bench in most standard-sized formats in his role, even in this favorable matchup.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Quentin Johnston Remains a Boom-or-Bust WR4
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston enters Week 13 after posting his second game with zero receptions in four weeks, failing to catch any of his three targets against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Johnston's production depends heavily on deep targets and red-zone opportunities, but the team's severely injured offensive line has caused quarterback Justin Herbert to average only 4.7 and 3.8 air yards per attempt in the last two games, heavily limiting the downfield opportunities Johnston needs. He will face a Las Vegas Raiders defense that mainly plays zone coverage, a scheme that doesn't favor Johnston's stronger performances against man coverage. With Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey commanding target shares, and rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden now handling short-yardage roles, Johnston is likely the odd man out. He remains a boom-or-bust WR4, with a high reliance on touchdowns going forward.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kenneth Walker III Good to Go for Week 13
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (glute) was on the team's Week 13 injury report with a glute injury, but he has been cleared and will play on Sunday against the visiting Minnesota Vikings, according to Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times. The 25-year-old was also on the injury report last week with a glute injury, but he ended up playing a season-high 67% of the offensive snaps. Walker had 11 carries for 71 yards on the ground and added three receptions for 30 yards through the air. He has been operating as Seattle's preferred RB this year ahead of Zach Charbonnet, and that should continue into this weekend's game against the reeling Vikings. Walker should be considered a low-end RB2 in fantasy football now that he's officially cleared from his glute injury. He's been pretty efficient this year, tying a career-high with 4.6 yards per carry on 147 rushing attempts through 11 games.
Source: The Seattle Times - Bob Condotta
Source: The Seattle Times - Bob Condotta
De'Von Achane Is an Oustanding Play Against the Saints
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane has been on fire for the Dolphins during their recent run of success, and he is in a smash spot this week against the Saints. Achane produced 120 rushing yards and 45 receiving yards in Miami's win over the Commanders before last week's bye week, and he was even better the previous week with 22 carries for 174 and six catches for 51 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Bills. This season, he has been extremely productive with nine touchdowns and an average of 115.5 rushing plus receiving yards per game. He has a great matchup against the Saints, who have been very beatable on the ground in the last few weeks. The combination of his recent surge and the Saints' struggles against the run makes Achane the No. 1 RB in all of RotoBaller's RB rankings for Week 13.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Bam Knight Listed as Questionable for Week 13
Arizona Cardinals running back Bam Knight (knee) is listed as questionable for the Week 13 game on Sunday against the hosting Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. The Cardinals' backfield could be dangerously thin if Knight isn't able to play this weekend. Trey Benson (knee) will not come off the Injured Reserve, and Emari Demercado (ankle) has been ruled out for another game, too. If the 24-year-old Knight doesn't get cleared by Sunday, Michael Carter would jump into the RB1 role for the Cardinals, with Jermar Jefferson likely backing him up. Knight has been serving as the team's No. 1 back with Benson out. He was limited in practice all week, suggesting that he's on the right side of questionable. He's averaging a paltry 3.1 yards per carry in nine games (five starts) this year. If active, he'll be a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex for fantasy managers.
Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Source: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
Keenan Allen's Zone Prowess Makes Him a Sneaky Flex Play
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen was a rare bright spot in the team's disastrous loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, leading the team with four receptions for 53 yards on six targets. Despite his route rate recently increasing, Allen's target rate has stabilized at around five targets per game, and he has only seen one red-zone target over the last four contests, limiting his overall upside. He faces a favorable matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders, who play zone coverage at the second-highest rate in the league. Allen is significantly more effective against zone coverage than man, making him a reliable, high-floor target for the often under-pressure Justin Herbert. RotoBaller ranks Allen as WR41 this week, reflecting concerns over his decreased usage and limited red-zone opportunities. Given his favorable zone matchup and reliability in moving the chains, Allen can be considered a sneaky FLEX option.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ladd McConkey's Success Against Zone Coverage Should Lead to a Bounce-Back
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey seems poised for a strong bounce-back week after a quiet performance in Week 11, where he caught three passes for 13 yards on four targets in the team's blowout loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. McConkey faces a struggling Las Vegas Raiders defense that ranks middle-of-the-road against the pass. The Raiders rely heavily on zone coverage, which benefits McConkey since he has a higher rate of fantasy points per target against zone than man coverage. With quarterback Justin Herbert struggling behind a battered offensive line, McConkey could see more quick, short targets to compensate for Herbert's limited time in the pocket. RotoBaller ranks McConkey as WR14 this week, and he should be considered a mid-tier WR2 who will be a primary focus in the passing game.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Brian Thomas Jr. Good to Go Sunday
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle) has no injury designation and is good to go for Sunday against the Tennessee Titans, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Thomas practiced in full on Thursday and Friday and is set to return in Week 13 after missing three straight games with a high-ankle injury suffered during Jacksonville's win over the Raiders in Week 9. The second-year wideout hasn't been able to replicate his numbers from his historic rookie season so far, recording 30 receptions (60 targets) for 420 yards and two total touchdowns in eight games. Thomas will also have more competition for targets in his return, with the Jaguars acquiring Jakobi Meyers at the trade deadline, Brenton Strange returning in Week 12, and the emergence of Parker Washington. He ranks as RotoBaller's WR30 in PPR leagues for Week 13 against the Titans.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Marvin Harrison Jr. Questionable for Week 13
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (illness) is listed as questionable for Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Bo Brack of PHNX Cardinals. Harrison was a limited participant every day this week in practice after missing the previous two games after undergoing an appendectomy surgery. The second-year wideout said that he feels good two weeks removed from surgery, but it's still to be determined if he will be able to return in Week 13. Harrison has collected 34 receptions for 525 yards and four touchdowns on 62 targets in nine games this season. Michael Wilson and Greg Dortch have emerged for the Cardinals in his absence and would be in for big roles again in Week 13 against the Bucs if Harrison is unable to suit up again.
