The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 12: Last-minute moves
Nov. 28—UPDATE: 10:45 a.m. Sunday
The big news this morning involves the running game, as a number of prominent backs are going to be back on the gridiron.
The ranks of the returning include the Giants' Saquon Barkley, Jacksonville's James Robinson, the 49ers' Elijah Mitchell, Atlanta's Cordarrelle Patterson, Seattle's Alex Collins and two Patriots: Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson.
Still questionable is Green Bay RB Aaron Jones, which is troublesome since that's a late-afternoon game.
Players ruled out for Week 12 include Giants WR Kadarius Toney, Jets wideout Corey Davis. and Giants TE Kyle Rudolph.
Those cleared to play include Rams QB Matthew Stafford, Ravens WR Marquise Brown, Cleveland WR Donovan Peoples-Jones and New England tight end Hunter Henry.
UPDATE: 10:51 a.m. Saturday
They share a surname, and a talent for catching passes. And this week, both Tennessee's A.J. Brown and Tampa Bay's Antonio Brown will be on the sideline.
Those absences are not equal. The Titans' Brown will be greatly missed as he is a vital part of that team's offense, especially since the departure of Derrick Henry. Tennessee QB Ryan Tannehill should be downgraded this week because of Brown's absence, and many other reasons.
Tampa Bay's Brown is a shadow of his former self and just one of many receiving options for Tom Brady. He was not a must-start like A.J.
Titans running back Jeremy McNichols has also been ruled out of tomorrow's game at New England. For the struggling New York Giants, WR Sterling Shepard has been ruled out, and sidekick Kadarius Toney is considered very doubtful to play against Philadelphia.
One big name should be back this week. Cleveland RB Kareem Hunt should return to his No. 2 role behind Nick Chubb.
Notables listed as questionable this morning (besides Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh awaiting his annual Ohio State beatdown) include Giants RB Saquon Barkley, Green Bay RB Aaron Jones, 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell, Seattle RB Alex Collins, Jets wideout Corey Davis, Giants tight end Kyle Rudolph and Patriots TE Jonnu Smith.
ORIGINAL POST: 11:12 a.m. Wednesday
We all have a lot to give thanks for this year. This week's availability of top fantasy football stars is not one of them.
Two of the top contenders for Super Bowl LVI, the Kansas City Chiefs and Arizona Cardinals, are on bye this week. So, stars ranging from Patrick Mahomes to Kyler Murray to Travis Kelce and DeAndre Hopkins will be spending time with their families while you spend time ignoring your families while scrounging for replacements on the waiver wire.
The three-game slate of Thanksgiving games is also a problem because it makes the return of injured standouts more untenable. Teams are unlikely to risk their fragile stars coming back on a short week, whether we're talking about Dallas running back Ezekiel Elliott or New Orleans star Alvin Karama.
Is there anything you can find on the fantasy buffet to replace your missing gridiron calories? Here's a half dozen prospects likely still available in your league, and could be hot dishes in Week 12:
Devonta Freeman (Ravens RB) — The veteran has emerged from the mish-mash that is the Baltimore backfield to become the undisputed No. 1. His yardage totals aren't much, but he has a TD in four of his past five games. He likely will make it 5 out of 6 against Cleveland.
Rex Burkhead (Texans RB) — Houston suddenly decided to give the former Patriot a first-string workload last week. He rushed 18 times in the Texans' upset of Tennessee and could be in line for his first touchdown of the season Sunday against the lowly Jets.
Elijah Moore (Jets WR) — Speaking of the Jets, this rookie has emerged as New York's most reliable fantasy option. He has four TDs in his past three games and is coming off a 141-yard effort vs. Miami. He could do just as well against Houston.
Marvin Jones (Jaguars WR) — He's one of the season's biggest disappointments with only 42 catches and three touchdowns. But Jacksonville has played better lately, and the Atlanta defense has not. A good candidate for a late-season revival.
Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers QB) — The Vikings' defense was mostly shredded in the second half by Aaron Rodgers last Sunday, and the San Fran attack has been perking up. Garappolo has accounted for two TDs in four straight games and will likely make it a fifth Sunday.
Trevor Siemian (Saints QB) — Hard to believe but the former Northwestern platoon QB has been one of the top fantasy QBs the past three weeks after replacing Jameis Winston. A lot of his stats have been padded in garbage time, and there will be more of that against the Bills.
SITTING STARS
The Indianapolis defense has been pretty stout lately, which means Tom Brady and Chris Godwin might be the only Buccaneers you should start this week. ... OK, and Rob Gronkowski. ... Carolina QB Cam Newton will see his two-game streak of both throwing and running for a touchdown end against Miami. ... Cleveland's Baker Mayfield doesn't care what anyone else thinks, but we think you should avoid starting him against the Ravens. ... The Chargers' Austin Ekeler will find tougher going in Denver, so don't expect another four TDs from him. ... And we're not expecting much from either of the running attacks in Lambeau Field on Sunday, so you might pause slightly before starting Green Bay's A.J. Dillon or the Rams' Darrell Henderson.
MATCHUP GAME
If Detroit is finally going to win a game, and it might, then RB D'Andre Swift will have to have a big Turkey Day. ... Seattle QB Russell Wilson has been horrible since returning from injury but will regain some of his form vs. Washington. ... Dallas QB Dak Prescott was spitting mad off after going touchdown-free in Kansas City, so he will bounce back against the sinking Raiders ... Washington RB Antonio Gibson and wideout Terry McLaurin will have big games against Seattle ... Same goes for Baltimore tight end Mark Andrews vs. Cleveland. ... And speaking of tight ends, look for the 49ers' George Kittle to look like his old self against what's left of the Vikings' defense.
INJURY WATCH
Chicago won't have Justin Fields at quarterback on Thanksgiving in Detroit, so Andy Dalton will be back over center. As for the winless Lions, QB Jared Goff is said to be "trending" towards starting. ... Also Thursday, Dallas is hoping to get WR CeeDee Lamb out of the concussion protocols in time to face the Raiders. ... Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers will be inhibited by a toe injury and a depleted offensive line against the Rams, though you likely should start him anyway. ... Players ruled out include Dallas WR Amari Cooper, Jacksonville wideout Jamal Agnew, Seattle RB Chris Carson and Philly RB Jordan Howard. ... The ranks of the questionable include San Fran RB Elijah Mitchell, Atlanta RB Cordarrelle Patterson, Titans WR A.J. Brown, Baltimore WR Marquise Brown, Cleveland WR Jarvis Landry, Chicago WR Darnell Mooney and Washington tight end Logan Thomas.
THE DEEPEST SLEEPERS
The New York Jets need to replace rookie running back Michael Carter for at least a couple of weeks because of a high ankle sprain. Who will it be? Either Tevin Coleman or Ty Johnson. One or both could become a fantasy factor, particularly with the lowly Houston Texans on the slate this week. Coleman, with only 118 yards on the season, is likely to get the most rushing attempts, while Johnson, with three touchdowns on the season, will be the primary pass catcher. With Zack Wilson returning to quarterback the J-E-T-S, we like Johnson best in this showdown of 2-8 juggernauts.
THE THURSDAY PICKS
Bears at Lions (+3 1/2 ):
Pick: Lions by 3
Raiders at Cowboys (-7 1/2 ):
Pick: Cowboys by 8
Bills at Saints (+4 1/2 ):
Pick: Bills by 7
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.
