Fantasy Football News
Chiefs Place Harrison Butker On Injured Reserve
The Kansas City Chiefs placed kicker Harrison Butker (knee) on Injured Reserve due to a knee injury on Thursday and signed kicker Spencer Shrader off the New York Jets' practice squad in a corresponding move, according to sources. Butker will now be forced to miss at least the next four games, which means the earliest he'll be eligible to return will be on Dec. 15 on the road against the Cleveland Browns in Week 15. The 29-year-old was heading into Week 11 action as a top-10 fantasy kicker while making 18 of his 20 field-goal tries and 21 of his 22 extra-point attempts in nine games. It's a big blow to KC's special-teams kicking unit, as Shrader will be a big drop-off in talent moving forward for the Chiefs' offense. Fantasy managers with a realistic shot at making the postseason will probably want to stash Butker in an IR spot if they have the room. UPDATE: Butker will have a procedure to clean up his left meniscus and is expected to miss three to four weeks.
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Kirk Cousins Practices In Full On Thursday
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (elbow, shoulder) was listed as a full practice participant on Thursday after he opened the week with a limited session on Wednesday. Cousins' inclusion on the Week 11 injury report may have scared some fantasy managers, but it appears that he should be ready to go when Sunday rolls around in Denver to face the Broncos, barring a setback with his elbow and shoulder at practice on Friday. His two injuries are worth watching, though, and it could make things more difficult for Cousins this weekend against a top-five defense on the road. After coming up short against the division-rival New Orleans Saints in Week 10, Cousins heads into this week's difficult matchup as a low-end QB2 for fantasy purposes. Denver's D allows the sixth-fewest fantasy points per game to signal-callers.
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Darnell Mooney Added To Week 11 Injury Report
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (Achilles) popped up on the team's Week 11 injury report for the first time all year on Thursday and was listed as a limited practice participant. Mid-week injuries are usually bad news for fantasy managers, but Mooney still has another day of practice and could still be ready to play on Sunday to face the Denver Broncos in Week 11. If he's not, though, it would mean more targets for receivers Drake London and Ray-Ray McCloud III and tight end Kyle Pitts. Mooney has been outstanding in his first year in Atlanta in 2024, catching 46 of his 78 targets for 684 yards and a career-high five touchdowns, good enough to make him a top-10 fantasy wideout. The matchup against Denver on the road isn't a great one, but if Mooney is able to play, he should at least be considered a WR3/flex for fantasy lineups.
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Jaylen Warren Misses Thursday's Practice With Back Injury
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (back) popped up on the Week 11 injury report due to a back injury and was unable to practice on Thursday. Mid-week injuries are usually a bad sign, so Warren's status for the Week 11 divisional tilt against the Baltimore Ravens is now firmly up in the air. It's bad timing, too, as the 26-year-old has seen a bigger role in the backfield alongside Najee Harris in recent weeks. If Warren is unable to suit up this Sunday, it will give Harris an even higher fantasy ceiling and ensure him a healthy number of touches against a Baltimore defense that has been a tough matchup for fantasy RBs in 2024. Warren being inactive would also mean a bigger role out of the backfield as a change-of-pace option for Cordarrelle Patterson. Warren's practice status on Friday may ultimately determine whether he'll be active in Week 11.
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Najee Harris Back To Full Practice On Thursday
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (ankle) returned to the team's practice and was a full-go on Thursday and looked to be just fine while running the football. Harris apparently picked up an ankle injury in the Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders on Sunday and was held out of the first practice of the week on Wednesday. It appears the Steelers were just giving the 26-year-old a day of rest on Wednesday, and he should be all systems go for Sunday's big divisional clash against the Baltimore Ravens. Jaylen Warren (back) didn't practice on Thursday and could be in danger of missing this weekend's game, which would give Harris even more fantasy upside as an RB2. The Ravens defense hasn't been the greatest matchup for RBs from a fantasy perspective this year, but Harris should see enough volume to keep him on the RB2 map.
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Matt Milano Back At Practice For Bills
Buffalo Bills linebacker Matt Milano (biceps) was limited in practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. The Bills opened Milano's 21-day practice window to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday as he ramps up from a torn biceps that he suffered back in training camp on Aug. 15. The 30-year-old linebacker will need more time to recover and is unlikely to be officially activated from IR in order to play in Week 11 against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs, but it's a positive development for Buffalo's defense that he's back on the practice field. Milano was a first-team All-Pro just two years ago, but a leg injury limited his effectiveness and availability in 2023, as he played in just five games and finished with 30 tackles (18 solo), no sacks and two interceptions. The Bills will be hoping Milano can return to his All-Pro level of play down the stretch in 2024.
