NFL Player News

“It’s like he’s been a four- or five-year vet,” Herbert gushed. “He understands the game. He understands leverage. He’s a smart player, and he’s very athletic. I’m really looking forward to getting him the ball.” Herbert’s assessment is matched by the Los Angeles Times’ Jeff Miller, who reports McConkey “displayed the most potential throughout the offseason program.” On the one hand, it’s not surprising a highly-experienced second-round prospect is looking good in shorts and t-shirts. On the other, McConkey is playing with a quarterback entering his prime and an exacting head coach in Jim Harbaugh. Standards are going to be high. So far, McConkey is meeting them. Although the situation is jumbled, McConkey is the modest favorite for No. 1 duties in L.A.

Okonkwo is clearly still impacted by the foot injury, coming off the Titans’ Week 10 bye. The Titans face the Texans this weekend, lowering Okonkwo’s already limited ceiling, assuming he is active. The veteran tight end is just a TE2.

Ridley looks like he may need another week off before returning, though he still has Friday to upgrade his participation level. If active, Ridley is difficult to trust. He is no longer a difference-making wide receiver at age 30 and the Titans face the Texans’ top-tier pass defense. Consider him a classic boom-bust FLEX if he is cleared to play.

Fannin played through the injury, catching 4-of-7 targets for 44 yards in Week 10. The talented rookie tight end sits on the TE1/2 borderline, tethered to erratic quarterback play in the Browns’ uninspiring offense. It would be great to see Fanning upgrade to full participation to close the practice week tomorrow.

The fleet-of-foot rookie remains sidelined, putting him firmly in the questionable camp after missing Week 10 with the same issue. Veteran WR Cedric Tillman returned from a multi-week hamstring injury last week, only to pick up a glute injury. Neither player is fantasy-relevant in 12-team leagues.

Likely should have no issue suiting up on game day, though he can only be started as a touchdown-dependent TE2, operating as TE Mark Andrews’ sidekick. Andrews is barely a better option than Likely, though Andrews has QB Lamar Jackson’s trust in the red zone, leading to three touchdowns scored over the last two weeks.

Fellow backup RB Justice Hill (toe) remains sidelined, setting up Mitchell for No. 2 running back duties against the Browns. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh told reporters earlier this week that he hopes to further incorporate Mitchell on game day. That should not be an issue with Hill heading toward a Week 11 absence. Mitchell should be stashed at this time.

Dobbins is highly unlikely to play after injuring his foot during a hip-drop tackle in Week 10. Broncos head coach Sean Payton has employed a fantasy-unfriendly running back rotation with his backups at times, but rookie RB RJ Harvey is currently in a position to handle an RB2-worthy workload in Week 11 against the Chiefs. Fellow backup RB Tyler Badie can be added in deep PPR leagues.

The Bengals are simply managing Flacco’s reps as he rehabs an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder. Ideally, the team needs him for two more games, before QB Joe Burrow’s (toe) hopeful return. Expect Flacco to continue producing as a QB1 against the Steelers’ defense this weekend.

Generally offensive linemen will play off murkier statuses than most positions, so we’d be surprised if Jones wasn’t at least questionable now that he has made an appearance following Wednesday’s DNP. Calvin Anderson would be the next man up if Jones isn’t able to get right for Week 11’s game against the Bengals.

He’s missed back-to-back practices, but told reporters he was optimistic about Friday. Highsmith always seems to be fighting through something, but he has played each of the last five weeks and should be considered questionable for this one.