Week 12 NFL Injuries Recap: Latest Updates on Chris Olave, Cooper Kupp, Travis Etienne Jr., Amari Cooper, Baker Mayfield, and Others

Dallas Robinson
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Week 12 NFL Injuries Recap: Latest Updates on Chris Olave, Cooper Kupp, Travis Etienne Jr., Amari Cooper, Baker Mayfield, and Others

Another week of NFL action means another week of injuries. Plenty of players got banged up in Week 12, while others suffered injuries that could knock them out for several weeks or more. Let’s round up the most notable injury updates from Sunday.

Week 12 NFL Injuries Recap

Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers’ playoff chances took a significant hit after their loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 12, and Baker Mayfield also picked up an injury. While he was able to stay in the game, Mayfield hurt his ankle during a first-quarter sneak attempt.

“Didn’t feel very good,” Mayfield said after the game, per ESPN’s Jenna Laine. “Just had Bobby (Slater) and the team tape me up again as much as they possibly could and go from there, but it’ll be pretty sore tomorrow.”

According to Laine, Mayfield was limping and could not put any weight on his ankle in the locker room. Fortunately, head coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield’s MRI came back negative, so he didn’t suffer any ligament damage.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, Cleveland Browns

Dorian Thompson-Robinson (already an injury replacement for Deshaun Watson) suffered a concussion near the end of the third quarter of the Browns’ eventual loss to the Denver Broncos. Given how the league proceeds with head injuries, DTR seems unlikely to be cleared in time for Week 13.

P.J. Walker, who’s already made two starts for Cleveland this year, relieved Thompson-Robinson on Sunday and could start against the Los Angeles Rams next week. Yet, veteran Joe Flacco is also available on the Browns’ practice squad.

Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

While Travis Etienne Jr. eventually finished yesterday’s game, the Jaguars listed the third-year RB as questionable to return after suffering a chest injury in the first half. Etienne was evaluated by trainers and spent some time in the locker room but ultimately returned with four minutes remaining in the second quarter, handling 24 touches on the day.

MORE: Where Do Jags Stand in AFC South After Week 12 Win?

Still, it will be worth monitoring Etienne’s practice participation throughout the week. D’Ernest Johnson seems to have overtaken third-round rookie Tank Bigsby as Jacksonville’s RB2.

Jamaal Williams, RB, New Orleans Saints

Jamaal Williams’ role as Alvin Kamara’s backup had steadily grown over the past several weeks, but the veteran RB appeared to suffer an injury during the fourth quarter of the Saints’ Week 12 loss.

Williams was shaking his arm and yelling, then threw his helmet before entering the blue medical tent on the Saints’ sideline, per ESPN’s Kat Terrell.

Third-round rookie RB Kendre Miller has missed the past two games with an ankle injury. If neither Williams nor Miller can suit up in Week 13, New Orleans may need to promote fellow back Jordan Mims from its practice squad.

Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams

Cooper Kupp came into Week 12 with an ankle injury and seemingly aggravated the issue after failing to bring in a first-quarter pass. Kupp stayed in the game but went to the Rams’ training table after their offensive series concluded.

Kupp finished Los Angeles’ win over the Arizona Cardinals but wasn’t heavily involved. Perhaps working as a decoy, he brought in three of five targets for just 18 yards. He constantly battles through injuries, but we’ll need to watch Kupp’s injury status throughout the week.

Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, WRs, New Orleans Saints

Sunday was a disaster for the Saints, who not only lost the NFC South lead to the Atlanta Falcons but witnessed several of their key offensive contributors go down.

Chris Olave missed most of the second half with a concussion, his second in as many seasons. NFL players have had difficulty clearing the NFL’s brain injury protocol in a single week, and Olave’s concussion history makes him even more likely to sit out Week 13.

MORE: Saints WR Depth Chart After Olave, Shaheed Injuries

Rashid Shaheed left the game before Olave. He was listed as questionable to return with a thigh injury but never re-entered Sunday’s contest. On Monday, Saints reporter Nick Underhill indicated Shaheed is expected to miss New Orleans’ upcoming matchup with the Detroit Lions.

Amari Cooper, WR, Cleveland Browns

Amari Cooper appeared to be in a lot of pain after departing during the fourth quarter of the Browns’ loss to the Broncos. He was subsequently ruled out with a rib injury after hauling in two catches for 16 yards.

