Player News

Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (shoulder) is off the injury report and cleared to return to action on Sunday to face the Indianapolis Colts. The sophomore tight end sat out last weekend due to this injury but will return to his starting role on Sunday. LaPorta has struggled to find consistency throughout the season, as he has scored double-digit PPR points on just three occasions and has seen just 3.6 targets per game. Despite his struggles this season, the Detroit offense has remained one of the league's top units, and fantasy should continue to view him as a top-12 option. This weekend, he should have a great opportunity to bounce back against the Colts, who have allowed the sixth-most PPR points to opposing tight ends this season.

Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (concussion) will not suit up this weekend to face the Washington Commanders, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The 25-year-old suffered this concussion last Monday during their loss to the Houston Texans. Fantasy managers should monitor his progress over the week as the Cowboys have a short turnaround for Week 13 as they will face the New York Giants on Thanksgiving. In his absence last week, Luke Schoonmaker brought in six of his ten targets for 56 yards. Given his impressive target share in a relief role, fantasy managers in 14+ team formats could consider Schoonmaker a viable replacement in their divisional title on Sunday afternoon.

Minnesota Vikings kicker John Parker Romo will not be a recommended option this weekend when his team squares off against the Chicago Bears in a divisional matchup. The second-year player has hit on all five of his field goal tries since being called upon to work in Will Reichard's (quad) stead. However, he failed to connect on one of his three extra-point attempts in Week 11's victory over the Tennessee Titans. Romo will get an opportunity to redeem himself this Sunday. Still, there are likely better kicking options for fantasy managers to stream if they are in need of a bye-week replacement. The Bears have stifled opposing passing attacks this season, so points could be hard to come by if quarterback Sam Darnold (foot) struggles against the Vikings' division rivals. The 27-year-old is RotoBaller's K16 in this week's rankings.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's tilt against the Los Angeles Rams, according to Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network. The Alabama product has been unable to practice all week and will set his sights on returning next week to face the Baltimore Ravens. Smith has had two modest showings over the past two games but eclipsed 15.0 PPR points in six games this season. As a result, fantasy managers should expect A.J. Brown to see a heavy target share. In addition, tight end Dallas Goedert should be viewed as a solid TE1 in all formats, as he should also be in store for a significant target increase. Lastly, wide receiver Jahan Dotson should also see an increase in snaps but only be viewed as a high-risk option in DFS formats.

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) was not spotted at Friday's practice, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. This is not a good sign for his ability this weekend, as he will likely carry an injury designation into the weekend. It was reported earlier on Friday that Purdy underwent a successful MRI but remained in questionable status. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but he could be in danger of missing Sunday's game. Purdy has enjoyed a great campaign from a fantasy perspective, averaging 26.0 PPR points per game since Week 6. If Purdy cannot play this weekend, Brandon Allen should be expected to take over starting duties and be viewed as a low-end QB2 in Superflex formats.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison will be difficult to trust in Week 12 when his team takes on the Chicago Bears. The second-year wideout has seen his target totals tick up over the previous few contests but will be a risky play as little more than a WR4 this weekend against a Bears defense that's been stout against the pass. On the season, Chicago has averaged a paltry 15.4 receiving points allowed to opposing WRs -- the fourth-fewest total in the league. Additionally, they've intercepted more passes (nine) than touchdowns let up through the air (seven). Addison scored his third touchdown of the season last week -; a 47-yarder -; and has undoubtedly been more involved recently. Still, he ranks as just the PPR WR42 in RotoBaller's Week 12 ranks.

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor (illness) returned to practice on Friday after sitting out on Thursday. Agholor was feeling under the weather on Thursday, but his return to the practice field a day later bodes well for his availability on Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12. The Ravens will have one more practice on Saturday before releasing their final injury report for the week. The 31-year-old Agholor has maintained a small role in the Ravens' passing attack in 2024, catching only 13 of his 26 targets for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Although the team has struggled to get new receiver Diontae Johnson involved in the offense, Johnson's presence alone likely means Agholor will remain off the fantasy radar the rest of the season. Baltimore also has Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman.

With Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (concussion) ruled out for Week 12 against the division-rival Houston Texans, it looks like Tony Pollard will carry more of the load on Sunday. However, Pollard has slowed down after a hot start in 2024. He had just 15 yards on nine carries in the Week 11 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, the second straight week with fewer than 10 carries and 50 rushing yards. The Titans will want to get their ground game going against Houston to help take some pressure off quarterback Will Levis and the offensive line. Pollard leads the Titans with 160 carries this year for 681 yards and three touchdowns and he should have some more volume upside as a low-end RB2/high-end RB3/flex against the Texans. The matchup isn't ideal, though, as Houston's D has allowed the fifth-fewest half-PPR points to RBs in 11 games this year.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson gets another challenging outing this Sunday when he takes on the Chicago Bears in a road tilt. The fantasy stalwart had an unfavorable matchup in Week 11 against the Tennessee Titans but still came away with a solid six receptions and 81 yards. Despite just three top-ten weekly finishes at his position, he's still the overall WR3 in PPR formats -; speaking to his consistency. Jefferson has registered less than five receptions twice in ten appearances and has one game all season with less than 50 receiving yards. Chicago is letting up an average of 15.4 fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position and even less to quarterbacks (12.2). However, look for the superstar wideout to find a way to get it done for fantasy managers. He ranks as RotoBaller's PPR WR2 in this week's rankings.

Minnesota Vikings running back Cam Akers has a road matchup against their division-rival Chicago Bears on tap this Sunday. Akers has been far from efficient with his rush attempts over the last two weeks (23/63[2.74 YPC]), but he had at least 12 touches in each appearance and got into the end zone for the third time this season in Week 11's victory over the Tennessee Titans. It's unclear whether his workload has been due to backfield mate Aaron Jones (ribs) and his injury. Still, he's seen his snap share rise in each of the previous three contests. Chicago has been a decent matchup for fantasy running backs, allowing 17.4 points to the position -; a bottom-half of the league number. The 25-year-old's workload could be spotty, but he has a good shot at being effective with his touches against a unit allowing 4.8 yards per carry on the season. He's RotoBaller's PPR RB34 in this week's rankings.