• Major returns: Players returning Sunday include De’Von Achane, Justin Fields and Matthew Stafford while Justin Jefferson and Khalil Herbert‘s statuses are trending upward as well.
• Lingering issues: Deshaun Watson’s shoulder finally gave in, forcing him to injured reserve while Raheem Mostert, Saquon Barkley, Aaron Jones and Tyler Lockett continue to manage various injuries across multiple weeks.
• Dominate your fantasy league in 2023: For up-to-date fantasy draft rankings and projections, check out PFF’s fantasy rankings tool!
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
Just a few weeks from the fantasy playoffs and the injury concerns continue to mount ahead of what is typically the fantasy trade deadline, generating some indecision over where rosters will shake out in a few weeks when it matters most. We are finally due to welcome back some heavy hitters in De’Von Achane, Justin Fields and potentially Justin Jefferson while other solid contributors such as Khalil Herbert and Matthew Stafford are due to return as well, offering some major reinforcements to teams who have stashed them. We have some fascinating matchups for fantasy purposes this week with a standard four teams on bye, but there is also a bevy of injury concerns to get ahead of before week 11 kicks off.
Week 11 byes:
QB Deshaun Watson (shoulder), Cleveland Browns (IR)
After leading the Browns to two wins after returning from his shoulder issues, Watson has officially been placed on injured reserve ahead of their Week 11 tilt, costing him the rest of the 2023 season. It sounds like the Browns are rolling with rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson this week, and he really struggled in his one start in Week 4, completing just 52.8% of his passes while throwing three interceptions and giving a fumble away. Against the Pittsburgh Steelers defense, there aren’t better alternatives for Amari Cooper and David Njoku, but temper expectations nonetheless.
WR Keenan Allen (shoulder), Los Angeles Chargers
The savvy veteran has been experiencing one of the most productive and healthy seasons of his career, currently sitting at WR5 ahead Week 11. However, Allen was held out of practice Wednesday before participating on a limited basis Thursday due to a shoulder injury sustained in Week 10, casting a bit of doubt over his availability for Sunday. While this one is likely not clear until gameday, Allen is a locked-in WR1 even if playing banged up despite a matchup with a Green Bay Packers secondary that allows the fifth least points to fantasy receivers.
QB Justin Fields (thumb), Chicago Bears
After missing the last three contests due to a thumb injury, Fields is due to return this Sunday assuming Friday’s practice goes smoothly after practicing on Wednesday and Thursday. Backup Tyson Bagent has done an admirable job in his place, but Fields’ return should represent an uptick in production for D.J. Moore and Cole Kmet as well as the Bears backfield.
WR Diontae Johnson (thumb), Pittsburgh Steelers
Johnson missed practice Wednesday before practicing in full Thursday due to a thumb injury he picked up in Week 10. Obviously, any finger/hand issue could be detrimental to a receiver, providing some pause over his status for Sunday. Johnson’s return from his hamstring injury has provided a hit to George Pickens’ usage, but if Johnson is limited or unable to go, it may be another feature game for Pickens.
QB Matthew Stafford (thumb) and WR Puka Nacua (knee), Los Angeles Rams
Fresh off their week 10 bye, the Rams are expected to get Matthew Stafford back under center after the debacle that was Brett Rypien in Green Bay led them to sign Carson Wentz as insurance. While he couldn’t fully grip a football a week ago, it sounds like Stafford is practicing with no limitations ahead of this week's contest. His new running mate Puka Nacua, on the other hand, was limited Wednesday due to a knee injury, potentially casting doubt on his availability for Sunday, although recent trends for Nacua would indicate he plays as he has been banged up seemingly all season.
RB Alexander Mattison (concussion), Minnesota Vikings
Mattison suffered a concussion in the Vikings' Week 10 win and has ramped up from a “DNP” Wednesday to limited participation Thursday. While concussion protocol is never a rigid process, he will likely return next week, leaving Ty Chandler as the Vikings lead back this week. Chandler was an afterthought early in the year but did find the end zone last week in relief of Mattison, and a matchup with the Denver Broncos‘ porous run defense (5.5 yards per carry allowed, worst in NFL) makes him at least a viable FLEX option this weekend.
