Immediate fantasy football takeaways from Sunday’s games

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PFF’s fantasy football recap focuses on player usage and stats, breaking down all the vital information you need to achieve fantasy success in 2025.

New York Jets @ Baltimore Ravens

The Jets continue to adjust at wide receiver: The Jets’ newest wide receivers were at the top of the depth chart.

New York started the season with Garrett Wilson and Josh Reynolds as its top two wide receivers, but both are on injured reserve. Tyler Johnson was the only other wide receiver on the 53-man roster with over 100 receiving yards on the season, but he was a healthy inactive this week. Arian Smith, Allen Lazard and Isaiah Williams have all played significant snaps this year, but they remained backups this week.

The Jets were more sellers than buyers before the trade deadline, but two of their trades involved backup wide receivers landing in New York. John Metchie III arrived from the Philadelphia Eagles and Adonai Mitchell from the Indianapolis Colts. Both receivers heavily rotated with Johnson and Williams last week, while Metchie gained 45 yards and a touchdown, and Mitchell led the team in targets.

This week, Metchie and Mitchell were simply the two starters for New York, as both playing over 90% of the snaps in both two- and three-receiver sets. Mitchell was the X receiver, and Metchie was at Z. Lazard, Williams and Smith were in a three-man rotation for the slot role in three-receiver sets, and one of the three was also on the field for single-receiver sets.

Metchie had the best day of the group with six receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown. While the Jets’ schedule is only average for the last five weeks, Metchie is worth considering off the waiver wire, as he should be the Jets’ top option over the rest of the season.

Mark Andrews takes on a larger role: Andrews played two-thirds of the Ravens’ offensive snaps for the first time since Week 6.

Andrews was playing at least 74% of the snaps in each of the first three weeks of the season while Isaiah Likely dealt with an injury. Upon Likely’s return, Baltimore largely returned to the same tight end rotation from last season. Andrews led a rotation over Likely in 11 personnel, Andrews and Likely shared the field in 12 personnel, Charlie Kolar was the primary tight end in 21 personnel, and Likely and Kolar shared the field for 22 personnel.

This leaves Andrews playing 50-63% of the snaps most weeks, and the one exception was in Week 6 when the Ravens ran 45 plays out of two-tight-end sets and 19 out of three-tight -end sets. The Ravens haven’t come close to hitting either mark in any other game this season.

This week, Andrews played six of the eight snaps in 11 personnel on third downs. This was notable because Likely had taken the majority of those snaps the last three weeks. Likely has been dealing with a calf injury, which caused him to miss practice on Wednesday and made him limited on Thursday. Andrews also took 11 of the 15 snaps out of 21 personnel, which is usually Kolar’s formation. While these are often run plays, the Andrews ran six routes out of this personnel grouping in this game.

The Ravens offense struggled this week, was Lamar Jackson only threw for 158 yards. Andrews caught one target for nine yards. Each of the Ravens next five matchups are more advantageous to tight ends than this game, so there should be brighter days ahead of Andrews fantasy value.

Miscellaneous notes

• Baltimore’s quarterback Lamar Jackson didn’t practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury, but he was able to practice in full the rest of the week.
• Ravens running back Justice Hill was active this week after missing last week due to a toe injury. He was able to practice in full all week. Rasheen Ali was a healthy scratch after playing in Hill’s place in Week 11. Hill was back to his usual role of playing 90% of the third-down snaps. The Ravens didn’t have a two-minute drill, but he presumably would have played in that situation as well.
• Wide receiver Rashod Bateman was ruled out Friday due to an ankle injury, his second straight absence. He didn’t practice all week.
• Devontez Walker played more this week than last with Bateman out. He split time with Tylan Wallace in 11 personnel, where last week Wallace played 20 of the 21 snaps in 11 personnel. He also cut into DeAndre Hopkins‘ playing time in 12 personnel more than last week.
• Jets star running back Breece Hall has played between 71-72% of the Jets offensive snaps each of the last three weeks in addition to 82.5-84.5% of the snaps in early-down situations. He averaged 60.4% of the snaps and 72.5% of the early-down snaps before the Jets’ Week 9 bye.
• New York running back Kene Nwangwu was added to the injury report on Thursday due to a hamstring injury. He was questionable for the game but was ultimately active.
• Rookie tight end Mason Taylor played over 80% of the Jets offensive snaps for the first time since Week 7.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Chicago Bears

Kyle Monangai leads the Bears backfield: The seventh-round rookie played more offensive snaps than D’Andre Swift for the first time in a game where both were active, and he led the team in carries.

From Weeks 6-11, excluding Week 9, Swift led Chicago’s two-man backfield. He played 55.6% of the snaps compared to Monangai’s 40.2%. Those splits were similar in each situation, except during two-minute drills where Swift played 71.4%. Swift has been dealing with injuries throughout that stretch, and if anything, he appeared healthier this week than in the past. He was limited on Wednesday for a second straight week due to a hip injury but was able to practice in full the rest of the week.

In this game, Monangai played more on both early downs and at the goal line, while Swift remained the primary receiving back. While Swift lost a fumble early in the second quarter, the change in playing time seemed by design and not related to the fumble. Monangai played eight of a possible 13 snaps in the first quarter before Swift’s fumble. Swift was ineffective as a rusher this week, finishing with eight carries for 15 yards. This is the most that Ben Johnson’s backfield resembled one of his Detroit Lions backfield, as Monangai took the David Montgomery or Jamaal Williams role, while Swift had his old role in Johnson’s offense.

The Bears’ schedule only becomes more difficult from here. Four of their final five games during the fantasy season are against teams likely to make the playoffs in the NFC, and the other is the Cleveland Browns, who have an excellent run defense. Monangai is now more viable as a fantasy starter in deep leagues, but in most normal leagues, it will be difficult to start either running back going forward.

D.J. Moore shines but on fewer snaps than usual: The Bears have been rotating their wide receivers more in recent weeks.

The Bears were healthier than they have been in some time with their top skill players. Wide receivers Rome Odunze (heel, ankle) and Moore (hip, shoulder, groin) weren’t on the injury report after appearing the last three weeks. Neither practiced the previous three Wednesdays and were limited the previous three Thursdays, but both practiced in full this week.

Despite this, Luther Burden III has earned a larger role in the offense. Last week, this was largely at Olamide Zaccheaus‘ expense. Burden played 100% of the snaps in three-receiver sets a week ago. Burden didn’t play as much in three-receiver sets this week, but he played a higher percentage of the total snaps. Burden only played 61.1% of three receiver sets, but played two-thirds of the single receiver sets, which were his most for a game since Week 3. This led Burden to play over 50% of the snaps for the first time in his NFL career.

