NFL

The Bengals seem to be trying to make a funny two weeks after they were accused of not listing Joe Burrow’s right wrist injury. Browning will be out there for Monday evening’s game against the Jaguars and amongst the worst options in fantasy football at quarterback.

Brown has now logged back-to-back practices to start the week and is trending toward a return in Week 13. The veteran receiver last played in Week 10, when he ripped off an unprecedented 172 yards on seven receptions, marking his second-straight 150-yard game of the season. Brown has been a pleasant surprise for the Texans and is now up to 21 receptions for 439 yards and one touchdown on 28 targets. He could return to a crowded receiver room, as Tank Dell, Nico Collins, and Robert Woods are all on track to play this week. Still, it’s hard to imagine the Texans giving Brown less work, even in a crowded receiver room.

McKinnon was sidelined last week with his groin injury, but a return in the middle of this week suggests it’s nothing too severe. The Chiefs’ RB2 hasn’t enjoyed the same role he did last season when he unexpectedly emerged as a fantasy league-winner while totaling 56 receptions for 512 yards and nine touchdowns. Instead, McKinnon has watched Isiah Pacheco seize control of the Chiefs’ backfield while limiting McKinnon to 32 touches and 185 yards over 10 games. McKinnon would carry some value if Pacheco were to miss time, but can be kept off the fantasy radar for now.

Elliott’s availability carries little to no impact as far as real football is concerned. As far as fantasy is concerned, his absence would mean a busier day for Rhamondre Stevenson, who has still managed to average 17.9 opportunities per game despite Elliott eating into his workload. Elliott has rushed for 100 yards on 22 carries over the last two weeks but can’t be seriously considered in fantasy, even if active.

Douglas is in the league’s concussion protocol and is unlikely to play in Week 13 against the Patriots. The rookie receiver has been a lone bright spot in an offense that ranks among the worst in the league as they’ve struggled to figure out the quarterback position. Douglas isn’t expected to play. If he does, fantasy managers need not consider starting him against the Chargers.

Mims has been limited in each of the Broncos’ first two practices to open the week. The theme of being limited aligns nicely with his on-field usage, as head coach Sean Payton has stubbornly limited Mims’ usage throughout the season. Mims ran only 13 routes in Week 12’s contest against the Browns but will look to see increased usage if active in Week 13 against the Texans. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, Mims will be off the fantasy radar even if active.

Jeudy was listed as limited in Thursday’s practice after getting slapped with a DNP on Wednesday. Sean Payton said earlier in the week that he expected Jeudy to return on Thursday and that he believes he’ll be fine for the week. Jeudy and the Broncos get a Week 13 matchup against the Texans, but is little more than a fringe WR3/WR4, as he’s yet to crack 60 yards in any of his last four games.

We are rapidly approaching Joe Flacco starting his first NFL game since the Jets’ Week 18 finale last season. Thompson-Robinson said earlier on Thursday that he wasn’t sure if he’d be able to clear concussion protocol in time to play in Week 13 against the Rams, which would open the door for Flacco to start. At 7-4, the Browns are firmly in the playoff race and would likely benefit from having Flacco under center as opposed to DTR. It’s possible we’ll know by Friday whether or not it will be DTR or Flacco starting against the Rams.

Two limited practices for Hall shouldn’t be worrisome for fantasy managers. What’s far more concerning for Hall is his fantasy value with Tim Boyle under center. The Jets managed just 2.9 yards per play in Week 12 against the Dolphins, while Hall totaled 49 scoreless yards on 14 touches. His seven receptions kept his value high in PPR leagues, but Hall will be hard to trust in Week 13 against the Falcons, even if he’s healthy. He’s a mid to low-end RB2 at best.

Burks has presumably cleared concussion protocol or is in the final stages of doing such. The second-year tight end should have a shot of suiting up for Week 13 against the Colts, which would mark his first game since Week 9 against the Steelers. Burks has played in five of the Titans’ 11 games this season, totaling eight receptions for 122 yards on 18 targets. Injuries have slowed his growth, but he’ll have six more games to build stock heading into a potential “prove-it” year in 2024.