X-rays on Cooper’s ribs were negative, per head coach Kevin Stefanski, who later indicated Cooper “thinks he’ll be OK” and labeled the veteran WR day to day. Elijah Moore, Cedric Tillman, and David Njoku will see more looks if Cooper is sidelined, but it’s hard to be encouraged about the current state of the Browns’ offense.

Myles Garrett, EDGE, Cleveland Browns

The Browns’ starting quarterback and best pass catcher went down on Sunday. But they also might have lost arguably the NFL’s top defensive player.

On Sunday, Myles Garrett said he “felt a pop” in his shoulder. Still, he suggested he’ll keep playing until the injury severely limits him.

“I’m not gonna come out unless it’s falling off,” Garrett said.

On Monday, Stefanski said an MRI showed no structural damage to Garrett’s shoulder and indicated the All-Pro should be able to play on Sunday.

Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more! 

Dallas Cowboys Practice Report: The Latest Update on Jayron Kearse

Jess Nevarez
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Dallas Cowboys Practice Report: The Latest Update on Jayron Kearse

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys are still preparing for Thursday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.

With the team coming out of their Thanksgiving win pretty healthy, what are the latest updates on safety Jayron Kearse?

Dallas Cowboys Practice Report

During the portion of practice open to the media, the team participated in stretches and position drills.

MORE: Dallas Cowboys Depth Chart

The only two players not spotted were offensive linemen Tyron Smith and Zack Martin. However, there is no need to panic, as it’s common for older players to take veteran rest days.

It is worth noting that since the team is on a Thursday game schedule, Monday’s practice would have the same workload as a Thursday practice would be in a normal week.

Dallas Cowboys Injury Report

Did not participate

  • G Zack Martin (NIR-Rest)
  • OT Tyron Smith (NIR-Rest)
  • LB Tyrus Wheat (Concussion)
  • DE Dante Fowler (Illness)

Limited

  • RB Rico Dowdle (Ankle)
  • S Jayron Kearse (Back)

Fully Participated

  • TE Peyton Hendershot (Ankle)
  • DT Mazi Smith (Shoulder)

S Jayron Kearse

Mike McCarthy gave an update on Kearse, who is dealing with a back injury, saying the safety would participate in the majority of reps during Monday’s practice.

During the portion of practice that was open to the media, he was spotted in team stretches and position drills.

On Sunday, head coach Mike McCarthy said Kearse looks good, has a good chance of playing on Thursday against the Seahawks, and would participate in half of their walkthrough reps.

Kearse was inactive for Thursday’s game against the Commanders after not participating in practice all week with a back injury.

The eighth-year veteran’s presence is essential for many reasons, but one is that he wears the team’s helmet communicator on the defense.

In his absence, Juanyeh Thomas took reps at safety, and Damone Clark was responsible for wearing the green dot.

Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more! 

Elijah Moore Fantasy Waiver Wire: Should I Pick Up the Browns WR This Week?

Brett Schwartzkopf
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Elijah Moore Fantasy Waiver Wire: Should I Pick Up the Browns WR This Week?

Elijah Moore of the Cleveland Browns was a reasonably popular sleeper pick for fantasy football managers before the 2023 season began, but he has been a disappointment thus far. With an injury to Amari Cooper (ribs), could Moore be a waiver priority?

Should Elijah Moore Be a Fantasy Waiver Wire Add in Week 13

Entering year 3 of his NFL career and a fresh start in Cleveland after falling out of favor with the New York Jets, Moore has yet to become a viable fantasy option for managers this season.

Though targeted many times, his best outing was against Baltimore, where Moore caught five of seven targets for 44 yards and his first and only TD of the season. Also, this was with starter Deshaun Watson behind center, who is now out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery.

The Browns have gone through injury issues at quarterback, switching between Watson, P.J. Walker, and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. The latter suffered a concussion in the third quarter in Week 12 and is unlikely to be cleared in time for Week 13’s contest against the Rams.

We saw Walker start for the Browns three straight weeks earlier this season, beginning in week 6. During those weeks, Moore was a nonfactor for fantasy managers, finishing with 6.7, 9.9, and 5 PPR points.

MORE: Fantasy News Tracker

Some positive news for fantasy managers looking Moore’s way is that Cooper suffered a rib injury during Week 12’s contest. Should he miss the game or not be 100 percent against the Rams, opportunities may open up for Moore.

