NFL Player News

Faalele (6’9/380) is arguably the most unique player in the draft. A former four-star recruit from the prestigious IMG Academy, Faalele grew up playing rugby and basketball in his native Australia before heading to the US to play football. After learning the sport for two years, he proceeded to start 31 of 34 games for the Golden Gophers. He missed the 2020 season after opting out due to the COVID-19 pandemic but earned first-team All-Big 10 honors from the coaches upon his return. Faalele’s game is built upon power. He has excellent grip strength and looks to drive defenders into the ground. He isn’t a statue either, showing good movement skills for a man of his size and stature. His size also limits him with lateral movements and balance. Smaller players can out-leverage him and drive him back into the pocket. He projects as a future starter at right tackle in a man/gap/power scheme where forward movements are prioritized.

The full quote reads, “the way [Purdy’s elbow] responded this week, it’s really up in the air for next week, so we’ll have to see on Monday.” Shanahan also said that the team thought Purdy just needed to rest after viewing Monday’s MRI results. The elbow’s inflammatory response on Thursday reportedly “surprised” Purdy so the team opted to play things conservatively by shutting Purdy down for the rest of the week. Purdy notably “can’t remember a play that [the injury] specifically happened on.” Fantasy managers should make backup plans for Week 13 accordingly.

The deal runs through the end of the 2024 NFL season and contains $2 million in guaranteed money. This is a great move for the 9-1 Chiefs, who are almost assuredly headed to the playoffs once again. Humphries played well as a pass blocker last season before tearing his ACL in Week 17.

Hill promisingly progressed to Full Participant status on Friday, putting him on track to play on Monday as long as he remains symptom-free. Assuming he is good to go, Hill is RB3/flex-viable in what should be a pass-heavy game against the Chargers.

This is a new and worrying injury for the Ravens’ field-stretcher, who will likely be needed for his team’s Monday Night Football game against the Chargers. Bateman has intermittently layered unusable weeks with WR1 and WR2 finishes this season, and this game profiles as one in which Bateman could be frequently called upon. The game’s over/under is currently set at a fantasy-friendly 51.0 points.

Reynolds was a full participant in multiple practices this week but remains on injured reserve for Week 12. He appears to be on track to be activated ahead of Week 13. Devaughn Vele will cling to WR5 fantasy value until he returns.

This is a big step in the right direction for the ascending rookie. Fantasy managers should expect McConkey to suit up for the Chargers’ AFC showdown against the Ravens on Monday night. He is a WR2, if active, for the occasion.

Allen was added to the injury report on Friday with the heel issue after a limited practice. The former Cardinal signed a three-year deal with Denver in the offseason. He has five sacks and a dozen TFLs this year.

Mack should be available on Monday night. The 33-year-old veteran remains a true game-wrecker, accounting for 28 of the Chargers’ 180 quarterback pressures and 4.5 of the Chargers’ 31.5 NFL sacks. The defense will need him as they attempt to contain Lamar Jackson.

Hurst was inactive in Week 11, apparently dealing with a personal matter. He may likewise be unavailable this week after seemingly injuring his hip in Thursday’s practice. Will Dissly is trending toward another streaming TE1 showing against the Ravens on Monday night.

Kittle is back after missing one game due to the hamstring issue, though he also missed a game earlier in the year because of a hamstring injury. The bigger news on San Francisco’s injury report is Brocky Purdy’s upcoming absence. The 49ers signal-caller is out with a shoulder injury. Sans Purdy, it’s hard to trust any San Francisco pass-catcher, even with Kyle Shanahan’s record of success with backup quarterbacks. The dismal state of tight ends means fantasy managers have to start Kittle anyway, though the floor is all but gone versus Green Bay.