Good morning. Where has the time gone? It feels like just yesterday we were heading into Week 1 without enough shares of Christian McCaffrey.

But hey, at least we aren’t Carolina Panthers GM Scott Fitterer, the guy your league-mates text when they want a star player for cheap. Look at this return on the McCaffrey trade:

• DJ Johnson (a 25-year old rookie edge rusher they drafted 80th. He’s struggled all season.)

• A 2024 5th-round pick

Seriously, that’s it.

The Panthers traded the 2023 2nd as part of the Bryce Young package and gave up the 2023 3rd and 4th to move up for DJ Johnson.

The best RB in the NFL a 3rd and 5th? Collusion.

Good news to start your day: In true Thanksgiving fashion, NFLPA members and teams gave back to their local communities in spades. This article lists the players involved - see who’s there from your favourite team.

TRIVIA

RANKINGS

Tank Dell rises to WR9. Over the last four weeks he’s averaged roughly 11 targets — turning the opportunities into 23.6 PPR points per game.

And that average could be even better; Dell had 82 yards called back for questionable penalties, per Ian Hartitz’s Sheesh Report on Fantasy Life.

Keep an eye on the injury report, as Dell (calf) did not practice Wednesday (but we’re not worried).

Cooper Kupp plummets to WR25. He might still be a little banged up, or it’s possible he hasn’t been a big part of the gameplan — only 4.2% of his targets have come on plays designed for him, down from 23.7% last year, per Matt Harmon.

Either way, he isn’t performing like the Cooper Kupp we’re used to.

Our rest-of-season 0.5 PPR rankings were updated early this morning 👇️ 

SPONSOR

NEWS & NOTES

Jonathan Taylor, NOOO

@RomeovilleKid reported that Jonathan Taylor will undergo thumb surgery for an injury Taylor reportedly “didn't realize” he suffered during the game. Colts HC Shane Steichen said the team is not considering an IR stint for Taylor - implying the star RB should be back by Week 15 or 16.

Twitter Doctors weren’t as optimistic, with @SportMDAnalysis noting the average time missed with similar injuries is five weeks (putting Taylor on track for Week 18).

Of course, it’s Zack Moss SZN. In three games without Taylor, Moss averages 16.4 points - which would rank RB4 across the season. Moss will start against a Titans defense he previously shredded for 32.5 fantasy points (on a career-high 165 yards and 2-TDs). Trey Sermon is his handcuff.

• Aaron Jones (knee) hasn’t practiced since suffering an MCL sprain in Week 11. He missed practice yesterday, suggesting Week 13 is unlikely.

• NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport thinks Kenneth Walker (oblique) won’t play in Week 13 against the Cowboys. Zach Charbonnet had 18 touches in Walker’s absence last week and is a strong RB2 with TD upside.

• Bengals HC Zac Taylor said the team is intent on getting backup RB Chase Brown more involved this weekend. He’s a must-stash in most leagues given the Bengals evaporating playoff chances.

As Adam Levitan wrote, the Taylor injury is a reminder in season-long to roster the backup RBs who are "one injury away" from strong roles. Rico Dowdle, Tyler Allgeier, Kenny Gainwell come to mind.

Aaron Rodgers, HOWWW

Yes, the Jets opened the 21-day practice window for Aaron Rodgers (Achilles). Just three months after tearing his Achilles, Rodgers could return in late December. But relax. He’s still not cleared for contact, and HC Robert Saleh called the move largely procedural.

Rodgers said on The Pat McAfee Show that he is considering the Jets’ AFC playoff position before returning (they are currently 15th, at 4-7). The almost-40 year-old QB would likely need the Jets to win their next two (winnable games against ATL and HOU) to risk a return in Week 15 or 16.

Here’s how Rodgers looked in practice👇️ 

Other injury notes 👇️ 

Former 49ers QB Nick Mullens is worth stashing in superflex leagues. Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell said the team could make a QB change when they return from their bye. Josh Dobbs looked like an Asstronaut on Monday, throwing for 185 yards and four picks.

Mullens is the favorite over rookie Jaren Hall. Mullens knows the playbook and brings experience to the position, while offering a value-mart version of Cousins.