Odunze had averaged 86.2% of the snaps in two-receiver sets over the first 11 weeks, and Moore has played 79.8%. This week, Odunze played 60% of the 12-personnel snaps, and Moore played 75%. Moore had played 57.1% of the single-receiver snaps last week and didn’t play at all in these personnel groupings this week.

Moore, Odunze and Burden all gained between 46-64 receiving yards this week. As Burden continues to earn more playing time, it will be harder to predict which Bears receiver will be the best for fantasy purposes in any given week.

Kenneth Gainwell has another great game: Gainwell ran 10 times for 92 yards and caught six passes for 30 yards.

Gainwell had caught seven passes for 81 yards for two touchdowns last week. He played more than usual last week because the Steelers ran 20 of their 65 snaps in two-minute drills and third downs, which is Gainwell’s usual role. Jaylen Warren also couldn’t finish the game due to an ankle injury. Warren couldn’t practice on Wednesday and was limited in Thursday, but he practiced in full on Friday.

From Weeks 6-10, Warren had played 56.7% of the snaps to Gainwell’s 39.6%. Warren played at least two-thirds of the snaps on early downs and in short-yardage and goal-line situations, while Gainwell played at least two-thirds of the third-down and two-minute drill snaps. This week, everything shifted a little more in Gainwell’s favor. Warren’s injury has likely contributed to this, although Gainwell’s big plays may have also played a factor.

Warren ran the ball 18 times for 68 yards and a touchdown, so he had a fine game. Additionally, 55 of Gainwell’s 92 yards came from a trick play out of a tush push formation. Gainwell’s targets per route have also increased with Mason Rudolph at quarterback. 

We should expect Warren to continue being a large part of the Steelers’ offense, but Gainwell could be a factor in fantasy leagues. There is a chance Warren regresses once Aaron Rodgers is back, but keeping him in fantasy starting lineups is worth considering.

Miscellaneous notes

• Chicago placed running back Roschon Johnson on injured reserve on Saturday. Travis Homer was also ruled out due to hamstring and knee injuries. The Bears signed running back Brittain Brown from their own practice squad on Saturday to be their third running back going forward.
• The Bears elevated tight end Nikola Kalinic from the practice squad for this game on Saturday.
• Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers was inactive due to a left wrist injury. He didn’t practice on Wednesday but was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday. He was initially ruled questionable and wasn’t ruled out until a few hours before kickoff. Mason Rudolph was the starter, and rookie Will Howard was active for the first time in his career to be the backup.
• Wide receiver D.K. Metcalf briefly left the game due to an ankle injury, but he was able to return, and his playing time was normal throughout the second half.
• Roman Wilson was the Steelers’ No. 2 wide receiver last week, playing over 50% of the 12-personnel snaps and 100% of the 11-personnel snaps. This week, Pittsburgh was back to Calvin Austin III as the No. 2 wide receiver. Wilson played 10.8% of the 12-personnel snaps and 72.2% of the 11-personnel snaps.
• Tight end Darnell Washington played 77.8% of the third-down snaps out of 11 personnel after playing 85.7% last week. He played 15.1% of these snaps in that situation over the first 10 weeks. He only plays half of the snaps in two-tight-end sets, making it difficult to trust him for fantasy football purposes.

New England Patriots @ Cincinnati Bengals

TreVeyon Henderson starts despite Rhamondre Stevenson’s return: Stevenson was active this week after missing three straight games due to a toe injury. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday but practiced in full on Friday.

Stevenson started the season as the Patriots’ starter, while Henderson was in a rotational role. Stevenson’s role expanded in October, playing 72-76% of the offensive snaps from Weeks 6-8. However, Stevenson had only one game this season with over 55 yards, and that was against the Tennessee Titans. Henderson has gained at least 55 rushing yards in each of the last four games. New England opted to stick with the hot hand and gave Henderson the start.

Henderson was the clear early-down back, and Stevenson was the clear third-down back, which is the opposite of what most people expected heading into the season. Henderson ran 18 times for 66 yards, while Stevenson ran six times for five yards. This split for New England will likely continue.

The Patriots play the New York Giants next week, where Stevenson will remain a player to start. The Patriots have their bye week after that and then games against the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens. Both running backs will be high-risk, high-reward options that week, as both defenses have allowed significant fantasy production to running backs, but the Patriots could also fall behind, lean on the passing game, and either one could be on the field for a hurry-up offense.

Kayshon Boutte returns for the Patriots: New England’s lead X receiver had missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury, but he was a full participant in practice all week.

The Patriots have spent most of the season with a heavy rotation of wide receivers. Each of their top five wide receivers were healthy for their first nine games. In that time, Boutte played 66.6% of the snaps snaps, Mack Hollins played 60.9%, Stefon Diggs played 55.4%, DeMario Douglas played 30.3%, and Kyle Williams played 20.9%. Boutte has primarily rotated with Williams as the X receiver, while Hollins and Diggs rotated for the Z spot in 12 personnel. Douglas joined the rotation for the Z and slot roles in 11 personnel.

This week, Boutte was not only back, but he played in over 80% of the snaps for the first time since Week 1. Hollins was playing more snaps during Boutte’s injury, and he continued to play a high rate of the snaps (85.9%) in this game. Both players played at least 87% of the snaps in two- and three-receiver sets. This made the Patriots wide receiver rotation similar to most teams. 

Diggs primarily played in 11 personnel, playinf only one of the 23 snaps in 12 personnel. This was a significant decrease in snaps for Diggs. Douglas dipped below 20% of the offensive snaps for the first time since Week 4.

The Patriots tight ends were the stars of the day, which is generally true for any teams tight ends facing the Bengals this season. Going forward, Hollins and Boutte should be able to bounce back. However, Diggs days of being a fantasy starter could be over, despite having five straight games of double-digit PPR points prior to this week.

Monitor Tee Higgins’ health: Higgins suffered a concussion and needed to be carted off late in the fourth quarter. He didn’t return.

The Bengals have used a straightforward wide receiver rotation this season, as Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins played in all situations, while Andrei Iosivas joined them in three-receiver sets. The Bengals use a lot of three-receiver sets, and all three were relatively healthy over the first 11 weeks, so they each played over 79% of the offensive snaps this season. Mitch Tinsley was the primary backup with 89 snaps over the first 11 weeks, while Charlie Jones was the only other backup with any playing time at four snaps.

