NFL Player News

Kittle missed Week 11 with the hamstring issue despite closing the week with two limited practices before being listed as questionable. A limited practice to open the week is a step in the right direction. Head coach Kyle Shanahan also told reporters that he was close to playing on Sunday. Our bet is on Kittle returning for Week 12 and Kittle evidently agrees, telling reporters “I will be playing on Sunday.” Fantasy managers will want to keep tabs on this situation as the week progresses but things are headed in the right direction. The 49ers don’t have a tight end of note for fantasy purposes when Kittle is sidelined, so emergency Kittle replacements will need to come from other squads.

Shenault left Week 11 against the 49ers early and did not return. He now starts out the week listed as DNP on Wednesday. If Shenault cannot get a practice in by the end of the week, the Seahawks’ special teams depth will be tested. Dee Williams is the team’s other primary returner if Shenault does not play Week 12 against the Cardinals, though Williams (ankle) also did not practice Wednesday.

Fant remains out due to a groin injury he suffered in Week 8. He has yet to practice since suffering the injury, leaving rookie AJ Barner as the starting tight end. Fellow TE Brady Russell (foot) was also listed as DNP while TE Pharaoh Brown (elbow) was a full participant. No Seahawks tight end options are appealing at this point of the season.

Demercado was listed as a limited participant in the Cardinals’ first official practice report of the week. He was the only offensive skill position player listed with an injury designation. The backfield is mostly James Conner and Trey Benson, with Demercado chipping in every once in a while. If Demercado cannot go Week 12 against the Seahawks, it does not shift fantasy stances by much.

Bryant, the team’s No. 3 TE, and No. 4 TE Justin Shorter (illness) were both unable to practice on Wednesday but, fortunately, No. 2 TE Michael Mayer (personal) returned to play in Week 11 after an extended absence. Mayer’s presence helps negate concern over depth.

Havenstein still has Thursday and Friday to test out his injured ankle but it would have been nice to see him participate in a limited capacity on Wednesday. Former starter/backup T Joe Noteboom (ankle) did resume practicing in a limited capacity though, which bodes positively for his Week 12 availability.

Bosa had been rehabilitating a combination hip and oblique injury for weeks, entering Week 11. He pulled up lame in-game while rushing the passer and was later reported to have strained his other oblique. Bosa’s inability to participate on Wednesday was expected but is still concerning. He is truly questionable for Week 12.

This is a big loss for the Cowboys’ special teams unit. Todd Archer reports “special teams coordinator John Fassel became emotional when talking about” Bell’s season-ending dislocated shoulder injury. Bell’s 85.9 PFF special teams grade not only leads all Cowboys special teams players, it ranks eighth among 138 NFL special teams players with at least 165 special teams snaps. Bell will likely be placed on injured reserve by the end of the week.

Jacobs was listed as a limited participant due to quad and calf injuries. He was dealing with the quad injury before, but the calf is new. Regardless, a limited practice is a sign Jacobs is resting a bit more as the wear and tear of the season starts to pile up. Barring a setback, expect Jacobs to play Week 12 against the 49ers.

Reynolds has been on injured reserve since getting surgery on his finger six weeks ago. He was also the victim of a shooting shortly after, but sustained only minor injuries from the incident. The Broncos opened Reynolds’ practice window last week and he starts this week out as a full participant. It is possible Reynolds will be activated off injured reserve for Week 12 against the Raiders, but he will be on the fringe of fantasy relevance when playing.

Smith sat out Week 11’s Wednesday practice before participating in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday. He ultimately suited up for Week 11 but caught only 4-of-6 targets for 29 yards. Smith played just six fewer snaps than AJ Brown but it does appear as though the injury is limiting him in-game. Hopefully, Smith can resume practicing in full by Friday.