Thu Nov 27 10:11am ET
Field Level Media
Two defenses coming off impressive performances set their targets on history-defying young quarterbacks when the San Francisco 49ers visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday afternoon.
Brock Purdy will be looking for a third consecutive victory, while Shedeur Sanders will be seeking to deliver the Browns their first winning streak of the season when the former low-round draft choices go head-to-head for the first time.
The start will be the 41st for Purdy, the 262nd and final pick of the 2022 draft. He already ranks fourth all-time in touchdown passes among seventh-round picks with 72. That is 71 more than Sanders, the rookie fifth-rounder who notched his first last Sunday in a 24-10 road win over the Las Vegas Raiders.
San Francisco defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is impressed with Sanders, Cleveland's third different starting QB this season.
"You could tell how important it is to him and how much work he's going to put into it," Saleh said. "A guy who's as good as gifted as he is, both physically and mentally, and with the confidence he has, you just know he's going to get better."
Purdy suffered his first career defeat as a starter after 10 straight wins bridging his rookie and second seasons when he was sacked three times and intercepted once in the 49ers' most recent trip to Cleveland, a 19-17 loss in Week 6 of the 2023 campaign.
Now 25 and in his fourth NFL season, he was able to overcome three interceptions when the 49ers (8-4) rode a stingy defense to a 20-9 home win over the Carolina Panthers on Monday night. Purdy was not sacked in the game.
Six days later, he'll have to deal with one of the top defenses in the league. Having held the Raiders to 268 total yards while sacking Geno Smith 10 times, the Browns (3-8) entered the week ranked second in the NFL in yards allowed (273.0) and sacks (42.0).
Myles Garrett was credited with three of the sacks and also forced two fumbles. He had six hits on Smith in all.
"He's the best in the league," Purdy assured reporters this week. "I can't be holding onto the ball too long."
Having recorded four sacks on Baltimore's Lamar Jackson in Week 11, Garrett will be attempting to become the first in the NFL since 1982 (when the stat was first recorded) to register three or more sacks in three straight games.
The San Francisco defense dominated Monday's win over the Panthers. Led by Bryce Huff, who helped pressure Bryce Young into a 169-yard performance, and Ji'Ayir Brown, who intercepted Young twice, the 49ers held an opponent to under 10 points for the first time since a 34-3 win at Jacksonville in November of 2023.
They'll take aim this week at Sanders, who earned a second start after throwing for 209 yards and just one interception against the Raiders.
The son of former 49ers star Deion Sanders expects better of himself this week.
"I'm never comfortable in a situation I'm in," the 23-year-old said. "I always want to exceed expectations, and I always want to grow in each and every week."
The matchup of Purdy and Sanders is the first this season between quarterbacks taken in the fifth round or later.
The 49ers watched the New Orleans Saints' Spencer Rattler, a fifth-round pick in 2024, burn them for three TD passes in Week 2, but that was against former first-rounder Mac Jones, who was subbing for an injured Purdy.
San Francisco will turn to Matt Gay at kicker for the second straight game as Eddy Pineiro was once again ruled out with a right hamstring injury. The 49ers also listed defensive end Sam Okuayinonu (ankle) and linebacker Tatum Bethune (ankle) as out.
The Browns won't have tight end Brenden Bates (ankle), defensive end Alex Wright (quadricep) or defensive tackle Adin Huntington (quadricep). Running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) is questionable.
Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 14
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (shoulder) continues to work through a sprained AC joint in his left (non-throwing) shoulder and was limited in Wednesday's practice, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Mayfield injured his shoulder in the Week 12 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but he played in Sunday's victory over the Arizona Cardinals, going 18-for-28 for 194 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions while carrying the ball six times for an additional 27 yards. The 30-year-old is as tough as they come and is fully expected to play again in Week 14 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Mayfield hasn't thrown more than one touchdown in any of his last three games, but he'll be on the low-end QB1 radar this weekend in a rematch against the Saints, potentially with star wideout Mike Evans (collarbone) back in the fold. Mayfield went 15-for-24 for 152 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in a 23-3 win over the Saints back on Oct. 26.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (leg) remains on the team's injury report and was listed as limited in practice on Wednesday, according to FOX Sports' Greg Auman. Godwin may stay on the injury report the rest of the year for maintenance purposes as he comes back from a fractured fibula that he suffered back in Week 5. The 29-year-old pass-catcher returned in Week 12 and has five catches on nine targets for 87 yards in his two games back. He was on the field more in last week's win over the Arizona Cardinals and had three catches on five targets for a season-high 78 yards. Although Mike Evans' (collarbone) impending return from Injured Reserve will take a little steam out of Godwin's rest-of-season outlook, he should still be a pretty key weapon for quarterback Baker Mayfield in the passing game. Consider him a viable WR3/flex option in fantasy for a Week 14 battle against the division-rival New Orleans Saints.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) was limited in practice on Wednesday, according to FOX Sports' Greg Auman. This was McMillan's first practice since suffering a severe neck strain and multiple broken bones in his neck back in the preseason in August. The 23-year-old is trending toward a return this year, but it probably won't be for another couple of weeks. And when McMillan does return, he'll be joining a crowded receiving room in Tampa alongside wideouts Mike Evans (collarbone), Chris Godwin, rookie first-rounder Emeka Egbuka, and rookie Tez Johnson. It's highly unlikely that McMillan is going to have a big enough role when he returns to put him on the fantasy map in 12-team leagues.