Saturday News Drop

Fantasy’s biggest stories of the week … in two minutes or less.

Sam LaPorta Ruled Out for Week 11

Tough break for the Lions. Sam LaPorta’s dealing with a back injury and won’t suit up against the Eagles. He didn’t practice all week, which is usually a red flag. Even his backup Brock Wright is banged up, so tight end could be a mess in Detroit. This mainly means more work for Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jahmyr Gibbs. Both could see extra targets in what should be a high-volume game.

Cooper Kupp Cleared for Week 11

Some good news here: Cooper Kupp’s off the injury report and will play this week against the Rams. He practiced fully all week and looks healthy heading into what’s basically a revenge game. You can fire him up as a WR3, and expect a lot of passing volume on both sides in that NFC West showdown.

J.K. Dobbins Out for the Foreseeable Future

J.K. Dobbins won’t play in Week 11 and could be headed to injured reserve. He hurt his foot last week and, according to reports, could miss significant time while figuring out his next steps. That opens the door for rookie R.J. Harvey to take over as the lead back, with Tyler Badie helping in passing situations. For fantasy, Harvey instantly becomes a name to watch.

Ollie Gordon Good to Go

Rookie running back Ollie Gordon has been cleared to play for the Dolphins this week after dealing with an ankle issue. He was listed as questionable last week but practiced fully on Friday and should be active against Washington. The main thing to watch is his rotation with Jaylen Wright. Neither back is a reliable start yet, but this week could show us who’s got the edge behind the starter.

Brock Purdy is back for San Francisco

HUGE news for 49ers fans: Brock Purdy is officially starting this week against the Cardinals. He’s been out with that toe injury for a bit, but Kyle Shanahan said both Purdy and rookie Ricky Pearsall are cleared and ready to roll. It’s a soft landing too; Arizona’s defense has been one of the friendliest matchups in fantasy. If you’ve been streaming QBs, you can fire up Purdy again as a borderline QB1 this week, and maybe even stack him with Pearsall if you’re feeling bold.

Brian Thomas Jr. still not 100%

Some uncertainty in Jacksonville. Brian Thomas Jr. was limited again on Thursday with that ankle injury. It’s been a frustrating year for him, battling multiple injuries while trying to stay on the field. There’s a shot he suits up, but it’ll likely come down to how he looks at Friday’s practice. For fantasy managers, that means you’re stuck in wait-and-see mode. He’d be a risky WR3 even if he does play, given how banged up he’s been.

RJ Harvey Set for Bigger Role

Broncos coach Sean Payton says RJ Harvey will “have more opportunities” with J.K. Dobbins dealing with a foot injury. If Dobbins hits IR, Harvey becomes the next man up and Payton praised him for being “built to last.” He’s got a sturdier frame than the other Denver backs, and this could finally be his chance to lock down meaningful touches. Fantasy-wise, Harvey’s worth a serious look as a potential Week 11 flex option.

Trey Benson Still “Day to Day”

Jonathan Gannon says Trey Benson is “taking it day by day,” but that’s what he’s said for a month now. Benson’s missed four games and will likely sit a fifth this week, with no practice window yet opened. The earliest return looks like Week 12, maybe Week 13 if the Cardinals stay cautious. For fantasy managers, that’s another reminder to stash him only if you’ve got room, because his return timeline is still cloudy.

So keep your eye on the news as we head into NFL Sunday… as promised, in 2 minutes or less.

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See you tomorrow,

-Joe

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