NFL Player News

The Bengals offense continued its ho-hum ways, with Burrow completing his first 15 passes, nearly all thrown less than 10 yards downfield. With Tee Higgins out, the game plan continues to be screen passes to Ja’Marr Chase with short-yardage tosses to tight ends and running backs and the occasional deep shot. It all clicked against a weak Raiders defense as Burrow threw five touchdowns to four different receivers. His sole interception was in the second half, on a screen play to Chase that Raiders DB Jack Jones returned for a touchdown. A 47-yard touchdown to a wide-open Mike Gesicki inflated Burrow’s yardage totals as fantasy managers can expect tight ends and short throws to be a big part of Burrow’s game while Higgins is out. He will have more chances to throw the ball downfield on a short turnaround Thursday game against a weak Ravens defense.

San Francisco punter Mitch Whisnowsky injured his back in the team’s Week 10 win over the Bucs, putting his availability for Week 11 in doubt. O’Donnell will be called up from the practice squad if he can’t go. O’Donnell last punted for the Packers in 2022. He averaged a subpar 44.5 yards per punt and did not kick for a team in 2023.

Zane Gonzalez will draw the start for Washington once again. Gonzalez was perfect on two field goal tries and three PAT attempts last week. Kicking behind an elite Washington offense, Gonzalez is a top-12 kicker for Week 11.

Washington gets Philly on Thursday, giving them a short turnaround for the divisional matchup. Lattimore has been nursing the hamstring issue for a few weeks and was never likely to suit up versus the Eagles. With the mini-bye giving him a few extra days of rest heading into Week 12, Lattimore could be back for the Commanders’ following game against Dallas.

Pacheco on Tuesday was designated for return from injured reserve but will miss at least one more game as he comes back from a broken leg he sustained in September. Kareem Hunt will continue operating as the team’s lead back and has a fairly soft matchup against Buffalo in Week 11. Look for Pacheco to seize lead back duties upon his return.

Smith-Schuster is set to return from a hamstring injury he suffered in late October. Since then, the Chiefs acquired DeAndre Hopkins from the Titans. It’s a move that will make Smith-Schuster a tertiary pass catching option in the balanced Kansas City offense. He should be picked up in deeper formats in case Hopkins misses time in the second half of the season.

Koo has been disastrous of late, missing five of his past seven attempts, including three misses in last week’s loss to the Saints. Koo’s season long field goal conversion rate has dropped to 70 percent, though he’s made all 23 of his extra points. Morris seems committed to Koo, one of the most reliable kickers in the NFL since 2019.

Cooper practiced last week in a limited capacity but could not suit up in Week 10 against the Colts. He should have a real shot to play in Week 11 against Kansas City if he can practice in full by Friday. Cooper, with five receptions on seven targets in two games with the Bills, could see decent opportunity against the Chiefs if Keon Coleman (wrist) remains sidelined.

Kincaid suffered a knee injury in the first half of the Bills’ Week 10 win against the Colts and did not return to the game. He had two catches for 24 yards before exiting. The Bills could hold him out in Week 11 against the Chiefs with the team’s bye set for Week 12. Kincaid’s injury could open up routes and targets for Dawson Knox, who becomes a streaming option if Kincaid is sidelined against KC.

Richardson will get the start against the Jets after Joe Flacco fell flat on his face over the past two games, both Colts losses. Flacco over the past two weeks threw two touchdowns to four interceptions and took seven sacks. Richardson, who was benched in October after pulling himself from a game against the Texans for rest purposes, will serve as the team’s starter for the remainder of the year, according to Steichen. Richardson’s return is the end of Josh Downs’ fantasy relevance. Richardson is only startable in superflex formats.

The Jets will rest Adams early in the week as he deals with wrist soreness and an illness. As long as Adams can get in a limited practice on Thursday and Friday, he should be good to go for Week 11 against the Colts. He’s caught 20 passes for 206 yards with one touchdown in four games with the Jets.