November 2015 4for4 Player News Articles

The resurgent season of running back Chris Johnson might be derailed for a bit after a helmet to the side of his left knee Sunday left him with a contusion and possible missed time. The Cardinals might also be missing backup Andre Ellington, who suffered a turf toe on the same possession as Johnson’s injury.

There is no official timetable for either’s return, coach Bruce Arians said Monday, but rookie David Johnson looks like the starter for now and “I have all the confidence in the world in him starting,” Arians said.

There is a chance the Cardinals would make a roster move later in the week to promote Kerwynn Williams from the practice squad to back up David Johnson and Stepfan Taylor. But Arians admitted he’d rather not make a move at this point, instead waiting to see how Chris Johnson and Ellington recover, the story said.

The Jacksonville Jaguars aren't ruling out receiver Allen Hurns playing against Tennessee this week because of the concussion he suffered on Sunday, but a league source described his chances of playing as being "unlikely."

It's a realistic possibility, however, that Hurns could play a week after being taken off the field on a stretcher and hospitalized briefly as a precautionary measure. He is in the NFL's concussion program and will have to pass a series of concussion tests in order to be cleared to return to practice and play.

Jaguars receiver Bryan Walters suffered a concussion in the team's victory over Baltimore on Nov. 15, cleared the concussion protocol, and played against Tennessee four days later.

The Jaguars are off on Tuesday and resume practice on Wednesday. Hurns was sitting in front of his locker talking to teammates during Monday's open locker room period, but he is prohibited from speaking to the media while he's in the NFL's concussion program, the story said.

The Patriots may have lost their first game of the season on Sunday night, but their long-term prognosis to make another deep playoff run remained intact thanks to some welcome news: the knee injury tight end Rob Gronkowski suffered late in the fourth quarter isn't nearly as serious as first suspected.

In fact, according to CBS Sports NFL Insider Jason La Canfora, Gronkowski is week to week with a bruised knee. Any absence is expected to be short term, and the tight end is expected to return within a matter of weeks barring any unforeseen complications.

Meanwhile, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Gronk won't play Sunday vs. the Eagles, and is likely to miss multiple weeks.

We're likely to see a lot of reports in terms of how long Gronkowski will be out over the next coming days. Initial reports said he could even play this week, but that's seeming less likely with every news item released. With this week being a non-conference game against the struggling Eagles, it makes a lot of sense for the Pats to hold out Gronk, especially with the possibility of Danny Amendola coming back. However, there's been nothing official from the team and we urge owners to continue to have a backup plan.

Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker both posted career-high numbers against the New York Jets on Sunday, but it was Rishard Matthews' injury that is the storyline in Miami.

Matthews took a big hit from safety Calvin Pryor in the first quarter and was unable to return after exiting with a rib injury. Matthews is the Dolphins' No. 2 wide receiver and is in the midst of a breakout season, but he may miss some time in the coming weeks.

According to Rand Getlin of NFL Network, Matthews has "multiple fractured ribs," and his timetable to return is unclear.

Matthews is second on the team in receptions (43) and receiving yards (662), only trailing Jarvis Landry in both categories. He's already set career highs in every relevant statistic, including a team-high four touchdown receptions.

Parker is expected to see more time on the field with Matthews injured. He caught four passes for 80 yards and a touchdown against the Jets on Sunday and could emerge as a weapon for Tannehill down the stretch.

The biggest question in the Broncos' near future remains Peyton Manning's health and potential return from a partially torn left plantar fascia.

The veteran quarterback visited last week in North Carolina with Dr. Robert Anderson, who recommended Manning wear a cast on his left foot for a week.

Monday, after the Broncos' recorded their second victory in Manning's absence, coach Gary Kubiak said questions remain about Manning's timetable.

"The biggest question this week is really going to be about when the cast comes off — does it come off early this week or does it come off at the end of the week?" Kubiak said. "The progress has been good. The next step, when he comes out of it, is to get back into the rehab process into the field. We'll just take it a day at a time right now."

If Manning's cast doesn't come off until later in the week, however, a return for the Broncos' Dec. 13 game against Oakland might be in jeopardy, the story said. Of course, the bigger question is do the Broncos stick with backup Brock Osweiler, who led the team to a win over New England in Week 12.

On a three-game losing streak and headed to face the 10-1 New England Patriots, Sunday, the Eagles and head coach Chip Kelly hope to have quarterback Sam Bradford back in action.

Bradford suffered both a concussion and a sprained AC join in his left shoulder during the team's 20-19 loss to the Miami Dolphins, Nov. 15. He's missed the past two games, blowout losses to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 45-17; and the Detroit Lions, 45-14.

"We'll see how he is (Tuesday) and then Wednesday will be the key day,'' Eagles head coach Chip Kelly said of Bradford, at his Monday press conference at the Nova Care Complex. "He threw a little bit in Detroit (Thanksgiving Day), but obviously wasn't ready. We hope he's progressed.''

Bradford did some limited work a week ago in preparation for the Lions game, but was among the team's inactives. Bradford had played his best football as an Eagle just before the injury. He completed 69.4 percent of his passes for 295 yards with the game-winning overtime touchdown pass for a 103.4 rating in a 33-27 win over the Dallas Cowboys. And was 19-for-25 (76 percent) for 236 yards with a touchdown and a 118.1 rating before getting hurt against the Dolphins, the story said.

The Falcons (6-5) could receive a boost when they face Tampa Bay (5-6) with the return of running back Devonta Freeman.

Freeman is expected to clear the league concussion protocol program by the middle of the week, according to Falcons coach Dan Quinn.

Great news for owners. Tevin Coleman went over 100 yards filling in for Freeman, but fumbled again.

On the heels of yet another poor offensive outing, the St. Louis Rams could have a different starting quarterback next Sunday for the third consecutive week.

With Case Keenum still dealing with a concussion that rendered him inactive for Sunday's 31-7 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, the Rams and coach Jeff Fisher turned back to Nick Foles to start at quarterback. Foles didn't fare much better than he did in the weeks before he was benched and Fisher made it clear that once Keenum is healthy again, he'll be back in the starting spot.

After a one-week hiatus, Foles stepped back into the starting lineup as Keenum was limited in practice during the week but never completely cleared the concussion protocol to get back to starting. Foles finished 30-of-46 for 228 yards with three interceptions and no touchdowns for a passer rating of 49.9.

Looking at this week's Colts snap counts sheds some real light on the diminishing role of receiver Andre Johnson.

In Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Johnson, in the first year of a three-year, $21 million contract, saw more dramatic drop-off in his involvement. Johnson was on the field for just 33 snaps, equating to 45 percent of the Colts' offensive snaps in the game.

That's a startlingly low number for a starting wide receiver, the story said. However, it's an indication the Colts recognize what they have to do to win. By comparison, Donte Moncrief played 80 percent of the snaps, while Griff Whalen played 34 percent.

Just when the Colts running back group was filled with proven contributors, the unit suffered a major blow Sunday.

Ahmad Bradshaw’s fourth-quarter wrist injury has sent the veteran running back to injured reserve for a third straight season.

On Monday, the Colts announced Bradshaw going on IR. In his spot, Zurlon Tipton re-joins the active roster.

Bradshaw played in six games this season for the Colts, once again establishing himself as a major red-zone weapon. He caught three touchdown passes in six games, while also serving as the team’s backup to Frank Gore, primarily as the team’s third-down back. Dan Herron could now seize that role. The Colts claimed Herron off waivers on Thanksgiving and he played in the final three offensive snaps of Sunday's game (all kneel downs). Herron also played 10 special teams snaps in his 2015 debut with Indy.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that TE Rob Gronkowski is unlikely to miss more than one game and might not even miss one.

With the Patriots already losing Dion Lewis (ACL) for the season, Julian Edelman (foot) for the regular season and Danny Amendola (knee) for an unknown amount of time, Tom Brady couldn't afford to lose Gronk too.

Brady might be able to get along with a patchwork wide receiver group, but he can't survive long without Gronkowski. The tight end has been the lynchpin to the Pats' offense.