Also, Joe Flacco could get the start over Walker. The 38-year-old QB does have experience on his side, along with zero rushing upside, which could benefit Moore, as Moore tends to run routes closer to around the line of scrimmage should Flacco need to get rid of the ball quickly.

With those two options in favor of Moore and with fantasy playoffs right around the corner, I would still steer clear of Moore as a waiver priority. He has not shown fantasy managers he could do much with any extra opportunity, as demonstrated by the eight games already played where he saw seven or nine targets and only scored just above double-digit fantasy points in three games this season.

Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!

Will the Patriots Draft a QB in 2024? Top Targets Include Caleb Williams and Drake Maye

Dalton Miller
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Will the Patriots Draft a QB in 2024? Top Targets Include Caleb Williams and Drake Maye

The New England Patriots have been in a period of transition since Tom Brady left, but the rebuilding will likely begin this offseason. Bill Belichick’s reign as the Patriots’ head coach will likely end in his 24th season.

But where do they go from here? Jerod Mayo has been pegged as Belichick’s potential successor for some time now. Robert Kraft has been on record saying he is “definitely a strong candidate to be the heir apparent.” Mayo avoided head coaching interviews last offseason in the wake of this information.

But without a quarterback, it does not matter who the Patriots hire. Mac Jones went from being a competent NFL starter as a rookie to being entirely irredeemable. Does a similar fate await the Patriots’ next passer, or will an organizational restructure help rebuild a dying roster?

New England Patriots’ Draft Options

The Patriots are currently sitting third in the NFL Draft order. With two high-quality quarterbacks on the market, having the third pick would usually be a bit disappointing. However, circumstances surrounding the two teams currently in front of them in the order have kept them down, but with talented quarterbacks at the helm.

MORE: New England Patriots Depth Chart

It’s certainly not a foregone conclusion that the Chicago Bears will continue with Justin Fields. And while the Cardinals just paid Kyler Murray handsomely, he hasn’t proven himself to be a legitimate franchise QB, and it’s not every day your team gets to potentially select the first quarterback off the board.

The Two Big-Name QBs

It’s almost December. Caleb Williams and Drake Maye have been the story since last spring. That means many in the football world have been tuning into North Carolina and Southern California games with more regularity. That means that every blemish is magnified.

The truth is, no 22-year-old quarterback prospect is perfect. Trevor Lawrence, Andrew Luck, and surely even Peyton Manning all had their flaws. While seemingly counterintuitive, college production has very little to do with a player’s NFL prospects.

Take Jake Browning, for instance. He was a four-year starter at Washington with outrageous production in every one of his four college seasons. The Layman looks at that and says, “he’s the guy.” This is a personal anecdote. Every year, my friends reach out to me asking why “X” player isn’t going to be a first-round pick. After all, he threw for 4,000 yards and 50 TDs this year!

Each player is flawed. There’s a hint of Josh Allen in Maye’s game, for better and for worse. Conversely, there is a bit of Zach Wilson in Williams’ game. We all know that’s certainly not a positive.

Maye has a bit of the “bozo” gene in him. It’s a derogatory term, but many of the top passers at the NFL level have this same gene. Another name for it is arm arrogance. These passers, like Matthew Stafford, can wow you with ridiculous arm talent and creativity on 95% of their attempts. But the other 5% is littered with some of the most inexcusable decisions we’ve ever seen a passer make.

It keeps some from ever becoming starters. However, the Stafford’s and Allen’s of the world make more than enough plays to make up for the mistakes they make. Being a gunslinger has positives and negatives.

Meanwhile, Williams has an intense desire to create. It’s clear watching him play that he can operate the quick game, but most of the time, he simply does not want to. There are times when the answers are given to him pre-snap, but he has to peek at the vertical along the sideline long enough for the slot defender playing 12 yards off to jump on the route from the slot receiver.

MORE: 7-Round 2024 NFL Mock Draft

Williams won a Heisman Trophy for being a creator at a level we have almost never seen at the college level, and he’s received more than a few Patrick Mahomes comps for his efforts. But what makes Mahomes different is that he’s just as capable as a traditional dropback passer. In reality, creation is a minimal part of down-to-down quarterbacking at the NFL level.

Each player’s positive attributes will be shoved down your throats until draft night. Sometimes, it’s important to look intently at a player’s flaws to decide which archetype you’d rather have on your team.

