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Fantasy football buzz: Will we see Nico Collins, Isiah Pacheco in Week 11?

Nico Collins' availability for Week 11 remains a bit cloudy. Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Everything that happens in the NFL has some additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.

Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the NFL.

Key links: Fantasy depth charts


Nov. 12: Will we see Nico Collins, Isiah Pacheco in Week 11?

Stephania Bell reports on some players who might be getting closer to a return and others who might need a little time to recover from recent injuries before getting back on the field.

Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans: After turning in a limited practice this past Friday, Collins was activated to the 53-man roster in advance of Sunday's game. Ultimately he was inactive, which is not altogether surprising given the team's pattern with previous injured players who had only one Friday practice under their belts. If Collins can ramp up his practice activity this week without issue, he could return to action Monday night, six weeks after he originally injured his hamstring.

Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs: Coach Andy Reid said Monday that Pacheco was getting close to a return to practice, and it's possible that could mean this week. Pacheco, who suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2 and underwent subsequent surgery to repair it, needs to be designated for return from IR to resume practicing. The team would then have 21 days to activate him to the roster. Even if he returns to practice this week, he is unlikely to see game action for a couple of weeks.

Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions: LaPorta suffered a sprained AC joint in the second half of Sunday night's game and made an early exit as a result. On Monday, coach Dan Campbell referred to LaPorta as "day-to-day" and said he was hopeful he could play this week. Immediately after the game Campbell had acknowledged LaPorta might miss this week's game, so his status will depend on how he progresses throughout the week. Knowing the Lions hope to go deep into the postseason, it would not come as a surprise if LaPorta misses one week to allow some additional recovery time.

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills: Kincaid injured his knee in Sunday's game and was originally deemed questionable to return. He told reporters afterward that he tried to return (and he did reenter the game in the third quarter, playing on just two snaps) but "didn't feel good enough to run and be able to go out there and protect myself." The fact that he was cleared to try to return suggests no major knee instability, but there have been no specifics offered about the nature of his injury. The Bills have a bye in Week 12, and the team could certainly opt to allow him the extra recovery window if his symptoms persist. That said, the Bills have a very important matchup against the Chiefs this week, and, if Kincaid is healthy enough to go, his presence on the field could be a difference-maker.

Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings: Jones suffered a chest injury in the third quarter of Sunday's game and was carted to the locker room for evaluation. He ultimately returned to the game late in the fourth quarter -- a good indication there were no fractures visible on X-ray, which is something Jones later confirmed to reporters. On Monday, coach Kevin O'Connell said that Jones is likely to be limited in practice this week but that he feels good about Jones' availability for Week 11.


Nov. 11: Bears, Colts, Browns sticking with same starting QBs

After recent quarterback struggles with the Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts, both teams addressed QB questions Monday.

Bears coach Matt Eberflus said that Caleb Williams will remain the starter as the team continues to try to fix its offensive struggles. Williams' 38.4 QBR ranks 28th in the league, and, in the Bears' three games since the bye week -- all losses -- the 2024 No. 1 pick has combined for zero TDs and zero interceptions.

In Indianapolis, Colts coach Shane Steichen said 39-year-old Joe Flacco will remain the Colts' starter for Sunday's game at the New York Jets. Flacco is coming off a game in which he threw three interceptions against Buffalo, and, in the two games since claiming the starting job, he has combined for two TDs and four interceptions.

Elsewhere, Cleveland Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said before last week's bye that the team was sticking with Jameis Winston, even after the veteran's three-interception game in the 27-10 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 9. When asked again during his Monday news conference, he maintained that Winston would start against his former team in New Orleans this Sunday.

In New York, coach Brian Daboll was noncommittal on Daniel Jones being the team's starter as the Giants head into the bye week following an embarrassing loss to Carolina in Germany. Jones completed just 22 of 37 passes against the Panthers, with no touchdown passes and two interceptions. If a change is made, Drew Lock or Tommy DeVito would take over in Week 12 against Tampa Bay.


Nov. 11: Tyreek Hill plans to play through wrist injury on MNF

Tyreek Hill, listed as questionable for the Monday Night Football game against the Los Angeles Rams, told ESPN's Lisa Salters on Monday that he plans to play despite MRI results showing a torn ligament in his wrist.

The Dolphins' 30-year-old star receiver, a consensus top-5 pick in fantasy drafts in 2024, has been limited to 34 receptions, 446 yards and one touchdown this season, hampered not only by the injury but also the team's struggles at quarterback while Tua Tagovailoa was out.