Cincinnati started the game down one of its top three receivers for the first time this season because Chase was suspended for one game. Tinsley moved up to third on the depth chart in three-receiver sets. The Bengals also used much more 12 personnel than usual. This was possible because tight end Mike Gesicki returned to practice from his pectoral injury on Wednesday and was added to the 53-man roster Friday. He was a full participant in practice all week. 

This left Cincinnati in 12 personnel for 26 plays, which was its most in a game since Week 3. Cincinnati had four tight ends active this week, and it rotated all four players.

Higgins suffered his injury late in the fourth quarter, but the Bengals still ran 13 plays after the injury. Cincinnati used 12 personnel for 11 of those 13 plays, while Gesicki and Tanner Hudson were the two tight ends for most of those plays. Jones was the only other wide receiver available for this game, and he was the third wide receiver in 11 personnel after Higgins’ injury.

Higgins is unlikely to play next week because the Bengals play on Thursday. This means we should again see more Tinsley at wide receiver and more Gesicki at tight end.

Monitor Tahj Brooks’ health: The Bengals backup running back suffered a concussion and didn’t return.

The Bengals have used a two-man rotation at running back when everyone is healthy. Chase Brown has been the early-down back, and Samaje Perine has been the passing-down back. Perine didn’t practice all week and missed his second straight game due to an ankle injury. He was ruled doubtful on Friday. Cincinnati drafted Brooks in the sixth round, but he has only played on offense when Perine is injured.

Last week, Brooks split the backup job with practice squad call-up Kendall Milton. Brown played 81.8% of the snaps as the primary early- and passing-down back. This week, Gary Brightwell was called up from the practice squad instead of Milton, but he didn’t play on offense. Brooks was playing more than last week, totaling nine snaps on the first four drives, compared to seven snaps all of last week.

After Brooks suffered the concussion, Brown was the only running back to see the field. There were only three plays over the rest of the game where Brown wasn’t on the field, and they were clear passing situations where tight end Drew Sample lined up in the backfield.

The Bengals play again on Thursday, making it unlikely Brooks will be able to play next week. Perine’s status for Thursday is also questionable, at best, so there is a chance Brown plays over 90% of the offensive snaps next week.

Miscellaneous notes

• Bengals’ quarterback Joe Burrow was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday but was limited in practice on Friday due to a toe injury. He remained on injured reserve for this week, but there is optimism he will start on Thursday.
• Joe Flacco was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a right shoulder injury but practiced in full in Friday and started for Cincinnati.
• Efton Chism III had been active as the fifth wide receiver while Kayshon Boutte was out, but he was back to being a healthy inactive for this game.
• New England tight end Austin Hooper returned after missing last week due to a concussion. His playing time has been incredibly consistent when healthy this season, playing between 50-65% of the offensive snaps in each game since Week 2, excluding last week but including this week. 
• C.J. Dippre was inactive with Hooper back.

New York Giants @ Detroit Lions

Jahmyr Gibbs plays a season-high 73.9% of the Lions’ offensive snaps: Gibbs’ previous season high was 72.9%, which occurred last week.

Gibbs and David Montgomery have been in a two-man rotation since Gibbs joined the team. Gibbs was the more explosive player, but Montgomery taking several carries each week when both have been healthy. This season, the team shifted more toward playing Gibbs, as Gibbs typically playing between 50-70% of the snaps each week this season. Gibbs has been playing too well to keep him off the field in recent weeks. In Week 7, he ran 17 times for 136 yards and two touchdowns. In Week 10, he ran 15 times for 142 yards and scored three touchdowns, and last week, he gained over 100 receiving yards for the first time in his career.

This week, he ran 15 times for 219 yards and two touchdowns while catching 11 passes for 45 yards and a touchdown. Part of Gibbs’ increase in playing time has been the Lions using more two-back sets with Sam LaPorta likely out for the season, but Montgomery only played one-third of ghd snaps this week, his fewest in a game since Week 6. He ran five times for 18 yards in this game. While Gibbs’ increase in snaps has primarily come from normal early-down situations, he’s also taken more of the short-yardage and goal-line snaps in recent weeks, the situations where the Lions were most likely to use Montgomery in the past.

Gibbs has been a must-start player for most of his career, but he has made a case for the top overall player for both the rest of this year as well as in 2026 drafts. Montgomery has been a borderline fantasy starter, but if he keeps losing more snaps, particularly at the goal line, then Montgomery shouldn’t be in fantasy starting lineups.

Monitor Kalif Raymond’s health: Raymond suffered an ankle injury late in the third quarter and didn’t return.

Raymond has spent the season in a battle for the third wide receiver spot with third-round rookie Isaac TeSlaa, behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Raymond has generally led the battle, playing 74% of the snaps in 11 personnel when he’s started and finished the game this season. TeSlaa has been the third receiver at times earlier in the season when Raymond has been injured. Recently, TeSlaa has been deadling with an oblique injury. He was limited in practice all week and ruled questionable, but he ultimately played.

If Raymond misses time, we should expect TeSlaa to play significant snaps in Detroit’s offense. However, he’s only caught four passes on the season, so it’s unlikely he should be on fantasy radars in most redraft leagues unless there is another injury to a Lions receiver.

Darius Slayton returns for New York: Slayton missed the last two games due to a hamstring injury.

The Giants have tried to use several wide receivers this season since Malik Nabers‘ injury. Wan’Dale Robinson has been the clear top receiver since the injury, and he had the best game of his career with nine receptions for 156 yards and a touchdown in this game. Jalin Hyatt, Lil’Jordan Humphrey, Isaiah Hodgins, Beaux Collins, Ray-Ray McCloud and Gunner Olszewski have all played between 43-167 offensive snaps for New York this season.

This week, New York returned to its top three receivers from 2023. Slayton was their X receiver, Hodgins was the Z, and Robinson was in the slot in three-receiver sets. Unlike 2023, Robinson has been playing in two-receiver sets. While Hyatt had only recently rejoined the team, he played slightly more snaps than Slayton this week. This was likely because Slayton still isn’t 100%. He didn’t practice on Wednesday and was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday, but he wasn’t given a game status.

It seems unlikely that a second wide receiver emerges out of New York for fantasy purposes. If Slayton is able to get healthier in the near future, he has the best shot. Hodgins received the second-most targets this week, so there is a chance he could remain the No. 2 wide receiver for the Giants.

