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- Chase spits on Ramsey – and fantasy playoff hopefuls 😬
Chase spits on Ramsey – and fantasy playoff hopefuls 😬
Plus, are Josh Jacobs and Jaylen Warren playing?


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Your roundup of everything you need to know regarding injuries around the league going into Week 11:
RB Jaylen Warren (ankle) - Steelers HC Mike Tomlin said Tuesday that he’s optimistic about Warren’s odds to take the field this coming Sunday against the Bears, but conceded that Warren would be limited in practice this week, especially early. Look out for him to pop up on injury reports today and into the weekend, with the anticipation of a decision on his status being reached at some point before Sunday. If Warren doesn’t go, Kenneth Gainwell would be a must-start thanks to his role in the receiving game and profile as a borderline RB1 start against a middling Bears defense. If Warren starts, there’s a possibility that Gainwell could continue to mix in more than fantasy managers would hope as he did in Week 11, especially if Warren is less than 100% when he takes the field.
QB C.J. Stroud (concussion) - Another week, another start for Texans backup QB Davis Mills. For all intents and purposes, Mills has been a cure to what has ailed Nico Collins and co. over the first half of the season with Stroud under center, as both Collins and TE Dalton Schultz average significantly higher production with Mills under center. The short week is most likely what convinced the Texans’ to hold Stroud out of the lineup for one more week, and the expectation is that Stroud suits up in Week 13 – but in the meantime, Mills is set to continue peppering Collins in the passing game as he has so far this season. They’ll face a relatively stingy Bills defense on Thursday night, but volume should help keep Collins afloat as a strong WR2 start with WR1 upside. Mills is nothing more than a desperate start in 1 QB leagues and a clear QB2 option in 2-QB and superflex formats.
TE Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) - Kincaid continues to miss practice for the second week in a row since going down in Week 10 against the Dolphins with a hamstring injury. The Bills’ pass catchers have had trouble staying healthy all season long, and the Bills were especially thin at practice on Tuesday with Kincaid, WR Khalil Shakir (personal), and WR Curtis Samuel (elbow/neck) all absent. Keon Coleman was also a healthy scratch in Week 11, leaving just the likes of Josh Palmer, Tyrell Shavers, and Ty Johnson to pick up the slack in the Bills receiving game. The Texans field the best defense when it comes to fantasy points allowed to opposing WRs, making Bills pass catchers less than attractive options for fantasy managers desperate for some production on Thursday night. Shakir would be the only startable receiver this week (assuming he plays)
Aaron Rodgers (wrist) - Testing revealed Tuesday that Rodgers won’t need surgery to address his wrist injury, and as a result, the veteran QB is reportedly ‘pushing to play’ in Week 12 against the Bears. It’ll take being cleared by the team’s medical staff for that to actually happen, and given how well Mason Rudolph played in relief of Rodgers against the Bengals (albeit against the league’s worst defense), Pittsburgh does have options if Rodgers ultimately doesn’t suit up on Sunday. Whether it’s Rodgers or Rudolph under center, neither is anything more than a desperation play at QB, and the Steelers WRs don’t necessarily gain an upgrade or take a hit as a result of a potential QB change.
RB Josh Jacobs (knee) - Jacobs was diagnosed with a knee contusion after exiting early in the game in Week 11 against the Giants – a welcome development after initial fears of much worse were swirling in the aftermath of the Packers’ close victory. As a result, Jacobs reportedly has a chance to play in Week 12 if things shake out positively, but Emmanuel Wilson will be ready to start in the event Jacobs doesn’t go. Wilson handled 93% of the team’s snaps in relief of Jacobs against the Giants in Week 11, and is a must-add off waivers regardless of Jacobs’ status early in the week.
WR Drake London (knee) - Michael Penix is out for the year with a partial ACL tear, but the real damage to fantasy managers was done when London was ruled out with a PCL sprain he suffered late in the game against the Panthers. London is officially set to miss Week 12 and will be re-evaluated ahead of Week 13, but there’s no guarantee that he returns right away. That’s trouble for Kirk Cousins, who will step in and lead Atlanta’s offense the rest of the way with just Darnell Mooney, Kyle Pitts, and Bijan Robinson as his weapons. Pitts has seen an uptick in volume with Cousins under center, so there’s a chance he could re-enter the top-12 conversation in the coming weeks, but Mooney has been a non-factor thus far and looks to be nothing more than a desperate flex play against the Saints this week.
Make sure to tune in to the latest episode of the Upper Hand Fantasy Podcast! Faraz talks Week 11 takeaways, Week 12 waivers, and more ⬇️ Click below to get caught up on everything you missed!
Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald said this week that RB Kenneth Walker is ‘showing that he’s earning more opportunities to get the ball’

