The Cleveland Browns are elevating tight end Blake Whiteheart from the practice squad for the Thursday Night Football contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Geoff Swaim (concussion) inactive for Week 12 due to a concussion, Whiteheart will serve as the team's TE3 behind David Njoku and Jordan Akins. The second-year undrafted free agent has hauled in three receptions for 13 yards and a touchdown in four games for Cleveland this season, but he is not on the fantasy football radar.

From RotoBaller

Baltimore Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith (hamstring) is not practicing on Thursday after missing Wednesday's session with a hamstring injury. The two-time All-Pro suffered the injury in the Week 11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it appears he is at risk of missing Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Smith is one of the top IDP players in fantasy football, so his status is worth monitoring over the next few days. Smith has collected 110 total tackles (61 solo), one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one interception, and three pass deflections in 11 games this year.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) was not spotted at the open portion of practice on Thursday, according to Cowboys reporter Todd Archer. Lamb was listed as limited on Wednesday, so a potential downgrade in his status is concerning. Last year's leader in receptions (135) hasn't produced as many fantasy football spike weeks this year, but he is still the overall WR4 in PPR formats. That said, his ceiling has taken a hit in the absence of Dak Prescott (hamstring), who is out for the year with a hamstring injury. Lamb's status should be monitored throughout the rest of the week, as he remains a must-start option due to his target volume. If he can't play in Week 12 against the Washington Commanders, Jalen Tolbert could become an intriguing flex option, and it's worth noting Brandin Cooks (knee) returned to practice this week after being designated to return from Injured Reserve.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) is practicing and preparing to play against the Washington Commanders on Sunday, according to ESPN's Ed Werder. The 31-year-old has been on the Injured Reserve list since undergoing knee surgery following Week 4, but it sounds like he could return to action in Week 12. With CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) banged up, Cooks could enter the fantasy football radar in deeper setups, but his upside is likely limited catching passes from Cooper Rush. In four games this season, Cooks caught just nine passes for 91 yards and one touchdown. If Lamb is good to go for Week 12, Cooks should be left on the bench in leagues of 14 or fewer teams.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets owner Woody Johnson broached the idea of benching quarterback Aaron Rodgers in an internal meeting on Sept. 30 after the team lost to the Denver Broncos to fall to 2-2 on the year, according to multiple sources. One source indicated the suggestion was "said in jest in a provocative nature," while others in the meeting took it differently. "If Woody really wanted Rodgers benched, he would've been benched," another source said. Two people in that meeting aren't with the team anymore, as both head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas have been canned. Sitting at 3-8, the Jets are poised for an organizational reset in the offseason, and although Rodgers said he wants to continue playing in 2025, it will likely have to come somewhere other than New York. The 77-year-old Johnson has taken a more hands-on approach since the end of last year.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (shoulder) will have season-ending shoulder surgery in the near future, according to head coach Mike McCarthy. Bell suffered a dislocated left shoulder covering a kickoff in the second quarter of the Monday night loss to the Houston Texans when trying to tackle running back Dameon Pierce. It's the latest in a long string of injuries to key players for the Cowboys on both sides of the ball in 2024. Defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (foot) has been on Injured Reserve since Week 4, and cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) has yet to play this year after having foot surgery in August. However, Dallas' defense could get a big boost if Bland is able to make his 2024 debut this Sunday against the division-rival Washington Commanders. Dallas' D/special teams won't be a recommended fantasy play in Week 12.

From RotoBaller

Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (shoulder) was listed on the Week 12 injury report on Wednesday after he was limited in the first practice of the week. Demercado may need to put in a full practice on Thursday or Friday to avoid an injury designation going into Sunday's divisional contest against the Seattle Seahawks. The 25-year-old hasn't had more than four carries in a game this year and combined for seven rushing attempts, 81 yards and a touchdown in Weeks 9 and 10 before the Cardinals went on bye last week. He remains the No. 3 in Arizona's backfield behind James Conner and rookie Trey Benson, so Demercado has no standalone fantasy appeal and should be on the waiver wire in the vast majority of leagues. He's averaging a stout 9.9 yards per carry in his second NFL season but only has 20 carries for 197 yards and the one score in 10 games.