Miscellaneous notes

• Detroit running back Sione Vaki was limited all week due to an ankle injury and was questionable, but he played. This left Craig Reynolds as a healthy inactive for a second straight game.
• Lions wide receiver Tom Kennedy was active this week after being a healthy inactive last week.
• Detroit’s tight end Brock Wright was limited on Wednesday due to an ankle injury, but he was able to practice in full by Thursday.
• The Lions elevated tight end Anthony Firkser from the practice squad for this game on Saturday. He ended up playing one more snap than Ross Dwelley, making him their second tight end. It’s possible Firkser would be the Lions primary tight end if Wright’s ankle injury gets worse, or he suffers a different injury.

Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers

The Packers adjust without Josh Jacobs: Green Bay’s lead running back was inactive due to a knee injury.

He didn’t practice on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday and Friday. Jacobs was initially ruled questionable and a game-time decision, but he was ultimately inactive. This left Emanuel Wilson and Chris Brooks as the top running backs on the depth chart, while the Packers elevated running back Pierre Strong Jr. from the practice squad for this game on Saturday.

Wilson has been the top backup in both early- and late-down situations since Week 3, and he took over when Jacobs went down last week, so it was no surprise that Wilson was the lead running back throughout this game. Fantasy managers who put their trust in Wilson were immediately rewarded with an opening drive touchdown.

The Packers rotated their running backs significantly, but Wilson touched the ball on a very high percentage of his snaps, while Brooks was in for more passing situations, as well as garbage time. Green Bay usually prevents its lead running back from totaling too many touches to preserve them throughout the season, but the Packers seem confident Jacobs will be back next week, so they had no problem feeding Wilson.

Wilson should remain on fantasy rosters for the short term, just in case Jacobs is not able to return next week, or he suffers a setback in the next few weeks.

The Vikings turn towards Josh Oliver: The Vikings’ run-blocking tight end played over 50% of the offensive snaps for the first time this season.

Oliver has been among the top tight ends over the last five seasons in PFF run block grade, and he performed admirably as a receiver last season when T.J. Hockenson dealt with injury. Hockenson was healthier to begin this season, so Minnesota went back to Hockenson being the clear lead tight end. Hockenson played 77% of the snaps in single-tight-end sets on early downs, 86% on third downs, and 85% in two-tight-end sets over the first seven weeks. This left Oliver averaging 38.6% of the offensive snaps, as the Vikings had a high rate of two- and three-tight-end sets. These rates didn’t change much from one week to the next, until Oliver missed a few games due to injury. He returned last week.

This week, the two tight ends nearly split of the early-down snaps in single-tight-end sets, as Hockenson took 14, while Oliver played 12. The main reason Hockenson ended up with more offensive snaps on the day was the third-down snaps. Hockenson has been a disappointment from a fantasy perspective this season, as he didn’t have any games with more than 50 receiving yards. In 2023, he gained 50-plus yards in 13 of 15 games. He caught four passes for 19 yards in this game.

It is fine to drop Hockenson in most redraft fantasy leagues at this point. The stat lines have been enough to make that decision, and the change in playing time makes it even less likely Hockenson can have fantasy value over the next five weeks.

Miscellaneous notes

• Green Bay wide receivers Romeo Doubs (wrist), Christian Watson (knee), Dontayvion Wicks (calf), Savion Williams (foot) were all limited in practice for most of the week but were all active. Similar to last week, Doubs and Watson were the every-down receivers, while Wicks joined as the slot receiver in three-receiver sets.
• Rookie wide receiver Matthew Golden was similarly limited in practice all week due to shoulder and wrist injuries. He was initially listed as questionable but was ultimately inactive.
• Packers wide receiver Malik Heath was back in the lineup after being a healthy inactive last week.
• Jayden Reed returned from injured reserve on Friday to be a limited participant in practice from his foot and shoulder injuries. He wasn’t activated to the 53-man roster, but this is a good sign he will be back soon.
• The Packers moved away from Luke Musgrave being their lead tight end in the middle of last week. This week, they used a three-man rotation, and John FitzPatrick was their lead tight end. All three Packers tight ends earned one reception. This is a rotation to avoid going forward.
• Green Bay kicker Brandon McManus was back in the lineup after missing last week due to a right quadricep injury. He was a full participant in practice all week. This left Lucas Havrisik inactive.
• Minnesota running back Jordan Mason played a slightly higher percentage of the offensive snaps than the last two weeks, and he led the VIkings in rushing yards with 42. Six of his eight carries occurred on the Vikings third drive, and five came on consecutive plays, gaining at least four yards on each run.
• The Vikings opted to make Ben Sims active and Ben Yurosek inactive in the third tight end spot after doing the opposite last week. Sims started the season on the Packers roster, which could have impacted the Vikings decision.
• The Vikings ran a season-low 44 offensive plays.

Indianapolis Colts @ Kansas City Chiefs

Monitor Noah Gray’s health: The Chiefs’ second tight end suffered a head injury after a big catch in the fourth quarter and didn’t return. He is in the concussion protocol.

Gray has played over 50% of the Chiefs’ offensive snaps this season, playing nearly every snap in two-tight-end sets while being Travis Kelce’s backup in 11 personnel. There were a few weeks in 2024 where he seemed fantasy-viable, particularly after scoring four touchdowns in two weeks. His playing time hasn’t changed, but his target share has decreased with more viable options at wide receiver.

His playing time was normal throughout this game prior to the injury. The Chiefs didn’t change their strategy in terms of how often they used 11 or 12 personnel after the injury, as Robert Tonyan took Gray’s place. The Chiefs also had one play out of 11 personnel with Tonyan as the tight end.

The Chiefs play again on Thursday, so it’s unlikely that Gray will play next week. Expect Tonyan to receive more work, and expect Jared Wiley to be active and make his season debut. The team may use more 11 personnel with a few days to gameplan, but this shouldn’t have a significant fantasy impact on the usual fantasy starters out of Kansas City.

Monitor Ashton Dulin’s health: The Colts’ backup wide receiver suffered a hamstring injury and didn’t return.

The Colts have used Alec Pierce as their X receiver, Michael Pittman Jr. as their Z and Josh Downs as their slot in three-receiver sets these last two seasons. Adonai Mitchell had been the top backup for all three receivers until he was recently traded to the New York Jets. This allowed Dulin, who has been a backup on the team since 2019, to be the top backup.

He played nine snaps this week in Downs’ place in 11 personnel and in Pittman’s place in 12 personnel, prior to the injury. After the injury, Indianapolis stopped rotating its wide receivers out of the game.