Fantasy owners should probably still have a backup plan, just in case, as the Pats could decide to sit him out for safety reasons against the struggling Eagles in Week 13 - a game they should win at home.

Melvin Gordon ran far better than shown by his rushing total of 14 carries for 60 yards (4.3).

The rookie's performance was, to my eyes, tied for his best this season, matching the Week 2 showing versus the Cincinnati Bengals. He made the first man miss several times. More so than ever, it looked like he has moved on from the fumbles that set him back in October.

The story went on to say Gordon scraped up gains out of near-empty bowls. The Jaguars were quick to read and attack handoffs. Gordon was able to counter. He took the fight to defenders in his own backfield or at the line. The author still thinks Gordon can be a difference maker after the team spent three draft picks on him.

The Dolphins have parted ways with offensive coordinator Bill Lazor following Sunday's 38-20 loss to the Jets in a move that signals more widespread changes to come within the organization, according to NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport.

Zac Taylor, the team's quarterbacks coach, will take over the primary play calling for the remainder of the season, Rapoport added, per a Dolphins source.

The Dolphins have already fired coach Joe Philbin and defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle. The momentary surge felt by the promotion of interim coach Dan Campbell has all but disappeared, and Miami has lost four of their last five games to drop to 4-7.

Most concerning, the story said, is that quarterback Ryan Tannehill has struggled mightily over the last five games, logging a completion percentage just slightly above 60 percent.

Hours after the Patriots' undefeated season came to an end, the extent of Rob Gronkowski's knee injury remains unknown.

What's not: The Pats will need Scott Chandler going forward.

"We're going to need to rely on him quite a bit," Patriots quarterback Tom Brady said late Sunday. "So I think one way or another he's going to have to be a major contributor for our team. And we'll see how it goes going forward."

Chandler was targeted a team-high 11 times Sunday. He pulled in five grabs for 58 yards, 32 of which came on the final drive of regulation. He scored an early touchdown, but committed a pair of drops, too. The 6-foot-7 tight end hasn't been as heavily involved in the Pats offense as many expected. His 11 targets Sunday nearly matched his total from the previous five games. Against the Jets, Dolphins, Redskins, Giants and Bills, he was targeted only 12 times, the story said. Gronk's knee injury may not be as serious as first thought, but with Pat receivers getting hurt every week, Chandler certainly has a chance to at least but a useful, short-term pickup.

A source tells ESPN’s Adam Schefter that pending further tests the injury “doesn’t appear to be serious,” was most surprising based on how much pain Patriots TE Rob Gronkowski appeared to be in as he squirmed on the field with the medical staff checking his right knee.

When the cart came out for Gronkowski late Sunday night, it was a painful déjà vu for fantasy owners from 2013. Hopefully, the ultimate diagnosis isn’t as damaging as 2013. With the Pats returning home to play the slumping and struggling Eagles, and the dream of a perfect season gone, Gronk owners should probably come up with a backup plan for at least Week 13. The Boston Herald reported Gronkowski walked out of the Sports Authority Field at Mile High without crutches or barely even a limp. He’ll have an MRI Monday, which is the standard operation procedure for such injuries.

Tight end Heath Miller exited with a rib injury after catching 5 passes for 45 yards in the first quarter.

His return was initially called probable, but later downgraded to questionable despite returning to the field after a locker room evaluation, the story said.

Tight end Tyler Eifert got a pinched nerve in his neck when he nicked his shoulder recovering a key fumble and he was originally called probable to return.

But as the Bengals built the lead he was ruled out. He said after the game he can go next Sunday.

Good news for Eifert owners. He caught another TD in this week's victory and remains a huge target for Andy Dalton in the red zone.

After he had a season-high 86 yards rushing on 16 carries, running back Jeremy Hill left in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury, but he also said after the game he was good to go.

Hill, it was reported, was asked to step up in the run game after a private meeting, and he certainly appeared to be doing that this week before the injury. It's worth monitoring, but Hill appears good to go for Week 13.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Hurns has been released from the hospital after sustaining a concussion Sunday.

Hurns was taken off the field on a stretcher during the fourth quarter of the Jaguars’ game against the Chargers after landing hard against the ground while diving for an incomplete pass. Hurns was moving his arms while on the stretcher and gave a thumbs up as he was taken off the field.

Hurns entered Sunday with 44 catches for 716 yards and seven touchdowns. He caught four passes for 42 yards against the Charges before sustaining his injury. Bryan Walters and Marqise Lee could see more time if Hurns is unable to get back on the field by next week.

Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams left in the first half of Sunday's 30-22 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and did not return.

Williams injured his shoulder on a 2-yard run in the first quarter and immediately departed for the locker room. He had two carries for 5 yards before leaving the game.

LeSean McCoy's primary backup this season, Williams was averaging 5.8 yards per carry entering Sunday's game. He scored a touchdown in each of his first six career games. Anthony Dixon is next up on the depth chart.

Cardinals RB Chris Johnson walked to the locker room escorted by team trainers about midway through the third quarter because of a knee injury.

Doctors were also examining running back Andre Ellington on the sideline because of a foot injury.

Those still owning David Johnson may finally get to cash in on their stash. However, it remains to be seen if Chris Johnson and Ellington have to miss time. David Johnson's fantasy value would go up if one of Chris Johnson or Ellington miss Week 13, but perhaps especially Chris Johnson as David Johnson could get a bulk of the early down work.

The end of Ben Roethlisberger's fascinating performance in Seattle ended with an injury scare. We'll have to see if the injury remains a story for the Steelers moving forward.

Roethlisberger left Sunday's loss to the Seahawks with just over two minutes remaining to undergo the concussion protocol. He left to go the locker room after suffering the injury. It's unclear which play caused the injury, but Roethlisberger's final snap of the afternoon was a failed run on third-and-goal by Big Ben.

Now 6-5, the Steelers have to deal with more injury questions at quarterback. Pittsburgh hosts the Colts next week before a big game in Cincinnati. The Steelers are currently tied for the AFC's last wild card spot, but are currently on the outside looking in. Roethlisberger last had a recorded concussion in 2009. Landry Jones finished the game and would likely start if Ben can't play next week.

Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham suffered a torn patellar tendon in Seattle's win over the Steelers and did not return to Seattle's thrilling 39-30 win. The injury will require surgery, coach Pete Carroll told reporters.

Graham was carted off in the fourth quarter with an air cast on his right leg after coming down awkwardly on a jump ball in the end zone.

It's been a rough first season in Seattle for Graham; the tight end is averaging just over four catches per game and has totaled two touchdowns in 10 games. Graham was having possibly his best outing of the season against Pittsburgh, which included a momentum-swinging 36-yard grab in the third quarter just two drives before his injury. Graham left with four catches for 75 yards.

As the story said, it's never a good sign when a player gets carted off with an air cast on -- a precaution typically used to prevent a serious injury from worsening. How long Graham will be out remains to be seen, but his absence on the streaking Seahawks' offense will be missed. Luke Willson would fill in for Graham but hasn't been used a whole lot this season catching 11 balls for 140 yards and a TD before this week.

Patriots Inactives
Danny Amendola WR
Justin Coleman CB
Jamie Collins LB
Julian Edelman WR
Trey Flowers DE
Jordan Richards SS
Michael Williams TE

Keshawn Martin is a bit of a risky play but could get WR2 targets tonight with both Edelman and Amendola out. He's certainly a guy to keep an eye on to see how involved he is in the offense. Chris Harper could also factor in.

Cardinals Inactives
Matt Barkley QB
Jonathan Cooper G
D.J. Humphries OT
Cory Redding DE
Shaquille Riddick LB
Frostee Rucker DE
Ed Stinson DT

Michael Floyd (hamstring) is active in a very good matchup against the 49ers. Floyd was starting to put things together before missing last week's game.

