[ad_1]
I’ve been on the staff of Yahoo since 2008. My fantastic writing resume dates back two decades. I’ve been playing fantasy football and covering sports since the early 90s. I’ve been a fan of the NFL my whole life.
Today, November 28, is the craziest Saturday I have ever seen.
I want to be clear, I’m not trying to be flippant here. I know we play a game over a game. I know we work in the toy department. Obviously, the players are humans, with emotions, fears, and issues just like everyone else. Realize that this thought is very much on my mind as I sort through the week 12 news cycle and what that means for the fantasy landscape.
It has been a difficult year for everyone I know and for everyone you know. Let’s try to be kind and reasonable to each other.
Towards the status update:
• The Steelers and Ravens hope to play their game of Week 12 on Tuesday, the third scheduled date that has been set. Originally they were to play on Thanksgiving night, then briefly the game was placed in the window early Sunday. The Ravens have several players on the COVID-19 / reserve roster, including QB Lamar Jackson, RB JK Dobbins and RB Mark Ingram; At 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, the count was 18. The Steelers placed James Conner on the COVID-19 / reserve list on Saturday. Benny Snell is the likely starter with Conner absent, if this game is actually played.
• The Broncos have a major quarterback problem. Replacement Jeff Driskel entered the COVID-19 / reserve list on Thursday. Then on Saturday, Drew Lock, Brett Rypien and Blake Bortles were all ruled ineligible due to contact tracing issues, leaving no quarterbacks on the active roster. Denver could be forced to throw a backup WR (Kendall Hinton) under center. WR Jerry Jeudy (ankle) is questionable, and not someone I would proactively play this week.
• The 49ers need a new practice and play facility as Santa Clara County locks down the area for three weeks, starting Monday. The Niners are expected to host Buffalo and Washington within the next two weeks.
The club don’t expect Brandon Aiyuk (COVID 19 / reserve list) to play against the Rams on Sunday, but Deebo Samuel (hamstring) is expected to leave. In the backfield, Tevin Coleman (knee) is ruled out, but Raheem Mostert (ankle) has a chance to play. Jerick McKinnon is another option.
• Jonathan Taylor was put on the COVID 19 / reserve list on Saturday. Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines plan to share the workload in Taylor’s absence. Indianapolis hosts Tennessee in a key AFC South game.
• Austin Ekeler (hamstring) came out of the reserve injured on Saturday. That doesn’t mean he’ll definitely play at the Bills, but he does have a chance. At least it’s an early wave game. Kalen Ballage (ankle / calf) is listed as questionable.
• Tyler Higbee (elbow) is making a game time decision for the Los Angeles game at San Francisco. Gerald Everett looks interesting if Higbee is ultimately wiped out.
• Marquez Valdes-Scantling (Achille ‘) is listed as questionable after injury at the weekend. Perhaps that could lead to an opportunity for Allen Lazard, although he has a different receiving style. Lazard returned to action last week.
• Gio Bernard (concussion) looks like a game day call for the Cincinnati home game against the Giants. If he can’t go, Samaje Perine is the next man. Meanwhile, Joe Mixon (ankle) hasn’t played since Week 6. The Bengals give quarterback Branden Allen a start, instead of presumptive quarterback Ryan Finley.
• Chris Carson (foot) is no longer on the injury record, allowing him to go to Philadelphia on Monday.
• John Brown (ankle) was injured on Saturday. This means he is out for three games. Rookie Gabriel Davis has sometimes flashed this year and returned to the regular rotation.
• New Orleans have a compromised offensive line as LG Andrus Peat (concussion) and LT Terron Armstead (COVID-19 / reserve list) will not be playing in Denver.
• The Dolphins downgraded Tua Tagovailoa (inch) to questionable on Saturday, which means we’ll see Ryan Fitzpatrick start against the Jets. I will be considering Fitzy on a few of my Superflex listings. The backfield is also complicated; Myles Gaskin was not activated outside of the injured reserve on Saturday, and Salvon Ahmed (shoulder) will not be able to play. Remaining full-backs include Matt Breida, Patrick Laird and DeAndre Washington.
[Week 12 Fantasy Rankings: QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | FLEX | DST | Kickers]
• Christian McCaffrey (shoulder) stays from week to week; he won’t play in Minnesota. Mike Davis remains the replacement. Teddy Bridgewater has had a full week of training and will start.
• Zach Ertz (ankle) is not expected to play Monday against Seattle. Dallas Goedert was superb in Cleveland last week.
• Adam Humphries (concussion) will not play in Indianapolis. The Titans prefer a tree that passes narrow, so there is probably no fantastic beneficiary of this news.
• The Jaguars won’t have DJ Chark (ribs) or Chris Conley (hip) against Cleveland, but Laviska Shenault (hamstrings) is set to return. Mike Glennon will be the starting quarterback, as the Jags bench Jake Luton. Gardner Minshew (thumb) could return to work in December.
• Sam Darnold (shoulder) returns to the starting lineup for the Jets. Frank Gore is the team’s star back, with Lamical Perine (ankle) on the injured reserve.
• Adam Thielen (COVID-19 / reserve list) is not expected to play against the Panthers. TE Irv Smith (groin / back) is uncertain, putting Kyle Rudolph in the lead in Week 12.
• Julio Jones (ankle) has had a limited week of training and is a game time decision for Sunday’s game against the Raiders. Jones is obviously the key member of this offense; when he’s playing things usually hum quietly, and when he’s not playing, watch below. Todd Gurley (knee) won’t play, preparing Brian Hill for a place start. Calvin Ridley (foot) is able to go, but Hayden Hurst (ankle) is another call on game day.
[Play in Yahoo’s NFL $200K Baller. $15 entry fee. $25K and more to first]
• Mitch Trubisky returns to action, starting Sunday night against the Packers. Nick Foles has a hip injury and has been in a seizure for several weeks anyway. David Montgomery is out of concussion protocol and should start.
• The Chiefs will recover Sammy Watkins (hamstring) against Tampa Bay, his first action since Week 5.
• The Cardinals have stopped Kyler Murray (shoulder) from working this week, but he will start in New England. Larry Fitzgerald (COVID-19 / reserve list) will not play, possibly opening up opportunities for Andy Isabella.
• Rex Burkhead (knee) is out for the year, which could allow Sony Michel to come back against Arizona. James White takes on added whimsy value with the absence of Burkhead.
• The Lions fired general manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia on Saturday. The club went 13-29-1 on Patricia’s watch. Offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell will lead the team for the remainder of the season.
Listen to the predictions of Yahoo Fantasy Football
[ad_2]
Source link