NFL Player News

The Buccaneers selected Vaughn in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. The former Vanderbilt Commodore never lived up to his Day 2 draft capital, as he seemingly fell behind every running back the team signed after drafting him. To nobody’s surprise, Vaughn played behind Leonard Fournette during his three-year stint with the team, but Rachaad White, Chase Edmonds, and rookie UDFA have all been for most of this season. Vaughn has rushed 103 times for 384 yards and two touchdowns in 43 career games. He’s surpassed 50 rushing yards only twice in his career and saw the best game of his career come in December 2021 when he rushed for 7-70-1 against the Panthers. At 26 years old, Vaughn is already nearing the age cliff for running backs, which is yet another indictment on the career backup. He’ll likely get another chance elsewhere, but he has little to no fantasy upside regardless of the landing spot.

The same is true of defensive lineman Christian Barmore, who was listed as questionable after missing two practices for non-injury reasons this week. Barmore was added tot he injury report with a hip issue on Friday, causing some concern for his Week 12 availability. The Pats remain significant underdogs to the Dolphins this week, but getting the young duo of Barmore and Gonzalez on the field is a small boost to a defensive unit that has struggled this year.

Williams went down with what appeared to be a season-ending knee injury after just 22 snaps in Week 1. The injury news wasn’t as bad as Arizona initially feared and the team took him off injured reserve ahead of Week 9. He still hasn’t made his return to the lineup, but all signs point to that happening today. Kelvin Beachum has held down the right tackle spot admirably and could still be used to limit Williams’ reps in his first game back.

Fantt is attempting to return from a multi-week groin issue that he suffered in Week 8. He was only able to practice twice this week before being listed as questionable. Even if active, he will likely split reps with rookie A.J. Barner. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for TE2 production in Week 12.

Nabers was a late addition to the injury report this week before being listed as questionable because of the groin issue. He told reporters on Friday he intends to play. The groin issue has previously popped up for Nabers but has yet to cost him any playing time. That should hold true through Week 12. Nabers is a far less appealing fantasy option with Tommy Devito under center but should still be treated as a volume-based WR2 versus the Bucs.

Thielen was activated from injured reserve two weeks ago but didn’t suit up for his first potential game off IR. He was limited in all three practices this week before being listed as questionable. Closing out another lost season, the Panthers don’t have any reason to rush Thielen back, so we’ll assume he’s at full strength and not on a pitch count if active. He should pace the Panthers in targets this week, though that isn’t a particularly valuable role with Bryce Young under center. Thielen is a WR4 at best in his first game since Week 3.

Allen was a surprise addition to the injury report on Friday. The team listed him as questionable after being a limited participant in the final practice of the week. Allen seemingly tweaked his ankle in Friday’s practice, but head coach Matt Eberflus was “hopeful” the veteran receiver would be able to suit up on Sunday. He appears to be good to for for Week 12, though fantasy managers may want to give the Bears’ inactives a once-over before finalizing their lineups. Allen has peaked at five catches for 44 yards this year despite being peppered with targets from Caleb Williams. A lingering ankle issue isn’t going to do him any favors, keeping Allen in the WR4 ranks for Week 12.

Swift missed Wednesday’s practice with the groin issue but was back on the field for the following session. The team listed him as questionable after a full practice on Friday. A full session to close the week typically means a player is good to go, so this was always the expectation. With Roschon Johnson emerging as a 1B to Swift, the latter has to be treated as an RB3 in a tough matchup with the Vikings.

Evans reportedly planned to play in Week 12 as early as Monday and was a full participant in practice by Thursday. However, the Bucs downgraded him to a limited practice on Friday before listing him as questionable. Head coach Todd Bowles also hedged Evans’ status by saying, “We’ll play him as long as he’s healthy and fresh.” It sounds like Bowles and the team were just being cautious. Evans should be good to go for Week 12, putting him in the WR2 mix for the first time since he aggravated his lingering hamstring injury in Week 7.

Williams was listed as questionable for Week 12 on Friday. He was a game-time call because of the ankle issue last week and ultimately suited up after pre-game warmups. That has always been the expectation this time around as well. It’s an all-hands-on-deck situation for San Francisco as they prepare to take on the Packers sans Brock Purdy. Williams will be tasked with protecting Brandon Allen for the first time this year.

Even Schefter, who is presumably getting this info from a source inside the 49ers’ building, had to add some words of caution to his report. He noted, “Then again, they also thought he would be able to start today at Green Bay before he couldn’t.” Kyle Shanahan and the entire 49ers organization have made a habit of downplaying the severity of injuries this year, so it can’t be taken for granted that Purdy will be back next week. Assuming Brandon Allen can’t pull off the upset versus Green Bay today, San Francisco’s Week 13 matchup with the Bills could be a make-or-break game as they fall behind in the NFC West.