Potential Second Pick Options

What happens if the top two quarterbacks go in the first two picks and the Patriots are stuck at No. 3? Usually, it’d be time to go full Bobby Knight and throw a folding chair across whatever room you’re in. But the 2024 NFL Draft is a bit unique.

In this scenario, that third pick could net the Patriots a gift that will keep on giving. A wide receiver drafted by the team that actually makes sense. In fact, even the organization that consistently flubs wide receiver evaluations can’t screw this one up.

Marvin Harrison Jr. is a no-doubt selection in this simulation. And while the first tier of quarterbacks is off the board, which is normally the end of starter-searching in the NFL Draft, that might not be the case this season.

It certainly depends on who declares and who does not, but the 2024 QB class could be very impressive. Underclassmen like J.J. McCarthy, Shedeur Sanders, and Carson Beck could return to school.

But even if one of those players declares, we’re looking at four quarterbacks, not including Williams and Maye, who could be hanging around at the end of Round 1 for a trade-up or at the beginning of Round 2, where the Patriots currently sit.

And they are all very different players.

Jayden Daniels is one of the most dangerous two-way threats we’ve seen since Lamar Jackson. He’s not a completely polished passer, and he takes way too many bone-crushing hits, but his downfield accuracy is unbelievable, and he’s endlessly explosive and creative as a runner.

Slotting Bo Nix in the first round would have gotten you a bigger laugh than any stand-up comedy. However, he’s become a fantastic distributor with an impressive arm and more than enough wiggle to be a threat with his legs.

Michael Penix Jr. is a wild card. His downfield accuracy is absolutely sublime, which would pair incredibly well with Harrison in this simulation. However, he’s also suffered multiple season-ending injuries during his time at Indiana.

The Patriots have options. But unless they surround whatever young quarterback talent they select with legitimate NFL playmakers on the outside behind a sufficient offensive line and coherent scheme, none of it will matter.

Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more! 

Eagles Haason Reddick Calls Out San Francisco 49ers Ahead of Sunday Matchup – “It Was a Lot of Boohoos Last Year”

Tony Catalina
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Eagles Haason Reddick Calls Out San Francisco 49ers Ahead of Sunday Matchup – “It Was a Lot of Boohoos Last Year”

NFL fans were robbed of what could have been a classic slugfest between two heavy-weight NFC teams last season. The San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles met in the NFC Championship Game last year with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line. The Eagles went on to win the game in convincing fashion, but it didn’t go down like anyone had hoped or expected.

The 49ers saw both starting quarterback Brock Purdy and backup Josh Johnson get knocked out of the game with injuries. At one time, the 49ers had to have running back Christian McCaffrey under center before opting to put in Purdy despite not having the ability to throw the football due to his arm injury.

While the 49ers certainly have a gripe as they feel like they were robbed of a legitimate chance in last year’s game, Eagles pass rusher Haason Reddick is letting his next opponent know that he is ready to silence any “what-ifs” there may be between the two teams this week.

Haason Reddick Calls Out 49ers Ahead of Matchup

Reddick doesn’t have any time for nonsense and is excited for the 49ers to get the chance this week that they feel they were robbed of in January. Ahead of the matchup, he let his feelings be known about the conference foe and isn’t one for excuses.

MORE: NFL Week 12 Winners and Losers

“Talk is cheap. They get to come back in the Linc. It was a lot of boohoos last year, a lot of crying, a lot of what if, a lot of this, a lot of that. They get a chance to come back in here, line that s**t up, and prove it again.”

Reddick is ready for Sunday and to show the football world — and the 49ers specifically — that despite the injuries to their quarterbacks, the results would have been the same.

49ers’ Deebo Samuel May Have Started War of Words

49ers star wide receiver Deebo Samuel sat down with Complex in May, and during that interview, he let his feelings about the Eagles fanbase, team, and the situation that unfolded during that playoff matchup be known. Samuel did not hold back his thoughts and, in doing so, may have set the stage for this week’s rematch.

“All the trash talk coming from the Eagles fan base and the players, you just get tired of that,” Samuel said.

“We lost because we played with 10 people,” he continued. “ I ain’t going to keep going on about what could’ve happened and what would’ve happened, but yeah, it would’ve definitely been a different outcome.”

It looks like a storm is brewing ahead of Sunday’s NFC matchup between two NFL powers. With a win on the line and pride as well, we could be in store for a treat on Sunday.

Want to predict the rest of the 2023 season with our FREE NFL Playoff Predictor? Looking for the most up-to-date NFL standings? What about a breakdown of team depth charts or the NFL schedule? Pro Football Network has you covered with that and more! 

