NFL Player News

The Chargers have made QB Brad Sorensen, SS Brandon Taylor, LB Jarret Johnson, OT King Dunlap, DL Kwame Geathers, WR Lavelle Hawkins and OT Willie Smith inactive Week 12 against the Chiefs.

Johnson had hand surgery, and came into the game doubtful. He and Dunlop are the two starters expected to miss the game. 

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has been ruled out Week 12 against the Vikings. 

Rodgers has been out with a fractured collarbone, and was unable to practice this week. Rodgers said he'll need at least two days of practice before he's able to play in a game again. 

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was unable to practice Friday.

The news shouldn't come as a big surprise, as Rodgers was expected to miss a few weeks after fracturing his collarbone. Rodgers said he would have to practice two straight days in order to play. In order to have played Week 12, Rodgers would have had to practice Friday. He's expected to be listed as out on the team's official injury report.

The inconsistency that has defined the rookie season of Jets quarterback Geno Smith has also defined the entire year for his team, which has switched from victory to defeat since Week 1. Offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg spoke about how Smith needs to help himself and requires help from his teammates and coaches.

"We all have to help the quarterback," he told ESPN. "For a quarterback to play well takes an awful lot of things, so we've got to help him more, starting with me. ... Man alive, I'd like to see him play better than he did last week. He's got to do that."

Smith bottomed out in Week 11 against Buffalo by completing just 8 of 23 passes for 103 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions. He has just eight touchdowns and 16 picks on the season.

The Panthers' defensive backfield was supposed to be a weakness this season, but opposing quarterbacks have largely been unable to take advantage of them this season. That is unlikely to change in Week 12, when Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill tries to take them on.

The Panthers have held opposing quarterbacks to a league-low 10.6 Fantasy points per game, and they have handled much better quarterbacks than Tannehill so far. Tom Brady had just 15 Fantasy points against the Panthers in Week 11, for instance, while Matt Ryan and Colin Kaepernick combined for just 10 in the two prior games.

Tannehill has yet to face the Panthers in his career, so we don't have a track record against this opponent to go on. Still, he ranks just 18th among quarterbacks in Fantasy scoring this season, so we shouldn't expect much. He is a risky play for Week 12 against the Panthers' tough defense.  

Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is still unsure when he'll return from his injury, according to Packers.com.

Rodgers said he has not been X-rayed since his initial scan. He added that in order to play in a game, he would have to be on the practice field for at least two days. Rodgers admitted it's been tough to deal with this type of injury. "This is a tough injury to deal with, because it’s not like you can tough through this or gut it out, which I’ve done with various other injuries throughout my career," Rodgers said. He has not given a timetable for his return.

Raiders quarterback Matt McGloin will make his second straight start Sunday against Tennessee despite the fact that previous starter Terrelle Pryor returned to practice on Wednesday. McGloin was taking the first-team reps.

McGloin played well in his debut as a starter in Week 11 against Houston. He completed 18 of 32 passes for 197 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions.

Texans quarterback Case Keenum ended up being a pretty disappointing Fantasy start Week 11. After coming into the week as a potential top 10 quarterback, Keenum didn't even get to finish the 28-23 loss vs. Oakland, replaced by Matt Schaub in the third quarter.

Well, Keenum gets a chance at redemption Week 12 vs. Jacksonville, as coach Gary Kubiak is going back to Keenum after benching him Week 11. Now, the question beckons: Is Keenum a trustworthy Fantasy start Week 12?

Quarterbacks have had good success against Jacksonville. Quarterbacks are averaging 261 passing yards and 23.6 Fantasy points per week, which is the third-highest average. Seven quarterbacks have thrown multiple touchdowns against the Jaguars, including the last two -- Ryan Fitzpatrick and Carson Palmer. Quarterbacks have totaled 24 touchdowns (20 passing) to nine turnovers (four interceptions) against Jacksonville.

Even though Keenum was a huge disappointment Week 11, don't overlook him Week 12, if you are in need of a quarterback. The Jaguars are a favorable matchup and let's not forget Keenum threw for three touchdowns Week 9 and Week 10.

Even lousy games are fine Fantasy performances for Lions prolific quarterback Matthew Stafford. Take the last two games, for instance. He completed a meager 46 percent of his passes combined against Chicago and Pittsburgh, but averaged 290.5 yards and tossed five touchdowns.

Bottom line: He should remain in all lineups. Stafford ranks third in the NFL with 3,198 passing yards and is tied for third with 21 touchdowns. And he is playing at home in Week 12, where he has been particularly explosive. Stafford threw for 845 yards and four touchdowns in his last two efforts at Ford Field.

His numbers shouldn't suffer against a mediore Tampa Bay pass defense. The Buccaneers rank 18th in the NFL in passing yards allowed (2,403) and 23rd in touchdowns yielded through the air (19). The aerial circus that is the Detroit Lions offensve should go on as planned.

It's no wonder that Stafford is ranked at least fourth this week among all NFL quarterbacks of each of the three CBSSports.com senior Fantasy writers. He is a no-brainer for inclusion in all lineups. Just stick him in there and watch the points roll in.

Rams quarterback Sam Bradford underwent surgery to on his left knee Monday afternoon, coach Jeff Fisher told ESPN. Bradford tore his ACL on Oct. 20 against Carolina, ending his season.

"He said everything went very, very well," Fisher said. "It's a very, very healthy knee considering the circumstances and so they were pleased."