Seahawks QB Geno Smith ripped the Cowboys for 334 yards and three TDs on Thursday night. Smith got rolling on his very first drive, threading a pass between two Dallas defenders to WR D.K. Metcalf, who took off for a 73-yard score. Smith's other two TDs also went to Metcalf, from one and three yards out. He added a five-yard rushing TD for a truly monstrous fantasy outing. The 334 passing yards were Smith's second-most of the season -- and the most by a Cowboys opponent this year. It was also Smith's first game of the season with more than two passing scores. The big game came when Smith, Metcalf, and WR Tyler Lockett were finally all off the injury report. If those guys can stay healthy the rest of the way, there should be plenty of fantasy goodness to be had. Week 14 brings a rematch against a tough 49ers defense. But that's followed by plus matchups against the Eagles and Titans. Smith closes the fantasy ceiling against the Steelers' eighth-ranked QB defense.
Seahawks RB Zach Charbonnet suffered a knee injury late in Thursday night's loss to the Cowboys. HC Pete Carroll said afterward that Charbonnet bruised the knee when he banged it against the turf and that it shouldn't be an issue going forward. The rookie operated as Seattle's feature back before the injury, finishing with 19 carries for 60 yards and a score. He added one catch on two targets for 39 yards, showing good burst on a well-designed screen. Charbonnet and backfield mate Ken Walker (oblique) get 10 days to heal up for a Week 14 rematch with the 49ers. Charbonnet was limited to 58 scoreless yards in their Thanksgiving meeting.
Chiefs RB Jerick McKinnon (groin) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. It gives him a shot to play vs. the Packers on Sunday night. McKinnon isn't a fantasy option, but his return would knock Isiah Pacheco from high-end RB1 status to lower-end RB1 status.
Jaguars RB Travis Etienne (ribs) was limited in Thursday's practice. He briefly left last week's game with this injury but was able to return. He told insider Mia O'Brien that he fully expects to play vs. the Bengals on Monday night. We'll keep an eye on Etienne's status over the next few days, but he can stay penciled into Week 13 fantasy lineups.
Browns RB Kareem Hunt (groin) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. He should be available for this weekend's game vs. the Rams, but we'll see how he's listed on the final injury report tomorrow.
Bucs WR Chris Godwin was added to Thursday's injury report with a neck and limited in practice. Godwin was on the injury report with a neck back in Week 8 but wound up playing. We'll see what he does on Friday and how he's listed on the final injury report for this weekend's game vs. the Panthers.
Panthers WR Jonathan Mingo was added to Thursday's injury report with an Achilles and limited in practice. Mid-week additions are always worrisome. Achilles injuries are always worrisome. We'll look for further updates on Mingo's situation.
Cardinals TE Trey McBride (groin) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. He should be available for this weekend's game vs. the Steelers, but we'll see how he's listed on the final injury report tomorrow.
Saints WR Chris Olave (concussion) remained limited in Thursday's practice. He still has some work to do to clear the protocol but at least has a chance to play vs. the Lions on Sunday. We'll update his progress again tomorrow.
Chargers WR Keenan Allen (quad) missed practice again on Thursday. The Athletic's Daniel Popper did spot Allen working off to the side of practice. We're still expecting Allen to play vs. the Patriots this weekend, but his status is certainly worth checking back on Friday afternoon.
Texans TE Dalton Schultz (hamstring) remained sidelined on Thursday. He's seemingly in real danger of missing this weekend's game vs. the Broncos. Schultz's absence would leave Brevin Jordan as Houston's lead TE -- and likely push more targets to the WRs.
Texans WR Tank Dell (calf) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. The rookie is fully expected to play vs. the Broncos this weekend, but check back tomorrow to see how he's listed on the final injury report.
Broncos WR Jerry Jeudy (groin) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. He should be ready to go for this weekend's game vs. the Texans, but we'll see how he's listed on the final injury report tomorrow.
Seahawks RB Ken Walker (oblique) is inactive for tonight's game vs. the Cowboys. He didn't practice all week, and we still don't have a timetable for his return. Zach Charbonnet gets another game as Seattle's top back tonight after garnering 14 carries and four targets on an 88% snap rate on Thanksgiving.
Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (ankle, knee) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. The 31-year-old is already up to 151 carries -- the second-most of his career -- and his body is probably feeling it. But he should be out there for Sunday's game vs. the Commanders.
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (ankle) returned to a limited practice on Thursday. He should be on track to play vs. the Commanders this weekend, but we'll see how he's listed on the final injury report tomorrow.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins (hamstring, ankle) put in a limited practice on Thursday. He said afterward that he plans to play vs. the Jaguars on Monday night. We'll track Higgins' status throughout the week, but he'd be a shaky Week 13 fantasy play catching passes from QB Jake Browning off a multi-week hamstring injury. See where Higgins lands in the Week 13 WR Rankings.
Cardinals TE Zach Ertz asked the team to release him, and they are granting that request, according to multiple reports (starting with former teammate J.J. Watt's). Ertz has spent the past five games on IR, leaving room for TE Trey McBride to become Arizona's lead receiver. Ertz's impending return looked like the biggest potential remaining hurdle for McBrides 2023 fantasy outlook. Now that Ertz is out of the way, you can (even more) comfortably start McBride the rest of the way. His second-half breakout this season also position's the 2022 second-round pick as a nice-looking dynasty asset. We'd bet on Ertz finding a new 2023 home, but he'll have a tough time regaining fantasy relevance.
The Patriots are preparing to start QB Bailey Zappe against the Chargers this weekend, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe. QB Mac Jones was abysmal again last week, completing just 12 of 21 passes (57%) for 89 yards (4.2 YPA), 0 TDs, and two INTs before getting yanked for Zappe. This might be the end of Jones' time in New England. Zappe, of course, has not been any better than Jones this season. He's completed only 49% of his passes at 4.0 yards per attempt across four appearances. He was better in two starts last season, tallying a 75% completion rate and 9.0 yards per attempt. "The Patriots are hoping that a full week of practice and game preparation helps bring out a better performance from Zappe," The Athletic's Chad Graff writes. "They hope that Zappe will be better against the Chargers than he’s been in relief this season now that he’ll get more reps in practice and with a gameplan built around what he can do." We'll see how Zappe fares, but this remains a passing game to avoid in Week 13 fantasy lineups.
Packers RB Aaron Jones (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. That's not a good start for his chances of returning for Sunday night's game vs. the Chiefs. Jones should stay parked on fantasy benches for now.
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