Fantasy Football Whiplash! | Week 12: Injuries, Notes, & the Kitchen Sink

by Samwise · Featured
fantasy football injuries notes

It was the Land of Confusion for countless fantasy football managers in Week 11 of the NFL. Welcome back to another entry into the annals of “Fantasy Whiplash!” This rolling stone gathers no moss, and the consequences become more dire every week as the fantasy season picks up speed. Following is all the latest fantasy football news on injuries, notes, and some conversational legwork headed into Week 13.

Strap in for more injury updates from all that an eventful weekend had to offer, as (some?) managers soldier 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 article will 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.

The clock is ticking for you to hop aboard this playoff train. Don’t let it leave without you.

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Fantasy Football News

This is the World We Live In

Welcome back from the Upside Down. Everything you thought you knew about the fantasy season was turned right on its head, and for many managers, panic set in. In this version, you did not need Eleven to bail you out; after all, it was Week 11 that got you into this mess.

Managers clinging to their playoff lives by a thread were dragged further down into the depths of the standings. Thought having Rachaad White in a plus-matchup would keep you in striking distance without Jonathan Taylor available? Think again. Sean Tucker had real-life aspirations of his own (how dare he?) and went absolutely ballistic on the waiver wires of well over 50% of leagues.

Likewise, teams that were already heading full-steam at the postseason need only survive with no alarms and no surprises. But they were fooled, too. Needing every drop of scoring from starters, players watched helplessly as Bhayshul Tuten, Ollie Gordon II, Tyler Allgeier, Emanuel Wilson, and others vultured valuable touchdowns. Arrest those thieves! They’re ruining everything.

These Are the Hands We’re Given

Before you throw the book at these types, make sure you put them in cuffs first. Maybe as Cpt. McGarret and Danny Williams haul these impostors off to the clink; is there some use to be found in them?

As the old adage goes, “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.” As bye weeks begin to trickle down, it’s high time to be seeking reinforcements to take into the battle that is the postseason. In fact, I daresay that some of these handcuffs should have already been put on layaway by managers of the superstars in front of them. Many of them are still available in free agency, and handcuffing is arguably the biggest necessity for contenders. It’s a lost art, really, and that shouldn’t be the case.

There is no excuse for guys like these putting your playoff standing in jeopardy. Moreover, your playoff run hinges on the health of your stars. Kenneth Gainwell (53% rostered), Tuten (40%), and Allgeier (44%) should already be rostered by the owners of Jaylen Warren, Travis Etienne, and Bijan Robinson. The same goes for Emanuel Wilson (60%) and Ollie Gordon (9%) when it comes to Josh Jacobs and De’Von Achane.

Use Them and Let’s Stop (Crying)

Why are running back handcuffs so important? The answer is twofold. First, the obvious reason is that if your starter were to go down with an injury, you have a guaranteed replacement who stands to get roughly the same volume. Sometimes, the player that steps in turns out to be in an even better situation (I’m looking at you, Rico Dowdle). Take one look at the 2025 season and the sheer amount of injuries we’ve seen. As the real season inches towards completion during the fantasy football playoffs, someone (or multiple someones) will go down. Assuming you’ll just beat your league mates to waiver-wire rescues is a foolhardy mistake.

Second, not only does this apply to your own running backs, but there is a huge advantage to adding someone else’s handcuff. If he loses the starter and you’ve already rostered that player’s backup, you effectively sealed the fate of one of your opponents and given yourself an extra starter. Never mind keeping him out of other players’ paws, as well. Sex is great, but you haven’t lived until you’ve sensed every other owner cursing your name for already having a player rostered when they go looking.

Ultimately, this feels like an exercise in wasted bench spots. It’s not. These players offer a team a more significant upside than keeping Calvin Austin or Parker Washington on a roster throughout the playoffs. Suddenly, you’re not spread so thin that you instead gain a little peace of mind. And remember: It’s always easier to replace a wide receiver with identical production than it is to fill a spot vacated by your workhorse.