If Dulin misses time, that shouldn’t have a significant impact on the Colts offense, but if Dulin misses time and the Colts lose another wide receiver due to injury, we could see Indianapolis use a lot more 12 personnel than we’ve seen so far this season.

Miscellaneous notes

• Indianapolis’ quarterback Daniel Jones was limited in practice on Thursday due to a  fibula injury, but he was able to practice in full on Friday.
• Running back Jonathan Taylor has played over 90% of the offensive snaps in back to back weeks. He exceeded 90% just twice over the first nine weeks.
• Colts backup wide receiver Anthony Gould returned after missing the last two games due to a knee injury. He practiced in full this week. He didn’t play a snap on offense but was the Colts’ primary punt returner.
• Colts rookie tight end Tyler Warren has played at least 83% of the offensive snaps outside of garbage time in six consecutive games.
• Kansas City halfback Isiah Pacheco was a full participant on Wednesday but was limited on Thursday and Friday and missed his third straight game due to a knee injury. He was ruled out on Friday. Kareem Hunt remained the Chiefs’ lead running back, running 30 times for 104 yards and a touchdown.
• In Pacheco’s first missed game, the Chiefs elevated Clyde Edwards-Helaire to be the third running back while leaving Elijah Mitchell inactive. Last week, Mitchell was active for the first time this season while Edwards-Helaire remained on the practice squad. This week, Kansas City went back to Edwards-Helaire.
• Chiefs’ wide receiver Xavier Worthy didn’t practice on Wednesday, was limited in practice on Thursday and was upgraded to full on Friday. He was dealing with an ankle injury. He was ruled questionable to play this week but was active.
• The Chiefs rotated their running backs and wide receivers more than usual because the team ran 96 total offensive snaps. We should see their rotations go back to normal when they don’t need to run as many plays.

Seattle Seahawks @ Tennessee Titans

Titans dig down their wide receiver depth chart: The Titans didn’t have their top two wide receivers in terms of receiving yards for this game.

Calvin Ridley landed on injured reserve a week ago due to a broken fibula in his right leg that will keep him out the rest of the season. They were also without Elic Ayomanor, who couldn’t practice all week due to a hamstring injury. This left Chimere Dike, Van Jefferson and Mason Kinsey as the only healthy wide receivers on the roster. James Proche II was signed off the practice squad on Tuesday, while rookie Xavier Restrepo was elevated from the practice squad for the first time all season on Saturday.

Jefferson and Dike both played significantly in 11 and 12 personnel, as they’ve done in most games since Ridley’s been out. Jefferson continues to be an X receiver, as usual, while Dike moved around the formation a little more than usual. Proche was the primary third receiver, but Restrepo also rotated in significantly in 11 personnel. When Proche was in, Dike was typically in the slot, and when Restrepo was in, he was typically in the slot.

Dike caught five passes for 44 yards and a touchdown. He should be the Titans top wide receiver over the rest of the season. He should be on fantasy rosters, but he is a risky option in fantasy starting lineups, particularly after catching three passes for 19 yards over the previous two weeks.

Kenneth Walker III plays a season-high 62.5% of the Seahawks’ offensive snaps: Walker dominated snaps in normal early-down situations for the first time this season.

Walker and Zach Charbonnet have been in a two-man rotation all season. Walker had averaged 56.2% of the snaps on early downs over the first 11 weeks but between 20-33.3% of the snaps on third downs and two-minute drills in addition to short yardage and goal-line situations. This has left him with a 45.4% snap rate. He’s had several games with effective running, but it’s been difficult to accumulate PPR points without many touchdowns or receptions.

This week, the Seahawks stuck with Walker more consistently in early-down situations (86.2%). They also used him on the majority of third downs for the first time all year (66.7%).  This comes after head coach Mike Macdonald said Walker is “earning more opportunities to get the ball” last Monday. This led Walker to run the ball 11 times for 71 yards and catch three passes for 30 yards. This was Walker’s second-straight game with three receptions after catching two or fewer in his previous eight games.

While Walker still didn’t score as many PPR points as many hopes, particularly given the matchup and expected game script, but this is promising that Walker could have his best fantasy game of the season in the next few weeks, if this role continues.

Miscellaneous notes

• Seattle running back Kenneth Walker III showed up on the injury report on Friday as limited due to a glute injury and was questionable, but he played.
• Seahawks backup wide receiver Jake Bobo was back in the lineup after missing his third straight game due to a calf injury.
• The Seahawks placed wide receiver Tory Horton on injured reserve on Saturday due to a shin injury. When the Seahawks traded for Rashid Shaheed, there was a question about how their top four wide receivers, including Horton, would rotate, but we have not seen the four together in a game this season. We might not until 2026.
• The Seahawks used the same wide receiver rotation as last week, as Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp were the primary wide receivers in two- and three-receiver sets, while Shaheed joinied them for snaps in three-receiver sets.
• Seattle fullback Robbie Ouzts didn’t practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to an elbow injury but practiced in full on Friday.
• Seahawks third-string running back George Holani suffered a hamstring injury on a special teams play and was ruled out.
• The Titans activated running back Kalel Mullings from injured reserve on Saturday from his ankle injury. He was a full participant in practice all week. Tennessee kept four running backs active for this game. Julius Chestnut remained the third running back, playing five snaps compared to zero offensive snaps for Mullings.
• Tennessee’s tight end Chig Okonkwo was limited all week due to a foot injury but wasn’t given a game status.
• Rookie Gunnar Helm played 56.2% of the third-down snaps out of 11 personnel for the Titans. It was the second game this season he played over 50%. However, Okonkwo’s injury could have played into this. As long as both tight ends are splitting snaps, it’s difficult to trust either for fantasy purposes.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals continue to adjust without several running backs: All three running backs who were active for Arizona in Week 1 didn’t play in this game.

James Conner suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3, Trey Benson has been on injured reserve since after Week 4, and Emari Demercado suffered an ankle injury last week that caused him to be inactive this week. This left Bam Knight and Michael Carter as the top two running backs, while Arizona signed Jermar Jefferson from the practice squad on Friday.

Arizona spent all game with a two-man running back rotation. Knight was the Cardinals’ lead back on early downs, and Carter was their third-down and two-minute drill back. Knight scored the touchdown, but he was not effective in the run game with 10 carries for 12 yards. Carter led the team in rushing with 28 yards on five carries.

