News: Rams RB Steven Jackson missed practice again Thursday with a sore back but head coach Steve Spagnuolo said Thursday that he expects his prized rusher to play in Week 12 vs. Seattle. Jackson has four 100-total-yard games and three touchdowns in his last five against the Seahawks.
Analysis: Sounds like Jackson is getting a couple of days to rest up, something that might continue for as long as his back hurts him. He should play and is a must-start No. 1 Fantasy RB so long as he's active. If anything changes on Jackson's status we'll keep you posted.
News: After Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said Wednesday that RB Cedric Benson "seems to be very close" to playing ball, the workhorse has yet to practice. He's dealing with a strained hip. Benson missed practice again on Thursday, continuing to cloud his chances for Week 12 action vs. the Browns. Lewis did say that even if Benson returned the team would lean on Bernard Scott with some of the rushing duties along with Bernard Scott, and they'd even give newcomer Larry Johnson a bit more work.
Analysis: If Benson practices on Friday, then he'll have a chance to work on Sunday. But even if he does play, the expectation is that he'd share the ball more than usual because he'd be coming back from the injury. Ultimately, the Bengals can't help but feel like they can beat the Browns without Benson, and that keeping Benson as healthy as possible for the playoffs is what matters the most. If Benson plays, he'd be a decent No. 2 Fantasy RB with Scott possibly just as good as a No. 2 option. If Benson rests, Scott would be a solid No. 1 Fantasy RB since he'd see the strong majority of touches and go up against a sorry Browns run defense. Leonard and Johnson's reps won't be enough for him to register on the Fantasy scale. We'll keep you posted on the Bengals' running backs this week and we'll be first to know whether or not he'll be active this Sunday on Fantasy Football Today, 11 a.m. ET here on CBSSports.com.
News: Falcons RB Michael Turner was limited in practice again Thursday after being limited on Wednesday. He's working his way back from a high-ankle sprain. Head coach Mike Smith said Thursday that Turner would be a game-time decision for Week 12 vs. the Bucs. "Mike is probably going to down to the wire in terms of a game-time decision on if he's going to be able to play or not," Smith said Thursday. And as the Atlanta Journal Constitution reported, Turner added: "I'm getting there. I'm progressing slowly."
Analysis: Obviously, a lot of Fantasy owners are interested in Turner's status for the coming week -- especially those owners who have Jason Snelling as well. If Turner plays it's unlikely that the Falcons will throw him into action full-go; he'd likely split with Snelling and get pulled out once the game is in hand for the Falcons. And, because Snelling did well last week and the Buccaneers aren't expected to be a serious threat to the Falcons, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Turner get little to no work in Week 12. We'll also likely see Jerious Norwood back in action as he's practicing after missing six weeks with a hip injury. We'll keep you posted on this all week and deliver the final word on Sunday on Fantasy Football Today, 11 a.m. ET here on CBSSports.com.
News: Playing on Thanksgiving Day at Detroit, Packers WR Donald Driver annihilated the Lions for 142 yards and a touchdown on seven catches. He caught a 68-yard pass in the first quarter to set up the Lions' first score, and came up with another deep 45-yard catch in the third quarter that began a drive that ended with his touchdown from 7 yards out.
Analysis: Driver has a strong recent history against the Lions, so this wasn't a big surprise. He's also been the Packers' most reliable receiver and should have a chance to put up some nice numbers against the Ravens' woeful defense at home in Week 13.
News: Playing on Thanksgiving Day at Detroit, Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was exceptional, completing 28 of 39 passes for 348 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a 5-yard run and coughed up the ball once. Rodgers hit Donald Lee on a screen that he took 7 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. His second touchdown was also from 7 yards out when he hit Donald Driver with a dart just in front of a Lions defender. His third touchdown was a catch-and-run by James Jones, who hauled in the pass a few yards short of the goal line and dove for the touchdown late in the third quarter. Rodgers put up his fourth consecutive 300-yard game against the Lions, meaning that he's put up high yardage totals in every start of his career against Detroit.
Analysis: Rodgers has been a Fantasy monster for much of the year but has had his fair share of trouble against strong pass rushes. He'll face a defense like that in Week 13 vs. the Ravens, and considering Rodgers' offensive line there's a chance he'll make some mistakes. Still, Rodgers is worth using as a low-end No. 1 Fantasy QB since the Ravens' secondary isn't overly strong.
