NFL Player News

It was reported on Wednesday that DeVito was considered a “longshot” to play after we learned that he did not travel with the team to Dallas on Wednesday morning. Drew Lock is slated to start in DeVito’s absence, while Tim Boyle serves as his backup.

Smith said of the call, “I appreciate it, love that place. But that’s not my focus. I mean, I’ve got one of the best jobs in football right now.” The former Falcons head coach is in his first season with the Steelers and is currently leading an offense on an 8-3 team. It doesn’t sound like Smith is interested in going anywhere any time soon, although it wouldn’t be surprising if the 42-year-old wanted another crack at a head coaching gig at some point down the line.

Coker is trending toward missing his second straight game. He injured his quad late in Week 12’s practice week and has not practiced since last Thursday. Both Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette should see target share bumps with Coker and Ja’Tavion Sanders (neck) likely out for Week 13.

Sanders is unlikely to play in Week 13 after suffering a neck injury in Week 12. Sanders was taken to the hospital after the injury, and while coach Dave Canales said his rookie tight end avoided serious injury, a return to action just one week later feels like a stretch. If he doesn’t practice on Friday, we can safely assume Sanders will miss Sunday’s game against the Panthers.

Highsmith’s ankle injury has kept him sidelined over the last two weeks so his return to practice is a big step. Whether he is healthy enough to suit up for Week 13 against the Bengals remains to be seen but he is at least on track to return for the Steelers’ Week 14 game against the Browns.

Johnson is being evaluated for a concussion after taking a hard hit in Thursday’s game against the Lions. Johnson went to the locker room to be evaluated and had not recorded an official touch before exiting.

Wright will kick in place of injured backup K Spencer Shrader (right hamstring). Wright was a reliable extra-point kicker for the Chiefs in 2022 but his leg became a little more erratic in the 30-to-49-yard field goal depths, averaging an 80.0 percent conversion rate. His abilities should be sufficient for K1 streaming viability. The Chiefs are likely to move the ball effortlessly against a Raiders defense missing its top two cornerbacks.

Bennett is eligible to return in Week 17, so there’s a chance his season is over, as the Raiders will be well out of playoff contention by that time. Bennett has earned a PFF coverage grade of 61.0 this season, but has allowed just 18 receptions for 176 and no touchdowns on 37 targets. In addition to him being out for Week 13, the Raiders will also be down Nate Hobbs (ankle), leaving them without their top two corners vs. the Chiefs.

Tucker was limited in practice all week but is good to go in the AFC West tilt. Tucker caught seven passes for 82 yards in last week’s loss to the Broncos and has averaged 5.3 targets/gm in his previous four games. Tucker’s explosive playmaking ability makes him an intriguing dart throw in deep leagues, but he’s eclipsed 50 yards just twice this season. He’s best to be avoided if possible.

White will miss his second-straight game with a quad injury. He was unable to get on the practice field this week but hadn’t seen much playing time before getting injured. His absence won’t have much of a fantasy impact.

Shrader was unable to practice at all this week, even in a limited capacity, and starting K Harrison Butker remains on injured reserve. Matthew Wright will kick for the Chiefs this week, and possibly next. Wright kicked for the Chiefs in 2022, going 15-of-15 on point-after attempts but his accuracy dipped on field goals from the 30-to-49-yard range (12-of-15). He did convert 2-of-2 from 50-plus yards though. Wright is a viable streamer for Week 13.