Thu Dec 4 10:12am ET
Field Level Media
Pressed to detail how 10 consecutive playoff berths, with three Super Bowl titles included in that stretch, could bolster the Kansas City Chiefs during these trying times, quarterback Patrick Mahomes was quick to acknowledge how these current circumstances are different.
The Chiefs (6-6) will host the Houston Texans on Sunday, likely needing a string of wins to keep their playoff streak alive. They are two games out of the playoff picture with both the Texans (7-5) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6, but ahead on tiebreakers) ahead of them in the standings. The scenario is bleak.
"I don't know if we've been in this situation this early in the season," Mahomes said. "I think just learning from it together, building together, and using what we can use from prior seasons to hopefully make a run at this thing and try to get ourselves into the playoffs and see where we can go from there.
"This will be a big game for us to showcase who we are and who we can be moving on the rest of the season."
Already facing an uphill climb, the Chiefs could be without three offensive linemen against the Texans' ferocious defensive front. Tackle Josh Simmons was placed on injured reserve on Wednesday after undergoing wrist surgery, putting his return this season in doubt. Guard Trey Smith (ankle) and tackle Jawaan Taylor triceps/knee) missed practice on Wednesday, absences that could force the Chiefs to dig even deeper into their depth chart.
Past success has always undergirded a positive approach in Kansas City. These dire circumstances have many questioning whether the Chiefs' dynastic run will end in the coming weeks.
"You're in the month of December, and you're still in it, so let's go," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "That's what's important.
"I'm big on reality. What's real? Why are we where we are (and) what can we do to fix that? That's what I look at and try to give the guys that so they have something to work on. Likewise, as a coach, that's how I look at it for myself and the coaches. Where are the problems, and let's work on fixing those."
The Texans, conversely, have rallied to within a game of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts in the AFC South. Their current four-game winning streak has flipped a season that opened with three consecutive losses, and buoyed by the NFL's top-ranked defense, Houston appears poised to maintain their upward trajectory entering the stretch run.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud returned from a three-game injury (concussion) absence to lead the Texans to a critical road win over the Colts last week. Following their ragged start to the season, things appear to have fallen into place. The timing for the Texans couldn't be better.
"The common thread for us winning is our players making the plays," Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. "That's what it's all about. Our guys (have) done a great job of finding a way to make, whether that's special teams, offense, everybody stepping up, making a play when we need to make a play. That won't change this week as well. It's always going to be about the players, and that won't change."
-Field Level Media
Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 14
Cleveland Browns running back Dylan Sampson (calf) missed practice for the second straight day on Thursday due to a calf issue, per Scott Petrak of BrownsZone. Sampson suffered the calf injury during Cleveland's Week 13 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. While the 21-year-old is reportedly considered day-to-day, his inability to practice could indicate that he's trending towards being inactive for the Browns' Week 14 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Sampson has largely served as the RB2 in Cleveland this season behind Quinshon Judkins, recording 307 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 65 touches across 12 games this season. If Sampson is inactive in Week 14, Browns running backs Jerome Ford and Raheim Sanders will likely see an increase in playing time.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hip, knee) was upgraded to a full participant in practice on Thursday after he was held out on Wednesday with hip and knee injuries. It looks like Downs will be able to play in a crucial divisional game this weekend on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars, but he's become very hard to trust in weekly fantasy football lineups. The 24-year-old former third-rounder in 2023 out of North Carolina has seen a healthy 12 targets the last two games, but he has turned that into only four receptions for 54 yards and no touchdowns while he continues to see fellow wideout Alec Pierce take on a bigger role in the passing attack. Downs is still an integral part of Indy's offense, but he ranks just inside the top 50 receivers in half-PPR points this year on 40 catches, 370 yards, and three touchdowns. He hasn't done much outside of a three-week stretch from Oct. 12 through Nov. 2, where he caught all three of his TDs on the season.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken said that he expects quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) to play on Sunday against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Jackson was limited on Wednesday for the second straight week with an ankle injury and was then downgraded to a DNP on Thursday, raising some question marks about whether he would play this weekend. The 28-year-old two-time MVP has been limited by multiple lower-body injuries in practices the last few weeks, but he has been able to take the field on game days. The good news is that the Steelers have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to opposing QBs this year. The bad news is that Jackson has not been his typical high-end QB1 self in 2025, as he ranks as just the QB16 in fantasy points per game this year. In the last three weeks, he's averaging only 11.5 points, which is below Kirk Cousins.
