Fantasy Football Week 12: Tuesday's Daily Fantasy Market Report

The Monday after a brutal Week 11 fantasy football slate was filled with more bad news, but there was one piece of great news.

We knew about a number of injuries from watching the games on Sunday, but we did not know about Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler's injuries.

Well, we do now. Loud and clear.

If you're playing in the Monday/Thursday slate, hopefully you were able to edit your lineups in time.

If there's any silver lining, we have positive updates on Philadelphia Eagles running back Darren Sproles, Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green.

We have a lot to cover, so let's jump in.

Bears TE Zach Miller to Undergo Season-Ending Foot Surgery

Seth Wenig/Associated Press

The TE5 in points-per-reception leagues went down for the season in Week 11.

Yup, Chicago Bears tight end Zach Miller will undergo season-ending surgery on a broken right foot, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

The receiving weapons for the Bears continue to shrink, with this injury happening just days after wide receiver Alshon Jeffery was suspended for four games after violating the leagues' performance-enhancing drug policy.

There is not a ton in the tight end department behind Miller—Logan Paulsen will take over the No. 1 role.

The most interesting DFS asset as a result of this injury and Jeffery's suspension is now wide receiver Cameron Meredith.

In Week 12, the Bears will host the Tennessee Titans, who give up the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers.

With the way the Titans have been playing, there is a great chance of the Bears playing from behind, meaning Meredith should see double-digit targets.

Bills RB LeSean McCoy Has Thumb Surgery, Will Play Week 12

Gary Landers/Associated Press

Dislocated thumbs are never fun—just ask Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy.

In Week 11, McCoy dislocated his thumb, underwent surgery Monday and is expected to play in Week 12 barring a setback, according to Pro Football Talk.

This shouldn't impact his usage all that much, but I'm sure this won't be the most comfortable predicament for McCoy.

The Bills' Week 12 opponent—the Jacksonville Jaguars—give up just under 15 fantasy points per game to opposing running backs, which ranks toward the middle of the pack.

McCoy should see a slight uptick in work given the injury to wide receiver Robert Woods, too.

Seahawks RB C.J. Prosise Hurt; Thomas Rawls Ready to Shoulder the Load

John Froschauer/Associated Press

It's been one hell of a year for the Seattle Seahawks backfield.

Thomas Rawls got hurt, then Christine Michael took over. Michael struggled, then C.J. Prosise stepped up. Rawls came back, and Michael was waived. Prosise remained the starter but is now hurt, so now Rawls is the guy again with Alex Collins backing him up.

Whew.

In Week 11, Prosise injured his right shoulder and is expected to miss some time—like, eight weeks' time, perhaps, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

In his first game since Week 2, Rawls accumulated 17 touches (14 rushes; three receptions) for 88 yards. Those are solid results, and this momentum will bode well for Rawls, who is ready to carry the load, according to Sheil Kapadia of ESPN.com.

Rawls and the Seahawks will be on the road in Week 12 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who give up the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs.

Rawls could see 20 or more carries in this one. Fire him up. He's scoring.

Browns to Shut Down QB Cody Kessler?

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

During the Cleveland Browns' Week 11 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Browns quarterback Cody Kessler suffered his second concussion of the season and was replaced by veteran quarterback Josh McCown.

Following the game, Browns head coach Hue Jackson mentioned the idea of shutting down the rookie quarterback, according to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

"It's a possibility,'' Jackson said. "We'll see. I'm definitely going to talk to our medical staff because this is about a young man's career and future so we have to do the right thing."

If this is indeed the end of Kessler's rookie season, he'll end it with 1,369 passing yards, a 65.6 completion percentage, six passing touchdowns and two interceptions in eight starts.

Ironically, McCown should boost the fantasy value of all the skill position players around him, as he has five touchdown passes in four games (two starts; two in relief) and has thrown for at least 260 yards in his two starts.

The Browns and McCown will host the New York Giants in Week 12. They've allowed just eight passing touchdowns all season.

I'm avoiding McCown, and the Browns will be 0-12.

Vikings RB Jerick McKinnon Reassumes No. 1 Role

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

As Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press notes, Minnesota Vikings running back Jerick McKinnon out-snapped fellow running back Matt Asiata 31 to 21 in the team's Week 11 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

While McKinnon did out-snap Asiata, it was Asiata who came away with the rushing touchdown.

This season, McKinnon is averaging less than three yards per carry after another terrible outing in Week 11—16 carries for 44 yards.

McKinnon is a freakish athlete, but SPARQ points don't score fantasy points. McKinnon just hasn't been good, and he hasn't scored at all this season.

I'm avoiding McKinnon at all costs.

Bills WR Robert Woods Suffered Knee Sprain in Week 11

Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Another Buffalo Bills wide receiver bites the dust.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Bills wide receiver Robert Woods suffered a knee sprain in the team's Week 11 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

We don't know what was on the field in Cincinnati, but it injured Woods, Cincinnati Bengals running back Gio Bernard and Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green.

