NFL Player News

Barkley had 23 touches for 111 yards in the Eagles’ win over the Bengals. He had an efficient day, though fantasy managers may not see it pay dividends with no touchdowns and just one reception for PPR leagues. Jalen Hurts stole a pair of rushing scores from Barkley with tush-pushes after Barkley was downed at the one-yard line both times. Hurts’ rushing usage inside the two-yard line continues to cap Barkley’s fantasy ceiling, but Barkley is still an RB1 for Week 9 against the Jaguars.

The two targets were at least an improvement on the zero McMillan saw in Week 10 before the Bucs’ bye week. With Mike Evans back from his hamstring injury and TE Cade Otton the clear No. 2 option in the passing game, McMillan is not worth rostering in re-draft fantasy leagues despite the Bucs’ receiver shortage.

Mitchell now has two catches for 43 yards in two games since Anthony Richardson returned under center. Predictably, there isn’t enough pass-game volume in this offense for Mitchell to command consistent looks, while Alec Pierce is the featured option down the field. Mitchell doesn’t need to be rostered in 12-team leagues down the stretch.

Moore added some wildcards to the box score with a 12-yard carry, an incomplete pass on a trick play, and a two-point conversion catch. The Bears rolled with their screen-heavy approach once again this week. Some of them were easily sniffed out by the Minnesota defense while others, like his 10-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, were far more successful. Moore only finished fourth on the team in targets, but his looks are easy completions with big-play potential based on his running-back-like ability to create YAC. Moore is a low-end WR2 for his Week 13 matchup with the Lions.

Minshew was sacked by a trio of Denver defenders late in the fourth quarter and appeared to be in significant pain. It appeared to be a left shoulder injury for Minshew, who was helped to the locker room. He had 230 yards, a touchdown, and an interceptions before exiting the game. Desmond Ridder replaced Minshew and immediately lost a fumble to the swarming Broncos defense. Ridder would represent a major downgrade for Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers if he’s forced to start in Week 13 against the Chiefs.

Odunze saw 10 targets for the second week in a row but did even less with the high-volume role this time around. He went 65 yards on six grabs versus the Packers in Week 11. The Bears have shifted toward a quick passing game with more screens and short throws under interim OC Thomas Brown. Though that hasn’t killed Odunze’s volume, it has prevented him from hitting a spike week in a sample of two games. Odunze is stuck in the WR4 ranks for his upcoming matchup with the Lions.

Pierce also un-did a 30-yard Josh Downs reception with an offensive pass interference penalty. Unlike most weeks, the Colts were actually targeting Pierce early. That included Anthony Richardson missing Pierce on a potential 88-yard score in the first quarter. Brutal. Perennially lacking volume with upside difficult to come by with Richardson’s scattershot play, Pierce is merely a WR5 for Week 13 despite a plus Patriots matchup.

Havenstein hasn’t taken the field since suffering an ankle injury in Week 9. Joe Noteboom was removed from the team’s injury report Friday and should start in Havenstein’s place.

Smith popped up on the injury report this week with a hamstring injury and was ruled out Friday with the team’s final injury report. Expect the offense to function primarily through A.J. Brown, Saquon Barkley, and Dallas Goedert against the Rams.

Facing a vulnerable Lions secondary, Pittman had his second most productive day of the season. No easy feat since Anthony Richardson, as usual, completed only 11 passes. Pittman also checked out with a shoulder injury, but ended up missing very little time despite a “questionable” designation. Although he played through the issue Sunday, it is something to monitor heading into Week 13 against the Patriots, especially since the Colts have a Week 14 bye for some reason. The adrenaline is going to wear off, and Pittman is so banged up.

Per usual, Allen dominated the targets for Chicago, vacuuming up shallow looks with ease. Unlikely nearly every other week of the season, Allen did something with his looks. His previous season-high in receiving yardage was a measly 44. He had a two-score game over a month ago but no other touchdowns as a Bear. Allen was used on a mix of screens a deeper targets, giving him both a strong fantasy floor and an intriguing ceiling. Coming off his best game of the year, Allen will remain on the WR2/3 border for his Week 13 matchup with Detroit.