Fantasy Football Whiplash! | Week 11: Injuries, Notes, & Waiver Wire

by Samwise · Featured
fantasy football waiver injuries

Fantasy managers roll into Week 11 of the NFL in one of two ways: guns blazing or wearing a full-body cast and hoping for better days. Regardless, all managers have their work cut out for them. Welcome back to another entry into the annals of “Fantasy Whiplash!” This rolling stone gathers no moss, as every Tuesday, the consequences become more dire as the fantasy season picks up speed. Following is all the latest fantasy football news on injuries, updates, and waiver wire wonders you’ll need to brave another week.

Strap in for more injury updates from all that an eventful Week 10 had to offer, as managers move on.  The information comes at you from every angle, like so many roster adjustments being made at 12:59 p.m. on a Sunday. Come along for a long-winded stream of consciousness rivaled only by the YouTube show/podcast of the same name (9 p.m. ET Tuesday nights on YouTube).

Given the NFL climate, there is more to consider every week regarding the latest noteworthy developments and how they impact you, the manager. This may include trending thoughts from industry analysts on Twitter, as well as my own perspectives on specific subjects. It’s all for the benefit of everyone, from casual fans to accomplished veterans. Now is the time to weigh every move and consider every scenario.

Get prepared for the run to end all runs. Time to get ready, setting the table for your fantastic finish. Let’s go.

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Fantasy Football News

Take a Load Off, Fanny

It’s that magical time of year when managers have become so jaded by this game that they start dropping like flies. A team can be 2-8 in dead last, but the final playoff slot is a tie of five 4-6 teams. They may not be out of contention (anything can happen in the playoffs). However, with Thanksgiving approaching, followed immediately by Advent, disinterest can start to reign. So, if you’re a casual, it’s encouraged of you to give in to that feeling. Every manager who gives up is one less team for other managers to look for over their shoulder. It also means more waiver availability for those in contention to fight over.

Incidentally, speaking of Advent, I have an Advent Calendar of assorted bourbons. Accorcing to it, Christmad = tomoro… an i hd NO ideals.

Take a Load for Free

Fantasy managers who are still running the race are more than happy to oblige managers who check out. Less competition for waivers? Yep. Less competition overall? You betcha. Instead of taking whatever they can get, there’s time to make strategic decisions with regard to the waiver wire, injuries, and lineups. At this point in the season, it’s a necessary evil. You have to balance your team’s immediate needs (there are four more weeks of byes to contend with) with preparing you for the longest haul.

Managers are contending with more hurdles than Amber Heard with $40 worth of Taco Bell in her stomach. Maybe you’re just sitting outside the playoff picture and need a winning streak to carry you to the postseason in the worst way. Maybe your ticket might as well be punched already, and now you need fliers on potential league-winners and defenses to hold rather than stream.

And You Put the Load Right on Me

No Amber Heard jokes here, folks … that’s how you know that I’m serious. This time of year, it’s no longer about just putting a notch in the win column. It’s about real staying-power. Getting your hands on the handcuff for your starting running back is as important as anything. You can find your league-winner right under your nose. Nine times out of 10, they are already in the league. But you have to recognize all the aspects coming together: volume, opportunity, and schedule.

The days of picking up dudes for one week and chasing points are long gone. At this point, every single decision has a consequence, so think it all through. I always encourage managers at this point in the season (“crunch time”) to carefully consider everything. Most encouraged is asking oneself “What are the  negative repercussions if I do this?” It could be dropping someone you’ve always had a belief in and leaving him open for your competition.

“What if he’s a complete bust?” That’s a popular one because the most logical answer is “I’ll just grab someone else,” but that’s not the point. You’ve missed an opportunity to grab a WR2-3 who has playoff games against Dallas and Cincinnati in favor of a man with a better track record who will take on the Bills, Chiefs, and Atlanta. You get it.

Look at every claim as though tomorrow the waivers will close for the season and leave you stuck with your decision. There is little room for error at this point, and the pitfall goes a long way down.

Walking the Waiver Wire

If you are hitting the wire tonight, here are some winners:

Fantasy Football Injury Watch

Quarterbacks

  • Joe Burrow (CIN, toe surgery) had his 21-day window opened for a possible injured reserve return. Burrow was dressed for practice on Monday this week and has said that he hopes to return in time for the Baltimore game on Thanksgiving. The team will not rush their star back for a lost season, especially considering the way Joe Flacco (52% rostered) has played in his stead. Flacco has already eclipsed 1,200 passing yards with 12 total touchdowns and just two interceptions in four starts for Cincinnati. Burrow (64%) is worth a speculative stash in case Cincinnati has an outside shot at the postseason.
  • Jaxson Dart (NYG) left during the fourth quarter of the Giants’ Week 10 game with a concussion. He was initially allowed back onto the field without evaluation before being removed, which has caused controversy surrounding the team and fired head coach Brian Daboll’s handling of the quarterback. News broke afterwards that this is the fourth time Dart has been evaluated for a concussion. Suffice it to say, the league will have a close eye on Dart’s progression through protocol. As it stands now, the chances of the signal-caller starting this week against the Packers are 50-50 at best. Should he miss the game, Russell Wilson (1% rostered) is not an advisable fantasy asset except in deep leagues.
  • Geno Smith (LVR, quad) is not feared to miss time with a contusion. He should be fine for the rest of 2025 as he keeps the seat warm for Kyler Murray (IR) in 2026, presumably.

