Studs and Duds: Week 9

Mon Nov 3 9:10am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Bowers returns in a big way


Now that was a week for scoring. We had some huge performances this week, maybe the most of any week this season. There weren’t just a few big-time fantasy point totals, but several. One player even topped 40 points and five others had more than 30 points. And nine others had 25-plus points. This made for some high-scoring fantasy games. Hopefully, you were able to take advantage of these big games and come out on top in Week 9.

Ravens 28, Dolphins 6

Fantasy Stud: Lamar Jackson. Jackson had a big game in his first one back from a hamstring injury. He was 18-of-23 for 204 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover. He scored 27.6 fantasy points. Jackson has 27-plus points all but one game this year. He is having his usual huge season and should be a force down the stretch for fantasy teams

Fantasy Dud: Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa had a tough matchup last week and played well, so he got some starts in Week 9. Despite a more favorable matchup, Tagovailoa was unable to find the end zone. He was 25-of-40 for 261 yards with an interception. He scored just 12.15 fantasy points after having 26.25 the previous week. Tagovailoa has been all over the map this year, being a tough fantasy player to trust.

Game Notes: Derrick Henry hit the 100-yard mark for the second time in three games. He ran 19 times for 119 yards.

Mark Andrews had just two receptions but both were for touchdowns. He had two receptions for 22 yards and two scores. It was his second multiple-touchdown game of the season.

49ers 34, Giants 24

Fantasy Stud: Christian McCaffrey. McCaffrey rebounded in a big way from his last time out, rushing 28 times for 106 yards and a touchdown. He also caught five passes for 67 yards and a touchdown. He led both the 49ers in rushing and receiving. He had 34.3 fantasy points, which was his second-highest total of the season. He has 30-plus points two of three games.

Fantasy Dud: Tyrone Tracy. Tracy was expected to get the start and bulk of the work at running back for the Giants but he lost out on a lot of work to Devin Singletary. Tracy ran five times for just 18 yards while Singletary had eight carries for 43 yards. Singletary might be the back to use in the Giants backfield with Cam Skattebo out. Tracy was not much of a factor in this one.

Game Notes: Jaxson Dart had a three-touchdown game. He was 24-of-33 for 191 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He also ran eight times for 56 yards and a score.

Jauan Jennings scored his second touchdown of the season. He had four receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown. Jennings has four receptions three straight games.

Chargers 27, Titans 20

Fantasy Stud: Justin Herbert. Herbert kept up his hot ways, scoring three touchdowns. He was 19-of-29 for 250 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. Herbert also led the team in rushing, running nine times for 57 yards and a touchdown. Herbert scored 31.2 fantasy points, giving him 28-plus points three straight games

Fantasy Dud: Kimani Vidal. Vidal had his struggles in this one. He ran 12 times for just 30 yards and didn’t catch a pass. Vidal scored just three fantasy points. It was his lowest total since taking over as the starter for the Chargers. He had 100-yard games two of three before this dud.

Game Notes: Oronde Gadsden had five receptions for 68 yards. He has at least five receptions four straight games.

Tony Pollard led the Titans in rushing, running 10 times for 56 yards. Tyjae Spears ran seven times for 26 yards and caught three passes for 36 yards.

Patriots 24, Falcons 23

Fantasy Stud: Drake London. London had maybe the best game of his career, scoring three times. He had nine receptions for 119 yards and three touchdowns. London had nearly 40 fantasy points, scoring 38.9 fantasy points. He has 25-plus fantasy points three of his last four games. London is producing at a huge clip right now

Fantasy Dud: Kyle Pitts. Pitts was pretty quiet in this one, catching four passes for 38 yards. Pitts had at least 13 fantasy points two straight before this dud. This was his fourth game this year with fewer than double-digit fantasy points.

Game Notes: Bijan Robinson was held in check rushing the ball, running 12 times for 46 yards. He did do some damage as a receiver, catching eight passes for 50 yards. He still managed 96 total yards.

TreVeyon Henderson had 14 carries for 55 yards and four receptions for 32 yards. He had 87 total yards on 18 touches.

Panthers 16, Packers 13

Fantasy Stud: Rico Dowdle. Dowdle got the start and is likely to start the rest of the year after another huge game. He ran 25 times for 130 yards and touchdowns. It was his third 100-yard game of the season. Dowdle scored 28.1 fantasy points after having fewer than 11 points two straight. Look for Dowdle to keep getting the lion’s share of the carries over Chuba Hubbard going forward

Fantasy Dud: Jordan Love. Love had a rough game, failing to score a touchdown. He was 26-of-37 for 273 yards with an interception. He scored a season-low 12.75 fantasy points. Love has been up and down all year, having less than 19 fantasy points three of four games.