RAVENS at BROWNS

RAVENS
DOUBTFUL
WR Marlon Brown (back), TE Chase Ford (shoulder), T Eugene Monroe (shoulder), G Kelechi Osemele (knee)

QUESTIONABLE
CB Shareece Wright (back)

PROBABLE
TE Nick Boyle (foot)

BROWNS
OUT
WR Taylor Gabriel (concussion), CB Joe Haden (concussion), WR Andrew Hawkins (concussion), DE Randy Starks (knee)

QUESTIONABLE
G Joel Bitonio (ankle), LB Nate Orchard (groin)

PROBABLE
QB Johnny Manziel (right elbow), QB Josh McCown (ribs), S Donte Whitner (concussion)

More and more, the Seattle Seahawks are having cornerback Richard Sherman shadow the opposing team's top wide receiver.

So when the Seahawks take on the Steelers on Sunday, Pittsburgh expects Sherman to move all over the field with No. 1 receiver Antonio Brown.

"I would anticipate Richard to follow AB," QB Ben Roethlisberger said, per ESPN.com. "If you consider AB the best, which we do, and I think they probably consider him one of the best. We consider Richard to be one of the best in the business. We would expect that matchup."

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was asked whether that would indeed be the case. "I don't know about that," he said. "I'll have to gauge my temptations."

After not doing it at all during the first four weeks of the season, Sherman has shadowed Torrey Smith (twice), A.J. Green, and Dez Bryant over the last six games. Big Ben and Brown obviously have a great connection but Sherman on Brown may put a dent in Brown's fantasy potential. It very well could mean Martavis Bryant gets a little more room.

Brock Osweiler is under center and Gary Kubiak is running his preferred set of play calls, which means the tight end is more heavily involved in Denver.

In Osweiler's first start last week, tight ends Owen Daniels and Vernon Davis were the Broncos' two leading receivers, combining for 10 caches and 137 yards.

Davis caught a team-high six passes from Osweiler after snagging just two in his previous two games with the Broncos. The tight end said his rapport with the young quarterback was on point from his first practice in Denver.

"Sometimes it takes awhile to get on the same page and develop that chemistry with a quarterback," Davis said, via the Denver Post. "But with this guy, it's like we connected from Day One."

Denver acquired Davis at the trade deadline to help replace the production lost when Julius Thomas left for Jacksonville. With Osweiler physically able to perform Kubiak's bootleg-action plays, tight ends will have a bigger role in the coming weeks, the story said. We thought it could take some time, but Davis is certainly someone to monitor if you're looking for help at the TE position.

It sounds as if the Giants are looking more at their running backs than the offensive line for their run game failures. McAdoo made it clear that he's looking for significantly more from his runners.

Even when there isn't much room to run, he expects them to gain more yards. When they're in 1-on-1 situations, they need to beat their defenders more frequently. When their is contact, they need to fall forward for a few more yards. Each every one of them is valuable.

The Giants are rotating four backs – Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams, Shane Vereen and Orleans Darkwa. As a group and individually, McAdoo wants to see more.

"For the backs, the biggest thing for the backs is they need to be aware of the situation," McAdoo said. "When there's one yard to go, they need to get that yard on third and one. When you get 1-on-1 with a safety, we expect our backs to beat that safety and take one the distance, and we haven't done that yet and it's a challenge on them to do that. We expect them to do it and we count on them to do it."

The article considers this a challenge, which means the team may be looking for someone to step up and claim a bigger role. Vereen's role seems pretty set as the third down back, but Jennings, Darkwa and Williams look like they are battling it out for more early down work. Until someone does step up, this is a fantasy situation to avoid outside of Vereen in PPR leagues.

Monday Night Football will feature a clash of quarterbacks Josh McCown and Matt Schaub.

Get excited, people!

Schaub will start his first game since 2013 -- he's lost each of his last six games as a starting quarterback. Despite the physical limitations of the weak-armed, 34-year-old passer, offensive coordinator Marc Trestman insists the Ravens won't adjust their offense much.

"We haven't tried to limit the offense or do any less than we've been doing. We're going to gear things towards what we've been doing and what Matt's familiar with," Trestman said on Friday, via CSN Mid-Atlantic.

Despite what Trestman says, it's going to be hard to trust anyone in the Raven's offense at this point with no Joe Flacco, Justin Forsett or Steve L. Smith in the lineup.

Another week, another key offensive weapon is out for the Patriots.

Tom Curran of CSN New England, confirming a report from Steve Burton of WBZ, says that receiver Danny Amendola won’t play on Sunday night in Denver.

If, as expected, Amendola doesn’t travel to Colorado, the Patriots will be (or at least should be) issuing an updated injury report downgrading Amendola from questionable to out.

Amendola injured his knee on Monday night against the Bills. He had become the primary replacement for Julian Edelman, who had broken a bone in his foot the prior Sunday against the Giants. A week before that, the Patriots lost running back Dion Lewis for the year with a torn ACL.

The Patriots also recently put receiver Aaron Dobson on injured reserve, leaving them very thin at the position. Brandon LaFell looks to be Tom Brady's top targets in Week 12, and it could also mean we see more Keshawn Martin, but Martin has been inactive in recent weeks. Chris Harper and Matt Slater are next up on the depth chart.

Bears Inactives

Nick Becton OT
Martellus Bennett TE
Ka'Deem Carey RB
Jacoby Glenn CB
Antrel Rolle SS
Eddie Royal WR
Will Sutton DE

Matt Forte is active and is expected to start against the Packers, though he's likely to split touches with Jeremy Langford. Alshon Jeffery is also active, though he may not be close to 100%.

Panthers Inactives

Danny Aiken LS
Cameron Artis-Payne RB
Corey Brown WR
Ryan Delaire DE
Kevin Norwood WR
Charles Tillman CB
Brandon Wegher RB

With Brown inactive, Devin Funchess is a Sneaky Start against the Cowboys.

Lions Inactives

Jermelle Cudjo DT
Isaiah Johnson DB
T.J. Jones WR
Corey Robinson OT
LaAdrian Waddle T
Gabe Wright DT
Timothy Wright TE

It didn't seem like Johnson was truly in danger of missing this game, though he was probable heading into Week 11, so there's a possibility that he's had a setback with the ankle. The matchup against the Eagles doesn't get much better, however.

Eagles Inactives

Brandon Bair DE
Sam Bradford QB
Zach Ertz TE
Tanner Hawkinson OT
Jonathan Krause WR
Ryan Mathews RB
Denzel Rice DB

With Zach Ertz and Ryan Mathews out, Brent Celek and Darren Sproles both get a bump. Celek is a top 10 play this week in a nice matchup. Mark Sanchez is a decent streaming option, though the Lions defense has played much better in the last three games.

After running just 11 times in his first six games, Titans rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota has run a combined 10 times in his last two games.

Look for the more mobile Mariota trend to continue, according to Titans interim coach Mike Mularkey.

“We’re tinkering a little more with his running ability,” Mularkey said. “As he’s gotten healthier, we’ve put more things in there that has given him the (ability to) run. It doesn’t mean he’s going to, but it gives him the opportunity to run.

“I like to see that if it is a breakdown (in a play), he’s got to get out of the pocket. That’s some of the things you’re seeing some of the other guys do. (Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles) has had a lot of success making plays out of the pocket. So we could see that the next six weeks.”

Mariota flashed his running ability against Buffalo (5-49) in Week 5, but prior to the last two weeks, he only had six rushes in the other five games. Over the last two weeks he has run the ball 10 times for 53 yards and a touchdown, but has failed to throw a touchdown pass. If Mariota can consistently run the ball, it will raise his week-to-week floor as a fantasy quarterback.

Ian Rapoport says that Matt Forte will be the starter in name only, since the Bears see Jeremy Langford "as more explosive."

Langford is only averaging 3.2 YPC compared to Forte's 4.0, but the rookie has made some big plays in the passing game. Forte should still be startable, but is not the bankable RB1 that he once was.

