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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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ESPN's Jeremy Fowler thinks Cleveland Browns wide receiver Elijah Moore is a sleeper for WR2 duty heading into a divisional showdown in primetime on Thursday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers to kick off Week 12 action. Moore has had 29 targets the last three weeks with quarterback Jameis Winston running the offense. He had 66 receiving yards and his first touchdown of the year in the Week 11 loss to the New Orleans Saints. At 2-8 on the year, Fowler sees no reason why the Browns will stray from a high-volume passing attack with Winston in a tough matchup against the visiting Steelers this week. There's no arguing that Cleveland's pass-catchers have become more interesting with Winston under center, but the matchup certainly isn't ideal for fantasy purposes against a top defense with nasty weather expected.

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ESPN's Dan Graziano thinks New York Giants rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. could have a big Week 12 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are giving up the fifth-most fantasy points per game to RBs this year. Although Tracy had a costly overtime fumble in the Week 10 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Germany before their Week 11 bye, the rookie did have his third 100-yard rushing performance as well. The fumble shouldn't affect his role moving forward, with Graziano writing that the Giants see him as a more dynamic option than Devin Singletary in an offense that is turning to Tommy Devito under center moving forward. It wouldn't be a surprise for the G-Men to lean on the ground game as much as possible this week against Tampa. Tracy should be viewed as a high-end RB2 for fantasy managers in a week with six teams on bye.

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Houston Texans defensive back Derek Stingley Jr. (hip) logged a limited session in the team's first practice of the week. The former third-overall pick of the 2022 NFL Draft has been battling a hip ailment for the last two weeks, though it didn't stop him from suiting up in Week 11's 34-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys. In fact, Stingley Jr. began last week as a DNP before elevating his practice status over the ensuing two days and entering the weekend without a designation. Houston is likely giving the 23-year-old a bit of rest after he recorded two tackles and an interception -- his second of the season -- on his highest total snap count of the season (74). He's likely not in danger of missing the Texans' Week 12 tilt against the Tennessee Titans. Still, fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on his practice participation over the next two days.

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Las Vegas Raiders tight end Harrison Bryant (ankle) was labeled as a DNP on Wednesday for the team's first practice of the week. Bryant did not suit up for the Raiders' Week 11 outing against the Miami Dolphins, and it's the third time he was listed as a non-participant dating back to last Wednesday while battling through an ankle injury. Second-year tight end Michael Mayer returned to action against Miami after a lengthy absence and participated in 52% of Las Vegas' snaps, so it's likely that when Bryant is active, he'll be back to playing third fiddle in the TE room. Still, with standout rookie tight end Brock Bowers garnering 26.4% of the team's targets, Mayer and Bryant will just be vying for the scraps.

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Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott (illness) was a limited participant in their first practice of Week 12. The 22-year-old has been active for every game this season, and while he isn't in danger of missing his first contest just yet, we'll see if he can improve his practice status leading up to the Commanders' home matchup against their division-rival Dallas Cowboys this Sunday. Fellow tight end Zach Ertz (NIR) was tagged with a DNP, but it's apparently just a day of rest for the veteran. The rookie has seen his snap share dwindle over the previous few weeks, logging his lowest total of the season in last weekend's 26-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles (9%). Still, he's reeled in all three of his targets in 2024 for 18 yards and a touchdown. If Sinnott can't play, Ertz and John Bates will pick up the slack as the only other active tight ends on the roster.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado (shoulder) was a limited participant in the team's first practice after their Week 11 bye. The TCU product evidently picked up a shoulder issue at some point between Arizona's 31-6 victory over the New York Jets in Week 10 and Wednesday's practice, but that he could log a limited session suggests it might not be that serious. The Cards have a divisional clash on tap with the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday, and the 25-year-old will have two more opportunities to elevate his practice status before the team must label him with a designation for the Week 12 road tilt. Rookie running back Trey Benson has seen his snap and opportunity share increase over the team's last few games and would be in line for more work behind lead back James Conner if Demercado can't suit up.