Game Notes: Tucker Kraft hurt his knee in the game and left early. He had two receptions for 20 yards before the injury. The Packers fear Kraft tore his ACL. 

Bryce Young returned from his ankle injury and was 11-of-20 for 102 yards with an interception. He didn’t do much but made it through the game healthy and led his team to an upset win.

Vikings 27, Lions 24

Fantasy Stud: J.J. McCarthy. McCarthy returned from his ankle injury and looked good, finding the end zone three times. He was 14-of-25 for 143 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. He also had nine carries for 12 yards and a score. McCarthy has three-touchdown games two of three this season.

Fantasy Dud: Jahmyr Gibbs. Gibbs had a rare poor game. He ran nine times for just 25 yards and caught three passes for three yards. Gibbs scored a season-worst 5.8 fantasy points. He actually has fewer than eight points two of three games. Gibbs hasn’t been quite as good as you expect his last few games.

Game Notes: Aaron Jones played well but left the game early because of a shoulder injury. He ran nine times for 78 yards and caught two passes for 20 yards before getting hurt.

Sam LaPorta had six receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown. He had a season-high 21.7 fantasy points. He has touchdowns three of four games.

Steelers 27, Colts 20

Fantasy Stud: Michael Pittman. Pittman continued his really good play, catching nine passes for 115 yards. Pittman failed to score for just the third time all year but topped 20 fantasy points for the third straight game. He was targeted a season-high 12 times in this game

Fantasy Dud: Jonathan Taylor. Taylor was pretty awful for his high standards. He ran 14 times for 45 yards and caught two passes for 12 yards. Taylor failed to hit double-digit fantasy points for the first time all year, scoring just 7.7 points. He had at least 23 points four straight games before this dud.

Game Notes: Daniel Jones had some struggles, turning the ball over five times. He was 31-of-50 for 335 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions. Jones also lost two fumbles.

Jaylen Warren scored his first two rushing touchdowns of the season. He ran 16 times for 31 yards and two touchdowns.

Broncos 18, Texans 15

Fantasy Stud: R.J. Harvey. Harvey scored a touchdown for the third straight game. He ran two times for just five yards, but had five receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown. Harvey is starting to get more and more chances, especially in the passing game. Harvey has at least three receptions five of seven games

Fantasy Dud: Woody Marks. Marks ran 10 times for just 27 yards and finished without a reception. Just when you thought he was emerging as a fantasy threat, Marks lays an egg. He had at least 12 fantasy points two straight games before Week 9. Marks is a hard player to trust as long as Nick Chubb is around and getting double-digit carries.

Game Notes: C.J. Stroud left the game early after taking a huge hit. He was 6-of-10 for 79 yards before getting hurt. Davis Mills played in relief and was 17-of-30 for 137 yards.

Nico Collins returned from his concussion and made an immediate impact. He had seven receptions for 75 yards.

Bears 47, Bengals 42

Fantasy Stud: Joe Flacco. Flacco threw for nearly 500 yards in his almost epic comeback. He was 31-of-47 for 470 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions. Flacco was even questionable to play because of a shoulder injury but that didn’t slow him from scoring 38.5 fantasy points. He has at least 20.95 fantasy points all four games with the Bengals.

Fantasy Dud: Rome Odunze. In a game that nearly had 100 total points. Odunze somehow went without a single reception. He was targeted three times without a reception. He has fewer than six fantasy points three of four games Oduzne has certainly cooled since a great start to his season.

Game Notes: Kyle Monangai gets his first NFL start and was terrific, rushing 26 times for 176 yards. He also caught three passes for 22 yards, giving him 198 total yards.

Colston Loveland enjoyed the best game of his young career. He had six receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns.

Rams 34, Saints 10

Fantasy Stud: Matthew Stafford. Stafford played another great game, going 24-of-32 for 281 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover. He scored 30.05 fantasy points. Stafford has at least 29 points four of five games. He is producing as well as any fantasy quarterback in the game right now. His numbers are off the charts, having 21 touchdowns to just two interceptions

Fantasy Dud: Alvin Kamara. Kamara had another poor performance, rushing six times for just 14 yards. And to make matters worse, he had just a catch for three yards. His work in the passing game used to give him a great fantasy floor. Kamara isn’t getting the work in the passing game, though, and his production on the ground has been terrible. He has fewer than seven fantasy points three straight games.

