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Fantasy football free agent pickups: Believe in Brissett to replace your injured QB?

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Fantasy football free agent pickups: Believe in Brissett to replace your injured QB?


The 11th Sunday of the NFL season began with the final international game of the season, as the Miami Dolphins topped the Washington Commanders in Madrid, Spain, and ended with the Philadelphia Eagles outlasting the Detroit Lions in windy South Philly.

Much happened in between, including Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen accounting for six touchdowns, Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett breaking the NFL record with 47 completed passes and the debut of controversial Cleveland Browns rookie QB Shedeur Sanders. That last one did not go well.

Sanders was one of several backup quarterbacks called into duty due to injuries to the usual starters. Among those hurt on Sunday was Pittsburgh Steelers veteran Aaron Rodgers (wrist). We await further clarity on which quarterbacks will be available for Week 12. Green Bay Packers RB Josh Jacobs (knee) left his game prematurely as well, and Tennessee Titans WR Calvin Ridley (leg) will not play again this season.

Each Monday, before the current NFL weekend ends, we will identify players available in at least 50% of ESPN standard leagues worthy of your attention, from standard formats to deeper options. The NFL is a weekly league, and player valuation and roles seldom remain stagnant. It does not matter how you acquire players for your fantasy rosters, just that you acquire them!

Quarterback

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (73.6% rostered in ESPN leagues): OK, so Burrow might be rostered in your awesome league, stashed away in the IR slot, but he is hardly rostered in every ESPN league. As a result, we must highlight Burrow, even though he is rostered in more than 50% of leagues. Burrow (toe), who many believed would not return to active duty until the fantasy playoffs, might return on Thanksgiving Day (Week 13) to face the Baltimore Ravens. Check your league’s waiver wire to see if Burrow (who passed for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns a year ago) is available, because he is that good.

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Stephania Bell: ‘Jacoby Brissett is fantasy gold’

Field Yates, Daniel Dopp and Stephania Bell discuss Jacoby Brissett’s productive fantasy performances since taking over for Kyler Murray.

Jacoby Brissett, Cardinals (23.7%): Few have ever compared Brissett to Burrow, but something’s going on here. Brissett scored 21.88 points in Sunday’s blowout loss while breaking the league mark for completions in a game, throwing for 452 yards and two touchdowns. The Cardinals trailed the entire game, necessitating him to throw a lot. We could assume the completions, attempts and passing yards are aberrant, but Brissett — a 32-year-old journeyman with his sixth franchise in as many seasons — has started the past five games and finished among the top 12 quarterbacks in fantasy each time. He aims to make it six in a row in Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This might be legitimate.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

  • Injuries forced early exits for several passers who were not active in many leagues on Sunday, warranting appearances for backups Atlanta Falcons veteran Kirk Cousins, Steelers veteran Mason Rudolph and, as noted above, Browns rookie Shedeur Sanders. As of Monday morning, we don’t expect to see starter Michael Penix Jr. (knee) again this season, but the jury is still out on Rodgers (non-throwing wrist) and Dillon Gabriel (head) for Week 12. None of these backups come recommended when fantasy managers, at least in ESPN leagues, can still add Trevor Lawrence (24.5%), J.J. McCarthy (49.1%), Sam Darnold (48%), C.J. Stroud (44.6%) and numerous others.

  • Carolina Panthers starter Bryce Young (7.5%) threw for a career-best 448 yards and three touchdowns in the win over the Falcons. How awesome! The problem is that Young, even with this productive Week 11 outing, has reached 200 passing yards in only two games this season. It is hard to rely on him in Week 12 against the San Francisco 49ers. Again, there are simply better options.


Running back

Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (28.6%): Fantasy managers have wished to see more of Tucker’s skills since Week 6 of last season, when he tore up the New Orleans Saints for 192 scrimmage yards. On Sunday, with Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) still sidelined and Rachaad White again looking ordinary, Tucker hammered the Bills for 140 total yards and three touchdowns — a cool 34 fantasy points. He was active in only 16.2% of ESPN standard leagues. What happens in Week 12? Irving might return to face the tough Los Angeles Rams, perhaps relegating Tucker to lower volume, but that seems unlikely after this performance.

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Could Emanuel Wilson be a prime waiver wire pickup for Week 12?

