NFL Player News

The Jim Thorpe Award is awarded annually to the best defensive back in the nation, and Penn State boasts two of the best in Brown (5'11/205) and Porter. Last season, Brown totaled 73 tackles and six interceptions -- receiving a PFF coverage grade of 77.5. Porter managed 46 tackles and one interception in 2021 while allowing 33 receptions for 370 yards and two touchdowns per PFF -- receiving a coverage grade of 70.1 Playing in a stout Big Ten, both Brown and Porter could catch the eyes of voters if Penn State replicates their defensive success from last season. The Lions ranked seventh in points per game allowed last season (17.3), but have lost several key players on the defensive side of the ball.

McCoy initially suffered the groin injury in Week 3. He spent two months on the sidelines before returning in Week 11, only to immediately aggravate the issue. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi said he was going to be okay but didn’t put a timeline on the injury. McCoy didn’t practice at all this week before being listed as questionable. The Saints are giving him the weekend to test things out, though three straight DNPs puts him on the wrong side of questionable for now. Fellow interior offensive lineman Lucas Patrick has already been ruled out.

Higbee was upgraded to full for Friday’s practice but the team opted to give him another week off before activating him from the physically unable to perform list. Neither Davis Allen nor Colby Parkinson were able to earn the long-term starting role with Higbee sidelined. All three will be unusable whenever Higbee makes his debut but he can be speculatively added to playoff-bound teams with spare bench space.

Bosa’s dual-oblique/hip injury will sideline him again and the defensive line will also notably be without starting DT Jordan Elliott (concussion), leaving the 49ers defensive-right side of the field awfully short-staffed. Josh Allen’s blindside should be kept clean and the run game will likely be able to impose its will easily, running off of left tackle Dion Dawkins. CB Deommodore Lenoir (knee) is out though CB Charvarius Ward (personal) will return after a three-game absence.

Williams was sidelined on Wednesday and Thursday and not seen practicing on Friday either. Earlier this week, The Athletic’s Matt Barrows observed Williams using a knee scooter to get around the locker room. He regularly plays through injury but it is fair to wonder if his Week 14 availability is also in jeopardy. LG Aaron Banks has also been ruled out after failing to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol.

All signs point to Tillman missing Week 13 after two DNPs to open the week. Tillman and the Browns play on Monday, giving the second-year wideout one more day to return to the practice field. Assuming he is out versus the Broncos, Jerry Jeudy will push for a WR2 rank in a revenge game against his former team.

Purdy was seen throwing in practice on Friday while backup Brandon Allen participated with the scout team, indicating the 49ers expect Purdy to play on Sunday. Purdy remains at risk for a potential setback but fantasy managers should bank on Purdy being available as a high-end QB2. He will unfortunately be without LT Trent Williams (heel/ankle).

We’d call him unlikely to return based on his inability to put weight on his knee before coming off between the arms of two members of the Vegas staff. Turner broke a tackle on a short catch for a 25-yard gain on his only target before leaving.

Nix was estimated as a limited participant for Thursday’s practice. He told reporters today he is “good to go” for Week 13 and a full practice all but confirms that. With eight touchdowns over his past three games, Nix is breaking out as a passer in addition to his rushing output. He will remain on the QB1/2 border for his upcoming bout with the Browns on Monday Night Football.

Smith practiced in full on Friday, his first such practice of the week, before being removed from the injury report. Smith will be needed to slow the Eagles’ ferocious rushing offense. Fellow starting LB Kyle Van Noy (hamstring/neck) is unfortunately listed as doubtful though.

Fant will play for the first time since Week 8. With zero teams on bye, Fant sits in the TE1/2 range though the Seahawks’ passing-game efficiency keeps a mid-to-high positional finish in his range of outcomes.