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Cedric Tillman turned in his slowest performance since being elevated to a full-time role last week as he caught just three passes for 47 scoreless yards in a loss to the New Orleans Saints. Tillman will look to bounce back at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12's Thursday night game. The Steelers have been tough on opposing receivers this season as they are allowing the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position thus far. Tillman has shown a high ceiling since taking over as a starting receiver in Cleveland, making him a strong play as a high-end WR3 heading into Week 12 despite the difficult matchup.

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Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins struggled in a Week 11 loss to the New Orleans Saints, missing two of his four field-goal attempts. He will look to bounce back at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12's Thursday night game. The Steelers have been a difficult matchup for kickers in fantasy this season, allowing the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. With six misses on 20 field-goal attempts this season, Hopkins is not a recommended fantasy option for Week 12's slate of games.

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Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford has been quiet in the two games that he's shared the backfield with Nick Chubb this season, rushing for just 15 yards on seven carries. The return of Chubb from injury has relegated Ford to mostly passing-game work after he opened the season as the team's lead back. Ford will hope to produce better numbers in a home matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12's Thursday night game. Ford isn't getting consistent enough work for fantasy gamers to trust in starting lineups, especially in a tough matchup against a Pittsburgh defense that is allowing the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game to running backs this season.

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Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (knee) turned in his best game of the season last week, catching six passes for 142 yards and a touchdown in a loss to the New Orleans Saints. He will look to stay hot at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12's Thursday night game. The Steelers have been a difficult matchup for receivers this season as they allow the eighth-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. The veteran receiver is listed without an injury designation heading into Thursday despite being listed with a knee injury on the practice report earlier in the week. Jeudy's performance last week was certainly encouraging but the prohibitive matchup in Week 12 does not set up for a likely encore. That being said, Jeudy is still worth plugging into fantasy lineups as a WR3 this week.

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Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston has passed for at least 334 yards and two touchdowns in two of his past three starts. He will look to stay productive at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12's Thursday night game. The Steelers' tough defense represents a difficult matchup for Winston as they are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. A weather forecast that calls for rain and cold also doesn't bode well for Winston's game. Fantasy gamers should treat him as a low-end QB2 for Week 12.

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Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb has been held to just 163 rushing yards and one touchdown on 53 carries through four games this season. He will look to break out at home against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 12's Thursday night game. The Steelers have been a difficult matchup for opposing running backs this season as they are allowing the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Chubb should continue to see the majority of the carries for the Browns but he may struggle to find much room to operate against Pittsburgh. Fantasy gamers should treat him as a mid-range RB3/flex option heading into Week 12.

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Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (groin) missed another practice on Wednesday as the club begins preparing for their Week 12 tilt against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. In addition, Brady Russell (foot) was a DNP. Fant suffered a groin injury the day before Halloween and missed games in Weeks 9 and 11 (Seattle had a bye in Week 10). Unless the 27-year-old is able to make progress in two practices to close out the week, he figures to be in line to miss a third straight game. If that happens, rookie AJ Barner will represent a low-end TE2 sleeper for the third straight week. The 22-year-old fourth-round selection out of Michigan earlier this year has caught six passes on 11 targets for 42 yards and no touchdowns the last two games with Fant sidelined. Barner's lone TD pass of his rookie season came back in the Week 4 loss to the Detroit Lions.

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Pittsburgh Steelers kicker Chris Boswell is coming off a stellar performance in Week 11 and will hope to pick up right where he left off against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12. Boswell has been the most reliable fantasy scorer at his position this season, having made 29 of his 30 field goal attempts and all 20 of his extra-point tries. This is an especially appealing spot for Boswell, not only because the Browns surrender the 13th-most fantasy points per contest to kickers, but also because of the game environment many are expecting on Thursday night. This AFC North showdown is projected to be a defensive battle with touchdowns coming at a premium. Even with the possibility of harsh weather conditions in Cleveland, fantasy managers can lock Boswell into starting lineups.

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