Quick Hits: The Life of the Party

The holiday season is upon us, and Thanksgiving is next week! For many of you, entertaining out-of-town guests, dinners out, and reuniting with old friends become the norm. There is only so long you can suffer through the endless barrage of “What have you been up to?” and “Sure is getting cold out there!” before even you tire of the same joking quips in response.

Therefore, find some like-minded individuals and dazzle them with interesting NFL tidbits that will keep their hungry turkey eyes off the wrong breasts and their heads in the game:

  • Marcus Mariota is nothing if not consistent. He has passed for exactly 213 yards in each of his last three contests. He should probably buck that trend after the bye, as each of those affairs resulted in a loss.
  • Steelers “tight end” Darnell Washington was on the “St. Brown Pocast” with Amon-Ra St. Brown and Equanimeous St. Brown and was pressed about his weight. The tight end balked at answering, saying that he hadn’t stepped on a scale recently. Well aware of NFL team protocols, the brothers said they knew he had to weigh in weekly. Washington fessed up, saying he comes in at 6-foot-7 and an eye-popping 311 pounds! Thus, his secret to his runs after the catch, as seen in the above video.
  • After his six-touchdown performance, reigning NFL MVP Josh Allen launched himself up the current MVP odds, essentially making it a four-horse race. Matthew Stafford (+135) currently leads Drake Maye (+175) by a narrow margin. Allen follows at (+450), just ahead of running back Jonathan Taylor (+750), the lone non-quarterback in the top five. Patrick Mahomes rounds out the party all the way up at +2,000.

Need Someone to Laugh At?

  • Everyone jokes about the Cincinnati Bengals having a poor defense. But it’s worse than that. Since the NFL started keeping statistical records in the early to mid-1900s, no NFL team has ever finished last in all three main defensive metrics (rushing, passing, and total defense). Cincinnati is about to become that team. They are last in rushing defense, last in total defense, and just barely off the Steelers’ pace in passing defense. Should Cincinnati move from 31st to 32nd in that category, they can etch that into the history books.
  • 29.8% of Super Bowl losers missed the playoffs the following season. That’s not as many as you’d think. Since 1966, over 70% of SB losers returned to the playoffs after dropping an Amber Heard the year before. Just 17 times has the hangover hit a losing team the following season out of 57 total teams. The Kansas City Chiefs were looking like a safe bet to return to the postseason and then “turn it on” after Rashee Rice had returned. Now they’ve lost two straight to Buffalo and division-rival Denver, evening their record at 5-5. They still have games against the Colts, Texans, Chargers, and Broncos, again. Dates with the Raiders, Titans, and Cowboys are not as daunting. Currently, Kansas City is on the outside looking in, tied with the Ravens for ninth in the AFC.
  • Caleb Williams is on pace for 3,959 yards, which would be 41 yards short of being the first Bears quarterback to eclipse 4,000 in a season. Wouldn’t that just be a kick in the teeth?

Fantasy Football Injury Watch

Quarterbacks

  • Michael Penix Jr.‘s (ATL) news went from bad to worse this week, after it was determined he needs surgery on a partial tear of his ACL. It’s unclear if he’ll be ready for 2026 to kick off.
  • C.J. Stroud (HOU) is still in concussion protocol and missed Thursday Night Football on a short turnaround. There is optimism that he could return in Week 13.
  • Joe Burrow (CIN, toe) has had two full practices this week as of Thursday night, fueling more speculation that he may actually return this Sunday. Joe Flacco (shoulder) has had two limited practices in the same timeframe.
  • Aaron Rodgers (PIT, wrist) has been listed as “limited” but did little more than take shotgun snaps in practice. The Chicago Bears owner is listed as “questionable.”
  • Jaxson Dart (NYG) has yet to clear protocol and has been ruled out for this weekend.
  • Shedeur Sanders (CLE) will make his first start for the Browns, as Dillon Gabriel (concussion) is not likely to clear protocol.