Matt Bowen breaks down Emanuel Wilson’s fantasy prospects after his performance in Week 11.

Emanuel Wilson, Packers (5.9%): Wilson relieved an injured Josh Jacobs in the close win over the New York Giants and scored 13.9 points, turning 12 touches into 49 yards and a touchdown. If Jacobs (knee) is unable to perform in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings, then Wilson — an undrafted free agent in his third season — would earn his first career start. Remember, he scored rushing touchdowns in each of the final three games last season, averaging 5.0 yards per carry. Even if Jacobs is fine, Wilson might carve out a bigger role down the stretch.

Kenneth Gainwell, Steelers (42.2%): Gainwell scored 29.5 points in Sunday’s blowout win over the rival Bengals, much of it because of seven receptions and a pair of TD catches produced after starter Jaylen Warren (knee) left the game. However, it seems as if Warren will be available for Week 12 against the Chicago Bears. Gainwell has scored double-digit points in only two games this season, but we should expect more if Warren’s health is compromised.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

  • The Giants have made it clear how they want to split the touches with rookie Cam Skattebo (knee) done for the season. Devin Singletary (32.6%) is the touchdown fellow, and he found the end zone twice in Sunday’s loss to the Packers. Tyrone Tracy Jr. still outscored him with 17.9 points. Adding Singletary is fine, but he’d better score a touchdown because he otherwise might not help much.

  • Jaguars RB Bhayshul Tuten (18.4%) earned a season-best 15 carries in the easy win over the Los Angeles Chargers and many of them came early, not with the score in doubt. Tuten, who left early due to an ankle injury, scored his second touchdown in three weeks. Travis Etienne Jr. remains the starter, and he had the better performance, but the Jaguars certainly looked as if they wanted to share the touches on Sunday.


Wide receiver

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Should fantasy managers start Michael Wilson in Week 12?

Tristan H. Cockcroft breaks down Michael Wilson’s fantasy production in Week 11 for the Cardinals.

Michael Wilson, Cardinals (15.2%): Wilson figured to be the primary beneficiary of the Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendicitis) unfortune and, wow, that really was the case in Sunday’s loss to the 49ers. Wilson hauled in 15 of 18 targets for 185 yards, scoring a WR-best 33.5 points. It was the first time this season Wilson reached double-digit fantasy points. Harrison seems unlikely to return in Week 12 to face the Jaguars and he might miss even more weeks.

Wilson has had some intriguing fantasy moments during his first few NFL seasons, but this might be his breakout, thanks to Harrison’s absence and Arizona’s propensity to fall behind in games and force Brissett to throw, throw, and throw some more. Diminutive colleague Greg Dortch (3.5%) scored 18.6 points and, depending on Harrison’s status, might be worth adding as well. Take Wilson first.

Christian Watson, Packers (26.2%): Watson turned half of his four receptions on Sunday into highlight-worthy TD catches, scoring 20.6 points. As mentioned in this space before, it’s tough to rely on any Packers wideout, because this offense aims to run first. Plus, it rosters several young options and spreads targets around. No Packer entered Sunday with 500 receiving yards. Perhaps you believe things will change with TE Tucker Kraft (knee) out for the season and Jacobs compromised, but Watson has never been a high-volume option. If you think he will keep scoring touchdowns, go get him, but be prepared for ordinary numbers for receptions and yards. Teammate Romeo Doubs is the safer choice.

Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts (40.6%): Pierce and his pals served a Week 11 bye, but let’s not forget that Pierce scored 35.9 points in his previous two contests. The deep threat might not continue his success the next two games against the tough Kansas City Chiefs and Houston Texans, but there are two games against the Jaguars remaining, too.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

  • Someone must catch the football for the Titans. Van Jefferson (0.2%), a 29-year-old journeyman with his fourth franchise in three seasons, might be the leader for targets in Week 12 against the Seattle Seahawks. It’s not a favorable matchup and no, rookie QB Cam Ward is hardly showing signs of becoming reliable, but three Titans pass catchers left Sunday’s loss to the Texans early. Calvin Ridley (leg) is out for the season, and we lack clarity on Elic Ayomanor (hamstring) and Chimere Dike (chest). Really, it is best to not rely on Titans — any of them, regardless of position.