Woods was the No. 1 pass-catching option for the Bills after fellow wide receiver Sammy Watkins went down, so now they're stranded with Percy Harvin as their most notable receiver.

There is some optimism, though: Watkins could return this week. Those are words from Bills linebacker Preston Brown, according to Sal Capaccio of WGR 550 in Buffalo.

This is a downgrade for quarterback Tyrod Taylor, who'll need to have great rushing performances to remain fantasy relevant, but believe it or not...Harvin is now a relevant GPP play.

The Bills will take on the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 12, but Harvin is the best pass-catcher they have unless Watkins returns.

What a time to be alive.

Eagles RB Darren Sproles Expected to Play; Ryan Mathews DTD

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

There are a couple of updates here on the state of the Philadelphia Eagles backfield.

As you may know, both Darren Sproles and Ryan Mathews suffered injuries in Week 11, with Sproles fracturing a rib and Mathews having an MCL injury.

According to Zach Berman of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Sproles should be good to go despite the fracture, while Mathews is day-to-day.

If what Adam Caplan of ESPN.com reports is true about Mathews having an MCL sprain, it's hard to believe he'll play this week. To be honest, I'll be somewhat surprised if Sproles plays, but painkillers are a wonderful thing in the NFL, I guess.

If Sproles goes, the Eagles backfield will be comprised of Sproles, fellow running back Wendell Smallwood and a touch of Kenjon Barner. It would be safe to assume that Sproles will likely concede a number of carries to Smallwood, but should still play a role in the passing game.

This makes Sproles a viable play on venues that offer a full point for receptions like DraftKings, but I'd stay away from him on FanDuel.

The Eagles will take on the Packers in Week 12—the same defense that gave up 375 passing yards and three touchdowns to Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins and over 130 rushing yards and three touchdowns to Redskins running back Rob Kelley.

I'll have some Eagles exposure in Week 12 for sure.

Falcons RB Tevin Coleman Returns to Practice

Butch Dill/Associated Press

It's been a long time since we've seen Atlanta Falcons running back Tevin Coleman in a game—like, since Week 7 long.

According to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Coleman returned to practice Monday, making his odds of playing in Week 12 all but certain.

In his first game back coming off a hamstring injury, use caution rostering Coleman, but he will still cut into fellow running back Devonta Freeman's workload.

Coleman is a safe bet for 6-10 touches (averaging 11 per game), but that's just not good enough for me.

Be patient and look away from Coleman this week.

Jets Name Ryan Fitzpatrick Starting QB for Week 12

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, New York Jets head coach Todd Bowles said that Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the team's starting quarterback in Week 12 against the New England Patriots.

Let's make this quick: Fitzpatrick is terrible.

If you start Fitzpatrick in DFS, you deserve to lose your money.

Bengals WR A.J. Green Avoids Season-Ending Injury

Gary Landers/Associated Press

My god. This is the best news ever!

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green won't need surgery on his injured hamstring, but will miss "a few weeks."

The official injury is a strain (small tear) and not a hamstring tear.

Green is definitely out for Week 12, but he could be back this season. However, if the Bengals are totally out of the playoff hunt, they could choose to sit Green down and wait until next season. 

For example, if the Bengals win their next two games (at Baltimore, vs. Philadelphia), Green could return since the Bengals would still be in the hunt.

In the meantime, look for the Bengals to get more balls thrown to rookie wide receiver Tyler Boyd.

Colts QB Andrew Luck in Concussion Protocol

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

According to Zak Keefer of the Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is in the concussion protocol.

Given the quick turnaround from playing on a Sunday to playing Thursday on Thanksgiving Day, it is not looking good for Luck to suit up against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Fellow quarterback Scott Tolzien will start in Luck's place.

Well, this sucks.

Tolzien has 91 pass attempts, one touchdown pass and five interceptions in his career.

Oh.

Tolzien is an interesting cash-game play, but the pass-catchers for the Colts are significantly downgraded.

I'll look toward Colts running back Frank Gore in tournaments, though.

This is quite a blow to DFS strategies.

P.S.: The Steelers defense should be a fine play this week.

Bears QB Jay Cutler Done for the Year?

Bill Kostroun/Associated Press

When it rains, it pours—especially in Chicago.

Not only have Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery and linebacker Jerrell Freeman been suspended for four games, but tight end Zach Miller suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 11.

And now this.

According to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune, Bears quarterback Jay Cutler suffered a shoulder injury and the Bears are "exploring" whether it is season-ending.

If Cutler is done, we'll get a handful games with Matt Barkley quarterbacking the Bears.

Remember, Barkley tossed a gem in relief of fellow Bears quarterback Brian Hoyer in Week 7, when he completed six of 15 passes for 81 yards and two interceptions.

It looks like I'm never playing a Bears player again this season.

Also, if this is it for Cutler's season, Week 11 will go down as his final game for the Bears. Farewell, Jay.

Statistics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and ESPN.com.

Follow me on Twitter @RichardJanvrin.