From RotoBaller
The Cleveland Browns opened up quarterback Deshaun Watson's (Achilles) 21-day practice window this week, but league sources are telling CBS Sports' Jonathan Jones that it's a long shot that he will suit up this year. And unless the Browns want to take on a dead salary cap hit of more than $80 million in 2026, he'll likely be back on the roster next year. Watson tore his right Achilles on Oct. 20 of last year and had surgery within a week. During his recovery, he re-ruptured his Achilles and underwent a second surgery on Jan. 9. Cleveland signed Watson to a five-year, $230 million fully guaranteed contract in March 2022, but he has started only 19 of a possible 63 (and counting) regular-season games for the Browns. Trading Watson is not an option, but they could release him after this year and designate him as a post-June 1 cut, although that would result in a dead cap hit of almost $81 million. If he's back in 2026, Watson will be competing for the starting gig with at least Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Chargers remain optimistic that quarterback Justin Herbert (hand) will be able to play on Monday night in Week 14 against the visiting Philadelphia Eagles despite having surgery to fix a metacarpal fracture in his left (non-throwing) hand on Monday, according to ESPN's Kris Rhim. "We're really optimistic Justin's going to play," offensive coordinator Greg Roman said. Herbert told reporters after having surgery earlier this week that he plans to play in Week 14, and all signs point to the 27-year-old signal-caller being active. Herbert is as tough as they come in the NFL. After a strong start to the 2025 season that featured five touchdown passes in the first two games, Herbert has thrown only two TD passes with two picks and just 232 passing yards in the last two contests. Going against a strong Eagles defense in Week 14 with a suspect offensive line in front of him, fantasy managers should downgrade Herbert to high-end QB2 status.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (knee) was not seen at the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The Falcons say that London remains day-to-day, but he has yet to practice this week and looks headed toward a third straight absence due to a sprained PCL that he suffered in Week 11. The 24-year-old has been doing some running on the side, though, and there is one more day for him to return to the practice field. Receiver David Sills V has scored a touchdown in both games that London has missed, but it has come on just four receptions (seven targets) and 31 yards. Darnell Mooney had three catches, a season-high 74 yards, and a TD in Week 12 with London out, but he caught just two passes for 25 yards in the Week 13 loss to the Jets. Mooney and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. will see most of the targets in the passing game for Atlanta if London is ruled out again this weekend against the Seahawks.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears second-year wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) missed a second day of practice this week with a foot injury on Thursday, putting his status firmly up in the air for a crucial Week 14 matchup against the division-rival Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. It's a new injury for Odunze, who has played through ankle and heel issues in 2025. Perhaps it's the reason why the 23-year-old has gone into a slump after a strong start to his sophomore campaign. The former first-rounder scored five touchdowns in the first four games of the year, but he has just one trip to the end zone since (back in Week 10). In the last three contests, Odunze has just seven catches on 21 targets for 102 yards. His fantasy stock as a WR3/flex with upside has taken a hit, especially now that there's an injury concern to boot. If Odunze is not active in Week 14, DJ Moore, rookie Luther Burden III, and Olamide Zaccheaus would operate in three-wide sets for the Bears offense.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai (ankle) was upgraded to a limited participant in Thursday's practice session after missing Wednesday, according to the team's official website. Monangai returned to practice on Thursday and should be good to go for Sunday's pivotal matchup against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. The rookie seventh-rounder has scored in four consecutive games and has emerged as a viable flex play in Chicago's dominant run game. Monangai has totalled 53 carries for 229 yards and four touchdowns, along with one reception (three targets) for 14 yards over the past four games as he splits carries with D'Andre Swift.
