Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has been sidelined for multiple weeks with a knee injury, but he got in three full practices this week and will return to face the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day. The last time we saw Pacheco on the field was in Week 8 against the Washington Commanders. In that game, Pacheco was the team's leading rusher with 12 carries for 58 yards. The 26-year-old seemed to be carving out a larger role in the backfield before he went down to injury, so it will be interesting to see how involved he is on Thursday. Pacheco will take on the Cowboys, who have allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs this season. That statistic may be encouraging, but it is worth noting that Dallas acquired star DT Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline, and his impact cannot be overlooked. Kareem Hunt handled the lion's share of opportunities in Pacheco's absence, carrying the ball 30 times in last week's win over the Colts. It is unclear if fantasy managers will be able to trust Pacheco in his first game back, but this Thanksgiving matchup is tied for the highest total of the week, meaning there should be plenty of points scored. Pacheco is ranked RB39 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a RB3/Flex option this week.

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The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, battled back from an 11-point deficit to defeat the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12, and he will look to carry that momentum in their Thanksgiving matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. Mahomes completed 29 of 46 pass attempts (63%) for 352 yards and zero touchdowns. The superstar quarterback did not find the endzone through the air or on the ground while also taking four sacks and throwing an interception. It was a mixed bag for Mahomes because he set a new season-high in passing yardage, but he finished with zero touchdowns for the second time this year. Both of his zero-touchdown games have come in the past three contests, which is discouraging for fantasy managers, but he could turn it around this week. The Chiefs take on the Cowboys, who have given up the most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season. Mahomes was listed on the injury report with a groin injury, but practiced in full all week and does not have an injury designation for Thursday's game. Mahomes is ranked QB1 in our RotoBaller rankings, meaning that fantasy managers can feel confident with him in their starting lineups.

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Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver D.K. Metcalf (ankle) was listed as a DNP for Wednesday's practice session, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Head coach Mike Tomlin said that Metcalf will be limited in practice early in the week, but he opens this week as a non-participant. The 27-year-old injured his ankle during Pittsburgh's Week 12 loss at the Chicago Bears, but was able to return to the game and finished with five receptions for 22 yards on eight targets. The former Seattle Seahawk has had a decent season in his first season with the Steelers, totaling 42 receptions (70 targets) for 573 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games, ranking as the WR24 in PPR points per game (12.4). Metcalf's status for Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills will be updated as the week goes along.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (groin) was listed as limited in Wednesday's practice, according to the team's official website. For the second straight day, Barkley was a limited participant as he manages a groin injury that he initially tweaked during the Eagles' Week 8 win over the New York Giants. The star running back hasn't missed any time because of the injury, but it's something that he and the team are managing on a short practice week as the Eagles host the Chicago Bears on Black Friday. Barkley should be good to go for that game and could clear the injury report by Thursday. It's been a disappointing season for the 28-year-old after his historic 2024 campaign, and he is coming off his worst rushing performance of the season in Week 12 against the Cowboys, rushing for just 22 yards on 10 carries, but added seven catches (eight targets) for 52 yards as a receiver. Tank Bigsby would be in line for a bigger role if Barkley were to miss Friday's matchup.

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Even though Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (concussion) was able to participate in a limited practice on Wednesday, rookie Max Brosmer took all of the first-team reps, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. McCarthy came down with a concussion in the Week 12 loss to the Green Bay Packers and is not expected to play in this week's game in Seattle against the Seahawks, so the Vikings are preparing Brosmer to make the first start of his career. The undrafted free-agent rookie QB will be thrown to the wolves on the road this Sunday against a strong Seahawks defense, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect a whole lot from the Vikings' offense. McCarthy has been extremely inconsistent in his first year of NFL action, but Brosmer won't necessarily be an upgrade. The 24-year-old has gone just 5-for-8 passing for 42 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in parts of three games played in 2025.

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The San Francisco 49ers will not open the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk (knee) this week, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. The same goes for fellow wideout Jacob Cowing (hamstring). A report surfaced last week that the 49ers voided guarantees in Aiyuk's four-year contract extension, which could lead to the 27-year-old former first-rounder sitting out the entire 2025 campaign. If that happens, the 49ers would likely release him at season's end. Fantasy managers who have been stashing Aiyuk all season long might not get to use him at all. It's good news for the rest-of-season outlooks for both Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall, as well as tight end George Kittle. Aiyuk has been recovering from his season-ending injury last year, in which he tore both his ACL and MCL.