Carolina Panthers

DOUBTFUL
CB Charles Tillman (knee)

QUESTIONABLE
WR Corey Brown (shoulder)

PROBABLE
DT Dwan Edwards (ankle), WR Ted Ginn (knee), LS J.J. Jansen (head), G Andrew Norwell (hamstring)

Dallas Cowboys

OUT
CB Morris Claiborne (hamstring, ankle), DE Ryan Russell (abdomen)

PROBABLE
WR Dez Bryant (foot, knee), WR Brice Butler (hamstring), CB Brandon Carr (shoulder), S Barry Church (ankle), DT Nick Hayden (ankle), S Jeff Heath (shoulder), LB Anthony Hitchens (ankle), CB Byron Jones (ankle), DE Demarcus Lawrence (back), LB Rolando McClain (foot), RB Darren McFadden (groin), QB Tony Romo (back, left shoulder), LB Kyle Wilber (toe)

Philadelphia Eagles

OUT
TE Zach Ertz (concussion), RB Ryan Mathews (concussion, groin)

QUESTIONABLE
QB Sam Bradford (concussion, left shoulder), C Jason Kelce (knee), T Jason Peters (back)

PROBABLE
LB Kiko Alonso (ankle), LB Connor Barwin (quadricep), LB DeMeco Ryans (hamstring), DE Cedric Thornton (ankle), S Walter Thurmond (hamstring)

Detroit Lions

QUESTIONABLE
S Don Carey (back), WR Calvin Johnson (ankle), DT Caraun Reid (ankle), CB Darius Slay (neck), DT Gabe Wright (ankle)

PROBABLE
CB Crezdon Butler (teeth), TE Eric Ebron (quadricep, hand)

Chicago Bears

OUT
TE Martellus Bennett (ribs), RB Ka'Deem Carey (concussion), WR Eddie Royal (knee)

QUESTIONABLE
RB Matt Forte (knee), WR Alshon Jeffery (groin), S Sherrod Martin (neck), LB Pernell McPhee (knee), LB LaRoy Reynolds (knee), S Antrel Rolle (knee)

Green Bay Packers

OUT
WR Jared Abbrederis (rib, chest), WR Ty Montgomery (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE
S Micah Hyde (hip), C Corey Linsley (ankle), DE Mike Pennel (quadricep), CB Damarious Randall (hamstring)

PROBABLE
WR Davante Adams (ankle), T David Bakhtiari (knee), T Bryan Bulaga (knee), S Morgan Burnett (ankle), LB Jay Elliott (ankle), RB Eddie Lacy (ankle), G T.J. Lang (shoulder), LB Clay Matthews (ankle, knee), RB Aaron Ripkowski (ankle), G Josh Sitton (knee)

For the Panthers, if Corey Brown is out, then Devin Funchess figures to be a Sneaky Start once again. With Zach Ertz and Ryan Mathews out, Brent Celek and Darren Sproles both get a bump. Celek is a top 10 play this week in a nice matchup with the Lions. Calvin Johnson is questionable but is expected to play. With Martellus Bennett sidelined, Zachary Miller is also a Sneaky Start at the tight end position. He has been very involved the last few weeks and the Packers just gave up a boatload of fantasy points to Kyle Rudolph last week. Alshon Jeffery and Matt Forte are both expected to play, but the Bears have been very devious when it comes to handing out injury information. Don't be shocked if either is inactive on Thursday evening. If they both return, it will obviously put a dent in the upside of Marquess Wilson and Jeremy Langford, respectively.

St. Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey was in critical but stable condition early Wednesday morning after being shot twice in the head in Miami, according to multiple reports.

Bailey was shot twice in the head while sitting in a car Tuesday evening, NFL Media's Ian Rapoport reported. His injuries were not considered life-threatening, according to NFL Media's Mike Silver.

Bailey was shot while serving a four-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch is set to have surgery on his sports hernia tomorrow morning, source said. Expected to be out about a month.

This effectively knocks Lynch out for the rest of the fantasy season, though we would hold for now until the dust settles. If he misses four weeks, he could be back in Week 16 for a matchup with the Rams, but the Seahawks will likely play it safe if the team is in the playoff hunt so they can have a healthy Lynch for the postseason. Thomas Rawls is a top 10 back for the remainder of the season.

Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning is expected to miss at least the next two weeks as he continues his recovery from a plantar fascia tear.

Following a Monday consultation with noted foot and ankle specialist Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, N.C., it was recommended that Manning spend at least the next week in a walking cast. After the cast is removed, he will begin additional rehabilitation on his injured foot, the story said. Brock Osweiler will start in place of Manning.

Count rookie receiver Willie Snead among the New Orleans Saints players to feel refreshed this week after the bye.

Snead had dealt with a knee issue that limited him in practices before their most recent game Nov. 15.

"I feel amazing," Snead said Tuesday during the team turkey drive at the Dryades YMCA. "I feel really good. I feel ready to go on Sunday."

Back in Week 10, in the Saints blow out loss to Washington, Snead played on 67-percent of the snaps but didn't see a target against Washington.

Patriots third-year receiver Aaron Dobson left Monday night with an ankle injury.

According to The Herald's Jeff Howe, Dobson's X-rays came back clean, but the team is awaiting more information from the MRI.

Dobson's status for Week 12 is certainly up in the air at this point. It's a Sunday night game at Denver and this is likely headed to a game-time call at best. Danny Amendola has a knee sprain and his status is up in the air as well. Keshawn Martin was inactive last week, so outside of Brandon LaFell, the Pat WRs are big question marks.

After losing key offensive players in back-to-back weeks, the New England Patriots can exhale on Tuesday afternoon.

Danny Amendola's knee injury won't sideline him for an extended period, according to CSNNE's Tom E. Curran.

Curran reports that Amendola suffered a knee sprain. His availability for Sunday night's showdown in Denver will depend on how he responds to treatment and how much his workload increases throughout the week.

Third-year receiver Aaron Dobson left with an ankle injury. According to The Herald's Jeff Howe, Dobson's X-rays came back clean, but the team is awaiting more information from the MRI.

Amendola was the team's go-to receiver Monday night in Julian Edelman's absence. He caught nine passes for 117 yards before exiting in the third quarter with the knee injury. Sounds like he's headed for a game-time call on what is a Sunday night game at Denver. Owners will likely need to have a backup plan in place if counting on Amendola.

Buffalo Bills coach Rex Ryan expects quarterback Tyrod Taylor to be able to play Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs despite a right shoulder injury that Taylor suffered late in Monday night's loss to the New England Patriots.

"We all know it’s a right shoulder thing," Ryan told WGR 550 in Buffalo on Tuesday afternoon. "I don’t know the particulars of what they call things or whatever. If we had the technical terms on it, you guys wouldn’t know it either. We’ll see how the week progresses how everything goes, but I think he’ll be ready to roll."

Ryan was ready to replace Taylor with backup E.J. Manuel on Monday, but Taylor told the Bills' coach that he was healthy enough to remain in the game.

Lock it in: Bears running back Matt Forte will be back in action Thursday night in Green Bay, returning after a three-game absence caused by a medial collateral ligament sprain in his right knee.

Alshon Jeffery? He’s also hopeful to face the Packers, but still not certain if he’ll be available Thanksgiving night as he continues working through groin and shoulder injuries.

“We’re going to see on Thursday,” Jeffery said.

Offensive coordinator Adam Gase is certainly eager to have a full complement of weapons available to him again. Gase and the Bears’ offense have only had their top three playmakers – Forte, Jeffery and quarterback Jay Cutler – together for three games this season, left to adapt and reinvent itself on a week by week basis.

Forte’s return , Gase said, will be an obvious bonus to a running attack that averaged just 3.4 yards per attempt in Sunday’s loss to the Broncos.

Sounds like Jeffery will be a game-time call, but Forte's presence puts a fantasy hit on Jeremy Langford's value. Before dumping Langford, owners may want to see how the workload is split first, at least for a week. Langford has earned more time but it remains to be seen just how much with Forte active.

Johnny Manziel's reign as Browns starting quarterback is over.

Just a short time after it began, head coach Mike Pettine took exception to a series of photos and videos that surfaced of Manziel allegedly partying during the Browns' bye week last week. The various media, which show Manziel wielding a champagne bottle just months after completing rehab, frustrated his head coach to a point that could seriously alter the Browns' future.

