New England Patriots Fantasy Football News | Shark Bites

Commanders RB Antonio Gibson has garnered his three largest touch counts of the season over his past three games. That has meant just 11, 9, and 9 touches, not necessarily a relevant level of usage for most fantasy formats. But receptions are driving those numbers. Gibson has caught five passes in three of his past four games and returned from a toe injury last week to regain the backfield receiving lead from Brian Robinson Jr. Sunday finds Washington entering the game as 9.5-point underdogs to Miami, which points to pass-friendly game conditions. That doesn't make Gibson a strong fantasy option. But it does give him some sneaky upside in a week with six teams on bye. See where Gibson lands in our Week 13 RB rankings.

Patriots WR Demario Douglas (concussion) missed practice all week and is out for Sunday’s game vs. the Chargers. WR Kayshon Boutte (shoulder, illness) is also out. That leaves New England with WRs DeVante Parker, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Tyquan Thornton, and Jalen Reagor. You could take a shot on Parker, Smith-Schuster, or Thornton in DFS, but you shouldn’t mess with the situation in season-long fantasy leagues.

The Patriots are preparing to start QB Bailey Zappe against the Chargers this weekend, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe. QB Mac Jones was abysmal again last week, completing just 12 of 21 passes (57%) for 89 yards (4.2 YPA), 0 TDs, and two INTs before getting yanked for Zappe. This might be the end of Jones' time in New England. Zappe, of course, has not been any better than Jones this season. He's completed only 49% of his passes at 4.0 yards per attempt across four appearances. He was better in two starts last season, tallying a 75% completion rate and 9.0 yards per attempt. "The Patriots are hoping that a full week of practice and game preparation helps bring out a better performance from Zappe," The Athletic's Chad Graff writes. "They hope that Zappe will be better against the Chargers than he’s been in relief this season now that he’ll get more reps in practice and with a gameplan built around what he can do." We'll see how Zappe fares, but this remains a passing game to avoid in Week 13 fantasy lineups.

Patriots WR Demario Douglas (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday. We'll keep an eye on his progress through the protocol, but the rookie is unlikely to play vs. the Chargers this weekend. That'd leave DeVante Parker and JuJu Smith-Schuster as New England's likely top two WRs.

Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson totaled 21 carries for 98 rushing yards and a TD in Week 12’s loss vs. the Giants. He also ranked tied for second on the team with 5 targets in the contest, hauling in 5 receptions for 9 yards as a pass-catcher. Though few things worked well for the Patriots’ offense, who split the QB reps between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe, Sunday saw Stevenson play on a season-high 77.9% of the offensive snaps and out-touch teammate Ezekiel Elliott 26 to 11. In fact, Stevenson had only logged a 70+% snap rate in just two other games this season (Week 1-2). Fantasy managers looking ahead to Week 13 should be excited about starting Stevenson as he continues to see increased usage. He’s got a solid shot at repeating this effort against a Chargers defense that ranks 26th in run defense DVOA this season next Sunday.

Patriots WR Demario Douglas was knocked out of Sunday's game vs. the Giants with a head injury. He took a shot to the head on a punt return in the fourth quarter and will likely land in the concussion protocol. We'll track the rookie's progress through the protocol this week, but consider him unlikely to play vs. the Chargers next Sunday.

Patriots LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (hamstring) is active for today's game against the Giants. He might still carry some re-injury risk with the issue that cost him the Week 10 loss to the Colts. Bentley remained limited in practice this week coming off the bye, but that doesn't tell us much about Patriots players. Bentley also carries high fantasy upside because of the matchup, especially in the sack/pressure categories. He sits high in our Week 12 LB rankings. DL Deatrich Wise (shoulder) is also active after entering the day questionable.

Patriots LB Ja'Whaun Bentley is questionable for Sunday's game against the Giants. He remained limited in practice all week coming out of the bye, with the injury that cost him their Week 11 game against the Colts. Of course, it's the Patriots. So there's no way for us to know whether Bentley will be inactive for this game or be the new starter at QB. (Bill Belicheck said he told "everybody" to be ready.) We'll check in on the LB's status Sunday morning.

