Josh Allen, Bills feel 'high sense of urgency' vs. Steelers

Thu Nov 27 10:33am ET
Field Level Media

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen understands the reality at hand.

Buffalo (7-4) faces a tough test against the host Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) on Sunday afternoon. The game carries significant implications for both teams as they try to boost their playoff hopes.

Some players might deflect the importance of the matchup. Allen isn't one of them.

"Extremely high sense of urgency," Allen said with the Bills three back of the Patriots in the AFC East. "We understand where we're at. We have full confidence in ourselves, but ultimately it comes down to executing on game days."

Buffalo is coming off a 23-19 loss against the Houston Texans in a primetime Thursday night contest. It was the fourth loss in the past seven games for the Bills, who still have aspirations of competing for a championship but first must secure a postseason berth.

Allen has tried to do his part. The reigning NFL MVP has completed 69.7% of his passes for 2,709 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions in 11 starts, and he has posted a passer rating of 101.6.

Dealing with a right elbow injury that landed him on the injury report to begin the week, Allen was sacked eight times by the Texans. The 29-year-old signal-caller said he and the Bills have plenty of reasons to stay positive.

"We've had some good, had some bad, throughout the year," Allen said. "I think there'd be a lot of teams that are wishing that they were 7-4 in a spot that we are. So it's also about that opportunity in front of us of hey, let's go out, let's play as hard as we can, let's put our best foot forward and try to get a victory on Sunday. That's ultimately what it comes down to."

The Steelers will try to spoil Allen's hopes.

Pittsburgh has alternated wins and losses throughout the past four weeks. The Steelers beat the Cincinnati Bengals 34-12 on Nov. 16 but are coming off a 31-28 loss on the road against the Chicago Bears last week.

Aaron Rodgers will start at quarterback against the Bills, the team confirmed Friday. Rodgers sat out last week because of a wrist injury, and Mason Rudolph completed 24 of 31 passes for 171 yards with one touchdown and one interception in his absence.

"He was a full participant today with no designation for the game," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said about Rodgers on Friday. "So, it's all systems go."

Rodgers has led the Steelers to victories in six of his 10 starts this season.

Jaylen Warren leads the Steelers with 604 rushing yards, and DK Metcalf is tops in the passing game with 573 receiving yards and five touchdowns on 42 catches.

James Cook has rushed for 1,084 yards and eight touchdowns for the Bills, and Khalil Shakir has caught 54 passes for 564 yards and three scores.

Wideout Brandin Cooks joined the Bills this week as a free-agent signing.

"Bringing a guy like him in, being a veteran presence for our room, he's come in here and he's already basically learned our playbook," Allen said. "The way that he carries himself, the way that he is in meetings, already it's very apparent that he is a true professional. ...

"We appreciate him coming here and, hopefully, helping us out."

Buffalo will be without several key starters Sunday. Left tackle Dion Dawkins (concussion), right tackle Spencer Brown (shoulder), linebacker Terrel Bernard (elbow) and receiver Curtis Samuel (elbow/knee) have been ruled out. Receiver Josh Palmer (ankle) and tight end Dalton Kinkaid (hamstring) are listed as questionable. Offensive lineman Tylan Grable, out with a concussion since August, was activated from injured reserve on Saturday.

For Pittsburgh, offensive tackle Broderick Jones (neck) and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon (knee) have been ruled out. The Steelers placed Jones, who was hurt against the Bears, on injured reserve on Saturday, with Andrus Peat expected to start in his place at left tackle. The team also elevated cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., who was signed on Nov. 12, from the practice squad for Sunday's game.

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The Paur Report

Five Fantasy Takeaways: Week 13

Player Notes
Joshua Karty Dec 1 6:40pm CT
Joshua Karty

The Los Angeles Rams signed kicker Joshua Karty back to their practice squad on Monday, according to Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Karty was waived last Friday by the Rams after being benched for rookie Harrison Mevis, but the 23-year-old will now return to the practice squad as an insurance option for now. In his second year in the NFL, Karty has struggled, going 10-for-15 on his field-goal tries and 23-for-26 on his extra-point opportunities through eight games. Mevis, meanwhile, has gone a perfect 2-for-2 on field goals and 17-for-17 on extra points with the Rams in his first four games. The 23-year-old has been money so far and has jumped onto the fantasy radar quickly at the kicking position because of the high-octane offense in L.A., but they don't often have to settle for field goals, which also limits his upside.