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) was listed as limited in the team's walkthrough practice on Wednesday, according to FOX Sports' Greg Auman. Evans has made good progress since breaking his collarbone in Week 7, but the Bucs will re-evaluate him later this week before determining if they'll activate him from Injured Reserve so that he can play on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. The 32-year-old future Hall of Famer should not be floating around on the waiver wire in fantasy leagues, even if Tampa decides to wait another week to activate him. The six-time Pro Bowler will break a ridiculous streak of 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons due to injuries this year, but he still has the potential to be a difference-maker for fantasy managers in the playoffs. Evans' impending return is more bad news for slumping rookie first-round wideout Emeka Egbuka.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews agreed to terms on a three-year, $39.3 million contract extension with the team on Wednesday that includes $26 million guaranteed, sources tell Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Andrews is the franchise's all-time leading receiver, who was in the final year of his deal. The 2026 campaign will be his ninth with the team after the Ravens drafted him in the third round in 2018. Andrews is going strong and currently has 473 career catches for 5,826 yards and 56 touchdowns. The 30-year-old veteran isn't nearly as consistent as he's been in the past for fantasy managers, but he's managed 37 catches on 52 targets for 332 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games in 2025, good enough to make him the TE13 in half-PPR scoring. Isaiah Likely's presence in Baltimore makes Andrews more volatile in fantasy, but he'll be a low-end TE1 this weekend against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) is still on the team's injury report and was listed as limited in practice on Wednesday, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Irving returned in last Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals for the first time since Week 4 due to a dislocated shoulder and a foot sprain. Tampa was expected to ease the 23-year-old RB back in, but he ended up handling a healthy 17 carries for 61 yards (3.6 yards per tote) and two rushing touchdowns on 52% of the offensive snaps. Irving added two catches on two targets for 20 yards. Surprisingly, Sean Tucker played just 15% of the snaps. Irving should be fine to play in Week 14 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints, and he should see an even bigger share of the backfield work. As long as Irving doesn't have a setback with his shoulder, he should be considered an RB1 in fantasy in his second game back.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (back) was listed as a non-participant during Wednesday's practice due to a back injury, according to FOX Sports' Greg Auman. Olave dealt with some back spasms late last week and was considered questionable to play in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins, but he ended up playing and catching four of seven targets for 47 yards and his fifth touchdown of the year. The 25-year-old's back flared up after Sunday's game in Miami, though, which could make him questionable for the second straight week. As long as Olave is able to return to practice later this week, though, he should be able to play this weekend versus the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Olave is a must-start fantasy wideout when he's active. In the previous meeting with Tampa on Oct. 26, Olave caught eight of his 12 targets for 63 yards.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (ankle, knee) is missing another practice on Wednesday, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Kamara sprained his MCL in the Week 12 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and did not play in the Week 13 loss to the Miami Dolphins after missing practice all of last week. With the Saints well out of playoff contention, it seems likely that the 30-year-old will miss another game this weekend when the team takes on the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Kamara out last Sunday, rookie Devin Neal made his first career start and played a season-high 82% of the offensive snaps, taking 17 touches for 69 yards from scrimmage. In a plus matchup, Neal will be on the RB2/3 borderline for fantasy managers as New Orleans' lead back if Kamara is forced to sit out another game.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai (ankle) was a non-participant on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. It's the first time that Monangai has been on the injury report with an ankle injury since back in Week 10. The Bears could be giving the 23-year-old some extra rest this week, but it's a situation to monitor closely for fantasy managers ahead of the team's big Week 14 divisional matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Monangai has seen double-digit carries in five of the last seven weeks for the Bears as he becomes a much bigger part of their offense. In last week's win over the Eagles, the seventh-rounder had 22 carries for 130 yards and a touchdown to bump his TD streak up to four straight games. If his ankle injury is serious enough to make him limited or keep him out entirely this weekend, D'Andre Swift would have clear RB1 upside as Chicago's workhorse RB.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. Daniels is back at practice after dislocating his left (non-throwing) elbow back in Week 9, but he has yet to be cleared for contact and is up in the air to return on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14. The Commanders plan on waiting until Friday to re-evaluate the 24-year-old second-year signal-caller. There's a chance that Daniels will be able to return in Minnesota, but the Commanders will probably play it extra safe with their franchise QB, and he'll likely need to upgrade to a full practice before the week is over to have a realistic shot of playing. Washington won't be afraid to give Marcus Mariota his seventh start of the year if they are on the fence about Daniels' status.