Knight suffered an undisclosed injury early in overtime, leading Carter to take the last six plays of the game for Arizona.

Benson returned to practice from injured reserve on Wednesday. He was a limited participant in practice all week, but Arizona ultimately left him on injured reserve for an additional week. Arizona has a favorable matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ run defense next week, so whoever leads the way for Arizona should have fantasy value in Week 13. That could be Benson if he’s back, Knight if he’s healthy, Demercado if he’s healthy, and potentially Carter if no one else is healthy.

Brenton Strange returns for Jacksonville: He was activated off injured reserve on Saturday after being limited in practice all week.

Strange was the Jaguars’ starting tight end over the first five weeks. Hunter Long, Johnny Mundt and Quintin Morris had been the three replacements in a heavy rotation, but the three combined for 11 receptions for 121 yards and no touchdowns in five games without Strange. Long had missed the last two games due to hip and knee injuries, and this week extended that streak to three games.

Strange played 71% of Jacksonville’s offensive snaps, which was a tad lower than the first four weeks of the season, but that is understandable given how much time he missed. He played 71% of the offensive snaps, taking 60% of the 11-personnel snaps on early downs, 77.8% on third downs and 77.4% in two-tight-end sets. Ideally, he will be back to playing 80% of the offensive snaps by next week.

Strange led the Jaguars in receiving this week, finishing with five receptions for 93 yards. He will be a top waiver wire target this week.

Miscellaneous notes

• Cardinals’ wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. missed his second consecutive game after having appendicitis surgery. Similar to last week, Michael Wilson became the Cardinals primary X receiver, Xavier Weaver was the Z, and Greg Dortch played in the slot.
• Jacksonville running backs Travis Etienne Jr. (shoulder) and Bhayshul Tuten (ankle) were both limited in practice all week, but neither was given a game status. Etienne played 64.5% of the Jaguars’ offensive snaps, which was his highest rate in a game since Week 2. This was likely because Tuten was more impacted by his injury than Etienne was impacted by his shoulder.
• Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. missed his third straight game due to an ankle injury. He was limited in practice all week. There is optimism he will be able to return next week.
• Jacksonville continued to use Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers as its top two receivers, while Tim Patrick joined them in three-receiver sets.
• Jaguars wide receiver Dyami Brown played a season-low four offensive snaps. He played 19, which was his season low a week ago. Brown signed a one-year contract with Jacksonville last offseason, and it seems unlikely he returns next year.

Cleveland Browns @ Las Vegas Raiders

Monitor Quinshon Judkins’ health: The Browns rookie running back took multiple trips to the blue medical tent in the fourth quarter.

The Browns have used Judkins as their primary early-down back, Dylan Sampson as his backup, and Jerome Ford as the third-down back for most of the season. The was the rotation for the Browns’ first three quarterbacks, as Judkins played 19 of 23 snaps on first and second downs.

That changed in the fourth quarter, as Sampson took seven of 11 snaps, Judkings played five, and Ford played one. Judkins went to the medical tent at the start of the quarter, returned to the game, left again, and came back again. The fact that he was able to finish out the game is a good sign he should be fine going forward, but it will be worth keeping an eye on the injury report this week.

Dylan Sampson would be a solid waiver-wire target just in case. The Browns next four matchups are favorable for their running backs, so if Judkins misses any time, Sampson would be a fantasy starter.

Harold Fannin Jr. leads the Browns tight ends: Fannin played a career-high 90.2% of the offensive snaps while David Njoku was under 50%.

Njoku and Fannin have spend all season in a two-man rotation at tight end. Njoku has led Fannin in 11 personnel, playing 62.2% of the snaps on early downs and 59.2% on third downs, outside of games Njoku missed or left early due to injury. The two have typically shared the field in 12 personnel and 13 personnel, and the Browns use 12 personnel more than any other team, so both tight ends have played over 70% of the offensive snaps this season when both are healthy.

Njoku didn’t practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a knee injury but practiced in full on Friday. Njoku’s injury potentially had a significant impact on both tight ends’ playing time in this game.

Fannin took significant snaps from Njoku in 11 personnel, Brenden Bates took snaps from Njoku in 12 personnel, and Blake Whiteheart took snaps from Njoku in 13 personnel. This led Njoku to play 25 of a possible 51 snaps compared to Fannin’s 46. There is at least a chance the Browns are ready to turn to their younger player over the rest of the season, but the two will probably be closer to even once Njoku is fully healthy.

Regardless, this is a good sign for Fannin’s fantasy value in 2026. If the Browns move on from Njoku, it shows the current staff is comfortable with Fannin playing an every-down role in their offense.

Monitor Ashton Jeanty’s health: The Raiders rookie running back suffered an ankle injury with less than four minutes left in the game and didn’t return.

Jeanty has been the Raiders’ lead running back all season, playing 74% of the offensive snaps on the season. That has included at least 77% of the snaps on early downs, short-yardage situations and goal-line snaps. He’s split time with Raheem Mostert in passing situations. Mostert has also been the primary backup on early downs. Since Week 4, Mostert has played 106 snaps, while Dylan Laube played six snaps as the only other running back.

Mostert took over for Jeanty for the final seven plays of the game. These were clear passing situations, so Mostert was potentially going to play most of those snaps anyway.

If Jeanty misses time, we would expect Mostert to be the lead running back. Laube has been active for his contributions on special teams, while Zamir White has been a healthy inactive for the last several weeks. We should expect White to be more involved in the offense than Laube. While Mostert would be the favorite to lead the backfield in fantasy points, there is a chance White would end up with more carries.

Monitor Michael Mayer’s health: Mayer suffered an ankle injury early in the second quarter and didn’t return.

The Raiders spent most of the season with Brock Bowers and Mayer rotating snaps on early downs, Bowers taking third downs, and the two sharing the field for a high rate of 12 personnel. Last week, the Raiders shifted the strategy, turning Bowers more into a wide receiver and making 12 personnel more of their base offense. This left both Bowers and Mayer playing more than usual. They also used 13 personnel at a season-high rate.

The Raiders started this game where they left off last week, as Las Vegas focused heavily on 12 personnel. After Mayer’s injury, the Raiders did not change their game plan. Ian Thomas simply took over, and played 55.7% of offensive snaps in the game. Las Vegas even continued to use 13 personnel at a high rate, while Carter Runyon joined Bowers and Thomas.

If Mayer misses time, it would have no impact on the Raiders’ top players from a fantasy perspective, as long as the Raiders continue this strategy. There is a chance the Raiders will return to using more 11 personnel if Mayer misses time, which would mean more playing time for their rookie wide receivers.