When asked about the photos on Tuesday, Pettine said he was considering a benching. By late afternoon, he made it official, and dropped Manziel all the way to No. 3.

"Josh McCown will be the starting quarterback on Monday night against the Ravens," Pettine said in a statement released by the team. "I informed the quarterbacks of that decision after I sat down and spoke with Johnny, Flip (John DeFilippo) and Kevin (O'Connell) after practice today. Johnny will be the third quarterback. I've spoken to Ray (Farmer) and Jimmy (Haslam) to inform them of my decision, and they are in full support."

It will be interesting to see if the team goes back to Manziel after this week. He was coming off perhaps his best game in Week 10 against the Steelers. This was supposed to be a rest-of-year audition to see what he could do, but it didn't last long. Pettine only mentioned McCown starting Week 12 so it's possible this is yet another attempt to get through to Manziel, who can't seem to stay out of trouble.

Johnny Manziel may have partied his way out of a starting job.

Browns coach Mike Pettine expressed Tuesday that he's disappointed with Manziel's off-field behavior and would not guarantee the quarterback would play Monday night against Baltimore.

After Manziel promised he would not embarrass the Browns during their bye week, a video and photos of him partying in Texas last weekend surfaced Monday. Pettine said he had seen the video and spoken to Manziel, who spent 70 days during the offseason in a rehab facility specializing in treatment for alcohol and drug addiction.

''Disappointing - very,'' Pettine said following practice. ''I can't stand here and say it's not - whatever word we want to use - disappointing, frustrating.''

Pettine only named Manziel as Cleveland's starter for the remaining six games last week, selecting to play him ahead of veteran Josh McCown, who has been slowed by injuries. The Browns wanted to use the rest of this season to get a longer look at Manziel, the former first-round pick who has shown some progress in his second season.

Atlanta Falcons coach Dan Quinn said running back Devonta Freeman is going through the concussion protocol, and Freeman's status for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings remains in limbo.

"He was diagnosed with a concussion and he'll go back through the concussion protocol this week,'' Quinn said of Freeman. "I really don't have a lot to go on other than the fact that he's off to a good start with that. He's a competitor that we rely on for all sorts of things; run game, pass game. We've seen the player that he is. Let's not talk less or more. He's a real factor.''

Tevin Coleman struggled taking over for Freeman last week but could be line for a bigger workload if Freeman is unable to play in Week 12. Freeman and the Falcons play in an early game on Sunday at home against the Vikings. Things could get tricky for owners with three Thursday games this week, so have a good plan in place if you want to wait it out on Freeman.

Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford is out of the league’s concussion protocol, but it remains to be seen if he’ll be back in the starting lineup on Thanksgiving.

Bradford is also dealing with a left shoulder injury and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur said Tuesday that the team isn’t likely to have a decision about whether Bradford or Mark Sanchez will start against the Lions until Wednesday. Bradford returned to practice on Monday, but Shurmur explained that session and Tuesday’s practice will be too light to make a determination about his readiness to play.

Shurmur did say Bradford looked good on Monday. Bradford had been playing pretty well before getting hurt, and at this point in the season if there's any way Bradford can go he'll likely get the call given the Eagles struggles with Mark Sanchez under center.

Running back Ryan Mathews, who also left the Miami game with a concussion, has not been cleared to return to practice, OC Pat Shurmur said.

"He's in the protocol still," Shurmur said. "He's in that process. Everyone recovers from those at a different rate."

The Eagles play the early game on Thanksgiving so Mathews seems unlikely to suit up, meaning DeMarco Murray and Darren Sproles should get a bulk of the work against the Lions.

The Bears on Tuesday will open Kevin White's 21-day practice window, meaning they have three weeks to decide whether to move the rookie receiver to their active roster or place him on season-ending injured reserve.

White, the seventh overall pick in this year's draft, has been sidelined since sustaining a stress fracture in the lower part of his shin during OTA workouts in June. He ultimately underwent surgery and was placed on the physically-unable-to-perform list.

White is not expected to practice on Tuesday. He likely will stretch with teammates and then do some light work on the side.

Just because his practice window is opening does not necessarily mean that he will play in a game this season. The Bears are committed to White's long-term development, just as they were in training camp when they announced that he would need surgery, the story said. This three-week stretch could very well be enough time for the team to determine if they have a shot at the NFL playoffs, which could be a key factor in either shutting down White for the season or trying to bring him back for 2015.

A broken arm ended running back Justin Forsett's season on Sunday, but apparently not his Baltimore Ravens career. Ravens coach John Harbaugh talked about Forsett as if he remains part of the team's plans in 2016.

"I would expect Justin back next year full-speed, ready to go," Harbaugh said. "He’s under contract and a big part of what we’re doing going forward."

Forsett signed a three-year, $9 million deal with the Ravens this year, but only the $2.1 million signing bonus and his 2015 salary ($900,000) are guaranteed.

Forsett was off to one of his best starts of the season Sunday, gaining 26 yards on four carries (6.5-yard average) before breaking his right arm.

It wasn't considered a sure bet that Forsett would be back. Forsett will turn 31 next season, Baltimore can create salary-cap room by cutting him this offseason or next, and the Ravens drafted running backs (Javorius Allen and Lorenzo Taliaforro) in each of the past two drafts.

Danny Amendola’s injury, which the team announced was to his knee, came late in the third quarter on running back James White's 6-yard touchdown run. He was coming off the left side of the line to block and didn’t make contact with anyone, but came up limping.

“When I saw him, it looked like he was in good spirits,” WR Brandon LaFell said. “I hope it’s nothing major. We’re going to need him soon.”

Amendola came on to return a punt after the Bills’ next drive went three-and-out, but came up hobbling again as he let the ball hit the ground and backed away from it.

He was seated on the bench for the remainder of the game after that, at one point talking with Bill Belichick during a timeout.

Aaron Dobson left in the second quarter with an ankle injury and didn’t return.

Losing Amendola for any stretch of time would be a tough blow for the Patriots, who are already without No. 1 man Edelman (left foot) for the foreseeable future, and running back Dion Lewis. Amendola essentially stepped into Edelman’s role Monday and delivered with nine receptions for 117 yards, and the numbers could have spiked further if not for an unusual inadvertent whistle in the third quarter. He was charted on the field for 45 of 50 offensive snaps (including penalties) before hobbling off. Keshawn Martin became a popular name last week as a possible Edelman recplacement, and with both Amendola and Dobson now banged up, he could be thrust into a bigger role out of necessity. He was inactive for Week 11 and hasn't caught a pass since Week 6, which was the last time he was active.

Justin Forsett's broken right arm, as gruesome as it was to watch the injury happen, shouldn't limit his long-term role with the Ravens.

The 2014 Pro Bowl running back appeared to be on his way to a great performance when St. Louis Rams star defensive tackle Aaron Donald threw him to the ground and caused his right arm to break from the impact during the first quarter of Sunday’s 16-13 Ravens win over St. Louis.

Forsett tweeted that he was having surgery Monday afternoon, and coach John Harbaugh said that while he hasn’t been given a prognosis, he doesn’t expect Forsett to miss more than this season.

"My assumption is that … bones heal pretty quickly, so I’m sure he’ll be back in the offseason lifting weights and training,” Harbaugh said. “I would expect Justin back next year full-speed, ready to go. He’s under contract, and a big part of what we’re doing going forward.”

A season ago, Forsett emerged from being a training camp afterthought to rush for a league-high 5.4 yards per carry (235 carries for 1,266 yards) and make his first Pro Bowl. The Ravens rewarded him with a three-year, $9 million contract this offseason, though most of the guaranteed money comes in 2015. The Ravens have struggled to run the ball this year. Javorius Allen will get a chance to show his stuff with what should be a big part of the workload for the rest of the season.

Ravens coach John Harbaugh was optimistic that QB Joe Flacco will be ready to return in time to prepare for the 2016 season.

"I think it's probably way early and obviously speculative, but the indications that I've been given would be that he would be back for the start of training camp and it wouldn't be an issue," Harbaugh said Monday. "However, as we all know, those are always things that get determined based on how the rehab goes."

