NFL Player News

In 2020, Anudike-Uzomah (6’3/255) arrived on campus at the only Power Five to offer him a scholarship as a spindly 220-pound project. By 2021, he had added 30 pounds while starting every game for the Wildcats producing 51 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 11 sacks, and an FBS-leading six forced fumbles. He then doubled down on his breakout season by earning the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Award to go with Second Team All-American recognition. A fully formed defensive end who uses stifling long arm and push-pull techniques to stun opponents and burrow his way to the quarterback, Anudike-Uzomah has functional play strength but can struggle to disengage and has average foot speed which can stall out his rushes. He avoided any running tests but posted a 4.34s shuttle (81st percentile) and a blazing 6.94 3-Cone (96th percentile) for a projectable 8.73 relative athletic score (RAS). A highly productive player with a hot running motor who profiles as a 4-3 edge with three-down potential, Anudike-Uzomah has starter upside.

He would not go as far as to say he’s optimistic that he’ll play in Week 13. Mosley has not played since leaving Week 8’s game and would have been on injured reserve at this point for most organizations. The fact that the Jets are letting him speak to the media suggests his return is at least somewhat close, but it’s hard to understand his timetable. It could also be argued that the Jets might be better off letting younger linebackers play and seeing what they have in a lost season.

Smith was listed as questionable heading into the weekend, but the veteran linebacker didn’t log a practice this week, making him an increasingly long shot to be active on Monday night. After Monday’s game against the Chargers, the Ravens get a Week 13 matchup at home against the Eagles and then enter their Week 14 bye. Smith may miss at least one more game to have additional time to recover from the injury he suffered late in last week’s loss to the Steelers.

Mayfield played through the injury in Sunday’s win over the Giants. He threw for 294 yards while completing 24-of-30 passes and appears to be good to go for Week 13’s game against the Panthers. Mayfield profiles as a low-end QB1 in what should be a plus matchup with his WR1 back in the mix.

O’Connell has been on injured reserve since October 21st after suffering a broken thumb in Week 7. While it’s not a lock he’ll make the start in Week 13, the option will certainly be on the table if the Raiders activate him from injured reserve. The second-year quarterback has thrown for 455-2-2 in four appearances this season and has made two starts. Assuming he stays healthy, O’Connell should have a chance to start the remainder of the Raiders’ games this season while Desmond Ridder serves as his backup. O’Connell has little to no fantasy upside at this time, even in 2QB/Superflex leagues.

Lawrence has missed the Jaguars’ last two games while recovering from an injury to his non-throwing shoulder. The team hopes to get a good look at him on Monday to see where he’s at in his recovery, leaving the door open to a potential return in Week 13 against the Texans. If he cannot start, the Jaguars would be looking at a third-straight game with Mac Jones under center. During Jones’ first two starts of the season, the Jaguars have been outscored 64-13, with Jones throwing for 249 yards, no touchdowns, and three interceptions.

Downs played through a shoulder injury in Sunday’s loss to the Lions. According to Rapoport, the team believes Downs avoided a major injury, but he’ll likely miss at least one game while recovering. Downs has caught 53 passes for 594 yards and four touchdowns this season and is well on pace to surpass his rookie year total of 68-771-2. With the Colts on the verge of entering their Week 14 bye, Downs’ fantasy managers will need to find a way to replace his production for at least the next two weeks.

McCormick made the leap from the practice squad to the Raiders’ RB2 in Sunday’s loss, immediately surpassing rookie Dylan Laube in the touch distribution. McCormick’s biggest gain came on a 19-yard run, and he wasn’t targeted in the passing game. Even if Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quad) both miss Week 13’s game against the Chiefs, McCormick shouldn’t be counted on by fantasy managers.

This “if healthy” qualifier seems to stem from DeVito leaving Sunday’s game against the Bucs for a play when he reportedly had the wind knocked out of him. Assuming there isn’t something else DeVito is dealing with, the second-year quarterback should be in line to face the Cowboys in what’s sure to be an exciting quarterback duel between him and Cooper Rush. DeVito threw for 189 scoreless yards in Sunday’s loss and is a risky fantasy bet even in 2QB/Superflex leagues. In the unlikely event he can’t start, Drew Lock would get the nod for the first time this season.

Things felt like they were trending in this direction after Whitehead immediately left the field holding his pec after making a tackle on Tommy DeVito. The veteran safety did not return to the game and will now miss the remainder of the season with what is likely a torn pectoral muscle. Whitehead signed a two-year contract with the Buccaneers this offseason after spending 2022 and 2023 with the Jets. In 11 games this season, he’s totaled 76 tackles, three pass breakups, and two TFLs. He started every game he’s appeared in this season and will presumably be back for another season. That said, the Buccaneers can save $4.5 million against the cap by cutting him next offseason and wouldn’t have any dead cap space to worry about.

It’s a brutal blow for Graham, who announced before the start of the year that 2024 would be his final season before sailing off into the sunset. The 15-year vet has totaled 20 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and six TFLs this season while also forcing one fumble and now finds himself in the precarious position of deciding whether or not he wants to walk away from the game after suffering a season-ending injury. Graham would be 37 at the start of next season, and his best football is long behind him. That said, it wouldn’t be surprising if he attempted to give it one more go after a devastating end to this season.