Dalton Schultz on Track to Play on Thursday Night
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (shoulder) continues to manage a shoulder injury, but he should be active on Thursday night in Week 12 against the Buffalo Bills after upgrading to a full practice on Tuesday. Schultz was listed as limited on the team's Monday practice estimation. The 29-year-old's shoulder injury has not slowed him down on the field on game days, as he has a nice three-game stretch consisting of 19 catches, 181 yards, and a touchdown on 28 targets. He has had at least eight targets during that span and has seen at least eight targets in four of the last five games. The last two weeks with starting quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) sidelined, Schultz has been a nice safety blanket for Davis Mills, catching 13 of 20 targets for 104 yards and his first touchdown of the year. Schultz is trending up going into Thursday's tilt while being on the TE1/2 borderline in fantasy.
Source: Houston Texans PR
Source: Houston Texans PR
Nico Collins Listed as Full Participant in Practice
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (ankle) should be ready to play on Thursday against the Buffalo Bills after he was listed as a full practice participant on Tuesday. Collins opened the week on Monday listed as limited on the estimated report with a new ankle injury, but it doesn't appear to be serious enough to slow him down going into Week 12 despite the quick turnaround. Even though starting quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) will miss his third straight game this week, fantasy managers should not hesitate to start the 26-year-old pass-catcher against Buffalo. Collins has been a top-10 fantasy wideout in terms of half-PPR points per game (12.6) through 11 weeks of the season as Houston's clear WR1. And he's actually been better the last two weeks with Davis Mills running the offense, catching 16 of 25 targets for 228 yards and one touchdown.
Source: Houston Texans PR
Source: Houston Texans PR
Odell Beckham Jr. Officially Reinstated by NFL Commissioner
Three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was officially reinstated by commissioner Roger Goodell on Tuesday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Beckham remains a free agent, and it remains to be seen how much attention he'll generate around the league. The 33-year-old veteran was given a six-game suspension in October for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs, but he's now eligible to play again and will look to latch on with a team for the stretch run in 2025. The former 12th overall pick by the New York Giants in 2014 out of LSU spent the last two seasons playing with the Baltimore Ravens and Miami Dolphins, where he caught 44 of his 82 targets for 620 yards and only three touchdowns. OBJ had only nine catches for 55 yards and no scores in nine games in 2024 with Miami. At this stage of his career, he'll be more of a long shot to return to the fantasy radar, but that might depend on where he ends up.
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Source: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
Will Howard Could See First-Team Reps
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said "we'll see" when asked about rookie quarterback Will Howard receiving first-team reps during the week, with Aaron Rodgers (wrist) likely sidelined for their Week 12 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Rodgers has not yet been ruled out for Sunday's game, but he won't practice on Wednesday, and Friday will be the key day for his gameday status. Mason Rudolph is expected to start if Rodgers can't go, but his absence may open up an opportunity for Howard to work with the starting offense during practice. The rookie sixth-rounder out of Ohio State was activated from injured reserve last week after suffering a hand injury before the start of the season. Howard produced big-time numbers in his final collegiate season with the Buckeyes, throwing for 4,010 yards with 35 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 16 games and leading them to a national championship. If Rudolph struggles, we could see Howard make his NFL debut in Week 12.
Source: Brooke Pryor
Source: Brooke Pryor
Will Kyle Pitts Sr. be More Involved in Week 12?
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. logged his second straight two-catch performance in Week 11's 30-27 overtime loss to the Panthers after catching at least three passes in each of his first eight games of the season. It would seem his involvement is trending downward, however, wide receiver Drake London (knee) will likely miss Week 12, which could be a boon to his target potential. When London missed Week 8 with an injury, Pitts garnered a team-high nine targets, converting all of them into receptions, albeit for just 59 yards. The other good news is that Kirk Cousins was under center for that contest, and Cousins will again be the starter for the Week 12 road matchup against the Saints. Expectations should be tempered, though, as Pitts recorded one catch or fewer in five contests with Cousins at the helm last year. There is a wide range of outcomes for the 6-foot-6 tight end in this week's game, but he will still likely be a low-end TE1 on Sunday.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Colston Loveland Emerging as a Legit Fantasy Option?
