NFL Player News

The Bills announced at the NFL scouting combine that defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier would be taking a leave of absence in 2023. McDermott was already on record saying the team doesn’t intend to bring in an outside candidate to fill the position, but he doubled down on that sentiment at the owners meeting. A former defensive coordinator of the Panthers (2011-2016) prior to joining the Bills in 2017, McDermott is more than familiar with calling defensive plays. He also added that he has confidence in the defensive staff and that he can “toss it to them from time to time” if needed.

Allen was instrumental in the Bears’ second-half comeback. After being bottled up for much of the first half, Allen broke free in the secondary on several occasions, with his biggest play coming on a 31-yard touchdown to kick off the second half. Allen would put his sharp route running on display down near the goal line when he shook cornerback Amik Robertson to haul in a nine-yard score. Allen left the game briefly with an ankle injury but had it taped up and returned to finish out the day. He was seen limping a few times, but remained on the field to make a handful of key plays late. Assuming he’s good to go in Week 14, he’ll be a fringe WR2/WR3 against the 49ers.

Thursday’s loss to the Lions marks the fifth-straight game in which Swift has been held below 100 total yards. He has also failed to find the end zone in four of his last five games. He was the only running back to register an offensive touch after Roschon Johnson exited early with a concussion, but even with the backfield largely to himself, the veteran couldn’t get much going against his former team. Swift will be a volume-based play in Week 14 against the 49ers, and shouldn’t be viewed as anything more than a mid-RB2.

Coleman has now had back-to-back limited practices. The 21-year-old rookie has not played since Week 9, but seems like he has a good chance to go for Week 13 against the 49ers. Just keep in mind there’s a ton of volatility in his profile if he does get the nod.

The big plays weren’t there for Williams on Thursday, as his biggest gain came on the ground rather than through the air. Williams cut an end around upfield for a 15-yard gain and excited the crowd when he hurdled over a diving Kevin Byard to pick up some extra yards. Williams’ 28 receiving yards are his fewest since Week 7. He’ll be a high-upside WR3 in Week 13’s game against the Packers.

Lawrence was able to get limited practices in Wednesday and Thursday with his shoulder issue. He’s questionable for Sunday’s Week 13 tilt against the Texans, and managers will hope to see a full participation for Friday’s practice. Even if he is limited in that session, however, there’s a chance Lawrence could play.

It would’ve been an abysmal day for LaPorta and his fantasy managers if it had not been for his two touchdowns. LaPorta found the end zone on a three-yard touchdown early in the second quarter and was on the receiving end of a one-yard score late in the third quarter. LaPorta has seen six targets in each of his last three games, but the production just hasn’t been there for the promising young tight end as of late. The two touchdowns were nice, but hopefully LaPorta can do a bit more with his volume in Week 14 against the Packers, where he feels like a boom-or-bust TE1.

St. Brown’s seven targets tied Jameson Williams for the team lead, but the Sun God had the more productive day through the air. His longest play, which came on a 29-yard reception on the Lions’ second drive of the game, helped set the team up for a three-yard touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta and was one of three receptions that went for 10 or more yards for ARSB. He’ll be a solid WR1/WR2 in Week 13 against the Packers.

Gibbs was explosive in this one, ripping off five plays for 10 or more yards on the afternoon. He lost a key fumble late in the second half that would have had the Lions on the Bears’ 13-yard line with roughly a minute left on the game clock. Gibbs saw only four opportunities in the second half, but the Lions leaned heavily on David Montgomery with the game well in hand. Gibbs will be a fringe RB1 in Week 14 when the Lions play host to the Packers on Thursday night.

Montgomery led the Lions in scrimmage yards but didn’t find the end zone in this one. He saw a few looks close to the Bears’ goal line, but after a failed attempt to punch it in, the Lions took to the air and threw a touchdown to Sam LaPorta. It wasn’t the production Montgomery’s fantasy managers were hoping for, but the role was everything we’ve come to expect on a weekly basis. Montgomery is still solid RB1/RB2 in next week’s game against the Packers.

Williams and the Bears had an embarrassing showing in the first half. Offensively, they managed just 53 total yards as a team and trailed 16-0 at halftime. They turned a corner in the second half, however, which started with Williams leading the team on a 74-yard touchdown drive that ended with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Keenan Allen. While the Bears defense kept the Lions at bay, Williams and the offense mounted a comeback that included two fourth quarter touchdowns to Keenan Allen and D.J. Moore. A miraculous comeback appeared to be in the works late in the game after Williams got the Bears down to the Lions’ 25 yard line with under a minute to go. Unfortunately, a sack, followed by the worst clock management we’ve seen in decades, resulted in the clock drying up with the Bears still holding a timeout. Williams made several impressive plays in this one, but a poor first-half had the Bears in comeback mode and proved ultimately proved to be too much to overcome. Under new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown, Williams has thrown for 827-5-0. He’ll rank as a solid QB2 in Week 14 against the 49ers.