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Amari Cooper Says He Feels Like He'll Play In Week 11
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (wrist), who has missed the last two games, said he feels like he'll be able to play in Week 11 against the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Cooper was officially listed as limited in Thursday's practice for the second straight day this week. ESPN's Alaina Getzenberg reports that Cooper caught some passes from quarterback Josh Allen, which was a step up from what he had been doing the last couple of weeks. Nothing is certain yet, but the 30-year-old appears to be trending in the right direction to play this weekend. If Cooper does return, he should be heavily involved in the passing attack against a tough Chiefs defense with rookie Keon Coleman (wrist) already ruled out. In his debut with Buffalo on Oct. 20 against the Titans, Cooper caught four passes for 66 yards and a touchdown.
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Tyreek Hill Returns To Practice
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist) was spotted at the team's practice on Thursday after he was a non-participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Hill was most likely limited on Thursday, but the fact that he was back at practice at all is a good sign that he'll be ready to go for the Week 11 game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium. The 30-year-old is reportedly dealing with a torn tendon in his left wrist, but he hasn't missed any time because of it, and the Dolphins don't believe the injury is affecting his performance. The Cheetah's numbers have improved since quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned from his concussion three weeks ago, and although Hill probably isn't 100%, he still has WR1 upside as long as he's active. Hill will be facing a Raiders defense that has been surprisingly stingy against opposing pass-catchers in 2024. UPDATE: Hill was limited in Thursday's practice.
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Nico Collins Takes Part In Thursday's Practice
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (hamstring) is practicing on Thursday ahead of the Monday Night Football matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. Collins, who led the NFL in receiving yards before picking up a hamstring injury in Week 5, was activated off of Injured Reserve last week but did not face the Detroit Lions in Week 10. Fantasy managers itching to get Collins back in their starting lineups will need to monitor his practice status on Friday and Saturday, and hopefully, the team will remove him from the injury report or rule him out so his status is not up in the air for the last game of the Week 11 slate. If Collins plays, he is a must-start option against a Dallas defense that has allowed the 12th-most fantasy points per game to WRs this year. His upside is worth the risk of his injury holding him back.
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Tee Higgins Suits Up For Thursday's Practice
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (quad) was seen at Thursday's practice in uniform after logging a limited session on Wednesday. The 2020 second-round pick has missed each of the last three games after suffering a quad injury in practice, but his return to action brings optimism for his potential availability in Week 11 against the Los Angeles Chargers. Before suffering the injury, Higgins posted at least 11.2 half-PPR fantasy points in his last three games. He has averaged nine targets per game in six contests this year, so fantasy managers are surely itching to get him back in lineups. It's too early to tell if he will play on Sunday Night Football, so fantasy managers should monitor his practice status on Friday before making any start-or-sit decisions.
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Tank Bigsby Sitting Out Another Practice
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (ankle) is not practicing on Thursday due to an ankle injury. The second-year ball carrier out of Auburn did not practice on Wednesday either, so he could be trending toward missing Sunday's contest against the Detroit Lions. Bigsby had two weeks of at least 23 half-PPR fantasy points in October, but he is trending down over the last few games. If he doesn't play in Week 11, Travis Etienne Jr. should see a ton of touches, but with Mac Jones at the helm and Detroit having a top defense against the run, his upside would be limited. That said, he could see additional receiving work and command enough volume to contend for an RB2 finish on Sunday.
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Kyle Hamilton, Kyle Van Noy Return To Practice
Baltimore Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (ankle) and linebacker Kyle Van Noy (illness) returned to practice on Thursday after missing Wednesday's session with an ankle injury and illness, respectively. Hamilton suffered a sprained ankle in the Week 10 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, but his return to practice is promising for his potential availability against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 11. The 2022 first-round pick out of Notre Dame has tallied 71 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and seven passes defended this season. He is the No. 4 defensive back in fantasy points this year. Van Noy has seven sacks this season and is on pace to record a career-high in sacks in his second year in Baltimore. With a key AFC North game on Sunday, expect both defenders to push to play.
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Trey Hendrickson Not Seen At Practice On Thursday
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (neck) is not at practice on Thursday after logging a limited session on Wednesday. The 2023 first-team All-Pro is dealing with a neck injury that could affect his Week 11 availability for Sunday night's contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, his Friday practice status and game designation will tell us whether he's at real risk of being inactive. The 29-year-old has 11 sacks in 10 games this season after logging 17.5 sacks in 2023. Needless to say, he's a critical piece of the Bengals' struggling defense, and his absence against Justin Herbert's ascending offense would be significant.
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MarShawn Lloyd Practicing On Thursday Despite Two Injuries
Green Bay Packers running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring, ankle) is practicing for a second straight day since being designated to return from the Injured Reserve list. The rookie out of USC was placed on IR with a hamstring injury after Week 2 and is now also listed with an ankle ailment. It is to be determined if Lloyd will be activated to play in Week 11 against the Chicago Bears, but his return to practice is promising. The team's third-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft could compete for the RB2 role behind Josh Jacobs when he's back in action, but it would be surprising if he's on the fantasy football radar unless Jacobs gets banged up. His rookie season has not gone to plan, but he could at least enter next season as the top handcuff for Jacobs in a great offense. UPDATE: Lloyd was limited for a second straight day on Thursday.