Chicago Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland has seen his role in the offense increase lately, playing at least 60% of the snaps in all but one game since their Week 5 bye. Loveland had his breakout game in Week 9 against the Bengals, catching six of seven targets for 118 yards and two touchdowns. The production has been more modest in the past two weeks, with seven catches for 95 yards on eight targets, but he posted a 75.3% snap share in Week 11 against the Vikings, his highest in a game this season with Cole Kmet active. That number was still a tick behind Kmet for the week, with him playing 78.1% of the snaps, so he isn't overtaking Kmet necessarily, but Chicago used more two-tight-end sets to get them both on the field. The 10th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft has looked dynamic with his opportunities this season and should continue to see more reps, but it is still a crowded offense that will run the ball a lot. Loveland is a great player to roster because of his talent and increased role, but is still tough to trust in lineups for now.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Troy Franklin Continues To Ascend As Broncos Top Target
Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin has separated himself as the top target earner for the team in recent weeks. Franklin led the Broncos, tied for the team lead in targets, in their 22-19 win over the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11 and led them with 84 receiving yards. The second-year wideout caught multiple long balls for 30+ yard gains, including a 32-yard catch on Denver's final drive to set up the game-winning field goal. Franklin has 34 targets over the last four weeks, tied for fourth most in the league and 12 more than teammate Courtland Sutton in that span. Franklin has established himself as a legitimate fantasy option and should continue to be productive in Week 13 against the Washington Commanders after their Week 12 bye.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Elic Ayomanor Ready To Take on WR1 Role in Tennessee?
Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Elic Ayomanor has had a decent rookie season through 10 games, and with Calvin Ridley (leg) suffering a season-ending injury in Week 11 against the Texans, he could be in line for more opportunities. Fellow rookie wideout Chimere Dike also suffered a concussion in the game, leaving Ayomanor and veteran Van Jefferson as the two top wide receivers for Tennessee. Ayomanor has earned a consistent number of targets in every game this season, but the inconsistencies of fellow rookie Cameron Ward, along with his own poor play, have resulted in underwhelming production. The touchdown upside is not high for any player in this offense at the moment, but the rookie fourth-rounder has a good chance to lead the Titans in targets in Week 12 against the Seahawks. Ayomanor is worth adding off the waiver wire if available, but would be a risky play against a stout Seattle defense.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
C.J. Stroud Expected to Return in Week 13 Against Colts
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) will miss Thursday night's matchup against the Buffalo Bills, but is expected to return in Week 13 against the Indianapolis Colts, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Stroud won't be able to suit up with a short week of preparation, but the extra time off will ensure that the 24-year-old will be cleared and ready to roll for a big divisional matchup against the Colts in Week 13. Backup Davis Mills will make his third straight start, and he's been solid in Stroud's absence, completing 60% of his passes for 726 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Mills is only worth starter consideration in superflex leagues for Week 12.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Khalil Shakir Excused From Practice for Personal Reasons
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir was not on the field on Tuesday for the portion of practice open to the media due to personal reasons, according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. Shakir was also listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated report due to a personal reason. The team's WR1 isn't dealing with an injury, but his situation bears watching going into Thursday's tilt against the Houston Texans. The 25-year-old was listed with ankle and rib injuries last week but ended up suiting up for Sunday's victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, he caught just one of three targets for minus-three yards in a 44-32 win. It was the worst game of Shakir's career, which was especially concerning due to the fact that quarterback Josh Allen and the Bills' offense moved the ball at will against Tampa. It doesn't make Shakir an enticing fantasy play this week against the top defense in the NFL.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Source: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
Jayden Reed Could Return to Practice on Wednesday
The Athletic's Matt Schneidman reports that Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (foot, shoulder) could return to practice on Wednesday after a two and a half month absence. "I sure as heck hope so," head coach Matt LaFleur said on Monday when asked if the team would open anyone's 21-day practice window this week. The Packers will have a better idea about Reed's availability over the next two days. The 25-year-old wideout has been on IR since breaking his collarbone in Week 2, and he's also recovering from surgery on his foot for a Jones fracture. Reed is expected to play again this year, but it's uncertain when that will happen. Even if he returns to practice this week, it won't guarantee his return for a Week 12 divisional matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Reed is rostered in only 35% of Yahoo leagues right now, and he should have a key role in the Packers' offense when he comes back.