From RotoBaller

Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Dylan Laube has been a healthy scratch since losing a fumble in the Oct. 13 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he could be a big part of the game plan in Week 12 against the division-rival Denver Broncos on Sunday with both Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quadriceps) in danger of being held out due to injuries sustained in the Week 11 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Along with Laube, Ameer Abdullah would also have a bigger role in the backfield if both Mattison and White are inactive. The 24-year-old fumbled on the first rushing attempt of his career, and he hasn't gotten another chance since then. We wouldn't recommend Laube for starting fantasy lineups if both Mattison and White are out, as the Raiders rank dead last in rushing yards per game (75.2), while the Broncos have allowed only 98.6 rushing yards per game (sixth-fewest in the NFL).

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said on 105.3 The Fan that quarterback Cooper Rush gives the team the best chance to win with Dak Prescott (hamstring) out for the rest of the year. Head coach Mike McCarthy said he regrets not giving Trey Lance some run late in the blowout loss to the Houston Texans on Monday night, but apparently the Cowboys still believe that Rush is the better starting option heading into the Week 12 divisional clash against the Washington Commanders. However, if Dallas is down big again in the second half this Sunday, we'd expect Lance to enter the game and handle at least a few offensive series to get him some work. Rush threw for only 45 yards in Week 10 but went for 354 passing yards against Houston. Washington's secondary is vulnerable, but Rush will be nothing more than a low-end QB2 in superflex leagues in his third start.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) was once again practicing on Thursday. Evans has missed the team's last three games with a right-hamstring injury, but he was limited in Wednesday's session and is planning to return following the bye for Sunday's contest against the New York Giants in Week 12. The 31-year-old might need to return to a full practice by Friday to avoid a questionable tag, but all signs are pointing toward him being available this weekend as Tampa's top wideout. The Giants haven't been the best matchup for opposing receivers this year, but Evans should have a normal workload on Sunday and deserves to be returned to all starting fantasy lineups if he's active. Evans' 11.8 half-PPR points per game this year has him ranked as the No. 21 fantasy wideout. He could see even more targets with Chris Godwin (ankle) out for the year.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Jourdan Lewis (neck) was officially limited on Wednesday's practice report. The 29-year-old missed his first game of the season against the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football after failing to log even a limited session in Week 11. However, he's kicked off Week 12 on the right foot and appears to be progressing through his injury. The 29-year-old likely needs to get in a full practice ahead of the Cowboys' divisional clash against the Washington Commanders this Sunday, but it's good news for the team. Dallas could also have defensive back DaRon Bland (foot) back in action -- who has yet to appear in a game this season -- after he logged his first full practice since Week 6.

From RotoBaller

Carolina Panthers defensive backs Jaycee Horn (calf) and Xavier Woods (shoulder) were both officially listed as limited in the team's Wednesday practice. Both athletes participated on 100% of Carolina's defensive snaps in Week 10's 20-17 victory over the New York Giants in Munich, so it appears they've each picked up an injury over their Week 11 bye. The duo has yet to miss a game between them this season and are the leading snap-getters at their position for the Panthers, so missing either player this weekend when the team squares off against the Kansas City Chiefs would be a blow to the defense. With a few more days left before the Week 12 home tilt to up their practice participation, they're not yet in danger of being inactive. Woods leads the team in tackles and interceptions in 2024, while Horn leads all Panthers defensive players in passes defensed.

From RotoBaller

The Chicago Bears signed free-agent S Adrian Colbert to the practice squad on Wednesday, Nov. 20.