Pat Freiermuth Fantasy Waiver Wire: Should I Pick Up the Steelers’ TE This Week?

Anthony Carnaggie
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Pat Freiermuth Fantasy Waiver Wire: Should I Pick Up the Steelers’ TE This Week?

Last season, Pittsburgh Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth was ranked as a top-five tight end, but this year, he has been injured for the vast majority of it. Is Freiermuth healthy enough to help your fantasy football team for the playoff push? Let’s dig in and find out.

Should Pat Freiermuth Be a Fantasy Waiver Wire Add in Week 13?

Freiermuth has been injured since Week 6. He has been off injured reserve for two weeks now and has had vastly different results since his return.

Predictably, the Steelers eased Freiermuth back into the offense two weeks ago with only one target, which Freiermuth caught for seven yards.

With the well-publicized change in offensive coordinator and Freiermuth’s health seemingly improved, my colleague Kyle Soppe pegged Freiermuth as the top streaming tight end in Week 13, and for good reason.

Freiermuth exploded this past week with nine catches for 120 yards and a 34.3% target share. Those are Travis Kelce-type TE numbers, and although that is likely a peak game, I see Freiermuth being the No. 1 or 2 option for the Steelers’ passing attack the rest of the way, especially with Diontae Johnson’s recent behavior.

MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor

Before his injury, Freiermuth was not being utilized much. He was catching just 1-3 receptions each week prior to the injury, so his return lining up with the new offensive coordinator is excellent timing for the young tight end.

Freiermuth faces a tough road the rest of the season with the 17th-ranked defense against tight ends, the Arizona Cardinals, followed by the eighth-ranked defense, the New England Patriots, in Week 14.

Freiermuth’s fantasy playoff schedule is not great either, with an average ranking of 7.3. But even with the challenging schedule, I would prioritize him as a waiver wire pickup this week.

If you need a tight end, I recommend using your top waiver slot or dumping a good bit of your FAAB for Freiermuth. It’s rare to be able to grab a tight end with the upside he brings to the roster, and unless you have Kelce, Sam LaPorta, or Dalton Kincaid on your squad, then Freiermuth is an obvious upgrade.

Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!

Baker Mayfield Injury Update: What We Know About the Buccaneers QB

Dallas Robinson
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Baker Mayfield Injury Update: What We Know About the Buccaneers QB

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are fighting for their playoff lives, but that battle will get all the more difficult if Baker Mayfield is injured. The Bucs’ starting quarterback was hurt on the club’s first offensive drive — what’s the latest on Mayfield?

Baker Mayfield Injury Update

Mayfield was injured on a quarterback sneak attempt from the 1-yard line in the first quarter of today’s game. He was down on the field in pain and had to be assisted by Tampa Bay’s medical staff.

While Mayfield was eventually able to leave the field, he was limping as he headed for the sideline. He appears to have suffered a right ankle injury. Mayfield was initially assessed in the blue medical tent, but he soon exited and began walking around Tampa Bay’s sideline.

The CBS broadcast suggested that Mayfield was throwing passes on the sideline and appeared ready to re-enter the game when the Bucs got the ball back from the Indianapolis Colts.

Tampa Bay confirmed that news and Mayfield was back on the field when the Buccaneers began their next drive.

However, Mayfield was limping and hardly able to put any weight on his ankle after the game, as ESPN’s Jenna Laine reported.

“Didn’t feel very good. Just had Bobby and the team tape me up again as much as they possibly could and go from there, but it’ll be pretty sore tomorrow,” Mayfield said.

MORE: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Depth Chart

Fortunately, head coach Todd Bowles said Mayfield’s MRI came back negative, so he didn’t suffer any ligament damage.

Kyle Trask, a 2021 second-round pick who sat behind Tom Brady before losing a preseason QB competition to Mayfield, took over under center. He threw an incomplete pass to Chris Godwin on 3rd-and-goal, forcing Tampa Bay to kick a field goal to end their first drive.

Mayfield has experienced a career rejuvenation with the Bucs in 2023, tossing 15 touchdowns against six interceptions while reducing his sack rate and ranking 15th in QBR.

What Would the Bucs’ Offense Look Like Without Mayfield?