Source: Bo Brack
Source: Bo Brack
Kimani Vidal's Usage Should Remain Elite Heading into Week 13
Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal is expected to see significant usage in Week 13 after rushing for only 13 yards on five carries against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 11. Teammate Hassan Haskins (hamstring) remains on IR, and rookie Omarion Hampton (ankle) has been ruled out, even though the team opened his 21-day practice window earlier this week. Vidal has been inconsistent lately, but is likely to handle most of the carries against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders have a surprisingly strong run defense, allowing just 3.7 yards per carry (second-best in the league), which could challenge Vidal's efficiency. However, the Raiders' defense is also the league's worst at stopping goal-line touchdowns, boosting Vidal's scoring upside in a game where the Chargers' coaching staff might lean on the run if the team gets an early lead. Given the opportunity and Hampton's injury status, Vidal should be upgraded to a mid-range RB2 for this week.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bucky Irving Fully Practices Friday, Listed as Questionable for Week 13
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder, foot) fully practiced for the third straight day on Friday, but is listed as questionable for Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times reports. However, head coach Todd Bowles said Friday that Irving is trending towards returning on Sunday for the first time since Week 4. The 23-year-old suffered a foot sprain and a subluxation of his shoulder during Tampa Bay's Week 4 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and after missing a significant amount of time, his snaps and touches are expected to be limited on Sunday. The second-year back will split touches with both Sean Tucker and Rachaad White, creating a somewhat murky situation for fantasy managers. Irving is ranked as RotoBaller's RB24 in PPR leagues for Week 13.
Source: Rick Stroud
Source: Rick Stroud
Justin Herbert Set for Bounce-Back Game, Remains a Low-End QB1
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert enters Week 13 eager for a bounce-back after his worst performance of the season in Week 11. In the team's disappointing 35-6 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Herbert completed just 10 of 18 passes for 81 yards and threw an interception before being benched early, marking his first game without a passing touchdown this season. For the upcoming game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Herbert should find better success despite the Raiders not having allowed a 300-yard passer this season. The Las Vegas defense plays zone coverage at the second-highest rate, where Herbert ranks middle-of-the-pack. However, his battered offensive line has allowed 35 sacks this season. That vulnerability raises concerns that Head Coach Jim Harbaugh and Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman hopefully addressed during the bye week. If the Chargers' defense can contain the struggling Las Vegas offense, the game may lean more toward a balanced running attack. RotoBaller ranks Herbert as QB9 this week, making him a solid but somewhat risky low-end QB1 with a limited ceiling due to protection and scheme issues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Omarion Hampton Ruled Out for Week 13
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to Alex Insdorf of the Bolt Beat. Hampton has been sidelined since Week 5, and it was recently reported that he was dealing with a fractured ankle. The rookie first-rounder was listed as limited every day in practice this week, and will need at least another week before he's ready to go. It's also possible that Hampton operates in a timeshare with second-year back Kimani Vidal when he returns, as indicated by offensive coordinator Greg Roman. That could limit the rookie's rest of season upside, but he was producing at a high level before going down with injury, recording 66 carries for 314 yards and two touchdowns along with 20 receptions (22 targets) for 136 yards as a receiver. Vidal is in line to handle the bulk of the touches again in Week 13 against the Raiders.
Source: Alex Insdorf
Source: Alex Insdorf
Baker Mayfield Practices in Full Friday, Listed as Questionable for Week 13
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) was a full participant in Friday's practice session, but is listed as questionable for Sunday's matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Mayfield was upgraded to full after missing Wednesday's practice and being limited on Thursday. Head coach Todd Bowles said that the 30-year-old looked good in practice on Friday and is trending towards playing on Sunday against the Cardinals. Mayfield suffered a low-grade AC joint sprain to his left shoulder during Tampa Bay's Week 12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, and while he has a favorable matchup this week against an Arizona defense that has struggled recently, he projects as more of a high-end QB2 in Week 13 with the possibility of a re-injury.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Max Brosmer An Unknown Option In First NFL Start
The Minnesota Vikings will turn to undrafted rookie Max Brosmer in Week 13 at Seattle, but fantasy managers should consider him the single biggest risk of the weekend. Already without backup Carson Wentz (shoulder) following season-ending surgery, the Vikings will once again be without starter J.J. McCarthy (concussion), who was unable to clear protocol in time to play. The Vikings have a talented group of skill players led by receiver Justin Jefferson, but the Seahawks' defense has allowed scoring drives on fewer than 31% of opposing possessions, which is the second-best mark in the NFL. Ranked as RotoBaller's No. 32 fantasy quarterback this week, Brosmer is a huge unknown facing unfriendly circumstances, making him a tough start in any format.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
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