From RotoBaller
As expected, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) returned to practice on Thursday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Rodgers suffered three fractures in his left (non-throwing) wrist in Week 11 and sat out of Week 12. The 42-year-old future Hall of Famer returned in last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills, going 10-for-21 for 117 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions. Although Rodgers was beaten up in the Week 13 loss, he's fully expected to take the field this Sunday for a big divisional clash against the Baltimore Ravens. With limited options at his disposal in the passing game beyond receiver DK Metcalf, Rodgers has been the QB22 in overall fantasy points in 2025 through 13 weeks, with 2,086 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Against a Ravens defense that has stiffened in the second half of the season, Rodgers will be a QB2/3 in fantasy while playing through a broken left hand.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (clavicle) was back at practice on Wednesday and Thursday and has a "real chance" to make his return in Week 14 against the New Orleans Saints, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Evans has missed five games after suffering a broken clavicle during Tampa Bay's Week 7 loss against the Detroit Lions, but he is on track to be activated from Injured Reserve and play on Sunday. The 32-year-old wideout recorded 14 receptions for 140 yards and a touchdown on 32 targets in four games before being placed on IR, and he would immediately slot in as the Bucs' top option in the passing game alongside Chris Godwin Jr. and rookie Emeka Egbuka. Evans should be scooped up immediately if he's somehow available on your league's waiver wire.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee, ankle) was listed as a non-participant for Thursday's practice session, Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN reports. Palmer is trending in the wrong direction to play in Sunday's matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals after beginning the week with two missed practices. The 26-year-old hasn't played a big role for the Bills when healthy, collecting 18 receptions for 272 yards and zero touchdowns on 29 targets in eight games. With Palmer's limited impact and Keon Coleman's disappointing second season, the Bills have signed multiple free agents off the street for wide receiver help, bringing back Gabe Davis and recently signing a speed threat in Brandin Cooks after he was released by the New Orleans Saints. Davis and Cooks could see the field more on Sunday if Palmer does not play, but they are both deep-league dart throws, at best.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) is practicing again on Thursday, according to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN. Kincaid was also listed with a knee injury on Wednesday's practice report while continuing to work back from the hamstring injury he suffered during Buffalo's Week 10 loss at the Miami Dolphins. The 26-year-old tight end appeared close to returning last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers after practicing in a limited capacity all week, but he was ultimately held out. Kincaid has a good chance of returning in Week 14 versus the Cincinnati Bengals after a three-game absence, but more will be known about his status after Friday's practice. He has been productive in the limited number of games he's played this season and would project as a borderline TE1 for Week 14 if he suits up.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) was unable to practice this week due to an ankle sprain, and a return next week against the Los Angeles Rams is considered the more "realistic expectation," according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. St. Brown is currently listed as questionable for Thursday night against the Dallas Cowboys, and while it's possible he is still able to play, the team is unsure of his status. It's tough to expect the star wideout to suit up after not practicing during the week, but St. Brown is pushing to play a week after suffering a low-grade ankle sprain on Thanksgiving Day. It was initially reported that the 26-year-old would miss one to two weeks with the injury, and that timeline still seems to be accurate as of now. St. Brown's status for Thursday night will be known soon, and if he's unable to go, Jameson Williams would be in line to lead Detroit's passing game, with rookie Isaac TeSlaa and Tom Kennedy also seeing increased opportunities.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Ravens have signed tight end Mark Andrews to a contract extension. Dynasty Analysis: Andrews gets a three-year, $39.3 million extension that will keep him in Baltimore through the 2028 season. This is a surprising deal to say the least as Andrews is having the worst year of his career. It almost feels like a move made to say "thanks for your career." Regardless, Andrews will now likely finish his career in Baltimore. The deal won't save his crumbling ADP and may even seal his fate as a move to another team could have helped.