Week 12: Fantasy Football Weekly
Quarterbacks
For those of you planning to start Kyle Orton, Michael Vick or any Bills and Jets for that matter, their game has been moved to Monday night in Detroit due to the awful weather in Buffalo. The game will be played indoors. Any worries you had about conditions or a cancellation should be cast aside … Many fearful of Philip Rivers' injury to his ribs last Sunday no longer have to worry. He has not missed a snap in practice this week and is good to go … According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Peyton Manning wants to play at least one more season. He will turn 39 in March … Reports surfaced this week from ESPN's Steve Young that Robert Griffin III "doesn't put the time in." This is according to sources on the Redskins' former coaching staff … According to The New York Daily News, Geno Smith's days in New York are likely over… Carson Palmer had his ACL repaired and his meniscus trimmed on Tuesday. The goal is to have him back on the field by the start of training camp … Giants owner John Mara stated that the team still believes in Eli Manning. Mara said Manning is still in his prime and has plenty of good years left. The comments were of course made before his five-interception performance last Sunday.
Running Backs
Adrian Peterson has been suspended for at least the remainder of this season. He will have an appeal hearing on Dec. 2. However, he will not be able to play during the appeal process, and it is unlikely we will see him on the field again this year. He said this week that he is open to the idea of a "fresh start" with a new team in 2015 … Ahmad Bradshaw will miss the remainder of the season with a broken leg. This means Trent Richardson will take over No. 1 RB duties, which means go pick up Dan Herron because he will be the Colts' top back very soon … Ben Tate was waived by the Browns this week and subsequently picked up by the Vikings. We will have to wait to see how he fits into the mix in Minnesota. Perhaps he will take on the role of short-yardage and goal-line back immediately since Matt Asiata has been ruled out for Sunday's game due to a concussion. Jerick McKinnon will be the lead back … LeGarrette Blount was cut by the Steelers this week for selfish behavior and promptly signed with the Patriots. This is where things get interesting, because Jonas Gray was not allowed to practice Friday after oversleeping and showing up late. Who knows how Bill Belichick will handle this situation … With Blount out in Pittsburgh, Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley was asked about Le'Veon Bell's workload moving forward. He said, "we will take all he can give." Bell carried the ball 33 times for more than 200 yards Monday night … Arian Foster is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game due to his groin injury but is trending closer to doubtful after missing practices on Thursday and Friday. He is expected to be a game-time decision … The Saints' backfield is starting to shape up for Monday night's game versus Baltimore. It is looking like Pierre Thomas (shoulder) will be able to return, and Travaris Cadet (hamstring) should be good to go as well. Khiry Robinson still has not been able to practice because of his arm injury … Joique Bell is officially listed as probable, and Reggie Bush is questionable. Both have ankle issues and will most likely be able to play in New England on Sunday … Lamar Miller is now dealing with a knee injury on top of his shoulder injury. He is still expected to play in Week 12 … Giovani Bernard is expected to return from his hip injury this week. However, Jeremy Hill is expected to handle the majority of the carries for the time being … Latavius Murray took only four carries Thursday night before exiting with a concussion. Nonetheless, he took those four carries for 112 yards and two touchdowns against a Chiefs defense that had not allowed a rushing score all season long. Head coach Tony Sparano confirmed after the game that he has earned more touches going forward … Antone Smith will miss the remainder of the season after breaking his leg last Sunday … Doug Martin is still questionable to play this week but is looking more probable than not. How he fits into Tampa Bay's backfield rotation remains a mystery. Charles Sims is also listed as questioned due to an ankle injury … Fred Jackson (groin) is expected to return Monday night against the Jets, but it is not a sure thing. He did practice Friday … LeSean McCoy claims he is still the same player he was last season … Montee Ball and Ronnie Hillman will not play Sunday against the Dolphins. Hillman has a sprained foot, and Ball aggravated his groin injury early on in last week's loss to the Rams. Both are expected to miss at least a couple more weeks … The Panthers activated touchdown vulture Mike Tolbert off of injured reserve.
Wide Receivers
Finally, Josh Gordon will make his long-awaited and most likely overhyped return this Sunday … Larry Fitzgerald suffered a Grade 2 MCL sprain in last Sunday's win and is hoping to play through it this week … It looks like Emmanuel Sanders will be able to play Sunday after taking a vicious hit last week in St. Louis. He has passed through the league's concussion protocol … Rookie standout Brandin Cooks has been placed on season-ending injured reserve due to a broken thumb … Eric Decker said his hamstring injury is completely behind him … Allen Hurns will replace Allen Robinson, who is done for the year because of a broken foot, in the Jaguars' starting lineup … After struggling with an illness this week, Julio Jones is ready to go Sunday against the Browns … The Chiefs placed A.J. Jenkins on IR with a shoulder injury this week and signed Jason Avant… Both Jarius Wright (hamstring) and Greg Jennings (ribs) are trending towards playing this week against the Packers … Justin Blackmon seems to be getting his life in order. He completed a drug-rehabilitation program recently, and it's looking like he may be reinstated in 2015.
Tight Ends
Julius Thomas was extremely limited in Friday's practice because of his ankle injury and is very questionable to play in Week 12. Jacob Tamme could be a great pickup this week … Dwayne Allen has been ruled out because of a sprained ankle. Coby Fleener will start in his stead and has a very favorable matchup against Jacksonville … Jordan Reed will miss this weekend's game in San Francisco due to another hamstring injury. Niles Paul is his replacement … After being listed as questionable pretty much all year, it looks like this is the week Charles Clay will finally miss a game. He is listed as doubtful with both knee and hamstring injuries … Tyler Eifert is "progressing," according to head coach Marvin Lewis, and will most likely play again this season … Jordan Cameron still has not been cleared to play following his concussion a handful of weeks ago, but he did practice Friday … Delanie Walker is ready to return from his concussion, which sidelined him in Week 11.
Remember to read all our columns for this week and use our Who To Start Rankings