Game Notes: Tyler Shough was just alright in his first NFL start, going 15-of-24 for 176 yards and a touchdown with an interception. Shough is going to continue to start going forward, so the Saints can see what they have in the young quarterback.

Puka Nacua returned from his ankle injury and was as good as ever, catching seven passes for 95 yards and a touchdown. He did suffer some sort of chest injury in the game, which is something to keep an eye on going forward.

Bills 28, Chiefs 21

Fantasy Stud: Dalton Kincaid. Kincaid looked a lot better than he did his first game back from injury. He was the top target in the passing game, finishing with six receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. Kincaid looked much healthier than his last time out, playing his usual full workload. He has 100-yard games two of his last three

Fantasy Dud: Patrick Mahomes. Mahomes was held out of the end zone for the first time all season. He threw for 250 yards but didn’t score and was intercepted once. Mahomes scored just 14 fantasy points, his lowest total of the season. He had at least 27 fantasy points five straight games before this showing.

Game Notes: James Cook had his second straight 100-yard rushing performance. He ran 27 times for 114 yards and caught a pass for 11 yards.

Josh Allen had his second straight three-touchdown game. He has multiple touchdowns six straight games. Allen was 23-of-26 for 273 yards and a touchdown. He also ran six times for 19 yards and two touchdowns.

Jaguars 30, Raiders 29

Fantasy Stud: Brock Bowers. Bowers finally returned from his knee injury and had a monster performance his first game back. He looked 100 percent healthy, catching 12 passes for 127 yards and three touchdowns. Bowers scored an amazing 43.3 fantasy points in the game. It was quite the performance from the second-year tight end

Fantasy Dud: Brian Thomas. You thought Thomas might get a few more looks with Travis Hunter injured. He wasn’t much of a factor in this one, though, catching three passes for 55 yards. He scored just 8.5 fantasy points, giving him fewer than double-digit fantasy points two straight. Thomas is not having near the season fantasy owners hoped.

Game Notes: Geno Smith was 29-of-39 for 284 yards and four touchdowns with an interception. Smith topped 30 fantasy points for the first time this year.

Parker Washington was the Jaguars leading receiver, finishing with eight receptions for 90 yards. He has been targeted 19 times his last two games.

Seahawks 38, Commanders 14

Fantasy Stud: Sam Darnold. Darnold was fantastic once again, going 21-of-24 for 330 yards and four touchdowns with an interception. Darnold was nearly flawless in the game, missing on just three passes. He completed 17 passes in a row during the game. Darnold had 31.5 fantasy points, topping 30 points for the second time this season

Fantasy Dud: Both Seahawks running backs. Neither of these guys helped fantasy teams at all as they continue to split work. Kenneth Walker ran 11 times for 42 yards and caught two passes for 19 yards. Zach Charbonnet had eight carries for 25 yards and caught a pass for 21 yards. These guys are going to be tough plays going forward, splitting the work at the position.

Game Notes: Tory Horton got his first NFL start with Cooper Kupp sidelined and enjoyed his best game as a pro. He had four receptions for 48 yards and two touchdowns.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba had his four straight 100-yard game. He has 100-yard showings all but two games. He had eight receptions for 129 yards.

Jayden Daniels suffered a brutal dislocated elbow late in the game. He is expected to miss the rest of the season, leaving the starting job to Marcus Mariota.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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The Paur Report

Five Fantasy Takeaways: Week 11

Player Notes
Josh Palmer Nov 17 6:50pm CT
Josh Palmer

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Joshua Palmer (ankle, knee) was listed as a limited practice participant on Monday's estimated injury report. Receivers Mecole Hardman (calf) and Curtis Samuel (elbow, neck) were listed as non-participants. Palmer missed Weeks 8-10 with ankle and knee injuries, but he was able to return to action on Sunday in the win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 26-year-old played 50% of the offensive snaps but caught only two of his five targets for 17 yards. It was an especially disappointing stat line with receiver Keon Coleman out for disciplinary reasons and tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) sidelined by injury in a game in which the Bills put up 44 points and moved the ball at will against Tampa. Even if Coleman and Kincaid both miss another game this Thursday night, Palmer should be faded in Week 12 in a much tougher matchup against the Houston Texans and their top-ranked defense.