  • Bills deep reserve Tyrell Shavers (0.1%) was thrust into action on Sunday as the franchise benched top WR Keon Coleman (58.3%), who remained active in 8.5% of ESPN leagues. Shavers scored 19 fantasy points. One would presume a motivated Coleman returns for active duty in Week 12 against the tough Texans, but Shavers might have forced his way into the team’s rotation, too.


Tight end

Dalton Schultz, Texans (53%): Check your league’s waiver wire to see if Schultz remains available. Schultz caught six of nine targets for 51 yards on Sunday, and he has scored double-digit fantasy points in five of six games. The targets should remain there for Week 12 against the Bills.

Juwan Johnson, Saints (35%): The Saints come off their bye and feature an attractive schedule the rest of the season, starting with the Falcons in Week 12. Johnson scored 19.2 points in Week 10, and he has reached double digits in four consecutive games. He looks like a top-10 TE.

Deep-league options/streamers/random thoughts

  • Seahawks starter AJ Barner (9.5%) caught nary a pass in Week 10 and, because he hadn’t scored a touchdown since Week 5, fantasy managers had mostly moved on. They might move back in after Barner caught 10 of 11 targets for 70 yards on Sunday. The lowly Titans are up next.


Bye weeks: To drop or not to drop?


Defense

  • This is a short week for the Bills D/ST (45.4%), visiting the Texans on Thursday. Houston has struggled offensively, regardless of who the quarterback has been. The Bills D/ST averages only 5.6 points, but it has a positive schedule in December.

  • Similarly, the 49ers D/ST (16.5%) is one of the lower-scoring units for the season, but the team hosts the Panthers on “Monday Night Football.”

  • The Falcons D/ST (42.8%) play the Saints, which is also an attractive streaming situation.

  • Also feel free to utilize either side of the epic Browns (40.8%)-Raiders (5.8%) matchup. If forced to choose, we would go with dominating Myles Garrett and the Browns first.



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Vinícius Jr. seals Real Madrid progress amid Benfica boos

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Vinícius Jr. seals Real Madrid progress amid Benfica boos


After being loudly booed, Vinícius Júnior danced again. This time in front of Real Madrid supporters while leading his team to the round of 16 of the Champions League, a week after accusing a Benfica opponent of racially insulting him.

The Brazilian scored in the 80th minute to clinch a 2-1 victory for the record 15-time European champions in the second leg of their playoff tie to progress 3-1 on aggregate.

Vinícius celebrated by dancing by the corner flag just like in the first leg — then in front of Benfica fans — which ignited a confrontation with the Portuguese team’s players and the accusation that Gianluca Prestianni called him a racist slur.

“I’m glad Vini dances and keeps dancing, that means he’s scoring goals,” said Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

“That’s our Vinícius,” added midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni, who scored Madrid’s first goal in the 16th, a couple of minutes after Benfica had taken the lead through Rafa Silva.

Prestianni, who has denied racially insulting Vinícius and has been defended by Benfica, was provisionally suspended one match by UEFA and did not play Wednesday even though the Argentine traveled to the Spanish capital. UEFA earlier Wednesday rejected Benfica’s last-minute appeal against the provisional suspension.

Last week’s match was halted for nearly 10 minutes after the referee installed the anti-racism protocol following Vinícius’ complaint to him.

On Wednesday, Vinícius scored on a breakaway, calmly sending a low shot past the goalkeeper for his sixth goal in his past five matches for Madrid.

The more than 3,000 Benfica fans at the Bernabéu jeered nearly every time Vinícius touched the ball. They celebrated when he lost control of the ball early in the game. The Benfica supporters also booed emphatically when the name of the Brazilian player was announced in the starting lineup ahead of the match.

The boos gradually lost force as the match went on and Madrid took control of the game.

Vinícius also participated in the buildup of what would have been Madrid’s second goal, but it was disallowed for offside.

Before Wednesday’s match, Madrid fans displayed a banner saying “No To Racism.” A “respect” banner also was shown behind one of the goals at the Bernabéu.

Real Madrid said in a statement after the match it “urgently requested” the club’s disciplinary committee to open a procedure to expel a fan who was caught by television cameras performing a Nazi salute before the match.

Madrid said the supporter appeared to be part of its organized fan group behind one of the goals at the Bernabeu.