News: Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart was back at practice Thursday, which has more or less been his standard routine this season. Stewart has been playing with a nagging Achilles injury and his reps in practice have been numbered to keep him fresh. He worked in full on Thursday.
Analysis: Stewart is expected to play and do well against a Jets run defense that has struggled since losing NT Kris Jenkins. Furthermore, Stewart has seemingly played well every other week, a sign that he needs lots of time to rest up his Achilles for running the ball. With nearly two weeks to prepare for this game after haggling through Week 11 vs. Miami, he is a solid No. 3/flex option for Week 12.
News: Minnesota RB Adrian Peterson was a limited participant again in practice on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday with an ankle issue. He is still expected to play on Sunday vs. the Bears so long as he doesn't miss practice.
Analysis: Peterson should emerge with a big week against a familiar foe in Week 12 when he faces the Bears at home. Peterson has scored at least one touchdown in each of his four career games against the Bears with over 100 rush yards in three of the games (over 200 yards in one game). He gears up for no one like Chicago, which only helps his appeal as a stud Fantasy RB in Week 12 as long as he is healthy and active, which he is expected to be.
News: Lions TE Brandon Pettigrew was helped off the field and into the locker room early in the first quarter after falling awkwardly on the team's opening drive. Immediately after falling to the ground Pettigrew clutched his left knee and writhed in pain, and he couldn't put much weight on it as he walked off the field. He had a 12-yard catch on the drive.
Analysis: Pettigrew was beginning to emerge as a top target in the Lions offense. We'll learn more about it and deliver the latest when we get it. Casey FitzSimmons is expected to pick up his reps in the interim.
News: The Lions have announced that Calvin Johhson will start vs. the Packers on Thanksgiving. Johnson was questionable with a hand and knee injury and missed practice all week.
Analysis: If you own Johnson, consider him among your other receivers before finalizing your lineup. The fact that he's playing hurt with a quarterback who is playing hurt (Matthew Stafford is also active) against a defense that still boasts a good secondary led by cornerback Charles Woodson. Expect him to perform like a No. 2 Fantasy WR on Thursday -- plan accordingly.
News: Playing on Thanksgiving Day at Detroit, the Packers defense totaled two sacks, a forced fumble and four interceptions including one returned for a touchdown. Charles Woodson had the score along with two of the picks, one of the sacks and a forced fumble.
Analysis: It wasn't a surprise to see the Packers put up a command performance against the Lions. They might struggle a little bit with the Ravens at home in Week 13, but they still warrant some Fantasy use as a low-end option for their next game.
News: The Lions have announced that Matthew Stafford will start vs. the Packers on Thanksgiving. Stafford was doubtful with a dislocated left shoulder and didn't practice all week but apparently is healthy enough to play. Daunte Culpepper will back him up.
Analysis: Stafford isn't worth starting in Fantasy play -- there are safer and healthier options out there, plus the Lions' matchup is a tough one. It's best to keep Stafford benched or reserved in Fantasy play.
News: Playing on Thanksgiving Day at Detroit, Packers CB Charles Woodson returned an interception for a score, added another interception and had one sack and a forced fumble. He also had seven total tackles.
Analysis: Woodson remains a must-start No. 1 Fantasy DB in all leagues. He'll have a shot at another solid game vs. the Ravens in Week 13.
News: Playing on Thanksgiving Day at Detroit, Packers PK Mason Crosby hit two of three field goals and four extra points.
Analysis: Crosby continues to be a solid Fantasy kicker. Keep him active if you can't find a better option off waivers for Week 13 when he kicks against the Ravens.
News: Playing on Thanksgiving Day at Detroit, Packers WR Jordy Nelson caught a 19-yard pass but fumbled the opening kickoff.
Analysis: In standard-scoring formats, Nelson was worth minus-1 point. He doesn't touch the ball enough to warrant Fantasy use -- keep him off rosters when the Packers play vs. the Ravens in Week 13.
News: Playing on Thanksgiving Day at Detroit, Packers TE Donald Lee caught four passes for 22 yards with a touchdown on a screen play in the first quarter. It was Lee's first touchdown of the season.
Analysis: Lee typically doesn't produce enough stats to warrant Fantasy use. Until he has more weeks like this, keep him off of Fantasy rosters.
