NFL Player News

Freiermuth secured his lone target for 19 yards during Sunday's 34-12 win over Cincinnati.

Although Freiermuth ended his four-game streak of multi-reception games Sunday, he was somewhat efficient on his lone target against the Bengals. Although Freiermuth has remained inconsistent in recent weeks, his fantasy production has certainly been better than it was over his first five appearances of the year. Across his last five outings, Freiermuth has secured 15 of 18 targets for 203 yards and three touchdowns, and he's been a more reliable option than teammate Jonnu Smith during that time.

Jacobs (knee) has avoided a major injury and will not require surgery, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.

The Packers will evaluate Jacobs again toward the end of the week, and the running back has yet to be ruled out for next Sunday's game against the Vikings. It's a best-case scenario for Jacobs, who was forced to leave Sunday's win over the Giants in the first half. In Jacobs' absence, Emanuel Wilson played a season-high 71 percent of the offensive snaps and rushed 11 times for 40 yards and one touchdown, adding one catch for nine yards on one target. Chris Brooks played just five offensive snaps and handled one carry for eight yards. If Jacobs needs to miss time, Wilson would become an immediate plug-and-play fantasy starter.

The Jets are expected to bench Fields in favor of veteran backup Tyrod Taylor for Sunday's game against the Ravens, Dianna Russini of The Athletic reports.

Fields improved as a passer slightly during New York's loss to the Patriots on Thursday Night Football in Week 11, completing 15 of 26 passes for 116 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions, but as has been the norm he did much of his damage on the ground with 11 carries for 67 yards and another TD. Despite the context of Fields working without top wideout Garrett Wilson (knee, IR), his struggles through the air now appear to have officially cost him his tenure as the Jets' starter. Expect head coach Aaron Glenn to confirm the QB change prior to New York next taking the practice field, which will occur Wednesday, at the latest. It remains to be seen whether Fields will work as the No. 2 option behind Taylor.

Garrett recorded five total tackles (all solo), including 4.0 sacks, in Sunday's 23-16 loss to the Ravens.

After going without a sack from Week 4 through Week 6, Garrett has erupted for 11.0 sacks over the Browns' last four games. The 29-year-old surpassed Brian Burns and now leads the NFL with 15.0 sacks through 10 appearances this season, needing just 1.5 more in Cleveland's final seven games to set a new personal best. Expect Garrett to continue wreaking havoc on opposing quarterbacks in the Week 12 matchup against the Raiders.

Smith failed to secure either of his two targets during Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals.

Smith has struggled to carve out much of a role to begin his time with the Steelers, and he's been especially uninvolved in the passing game over the past two weeks, as he's secured just one of four targets for four yards during that time. Pat Freiermuth and Darnell Washington have been slightly more reliable recently, leaving Smith as a shaky fantasy option heading into the final month and a half of the regular season.

Wilson secured one of two targets for 17 yards during Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals.

Wilson was on the field for 57 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps Sunday, marking just the second time this season that he's played more than half of the team's snaps. His uptick in playing time didn't lead to an increased target share, as he's seen two or fewer targets in eight of his 10 appearances to begin the season. Wilson's fantasy upside will likely remain limited moving forward, especially if Aaron Rodgers (wrist) is forced to miss time.

Dodson recorded 11 total tackles (three solo), including 1.0 sacks, in Sunday's 16-13 overtime win over the Commanders.

The 27-year-old registered his third double-digit tackle performance of the season and was the only Dolphin to sack Marcus Mariota in Sunday's overtime win. Dodson has now tallied 87 total tackles, including 4.0 sacks, one forced fumble and one pass defended over 10 appearances this season. He's expected to remain one of Miami's top defensive playmakers following the team's Week 12 bye.

Austin secured his lone target for five yards during Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals.

Austin had played at least 50 percent of the Steelers' offensive snaps in his first seven appearances of the season, but he was on the field for just 29 percent during Sunday's comfortable victory. The 2022 fourth-rounder was held to single-digit receiving yards for the first time this year, but Pittsburgh was playing without QB Aaron Rodgers (wrist) during the second half. Even if Austin's playing time bounces back down the stretch, he'll likely have limited fantasy upside as long as DK Metcalf remains healthy.

Brooks recorded 20 total tackles (10 solo) in Sunday's 16-13 overtime win over the Commanders.

Brooks' 20 total tackles are the most recorded by any player in a single game this season, and he's now logged double-digit stops in three of his last four outings. The Texas Tech product leads the NFL with 125 total tackles, including 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble through the Dolphins' first 11 games this season. He's expected to remain a valuable IDP option following Miami's Week 12 bye.

Johnson rushed five times for 15 yards during Sunday's 34-12 win over the Bengals.

Despite Sunday's lopsided score, the Steelers sustained several prominent injuries, including a wrist injury for Aaron Rodgers and an ankle injury that Jaylen Warren sustained in the third quarter. The latter's health concern led to a slightly increased role for Johnson, although Kenneth Gainwell saw the biggest uptick in usage. However, Warren said after the matchup that he could have returned to the game, so it seems likely that he'll be available for Pittsburgh's Week 12 tilt in Chicago. Assuming Warren and Gainwell remain available against the Bears, Johnson should continue to have minimal fantasy upside.