NFL Player News

A week after Estime appeared to have taken the lead back job in Denver, he had six carries to nine rushes for Javonte Williams. Estime ran just six pass routes against Atlanta while Williams logged 16 routes and saw four targets. Importantly, Williams appeared to be the preferred backfield option in the red zone. Estime is a hold for now and won’t have much fantasy appeal in Week 12 against the Raiders.

Iosivas played a complementary role with the return of Tee Higgins following a three-game absence, finishing fourth in receiving behind Ja’Marr Chase, Higgins, and newfound workhorse running back Chase Brown. He made a striking grab over the middle of the field with 18 seconds remaining to give the team a chance at a Hail Mary as time expired, a pass that ultimately fell to the ground incomplete to seal the game. Iosivas’ fleeting fantasy value has all but evaporated with a full supporting cast.

Chase drew consistent double coverage against a stingy Chargers defense but still managed to score two second half touchdowns to bring the Bengals all the way back from a 27-6 deficit. They would ultimately come up just short as a Hail Mary to Tee Higgins fell through his hands in the end zone as time expired, with the loss dropping the team to 4-7 and on the outside looking in for a playoff spot out of the AFC. Their Week 12 meeting with the Steelers is likely to determine whether they have a chance at making a late push towards the postseason.

Higgins returned from a three-game absence to nearly double the yardage of the next pass-catcher in the offense, with Ja’Marr Chase checking in with 75 yards and two touchdowns. The Bengals fall to 4-7 with the loss and now find their backs against the wall as they struggle to stay alive in the AFC playoff picture, with next week’s meeting with the Steelers likely determining their season. The Bengals continue to lead the league in pass rate over expectation, something that is likely to keep both primary pass-catchers in Cincinnati fed with volume the remainder of the season.

Brown did everything but find the end zone against a stout Chargers defense that had held the previous nine opponents to just over 13 points per game before the Bengals broke through for 27 on the backs of a massive third quarter. Brown handled every running back opportunity for the Bengals, suddenly finding himself in one of the few true workhorse situations in the league following the placement of Zack Moss on injured reserve. Fantasy managers can start Brown with confidence for as long as Moss remains out, which appears could last longer than the four-game minimum.

The Bengals roared back from a 27-6 deficit early in the third quarter to tie the game at 27 after three straight touchdowns with over 12 minutes to play. They would ultimately come up short after trading defensive blows with the Chargers throughout the remainder of the fourth quarter before a 29-yard rushing score from J.K. Dobbins broke the tie with only 18 seconds remaining. Burrow actually had the team in position for a Hail Mary following a long completion to Andre Iosivas, a pass that fell incomplete after Tee Higgins couldn’t secure the ball in the end zone. The Bengals fall to 4-7 with the loss and now find their backs against the wall as they prepare to face the Steelers in Week 12.

The Broncos got Mims involved with designed touches in the first half, though he only ran ten routes on 36 Bo Nix drop backs on the day. Mims’ touchdown, his first of the season, came on a well-designed 12-yard bubble screen near the end of the second quarter. Mims is still primarily a kicker returner and shouldn’t be played in 12-team fantasy leagues until he sees more playing time.

Vele, who last week caught all four of his targets for 39 yards against the Chiefs, was second among Broncos pass catchers in targets and receptions against Atlanta. Vele has positioned himself as the Broncos’ No. 2 receiver in recent weeks, though he’ll only be viable in deeper formats. Vele gets the Raiders in Week 12.

Only Drake London had more targets (7) than McCloud on the day. Operating almost exclusively from the slot, McCloud averaged 7.6 yards per catch as an underneath option before the Falcons rested their starters in the fourth quarter of the lopsided affair. If Darnell Mooney misses time with a hamstring injury, McCloud could see a bump in targets when the Falcons return from bye in Week 13.

McConkey was taken to the medical tent in the first quarter of the team’s Week 11 game against the Bengals after landing hard on his right shoulder. He would be helped to his feet before being escorted to the medical tent, but proved healthy enough to return to the game.