Good news for Flacco owners. Like Harbaugh said, it's certainly possible there are setbacks in rehab, but the timetable he was given indicates Flacco will be ready for camp next summer.

Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch traveled to Philadelphia on Monday to see a specialist about his abdomen injury, and it’s possible that he will have surgery before returning to Seattle, coach Pete Carroll said.

"I don’t know that about the surgery," Carroll said. "It could happen. I don’t know that. It’s a possibility. But it was to go back there for the evaluation to find out what’s next, and there are a couple choices possibly depending on what the doc feels is necessary, and then we’ll just wait and see what that all means."

If Lynch were to undergo sports hernia surgery, he likely would be out for an extended period of time.

Carroll was asked whether there’s any scenario where Lynch would be back for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I don’t know about that now," he said. "It’s legitimately bothering him. He would have played yesterday if he could have, so I don’t know that."

Lynch suffered the injury in practice before the Seahawks’ Week 10 game against the Arizona Cardinals. He started and played 79 percent of the team’s snaps. But Carroll said the injury started to bother him late in the game. Thomas Rawls is a must-get if still on wires. It's a fluid situation right now, but it's very possibly Lynch is going to miss some time with this injury.

Tony Romo took part in Monday’s brief walk-through practice and had no issues with his back or healing left collarbone after playing Sunday for the first time in two months, according to Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett.

Officially Romo was listed as did not participate but that was based on what would have happened in a normal practice.

“It seemed like he handled the game really well,” Garrett said. “I don’t see any issues after the game. I don’t see any issues today."

The quick turnaround to Thursday’s game against the Carolina Panthers could be an issue. Romo missed two months healing and will be asked to play two games in five days. Romo did not play well on a quick turnaround in last year’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He completed 18 of 29 passes for 199 yards and was held without a touchdown pass while being intercepted twice. He was also sacked four times. After that game, Romo said he did not take a pain-killing injection, the story said.

A lot of folks have been wondering if Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is injured.

He has not been listed on the injury report and has denied that he’s playing injured. However, a photo by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Curtis Compton clearly shows that Ryan wore a pretty heavy brace on his left knee against the Colts.

Early in his career, he wore a brace on his left knee for support, the story said. Sometimes, he even practiced in the brace. The brace may explain some of his footwork issues and sailing some throws because he can’t plant his left foot. Ryan was unavailable to the media on Monday, but has a radio show on Tuesday where we may find out more.

Patriots Inactives
Justin Coleman Cb
Jamie Collins LB
Julian Edelman WR
Trey Flowers DE
Trey Jackson OG
Keshawn Martin WR
Sealver Siliga DT

Keyshawn Martin was questionable coming into this contest but recently popped up on the fantasy radar when stories broke he had a chance to take on the Julian Edelman role. However, that will at least have to wait a week. Aaron Dobson became questionable today, but is active tonight and should play behind Danny Amendola and Brandon LaFell.

Titans interim coach Mike Mularkey said he expects David Cobb will play more in upcoming games, beginning with Sunday’s game against the Raiders.

Antonio Andrews has been the workhorse for the Titans in recent weeks – he had 78 yards on 15 carries against the Jaguars – and Bishop Sankey is also expected to be active on Sunday with Dexter McCluster out with a knee injury.

Cobb said he’s looking forward to more chances, and for an opportunity to be more productive.

“The preseason is nothing like the regular season, and practice is nothing like a real game. Just getting my feet wet, it was good,’’ Cobb said. “I know they are not going to give me anything, so I have to go out and earn it. I have to go out and work hard and when I get opportunities I have to do well."

Cobb finished with four carries for minus-3 yards last week. He'll be a risky fantasy start until we start to see more of a workload.

Texans quarterback Brian Hoyer is out of the NFL concussion testing protocol and set to start Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

Hoyer passed the mandatory baseline neurological exam Monday and will practice Wednesday, according to Texans coach Bill O’Brien.

Hoyer was replaced in the starting lineup Sunday by backup T.J. Yates. He suffered the concussion against the Cincinnati Bengals and experienced memory loss. Houston will host the Saints in a very favorable home matchup.

The Jets are in the midst of a season-threatening slump, but Todd Bowles isn't ready to make a change at the quarterback position.

The coach announced Monday that Ryan Fitzpatrick will remain behind center when the 5-5 Jets host the 4-6 Dolphins on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

Bowles inadvertently started speculation of a QB switch when he appeared to duck a question about Fitzpatrick's status shortly after the veteran threw two fourth-quarter interceptions in a damaging 24-17 loss to the Texans.

After Bowles made his announcement on Monday, a reporter asked if Fitzpatrick would be on a short leash against the Dolphins.

"He's our starting QB," Bowles replied.

Fitzpatrick wasn't helped by his receivers on Sunday -- Brandon Marshall and Devin Smith each had crippling drops on deep balls -- but the veteran's recent struggles have mirrored the slump of a Jets team that started the season at 4-1. Fitzpatrick was also checked for a concussion and did pass those tests during the game, but returned to throw the INTs.

Broncos' star receiver Emmanuel Sanders revealed Monday that his left ankle injury is a high ankle sprain.

Sanders sat out Sunday's 17-15 win over the Bears in an effort to get 100 percent healthy. He said he could have played, but people around him convinced him he would be a detriment to himself and the team if he went out there in his current state.

"It's kind of like when you have a flat tire," Sanders said. "I'm a speed guy, right? So it's ideal for me to have all of my speed."

Sanders originally suffered the injury on the first play of the Broncos' 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts. He got his ankle taped and re-taped to help him finish the game and even scored a 64-yard touchdown.

Once his ankle begun to swell, Sanders missed the entire week of practice before convincing coaches and trainers to allow him to play against Kansas City.

Sanders said he is hopeful he will play Sunday against New England, but how he practices during practice will have a big impact on how he moves forward. Sanders said today was the first day he didn't get out of bed with a limp.

Brock Osweiler will remain behind center for the Denver Broncos for another week.

NFL Media's James Palmer reported Monday that Osweiler will again start at quarterback when Denver meets the New England Patriots next Sunday. Osweiler will start in place of Peyton Manning, who is dealing with a painful case of plantar fasciitis, in addition to a rib injury.

Osweiler made the first start of his career on Sunday, throwing two touchdown passes without an interception in an 17-15 win over the Chicago Bears. The game was played on Osweiler's 25th birthday.

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Manning may not get his job back if Osweiler performs well in what amounts to an in-season audition. A date against the undefeated defending champions looms as the biggest test of Osweiler's career, the story added.

The Chicago Bears fell just short of coming up with a much-needed win against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, but the next time they take the field, they'll likely be a little closer to full strength. According to a report from ESPN.com, running back Matt Forte "appears on track to play" on Thanksgiving day against the Green Bay Packers.

Forte has sat out the last three games with a knee injury. At the time he went down, Forte had 767 total yards in seven games. Rookie backup Jeremy Langford has started in Forte's place, carrying 51 times for 170 catches and three touchdowns while also adding 13 catches for 196 yards and another score. The story said Langford seems likely to return to the backup role when Forte returns, but probably earned more of a spot in the rotation than he had before Forte was injured. The Bears play the Packers in the night game on Thanksgiving.

Fresh off of backup Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez throwing three interceptions in a blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it seems starting quarterback Sam Bradford is suddenly healthy.

Bradford, who missed this past Sunday's game with a concussion and shoulder injury, was out on the practice field Monday, the first time he has practiced since going down against the Miami Dolphins in Week 10.

The entire practice was not open to the media, but Bradford did everything the other quarterbacks did, and it looked like he might be preparing for a full day's work.

Bradford did not take part in team drills Monday, one of only two practice days the Philadelphia Eagles have this week. Bradford participated in individual drills, according to ESPN. The Eagles play in the early game on Thanksgiving and many speculated Bradford would miss this Week 12 contest in addition to Week 11. HC Chip Kelly said when Bradford is healthy he would start.

Ryan Fitzpatrick looked a bit woozy immediately after his quarterback sneak for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Jets' 24-17 loss at the Texans on Sunday.