From RotoBaller

Jake Moody Nov 17 6:50pm CT
Jake Moody

The Washington Commanders signed kicker Jake Moody off the Chicago Bears' practice squad on Monday, according to John Keim of ESPN. It looks like Moody will get the first chance to take over kicking duties in D.C. after the team released struggling veteran Matt Gay on Monday. However, with the Commanders on bye in Week 12, the team could bring in additional competition for Moody as they prepare for a Week 13 matchup on Sunday Night Football against the 9-2 Denver Broncos. Moody, 25, was cut by the San Francisco 49ers early this season before he latched on with the Bears. He has gone 9-for-12 on field-goal tries and 5-for-5 on his extra-point attempts in 2025 in just three games played. Moody has a career 76.1% success rate on his 71 career field-goal attempts, and fantasy managers will want to stay away from him if he's the Commanders' placekicker for a difficult matchup in Week 13.

From RotoBaller

Dalton Schultz Nov 17 6:40pm CT
Dalton Schultz

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz (shoulder) was listed as a limited practice participant on Monday's estimated injury report, according to ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime. It's an injury that Schultz has been dealing with for the last month, but he's played in the last four games and should be good to go for this Thursday night's tilt against the Buffalo Bills in Week 12, barring a setback. The 29-year-old got off to a slow start in 2025, not going over 39 receiving yards in any of his first four games. Since Week 7, though, he has 30 catches on 41 targets for 303 yards and a touchdown in five games. Schultz has been heavily involved with quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) out of the last two games, too, catching 13 of 20 targets for 104 yards and a score. Even if Stroud is out again this week, Schultz will be on the TE1/2 borderline in fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Chase Edmonds Nov 17 6:33pm CT
Chase Edmonds

Washington Commanders RB Chase Edmonds reverted back to the practice squad Monday, Nov. 17, after being on the active roster for the Week 11 game.

From TheHuddle

Nico Collins Nov 17 6:30pm CT
Nico Collins

Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's estimated injury report, according to DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. It's a new injury for Collins, but he didn't appear to be hurt in the team's Week 11 win over the Tennessee Titans. The 26-year-old caught a season-high nine passes on 10 targets for 92 yards and his fourth touchdown of the year in the 16-13 victory. Starting quarterback C.J. Stroud has missed the last two games with a concussion, but it hasn't slowed Collins down, as he now has 16 receptions on 25 targets for 228 yards and a touchdown the last two weeks with Davis Mills running the offense. As long as Collins can suit up on Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills in Week 12, he should remain in all starting fantasy lineups. He is the WR11 with 12.6 half-PPR points per game in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Marcedes Lewis Nov 17 6:23pm CT
Marcedes Lewis

Denver Broncos TE Marcedes Lewis reverted back to the practice squad Monday, Nov. 17, after being on the active roster for the Week 11 game.

From TheHuddle

Jaydon Blue Nov 17 6:20pm CT
Jaydon Blue

Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue and wide receiver Jonathan Mingo are both healthy scratches for the Monday night game against the Las Vegas Raiders. Blue didn't do anything over the bye week to convince the Cowboys that he deserved to be active in Week 11. The 21-year-old drew rave reviews in training camp during the summer, but he has been active in only four games in his first year in the NFL and has 22 rushing attempts for 65 yards while catching one pass for five yards. The Cowboys elevated Malik Davis to the active 53-man roster, and he will operate as the RB2 behind starter Javonte Williams on Monday. Mingo was activated from the Injured Reserve before the Week 8 game, but he has yet to play so far in 2025.

From RotoBaller

Trey Hendrickson Nov 17 6:10pm CT
Trey Hendrickson

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said on Monday that All-Pro defensive end Trey Hendrickson (hip) is doubtful to play in Week 12 against the New England Patriots on Sunday, according to Charlie Goldsmith. Hendrickson injured his hip in Week 8 and hasn't played since. If he misses this Sunday's game against the Patriots, it will be his fourth straight missed game. After getting his long-term contract extension, the 30-year-old pass-rusher has disappointed in 2025, recording four sacks, 16 tackles (11 solo), and a forced fumble in seven games. Hendrickson had back-to-back 17.5-sack seasons for Cincy in 2023 and 2024. He plans to return this season, but Hendrickson might require offseason core-muscle surgery. Even if Hendrickson were to return this weekend, the Bengals' defense/special teams would be one to fade against the first-place Patriots.

