Everything that happens in the NFL has additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.
Our Fantasy Football Buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the league.
Key links: Fantasy depth charts | Weekly rankings
Scoring leaders | Projections | Strength of schedule
Who got the ball Sunday?
The magic appears to be wearing off for Joe Flacco, who finished with just 9.8 fantasy points against the Steelers after scoring at least 18 in each of his previous four games with the Bengals. The performance also hurt fantasy managers with Ja’Marr Chase, who posted just 6 points and recorded his second-fewest receptions and third-fewest yards of the season. Joe Burrow returned to limited practice last week and is aiming to come back from his turf toe injury for Cincinnati’s Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Ravens. His availability will depend on how he progresses, but his return would be a major boost.
Running Backs
0:43
Could Emanuel Wilson be a prime waiver wire pickup for Week 12?
Matt Bowen breaks down Emanuel Wilson’s fantasy prospects after his performance in Week 11.
The 49ers have shifted toward a two-back committee, with Brian Robinson Jr. seeing more touches as Christian McCaffrey‘s snaps have dipped from earlier in the season. McCaffrey’s rushing inefficiency might have contributed to the shift, but he bounced back with his best rushing performance of the season, totaling 13 attempts for 81 yards (7.5 YPC) and two touchdowns, plus five receptions for 40 yards and another score. Robinson handled eight carries but managed just 24 yards. The 49ers could continue splitting touches more than before, though McCaffrey remains a must-start option. However, this also provides managers with a golden opportunity to trade him away ahead of his Week 14 bye.
With J.K. Dobbins likely to miss the remainder of the season, the Broncos shifted to RJ Harvey as their clear lead back, and he led the backfield in snaps, routes run, and touches (14) against the Chiefs. Jaleel McLaughlin was active again and saw seven touches on fewer than 10 snaps, finishing with 8.4 fantasy points thanks to a touchdown compared to Harvey’s 8.0, but his role remains limited. Harvey is the top fantasy option going forward, though Denver’s remaining schedule is one of the toughest for running backs.
Chris Rodriguez Jr. made his second consecutive start and led the Commanders’ backfield in snaps played, touches (16), rushing yards (79), and fantasy points (9.5). He looked better Sunday against the Dolphins than any other Washington running back so far this season. I expect Rodriguez will be one of the top priorities at the running back position in Eric Karabell’s waiver wire column. The Commanders are going into their bye, but they also have the fourth-easiest remaining schedule for fantasy running backs.
De’Von Achane led the Dolphins backfield in snaps played, routes run, targets (5), and fantasy points (21.5), but suffered a back injury with less than two minutes left. He was able to return to the game, which is an encouraging sign for his long-term outlook. Achane leads the league in rushing yards before contact since Week 5. As a reminder, Achane and the Dolphins have the fifth-easiest remaining schedule for a fantasy running back.
The Rams’ drive-by-drive rotation continued against the Seahawks, but Kyren Williams dominated late in the game, playing four of the final five drives and outproducing Blake Corum. Williams finished with 13 touches and 16.6 fantasy points, while Corum had nine touches and 1.5 points. Williams remains a safe fantasy starter, while Corum is only a speculative waiver add with a volatile role.
Derrick Henry delivered a solid performance with 20 touches and 20.2 fantasy points, his highest total since Week 1. However, 59 of his 103 rushing yards came on a single carry. This is a great time to trade away Henry, as the Ravens have one of the most difficult remaining schedules for a fantasy running back.
Aaron Jones Sr. led the Vikings backfield in snaps played, routes run, and touches (19), but Jordan Mason was much more efficient from a fantasy standpoint. Mason had just six rushing attempts, averaging an impressive 7.5 yards per carry, and finished with 10.5 fantasy points thanks to a rushing touchdown, while Jones ended with 11.1. This could make the Vikings backfield very fluid from a usage perspective.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary continued to operate as a committee with both handling a similar number of snaps and touches. However, Singletary has been the Giants’ preferred option in short-yardage and goal-line situations based on snaps over the last two games. Singletary finished with 17.7 fantasy points thanks to two rushing touchdowns, while Tracy finished with 17.9.