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice session, according to the team's official website. Odunze last appeared on the injury report in Week 11 with an ankle injury, and it's been common for the second-year wideout to miss practice on Wednesdays this season as the team manages his workload. The 23-year-old hasn't missed a game this season, though, and he will likely be good to go for Sunday against the Packers, barring something unforeseen. Odunze's production has fallen off in recent weeks, as he's recorded three receptions or fewer in six of his last eight games with only one touchdown during that time. He projects as more of a WR3 for Week 14 against a tough Green Bay Packers defense, assuming he can suit up.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (fibula) was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice session, according to the team's official website. Jones' full participation on Wednesday is an estimation, as the Colts conducted a walk-through. It was reported last week that the 28-year-old signal-caller is playing through a fractured fibula, and his production has cooled off a bit in recent weeks after an excellent start to the season. Jones has completed 67.9% of his passes for 3,041 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions while adding 44 carries for 160 yards and five rushing touchdowns in 12 starts this season. The veteran quarterback will continue playing through the injury and will look to return to his early-season form for a big divisional game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hip, knee) was a non-participant during Wednesday's practice session, according to the team's official website. Downs last appeared on the injury report in Week 9 with a hip injury, but it appears he picked up a knee injury during the Colts' Week 13 loss to the Houston Texans. The 24-year-old's production has faded lately as he's taken a back seat to the Colts' other talented pass-catchers. He's recorded just five receptions for 57 yards on 14 targets in the past three games after seeing a season high of nine targets in Week 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Downs' participation in practice will be monitored in the next two days, but even if he suits up for Week 14's game against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars, he projects more as a deep-league flex option in PPR formats.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets S Tony Adams (groin), CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (hip), DE Jermaine Johnson (ankle), DT Harrison Phillips (non-injury), LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball (hamstring) and CB Qwan'tez Stiggers (concussion) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 3. DE Will McDonald (ankle) was limited during practice, while LB Cam Jones (hip) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Chicago Bears LB Ruben Hyppolite II (shoulder), RB Kyle Monangai (ankle), WR Rome Odunze (foot) and CB Tyrique Stevenson (hip) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 3. LB T.J. Edwards (hamstring, hand) was limited during practice. DT Andrew Billings (concussion), CB Jaylon Johnson (groin), DE Dominique Robinson (concussion) and LB Noah Sewell (elbow) fully participated in practice. The Bears did not hold a practice Wednesday, so the report is an estimation.
From TheHuddle
Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (neck) has been ruled out for Thursday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. Wright was a non-participant every day in practice this week and isn't expected to return anytime soon after head coach Dan Campbell revealed his injury involves his trachea, and that it could be a long-term issue. The 27-year-old was expected to serve as the Lions' top tight end after Sam LaPorta (back) was placed on Injured Reserve, but Wright may miss the remainder of the season. Ross Dwelley stepped up and played the majority of snaps in Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers with Anthony Firkser mixing in, and both figure to split the reps on Thursday night against the Cowboys. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for help at the TE position.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Thursday night's matchup versus the Dallas Cowboys. The 31-year-old hasn't practiced since suffering an ankle injury during Detroit's overtime win over the New York Giants in Week 12 and will miss his third consecutive game. The Lions have multiple injuries at wide receiver and tight end, with star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) questionable for Thursday, as well as tight ends Sam LaPorta (back) and Brock Wright (neck) facing extended absences. Rookie third-rounder Isaac TeSlaa is expected to see an increase in opportunities with Detroit's injuries piling up, and he's flashed upside in limited action, with three of his six receptions this season going for touchdowns.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Parker Washington (hip), OT Walker Little (concussion), DE Travon Walker (knee) and S Andrew Wingard (concussion) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 3. OT Chuma Edoga (calf), OG Patrick Mekari (concussion), DT Arik Armstead (hand), DE Danny Striggow (knee), LB Devin Lloyd (chest), LB Foyesade Oluokun (hamstring), P Logan Cooke (shoulder) and LS Ross Matiscik (back) were limited during practice. CB Jourdan Lewis (neck) and S Eric Murray (neck) fully participated in practice.
From TheHuddle
Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) is listed as questionable for Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Fantasy Spin: The team has been silent about his exact chances of playing, but he has been limited in practice. Wait for inactives but have a backup plan in case he is ruled out.
From TheHuddle
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) is officially listed as questionable to play on Thursday night against the visiting Dallas Cowboys, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. St. Brown missed the first two practices on a short week, and he admitted on Tuesday that he's unsure if he'll be able to play in Week 14 after he suffered a low-ankle sprain early in the Thanksgiving Day loss to the Green Bay Packers last Thursday. The 26-year-old figures to be a game-time decision on Thursday evening. Normally a must-start in fantasy football lineups when healthy, he'll be a much more volatile option if he's active, even in a great matchup against Dallas. St. Brown will most likely be less than 100% if he's active, and Detroit could use him as a decoy. Rookie Isaac TeSlaa and Tom Kennedy will see more playing time behind Jameson Williams if St. Brown is ruled out.
From RotoBaller