play0:41Will Jordan Mason step in for Aaron Jones if he’s unable to return?Liz Loza breaks down why George Mason could be next up for the Vikings in their matchup vs. the Commanders.
play1:38Is Devaughn Vele a future fantasy star for the Saints?Is Devaughn Vele a future fantasy star for the Saints?
Will Jordan Mason step in for Aaron Jones if he’s unable to return?Liz Loza breaks down why George Mason could be next up for the Vikings in their matchup vs. the Commanders.
Liz Loza breaks down why George Mason could be next up for the Vikings in their matchup vs. the Commanders.
Is Devaughn Vele a future fantasy star for the Saints?Is Devaughn Vele a future fantasy star for the Saints?
Justin Herbert to undergo surgery, could still play in Week 14
Early takeaways from Week 13: Meyers is top dog among Jags WRs; Bucs’ Irving solid in return
Beyond the numbers: Is Lamb or Pickens Dallas’ best WR?
Chargers open practice window for RB Omarion Hampton
Everything that happens in the NFL has additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.
Our Fantasy Football Buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the league.
Key links: Fantasy depth charts | Weekly rankings Scoring leaders | Projections | Strength of schedule
The Los Angeles Chargers QB will undergo surgery on Monday to address a broken bone in his left hand, and he told reporters on Sunday night that he is approaching the team’s Week 14 game as if he is playing.
A hand fracture refers to a break of one of the metacarpal bones, the long bones of the hand that serve as the bridge between the fingers and the wrist.
If all goes well with the procedure and the early wound healing goes as planned, it is not out of the question that Herbert could return to play next week (the Chargers play on Monday night in Week 14). He would likely wear some splint or shield as protection over the incision and might work more out of the shotgun initially to avoid taking direct snaps to the left hand. It shouldn’t affect his ability to throw and, as long as he can demonstrate good ball control, he should be able to function.
Why Quinshon Judkins’ fantasy outlook is trending upwards
Will Jordan Mason step in for Aaron Jones if he’s unable to return?
Is Devaughn Vele a future fantasy star for the Saints?
Is Devaughn Vele a future fantasy star for the Saints?
Kirk Cousins leaned on his tight end with Drake London sidelined. Pitts put forth a surprisingly efficient performance for the Atlanta Falcons, collecting a team-high 7 of 8 balls for 82 receiving yards. The mercurial tight end posted double-digit fantasy points (15.2) for the first time since Week 8. He’ll be on the streaming radar in a plus matchup versus Seattle (the Seahawks entered Week 13 allowing the third-most fantasy points to TEs) in Week 14.
It was a triumphant return for Irving, who hadn’t suited up since Week 4. The second-year RB resumed his role as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ undisputed RB1, recording 81 scrimmage yards and a rushing score on 19 touches (16.1 fantasy points). He would have had two scores had the first not been called back due to a holding penalty. Irving’s return could not be better timed for fantasy managers. He’ll be back on the RB1 fantasy radar versus New Orleans in Week 14.
The valuation gap between George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb has narrowed following Pickens’ back-to-back games of at least 29 fantasy points.
Pickens has delivered eight top-25 weekly scores in his 11 games, his 72.7% rate tied for fourth best among wide receivers, while his four games finishing among the position’s top five trail only Ja’Marr Chase (5) and Puka Nacua (5). Meanwhile, if we remove Lamb’s three injury absences, he has been a top-25 wide receiver in six of eight games (75%), but he hasn’t finished better than 10th (Weeks 2 and 7).
Lamb does have an advantage over Pickens, however, as his 29.0% target share since returning to action in Week 7 beats Pickens’ 26.0%, and he has three times as many red zone targets (9-3) in that time. It’s a compelling battle between the two for the honor of top Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, and as you’ll see, our rankings of the two have narrowed this week, with both inside the position’s top eight.
The Los Angeles Chargers announced that the practice window is being opened for RB Omarion Hampton, who has not played since Week 5 against the Washington Commanders due to an ankle injury.
If Hampton returns this Sunday, expect him to have a split with Kimani Vidal and eventually work his way back to being the main guy as he returns to full health.
As fantasy managers look for him on practice reports, keep in the mind that the fantasy trade deadline is Wednesday at noon — so if you want to add him for your playoff push, act fast.