Woody Marks remained the Texans’ lead running back for a second consecutive week when looking at snaps played, routes run and touches (19) against the Titans.
Wide Receivers
1:02
Why fantasy managers should trust Tetairoa McMillan
Eric Karabell makes the case for Tetairoa McMillan to be a top-20 fantasy wide receiver.
Drake London‘s knee injury is “not believed to be overly serious” per Adam Schefter, and the receiver will undergo an MRI on Monday to determine how much time he might miss, if any. He was ruled out late against the Carolina Panthers and didn’t play in overtime, with KhaDarel Hodge replacing him. If London is sidelined, Hodge will become the Falcons’ top waiver add, and Atlanta will likely lean more on Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier and the running game against the Saints in Week 12. The Falcons used more two-back sets and fewer sets with two tight ends in the past two games.
Monitor Xavier Legette‘s hip injury, which kept him out of overtime. He briefly returned before exiting for good, and Brycen Tremayne replaced him. The Panthers stuck mostly with 11 personnel, but on the few snaps of 12 personnel, Jalen Coker stepped in. This indicates that if Legette misses time, Coker would handle both two- and three-receiver sets. Legette posted one of his best games this season with 18.3 fantasy points.
The Bills completely reshuffled their wide receiver rotation for Week 11. Keon Coleman and Elijah Moore were healthy inactives, opening the door for Joshua Palmer’s return and Gabe Davis‘ call-up from the practice squad. Buffalo rotated five receivers with Tyrell Shavers and Curtis Samuel handling most of the Z work. Shavers delivered a breakout game with 19 fantasy points and could earn a bigger role, which might reduce Coleman’s snaps when he returns.
Jakobi Meyers had an increased role in his second game with the Jaguars. He led the team in targets (6), receptions (5), and receiving yards (64) against the Chargers in a game where Travis Etienne Jr., Bhayshul Tuten and the running attack took center stage for Jacksonville. Parker Washington led the wide receiver room in snaps, with Meyers close behind. Meyers also played more snaps in three-receiver sets, matching Washington. He is likely to retain most of this playing time once Brian Thomas Jr. returns, as Thomas should siphon snaps away from Tim Patrick and Austin Trammell.
Ricky Pearsall returned for the 49ers after missing the last five games with a knee injury but finished with just three targets and 1.0 fantasy point. However, he played over 70% of the offensive snaps in both two- and three-receiver sets.
Luther Burden III played in three-receiver sets over Olamide Zaccheaus for the first time this season. It was a rough outing for the Bears’ passing game given Caleb Williams’ performance, but Burden still finished with five targets, and the only teammate with more was Rome Odunze (6).
A.J. Brown posted season highs in targets (11) and receptions (7) against the Lions, although he was held to just 4.4 yards per target. It has been a frustrating season for the veteran, but it’s worth noting that the Eagles have the third-easiest remaining schedule for fantasy wide receivers.
The Packers’ wide receiver room has been crowded all season. However, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs remained the top two options against the Giants, each playing over 70% of the offensive snaps in both two- and three-receiver sets. The duo also led the group in snaps played, routes run and targets. Watson finished with a season-high 20.6 fantasy points, while Doubs ended with 9.3.
Wan’Dale Robinson led the Giants’ receivers in snaps played, routes run and targets (9), but it was Isaiah Hodgins who led New York in receptions (5), receiving yards (57) and fantasy points (10.7). Robinson remains the Giants receiver with the most fantasy upside, but this performance solidified Hodgins’ role as the team’s No. 3 receiver once Darius Slayton returns.
Tight ends
It was an afternoon to forget for fantasy-relevant players on the Los Angeles Chargers, but there was one encouraging takeaway. Oronde Gadsden II set a new career high in offensive snaps played.
Dalton Schultz finished second on the Texans in receptions (6) and targets (9), and third in receiving yards (51). He has scored at least 11 fantasy points in three straight games, including two with backup quarterback Davis Mills. Schultz has piled up 28 targets over that span.
Tucker goes off for Bucs; Packers lose Jacobs; Ridley’s season over
0:54
Should fantasy managers look to add Sean Tucker?