Mayfield had 2,389 passing yards and 15 scores through the air heading into this contest. He’s thrown for over 200 yards in seven straight games, which has helped make WR Mike Evans a reliable fantasy option. Evans, Chris Godwin, and Cade Otton will all slightly drop down the fantasy rankings while Mayfield is out of the lineup.

— PFN Fantasy Analyst Derek Tate

Justin Fields’ House: A Look at the Bears QB’s $1.3 Million Illinois Home

Tony Catalina
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Justin Fields’ House: A Look at the Bears QB’s $1.3 Million Illinois Home

Justin Fields is at an interesting crossroads moment in his career with the Chicago Bears. The Bears are a franchise looking to get back to their winning ways, while Fields is in his third season trying to prove that he is the man for the job.

Fields was drafted out of Ohio State with the 11th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. With some of that money, he got a sweet place in Illinois, helping to build a life in his new home.

What does his house look like?

Justin Fields’ House

Fields’ home is in Lake Forest, Illinois — the suburb he chose to settle in and started to live out his NFL life after joining the Bears. He made his intentions clear from the beginning when he bought a home with one of his first NFL checks.

Fields paid $1.3 million for the nearly 6,000-square-foot home, and the property currently serves as his primary residence. Oftentimes, with NFL players, not only are these purchases roots for them to put down in their new areas, but they are also looked at as shrewd business moves as well.

Here are some photos of the home, courtesy of Urban Splatter:

Justin Fields' House: A Look at the Bears QB’s $1.3 Million Illinois Home

Justin Fields' House: A Look at the Bears QB’s $1.3 Million Illinois Home

Fields’ 5,876-square-foot mansion includes seven bedrooms, nine bathrooms, as well as a three-car garage. The home boasts a beautiful stone exterior and a lush, sprawling backyard with an in-ground swimming pool, perfect for Fields to relax in his downtime or even host friends and families all year.

MORE: PFN Life — Off-the-Field Content

Fields’ career is just starting, but the home may have been a smart investment that he can add to his portfolio off the field as he looks to build his résumé on the field as well.

This is an important home stretch of the season for Fields. The young QB is in the midst of trying to prove to the Bears and the rest of the league that he belongs as a starting quarterback. He has had to overcome struggles and challenges to this point, but his talent is evident.

Whether Fields is able to prove that on the field with the remaining seven weeks of the season will be key to his future and longevity in the NFL. The Bears have questions that need answering, and one of them is if Fields is the guy for the job going forward.

Isaiah Likely Fantasy Waiver Wire: Should I Pick Up the Ravens’ TE this Week?

Anthony Carnaggie
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Isaiah Likely Fantasy Waiver Wire: Should I Pick Up the Ravens’ TE this Week?

Those who picked up Baltimore Ravens TE Isaiah Likely when Mark Andrews went down expected the former to step in and put up similar numbers. That hasn’t happened, but is Likely still a relevant piece for the fantasy football playoff run? Let’s dig in and find out.

Should Isaiah Likely Be a Fantasy Waiver Wire Add in Week 13?

Likely has now played two games as the Ravens’ TE1 this season since Andrews went down with an injury. Any hope of seeing Andrews back on the field in the regular season was squashed when he was placed on IR this past week.

My colleague Kyle Soppe perfectly laid out the potential outcomes for Likely for the rest of the season. I agree with Kyle that Likely has the talent and opportunity to be a usable piece on your roster, but will that manifest itself?

Likely recorded a respectable four-catch, 40-yard performance this past week with a 20% target share. Unfortunately, this was on the heels of an 8% target share game two weeks ago that resulted in zero receptions.

Maybe Likely needed a week to get his bearings as a starter, but even a chance of a goose in the playoffs is devastating. Complicating matters is that the Ravens have a bye this week, so if you pick him up, you will have to roster two tight ends for at least a week.

MORE: Fantasy TE Streamers and Rankings Week 13

Tying up two roster spots on the worst scoring position in fantasy is not an optimal fantasy strategy. Off the bye, Baltimore faces off against the sixth-ranked defense against tight ends, the Los Angeles Rams.

If you can navigate all that, then Likely does have a plus-fantasy playoff schedule with an average ranking of the 26th-ranked defense against tight ends in Weeks 15-17.

This week, I wouldn’t pick up Likely. He certainly can’t be counted on to be a difference-maker this week and possibly won’t be the following week, either.

Even when he plays, we don’t know if we’ll get zero receptions again or four or five. Tight end is a wasteland, but we can do better than Likely this week off the waiver wire.

Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!

Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 13: Brandin Cooks, Baker Mayfield, and Jameson Williams Are Quality Starting Options

Derek Tate
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Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 13: Brandin Cooks, Baker Mayfield, and Jameson Williams Are Quality Starting Options

Fantasy football managers in desperate need of a win to stay in playoff contention but are dealing with players like Josh Allen, Josh Jacobs, and Justin Jefferson being unavailable due to their bye week may have to find some off-the-radar options to start for their fantasy lineup.

Let’s take a closer at some of my favorite fantasy sleepers heading into Week 13.

Week 13 Fantasy Football Sleepers | Quarterbacks

Baker Mayfield | Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. CAR

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may be three games below .500, but they are still only one game out of first place in the NFC South. It hasn’t always been pretty for QB Baker Mayfield this year, but he has managed to throw for a score in six straight games.

MORE: Fantasy News Tracker

In a week where elite fantasy signal-callers like Allen, Lamar Jackson, and Justin Fields are on a bye, Mayfield is a quality streaming option who should be available on your waiver wire.

Week 13 Fantasy Football Sleepers | Running Backs

Rico Dowdle | Dallas Cowboys vs. SEA

I’m just as confused as you are, but Dallas Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle has scored a touchdown in two of his last three games. While his three carries against the Washington Commanders on Thanksgiving doesn’t exactly scream a ton of upside, he has still seen 26 total touches for 125 total yards and two scores over the last three contests.

It is also worth noting that Dowdle was dealing with an ankle injury heading into a game on a short week, which certainly could speak to his reduced role against the Commanders.

The role has been consistent all season behind starting RB Tony Pollard, but his slight jump in production has come from an improved Cowboys offense across the board. If Dowdle is closer to 100 percent healthy against the Seahawks, he could make for a viable Flex option in deeper leagues.

Antonio Gibson | Washington Commanders vs. MIA

It brings me no joy to say Commanders RB Antonio Gibson — who I once believed had feature RB potential in the NFL — tied a season-high with six carries against the Cowboys on Thanksgiving … but that is where we are at right now with his role in this Commanders backfield.

After missing the Week 11 game against the New York Giants with a toe injury, Gibson stepped right back into his complementary role against the Cowboys. He managed to produce just 37 yards on nine total touches, but his snap share saw no dip in his return.

If you are in a pinch in a deeper PPR league, Gibson is a quality option if the Commanders fall behind quickly against the Miami Dolphins this week.

Week 13 Fantasy Football Sleepers | Wide Receivers

Brandin Cooks | Dallas Cowboys @ SEA

Fantasy managers are running out of reasons to doubt Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks’ recent spike in production. The Cowboys passing offense has been firing on all cylinders for the majority of the last five games, and Cooks has been the biggest beneficiary of this improvement in the passing game.

MORE: Fantasy Buy Low, Sell High Week 13

He has scored in three out of his last six games while topping 70 yards receiving in two of his last three contests. The target volume hasn’t been plentiful, but he has proven to be a reliable and productive option in this high-powered Cowboys offense.

He is certainly a starting caliber Flex option at WR this week for fantasy managers with six teams on a bye.

Jameson Williams | Detroit Lions @ NO

Speaking of receivers with a lack of volume in the passing game, Detroit Lions WR Jameson Williams has definitely been a boom-or-bust option for fantasy managers since his return from suspension.

He hasn’t seen more than three targets in his last four games and still has fully shaken his case of the dropsies, but his average of 29.1 air yards per reception certainly speaks to his vertical presence in the Lions passing attack.

If CB Marshon Lattimore is able to get back on the field for the New Orleans Saints in Week 13, then I imagine he will aim to shadow Amon-Ra St. Brown, which could present Williams with an extra couple of looks in the passing game this week.

Week 13 Fantasy Football Sleepers | Tight Ends

Tucker Kraft | Green Bay Packers vs. KC

The Green Bay Packers appear to have two talented rookie TEs they can call upon this season. After Luke Musgrave was sent to injured reserve ahead of the team’s Thanksgiving matchup against the Lions, Tucker Kraft made the most of his two targets by hauling both passes and scoring the first touchdown of his NFL career in Week 12.

While the target volume and yardage output weren’t ideal, his snap usage was. He was on the field for 96% of the team’s offensive snaps against Detroit. As long as he continues to stay on the field this much, it wouldn’t be surprising if his involvement in the passing game expands in the coming weeks.

Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!

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