It’s only what the entire fantasy community has been saying and clamoring for since Kenneth Walker joined the Seahawks back in 2022. Walker had his first fantasy-relevant day in Week 11 against the Rams in over a month, and apparently his last-minute touchdown on a goal line carry (believe it or not) seems to have pricked up the ears of Seattle’s coaching staff. We’ll see if this comes to fruition, but it’s at least a glimmer of hope in a season that’s otherwise been a complete disappointment for Walker. The Seahawks face a squishy Titans run defense in Week 12, which could be a spot for Walker to continue to build momentum and cash in for fantasy managers who have been waiting out this spell of minimal utilization and production.
Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase suspended one game by the NFL for an altercation in Week 11 where he spit on Steelers CB/S Jalen Ramsey
Chase reportedly plans to appeal the suspension, but given that there’s clear video evidence of him spitting on Ramsey during the game that led to Ramsey’s ejection, it’s going to be a tough argument to win for the suspension to be reversed. Assuming the suspension is upheld, Chase managers would be best served hitting the waiver wire for some of this week’s top adds, or perhaps pursuing Andrei Iosivas for a 1:1 replacement on the team. Of course, Iosivas can’t be expected to replace Chase – especially with the fantasy playoffs right around the corner – but with Joe Flacco under center, the volume could be there for him to at least be serviceable in relief of Chase. WR Tee Higgins is in line for a bump in volume, as well, and enters the fringe-WR1 conversation, while Noah Fant is also in line for a slight increase in work with Chase out of the lineup.
Injuries happen, and bye weeks are in full swing. How are you going to tackle them to make sure you don’t stumble on your way to the fantasy playoffs?
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Is Luther Burden officially here to stay? Is there still hope for R.J. Harvey as Denver’s RB1? Faraz breaks down everything you need to know about this past weekend’s action and projects ahead!

Sean Tucker goes nuts against the Bills squishy run defense
He was our favorite desperate play of the week, and he came through in a BIG way. Not only did he go over 100 yards on 19 carries, he had three TDs on the day - two on the ground, and one through the air. He led the backfield with 21 touches for 140 yards, while Rachaad White only received 12 total touches for 62 yards. White still led the team in snaps 43-31, but mostly because of his role as the primary third down and two-minute back. White also led with 3 goal line snaps to Tuckers’ 2. Tough matchup against the Rams next week, so I’d temper expectations, but Tucker is definitely in play as a borderline RB2 if Bucky Irving can’t go. He’s a must-pickup on waivers if available.
Luther Burden: finally a full time wide receiver?
What we’ve been asking for all season has finally happened - Luther Burden was the primary slot receiver for the Bears over Olamide Zaccheaus. Burden ran a route 61% of dropbacks, his previous high was 49% last week (due to DJ Moore’s injury), but before that it was 39%. For more context, Burden only ran 6 less routes than Rome Odunze, but had only one less target, so he was targeted on a solid 23% rate. Luckily for you, you might be able to get Burden on the cheap on waivers this week given this role change didn’t come with a big performance. He’s a very talented rookie who can end up having some boom games moving forward if this role sticks.
So… Jacoby Brissett is setting records with the Cardinals
47 pass completions is the NFL record for most completions in a game, and Jacoby Brissett now holds it. He also threw for 452 yards, and completed a ridiculously impressive 82% of his passes on that much volume. He continued to support Trey McBride to another amazing game - 10/115/1 on 11 targets, but get this - he led Michael Wilson to a 15/185 line on 18 targets. Before Sunday, Wilson never had a 100-yard NFL game. It’s possible Marvin Harrison Jr misses another week, so maybe we should start Wilson next week against Jacksonville? Just a thought after an 18-target game (32% target share).
R.J. Harvey queit in debut as Broncos RB1 sans Dobbins
Harvey ended the game with 14 touches, but only totaled 50 yards. What added insult to injury was when Jaleel McLaughlin took a goal line snap for a TD, but it’s worth noting that Harvey was on the field for two of the three Broncos’ goal line snaps. Harvey had control of 62% of snaps, while McLaughlin and Badie played only 13% each. Given each of the latter two played less than 10 snaps should give some indication of what the Broncos will do coming out of the bye. It really looks like Harvey is the clear early down back; this usage should lead to some better weeks. There’s still an opportunity now to buy low on RJ Harvey if you don’t need him next week (bye).
Josh Jacobs goes down… Emmanuel Wilson next man up?
Jacobs avoided a serious injury, but also can miss time (being labeled day-to-day). If he does miss this week, Emanuel Wilson is the clear next man up, as he was on the field for 93% of snaps the rest of the way after Jacobs’ early injury. Despite the tough matchups coming up, Wilson would very much be in the RB2 conversation given the offense he’s on and how well he’s played in relief of Jacobs throughout this season. Assuming Jacobs will miss some time, Wilson is a must-pickup on waivers.
