NFL Player News

Andy Dalton will take on the Chargers' suspect secondary in Week 13 just two weeks removed from a game where he scored three touchdowns but failed to throw for even 100 yards. 

But don't shy away from him because of that abnormal stat line. Dalton has thrown two or more scores in five of his last six games, four of which included at least three touchdowns. Dalton is sixth in the NFL in passing touchdowns with 21 thanks to his recent surge. He'll take on a Chargers defense that has allowed eight passing touchdowns over their last three games. In two of those three games an opponent threw three or more touchdowns. 

San Diego has especially had a hard time with tight ends recently -- one has scored in each of its last three. Fortunately for Dalton he has three tight ends he can go to for a touchdown when they get near the end zone. That's something that should help push Dalton to at least two touchdowns -- the favorable matchups A.J. Green will have against this sagging defense will also come in handy. 

I like Dalton as a start-worthy Fantasy quarterback ahead of guys like Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III and pretty much every underachieving quarterback you might have doubts about. 

Packers QB Aaron Rodgers, RB Johnathan Franklin LB Jamari Lattimore and DE C.J. Wilson are out Week 13 against the Lions.

Rodgers was able to return to practice Tuesday for individual drills, but isn't ready to return. Franklin is still dealing with a concussion.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Lions.

Rodgers was able to go through individual drills Tuesday, which led some to believe he had a chance to play Thursday. Rodgers has now missed four straight games due to a broken collarbone. 

The 49ers waived third-string quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson to clear a roster spot Tuesday for wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who was activated off the PUP list.

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (collarbone) went through individual drills Tuesday, but his chances to play Thursday at Detroit (Week 13) remain slim.

"It was a good day for throwing and he feels good, but I don't feel he's going to make it this week," Packers coach Mike McCarthy said of Rodgers. "Chances are closer to none that he will play. This is a medical decision, and he's not quite ready."

McCarthy still didn't name a starting quarterback for Thursday's game. Matt Flynn took the first-team reps, but McCarthy reiterated he is getting Scott Tolzien ready for Week 13 as well.

Raiders rookie quarterback Matt McGloin will be playing on a national stage Week 13, as Oakland travels to Dallas for a Thanksgiving showdown. McGloin fell short of improving to 2-0 as a starter Sunday, as Oakland lost 23-19 vs. Tennessee, so he now focuses on getting win No. 2 Thursday.

From a Fantasy standpoint, this is a favorable matchup for McGloin on paper. The Cowboys are yielding 24.1 Fantasy points per week to quarterbacks, which is the highest average. Quarterbacks have totaled 22 passing touchdowns in 11 games against Dallas, including six in the last two games.

Another bonus for McGloin is that the Dallas secondary is expected to be without cornerback Morris Claiborne because of a hamstring injury and linebacker Sean Lee might also be out again because of a hamstring injury.

The bad news for McGloin, however, is he could be down two top targets in wide receiver Denarius Moore (shoulder) and tight end Mychal Rivera (concussion) due to injuries.

It's definitely a favorable matchup on paper and McGloin is just two weeks removed from throwing three touchdowns. But unless you are looking for a Hail Mary play at quarterback Week 13, it's probably best to consider other Fantasy options over McGloin.

The 49ers have revealed their inactive list for Week 12 at Washington. The list includes quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, wide receiver Quinton Patton, cornerback Tarell Brown, guard Mike Iupati, tight end Garrett Celek, defensive end Cornellius Carradine and defensive tackle Ray McDonald.

Despite Geno Smith's struggles, the Jets don't plan to make a change at quarterback. Coach Rex Ryan confirmed Monday the rookie quarterback will start Week 13 vs. Miami.

Although Texans quarterback Case Keenum has struggled the last two games, coach Gary Kubiak confirmed Monday the second-year quarterback will remain the starter heading into Week 13 vs. New England.

"He's drifting in the pocket, which is something we've got to fix," Kubiak explained why Keenum has been struggling. "You want to find him some success. He's going through a growth process."

Packers coach Mike McCarthy said quarterback Aaron Rodgers' chances of playing Thursday at Detroit are "slim to none." Rodgers has missed the last three games with a collarbone injury.

McCarthy wouldn't name a starting quarterback for Week 13, but he said the team will prepare both Scott Tolzien and Matt Flynn. Tolzien started Sunday's game against the Vikings before being replaced by Flynn in the third quarter.