Cowboys RB Tony Pollard found the end zone in Thursday's beatdown of the Commanders, his second straight week with a TD after an eight-game drought. that score from 7 yards out marked his fourth straight game with at least 1 carry from inside the 10-yard line. That's obviously key to his fantasy potential, but TDs will always be relatively unpredictable. Here are three other positive takeaways from the game: 1) Pollard drew 6 targets and led the team with 6 receptions. That marked his second straight game with at least 5 targets and third 5+ target game among the past four. Stabilizing his usage in that area -- which fluctuated across the first four post-bye contests -- would make Pollard a much comfier fantasy start the rest of the way. 2) He delivered a 27-yard run that was his longest since Week 3 and second-longest of the season. Pollard has been missing some of the burst that drove his game in previous seasons but looked good on that run. 3) Rico Dowdle scored but still isn't taking meaningful work away. The backup played 12 snaps (to Pollard's 41), got 3 carries (vs. 13), and ran 5 routes (vs. 22) in a game Dallas won 45-10. Pollard continues to dominate the work. The matchup certainly helped Pollard's Thanksgiving production. According to Pro Football Reference, he's averaging 2.7 yards before contact per carry for the season but got 6.1 per carry against Washington. Pollard's unlikely to get that much help from the rest of his opponents. But positive RB-scoring matchups remain against Seattle next week and at Buffalo in Week 15. A Week 17 home date with the Lions also looks more favorable after the way their defense played the past two weeks than the adjusted fantasy points allowed suggest.
Bears RB D'Onta Foreman (ankle, shin) did not practice on Thursday. His absence in Monday night's game vs. the Vikings would leave Chicago's backfield to Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson. We'll keep you updated on Foreman's status over the next few days.
Ravens WR Odell Beckham (shoulder) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. We'll see what he does in Friday's practice and how he's listed on the final injury report for Sunday night's game vs. the Chargers. Baltimore's WR corps is in flux with Zay Flowers dealing with a hip injury.
Ravens WR Zay Flowers (hip) went from a limited practice on Wednesday to no practice on Thursday. It looks like he hurt his hip on Wednesday and is in danger of missing Sunday night's game vs. the Chargers. We'll see if Flowers is able to practice tomorrow and how he's listed on the final injury report.
After being limited on Wednesday, Cardinals WR Marquise Brown (heel) did not practice on Thursday. It looks like he hurt his heel on Wednesday and is now in danger of missing this weekend's game vs. the Rams. Check back tomorrow for another update on Brown. WR Michael Wilson (shoulder) remained sidelined on Thursday, so the Cardinals could be down to Greg Dortch and Rondale Moore as their top two WRs on Sunday.
Rams WR Cooper Kupp (ankle) got in a limited practice on Thursday. That gives him a chance to suit up for this weekend's game vs. the Cardinals. We'll see what he does in Friday's practice and how he's listed on the final injury report.
Steelers WR George Pickens (shin) returned to a limited practice on Thursday after being sidelined on Wednesday. We'll see what he does tomorrow and how he's listed on the final injury report for this weekend's game vs. the Bengals.
The Lions continued to split backfield work between RBs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs in Week 12. Montgomery beat the rookie 2-0 in goal line carries, leading to a 6-yard score up the gut. Overall, Montgomery out-carried Gibbs 15-11, with Gibbs continuing to lead the way in the passing game (8 targets). Struggles from QB Jared Goff -- as well as one drop -- limited Gibbs' impact to 4 catches for 19 yards. Week 13 turns up a tough date at New Orleans, followed by plus matchups against Chicago and Denver. Overall, we're not changing our outlook for this backfield.
Packers QB Jordan Love dominated the Lions on Thursday with 268 yards, 3 TDs, and 0 turnovers. He added 39 rushing yards, with 37 coming on a zone-read. But the real story here was Love’s accuracy, which he showed off on several tight-window and off-platform throws. His +7.3% completion rate over expected set a career-high, per Next Gen Stats. Love will be a risky QB1 next week vs. the Chiefs' stingy pass D. But he’ll be back on the streaming radar for a Week 14 date at the Giants.
Packers WR Christian Watson tallied 5 catches, 94 yards, and 1 score in a Week 12 win over Detroit. Watson hauled in a 54-yard deep ball on the game's first play, and it was smooth sailing from there alongside a red-hot Jordan Love. Overall, Watson’s 7 targets (21.8% share) ranked second on the team and marking his second-highest total of the season. Next week turns up a tough matchup vs. Kansas City, but beyond that, Green Bay’s schedule lightens up.
Seahawks QB Geno Smith (elbow) is active for tonight’s game vs. the 49ers. He was a full-go in Wednesday’s practice and “looked good, felt good,” according to HC Pete Carroll. It doesn’t sound like the elbow/tricep injury will be a major factor tonight. But it adds some risk in what’s already a tough matchup. Smith sits deep in QB2 territory in the Week 12 Rankings.
Seahawks RB Ken Walker (oblique) is inactive for tonight’s game vs. the 49ers. RB Zach Charbonnet should dominate backfield work in this one. RBs DeeJay Dallas and Kenny McIntosh are active behind him.
Commanders RB Antonio Gibson (toe) is active for today’s game vs. the Cowboys. He was reportedly a game-time decision, so it’s safe to assume that he’s not at 100% for this one. Gibson is only an option in Thanksgiving DFS tournaments. His return does put a ding on RB Brian Robinson’s target projection.
Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle (ankle) is active for today’s game vs. the Commanders. He’ll again operate as Dallas’ No. 2 RB and is only in play as a cheap DFS flier.
Dolphins RB De'Von Achane (knee) is listed as questionable for Friday afternoon's game vs. the Jets. He was limited in practice all week. The Dolphins elevated RB Darrynton Evans from the practice squad on Thursday, which is an indication that they're not particularly optimistic about Achane's availability for this one. We'll get Miami's inactives around 1:30 pm ET on Friday.
Packers LB De'Vondre Campbell (neck) is inactive for today's game against the Lions. He seemed on track to play after putting in a full Wednesday practice. Instead Isaiah McDuffie should start in Campbell's place, next to Quay Walker. Check our updated Week 12 LB rankings.
Packers S Rudy Ford (biceps) and CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder) are inactive for today's game against the Lions. Injuries have shaken up that secondary and brought some big changes in our Week 12 DB rankings. Slot CB Keisean Nixon looks most interesting against Detroit.
Packers WR Dontayvion Wicks (concussion, knee) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Lions. Green Bay’s No. 4 WR has totaled 17 targets (11.6% share) over the last four games. His absence is a slight boost for WRs Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Jayden Reed.
Packers RB A.J. Dillon (groin) is active for today’s game vs. the Lions. He was limited in practice this week and listed as questionable, but we’ve heard nothing to suggest that the groin will be an issue today. Dillon will operate as Green Bay’s lead ball-carrier with RB Aaron Jones out. But he lost passing-down work to RB Patrick Taylor in the three games Jones missed earlier this season, totaling just two targets. Dillon lands in RB3 territory in the Week 12 Rankings.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that Buccaneers LB Lavonte David is "considered a long shot" to play against the Colts this week because of a groin injury. We have removed David from the Week 12 LB rankings and given LB Devin White a tackle boost. We'll have to watch White's status as well, as he missed Wednesday's practice with a foot issue. He started last week the same way, though, and wound up playing every snap. Expect rookie LB SirVocea Dennis to start in David's place.
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