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Jalin Hyatt Dec 1 6:20pm CT
Jalin Hyatt

New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt is a healthy scratch for the Monday night game against the New England Patriots to close out Week 13 action, according to Dan Salomone of Giants.com. This will be just the second time all year, and the first since Week 8, that Hyatt will sit without dealing with an injury. The 24-year-old will be the odd-man out for a receiving corps that will roll with Wan'Dale Robinson, Darius Slayton, Isaiah Hodgins, Gunner Olszewski, and Dalen Cambre as they look to upset the Pats in primetime. The Giants will head into their bye in Week 14, so the next chance Hyatt will have to play will be on Sunday, Dec. 14, against the division-rival Washington Commanders. Hyatt has not been very involved in New York's offense in his third year in the league, catching five of 13 targets for only 35 yards and no touchdowns in seven games.

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Davante Adams Dec 1 6:10pm CT
Davante Adams

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) dealt with some hamstring soreness in Sunday's surprising loss to the Carolina Panthers, but ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the injury isn't considered serious. Head coach Sean McVay said the team could limit some players in practice this week, so don't be surprised to see Adams on the injury report this week. However, the 32-year-old veteran touchdown machine should be fine to play in Week 14 against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. The six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro wideout had two touchdowns for the second straight week in the loss to Carolina, coming down with four of his five targets for 58 yards. Adams has developed some insane chemistry with quarterback Matthew Stafford in his first year in L.A. and leads the NFL with 14 TD receptions in 12 starts. Keep him locked into all starting lineups for a plus matchup against the Cards this weekend.

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Keenan Allen Dec 1 6:00pm CT
Keenan Allen

Los Angeles wide receiver Keenan Allen recorded a modest four catches for 30 yards on five targets in the team's 31-14 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. Allen matched the team lead in receptions but provided little beyond sustaining drives. Over his last five games, he has only one red-zone target and saw fewer snaps as rookie Tre' Harris received more opportunities with the Chargers dominating on the ground. Justin Herbert's fractured non-throwing hand resulted in a more conservative game script (21 passes versus 43 rushes), further limiting Allen's upside. Heading into Week 14, the Philadelphia Eagles have shown vulnerabilities in back-to-back losses but still rank in the top 10 in pass defense, and Herbert's availability after surgery remains uncertain. If Trey Lance starts, all receivers' outlooks decline, although Allen's reliability might make him the backup's preferred safety valve. Nonetheless, expectations should stay low.

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Jaret Patterson Dec 1 5:50pm CT
Jaret Patterson

Los Angeles Chargers running back Jaret Patterson carried the ball 11 times for 54 yards and a touchdown in the team's 31-14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. After being signed to the active roster early last week, Patterson served as the primary back behind Kimani Vidal as the Chargers totaled 192 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Patterson looked decisive and scored his first rushing touchdown of the season as the offense relied heavily on the ground game following Justin Herbert's hand injury. Looking ahead, rookie Omarion Hampton's return from IR is imminent after his 21-day practice window opened last week, which would move Patterson behind Hampton and Vidal. Next Monday night, the Bolts face a Philadelphia Eagles defense that has recently been vulnerable against the run. However, Patterson's fantasy value depends entirely on Hampton's availability in Week 14. If Hampton returns, Patterson might not even see the field. If he doesn't, Patterson will remain a depth piece with a few change-of-pace carries.

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Kyler Murray Dec 1 5:50pm CT
Kyler Murray

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said on Monday that surgery isn't currently on the table for quarterback Kyler Murray (foot), according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. "To my knowledge, not right now. That's as honest as I can answer it. I have not heard that. No," Gannon said. Murray is eligible to be activated from Injured Reserve, but the Cardinals will not open his 21-day practice window this week because he's simply not ready to return to practice following his foot sprain back in the Week 5 loss to the Tennessee Titans. The 28-year-old will not return this week when the team faces the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, and it remains to be seen if he'll be in play for Week 15 versus the Houston Texans. The Cardinals have been non-committal on whether Murray will even take the starting QB job back from Jacoby Brissett, who has led a much more explosive offensive attack with Murray sidelined.

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Marvin Harrison Jr. Dec 1 5:40pm CT
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon compared wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.'s new heel injury to the one that cornerback Max Melton is dealing with, which caused him to miss the Week 13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. "Those are tricky," Gannon said. The head coach also said that Harrison is "going to see the doc later on here." The 23-year-old returned from a two-game absence following an appendectomy to post six catches for 69 yards on seven targets in Sunday's loss to Tampa, but now he could be looking at more missed time. Fantasy managers will need to watch the former first-rounder's practice status closely this week to see if he'll be able to play on Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. If Harrison misses more time, it will open up Michael Wilson for heavy targets once again, with Greg Dortch also becoming flex-worthy as the WR2.