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) was not seen at the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, according to Arizona Sports' Tyler Drake. Both Harrison and Greg Dortch (chest) have not practiced this week, so the Cardinals could be missing two of their top wideouts in Week 14 against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. The 23-year-old Harrison missed Weeks 11 and 12 following an appendectomy, but he returned last weekend against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to catch six of his seven targets for 69 yards. He'll have one more chance to practice on Friday. If both Harrison and Dortch aren't cleared to face the Rams, Michael Wilson will pretty much be a lock for double-digit targets in the passing game, and tight end Trey McBride will also have an incredibly high ceiling. Receivers Xavier Weaver and Andre Baccellia would be in line for a boost in snaps as well.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) is not practicing on Thursday due to an ankle injury, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Jackson is on the injury report for the second straight week with an ankle injury, and it's concerning that he was downgraded from limited to a DNP this week. The 28-year-old two-time MVP has been limited in each of the last three weeks with ankle, knee, and toe ailments, but he has not missed any games. Jackson might not be in danger of missing a big divisional game this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he'll need to return to practice on Friday. A hamstring injury cost Jackson several games earlier this season, and he just hasn't looked like himself as a runner in 2025. Jackson hasn't scored on the ground since Week 1 and has 31 rushing attempts for 98 yards and no TDs since returning from his hamstring injury in Week 9. He's still a must-start at QB in fantasy, but he's dropped from the elite ranks at the position to the midrange tier going into Week 14.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) was not seen practicing in the portion open to the media on Thursday, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. Benson has now missed five straight practices, dating back to last week, making it more unlikely that he comes off Injured Reserve to play this Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. If the 23-year-old second-year RB misses yet another game, Bam Knight figures to once again do most of the heavy lifting after he had 11 carries for a season-high 62 yards while adding three catches for a season-high 36 yards and a touchdown in the Week 13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Emari Demercado (ankle) is trending in the right direction to return this weekend, though, so he could steal valuable backfield touches from Knight. Benson should be stashed in all fantasy football leagues, but he's running out of time to contribute with the fantasy playoffs looming.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans rookie running back Woody Marks (ankle) is back at practice on Thursday, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle. Marks did not practice on Wednesday, but head coach DeMeco Ryans said the 24-year-old is expected to be fine to suit up in Week 14 on Sunday Night Football versus the Kansas City Chiefs. With veteran Nick Chubb lacking explosiveness, Marks has been the better upside play in fantasy football in Houston's backfield this year. The fourth-rounder out of USC has had double-digit carries in each of the last seven games, including at least 16 rushing attempts the last three weeks. Marks had a season-high 19 carries in last week's win over the Colts, producing 64 yards while also catching one pass for three yards. The Chiefs aren't an ideal matchup for Marks -- they've allowed only eight TDs to the position all year -- but for the volume alone, Marks is at least a low-end RB2 for fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (shoulders) will not play on Monday night in Week 14 against the hosting Los Angeles Chargers after undergoing a procedure on Monday on both of his shoulders, sources tell Adam Schefter of ESPN. Carter is undergoing treatment on both of his shoulders and will be considered week-to-week. The former ninth overall pick in 2023 wants to be as close to 100% as possible for a playoff run. Carter is not expected to go on Injured Reserve. The 24-year-old interior defensive lineman has recorded 32 tackles, two sacks, and six pass breakups in his 11 games played for Philly this year. With Carter out for potentially a couple of games, the Eagles will look for Byron Young to step up on their D-line. Carter's injury will be good news for a struggling Chargers' offensive line, although they could still have plenty of issues protecting quarterback Justin Herbert (hand) on Monday night.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine missed two games due to an ankle injury, but he returned in the Thanksgiving night win over the Baltimore Ravens last Thursday and had one fewer carry than starter Chase Brown in the 32-14 victory. Perine surprisingly had a season-high 14 rushing attempts in his return from injury, but he didn't do much with the additional opportunities, gaining just 39 yards on the ground (2.8 yards per carry) while also losing his second fumble of the year. The 30-year-old veteran added two receptions for 15 yards. Now that he's back to full health, Perine should continue to work as Cincy's RB2 behind Brown, but fantasy managers can't bank on him seeing double-digit carries again as the Bengals head into a Week 14 date with the Buffalo Bills this Sunday. At best, Perine is a handcuff for Brown in deeper fantasy football leagues.
From RotoBaller