From RotoBaller

Alex Singleton Nov 17 6:10pm CT
Alex Singleton

The Denver Broncos are optimistic that cornerback Patrick Surtain (pectoral) and linebacker Alex Singleton (illness) can return following the team's Week 12 bye, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Surtain has been out since straining his pectoral muscle in Week 8. Singleton, meanwhile, had surgery on Nov. 7 to have a cancerous tumor removed from one of his testicles. He has received encouraging results post-surgery. Singleton isn't a lock to return for the Sunday night game on Nov. 30 against the Washington Commanders, but he's trending toward being ready as of now, according to multiple sources. An already top-tier Broncos defense would be getting some key contributors back after their bye. The Commanders will also be on bye in Week 12, but they are one of the more banged-up teams around the league and figure to be without quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) again.

From RotoBaller

Shedeur Sanders Nov 17 6:00pm CT
Shedeur Sanders

Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders is expected to start Sunday's game in Las Vegas against the Raiders in Week 12 with fellow rookie QB Dillon Gabriel (head) in the league's concussion protocol, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Sanders will become the team's 42nd starter since 1999 this weekend, barring something unexpected. The 23-year-old fifth-rounder out of Colorado made his NFL debut in place of the injured Gabriel in Sunday's loss to the Baltimore Ravens and struggled, going 4-for-16 as a passer for 47 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. He took two sacks and also ran the ball three times for 16 yards while fumbling. Sanders will have a much easier matchup in his first career start, but more struggles wouldn't be a surprise. The Browns have said that Gabriel will return to the starting role whenever he's cleared from the concussion protocol, so Sanders doesn't deserve a big investment off the waiver wire in two-QB leagues.

From RotoBaller

Denico Autry Nov 17 5:53pm CT
Denico Autry

Houston Texans LB Jamal Hill (hamstring) and QB C.J. Stroud (concussion) did not participate in practice Monday, Nov. 17. LB Azeez Al-Shaair (illness, knee), DE Will Anderson Jr. (ankle), DE Denico Autry (knee), OT Trent Brown (hand, knee), WR Nico Collins (ankle), OT Tytus Howard (ankle, knee), S Jalen Pitre (concussion) and TE Dalton Schultz (shoulder) were limited during practice. WR Braxton Berrios (quadriceps), CB Myles Bryant (ankle), PK Ka'imi Fairbairn (quadriceps), LB Jake Hansen (elbow), OG Ed Ingram (knee), QB Davis Mills (elbow) and TE Cade Stover (foot) fully participated in practice. The Texans only held a walkthrough Monday, so this is an estimation.

From TheHuddle

Solomon Thomas Nov 17 5:53pm CT
Solomon Thomas

The Dallas Cowboys have declared RB Jaydon Blue, DE Solomon Thomas, WR Jonathan Mingo, OT Hakeem Adeniji, CB Trikweze Bridges and LB Damone Clark inactive for Week 11.

From TheHuddle

Dalton Schultz Nov 17 5:43pm CT
Dalton Schultz

Houston Texans TE Dalton Schultz (shoulder) was limited during practice Monday, Nov. 17. The Texans only held a walkthrough Monday, so this is an estimation.

Fantasy Spin: Schultz has been dealing with the injury for several weeks but has not missed any games and should be available to play against the Buffalo Bills. He has posted at least 50 yards in four of the last five games and can be a low-end No. 1 tight end in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

C.J. Stroud Nov 17 5:40pm CT
C.J. Stroud

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) remains in the league's concussion protocol and was listed as a non-participant on the team's estimated injury report on Monday, according to DJ Bien-Aime of ESPN. There are still two days left for Stroud to make his way through the NFL's concussion protocol, but things are trending toward the 24-year-old missing a third straight game for the Week 12 game on Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills. The Texans will probably hold him out on a short week and hope that he can clear the concussion protocol next week and play against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts in Week 13. Davis Mills has gone 2-0 and thrown for 566 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception as the replacement for Stroud. He'll be a low-end QB2 streaming option again on Thursday if Stroud is ruled out by Wednesday.