WR Nico Collins (calf) and WR Noah Brown (knee), Houston Texans
The Texans receiver duo has been superseded by the rookie Tank Dell for the most part, but both have respectable fantasy performances throughout the season to their name and will continue to have their feature games sprinkled in. Limited Wednesday, Collins missed the Texans' Week 10 victory but he is due to return this week by all reports while Brown’s injury may be a bit testier after missing practice Wednesday and Thursday. Brown's status could turn for the better heading into the weekend, so keep an eye out.
RB Antonio Gibson (toe), Washington Commanders
Gibson has missed practice Wednesday and Thursday due to a toe issue ahead of this week, casting serious doubt over his availability. Sitting at RB30 on the year, Gibson has been a solid running mate for Brian Robinson but if he is unable to go, Robinson will likely dominate the backfield workload while rookie Chris Rodriguez could factor in as well.
Others to monitor
RB De’Von Achane (knee) and RB Raheem Mostert (ankle/knee), Miami Dolphins
De’Von Achane‘s return from injured reserve appears to be in the cards this week after he put in limited midweek practices while Mostert continues to manage knee and ankle injuries that have slowed him in practice for several weeks. Mostert’s practice statuses have largely been attributed to veteran rest days as he has handled full workloads in Achane’s absence, but with Achane on the mend, it is worth considering Mostert’s usage likely decreases over time.
TE T.J. Hockenson (ribs) and WR Justin Jefferson (hamstring), Minnesota Vikings
Hockenson has been productive in two games with Joshua Dobbs under center, and we may finally get to see how Justin Jefferson fits back into the Vikings offense as he looks to return from injured reserve this week. Both were limited throughout the week and while Hockenson has been playing through the rib injury for a couple of weeks, there is a solid chance Minnesota takes it slow with Jefferson, postponing his return until next week. This is obviously one to watch heading into Sunday but feel confident rolling out both if healthy.
RB Khalil Herbert (ankle), Chicago Bears
Herbert returned in a limited fashion Wednesday and Thursday from his brutal ankle injury suffered in Week 5 while the Bears have subsequently waived Darrynton Evans, providing optimism Herbert could return this week. D’Onta Foreman has been solid in his absence, but Herbert is a more dynamic player and should resume his role at the top of the Bears backfield, if healthy. Keep an eye on the inactive list come Sunday to avoid any major surprises, but he should slot back in as a FLEX option.
RB Saquon Barkley (ankle), New York Giants
Limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, Barkley continues to work through an ankle injury he has managed for several weeks. While it is unlikely the Giants keep him sidelined, he has averaged a paltry 2.8 yards per carry since Week 6 while finding the end zone just once. A matchup with the Washington Commanders could allow for a bounce back, particularly if featured as a receiver, but it’s hard to rely on Barkley as a player who can carry a team in a given week at the moment given the efficiency and concerns around the Giants' quarterback situation.
WR Garrett Wilson (elbow), New York Jets
Limited Wednesday and Thursday, Garrett Wilson is nursing an elbow injury that likely will not sideline him for any game time. Monitor Wilson’s status heading into the weekend, but don’t anticipate being without him.
TE Dallas Goedert (forearm), Philadelphia Eagles
Goedert underwent surgery to repair his fractured forearm during the Eagles' week 10 bye and is not expected to play for a couple of weeks, although the Eagles believe he can return sooner than later and are not expected to place him on injured reserve.
RB Aaron Jones (hamstring), Green Bay Packers
Jones continues to manage the hamstring that he has dealt with all season, limiting him Wednesday. If recent weeks are any indication, it is clear he is still not fully healthy, but it shouldn’t affect his status for Sunday, keeping him locked in as an RB2 for the weekend.
WR Tyler Lockett (hamstring), Seattle Seahawks
Lockett continues to manage a hamstring issue that has plagued him for several weeks, sitting out of practice Wednesday ahead of the Seahawks' Week 11 matchup. Given the trend of the last few weeks, do not expect Lockett to be out of the lineup Sunday, but it is worth noting and having a pivot in mind if a setback occurs.
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