NFL

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll on Tuesday seemed uncharacteristically pessimistic about Walker’s chances of suiting up Thursday night against Dallas. Fantasy managers can expect rookie RB Zach Charbonnet to once again work as Seattle’s starter. He had 18 touches — including four receptions — last week against the 49ers. Charbonnet is a locked-in RB2 if Walker remains sidelined.

About three months after tearing his Achilles tendon, Rodgers, who will be 40 in December, could return in late December, though he has hedged on his miracle return in recent interviews. Rodgers has not been cleared for contact and will be limited in practice over the coming weeks. The Jets would likely need to win their next two games for Rodgers to have any reason to return in Week 15 or Week 16. Until then, Tim Boyle will start for New York.

Jackson, 32, played about 60 percent of the Seahawks offensive snaps in 2022 before the team released him in the offseason. In Carolina, he’ll likely be a rotational lineman. Pro Football Focus grades Carolina’s offensive line as the league’s third worst pass blocking unit.

Sermon, who has 24 yards on eight rushes this season, will work as the RB2 behind Zack Moss while Taylor heals from thumb surgery. Sermon should be picked up as a bench stash in 12-team formats in case Moss gets dinged up in the next week or two.

O’Connell in a Tuesday presser appeared ready to move on from Josh Dobbs after his Monday night meltdown against the Bears. Dobbs threw for 185 yards, one touchdown, and four picks, appearing out of sorts throughout. O’Connell said the team would choose a starting quarterback for Week 14 (after the team’s bye) based on which signal caller could best get the ball to Justin Jefferson, who is returning from a hamstring injury. “We’re going to make sure that whoever is playing quarterback is aware and understands the intent behind plays where either Justin is the primary [target], or based upon coverage, based upon the defensive look, how to quickly and efficiently get to the right place to go with the football,” O’Connell said. That puts rookie QB Jaren Hall and Nick Mullens firmly in play to take over for Dobbs in Week 14 against the Raiders. Both QBs should be monitored in superflex formats.

Mayfield attended Wednesday’s practice after injuring his ankle in Week 12 against the Colts. He missed some snaps but re-entered the game, hobbled and clearly playing through discomfort. “He’s banged up, seems like a week where he won’t do much,” Auman said. Though the Bucs should attack Carolina on the ground, Mayfield should suffice as a solid floor play in superflex leagues against a Panthers defense allowing the tenth highest drop back EPA since Week 9.

Pitts, who hasn’t seen more than five targets in a game since the middle of October, most recently ran a route on just 66 percent of the Falcons’ drop backs in Week 12, catching both of his targets for 22 yards. Smith said MyCole Pruitt and Parker Hesse were better fits for what the Falcons were trying to do against the Saints last Sunday (run the ball). In the run-first Atlanta offense, Pitts is not a viable fantasy option in 12-team leagues. Maybe next year.

Howard went down with an apparently serious knee injury in Week 12 against the Jaguars. He’ll require season-ending surgery. It’s a massive blow for a Houston offensive line graded by Pro Football Focus as the league’s 14th best pass blocking unit.

Pierre-Paul signs with the Dolphins after LB Jaelan Phillips tore his Achilles in Week 12. Pierre-Paul had three sacks last season with the Ravens and signed with the Saints’ practice squad earlier in November. The Dolphins will try to use him to plug the void left by Phillips, who has to turn his sights to next season.

The Chargers have yet to provide any clues as to Palmer’s status, but with Quentin Johnston (ribs) apparently hurt, Palmer would be a significant re-addition to fantasy rosters. We’ll let you know as soon as the Bolts update Palmer’s status, hopefully no later than Wednesday afternoon’s practice report.