From TheHuddle

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (back) did not practice on Wednesday. The fifth-year receiver injured his back during last Sunday's win over the San Francisco 49ers. As of now, his status for Week 12 is up in the air, but Wednesday's absence isn't a good sign. Regardless of whether Shenault suits up this week against the Arizona Cardinals, he should be left on waivers in all fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken acknowledged last week that the team has had a tough time finding ways to involve new wide receiver Diontae Johnson into their offense after acquiring him at the trade deadline from the Carolina Panthers. ESPN's Dan Graziano gets the sense that Baltimore considered Johnson too good of a player to pass on at the price that the Panthers were asking. He also gives the Ravens an option to use more three-receiver sets than they typically utilize if they want to go in that direction. Baltimore doesn't roll with many three-receiver sets, though, and aren't expected to have a major midseason scheme shakeup, which means that Johnson could just end up being a veteran insurance policy for top receiver Zay Flowers. He has only one catch on four targets for six yards in his three games with the Ravens and should be left on benches in Week 12 versus the Chargers.

From RotoBaller

The Pittsburgh Steelers have brought new wide receiver Mike Williams along slowly after acquiring him at the trade deadline from the New York Jets, but they expect him to have a role for them at some point and are planning to get him more involved in the offense in the coming weeks. Williams entered the game due to an injury to Calvin Austin III to catch the game-winning touchdown pass in the Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders and was even more limited in the Week 11 win over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens. ESPN's Dan Graziano doesn't expect Williams to do much on Thursday night against the division-rival Cleveland Browns, though, on a short week with potentially bad weather in Cleveland. The 30-year-old played 12% of the snaps in Week 10 and 32% last week, catching a combined one pass on one target for 32 yards and a touchdown.

From RotoBaller

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler writes that the Detroit Lions didn't acquire pass-rusher Za'Darius Smith at the trade deadline this year to replace Aidan Hutchinson (leg), who is out for the rest of the season. Instead, the Lions expect the 32-year-old veteran to be a key complementary player on their defensive line. The Lions will rely heavily on defensive tackles Alim McNeill and DJ Reader to generate a pass rush, while Smith and Josh Paschal start on the outside. Smith played 37 defensive snaps in his first game with the team in the Week 11 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, generating half a sack. Fowler expects Detroit to continue to be smart about Smith's snaps, which means fantasy managers in IDP leagues should temper expectations. The Lions are going to need a total team effort to replace Hutchinson's All-Pro production.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman (groin) could be considered week-to-week after he was hurt in the Sunday night win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11. Perryman is getting second opinions on his groin this week and could be forced to miss the Monday night showdown against the Baltimore Ravens to close out Week 12 action. The Chargers won't have their first official practice of the week until Thursday, where it's likely Perryman will be listed as a DNP. Losing the 31-year-old veteran linebacker for a date against a high-octane offense like the Ravens would be a key blow to the Bolts' defense this week. In 10 games for the Chargers so far in 2024, Perryman has been productive with 54 tackles (38 solo) and one sack.

From RotoBaller

Pittsburgh Steelers WR Mike Williams is going to be brought along slowly and incorporated into the offense in the coming weeks.

Fantasy Spin: Williams has just one catch, albeit a touchdown, in his two games with the Steelers. Even with Russell Wilson playing decent football, Pittsburgh doesn't exactly have a high-powered passing attack. At best, Williams could emerge as a big-play dependent flex option.

From TheHuddle

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler likes Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix to have another big day for his fantasy managers in the Week 12 divisional matchup against a depleted Las Vegas Raiders defense. Nix has become the first rookie QB since Justin Herbert with multiple games with at least a 75 percent completion percentage and at least three touchdown passes. The 24-year-old from Oregon had the best game of his career in the Week 11 blowout win over the Atlanta Falcons, throwing for 307 yards and four touchdowns. He was already trending up in fantasy heading into last week's game, but after that performance, he should be rostered in pretty much all fantasy leagues. Vegas' D has been a top-10 fantasy matchup for QBs all year and they've given up the most fantasy points to the position in the last three weeks. Nix is a firm QB1 as Denver looks to sweep their division rivals in 2024.

From RotoBaller