NFL Player News

Mixon continued to play heavy snaps for the Bengals and handled all but two running back opportunities in Week 3. His first touchdown of the year masked his continued low efficiency but salvaged his fantasy day, providing the first starter-worthy fantasy week this season. Mixon’s efficiency and upside could improve as the offense improves, after the Bengals have managed just 46 points scored through three weeks. That said, fantasy managers might want to make alternate plans with a matchup with the stout run defense of the Titans on deck for Week 4.

Zappe was getting first-team reps at practice on Wednesday after replacing Mac Jones in the Patriots’ Week 12 loss against the Giants. He was in for the second half of the game, with an unappetizing 54 yards and an interception on 9-of-14 passing. Still, the Patriots believe he will be an upgrade over Jones and intend to start Zappe in Week 13 against the Chargers. Malik Cunningham was getting second-team reps, indicating he may be Zappe’s backup with Jones falling to third on the depth chart.

Frank Reich was recently fired as head coach of the Panthers, who are 1-10 after drafting QB Bryce Young first overall in the 2023 NFL Draft. Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson received head coaching interest from the Panthers last off-season, but had declined an interview and chose to stay in Detroit. Reich, who was hired by the Panthers instead, is now out after 11 games and the 37-year-old Johnson is expected to receive interest for the Panthers’ head coaching vacancy again.

The Cowboys and divisional rival Eagles both hosted Leonard for visits this week. He was surprisingly released by the Colts earlier this season, dealing with a string of injuries that have hampered his availability. Now visiting two NFC contending teams in need of a linebacker, Leonard will make a signing decision over the weekend and presumably join his new team prior to Week 14.

Kupp suffered an ankle injury in Week 11 and played through it in Week 12 despite starting the week with a DNP in practice. This week, Kupp starts off with a full practice, putting him on track to play in Week 13. He seems to be managing his ankle fine and should be a fantasy start against the Browns on Sunday.

Hendershot’s practice window to be activated off injured reserve has been open for a couple of weeks. He was initially put on injured reserve with an ankle injury and has one week of activation eligibility left. While every Cowboys player on the 53-man roster practiced Wednesday and is available for Thursday’s matchup against the Seahawks, Hendershot is a candidate to be activated prior to the game. Jake Ferguson has been the Cowboys’ primary tight end with Hendershot out.

Palmer is eligible to come off injured reserve in Week 13. However, Staley’s comments don’t invoke optimism that Palmer will be active immediately for Week 13. Initially placed on injured reserve with a knee sprain, Palmer’s role leaves a void filled loosely by Quentin Johnston and Jalen Guyton targets. Fantasy managers can keep Palmer in IR spots, though will have to look elsewhere until Palmer comes back, if at all this season.

Bolton has been sidelined with a wrist injury since October. He was placed on injured reserve and is now eligible to return. Bolton’s limited practice indicates he is close to returning to play, and the Chiefs have 21 days to activate him.

McBride was in uniform for the session but worked off to the side, ultimately going down as a DNP. Not much is known about his injury as of Wednesday. Should he be forced to miss Week 13, rookie Elijah Higgins and veteran Geoff Swaim would both see reps. Neither would be an ideal streaming option at tight end.

Walker was always a long-shot to play this week, so a doubtful tag isn’t a surprise. He will look to return in Week 14 versus the 49ers, though, after not practicing at all this week, that’s not a given for the second-year running back. Until he is healthy, Zach Charbonnet will dominate the work in the Seattle backfield. Charbonnet will straddle the RB1/2 border in a tough matchup with the Cowboys’ defense this week.

A limited session suggests Mims will be off the injury report by Friday, though it’s not great to see him on the report yet again. He was added to the report with an ankle issue ahead of Week 11. Mims has been running more routes lately but hasn’t converted them into an increase in production. Healthy or not, he isn’t on the fantasy radar heading into Week 13.