News: Lions WR Calvin Johnson once again missed practice on Tuesday as he deals with knee and hand injuries, but there's a chance he'll play vs. the Packers on Thanksgiving according to MLive.com. "He's improving," head coach Jim Schwartz said of Johnson on Tuesday. "[He's] another one we'll wait until Thursday to see."
Analysis: It looks like Johnson will be a game-time decision. With the game only four days after Week 11, we don't love Johnson's chances to play against the Packers. For now figure Johnson to be an injury risk for Week 12. If he does suit up, figure him to play like a No. 2 receiver since his knee could limit him, just as playing with Daunte Culpepper as his quarterback against a good Packers secondary would also limit him. We'll keep you posted and share more with you when we get it.
News: Cowboys TE Jason Witten will be a game-time decision for Thursday's game against Oakland because of a sprained foot. He was hurt in the second quarter of Dallas' 7-6 victory over Washington on Sunday but continued playing. He was held out of a light practice Monday and was limited Tuesday. Coach Wade Phillips said doctors are concerned Witten could worsen the injury if he plays on it. He hasn't missed a game because of injury since he was a rookie in 2003.
Analysis: Witten's 54 catches are easily the most on the team, and his 481 yards are second-most. But his one score on the season is part of the reason why Fantasy owners cannot stand him this season. If he's out, consider another option off waivers who might actually be better than Witten if he were healthy. Possible replacements include Kevin Boss, Jermichael Finley, Brandon Pettigrew and Martellus Bennett (his teammate in Dallas).
News: On Tuesday, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin updated the media on QB Ben Roethlisberger's status for Week 12, and it's good news. Tomlin did say that Big Ben suffered a concussion in Week 11 at Kansas City but passed all the tests on Monday and is doing fine. He's expected to start for the Steelers at the Ravens in Week 12 assuming he doesn't show any effects from the concussion. "We anticipate him practicing and playing this week provided he feels fine," Tomlin said. Dennis Dixon is expected to back up Roethlisberger with primary backup Charlie Batch sidelined with a wrist fracture.
Analysis: The last time Roethlisberger came back from a concussion he struggled, so it's not a lock that he'll take advantage of the Ravens' iffy secondary and put up big numbers. Consider him a No. 1 Fantasy QB, but if you have Roethlisberger and another good passer, you'll need to weigh your options carefully. We'll be a bit more confident in Roethlisberger if he practices all week, so we'll keep you posted on his status as the days go by.
News:Matthew Stafford went another day watching practice instead of participating in it and seems doubtful to play vs. the Packers on Thanksgiving. Stafford dislocated his left shoulder late vs. the Browns in Week 11; Daunte Culpepper is expected to start in Stafford's place. "It's unlikely that he's going to play, but we'll see," Detroit coach Jim Schwartz said. "It's a deal if it gets better in a couple of days and it's not as painful, he'll be able to get out there."
Analysis: We expect Culpepper to play since the game will be only four days after Stafford got hurt. Consider Culpepper to be no better than a low-end No. 2 Fantasy QB vs. the Packers on Thanksgiving Day while Stafford should at best continue to ride the Fantasy pine while he's hurt in deeper leagues and dynasty/keeper formats.
News: Giants RB Ahmad Bradshaw has sprained his healthy ankle and his status is in doubt for Week 12 at Denver this Thursday night according to the Newark Star-Ledger. Bradshaw was spotted not only in a walking boot on his right foot, which has been customary since discovering a fracture in his foot several weeks ago, but also on crutches with a boot on his left foot. Head coach Tom Coughlin wouldn't speculate on his status for Week 12 but did say that his injury seemed to have happened in their win vs. the Falcons. "Right after the game they thought he had a (minor) ankle sprain,"Coughlin said. "But evidently, it's more severe than that."
Analysis: If Bradshaw is sidelined, RB Danny Ware would likely step up and help starter Brandon Jacobs with the rushing workload. This definitely makes Danny Ware a low-end No. 3 Fantasy RB for Week 12 since the Broncos' run defense has had trouble with opposing running backs of late. He might get a shot at as many as 10 touches in the game, so if you're desperate for a running back he might be good enough. As for Bradshaw, keep him benched as long as he's wearing dual walking boots and not in good enough shape to play by Thursday night.
News: Seahawks coach Jim Mora said RB Julius Jones will return to practice Wednesday and will likely start Sunday vs. the Rams. Jones didn't play in the team's Week 11 loss against the Vikings because of a lung contusion suffered against the Cardinals; Justin Forsett started in his place and had 89 total yards and a touchdown. "We will work him in at a condensed pace," Mora said of Jones, noting that Jones hasn't been able to even exercise while resting his lungs.
Analysis: Frankly, we'd be surprised if Jones held on to the starting job for long in Seattle since he was ineffective for most of the Seahawks' games this season. Forsett didn't exactly provide a rushing presence last week, but it was against one of the best run defenses in the league. We recommend that Fantasy owners hold on to Forsett since he might see some carries working in tandem with Jones and could eventually overtake Jones for the starting role. As for Week 12, Jones is good enough to use as a No. 3 rusher since he'll take on a tame Rams run defense.