From RotoBaller

Ka'imi Fairbairn Nov 17 5:40pm CT
Ka'imi Fairbairn

Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn (quadriceps) was listed as a full participant on the team's estimated injury report on Monday, according to ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime. Fairbairn suffered a quad injury in the Week 9 loss to the Denver Broncos and missed the last two games as a result. However, with a full practice already under his belt on Monday, it's looking like the 31-year-old has a good chance to kick this Thursday night against the Buffalo Bills in Week 12, barring a setback. Matthew Wright has been filling in as the team's placekicker the last two weeks, but if Fairbairn is cleared, he will take over on Thursday. In eight games in 2025 in his ninth year in the NFL, Fairbairn has made 22 of his 25 field-goal chances (5-for-8 from 50-plus yards) while making all 12 of his extra points. If Fairbairn is back on Thursday evening, he should at least be in play as a kicking streamer in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Legette Nov 17 5:30pm CT
Xavier Legette

Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that the way that quarterback Bryce Young spread the ball around to so many of the team's wide receivers on Sunday in the overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons "happened organically." However, Canales also said there was a "focused effort" to get Xavier Legette more targets. The 24-year-old saw eight targets in Week 11 after having only one target the week before. His eight targets against the Falcons were the second-most he's had this season. Legette caught half of those targets for 83 yards and his third touchdown of the year in the 30-27 victory. He'll be a waiver-wire target this week after his big game, but fantasy managers will want to monitor his status going into Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers after he left the game late with a hip injury. Other than his performance on Sunday, Legette has only one game with more than 31 receiving yards.

From RotoBaller

J.J. McCarthy Nov 17 5:20pm CT
J.J. McCarthy

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell isn't considering benching second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy at all as he continues to develop after missing all of his rookie season due to a knee injury. When asked if there was a level of performance that would lead him to make a change at QB during a game, O'Connell said he was "not going to get into any of that right now." "There's what's best for the young quarterback, what's best for our offense, what's best for our team," O'Connell said when asked about balancing McCarthy's development with trying to win enough games to make the playoffs. "That's my job to manage all those things, and I've got to do a better job of that." The 22-year-old struggled for most of the Week 11 loss to the Bears on Sunday and has gone 50-for-99 with five interceptions in three starts since returning from an ankle injury he suffered in Week 2. The Vikes are going to live and die with McCarthy's growing pains the rest of the year, and fantasy managers will be in the same boat.

From RotoBaller

Kirk Cousins Nov 17 5:20pm CT
Kirk Cousins

When asked if the offense will look different with quarterback Kirk Cousins taking over as the starter, Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said, "It's fair to say it'll look different." Michael Penix Jr. (knee) aggravated a bone bruise and knee sprain and also suffered ligament damage to the ACL in his left knee in Sunday's overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 11, and the 25-year-old second-year signal-caller potentially will miss the rest of the year. He will at least miss the next four games after being put on Injured Reserve on Monday. We'd expect the Falcons to lean more on running backs Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier now that Cousins is starting again. The 37-year-old completed only 61.5% of his passes for 250 yards, no touchdowns, and no interceptions in three games (one start) this year. The four-time Pro Bowl may get into more of a groove after he gets settled in, but fantasy managers probably shouldn't expect him to see much passing volume.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Poyer Nov 17 5:13pm CT
Jordan Poyer

Buffalo Bills WR Mecole Hardman (calf), TE Dalton Kincaid (hamstring), DT Phidarian Mathis (shoulder), WR Curtis Samuel (elbow, neck) and WR Khalil Shakir (non-injury) did not participate in practice Monday, Nov. 17. CB Christian Benford (groin), LB Terrel Bernard (ankle), DE Joey Bosa (wrist), CB Taron Johnson (groin), DT DaQuan Jones (non-injury), C Connor McGovern (ankle), WR Joshua Palmer (ankle, knee), DT Jordan Phillips (wrist), S Jordan Poyer (non-injury) and LB Dorian Williams (groin) were limited during practice. LB Shaq Thompson (hamstring) fully participated in practice. The Bills only held a walkthrough Monday, so the report is an estimation.

From TheHuddle

Josh Jacobs Nov 17 5:10pm CT
Josh Jacobs

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that running back Josh Jacobs (knee) suffered a knee contusion in the Week 11 win over the New York Giants on Sunday, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Injured Reserve is not a consideration, and it's possible that Jacobs could be ready to play in Week 12 on Sunday against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. There have been reports suggesting that the 27-year-old is week-to-week as well. Jacobs' status for Week 12 will depend on how much he can do in practice this week, so we'll be keeping a close eye on his status from Wednesday through Friday. If he ends up being held out this Sunday, Emanuel Wilson is expected to take over lead-back duties in Green Bay, which will make him a popular short-term waiver-wire pickup this week. Wilson played 71% of the offensive snaps on Sunday against the Giants.

From RotoBaller