“This member was identified by the club’s security staff moments after appearing on the broadcast and was immediately expelled from the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium,” the club said. “Real Madrid condemns this type of gesture and expression that incites violence and hatred in sports and society.”

Madrid fans also jeered when Benfica central defender Nicolás Otamendi touched the ball. Otamendi, who is also Argentine, was one of the players that confronted Vinícius after the Brazilian’s celebration by the Benfica flag.

Also missing for Benfica was coach José Mourinho, the former Madrid coach who was sent off late in the first leg for complaining to the referee. Mourinho did not participate in the pregame news conference Tuesday and was expected to watch the match from the stands at the Bernabéu.

Madrid defender Raúl Asencio had to be carried off the field on a stretcher and taken to a local hospital for tests after a hard collision with teammate Eduardo Camavinga in the second half.

The central defender hit the ground hard and had to be attended to for a few minutes on the field. The medical staff immobilized him before taking him off the field.

Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa said Asencio apparently injured his neck but “it wasn’t serious.”

Madrid were already without France forward Kylian Mbappé, who missed Wednesday’s game with a knee injury.

“I hope it’s not serious, and he can come back in a few days or weeks,” Arbeloa said.

“Without Kylian, we need [Vini] even more. … He has to be our leader.”

ESPN’s Alex Kirkland and The Associated Press contributed to this report.



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Third victim dies from injuries in Rhode Island rink shooting

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Third victim dies from injuries in Rhode Island rink shooting


PROVIDENCE, R.I. — A deadly shooting during a youth hockey game in Rhode Island last week claimed a third victim, a grandfather whose daughter and grandson were also killed in the attack, authorities said Wednesday.

Gerald Dorgan, who had been in critical condition, died from his injuries, according to Pawtucket police.

Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien said he was heartbroken that another person had died because of the shooting.

“Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victim’s family, friends, and all those impacted by this tragic act of violence,” he said in a statement.

Dorgan’s daughter, Rhonda Dorgan, and grandson, Aidan Dorgan, were also killed in the shooting.

Police identified the shooter as Robert Dorgan, 56, who died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Dorgan also went by the names Roberta Esposito and Roberta Dorgano, authorities said. Robert Dorgan’s ex-wife was Rhonda Dorgan and adult son was Aidan Dorgan.

Officials have said the shooter was specifically targeting family members.

Rhonda Dorgan’s mother, Linda Dorgan, and a family friend, Thomas Geruso, were wounded.

Law enforcement have credited several people who intervened and quickly stopped the attack. At least three bystanders were able to contain the shooter in the middle of the stands as the crowd fled and ran around them.



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Who has the advantage at WWE Elimination Chamber? Notes, stats and history to consider

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Who has the advantage at WWE Elimination Chamber? Notes, stats and history to consider


Less than two months remain until WrestleMania 42 from Las Vegas in April, and this Saturday marks a critical stop along the way. Chicago’s United Center will host the 16th WWE Elimination Chamber premium live event (7 p.m. ET on ESPN Unlimited), where the WrestleMania card will continue to be constructed.

The show will feature both men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches, during which six wrestlers, surrounded by a steel cage structure, work to pin or submit their opponents until one winner is left standing. That wrestler receives a championship opportunity at WrestleMania. CM Punk will also defend his World Heavyweight Championship in his hometown against Finn Bálor. And the Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee saga continues with the Women’s Intercontinental Championship on the line.

Here are the notes, stats and Elimination Chamber history to know heading into Saturday’s event.


Men’s Elimination Chamber

Participants: Randy Orton, Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, Je’Von Evans, Trick Williams and Jey Uso

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Cody Rhodes: ‘I need to officially point at the WrestleMania sign’

Cody Rhodes previews the Elimination Chamber against Randy Orton, LA Knight, Je’Von Evans and Trick Williams, readying to punch his ticket to WrestleMania.

• The first Elimination Chamber match occurred 23 years ago at Survivor Series in 2002. Shawn Michaels won the match to become world heavyweight champion.

• There have been 36 men’s and women’s Elimination Chamber matches combined, 11 of which have produced new champions.

• Triple H and John Cena share the distinction of most Elimination Chamber victories with four each. Daniel Bryan is next with three. Cena is the most recent Elimination Chamber winner, having won the men’s match in 2025. He turned heel and claimed his record-setting 17th championship the following month at WrestleMania 41.