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Quentin Johnston Dec 1 5:30pm CT
Quentin Johnston

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston rebounded from his Week 11 goose egg by scoring in the opening drive, helping the Bolts beat the Las Vegas Raiders 31-14. Johnston finished with three catches for 23 yards and a touchdown. It was encouraging to see him involved early in the red zone, but the passing game took a hit after Justin Herbert injured his hand, and the Chargers relied heavily on the ground game to dominate the Raiders. Next Monday night, the Philadelphia Eagles enter with a top-10 secondary despite recent struggles. If Herbert, who is scheduled for surgery today, can't play, the entire passing attack could suffer as backup Trey Lance would step in. Philly just allowed 281 rushing yards to Chicago, so the Chargers could again lean on the run. With QB uncertainty and a tough matchup, expectations for all Chargers wide receivers, including Johnston, should be lowered.

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Omarion Hampton Dec 1 5:30pm CT
Omarion Hampton

Los Angeles Chargers rookie first-round running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) has already resumed practicing with the team and could make his return for a Monday night showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14. "We opened his window, and we certainly wouldn't have done that 21-day window if he wasn't close. I feel like he's been on track, and we'll let the week play out again," head coach Jim Harbaugh said when asked about Hampton's timeline for a return. The 22-year-old was limited in practice last week, and he might need a full practice this week to be cleared to play next Monday for the first time since he fractured his ankle in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders. The North Carolina product could split backfield duties with Kimani Vidal upon his return, but eventually, Hampton should be the Bolts' clear lead back. Hampton should not be on the waiver wire in any fantasy football leagues.

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Elijah Moore Dec 1 5:20pm CT
Elijah Moore

Veteran free-agent wide receiver Elijah Moore visited the Denver Broncos on Monday, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Moore became the odd-man out last week and was waived by the Buffalo Bills after the team signed veteran wideout Brandin Cooks. The 25-year-old played in nine games with Buffalo this year and caught nine passes for 112 yards on 17 targets while adding six carries for 24 yards and a touchdown. Landing in Denver wouldn't exactly be the ideal spot to suddenly put Moore back on the fantasy radar for the remainder of 2025. The Broncos already have a pretty crowded WR room that includes Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, rookie Pat Bryant, Marvin Mims Jr., and Lil'Jordan Humphrey. Moore remains off the fantasy radar for now.

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MarShawn Lloyd Dec 1 5:10pm CT
MarShawn Lloyd

The Green Bay Packers are opening the 21-day practice window for running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) this week, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. It means that Lloyd can return from Injured Reserve at any time. The 24-year-old former third-round pick out of USC in 2024 hasn't played all year due to a hamstring injury that he suffered in the preseason in August. The Packers had high hopes for Lloyd in their backfield when they drafted the 5-foot-9, 220-pounder, but injuries have limited him to just one game since he entered the league. Lloyd worked on his body during the time off, but it remains to be seen when he'll make his 2025 debut. He will most likely be eased into Green Bay's backfield alongside Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks behind starter Josh Jacobs, but he could be a valuable, explosive change-of-pace weapon in the postseason if he's healthy.

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Ladd McConkey Dec 1 5:10pm CT
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey caught four passes for 39 yards and one touchdown, leading the team with six targets during their 31-14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. With Justin Herbert managing a fractured non-throwing hand sustained early in the game, the Chargers relied heavily on the run game. They kept most throws short behind PFF's league-worst offensive line, limiting big-play opportunities for all Bolts' receivers. Still, McConkey's continued involvement in the red zone is encouraging. Next Monday night, a top-10 secondary from the Philadelphia Eagles awaits, and Herbert's status remains uncertain. If Trey Lance starts, all pass catchers could see reduced production. However, Philly's defense has been notably vulnerable to slot receivers, giving McConkey a potential upside as the most natural fit to exploit their weakness.

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Jalen Hurts Dec 1 5:00pm CT
Jalen Hurts

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has run the ball at a much lower clip this year than in previous seasons, and that could continue to be the case in 2025. "We're always thinking about how to protect Jalen and make sure that he is healthy for the long haul. Different plans have different reasons of why you run different things, and like I said, we will do everything we need to do to help this offense get rolling," head coach Nick Sirianni said when asked if Hurts' rushing attempts are down because he doesn't want to do it as much. Through 12 games this year, Hurts has 84 rushing attempts for 329 yards and eight TDs. In comparison, he ran the ball 150 times for 630 yards and 14 rushing scores in 15 regular-season games in 2024. Philly is near the bottom of the league with 108.5 rushing yards per game this year, but it sounds like they will continue to limit Hurts' rushing opportunities as they prioritize his health. Despite not having as many rushing opportunities, Hurts has been the QB5 in overall fantasy points thanks to 27 total touchdowns (19 passing, eight rushing).

