NFL

Cooper has been receiving some maintenance days this week, but his status for Sunday’s game against the Rams is not in doubt. More interesting was Cooper’s Thursday comments on presumptive Sunday starter Joe Flacco, as the wideout called the veteran quarterback’s dropbacks “poetry in motion.” You’ll have to forgive the man after a season spent dealing with Dorian Thompson-Robinson and P.J. Walker. Although Flacco should better deliver the bacon than DTR and PJW, he will still struggle to make Cooper WR2 relevant. Flacco has become an absolute check-down machine at his advanced quarterbacking age.

The assembled Cards media pegged McBride as a “DNP” when he didn’t show for the portion of practice open to the public, but he ended up doing enough to get slapped with a limited tag. It puts McBride on track to suit up against the Steelers, though how he bounces back on Friday will be key. McBride has become a set-and-forget TE1 when healthy.

Walker did not practice this week and doesn’t seem particularly close to returning, though he does now have 10 days to get healthy for Week 14 against the 49ers. You could say he might be needed for that one. Joining Walker on the shelf in Dallas are WR Dee Eskridge, WR Dareke Young, OT McClendon Curtis, OT Raiqwon O’Neal and DE Myles Adams.

Dowdle still isn’t practicing in full, but his ankle issue has not proved to be a hindrance behind Tony Pollard. Inactive for the Cowboys are QB Trey Lance, CB Noah Igbinoghene, CB Eric Scott, RB Deuce Vaughn, OT Asim Richards and WR Jalen Brooks.

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.