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The Green Bay Packers are listing rookie first-round wide receiver Matthew Golden (wrist) as questionable for Thursday's game against the division-rival Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Golden missed last week's win over the Minnesota Vikings with shoulder and wrist injuries. The 22-year-old is past his shoulder injury, but he's still up in the air to play in Week 13 after being limited in practice this week. The Packers will not welcome Jayden Reed (foot, shoulder) back from Injured Reserve this week, but even if Golden is cleared to play against the Lions, he'll be hard to trust in a WR4/flex spot by fantasy managers. Golden has yet to display the form he showed in training camp and the preseason, and he has only 24 catches for 286 yards and no touchdowns in his first nine games in a crowded Packers' receiving corps.

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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (elbow) was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice, according to the team. Allen is listed with a right-elbow injury on the Week 13 injury report, but he should be fine to play this weekend against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 29-year-old had his left shoulder examined by trainers in last Thursday night's loss to the Houston Texans in a game in which he was constantly being hit and sacked by the No. 1 defense in the league. Allen was also seen shaking his right hand, but he assured us after the game that everything was fine. He scored a whopping six touchdowns (three passing, three rushing) in Week 11, but then laid an egg last week with zero touchdowns. He should be able to bounce back against Pittsburgh this weekend, but it sure would be nice if he could get tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) and receiver Keon Coleman back.

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Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (knee) has no injury designation for Thursday's divisional clash against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving and is good to go, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jacobs was held out of the Week 12 win over the Minnesota Vikings after suffering a minor knee contusion in the Week 11 win over the New York Giants. The 27-year-old star RB is back after a one-game absence and will be looking to start a new touchdown streak. He has 11 rushing touchdowns in 10 games played this year and entered Week 11 with touchdowns in six straight games before injuring his knee. In the Week 1 win over Detroit, Jacobs had 19 carries for 66 yards and one touchdown. Even though backup Emanuel Wilson had over 100 rushing yards and two scores last week, all signs point to Jacobs returning to his workhorse role in Detroit.

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Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman hinted that rookie first-round running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) could split backfield touches with Kimani Vidal when he returns from Injured Reserve, according to Alex Insdorf. "We'll play that one by ear. I feel really good about both of them. I'm sure you'll see some sort of 1-2 punch there," Roman said when asked about Hampton's snap numbers with Vidal also in the fold. The 22-year-old Hampton is hoping to come off IR to play in Week 13 against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders, but nothing is official. If Hampton does return this Sunday, it sounds like he could see more of a timeshare in L.A.'s backfield, at least as the Bolts work him back into the fold for the first time since he injured his ankle in Week 5. Hampton will be a lot more volatile in fantasy football lineups if he's back on Sunday, even in a plus matchup, but eventually, he should regain lead-back duties for the Chargers by season's end.

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The Cincinnati Bengals announced on Wednesday that they officially activated quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) from Injured Reserve, and he will make his return on Thursday against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving Day. Burrow has finally recovered from surgery to fix a turf-toe injury that he suffered in Week 2. The 28-year-old franchise QB was very close to returning last weekend, but he was held out of the Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots. Cincy's offense will receive a big boost as they look to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Burrow has been practicing in full and will take on a Ravens defense that has been much better of late as they have gotten healthier. He will be without receiver Tee Higgins (concussion), but All-Pro wideout Ja'Marr Chase is returning from a one-game suspension. Even with the long layoff, Burrow will be in play as at least a low-end QB1 option for fantasy managers in his return.

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (foot, shoulder) was not activated from injured reserve on Wednesday and has been ruled out for Thursday's matchup against the Detroit Lions, according to Matt Schneidman of The Athletic. Head coach Matt LaFleur refused to rule out Reed for the Thanksgiving game earlier in the week, saying "you'll find out Thursday," but the third-year wideout's return will wait at least another week. The 25-year-old practiced for the first time last Friday since suffering a broken collarbone during Green Bay's Week 2 win over the Washington Commanders. He was also limited on Monday and Tuesday this week, and should have a good chance of returning in Week 14 against the Chicago Bears.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard compared the workload for running back Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) in his potential Week 13 return to how the team handled wide receiver Chris Godwin in his return against the Rams last week, Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com reports. Godwin was limited in Week 12, playing just 25 of 70 offensive snaps (36%). Irving has missed seven straight games after suffering injuries to both his foot and shoulder in Week 4 against the Philadelphia Eagles, but looked "fine" in practice Wednesday and is expected to play in Week 13 against the Arizona Cardinals. The second-year back will operate as part of a committee, with Sean Tucker and Rachaad White to stay involved. Irving's expected return is a great sign for his fantasy managers, but on a snap count, expectations should be tempered.