Eric Karabell reacts to Sean Tucker’s big fantasy game vs. the Bills.
By Liz Loza
Sean Tucker owns the end zone Sunday
Tucker took advantage of an exploitable Buffalo Bills run defense, finding the end zone three times at Orchard Park in Week 11. Respected primarily for his between-the-tackles ability, Tucker not only logged 106 yards and two TDs on 19 rushing attempts, but he also demonstrated pass-catching finesse, ripping off a 28-yard receiving score. The effort resulted in a hefty 34 fantasy points. With Bucky Irving still sidelined, Tucker appears to have earned himself a larger role in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers backfield, registering double-digit touches in three straight games. The Buccaneers take on the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12.
Josh Jacobs exits in first half
Jacobs injured a knee in the first half of the Green Bay Packers’ seven-point win over the New York Giants on Sunday. The 27-year-old registered 40 rushing yards on seven totes before leaving. Emanuel Wilson led Green Bay’s backfield for the remainder of the contest, recording 49 scrimmage yards and a rushing score on 12 touches. Wilson figures to command a substantial amount of waiver wire interest if Jacobs misses time. Wilson is rostered in 5.9% of ESPN fantasy leagues.
Calvin Ridley suffers broken fibula, out for season
Ridley favored his right ankle as he limped off the field early in the Titans’ contest versus the Texans and was later diagnosed with a broken fibula. The veteran receiver was making his first appearance since sustaining a hamstring injury at Las Vegas in Week 6. Chimere Dike was concussed and did not return to the field in Week 11. Tennessee’s receiving corps figures to remain decidedly thin heading into next week’ s scheduled action versus the Seattle Seahawks.
Aaron Rodgers hurts left hand versus Cincinnati
Rodgers appeared to injure his left hand/wrist after being hit in the first half of the Pittsburgh Steelers’ win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Mason Rudolph took over for the 41-year-old signal-caller, completing 12 of 16 throws for 127 passing yards, 1 TD and 0 INTs. Rodgers has now posted single-digit fantasy totals in consecutive outings. The Steelers travel to Chicago in Week 12.
Bhayshul Tuten clears 13 fantasy points prior to injury
Tuten split carries evenly with Travis Etienne Jr. before being forced out of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ route of the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 11. Tuten logged 74 yards and a score on 14 rushing attempts prior to an ankle issue. Etienne finished the outing with 73 rushing yards on 19 attempts (he failed to haul in either of his aerial targets). Trevor Lawrence’s former college teammate figures to hold on to the backfield’s top spot, particularly if Tuten remains limited.
Looking ahead:
J.J. McCarthy’s efficiency woes continue in Week 11
The second-year QB completed just 50% of his passes (16-of-32 for 150 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs) in the Minnesota Vikings’ two-point loss to the Chicago Bears. McCarthy, 22, has thrown for more than 160 yards in just one game all season. He has struggled with downfield accuracy (completing 27% of passes of 10 or more yards over his past two outings) as well as when facing pressure (Chicago only pressured McCarthy on six of 32 dropbacks, but the Vikings QB was just 3-of-6 passing for 23 yards and an interception on those six pressures). The climb figures to remain uphill at Green Bay as the Packers’ defense entered Week 11 with the sixth-highest pressure rate (33%) in the NFL.
What to expect from Gadsden on Sunday following quad injury
By Stephania Bell
Oronde Gadsden II’s knee-to-knee contact with a Pittsburgh Steelers defender looked immediately painful as he reached for his left knee and limped off the field in last Sunday’s game. He was ultimately ruled out in the third quarter and had an MRI on Monday morning.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Gadsden suffered a quad bruise, a soft tissue injury with no fracture, or bone bruising. Still, the quadriceps (front of the thigh) muscle is large and has a good blood supply. That is ultimately great for tissue healing but can also mean significant bruising (bleeding) when injured.
Regaining full strength of his quad is key to helping control deceleration so as to not put his knee at risk for secondary injury. He is off the game status report, indicating that the Los Angeles Chargers expect to have him back for Sunday’s game at Jacksonville. Functionally, Gadsden does appear to have recovered quickly, as he was able to fully participate in practice Wednesday through Friday, a good sign that he should not be limited at all in his return to action.