Fitzpatrick, the Jets' quarterback who is already playing with a thumb injury, had his helmet knocked off by a hit from Texans safety Eddie Pleasant just before he crossed the goal line.

And even though Fitzpatrick appeared to have a glazed look in his eyes just after the touchdown sneak happened, he said he passed his independent concussion evaluation on the sideline and was cleared to keep playing.

Fitzpatrick kept playing, and he threw two interceptions in the final three minute.

Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk is reporting that Peyton Manning not only intends to get healthy and play this season, but he also plans to play in 2016.

Manning has sore ribs and a torn plantar fascia in his left foot. He was inactive Sunday against the Bears and didn't travel to Chicago.

Brock Osweiler started in Manning's place and played well. He completed 20-of-27 passes for 250 yards and two TDs while throwing no interceptions. The Broncos beat the Bears 17-15.

Manning has struggled mightily this season with nine touchdowns compared to 17 interceptions. He has completed 58.3 percent of his passes and has a rating of 67.6. It seems like a stretch that Manning, at his age with his injuries, would go to a new team and learn a whole new system, especially considering his struggles this season.

Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch could be forced to sit the rest of the season with a sports hernia, according to one published report on Monday.

Lynch was in street clothes on the sidelines for Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. After the Seahawks’ 29-13 victory, Seattle coach Pete Carroll told reporters that Lynch would travel to Philadelphia to get an abdominal injury checked out by Dr. William Meyers, a surgeon who specialized in sports hernias.

While Carroll said the exact determination of Lynch’s injury hadn’t been determined, the NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday morning that it’s believed Lynch has a sports hernia. If Meyers confirms the diagnosis, Lynch would have surgery and be lost for the season.

Apparently Lynch played through the injury back in Week 10 with a questionable status, which popped up on the injury report late in the week. He was questionable again leading up to Week 11's game before sitting out, so this report certainly seems to have some weight behind it. Thomas Rawls would fill in if Lynch misses any time and is a must-get if still on waiver wires.

Eagles TE Zach Ertz took a nasty fall at the end of a third-down play at the beginning of the second quarter.

Ertz hit the ground hard, with his neck snapping back, after he attempted to hurdle a defender.

Ertz was taken back into the locker room by the doctors to be examined for a head injury. He was diagnosed with a concussion and didn't return.

Ertz was recovering from a core body injury in preseason and was slowly getting back to 100-percent, putting together some solid fantasy outing over the past few weeks. Brent Celek has stood out in the Eagles offense the past few weeks, too, and could end up being a sneaky TE play if Ertz can't get back on the field.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Charcandrick West left Sunday’s 33–3 win over the San Diego Chargers in the second half with a hamstring injury and did not return. He is day-to-day, head coach Andy Reid said.

Shortly after a one-yard reception on third down with 11:23 to go in the third quarter, West was seen being looked at on the sidelines. He left with 16 yards rushing and 48 receiving.

West was replaced by Spencer Ware, who carried the ball 11 times for 96 yards and two touchdowns. West had rushed for a touchdown in each game since replacing injured running back Jamaal Charles as the starter in Week 7.

Skins RB Alfred Morris aggravated his rib injury and finished with only two attempts.

The Skins rushed for just 14 yards on 12 carries. For much of the second half, Washington had more penalties than rushing yards and the team was in danger of setting a new franchise low in rushing futility - which was 10 yards set back in 1994. Matt Jones may see a bigger workload next week if Morris is unable to get back on the field for an early afternoon game against the Giants.

Rams QB Case Keenum was diagnosed with concussion and was unavailable to media.

If Keenum can't play in Week 12, an early afternoon game against the Bengals, Nick Foles would likely be back under center.

Falcons running back Devonta Freeman, who had 43 yards on three carries, sustained a concussion in the first quarter and did not return.

Freeman walked to the locker room with trainers early in the first quarter.

Freeman looked great early on piling up 43 yards on just three carries. He was replaced by Tevin Coleman and Terron Ward, but the two combined for just 50 rushing yards on 19 carries. This will be one injury to monitor all week. The Falcons host the Vikings in an early after noon game on Sunday.

Early in the game, the Ravens lost starting running back Justin Forsett as he suffered a fractured right arm on a tackle made by Aaron Donald. Coach John Harbaugh announced after the game that Forsett is lost for the season.

Javorius Allen will likely take over as the lead back with Kyle Juszcyk and Raheem Mostert possibly getting work as well. The good news is Allen could get a bulk of the workload, but with the Ravens also losing QB Joe Flacco for the year, the offense may struggle to produce fantasy numbers.

Ravens QB Joe Flacco will miss the rest of the season with a torn ACL and possibly a torn MCL, coach John Harbaugh announced after the Ravens' win over the Rams.

"It's just the nature of the game, man," Flacco said after the game. "Stuff like this happens. So you've just got to stand tall and get through it."

The Ravens could take solace that the timing of the injury gives Flacco more time to rehabilitate for 2016. The injury also came in a rare lost season for the Ravens.

The Ravens will turn to Matt Schaub at QB for the rest of the year. RB Justin Forsett (broken arm) was also lost for the year in this game. Of course, the team was already without Steve L. Smith so it could be a struggle on offense for Schaub.

Cardinals Inactives
Michael Floyd WR
Matt Barkley QB
Jonathan Cooper G
D.J. Humphries OT
Robert Nelson DB
Cory Redding DE
Shaquille Riddick LB

Michael Floyd is out for SNF with a hamstring injury. Floyd has been a nice play of late, but with him out John Brown - who is active despite a hamstring issue - should be more involved in the offense, as could Jaron Brown.

Seahakws Inactives
A.J. Francis DT
Drew Nowak C
Bruce Irvin LB
Marshawn Lynch RB
Paul Richardson WR
Tye Smith CB
Kristjan Sokoli G

Lynch (abdomen) was questionable coming into this contest, much like last week, but it out for Week 11. Some speculate he may have a sports hernia injury but that remains to be seen. Thomas Rawls turns into a great play in place of Lynch this week against the 49ers.

Chargers Inactives
Tyreek Burwell T
Kavell Conner LB
Greg Ducre DB
Malcom Floyd WR
Cordarro Law LB
Adrian Phillips CB
Damion Square DE

Both Antonio Gates and Ladarius Green are active at TE for the Bolts. Gates was dealing with knee and hip injuries and Green an ankle. Both should be involved in the offense given the injuries at WR, but Gates is still a higher-ranked fantasy play at the position and a favorite red zone target for QB Philip Rivers.

Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins says game experience ranks as the single biggest reason for his marked improvement in recent weeks.

“My fundamentals are much better [and] I feel like I’m a more polished quarterback, a more polished player, a more mature player,” he said. “That is in all phases—whether it’s fundamentals, decision making, recognition of defenses. That comes with time.”

“And that’s no surprise," he added. "I mean, if you start and play long enough in this league, you expect that to happen.”

Cousins will make the 19th start of his four-year career. But, more importantly, it’ll mark his 10th consecutive start of 2015. Prior to this season, the 27-year-old had never made more than five starts in a row. Cousins continues to improve. He's thrown one INT over his last three games after eight in his first six contests.

Lamar Miller is as soft-spoken as they come on the Dolphins. So back when he kept saying he wanted to be known as a complete back, it was easy to assume he was referring to polishing his inside running, which had been the knock on his game.

Yes, Miller is a far better inside runner than he was as a rookie in 2012, but that improvement may be surpassed by the leaps in his receiving skills. Never mind the statistics, which shout out he’s on a receiving roll entering Sunday’s game against the visiting Dallas Cowboys.

Miller the running back has become Miller the wide receiver in many of the four-wide sets. That’s ahead of veteran Greg Jennings and first-round pick DeVante Parker. Miller said on many days, he stays after practices and catches 50 to 60 balls fired from the machine. In games, he’s not dropping passes. He’s catching them in the flat, on the sidelines, even over his shoulder. With Jay Ajayi possibly stealing some carries, it could give Miller more chances in the passing game.

