Shedeur Sanders on his first time playing in the NFL
Browns QB Shedeur Sanders keeps a positive mindset as he reflects on his first time playing in the NFL, losing to the Ravens in Week 11.
Sports Pulse
Fantasy football managers have no room for error now. The fantasy playoffs are rapidly approaching, and those teetering on the brink of contention will need to navigate a new rash of injuries to top fantasy contributors.
Notably, Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs hurt his knee in Week 11 and did not return. Two prominent Pittsburgh Steelers, quarterback Aaron Rodgers and running back Jaylen Warren, met a similar fate to Jacobs.
Will these players be out long-term? That remains to be seen. But regardless of the outlook, fantasy managers may want to look into grabbing the handcuffs to injured running backs on the waiver wire, as they could end up being volume-based flex plays if the top options do end up missing time.
Additionally, a handful of younger players had breakout performances in Week 11. They could end up having larger roles moving forward as a result, so fantasy managers should keep an eye on them as potential league-winners down the stretch.
Here’s a look at the best players fantasy managers can target on waivers ahead of Week 12.
Week 12 fantasy football waiver wire targetsRB Sean Tucker, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Rostered in 26% of Yahoo leagues)
Tucker appears to have surpassed Rachaad White as Tampa Bay’s top between-the-tackles runner in Bucky Irving‘s absence. Tucker out-carried White 19-10 against the Bills and generated 140 total yards and three touchdowns during a career-best outing.
Irving may soon return for Tampa Bay, but the Buccaneers could consider easing him back into action after his long-term absence. That would open the door for Tucker to hold his own as a flex even when Irving returns. And as long as he remains out, Tucker will be a volume-based RB2.
RB Emanuel Wilson, Green Bay Packers (Rostered in 7% of Yahoo leagues)
Josh Jacobs suffered a knee injury early in the Packers’ Week 11 win over the New York Giants. His absence allowed Wilson to serve as the team’s lead back, and the 26-year-old racked up 40 yards and a touchdown on 11 carries for the team.
If Jacobs misses time, Wilson would likely serve as the workhorse back for the Packers. Third-string running back Chris Brooks has handled just three total carries for Green Bay this season while 2024 third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd hasn’t yet played in 2025 because of an ankle injury. That makes Wilson the player to roster for fantasy purposes.
RB Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders (Rostered in 12% of Yahoo leagues)
The Commanders are still using a committee approach at running back, but Rodriguez appears to now be atop the team’s depth chart.
Rodriguez handled a team-high 15 carries against the Dolphins and managed 79 yards on those while running with good power. He averaged 5.3 yards per carry, which was far more efficient than Jeremy McNichols (3.3) and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (3.1). The big-bodied bruiser should continue to lead Washington’s committee following their Week 12 bye and has solid touchdown upside thanks to his 5-11, 224-pound frame.
RB Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers (Rostered in 32% of Yahoo leagues)
Jaylen Warren suffered an ankle injury against the Bengals and was used sparingly despite returning to the game. That opened the door for Gainwell to lead Pittsburgh’s backfield.
While Gainwell managed just 24 rushing yards on nine carries, he led the Steelers with seven catches, 81 receiving yards and two touchdowns through the air. He has operated as the team’s top passing-down back this season, so he should continue to be a big-time PPR threat. His ceiling will only rise if Warren’s ankle injury forces him to miss time.
WR Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals (Rostered in 47% of Yahoo leagues)
Wilson became the Cardinals‘ No. 1 receiver in the absence of Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendicitis). The Stanford product was targeted 18 times by Jacoby Brissett, turning those looks into 15 catches and 185 yards.
Brissett may not have to throw 57 times in a game often, but Wilson can clearly be trusted as a volume-based WR3 as long as Harrison remains out. And even when the Ohio State product returns, Wilson will still have flex appeal as the clear-cut No. 2 receiver in what continues to be a high-volume Cardinals passing offense.
QB Jacoby Brissett, Arizona Cardinals (Rostered in 33% of Yahoo leagues)
Speaking of Brissett, he’s worth rostering at this point. He has been one of fantasy football’s steadiest quarterbacks since taking over for Kyler Murray in Week 6, posting two passing touchdowns in all five of his starts and logging at least 258 passing yards in each contest.
Brissett figures to keep throwing often, as Arizona’s defense has allowed an average of 32 points per game over its last five contests. If you need a bye-week filler to replace Justin Herbert or an injury replacement for Aaron Rodgers, Brissett could be a nice pickup.
TE A.J. Barner, Seattle Seahawks (Rostered in 9% of Yahoo leagues)
The Seahawks have been waiting for a consistent No. 2 target to emerge across from Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Could that end up being Barner? The second-year tight end was targeted 11 times against the Rams and caught 10 passes for 70 yards.
Barner has also carved out a role as the Seahawks’ designated “Tush Push” specialist. That could give him an opportunity to log some short-yardage touchdowns, giving him a higher floor than some other streaming-caliber tight ends.
WR Tyrell Shavers, Buffalo Bills (Rostered in 0% of Yahoo leagues)
The Bills benched Keon Coleman in Week 11 after he was late to a meeting on Friday, per multiple reports. That allowed several other receivers to get involved in Buffalo’s offensive game plan, including Shavers.
Shavers tied Josh Palmer for the team lead in targets (5) but was far more productive than the veteran. Shavers generated four catches for 90 yards and a touchdown and could earn more opportunities moving forward in the Bills’ high-flying offense. He’s a worthwhile fantasy flier for teams in need of depth at receiver.