Miscellaneous notes

• Browns quarterback Dillon Gabriel didn’t practice on Wednesday and Thursday and was limited on Friday with a concussion. He was ruled out, allowing Shedeur Sanders to receive his first NFL start. The Browns elevated quarterback Bailey Zappe from the practice squad to be Sanders’ backup.
• Cleveland wide receiver Jamari Thrash was ruled out Friday due to a foot injury. He didn’t appear on the injury report until Thursday. He was a healthy inactive a week ago, so he may have been inactive even if he was healthy.
• Cedric Tillman played notably fewer snaps this week, in part due to the team running 12 plays out of single-receiver sets compared to 11 plays out of 11 personnel and also because both Isaiah Bond and Malachi Corley cut into his playing time in two-receiver sets.
• The Browns waived wide receiver Kaden Davis on Tuesday.
• The Raiders activated quarterback Aidan O’Connell from injured reserve on Wednesday, but he was inactive for Week 12 as the Raiders’ third quarterback.
• Wide receiver Tyler Lockett’s playing time in 12 personnel has increased each week since joining the Raiders. He played in 76.7% of the 12-personnel snaps in this game, leading to him playing 75.9% of the offensive snaps. His playing time came at Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Jack Bech‘s expense.
• Raiders wide receiver Alex Bachman was back in the lineup after being a healthy inactive last week.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys make a change at their fifth receiver: Jonathan Mingo was active for the first time this season, while Jalen Tolbert was a healthy inactive for the first time this year.

CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens have been locked into the top two receiver spots on the depth chart, when healthy, this season. Tolbert started the year in a two-man rotation with KaVontae Turpin. Both Lamb and Turpin missed time early in the season, giving Ryan Flournoy a chance to play more. He played well given his opportunities and surpassed Tolbert on the depth chart.

The Cowboys traded for Mingo last season, but he started the season on injured reserve. He was activated a few weeks ago but had been a healthy inactive in every week since his return. Mingo was fifth on the depth chart for this game and only played three snaps, which is fewer than Tolbert was playing recently. This meant Dallas wasn’t rotating as much as most weeks.

Lamb played 85% of the offensive snaps, which was only the second time he surpassed 80% since Week 2, while Turpin’s 47.3% was his most since Week 4. This change shouldn’t have a major impact on the Cowboys receivers’ fantasy value for the rest of the season, but Mingo could have value if some of the Cowboys’ wide receivers start suffering injuries.

Saquon Barkley reaches a season-high seven receptions: Barkley also played 82.5% of the offensive snaps, which was his most in a game since Week 4.

When Barkley joined the Eagles, there were several concerns around his fantasy value. Jalen Hurts’ tush-push was going to limit Barkley’s touchdowns, and Kellen Moore’s offense was going to limit Barkley’s receiving production. That didn’t matter last season when Barkley was breaking long runs for touchdowns at a historic rate, but that has mattered much more this season.

While the Eagles changed offensive coordinators from 2024 to 2025, it had only a minor impact on his receiving production. He averaged 17.4 receiving yards per game in 2024, and that was up to 20.7 this year, prior to this week. That was still much lower than his career high 45.1 receiving yards per game. He was also held to four receptions or fewer in every other game with Philadelphia.

Barkley was ineffective as a runner in this game, gaining 22 yards on 10 carries. However, he caught seven passes for 52 yards, which was a significant change from how he’s been used in the past in Philadelphia. He’s been held under 3.2 yards per carry in four of his last five games, which has destroyed most of his fantasy value, but if he continues to be used as a receiver, that could greatly make up for the lack of efficiency.

Miscellaneous notes

• The Cowboys signed running back Malik Davis from their own practice squad on Saturday. He was a practice squad callup the past two weeks to be Dallas’ primary backup. Rookie Jaydon Blue was a healthy inactive, his third straight absence.
• The Cowboys waived tight end John Stephens Jr. from injured reserve on Tuesday.
• Philadelphia halfback A.J. Dillon was a healthy inactive, his third straight absence.
• Eagles backup wide receiver Xavier Gipson suffered an injury on a special teams play late in the fourth quarter.

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints

Monitor Alvin Kamara’s health: The Saints’ lead running back suffered a knee injury and didn’t return.

Kamara has been the Saints’ lead running back throughout the season. He began losing playing time to Kendre Miller early in the year until Miller suffered a season-ending injury. This had made Devin Neal the primary backup in recent weeks. Neal has primarily taken over as the third-down back, which hasn’t left him with many touches. Tight end Taysom Hill had more carries than Neal prior to this game at 22 to 10.

Hill’s presence made the Saints comfortable with only having two active running backs for this game, leaving Audric Estime as a healthy inactive. Kamara wasn’t 100% leading into this game, as he was limited due to an ankle injury and questionable for the game, but he ultimately played. The veteran played his usual role to start the game despite the ankle injury, playing 11 of the first 14 snaps, while Neal took two snaps in clear passing situations.

Neal took over as the Saints’ running back over the rest of the game, playing in 57 of a possible 66 snaps. He ran seven times in those situations. Hill played 21 of those 66 snaps. Thirteen of his snaps were at running back, and another three ere at quarterback. Hill ran eight times during that stretch.

Neither player was effective against the Falcons’ run defense, as Neal averaged 2.6 yards per carry, compared to Hill’s 1.7. Neal had his best game of the season as a receiver, catching five passes for 43 yards. If Kamara misses time, both Neal and Hill need to be targeted off the waiver wire. The Saints have the third-best schedule for running backs over the rest of the season, which could lead to better games by both players going forward.

The Saints release Brandin Cooks: The veteran wide receiver requested his release earlier in the week, and the Saints granted it on Saturday.

New Orleans started the season with Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed and Cooks as their top three receivers. Devaughn Vele was the only other Saints wide receiver with a reception over the first nine weeks. The Saints traded away Shaheed at the trade deadline and now have moved on from Cooks. Mason Tipton was the next wide receiver to step up after the Shaheed trade. The Saints signed Kevin Austin Jr. from their practice squad on Wednesday in anticipation of moving on from Cooks, and Dante Pettis was a practice squad elevation.

The Saints used a straightforward wide receiver rotation, as Olave and Vele played in two- and three-receiver sets, while Tipton was the third receiver in three-receiver sets. Vele was also the primary wide receiver in single-receiver sets, giving Vele the snap lead in this game. Olave remained the Saints’ top receiver with nine receptions for 70 yards, but Vele and Tipton both caught three passes each. Vele in particular is worth considering in deeper leagues.