Patriots offense runs through TreVeyon on Thursday night
By Eric Moody
TreVeyon Henderson finished Thursday night’s game against the Jets with a season-high 24 touches and a season-high 32.3 fantasy points. He became the fifth rookie this season to score three or more touchdowns in a game, the most in a single year since 2012. Henderson has been the Patriots’ top running back for the third straight week with Rhamondre Stevenson out, and he’s making a strong case for more playing time moving forward. Over that span, he has averaged 19 touches and 24.3 fantasy points per game. He next faces a Bengals defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game to running backs this season. The Patriots also have the easiest remaining schedule for fantasy running backs.
Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins saw significant increases in snaps and fantasy production with multiple Patriots receivers sidelined, each playing over 80% of the snaps and topping 60 receiving yards. Diggs had the bigger fantasy day with 11 targets and 19.5 points, his second-highest total of the season. Their roles expanded because New England leaned heavily on 11 personnel with Austin Hooper out. Once Kayshon Boutte returns, the rotation should tighten again. Now is an excellent time for managers looking to trade Diggs to do so.
Drake Maye finished with just 15.4 fantasy points in what was his lowest total since Week 4, but he remains a must-start QB1 every week. He’s completing 71.9% of his passes and averaging 8.6 air yards per attempt, making him just the second player ever to hit 70% and 8.5 AY/A through his team’s first 11 games (minimum 200 attempts), joining Peyton Manning in 2009. The growth Maye has shown this season in both fantasy and on film is real, and he’s throwing better outside the numbers thanks to Josh McDaniels’ scheme giving him clearer boundary reads and better protection, allowing him to trust his receivers and throw with earlier anticipation. Maye’s now completing a league-best 76.6% of those throws with 14 touchdowns, and the Patriots have the easiest remaining schedule for fantasy quarterbacks.
Breece Hall’s playing time has been rising, and he has now played at least 70% of the Jets’ offensive snaps in two straight games. He has also stockpiled at least 16 touches in both contests.
The Jets completely reshuffled their wide receiver rotation with Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds on injured reserve and two new trade additions. John Metchie III, Adonai Mitchell, and Isaiah Williams all saw expanded roles, with Mitchell leading the team in targets with six. New York still ranks near the bottom of the league in pass attempts per game.
Marvin Harrison Jr. out for Week 11 following appendix surgery
By Eric Moody
Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. underwent surgery this week to address appendicitis and will miss Sunday’s matchup against the 49ers, head coach Jonathan Gannon confirmed. Arizona will evaluate his recovery on a week-to-week basis, but this isn’t expected to be a long-term issue.
Harrison’s absence comes at a difficult time for the Cardinals’ offense. QB Jacoby Brissett has revived the passing attack in recent weeks, topping 19 fantasy points in four straight games with Kyler Murray still on injured reserve. However, he’ll now be without his top wide receiver, Harrison, who scored at least 14 fantasy points in back-to-back games. The Cardinals are also missing receivers Zay Jones, who tore his Achilles in Week 10, and Simi Fehoko, who was placed on IR with a wrist injury.
Fantasy managers should expect Greg Dortch to step into a full-time role, while Michael Wilson could see a modest bump in targets. TE Trey McBride remains the focal point of the passing game, and is a strong TE1 play against a 49ers defense that has struggled against tight ends recently. He’s seen at least 11 targets in three of his last four games, averaging 23.7 fantasy points per game over that span.
Through nine games, Harrison has 34 catches for 525 yards and four touchdowns, ranking second on the team in each category behind McBride. Arizona’s wide receiver depth is now paper-thin, making McBride and Wilson the primary beneficiaries for Week 11. Check out Eric Karabell’s free agent pickups to find additional receivers worth adding.
Packers’ Jacobs among fantasy’s most reliable RBs
By Tristan H. Cockcroft
He might be only the fifth best-scoring running back, whether by total or average fantasy points scored, and he plays for what has been an inconsistent Green Bay Packers offense, but Josh Jacobs has been one of the handful of supremely reliable fantasy players all year.
