NFL Player News

Higgins and left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (knee/fibula), who Taylor also called day-to-day, both participated in walkthroughs on Monday, but Taylor said we shouldn’t read too much into that. If Higgins is truly day-to-day, then it sounds like he’ll have a chance to suit up in Week 11 against the Chargers. That said, we wouldn’t read too much into his availability until we get a look at Wednesday’s injury report. Higgins has missed the last two games due to his quad injury, which has resulted in an uptick in targets for Mike Gesicki.

Metcalf first missed Week 8 with the knee issue. He appeared to have a shot at suiting up for Week 9 but Seattle held him out with their bye week on tap next. Coming out of the week off, Metcalf should be able to return to action this week, though we’d love to see him get a full practice in before the final injury report. Jaxon Smith-Njigba broke out with 180 yards and two scores before the bye and would be in line for a high-end WR2 ranking if Metcalf misses any more time.

Likely missed all three practices last week before being ruled out on Friday. He was presumably limited for today’s practice, but it’s a big step in the right direction. Likely had fallen into the TE2 depths before missing Week 10 and will be a weak fantasy option if active for Week 11. His presence would, however, limit Mark Andrews’ routes. Andrews was on the field for nearly every Baltimore passing play last week for the first time this season.

Per Seifert, the additional surgery does not affect his recovery timeline. McCarthy is still working his way back from the torn meniscus he suffered just before the start of the season and has already been ruled out for the year. We’re still months away from the offseason, so the second surgery may be nothing more than a footnote when practices start up next year. Still, it’s worth noting that his recovery hasn’t gone exactly to plan. With Sam Darnold’s play spiraling, McCarthy is looking more likely to be the Vikings’ next quarterback with each passing week.

Per head coach Dan Campbell, LaPorta remains day to day with the sprained AC joint he suffered in Week 10 against the Texans. LaPorta left the game in the second half and did not return. The second-year tight end does appear to be at risk of missing Week 11, though he is luckily not dealing with a long-term issue. Brock Wright would draw the start if LaPorta can’t suit up. He would be a touchdown-or-bust TE2 versus the Jags.

Even Pierce, who is fighting for his job and is currently losing the battle, isn’t desperate enough to turn to Desmond Ridder. The Raiders haven’t won a game since September and Minshew struggled in his most recent start, throwing for 124 scoreless yards versus the Bengals before being pulled for Ridder late in the game. Minshew is the best option for the fantasy outlooks of Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers but isn’t on the QB2 radar for Week 11.

Lloyd went on injured reserve after suffering a severe ankle sprain in Week 2. He dealt with a hamstring injury throughout the offseason meaning the rookie has not gotten many reps as a member of the Packers. With his practice window open, Green Bay has 21 days to activate Lloyd from injured reserve. Lloyd is worth stashing in deep leagues, but he isn’t likely to return this week and will be eased into the lineup once activated. Needless to say, we’re still many weeks away from him being a relevant fantasy option.

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.