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George Pickens Dec 1 4:40pm CT
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (calf, knee) was listed as limited on the team's practice report on Monday with calf and knee injuries, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. It's the second straight week that Pickens has been on Dallas' injury report with multiple injuries. The 24-year-old was working through calf and knee ailments last week, too, but he was ultimately cleared for the Thanksgiving Day win over the Kansas City Chiefs and caught six of a season-high 13 targets for 88 receiving yards. He took a back seat to teammate CeeDee Lamb in that one, but he could easily bounce back for better production this Thursday night against a Lions defense that hasn't stopped much of anything in recent weeks. Fantasy managers should have Pickens locked into starting lineups in Week 14 for what should be a high-scoring affair.

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Brock Wright Dec 1 4:40pm CT
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Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (neck) remains sidelined for Monday's practice, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. Wright missed the Thanksgiving Day loss to the Green Bay Packers last Thursday with a tracheal injury and is looking at an extended absence. The 27-year-old is highly doubtful to suit up on Thursday night in Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys and could be in danger of missing the rest of the regular season. The Lions are very thin at the TE position, with Sam LaPorta (back) on Injured Reserve. Ross Dwelley saw a noticeable increase with a 75% snap share last Thursday, but both he and Anthony Firkser combined for two catches and seven yards. Even with receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) potentially missing time, fantasy managers are better off avoiding both Dwelley and Firkser at the TE position.

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Justin Herbert Dec 1 4:20pm CT
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that quarterback Justin Herbert (hand) is undergoing surgery on his left (non-throwing) hand on Monday, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic. Specifically, Herbert is having a metacarpal fracture fixed in his left hand, but the current plan is for the 27-year-old to be available to start next Monday against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14. Herbert injured his hand early in Sunday's win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but he missed just nine plays in the first half before returning to finish with 151 yards passing, two touchdowns, and an interception on 20 attempts. We'll likely see Herbert wearing a protective glove on his left hand next Monday while also operating more out of the shotgun. Fantasy managers should probably be more worried about Herbert's lack of protection from his offensive line in the upcoming matchup against Philly's strong defensive front.

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Kyler Murray Dec 1 4:10pm CT
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Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said on Monday that the team will not open quarterback Kyler Murray's (foot) 21-day practice window this week, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Murray is eligible to come off Injured Reserve, but he's just not ready yet. The 28-year-old will not play in Week 14 against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, and his next chance to play won't come until Sunday, Dec. 14, versus the hosting Houston Texans. Veteran Jacoby Brissett has elevated Arizona's offense since Murray suffered a foot sprain in Week 5, so even when Murray is cleared from his injury, Brissett could remain as the starting QB for the rest of the season. Murray's injury and poor performance before he got hurt raise plenty of questions about his long-term future in the desert going into the offseason.

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Tyler Bass Dec 1 3:50pm CT
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Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass (groin, hip) underwent surgery on his groin/hip and will not kick again this season, according to head coach Sean McDermott. Bass will end up missing the entire 2025 season and will close out the year on Injured Reserve. Veteran Matt Prater has been filling in for Bass all year in Buffalo and has made 17 of his 19 field-goal attempts (89.5%) and 34 of his 37 extra-point tries in 12 games played. In fantasy football, Prater has been the No. 14 kicker in terms of overall points, and he'll definitely be in play for the upcoming Week 14 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals and their generous defense. Bass signed a four-year contract extension with Buffalo in 2023, so he should be back with the team next year if he's recovered from his injuries.

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Sauce Gardner Dec 1 3:50pm CT
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The Indianapolis Colts are not considering putting All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) on Injured Reserve at the moment, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. Head coach Shane Steichen said that Gardner did not damage his Achilles in Sunday's loss to the Houston Texans, but his calf injury is expected to sideline him for an undetermined length of time. If the 25-year-old defensive back went on IR, he'd be required to miss at least four games. Overall, it's good news for Gardner, but the Colts are prepared for him to miss some time, potentially several weeks. In his three games in Indy since being acquired in a trade from the New York Jets, Gardner has 13 tackles (11 solo) and two pass breakups. The Colts' secondary will be more vulnerable this weekend for a huge divisional contest against the first-place Jacksonville Jaguars.

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Royce Freeman Dec 1 3:43pm CT
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Free-agent RB Royce Freeman (Bears) was signed to the Los Angeles Chargers practice squad Monday, Dec. 1.

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