Dynasty News, Week 12

Photo: Mark J. Rebilas, USA Today Sports

We scour the news around the NFL to bring you what matters most to you and your dynasty team: the most current news on players, both superstars and the relative unknowns, and analysis to decipher the respective situations. These are many of the major stories and are not meant to be an exhaustive look at all the recent happenings around the league.

Justin Fields injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to Atlanta but managed to finish the contest. He was favoring the shoulder as the cart took him to the lockerroom. After being on such a fantasy roll, this is a wait-and-see type of situation as Chicago plays at the New York Jets next Sunday. Already out of the playoff hunt, the Bears may take it slowly with their rising star.

Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford just returned to the lineup this week after completing the concussion protocol. He had to leave the Week-11 loss to the New Orleans Saints Sunday. Having multiple concussions in a short amount of time is dangerous. Stafford was replaced by Bryce Perkins, who was awful. Los Angeles’ season is headed downhill in a hurry so there should be no rush to bring back the star quarterback. After the game, coach Sean McVay told reporters, “There’s a lot of things that we’re working through that, I would say, are unprecedented. … As far as it relates to Matthew, we’re gonna be smart for him," We do not expect Stafford back for a while.

The Chicago Bears have been a fun team to watch this season. Still a young offense with many good young players, like Fields. Also, tailback Khalil Herbert has played very well in a timeshare with David Montgomery. Herbert injured his hip in the Week-10 game against the Detroit Lions and was placed on injured reserve last week. Hip injuries are tricky. Herbert will miss at least three more games. Coach Matt Eberflus told reporters last week that Herbert will return this season, but the Bears do not have a timetable yet for his recovery. Tristan Ebner assumed the backup role for Montgomery and is a decent stash in case Montgomery gets nicked up again.

The Arizona Cardinals waived running back Eno Benjamin last week after he complained about playing time. At least, that is the reported reason. Benjamin flashed upside in Arizona. The move means a larger workload for James Conner. He was claimed by the Houston Texans. It is a great move for the Texans, a team void of depth on both sides of the ball. Benjamin will likely supplant Rex Burkhead as the backup to Dameon Pierce. A Pierce-Benjamin combo has the makings of a solid running attack. In Arizona, Keontay Ingram will be the passing game back. He had already surpassed Benjamin in snaps, and the move solidifies his spot on the depth chart.

Ty Montgomery exited in Week 1 but injured his shoulder and missed the remainder of the season. He recently underwent surgery and is now recovering with the hopes of being ready for the offseason activities. His absence has paved the way for an expanded role for Rhamondre Stevenson in the Patriots passing game.

Washington tailback J.D. McKissic had missed several games before being placed on injured reserve last week. He tried to come back from a neck injury but is now expected to need months of rehabilitation. Antonio Gibson will continue in his passing-game role.

Last week, ace beat reporter Darren Urban tweeted an update on Cardinals receiver Marquise Brown, “The @AZCardinals open the 21-day practice window for WR Hollywood Brown to return from IR, so there is a possibility he could play as soon as Monday night. The team had 21 days to activate him from injured reserve but will not use the entire time.” Brown did not play Monday but has made great progress since hurting his foot in Week 6. Having both Brown and DeAndre Hopkins in the lineup has to bump up quarterback Kyler Murray’s outlook for the rest of the season. He is expected to play this coming week.

Adam Schefter tweeted Sunday morning, “Rams standout WR Cooper Kupp is expected to miss six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery for a high ankle sprain. The Rams, who are 3-6 entering Sunday's contest against the Saints, will need to bounce back to give Kupp any chance to return this year.” Los Angeles is out of the playoff race, and there is no need to rush him back with the team sitting at 3-7.

The Green Bay Packers finally gave up on receiver Amari Rodgers. The former third-round pick of the 2021 Draft, he had lost playing time to the 2022 rookies and Randall Cobb was activated from injured reserve, making Rodgers expendable. Like Benjamin, he was claimed by the Houston Texans. With a dearth of weapons at the receiver position in Houston, Rodgers gets a valuable second chance. The Texans get an upside player at a low cost. It is a win-win situation. Rodgers is still raw. He only caught eight passes for 95 yards through his two seasons in Green Bay.