NFL Player News

With Michael Pittman (back) out for the game, Mitchell got extra playing time, and made the most of it, showing sure hands and solid route running in the intermediate areas of the field, mainly by the sidelines. He would continue to see more work in the passing game if Pittman were to miss any more time but remains behind both Josh Downs and Alec Pierce in the pecking order. He also fumbled on his first catch of the game but was lucky when the ball squirted out from the gut of a Bills defender and teammate Josh Downs landed on it.

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.

Goff and the Lions were sharp early. Goff led them deep into Bears territory on the opening drive before settling on a Jake Bates field goal but then led a 10-play, 90-yard drive that ended with a three-yard touchdown pass to Sam LaPorta. Goff would connect with LaPorta again on a one-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter, but it was the only score the Lions would muster in the second half as the Bears tightened up their defense to muster a comeback. Goff didn’t turn the ball over in this one and took just one sack. He gets a full week of rest before returning next Thursday for a Week 14 game against the Packers in a game that could decide the NFC North. Goff will be a fringe QB1 next week.

It’s an upgrade from Wednesday’s DNP. Dissly has been an instrumental part of the Chargers’ offense as of late. He caught four passes for 47 yards in Week 12’s loss to the Ravens and has caught four or more passes in six of his last seven games. With one practice still to go, Dissly has a good chance to suit up in Week 13 if he can log another limited session on Friday. He’d be a solid low-end TE1 if active.

The Browns conducted a walkthrough on Thursday, but Tillman remains in the league’s concussion protocol and will need to clear it if he hopes to play in Week 13 against the Broncos. He has an extra day to recover before Monday night’s game against the Broncos, but it’s not uncommon for a player to miss at least one game after suffering a brain injury. Tillman’s status will be one to keep an eye out for when the Browns release their final injury report on Saturday.