When a fracture is a small, stable crack, there is sometimes an opportunity for it to heal on its own over four to six weeks, although surgery may still be recommended. However, if the bones are out of alignment or if there are multiple fragments, surgery is required to restore proper alignment and insert stabilizing hardware. The advantage to hardware placement is that it allows for early range of motion without fear of displacing the fracture or disrupting the healing process. It also allows for sooner return to play with less risk of reinjury.
Meyers’ change of scenery continues to salvage his fantasy stock and benefit fantasy managers. The former Raider (by way of New England) led all Jacksonville Jaguars pass-catchers in targets, converting all six of his looks for 90 yards and a score. The effort resulted in a season-high 21.3 fantasy points. Brian Thomas Jr. was back on the field, but Meyers’ opportunities were boosted when Parker Washington was forced out of the game with a hip injury. If Washington were to miss time, Meyers and TE Brenton Strange would likely lead the Jags’ passing attack versus Indianapolis in Week 14.
Harrison returned from a two-week hiatus (appendectomy), picking up where he left off in Week 10. Trey McBride led the Arizona Cardinals in targets (nine), and MHJ and Michael Wilson drew seven apiece. Harrison led the corps in receiving yards, posting a 6-69-0 stat line. It’s worth noting that Wilson’s targets jumped significantly in the game’s second half while Jacoby Brissett was chasing points. Harrison, on the other hand, endured as the team’s priority WR for the bulk of the contest. He’ll face a motivated Rams defense in Week 14.
Williams exited the Los Angeles Rams’ eventual loss at the Carolina Panthers with under three minutes left in the second quarter. The Notre Dame product appeared to injure an ankle, but he was able to return in the second half. Although Williams registered six more totes than Blake Corum, his backfield mate outproduced Williams, registering 81 rushing yards on seven carries. Both backs had a rushing touchdown. Neither recorded a catch. Assuming Williams doesn’t suffer any setbacks, he’ll be ready to roll in a gettable matchup at Arizona next week.
Quinshon Judkins led the Cleveland Browns’ backfield in snaps, touches (26), and fantasy points (15.9). Dylan Sampson suffered a calf injury in the third quarter against the San Francisco 49ers and did not return. If Sampson misses time, Judkins could see an even larger workload in Week 14 against a Tennessee Titans defense that allows the fifth-most RB fantasy points per game.
Kenneth Walker III has now played in over 50% of the Seattle Seahawks’ snaps for two straight weeks. He has logged at least 14 touches in back-to-back games, and his receiving involvement and increased goal-line usage are encouraging. Walker remains a low-end RB2 in fantasy.
Ashton Jeanty set a career high in offensive snaps for the Las Vegas Raiders against the Los Angeles Chargers. Las Vegas does have a new offensive coordinator and ran a limited number of plays, but the usage is still encouraging. Jeanty finished with 21 touches and 12.1 fantasy points. However, the Raiders are not an offensive juggernaut, which diminishes some of his fantasy appeal.
Woody Marks’ foot injury early in the first quarter had fantasy managers holding their breath, but he was able to return. The good news is that he led the Houston Texans’ backfield in snaps, routes run and touches (20). Marks finished with only 7.7 fantasy points because Nick Chubb scored the team’s rushing touchdown, but he has logged at least 16 touches in four straight games and remains firmly on the RB2 radar.
Devin Neal led the New Orleans Saints’ backfield in snaps, routes run, touches and fantasy points (9.9) against the Miami Dolphins, which shouldn’t come as a surprise with Alvin Kamara sidelined by an MCL sprain. It’s an encouraging sign, especially given Taysom Hill’s limited involvement. Kamara’s status remains worth monitoring, as the Saints’ remaining schedule is the third easiest for fantasy running backs.
Jacksonville Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr. didn’t play on as many snaps as usual against the Titans, but that was because of the blowout, rather than a change in the team’s RBBC. He dominated touches in the first half and finished the game with 13 touches and 5.1 fantasy points. As a reminder, over the previous four games Etienne had averaged 20.5 touches and 18.0 fantasy points per contest.
Aaron Jones Sr. left in the third quarter with a shoulder injury after having led the Minnesota Vikings’ backfield for three straight weeks. Jordan Mason replaced him and ran well. He would become fantasy-relevant if Jones misses time. The Vikings face the Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants over the next three games. Both Dallas and New York rank among the four teams that allow the most fantasy points to RBs.
Rams running back Blake Corum has played between 30% and 40% of his team’s offensive snaps in each of the past four games, averaging 9.0 touches per contest. He posted a season-high 81 rushing yards and 14.1 fantasy points against the Panthers. Corum remains one of the top insurance backs in the league.