Vikings fans on reddit are ready: “We'll end the season 8-9 and get the last draft spot before the playoffs teams, resign Kirk and go back to ‘there's always next year’”.

• Will Levis (ankle) was limited in practice with an ankle injury and it didn’t look promising. There’s a chance Ryan Tannehill suits up.

• Mac Jones (bad) was working behind both Bailey Zappe and Malik Cunningham at practice yesterday. Zappe saw first-team reps, but Cunningham offers interesting upside and is worth stashing in deeper leagues.

MARKETS

The Motor’s Running

📈 Devin “Motor” Singletary is the RB1 in Houston. Despite the return of Dameon Pierce, Singletary led the way while playing 81% of snaps. He only had 18 rushing yards, but caught 6 passes for 54 yards (19% target share). He was also the clear goal line back, out-carrying Pierce 4 to 2 in the red zone and 2 to 0 inside the 5, per @Scott_Spratt.

✋ Don’t panic over Travis Etienne. Since his bye, Etienne is averaging only 9.3 FPPG and has played only 60-65% of snaps. He hadn’t been below 70% Weeks 1-8. Despite the reduced workload, he still managed 24 touches last week and saw a 15.8% target share.

D’Ernest Johnson isn’t a true threat and Trevor Lawrence won’t steal rushing TDs every week. Look for Etienne to get back on track Monday night against the Bengals run-funnel defense.

👍️ Hold out hope for Puka Nacua. Cooper Kupp is not healthy and hasn’t been featured in the gameplan much at all. While we expect Nacua to produce more than he has the last four weeks, he has still yet to see fewer than 7 targets in a game.

👀 Monitor the Browns’ QB situation. Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson is in concussion protocol and P.J. Walker has been terrible, so it’s possible Joe Flacco could start. This could be a good thing for Amari Cooper and David Njoku (Garrett Wilson averaged 17.3 FPPG with Flacco on the Jets last year).

QUICK SLANTS

📖 Read Matchups to Exploit, Avoid at Each Position by Tristan H. Cockcroft from ESPN.

Brian Robinson Jr. has a tough matchup against the Dolphins while Jaylen Warren and Najee Harris should run all over the Cardinals.

📖 Read 2023 Week 13 Game Hub by Tom Brolley of Fantasy Points.

Sam LaPorta looks like a good bet to find the end-zone this week. “The Saints had allowed 4 TDs to TEs in three consecutive games in Weeks 8-10 before running into Kyle Pitts (2/22 receiving) last week.”

📖 Read Fantasy Football Regrets. 5 Things Fantasy Managers Got Wrong In 2023 by Ian Hartitz of Fantasy Life. Trusting an Arthur Smith-led offense is still haunting all of us.

🎙️Listen to the Fantasy Football Today Dynasty podcast by CBS Sports. They dive into the art of tanking, dynasty risers, buy-lows and what to expect from Zack Moss with Jonathan Taylor sidelined.

🎙️Listen to 10 Trends for Week 13 by JJ Zachariason from the The Late-Round Fantasy Football Podcast. Will Terry McLaurin’s mediocre season continue?

📺️ Watch how the Dolphins constructed their stadium for a true home field advantage👇️ 

CREATOR

Eric Moody

In this series, we highlight the best people in the fantasy football industry.

From Fortune 100 to fantasy football, Eric Moody (@EricNMoody) has produced over 500 articles during his time covering the NFL, currently for ESPN. He loves research and helping others - his passion is illustrated through this “30 things you need to know right now” thread.

Every Tues/Sat, Moody asks ESPN NFL Nation reporters questions about their local teams for insight. On Jayden Reed 👇️ 

When Eric is not writing about fantasy football, you will find him drinking coffee (Dark roast), watching movies (Action, Adventure, and Dramas are his favorite genres) listening to music (Hard rock and heavy metal), or playing bass guitar.

Tweet of the Day

ICYMI. Not good.

Before we go, send your well wishes to Jonathan Taylor managers. Anyone rostering Zack Moss already has.

Enjoy TNF.

- Jake, Eddie, Marcus & Sean

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