Updates

  • Jayden Daniels (WAS, elbow) is week-to-week and will be re-evaluated during the Commanders’ (3-7) bye in Week 12. At that point, it will be determined if he will return in 2025 with nothing to play for. Marcus Mariota (14% rostered) has put up reasonable fantasy numbers in Daniels’ place.
  • C.J. Stroud (HOU, concussion) remains in protocol and is still dealing with the effects of the injury. Davis Mills (3% rostered) led the Texans to a mind-blowing come-from-behind victory on Sunday. He accounted for over 300 yards and three touchdowns and would start again Sunday against Tennessee in a dream matchup if Stroud remains sidelined.
  • Brock Purdy (SFO, toe/shoulder) is still week-to-week and did not even suit up as the backup to Mac Jones in Week 10.

Running Backs

  • J.K. Dobbins (DEN, foot) was the victim of a hip-drop tackle, and there are varying reports of the degree of his mid-foot sprain. Some have speculated that the dreaded high-ankle sprain might also be involved. Dobbins is day-to-day, and it remains to be seen whether he will participate in practice. The belief is that he could go this weekend versus Kansas City, but if not, rookie RJ Harvey would likely carry the load. Update: It is feared Dobbins may be headed for the injured reserve.
  • Bucky Irving (TBB, shoulder) is still listed as day-to-day but is without a timetable to return. He is currently unable to take hits.
  • Omarion Hampton (LAC, ankle) remains on the injured reserve.
  • Trey Benson (ARI, meniscus) has recovered from surgery and has advanced to light practice. Benson is eligible for reinstatement, but will likely remain out until Week 12. He is a sneaky waiver-wire stash for the playoffs at only 59% rostered. He should be at the top of your list as a possible league-winner.
  • All other running back injuries are listed as day-to-day. Monitor practice reports.

Wide Receivers

  • Davante Adams (LAR) left late in Sunday’s blowout win with an oblique injury. He is day-to-day, but maintains that in a close game, he would have continued. He should be ready for Sunday’s tilt with the Seahawks, barring anything unforeseen.
  • Garrett Wilson (NYJ, knee) re-aggravated his knee in Week 10. Early reports are that he could be shelved for at least three weeks, although head coach Aaron Glenn declined to comment. Wilson’s absence equates to rookie Mason Taylor (TE, 17% rostered) being arguably the pass-catcher to roster on Thursday against the Patriots.
  • Terry McLaurin (WAS), who re-injured his quad in Week 8, has now seen several specialists, suggesting the injury is more serious. He is out indefinitely.
  • Travis Hunter (JAX, knee) underwent surgery today and is done for the season.

Who?!

  • Ricky Pearsall (SF, knee) is still day-to-day, but head coach Kyle Shanahan provided a meaningful update for the first time. Pearsall, who was the team’s leading receiver before missing the last six-straight contests, is now rostered in 73% of leagues. It’s worth checking your available players as he is a must-add.
  • Tory Horton (SEA, shin) plans to return in Week 11. Unfortunately, the addition of Rashid Shaheed relegates the rookie to a WR4 role.
  • Chris Godwin (TBB, ankle) has no update. He will likely remain out into early December.
  • Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX, ankle) is day-to-day and will need a full week of practice beginning Wednesday to play this weekend. In his absence, new addition Jakobi Meyers and stalwart Parker Washington (41% rostered), the latter of whom scored 17.9 PPR fantasy points on Sunday, took on the heavy-lifting. If Thomas plays, he’ll likely be limited in his explosiveness and ability to make cuts. He could be used as a decoy if he is out there on Sunday.
  • Rashod Bateman (BAL) suffered an ankle sprain on Sunday. He has a chance to play Week 11 but will surely return Week 12, if not.

Tight Ends

  • Oronde Gadsden II (LAC, quad bruise) had an MRI on Monday. With no structural damage and no bruising of the bone, Gadsen has a chance to play Sunday if he practices in full by Friday.
  • Brenton Strange (JAX, hip) has missed four games since popping for 200+ yards to start the campaign. His IR window is open to be activated when the team sees fit. Head coach Liam Coen expressed hope that Strange would be on the field as early as this weekend. Given quarterback Trevor Lawrence‘s propensity towards tight ends, Strange (11% rostered) would be an advantageous add for teams balancing the position.
  • Dalton Kincaid (BUF) exited Week 10’s loss after he suffered a hamstring injury. The Bills’ leader in receiving yards is week-to-week. That terminology alone would suggest that Dawson Knox (1% rostered) would start on Sunday in a less-than-stellar TE matchup against the Buccaneers.

More “Whiplash!” to Come

Next Tuesday, we’ll go again with more football junk food before you settle in for waiver wire claims! More Quick Hits and Injury Updates than you can shake a stick at. Don’t make unnecessary moves, and make the good ones count. Pay attention to playoff schedules. Smash the waivers, steal some drops, talk some smack, and get your popcorn ready. People are counting on you … pedal to the metal! It’s time to get down to the business of winning.

Keep in mind, on “Fantasy Whiplash! LIVE” at 9 p.m. EST on Tuesdays (that’s tonight!), we dig deeper into waiver wire gems, fades, and sleepers! I’ll see you back next Tuesday for all your fantasy football news needs.

Be sure to check us out on “Fantasy Whiplash LIVE!” wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube at 9 p.m. EST every Tuesday night! It’s completely different from the hum-drum same-old you’re used to! Have some fun in the chat and drop questions if you’ve got ’em!

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