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Source: The Athletic - Matt Schneidman
Decision on Aidan O'Connell Coming Soon
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said that the team has to make a decision soon on whether to activate quarterback Aidan O'Connell (wrist) to the active 53-man roster or place him on season-ending Injured Reserve, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Carroll also said that O'Connell has been getting reps against the first-team defense in practice to "bring him along as fast as they can." The 27-year-old was a full participant in practice all of last week, but he wasn't activated for the team's Monday night loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Kenny Pickett has been serving as Geno Smith's backup with O'Connell on IR. Interestingly, O'Connell has been repping against the first-team defense, but Caroll hasn't given any indications that the team is close to making a change at QB from Smith despite another ugly loss on Monday night.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Kenneth Walker III in Line to See More Backfield Work?
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III could be in line to see more work out of the backfield moving forward after he eclipsed 100 scrimmage yards in the Week 11 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, according to Gregg Bell of The Tacoma News Tribune. Head coach Mike Macdonald said that Walker is "showing that he's earning more opportunities to get the ball." "I think you really felt Ken (Sunday)," Macdonald said. "And just, even in the pass game, too, on check-downs, finding him late in the play. Just shows you that he's such an explosive player with the ball in his hands." The 25-year-old has played 22 more offensive snaps than Zach Charbonnet in the last three weeks and has just been more efficient with the ball in his hands in 2025 than his backfield mate. Charbonnet is going to remain involved, but Macdonald's words could mean that Walker will start seeing a bigger piece of the pie, starting in a great Week 12 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
Source: The Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Source: The Tacoma News Tribune - Gregg Bell
Raiders Abandon the Run on Monday, Ashton Jeanty Suffers
In a blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football to close out Week 11 action to drop them to 2-8 on the season, the Las Vegas Raiders abandoned their running game. Rookie first-round running back Ashton Jeanty had just six carries for seven yards and had just two rushing attempts in the first half. The Raiders had a designed pass on 84% of its plays, the team's highest rate in a game since 2012. Head coach Pete Carroll admitted that he heavily influenced the offensive game plan. "I don't really care about pleasing people with our run/pass mix. I'm trying to move the football," Carroll said. "I wanted to get the ball to Brock Bowers a bunch and see what he could do. I'm responsible for that." The expectation was that the Raiders would rely heavily on Jeanty after he was taken sixth overall in the draft, but he currently ranks 16th among RBs with 149 rushing attempts. Vegas' poor offensive line play and the fact that they continue to fall behind by multiple scores doesn't bode well for Jeanty's workload on the ground increasing anytime soon.
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Source: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
Xavier Legette Plans to Play Through Hip Injury
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip) told reporters on Tuesday that he plans to play on Monday night against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12 despite injuring his hip late in the Week 11 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, according to Joe Person of The Athletic. The 24-year-old pass-catcher had one of his best performances of the season against Atlanta before his injury, securing four catches on eight targets for 83 yards and a touchdown in what was a career day for quarterback Bryce Young. Legette will probably be limited in practice on Thursday, but it sounds like he shouldn't be in danger of sitting out for Monday's primetime game. The former first-rounder now has a 24-264-3 line on 46 targets through nine games in his sophomore season. He has been operating as the WR2 behind rookie first-rounder Tetairoa McMillan and has been an inconsistent WR4/flex for fantasy managers.
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
Source: The Athletic - Joe Person
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