The Falcons adjust without Drake London: The Falcons’ top wide receiver was inactive due to a knee injury. He wasn’t able to practice tall week.

The Falcons have recently settled into a clear wide receiver rotation when everyone is healthy, with London and Darnell Mooney as the every-down receivers, and David Sills V as the third receiver in three-receiver sets. KhaDarel Hodge has been London’s backup, while Sills has been Mooney’s backup, and Casey Washington has been the third player on the Z/slot depth chart. The Falcons made Washington a healthy inactive this week and instead elevated Dylan Drummond from the practice squad.

While Hodge has been London’s backup, Drummond leaped ahead of Hodge and played in 14 of the 18 snaps in 11 personnel, while Hodge took the other four. Atlanta opted for a more dramatic change by having fewer wide receivers on the field. Thirty-four of the Falcons 56 offensive snaps were in three-tight-end sets. Kyle Pitts Sr., Charlie Woerner and Teagan Quitoriano were the three tight ends. This meant their third tight end received more offensive snaps than their third receiver. 

Mooney and Sills were in a near-even rotation in 13 personnel. Typically, we would expect players like Mooney and Sills to play more or not be impacted by London’s injury, but instead, Mooney played dramatic fewer snaps. He had his best game of the season despite this, catching three passes for 74 yards and his first touchdown of the season.

Atlanta has made other significant changes to personnel usage this season, including two weeks of several two-receiver sets, some weeks with a lot of 11 personnel, and others with a lot of 12. This will make it hard to trust Mooney, despite his good game.

Miscellaneous notes

• The Falcons placed quarterback Michael Penix Jr. on injured reserve due to an ACL injury on Wednesday. This will keep him out the rest of this season, and it could impact his availability to start the 2026 season. This moved Kirk Cousins to the Falcons’ starting lineup. Easton Stick was signed off their practice squad to be the backup.
• Falcons halfback Nathan Carter was a healthy inactive after suiting up last week, giving Atlanta only two running backs.
• Saints tight end Jack Stoll returned after missing last week due to an ankle injury. He was a full participant in practice all week. He only played nine offensive snaps, mostly in three- and four-tight-end sets.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Los Angeles Rams

Chris Godwin Jr. makes his return: Godwin had missed the Bucs’ last five games due to a fibula injury.

Before tonight, Godwin had played only two games this season — Weeks 4 and 5. During that stretch, Emeka Egbuka operated as the Buccaneers’ X receiver, Sterling Shepard worked in the slot and Godwin lined up as the Z. In Godwin’s absence, Tez Johnson emerged as Tampa Bay’s Z receiver.

This week, Godwin primarily played in the slot in 11 personnel, cutting into Shepard’s snaps. Shepard had averaged 87.8% of Tampa Bay’s 11-personnel snaps prior to this game. Godwin also took some work from Johnson in two-receiver sets, leaving Johnson with the possibility of fantasy value for another week or two.

The Buccaneers still expect Mike Evans back in a few weeks. Once he returns, Evans should reclaim the X role, Egbuka will shift to Z and Godwin should remain in the slot for the rest of the season. Tampa Bay has the second-worst remaining schedule for wide receivers, and despite the name value in this group, there’s a real chance none of them profiles as a reliable fantasy starter down the stretch — especially if Baker Mayfield misses time.

The Rams adjust without Tyler Higbee: The Rams’ veteran tight end landed on injured reserve on Wednesday.

The Rams have deployed an unusually deep four-man tight end rotation in recent weeks. Tyler Higbee has handled most of the 11-personnel work on early downs with Colby Parkinson mixing in behind him. On third downs out of 11 personnel, Higbee and Terrance Ferguson have split snaps. In 12 personnel, Davis Allen and Ferguson have handled the workload, while Parkinson and Allen have shared 13-personnel snaps with Higbee and Ferguson rotating through the final spot.

With Higbee out, the rotation mostly unfolded as expected. Parkinson took the lead in 11 personnel on early downs, though Allen mixed in more than usual. Ferguson saw a higher percentage of the 11-personnel third-down snaps, and all three healthy tight ends were involved in 13 personnel. The one surprise came in 12 personnel, where the pairing was consistently Parkinson and Allen rather than Allen and Ferguson.

As a result, Ferguson’s playing time remained limited outside of third downs. He had been viewed as a deep sleeper, but without 12-personnel usage, that path becomes much tougher. Similarly, Parkinson and Allen will struggle for consistency while splitting so many early-down 11-personnel snaps.

Miscellaneous notes

• Tampa Bay’s halfback Bucky Irving was ruled out Friday due to shoulder and foot injuries, his seventh straight absence. He was limited in practice all week. There is optimism Irving will make his return next week.
• Sean Tucker remained the Buccaneers’ top rusher, like the last few weeks, but Rachaad White ended up with more playing time due to the game script.
• Quarterback Baker Mayfield and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka were two of several Buccaneers who were limited in practice this week due to illness.
• Mayfield suffered a shoulder injury in this game and was ruled out, leading the team to turn to Teddy Bridgewater. Bridgewater will be the quarterback for as long as Mayfield is out. He should be left on the waiver wire in most single-quarterback leagues, given the Buccaneers’ schedule.
• The Buccaneers, more so than the Rams, turned to backups in the fourth quarter given the blowout.
• The Rams started the game with Kyren Williams as the clear lead running back, playing 23 of the first 35 snaps, with Blake Corum playing one long drive out of the first five. With the blowout, Corum mixed in more over the second half of the game.
• The Rams signed kicker Harrison Mevis from their own practice squad on Wednesday, rather than making him a practice squad call-up like the previous two games. Joshua Karty was a healthy scratch, his third straight absence.
• Rams wide receiver Xavier Smith was inactive due to a concussion. He didn’t practice on Wednesday but was limited on Thursday and Friday. He was ruled questionable on Friday.
• The Rams elevated wide receiver Brennan Presley from the practice squad for this game on Saturday to take Smith’s place.

Table notes

• Snaps include plays called back due to penalties, including offensive holding or defensive pass interference. The other three stats have these plays removed.
• Targets may differ from official NFL sources. The most likely discrepancy would be from a clear thrown-away pass, where the NFL may give the target to the nearest receiver, while this data will not.
• Carries are only on designed plays. Quarterback scrambles won’t count for the total number of carries in the game.