The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 11: Big play runners coming back

Nov. 20—UPDATE: 12:22 p.m. Saturday

There's good news on the injury front Saturday morning, as two of the preseason top 10 draft picks are set to return to the field.

Cleveland's Nick Chubb has cleared his COVID-19 protocols and is going to return to the Browns' starting lineup on Sunday. Then Monday night, the Giants' Saquon Barkley is expected to return from his ankle injury.

Speaking of COVID, Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is expected to return from that to start Sunday night against the Los Angeles Chargers.

In a late development, Baltimore QB Lamar Jackson has been listed as questionable because of an illness.

It wouldn't be a Saturday update without the usual Arizona uncertainty. Quarterback Kyler Murray is again said to be a game-time decision, while star receiver DeAndre Hopkins is out again.

A number of top performers have been ruled out: New Orleans RB Alvin Kamara, Seattle RB Chris Carson, Tennessee running back Jeremy McNichols, Dallas wideout Amari Cooper, Tampa Bay WR Antonio Brown and Giants WR Sterling Shepard.

The outlook isn't much better for these guys listed as doubtful: San Francisco running back Elijah Mitchell, Chicago WR Allen Robinson and Packers WR Allen Lazard.

Players listed as questionable include Philly RB Miles Sanders, Jacksonville RB James Robinson, Baltimore WR Marquise Brown, Washington receiver Curtis Samuel and Tampa Bay tight end Rob Gronkowski.

ORIGINAL POST: 10:01 a.m. Wednesday

There's no greater fantasy football rush than when the calendar turns toward Thanksgiving and a player you've stashed as a long-shot prospect suddenly turns into late-season GOLD!. So, as Week 11 begins, there is a rush for talent that was not considered particularly important talent just days ago.

Exhibit A: Green Bay running back A.J. Dillon.

The former Boston College standout has jumped into the headlines since Aaron Jones was sidelined last week during the Packers' victory over Seattle. He's a No. 1 target as the Packers head to Minneapolis to face the Vikings on Sunday. Jones will likely miss two weeks, so Dillon will be available only to teams with No. 1 priority on the free-agent wires this week.

As for less obvious prospects, we have some favorites ...

Rhamondre Stevenson (Patriots RB) —The former Oklahoma Sooner rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns last week when Damien Harris was sidelined. Although Harris is likely to return this week, Stevenson should be a solid No. 2 running back who might get the majority of work near the goal line.

Jordan Howard (Eagles RB) — Howard has three touchdowns in three games since being grabbed off the scrap heap by his former team. He also has averaged more than 70 yards a game in that span. He could be the Eagles' running back of choice in their final seven games.

Matt Breida (Bills RB) — Long forgotten thanks to a long history of injuries, Brieda re-emerged last week to score two touchdowns in Buffalo's rout of the New York Jets. He's touchdown dependent, to be sure, but he could be a regular goal-line option for the AFC's best team.

Marcus Johnson (Titans WR) — With Julio Jones constantly injured and A.J. Brown having an inconsistent season, Johnson has emerged as a favorite of Tennessee QB Ryan Tannehill. He hit the 100-yard mark last week against New Orleans, and that won't be the last time he does it.

Rashod Bateman (Ravens WR) — We've been waiting for the former Gophers star to emerge and he finally has in Baltimore, getting eight targets each of the past two weeks. He'll be no worse than the No. 2 receiver for Lamar Jackson's offense going forward.

Cam Newton (Panthers QB) — Newton announced his presence with authority — and a loud "I'm back!" — last week against Arizona. And he reclaimed the Carolina starting job this week. He has never been shy about calling his own number near the goal line, and he won't be in the season's final seven weeks.

SITTING STARS

Even if Giants RB Saquon Barkley plays, you won't be excited about starting him against the Buccaneers. ... Indy RB Jonathan Taylor is the only Colts player worth starting against Buffalo. ... Jacksonville also has only one player worth starting against the revived 49ers: running back James Robinson. ... New England will keep under wraps the Falcons' most effective player: Cordarrelle Patterson. ... Detroit tight end T.J. Hockenson has been a non-entity lately and will continue to be against Cleveland. ... And the Packers' defense has been so stout lately that you might think twice before starting the Vikings' Kirk Cousins or Justin Jefferson.

MATCHUP GAME

Pittsburgh will greatly rely on running back Najee Harris against the Chargers .... Same goes for the Dolphins' Myles Gaskin vs. the Jets .... And Cleveland's D'Ernest Johnson against the Lions. ... Passing combinations we particularly like this week are Cincinnati's Joe Burrow-Ja'Marr Chase vs. the Raiders, and the Chargers' Justin Herbert-Keenan Allen vs. the Steelers ... Also in line for big weeks: Carolina WR D.J. Moore against Washington (thanks to Cam Newton), New England QB Mac Jones against Atlanta, and the Miami Dolphins' defense against the once-again-lowly Jets.

INJURY WATCH

It will be a classic matchup of debilitated quarterbacks in the Cardinals-Seahawks game. You should probably still start Kyler Murray and Russell Wilson, even though they are likely to disappoint. ... Cleveland QB Baker Mayfield is in a similar position after his latest injury. ... Three pass catchers hurt last week to keep an eye on: Dallas' CeeDee Lamb, Washington's Terry McLaurin and Philly tight end Dallas Goedert. ... The list of questionables is long and includes running backs (Giants' Saquon Barkley, Saints' Alvin Kamara, Browns' Nick Chubb, Chiefs' Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Seahawks' Chris Carson), pass catchers (Cardinals' DeAndre Hopkins, Steelers' Chase Claypool, Giants' Sterling Shepard, Buccaneers' Rob Gronkowski and Antonio Brown) and a quarterback (Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger).

THE DEEPEST SLEEPER

The Jacksonville Jaguars have finally figured out, maybe, how to get the best out of Jamal Agnew. The wide receiver and special teamer, who made headlines in September when he returned a missed field-goal 109 yards for a score, was put in the backfield last Sunday and immediately paid dividends with a 66-yard touchdown run. Will he get more work? What position does he qualify for? Who cares? He's the closest thing you can find to future hall of famer Devin Hester. A good stashing option for keeper leagues.

THE THURSDAY PICK

Patriots at Falcons (+6 1/2 ):

Pick: Patriots by 3

BREAKING NEWS

We'll be updating our column, based on the latest injuries and innuendo, right up until Sunday's kickoff. Go to TwinCities.com/theloop.

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere's "BS Show" podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.