News: Giants RB Brandon Jacobs says his right leg feels "really good" and he should play against Denver on Thursday. Jacobs missed the fourth quarter and overtime in the Giants' Week 11 win vs. the Falcons after he was tackled by Thomas DeCoud and Stephen Nicholas on a 5-yard run late in the third quarter. Jacobs was helped off the field and didn't come back in the game. He participated in full practice Monday and was expected to practice again Tuesday. He walked through the locker room without being visibly hindered. "I took a little hit near the leg, but it wasn't anything bad," Jacobs said Tuesday. "It could've been worse. ... I feel really good. I don't really have anything bothering me. It's all mental. You've got to get in and be ready to go."
Analysis: Jacobs leads the Giants with 656 yards rushing and has run for three touchdowns after finishing with 39 yards and a score on 12 carries against the Falcons. He has yet to crack 100 yards in a game this season, but can still be viewed as a suitable No. 2 RB for Week 12 given the Broncos' recent woes against the run even though he'll lose some work to Danny Ware, who is expected to play in place of an injured Ahmad Bradshaw.
News: Raiders starting DE Greg Ellis (knee/shoulder) was limited at practice Tuesday, but coach Tom Cable said he expected him to play against the Cowboys, his former team, on Thursday. Ellis played last week after missing one game while recovering from arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgeries.
Analysis: Ellis has some low-end Fantasy value as a DL in IDP leagues but really doesn't need to be on Fantasy rosters for Week 12 until he proves healthy and effective.
News: Raiders LB Isaiah Ekejiuba, a special teams ace, did not practice Tuesday and is questionable for Thursday’s game against Dallas with a knee injury he suffered against Cincinnati.
Analysis: Ekejiuba is not a relevant IDP option and can be ignored in all formats for Week 12.
News: Raiders starting DE Richard Seymour practiced in full Tuesday after suffering a lower-back injury in the first quarter Sunday against Cincinnati and missing the rest of the game Week 11. "He's able to get in and out of his stand and do the drills and run to the ball, so it was good," coach Tom Cable said. Seymour and the Raiders will play at Dallas on Thursday in Week 12.
Analysis: Seymour is a decent sack artist still in his first year with the Raiders, making him a No. 2 Fantasy LB when healthy. Monitor his progress in practice the next few days leading up to the team's Thursday game at Dallas.
News: Denver RB LaMont Jordan was unable to practice because of a back injury for the second straight day on Tuesday in preparation for Week 12 against the Giants on Thursday night.
Analysis: Jordan often goes without stats for the Broncos. He can be left on waivers, regardless of this injury for Week 12.
News: Denver DB Brian Dawkins (neck) was limited in practice on Tuesday in preparation for Thanksgiving of Week 12 against the Giants. Dawkins was unable to practice on Monday and left the Week 11 game against San Diego with the injury.
Analysis: Dawkins is a decent tackler, but he doesn't have a sack or interception all season. When healthy, he's no more than a No. 2 DB in Fantasy IDP leagues.
News: Raiders LB Jon Alston is still suffering the effects of two concussions and will not play against the Cowboys on Thursday night. "He's having some residual effects from the last concussion he had," Oakland coach Tom Cable said. "When he showed up Saturday ill, that's when we started to figure out what's going on. He was throwing up, dizziness and things like that so we're still looking into what's going on with that."
Analysis: Alston is not a recommended Fantasy IDP option. Keep him on waivers in all leagues for Week 12.
News: Giants TE Kevin Boss faces the tough Denver pass defense in Week 12 on Thanksgiving night. That shouldn't be a problem for Boss, who has caught four touchdown passes in his last three games for the G-men. Last week against Atlanta, Boss went for 76 yards and two scores on five catches. Denver ranks No. 3 in the NFL against the pass and is allowing just one touchdown per game.
Analysis: Boss continues to be a huge target for QB Eli Manning and if any Giants' receiver is going to have a big Thanksgiving it will be him. Treat Boss as a No. 1 Fantasy option.
News: Giants receiver Steve Smith has been quite solid in his last five games. He's caught at least four passes in each game and has gone over 50 yards in all but one with one touchdown. Still, he's facing the Broncos in Denver on Thanksgiving and Denver has one of the NFL's best pass defenses.
Analysis: Smith will register his normal production against the Broncos on Thursday but don't expect a big game from the receiver. Instead, he's more of a low-end No. 2 Fantasy option.
News: Giants WR Mario Manningham came up huge in a Week 11 game against the Falcons with six catches for 126 yards. He takes that momentum into the Thanksgiving night game at Denver in Week 12. The Broncos rank third in the NFL against the pass and are allowing just under 183 yards and one touchdown per game.
Analysis: Manningham has become a top receiver for the Giants as he's caught six passes in two straight games. We just can't see the Giants putting up massive yardage through the air on Thursday night. That keeps Manningham a No. 3 or 4 Fantasy option.