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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) is practicing on Wednesday and continues to take steps toward being cleared from concussion protocol this week, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2. Stroud has missed three consecutive games since taking a shot to the head during Houston's Week 9 loss to the Denver Broncos. The third-year quarterback remained in concussion protocol to begin the week, but the Texans are hopeful that he will return in Week 13 for a big divisional matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. Stroud was playing well before going down, throwing for 318 yards in Week 8 against the 49ers, his first 300-yard game since Week 5 of last season. He would be back in play as a potential streamer in Week 13 if he is able to play.

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Arizona Cardinals running back Trey Benson (knee) was seen participating in Wednesday's practice session, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. The Cardinals opened Benson's 21-day practice window last week, and he was limited in practice every day before ultimately being ruled out for Week 12. Head coach Jonathan Gannon did not have an update on the second-year back's status for Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, so his chances of returning are still up in the air. The Arizona backfield continues to be a headache for fantasy managers and is also riddled with injury, as Emari Demercado (ankle) missed Week 12, and Bam Knight was on the injury report last week with an ankle injury as well. There should be more word on Benson's game status in the coming days, and he remains a solid stash for his eventual return.

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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendix) was back at practice on Wednesday after missing the last two games due to appendix surgery, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Harrison should have a good chance to return to action in Week 13 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, assuming everything goes well in practice this week. His status will continue to be monitored in the next two days. Michael Wilson has emerged as a fantasy stud during Harrison's absence, recording a whopping 25 receptions for 303 yards on 33 targets in the past two games. Wilson should continue to get more opportunities, which creates an interesting conversation about what Harrison's fantasy value could look like when he returns. There has been plenty of pass volume in Arizona with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, so Harrison could still be relied on as a WR3 in Week 13.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (chest, shoulder) is missing a second straight day of practice on Wednesday with chest and shoulder injuries, according to Jeff Neiburg of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Smith played 95% of the offensive snaps in the Week 12 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and caught six of his 11 targets for 89 yards in a busy day, but he's now in danger of sitting out on a short week this Friday against the Chicago Bears. The 27-year-old will need to get back on the practice field on Thursday to have a shot at playing in Week 13. If Smith is inactive or limited at all this week, A.J. Brown figures to be peppered with targets. Tight end Dallas Goedert would also have a much higher fantasy ceiling. Jahan Dotson would most likely operate as the team's WR2.

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The Seattle Seahawks are signing free-agent running back Cam Akers to their active 53-man roster on Wednesday, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Akers, 26, spent time with the Minnesota Vikings this season and will now join the 8-3 Seahawks for RB depth. The Seahawks are facing the Vikings in Week 13 this Sunday. Akers appeared in only three games for Minnesota this year, carrying the ball five times for 19 yards while also completing a 32-yard pass on a trick play. The six-year NFL veteran will give Seattle some more backfield depth, with George Holani (hamstring) a candidate to land on Injured Reserve. Akers probably won't have any fantasy value as long as both Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet stay healthy.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Wednesday that quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will get most of the practice reps this week to prepare him in case Baker Mayfield (shoulder) is unable to play on Sunday against the visiting Arizona Cardinals, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Mayfield has a chance to play in Week 13 after suffering a mild AC joint sprain in his left (non-throwing) shoulder in the Sunday night loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but nothing is certain. The 33-year-old Bridgewater went 8-for-15 passing for 62 yards after taking over for the injured Mayfield on Sunday. He'll have a much better matchup against Arizona with time to prepare this weekend if he makes his first start of the season, but Bridgewater should still be considered a low-upside QB2 streamer, at best, in superflex leagues if he gets the nod.

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Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said on Wednesday that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) had successful surgery on his knee on Tuesday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Penix had full reconstructive surgery to fix a partially torn ACL in his left knee, which will keep him out for the rest of this season and possibly for the start of the 2026 season next fall. The 25-year-old second-year signal-caller is facing a nine-month recovery, which will force Atlanta to rethink its long-term plan at the QB position this offseason. This is Penix's third ACL reconstruction in his career after he had two knee surgeries in college. Kirk Cousins will start the rest of the year under center for the Falcons, but depending on how he finishes the season, the Falcons could opt out of the final two seasons of his four-year deal.

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