Bills vs. Patriots

BILLS
OUT
DT Kyle Williams (knee)

QUESTIONABLE
G Richie Incognito (shoulder)

PROBABLE
T Cyrus Kouandjio (knee)

PATRIOTS
OUT
CB Justin Coleman (hand), LB Jamie Collins (illness), WR Julian Edelman (foot)

QUESTIONABLE
T Marcus Cannon (toe), G Tre' Jackson (knee), WR Keshawn Martin (hamstring), T Sebastian Vollmer (concussion)

PROBABLE
DT Alan Branch (elbow), DE Chandler Jones (abdomen), G Shaquille Mason (knee), DE Jabaal Sheard (ankle)

Keshawn Martin popped up on the fantasy radar this week as a possible replacement for Julian Edelman. But Martin is dealing with a hamstring issue and that makes him even more risky for lineups this week. Best to take a wait-and-see approach with Martin. Danny Amendola looks like a safer play right now until we see how this unfolds. As for the Bills, in terms of fantasy offensive players, they enter this contest healthy.

The return of Tony Romo is finally official. The Cowboys quarterback was activated to the team's 53-man roster on Saturday morning. The Cowboys had until 4 p.m. ET to activate Romo to ensure that he'd be able to play against the Dolphins on Sunday.

After Romo was activated, he packed up his bags boarded the team plane for Miami.

The game against the Dolphins will mark Romo's first regular-season action since Sept. 21 when he broke his collarbone in a Week 2 win over the Eagles that improved the Cowboys to 2-0 on the season. Even at 2-7, the Boys are just two games out of first in the loss column so Romo will play. Wet conditions are expected in this contest.

The San Francisco 49ers placed Colin Kaepernick on injured reserve Saturday, ending the quarterback's disappointing 2015 season.

Kaepernick, who was on the injury report Friday, told the 49ers that he wanted to have surgery on his non-throwing shoulder, prompting the team to put him on IR, a source told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

The Niners originally had listed Kaepernick as probable for Sunday's game against the Seattle Seahawks. Undrafted rookie quarterback Dylan Thompson was promoted from San Francisco's practice squad Saturday to replace Kaepernick on the active roster.

There's been lots of speculation Kaepernick and the 49ers have no choice but to part ways after this season, but this injury could affect that. He will need to pass a physical prior to April 1 or it's possible he could remain a 49er in 2016. The team benched Kaepernick for their Nov. 8 game in favor of Blaine Gabbert, who helped lead San Francisco to an upset victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Kaepernick, 28, completed 59 percent of his passes this season for 1,615 yards, six touchdowns and five interceptions. His 78.5 passer rating is the fifth-lowest in the NFL among qualified quarterbacks. Looks like Gabbert may finish out the year as the starter, but with the offense banged up with injuries, there's not a lot of fantasy upside for Gabbert.

The Redskins’ biggest play against the Saints came on a very short pass. In the second quarter, Kirk Cousins dumped a screen pass to running back Matt Jones, who picked up blocks from his linemen and receivers, and rolled 78 yards for a touchdown that gave the Redskins a lead they never relinquished.

It was the longest pass play to a Redskins running back since Larry Brown went 89 yards with a screen pass in a game against the Jets in 1972. It seems to Redskins fans that it has been that long since a screen pass worked for the team. That may be an exaggeration but the play that is a staple of Football 101 rarely seems to work for the Redskins.

Jay Gruden would like to see that change.

“They’re important, especially if you’re playing some of these pass rush teams that like to get up the field and rush,” he said. “It slows them down a little bit. We have some linemen that are very athletic and can get out in space. Last week was really our first time we had a lot of success with those screen passes and I expect us to have more as the season goes on.”

The story pointed out it's not as easy as it might look to execute a screen pass, and last week the Saints were a much friendlier matchup compared to what the Panthers will be this week. But, it sounds like the Skins would like to make it part of their offense. They certainly have the weapons as Jones proved last week. The team also has Chris Thompson as their third RB. Jones' fantasy value could really get a boost if he becomes more involved in the passing game.

As expected, Panthers rookie receiver Devin Funchess is on track to make his first career start on Sunday, at home against Washington.

With Corey Brown officially listed as doubtful (and unofficially described as “very doubtful“), the second-round pick from Michigan will move into the starting lineup.

“It’s kind of another achievement knocked off the chart,” Funchess said Friday, via ESPN.com. “I don’t sound excited, but I am excited about it.”

Funchess, who appeared in every regular-season game, has 12 catches foe 202 yards and a touchdown. His preparation for the 2015 season was hampered by a hamstring injury. It's probably best to take a wait-and-see approach with Funchess this week, but if he's on your wire he may be worth stashing for a week or two with the hope he impresses enough to remain a starter going forward.

Cameron Artis-Payne, the rookie out of Auburn, has been inactive the past two games and hasn’t played in three straight. His only carry since getting eight carries for 25 yards in an October 4 win at Tampa Bay was the one carry he had for no yards in the Sunday night game against Philadelphia. He got that because Stewart asked for a break.

The Panthers want to get Artis-Payne experience under fire, but he’s behind Stewart, Fozzy Whittaker and Mike Tolbert. That Stewart has been durable and is valuable in terms of blocking as well as running has made it tough to get him off the field. Even Tolbert's carries are way down. But to assure Stewart is fresh for the playoffs (assuming there is not a major collapse), I look for Artis-Payne to get more involved once the Panthers lock down a playoff spot.

With a three-game lead over Atlanta in the NFC South, that could happen over the next three games if Carolina continues to win, the story said. Coach Ron Rivera has said several times that he wants to get Artis-Payne more reps and give Stewart a break. Stewart has five straight games with 20 or more carries, the story added. Owners doing the math may now notice Stewart's workload dropping could be during fantasy playoff time, so this is certainly something to monitor.

Although Darren McFadden has received the majority of the team's carries the last four games, his workload could be reduced in what will likely be wet conditions at Miami's Sun Life Stadium.

The running back rotation behind McFadden will likely be Robert Turbin, who was signed Wednesday, and then Rod Smith.

If McFadden is healthy enough to play, we expect that he'll get the vast majority of the touches considering that the apparent RB2 (Turbin, not Smith) just recently joined the team.

In the Jets’ first five games, Brandon Marshall caught 37 passes for 511 yards and four touchdowns on 53 targets, with four games of 100-plus receiving yards. The Jets were 4-1 in those games. In the four games since, he has 20 catches for 242 yards and two TDs on 43 targets, with a single 100-yard game. The Jets are 1-3 in that span.

If the Jets are going to make a legitimate run at a playoff berth, they are going to have to find a way to get Marshall back into the games, making the electrifying plays he made in the first five weeks.

“A high percentage of the time they’re doubling him and we’re trying to find ways to keep him involved,’’ Jets offensive coordinator Chan Gailey said. “So it’s a chess match of how they play and how we play. Hopefully, we’ll get him the opportunities to get him some more balls. We need him to be involved, to be a successful offense.

“They’re taking him away right now and we don’t have enough other people involved in the passing game to take that away from [the defenses] right now.’’

That’s been an issue. Eric Decker, who has 42 catches and leads the team with seven TDs, has been a big-time beneficiary of the attention Marshall has drawn. But after that, there is a significant fall-off, with no quality No. 3 receiver having emerged.

Marshall owned the #7 PPG average through the first six weeks. Since the double-teams started against New England (Week 7), he has been the #27 receiver on a per game basis. Meanwhile, Decker is the #11 receiver in that span.

Titans Inactives

WR Kendall Wright
RB Bishop Sankey
CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson
G Quinton Spain
WR Andrew Turzilli
DL Mike Martin
NT Al Woods

Cobb is expected to get a few carries tonight. He could eat into the workload of Antonio Andrews.

Jaguars Inactives

RB Joe Banyard
RB Bernard Pierce
CB Nick Marshall
TE Nic Jacobs
DT Michael Bennett
DE Chris Smith
OL Luke Bowanko

Related players: Allen Hurns, T.J. Yeldon are active, as expected.

Hurns can be dialed up as a WR2, while Yeldon's probable workload makes him a worthwhile RB2.