Along with Christian McCaffrey and De’Von Achane, Jacobs is one of three running backs to have finished among the top 25 weekly scorers at his position in every week thus far, and Jacobs and Achane are the only ones to finish 21st or better in every one of their teams’ games. Jacobs’ bye week is behind him, and while he does have a handful of tough upcoming matchups (vs. MIN, Week 12; at DET, Week 13; at DEN, Week 15; and at MIN, Week 18), he’s shaping up as one of the more reliable weekly top-10 running backs in the game.
Taylor’s is no ‘lucky’ career year
Jonathan Taylor‘s exceptional season has brought with it a good degree of luck, but luck is often necessary in such outcomes and it doesn’t always regress in-season.
With Taylor’s three touchdowns in Week 10, he has 17 for the season, for a league-leading 6.9 more touchdowns than expected. That puts him within range of the 7.0 and 6.8 differentials James Cook III and Jahmyr Gibbs had at the conclusion of last season. Cook and Gibbs are “overachieving” yet again this year, too, with 2.1 and 4.6 more touchdowns than expected so far in 2025.
It might ease your worry of a Taylor downturn to know that, from this point forward in 2024, Gibbs was the top-scoring fantasy running back and Cook the ninth-best.
Here are some other statistically-oriented insights to consider for Week 11:
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Trevor Lawrence‘s fantasy production so far this season has fallen within range of his past seasons, his 15.9-point weekly average slightly greater than his 15.2 career mark, but he appears to have been one of the more unlucky quarterbacks in doing so. His 143 total fantasy points scored are 28 beneath his expected number, easily the widest differential among the top 15 scoring quarterbacks. Lawrence fits as more of a No. 2 or superflex option rather than even a matchups-driven starter, but it’s possible, seeing that number, that he’ll register some big numbers facing plus matchups in the Tennessee Titans (Weeks 13 and 18) and New York Jets (Week 15).
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Only one non-running back has been a “start” as judged by my Consistency Ratings in every week — meaning a top-10 finisher at quarterback, tight end, kicker or team defense, or a top-25 finisher at running back or wide receiver: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who finished 25th in Week 4 but otherwise has ranked no lower than 13th in any other week. Smith-Njigba has scored a wide receiver-leading 53 more fantasy points than expected in what has been a major breakthrough campaign for him.
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Drake London has been the top-scoring wide receiver in each of the past two weeks, as well as in Week 6. His three such position-leading performances being more than anyone else besides Taylor. That more of them have come in recent weeks, in what has been a mostly inconsistent year for the Atlanta Falcons wide receiver — he has three games finishing 35th or worse at the position — offers encouragement that he can return near-top-10 positional value, at least. London has averaged 25.6 fantasy points in the past seven weeks, tops among wide receivers, and his 128.2 total points during that time ranks third behind only Smith-Njigba (139.0) and Ja’Marr Chase (137.7).
With Hunter out for the season, are there any Jaguars WRs to add?
By Eric Moody
Jacksonville WR Travis Hunter will miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery to repair the LCL in his right knee, the Jaguars announced Tuesday. The procedure did not involve his ACL, and the team expects him to return to full football activity within six months, putting him on track for training camp in 2026.
ESPN’s Michael DiRocco and Stephania Bell provided more information on the injury and what it means for Hunter and the Jaguars, so be sure to check that out.
Hunter had been developing into Jacksonville’s No. 1 receiver, using his playmaking and versatility to push past Brian Thomas Jr. on the depth chart.
With Hunter sidelined, the biggest beneficiary is Parker Washington (rostered in 16.9% of ESPN leagues). Since Hunter’s injury in Week 7, Washington has taken on a much larger role in the passing game, leading the Jaguars in targets over the past two weeks and posting 11 catches for 123 yards and a receiving touchdown during that span.
He has also played at least 80% of the offensive snaps in each of the past three games. Washington is firmly on the flex radar in deeper leagues and should be rostered in all 12-team formats or larger. He’s one of the better waiver adds available right now. Check out Eric Karabell’s free agent pickups to find additional receivers worth adding.
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