• This will be a record-setting 10th Elimination Chamber match for Orton. Chris Jericho and Cena sit two back of Orton in the record book with eight entrants. If Orton records two eliminations in Saturday’s match, he will tie Jericho for the most all time (10). Orton is the only participant in the match with an Elimination Chamber win. He won in 2014 and retained the world title on his way to the WrestleMania 30 main event.

• Rhodes has lost three consecutive PLE matches, dating back to Crown Jewel in October 2025. It is Rhodes’ longest PLE losing streak since he returned to the WWE at WrestleMania 38 in 2022. On Saturday, Rhodes will make his first Elimination Chamber appearance since his WWE return, but not his first ever. In his first WWE stint, he took part in the World Heavyweight Championship Elimination Chamber match, won by Bryan in 2012.

• Uso won five straight WWE PLE matches from November 2024 to August 2025 — including his World Heavyweight Championship win at WrestleMania 41. Since then, he’s on a four-match PLE losing streak for the first time since 2020-21.

• Knight is looking for a change in luck at the Elimination Chamber. It has been more than a year since Knight has won a PLE match. Since Crown Jewel in November 2024, he has lost seven consecutive PLE bouts.


Women’s Elimination Chamber

Participants: Alexa Bliss, Tiffany Stratton, Rhea Ripley, Asuka, Kiana James and Raquel Rodriguez

• The first women’s Elimination Chamber match occurred in 2018. Bliss won the match and retained her “Raw” women’s championship. This will be the eighth women’s Elimination Chamber match in history.

• The only superstar with multiple women’s Elimination Chamber wins is Bianca Belair (2022 and 2025). Bliss or Asuka could join her on that list this weekend.

• Stratton is aiming to avoid her third straight WWE PLE loss after Liv Morgan eliminated her to win the Royal Rumble and Stephanie Vaquer defeated her to win the 2025 Crown Jewel Championship. Stratton hasn’t experienced a three-loss skid in PLE matches since her first three on the main roster in early 2024.

• Asuka has not won a match at a PLE event since Elimination Chamber in 2024, when the Kabuki Warriors defeated Candice LeRae and Indi Hartwell to retain the Women’s Tag Team Championship.

• Rodriguez could earn her first career singles victory at a WWE PLE this weekend. Rodriguez, who holds the women’s record for tag title reigns with six, has accumulated only tag team victories in her WWE PLE career.

• Will anyone run the table in this match? Only one wrestler, Shayna Baszler in 2020, has ever recorded every elimination in an Elimination Chamber match.


World Heavyweight Championship: CM Punk vs. Finn Bálor

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Previewing CM Punk vs. Finn Balor at Elimination Chamber

Arda Ocal previews a huge match for the world heavyweight title between CM Punk and Finn Balor at Elimination Chamber in Chicago.

• The winner of this match is destined for a WrestleMania collision with Roman Reigns. Bálor defeated Reigns on his first night on the WWE main roster — the July 25, 2016, edition of “Raw.”

• This will be CM Punk’s first PLE match in Chicago since he took down Jericho at Payback in 2013. Overall, he has wrestled in six WWE PLE matches from Chicago and has a 4-2 record. One of Punk’s two UFC fights also occurred in Chicago.

• Punk is in the midst of an impressive run. He has not lost a match in more than two months. During that stretch, he successfully has retained the World Heavyweight Championship in three television matches against Bron Breakker, AJ Styles and his Elimination Chamber opponent, Bálor.

• It has been two years since Bálor last won a PLE match. In fact, his last such win occurred at the 2024 Elimination Chamber. At that event, he and Damian Priest successfully defended their tag titles against Pete Dunne and Tyler Bate.


Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch vs. AJ Lee

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Best moments of WWE Elimination Chamber history

Relive some of the top moments of Elimination Chamber history as we gear up for Saturday’s event.

• Lee will compete in her first championship match in more than 11 years. Her last title bout occurred in December 2014, when she battled Nikki Bella at Tables, Ladders and Chairs … and Stairs for the Divas Championship.

• Lynch is 3-0 at Elimination Chamber. Her last such win occurred in 2024, when she won the women’s Elimination Chamber match.

• Lee will make her second career Chicago PLE appearance after she defeated Kaitlyn to win the Divas Championship at Payback in 2013.



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