Running Backs

  • Bucky Irving (TBB, shoulder) was limited in practice. There is now speculation that, behind closed doors, it is no longer about the injury at all.
  • Trey Benson (ARI, meniscus) has been practicing limitedly this week. His 21-day window to be returned to the active roster is open, but the Cardinals remain tight-lipped about if/when that will happen.
  • Bhayshul Tuten and Travis Etienne (JAX) were both banged up Sunday, but neither appears to be significant. Both have been practicing on a limited basis.
  • Bam Knight (ARI) is unlikely to play Sunday, and teammate Emari Demercado has been limited thus far in practice. Michael Carter (5% rostered) is gaining steam for Week 12, whether he shares the backfield with Demercado or not.
  • Josh Jacobs (GBP, knee) has not practiced, as the swelling is greatly affecting his range of motion. He told reporters that, in the “worst case scenario,” he’d be back in Week 13. He is likely 50-50 to play Sunday. His replacement would be Emanuel Wilson (60% rostered), who will likely get a significant role even if Jacobs plays.
  • Isiah Pacheco (KCC) has returned and practiced in full for the last two days. He will play this weekend.
  • Rhamondre Stevenson (NEP) is working in practice and will return after missing time with a toe injury.
  • Jaylen Warren (PIT, ankle) has not practiced, but the coaches said that would be the case early in the week. He does not, however, appear on the injury report with any designation.

Wide Receivers

  • Kayshon Boutte (NEP, hamstring) has practiced in full and has no injury designation.
  • Khalil Shakir (BUF, personal) took time away but is not injured and played in Thursday night’s game.
  • Elic Ayomanor (TEN, hamstring) has not practiced. He is listed as questionable, but it doesn’t look promising.
  • Xavier Worthy (KCC, ankle) has not practiced and is questionable.
  • Romeo Doubs (GBP, wrist) does not have an injury designation but has been limited at practice. He should be ready this weekend.
  • Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks, and Matthew Golden (GBP) all started the week limited with various bumps and bruises, but returned in limited capacity on Thursday. Monitor Golden’s (shoulder) injury in particular. It continues to flare up.
  • Marvin Harrison (ARI, appendectomy) has not yet returned to practice and is out for Week 12.
  • Rashod Bateman (BAL, hamstring) has not practiced.
  • Drake London (ATL, PCL strain) has not practiced and is not expected to play this weekend.
  • Brian Thomas Jr. (JAX, ankle) is questionable for the Jaguars as he has been limited in practice.
  • Chris Godwin (TBB, whole leg) is still limited in practice and listed as questionable, but he will reportedly return this week.
  • Darius Slayton (NYG, hamstring) has not practiced and will likely miss another game.

Tight Ends

  • Brenton Strange (JAX, quad) went limited to start the week, but is hopeful to make his return on Sunday
  • David Njoku (CLE, knee) is listed as day-to-day but has not yet practiced, putting him in jeopardy of missing Week 12.
  • Isaiah Likely (BAL, foot) has not practiced this week.
  • Brock Wright (DET, ankle) started the week limited but has returned to full practice.
  • Chigoziem Okonkwo (TEN, undis.) has been limited in practice this week.
  • Dalton Kincaid (BUF, hamstring) has yet to return to practice and is already considered “out” for this week.
  • Mike Gesicki (CIN, pectoral) has returned to practice in full for the Bengals after missing the last five weeks.

More “Whiplash!” to Come

Next week, we’ll go again with more football junk food before you settle in for desperate times in Week 13 of fantasy! 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. Go get those handcuffs! Yours, or someone else’s. All’s fair in fantasy football!

Keep in mind, on “Fantasy Whiplash! LIVE” at 9 p.m. EST on Tuesdays, we dig into waiver wire gems, fades, and sleepers! I’ll see you back next week 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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