Team news: Washington Commanders | Page 13

Browns Kevin Stefanski said he's not sure yet if Nick Chubb will need surgery on his broken foot but said it's a "shorter-term recovery time" for Chubb.

Related players: Jerome Ford, D'Onta Foreman, Pierre Strong Jr.

Chubb will still be out for the season but it seems like he'll be ready to hit the field for the 2025 season, wherever that will end up being for Chubb. For this season, Ford took over for Chubb and ran seven times for 84 yards and a TD, including a 62-yard burst. He had two catches for 20 as well. He should be the team's RB1 going forward and could even be on your waiver wire.

Steelers ruled out wide receiver George Pickens for Sunday’s game against the Eagles due to his hamstring injury.

Related Players: Calvin Austin III, Mike Williams, Scott Miller, Van Jefferson

We really can't trust any of the Pittsburgh WR options here in the first round of the playoffs, particularly against the Eagles' defense. Russell Wilson can also comfortably be faded in all formats.

Todd Bowles says rookie RB Bucky Irving’s back has tightened up. His availability against the Chargers will depend on if they can get the back to loosen up.

Related players: Rachaad White, Sean Tucker

Irving got four carries and a catch, but then gave way to White, who went on to catch and rush for a TD, as well as gain 90 yards on the ground with Irving on the sideline. It was frustrating for Irving owners who may have played Irving last week and took advantage of his success. The Bucs play at the Chargers in a game in the later window Sunday of Week 15. Irving will be a risky play even if he seems good to go unless we get some really positive news about his back leading up to Week 15. We'll continue to monitor his practice status this week.

Today’s Bucs-Raiders injury report…Mike Evans and Bucky Irving still not practicing. Talked to Evans today though and he said, “I’m feeling good. Played close to 70 plays the last game. Felt…really good shape. I’m getting very close.”

Related Players: Rachaad White, Sean Tucker, Sterling Shepard, Jalen McMillan, Rakim Jarrett

We don't need to panic quite yet, but we're coming up against it if Evans and Irving don't practice on Friday. While the WR2s aren't particularly interesting, Rachaad White would be an easy click in Week 14 if Irving misses the game.

Titans HC Brian Callahan said WR Treylon Burks underwent surgery on his torn ACL and he will be out for the season.

Related Players: Calvin Ridley, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine

Burks never could find a holding in the starting lineup, with or without DeAndre Hopkins on the team. It's been a disappointing first three seasons for the former first-round rookie, and it wouldn't be a surprise if he looks for a fresh start as we head into 2025.

Austin Ekeler's response when asked whether he could return this season:

"It's week to week. I want to continue to learn more. It's my second concussion (this season). Am I more susceptible to a third now that I've had two and the severity of mine? It's a learning process for me because I've never had anything this bad and twice in the same season. ... The best thing about is the team has my back ... I really appreciate DQ (Dan Quinn) and Adam Peters for being there."

Related players: Brian Robinson, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez

It doesn't seem like Ekeler has a timetable and the week to week tag indicates it could be some time. Ekeler is clearly concerned about this long-term well-being. From a fantasy angle, Robinson should continue to lead the way with McNichols seeing the passing down work. Rodriguez may be a guy to pick up in deeper leagues as a stash, especially if Ekeler ends up missing significant time. Rodriguez got some mop-up time and ended up carrying the ball 13 times for 94 yards, adding a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Titans.

Bucky Irving ran 25 times for 152 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 33 yards to continue a strong stretch.

The 25 carries were the most for a Bucs back this season and it’s a sign of changing balance with Rachaad White, who also had a 38-yard run to set up the game-winning field goal in overtime. Head coach Todd Bowles said Irving’s increased comfort level in the offense is the reason for the shift.

Related players: Sean Tucker

“He’s getting more comfortable with the offense,"Bowles said, via the team’s website. “The more comfortable he gets, the more you can give him, the more he can do. Both are running well — we’re happy with both of them. Bucky has a skill you can’t teach — he can make people miss in the hole. He’s tough on the inside. Rachaad had a big run at the end of the game, as well. Using them both together seems to be working out for us.”

The story pointed out Irving’s rate of missed tackles ranks first in the league, so that skill Bowles identified is one that the rookie is putting to good use. The story also pointed out Irving has now scored in three straight games while rushing for 313 yards and catching 12 passes for 111 yards in those contests. White is still a factor, but Irving looks like he's taken over as the top back. Tucker, meanwhile, has had five touches since Week 10, a span of three games, and they all came in Week 12. Tucker had zero touches in Week 10 and Week 13.

Bucky Irving said he’s feeling much better today than he did leaving the field last night. He also said he needs to get his offensive linemen something really nice for Christmas because of their blocking efforts.

Related players: Rachaad White, Sean Tucker

Irving was listed as questionable to return at one point, but was able to come back and play through the injury. He was injured in a kick return. There was also a concerning video of him limping to the locker room after the game. This will be worth watching this week. The Bucs have a home game against the Raiders during the early Sunday window of Week 14, so owners should have plenty of time to make adjustments depending on his status. Hopefully we'll know more as the week goes on, too.

Austin Ekeler's tests last night came back 'good', Dan Quinn said. But Ekeler will be in the concussion protocol. So, too, is Andrew Wylie. Brian Robinson is getting treatment for his ankle. Will know more later in the week.

Related players: Jeremy McNichols, Nick Bellore

The Commanders have a home game against the Titans, which falls in the early window on Sunday in Week 13. Owners should have time to make adjustments if they are game-time calls. Players in protocol have mostly missed the following week of action, so Ekeler's status appears in doubt. Robinson owners will need to monitor his practice status this week. If both backs aren't able to go, McNichols could have a big role. McNichols hasn't had double-digit carries this season, but has turned in some fantasy relevant games on limited work, including 7-42-0 on Oct. 20, 7-44-1 on Oct. 6 and 8-68-2 on Sept. 29.

Kevin Stefanski said the short turnaround to Thursday night played a role in RB Nick Chubb only playing 22 snaps against the Saints.

Related players: Jerome Ford

The Browns play the Steelers this Thursday night and the hope would be Chubb is unleashed a bit more. Chubb ran 11 times for 50 yards this past week. Ford had five carries and four catches for 29 yards in the game while Strong had two rushes. Chubb averaged 4.5 YPC, but it might be tough to trust him in a game against the Steelers. There is some hope, though, as the Ravens Derrick Henry did have a 13-65-0 line against Pittsburg this past week. Chubb owners just need to hope his snaps won't be reduced again.