Commanders RB Antonio Gibson (toe) is active for today’s game vs. the Cowboys. He was reportedly a game-time decision, so it’s safe to assume that he’s not at 100% for this one. Gibson is only an option in Thanksgiving DFS tournaments. His return does put a ding on RB Brian Robinson’s target projection.

Commanders RB Antonio Gibson (toe) is questionable for Thursday's game vs. the Cowboys. He missed Week 11 with this injury but got in three limited practices this week. Gibson will only be in play in DFS tournaments if he ends up playing tomorrow. If not, RB Brian Robinson will continue to dominate rushing and receiving work in Washington's backfield.

Commanders RB Antonio Gibson (toe) got in a limited practice on Tuesday. It gives him a chance to return for the Thanksgiving game vs. the Cowboys. Gibson wouldn't be a recommended season-long starter, but his return would dent RB Brian Robinson's Week 12 fantasy value.

Commanders RB Antonio Gibson (toe) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Giants. That elevates RB Chris Rodriguez to the No. 2 spot on the depth chart and should mean a boost in passing-down snaps for RB Brian Robinson. Gibson has averaged 3.5 targets per game this season and leads Commanders RBs in pass routes.

Vikings WR K.J. Osborn (concussion) is not listed on the final injury report and will play vs. the Broncos on Sunday night. Assuming WR Justin Jefferson misses that one, Osborn will be a volume-based WR4 option. Note, though, that Denver’s pass defense has been excellent lately. The Broncos are up to 13th in adjusted fantasy points allowed to WRs.

Commanders RB Antonio Gibson (toe) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game vs. the Giants. He's averaged 3.0 carries and 3.5 targets per game this season, leading Washington RBs in pass routes. Gibson's absence should mean a bit more passing-down action for RB Brian Robinson, who was already in a great spot with the Commanders nine-point favorites against the Giants.

Vikings WR K.J. Osborn (concussion) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. He was actually cleared for last weekend's game vs. the Saints, but the team opted to hold him out. Barring a setback, Osborn will play vs. the Broncos on Sunday night. And he'll be a viable WR4 play if WR Justin Jefferson remains out with his hamstring injury.

Commanders RB Antonio Gibson (toe) did not practice on Wednesday. No word yet on his status for this weekend's game vs. the Giants. His absence would free up some passing-down work for RB Brian Robinson. Check back tomorrow for an update on Gibson.

Vikings WR K.J. Osborn (concussion) is out for today’s game vs. the Saints. He’s cleared the concussion protocol, but the team is opting to hold Osborn out. He should be back for Week 11. Osborn’s absence leaves Minnesota with WRs Jordan Addison, Brandon Powell, Trishton Jackson, N’Keal Harry, and Jalen Nailor. Addison is the only viable fantasy play.

Patriots LB Ja'Whaun Bentley (hamstring) is inactive for today's game against the Colts. That's at least a mild surprise. Bentley did enter the day questionable, but he followed the same practice routine (all limited) this week with the same issue that he played through in Week 9. His absence boosts LB Jahlani Tavai into LB2 territory in our Week 10 rankings. CB Myles Bryant (chest), DE Deatrich Wise (shoulder), CB Jack Jones (knee), and Jonathan Jones (knee) are active.

Patriots WR Demario Douglas (ankle) is active for this morning’s game vs. the Colts. He was limited in practice all week, but we heard nothing to suggest that the ankle will be an issue today. Douglas is on the WR3/4 radar with New England again without WRs Kendrick Bourne and DeVante Parker.

Vikings WR K.J. Osborn has cleared the concussion protocol. But NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the team still wants to "check him" today before deciding whether the WR will play against the Saints. We'll watch for Osborn's status when inactive arrive around 11:30 a.m. ET. Osborn sits in just WR4 territory for now in our Week 10 rankings.