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Dalton Kincaid Not Present On Thursday
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid (knee) was not present at practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week after injuring his knee in the Week 10 win over the Indianapolis Colts. Kincaid is probably going to have to put in some work in Friday's practice to even have a shot at suiting up this Sunday when the Bills take on the undefeated Kansas City Chiefs. Fantasy managers should already be preparing a backup plan in case the 25-year-old is ruled out this weekend. In that scenario, Dawson Knox would be on the TE1 radar, especially if receiver Amari Cooper (wrist) misses his third straight game. Rookie wideout Keon Coleman (wrist) has already been ruled out. Fantasy managers were expecting more from Kincaid in his sophomore campaign, as he's currently averaging 6.5 half-PPR points per game, which ranks 22nd among all TEs.
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Davante Adams Not Seen At Thursday's Practice
There was no sign of New York Jets wide receiver Davante Adams (illness, wrist) during the early portion of practice open to the media on Thursday. Adams has been under the weather this week but is also dealing with a wrist injury and did not practice with the rest of the team on Wednesday. The 31-year-old veteran's status is now in question heading into a Week 11 tilt against the visiting Indianapolis Colts this Sunday. If he is unable to return to practice on Friday and play against Indy, Garrett Wilson, who leads the NFL with 100 targets, would receive extra attention from the Colts' defense with Xavier Gipson and rookie Malachi Corley starting in three-receiver sets. In his four starts with New York since being acquired from the Raiders, Adams has 20 catches, 206 yards and one touchdown. When active, he's a must-start for fantasy managers despite more frustrations from the Jets.
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Sam LaPorta Sidelined Again At Practice
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (shoulder) was the team's only player that did not take part in practice on Thursday. LaPorta suffered a sprained AC joint in his shoulder in the team's Week 10 win over the Houston Texans and is in danger of missing this Sunday's game against the Jacksonville Jaguars after missing practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. The 23-year-old second-year tight end will need to get onto the practice field on Friday to give himself a shot to suit up in Week 11. If he is unable to do so, expect Brock Wright to see an increased role on offense for Detroit, putting him in play as a TE2 sleeper in a game the Lions are favored by two touchdowns. It's been a disappointing sophomore year for LaPorta fantasy-wise after he finished as the TE1 in 2023 -- he's currently the TE11 in half-PPR scoring -- but he did find the end zone for the third time in Week 10.
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Dolphins Don't Think Tyreek Hill's Injury Is Affecting His Performance
Miami Dolphins wide receivers coach Wes Welker said that wideout Tyreek Hill's performance is not being affected by his wrist injury. Hill and Jaylen Waddle "are starting to realize how perfect we have to be" to work their way open with the way opposing teams are defending them and jamming them at the line of scrimmage. The Cheetah recently acknowledged that he's playing through a torn ligament in his wrist, but apparently it's not negatively affecting him on game days. The 30-year-old scored his first touchdown in Monday night's win over the Los Angeles Rams since the season opener, but he also had just three catches for 16 yards. In the two previous games since quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned, Hill's production improved (10 catches for 152 yards). Hill's numbers most certainly are down in 2024, but he remains a must-start in fantasy with Tagovailoa back.
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Mike McCarthy Says Rico Dowdle Is "The Lead Back"
Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy gave running back Rico Dowdle a ringing endorsement on Thursday, saying, "He's the lead back. Rico needs to touch the ball." Fellow backfield mate Ezekiel Elliott returned from a one-game absence for disciplinary reasons in the Week 10 blowout loss to the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, with Dowdle seeing 12 carries for 53 yards and catching all three of his targets for three yards. The 26-year-old likely would have had a much better day had the Cowboys not fallen behind by a significant margin on the scoreboard. Zeke had six carries for 22 yards and lost a fumble. Dowdle played 52% of the offensive snaps compared to Elliott's 22%. Dowdle will continue to be Dallas' lead RB, but with quarterback Dak Prescott (shoulder) now done for the year, it makes Dowdle a lower-upside RB3/flex for fantasy managers.
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Michael Pittman Jr. Practicing Again On Thursday
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (back) was back on the practice field for the second straight day on Thursday. Pittman has been dealing with a back injury for a while now and missed the Week 10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. However, he was listed as a full practice participant on Wednesday, signaling that he could return this Sunday to face the New York Jets, as long as he doesn't suffer a setback. It's good news for the Colts, but fantasy managers will justifiably have some reservations about starting the 27-year-old wideout this weekend, especially with struggling second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson getting his starting job back against a formidable defense. Pittman is Indy's WR1 when healthy, but it's led to only a 30-366-2 line through nine games in 2024. If he's active against the Jets, Pittman should be viewed as more of a touchdown-dependent WR3/flex. UPDATE: Pittman was a full-go again on Thursday.
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Harrison Butker
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