Team news | Page 34

The Vikings announced that they will be activating Justin Jefferson, which is no surprise because they need to do so before his 21-day practice window closes and he becomes ineligible to return to the field at any point this season.

The Vikings have a bye this coming week, but Jefferson looks like he'll be back in action for Week 14 when they play the Raiders. As the story said, Jefferson hurt his hamstring in October and has missed the last seven games while on injured reserve. He returned to practice on November 8 and has been listed as questionable to play the last couple of weeks without being put back on the active roster.

Vikings will “evaluate” their QB position during their upcoming bye week."

Related players: Joshua Dobbs, Nick Mullens, Jaren Hall

Schefter's post went on to say after watching Dobbs throw four interceptions in the 12-10 loss to the Bears, HC Kevin O'Connell said he will spend the bye week reviewing the best path forward. “We're going to take a look and really evaluate the inventory of plays we have of Josh,” said O'Connell, who thought about making an in-game QB change. Hall is back in the fold, as is Mullens, who the team also traded for, at the time to provide a better backup option for Kirk Cousins.

Have the Chiefs finally found a go-to wide receiver for Patrick Mahomes in 2023?

Second-round rookie Rashee Rice had a proverbial breakout game on Sunday, catching eight passes for 107 yards with a touchdown.

Reid said Rice is "working to be more Patrick friendly.” Reid added that means, "being willing to fit your game into the offense’s game and how Patrick sees things. He’s done a nice job of being open that way, listening and deciphering what defenses work with what routes and how to manipulate that.” Reid added that Rice continues to get better and earning more opportunities has led to more production.

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor just recorded his first multi-touchdown game 2021 in Sunday’s victory over the Buccaneers. But now he may be sidelined as Indianapolis tries to make a playoff push.

Taylor suffered a thumb injury that requires further evaluation and puts his status in doubt going forward, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport.

Related players: Zack Moss, Trey Sermon

The good news is, Taylor sustained the injury in the first half and was able to play through the second half. He finished the game with 15 carries for 91 yards with two TDs. Owners will want to monitor his status leading up to this week's game at the Titans, which is an early contest. If Taylor can't go, Moss would likely see a bulk of the work and has proven to be pretty good as the lead back. You may want to grab Moss if he fell back on your waiver wire.

It’s time to turn to Bailey Zappe. Full stop. Give him every starter rep in practice. Build a simple offense around what he can do.

It probably won’t win a lot of games. The body of evidence we have suggests Zappe won’t be a successful NFL quarterback. But you can’t keep turning to Mac Jones. He’s broken.

Related players: Will Grier, Malik Cunningham

This is just one opinion and has nothing to do with the Patriots ultimate decision heading into Week 13. But it makes some sense. The story said with Jones on the field, it feels like the entire team is just waiting for him to make a crippling mistake. The story added the team seems to have no interest in Cunningham playing quarterback (considering the coaches have kept him from his natural WR position as much as possible). The team doesn't seem likely to turn to a QB that's still on the waiver wire, so the Pats appear ready to close out the season with one or more of the four options on their roster.

Rookie wide receiver Cedric Tillman had his best game in Denver, catching four passes for 55 yards.

Tillman and Dorian Thompson-Robinson were high school teammates, and the two got plenty of chances to build on their previous chemistry during training camp and the preseason, the story said. Tillman’s ascent is perhaps the most important development the receiving corps has seen in weeks, the story added. With DTR in doubt for this week because of a concussion, the story wondered if Tillman can continue his upswing with a new QB possibly playing this week. Tillman's five targets were a season high as well as the four catches and 55 yards. He's likely on your wire in typical leagues and may be worth a look if you're aiming to add to the position for the stretch run. However, quarterback play will likely be a big issue with Tillman and all the Brown WRs going forward.

The Browns (7-4) are fighting for a playoff spot and trying to find any real answer for their reeling offense. So, yes — full Allen Iverson voice — we’re talking about practice and specifically about the importance of maximizing their chances to build a strong game plan inside their temporary West Coast headquarters this week.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson had shown growth and an improved comfort level in Denver before suffering the concussion, but the Browns weren’t exactly lighting up the scoreboard. P.J. Walker did little in relief except turn it over and take a safety. And, frankly, the game was pretty much over by the time he could get loose. Nothing Stefanski has done or said indicates he wants to go back to Walker, but he might have to.

Related players: Joe Flacco

Flacco is the wild card. If DTR can't clear protocol, it's possible Flacco could get the start. But the bigger question is can the team get Flacco ready in time and can he quickly develop chemistry with the receivers. Flacco isn’t mobile, but he’s always had a big arm. The story said he was not in a training camp and had been at home in New Jersey awaiting the kind of call he received from the Browns. The story added Walker hasn’t been afraid to throw downfield, but he’s completing only 48.6 percent of his passes and has thrown five interceptions and just one touchdown. No matter who starts at this point, they aren't necessarily a great fantasy option in typical leagues. However in deeper, two QB or superflex leagues, there is always a need for a starting QB who may be on the waiver wire.

The Packers have used Jayden Reed in a multitude of ways — as a punt returner, on end arounds, on jet sweeps and lined up as a traditional receiver. With what he’s done in those snaps — he’s played 417, more than 59 percent of Green Bay’s offensive snaps, second-most among wide receivers — there’s enough sample size to not only back up A.J. Dillon’s claim of being similar to Randall Cobb, but wonder whether Reed can be even more impactful as he continues to grow in the Packers’ offense.

Among rookie wide receivers, Reed ranks first in rushes of at least 10 yards (four), tied for second in plays of at least 20 yards (10) and third in total touchdowns (six) and yards per catch (13.8).

It's a great story that goes into detail about Reed, his season and what his teammates think of him. As the piece went on to say, the Packers have relied heavily on Reed since Week 1 when they called his number on the second play from scrimmage of the season, returned multiple punts and tied for the team lead with five targets. Entering Week 13, he’s done nothing for that faith to wane, as he ranks second in targets (59) behind only wideout Romeo Doubs (69), second in receptions (36), first in receiving yards (497) and second in total touchdowns (six). The story pointed out Reed may be small but has strong hands and speed that pops.

Minnesota will keep using Ty Chandler in an enhanced role.

Related players: Alexander Mattison

Fowler's post went on to say the Vikings are high on Chandler's upside and explosion, once he gets pass protection down. Mattison will continue to start for Vikings, however. Last week Mattison had 18 carries for 81 yards and one reception while Chandler had 10 carries for 73 yards and four catches for 37 yards. Owners of both should probably expect a similar split against the Bears on MNF.

Coach Brandon Staley said Monday that X-rays on Quentin Johnston's ribs were returned negative, Daniel Popper of The Athletic reports.

Johnston didn't return to the field in the third quarter. Afterward, coach Brandon Staley told Jeff Miller of the Los Angeles Times that "it wasn't that [Johnston] couldn't go back in the game. We just didn't feel like... it was the right thing to go back in the game," according to the story. The story also said there's an expectation that Johnston will take part in practice this week.