Chiefs QB Alex Smith out for Week 17 with a lacerated spleen

Dec 26, 2014

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith has a lacerated spleen and will miss Sunday's game against the San Diego Chargers, trainer Rick Burkholder said Friday.

Chase Daniel will start in Smith's place against the the Chargers, who can clinch a playoff berth with a victory.

Daniel has one career start, which came last season in Week 17 and also was against the Chargers. The Chiefs lost the game but Daniels played well, throwing for 200 yards and a touchdown, completing 21 of his 30 pass attempts.

Fantasy Impact:

Daniel also rushed seven times for 59 yards in his start against the Chargers, so he was the #13 QB that week. We're not expecting Daniel to run the offense as efficiently as Smith does, so we're projecting a reduction in passing yards, which will impact TE Travis Kelce and the other Kansas City receivers.

yesterday

Cowboys hope to get WR Brandin Cooks (knee) back for Week 12

Calvin Watkins on X

yesterday · 5:55 PM EST

Mike McCarthy said he's hoping Cowboys will get WR Brandin Cooks (knee) back this week.

Fantasy Impact:

Cooper Rush will get the start at QB again against the Commanders in Week 12. CeeDee Lamb led the way with 12 targets vs. the Texans, but it was Luke Schoonmaker, who took over after Jake Ferguson left with a concussion, who had 10 targets which was most behind Lamb. The addition of Cooks should help the Cowboys offense in what is a good matchup against the Commanders defense. For the fantasy world, Rush did end up throwing for 354 yards.

Cowboys will start Cooper Rush at QB in Week 12

Calvin Watkins on X

yesterday · 5:48 PM EST

Mike McCarthy said Cooper Rush "will be the starter" this week against Washington and a package of plays will be formed for Trey Lance.

Fantasy Impact:

McCarthy came out and said he regrets not giving Lance a chance to run the offense in the loss to the Texans on Monday Night, but even after that the team is going forward with Rush in Week 12 against the Commanders. One would have to assume Rush gets the start the following week as well, which is a short week and a game on Thanksgiving Day game against the Giants.

49ers TE George Kittle (hamstring) 'close' to playing in Week 11

The Athletic

yesterday · 3:18 PM EST

Shanahan said George Kittle was “close” to playing against Seattle and should be able to practice Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact:

It's at least a good sign Kittle is expected to practice Wednesday. The hope is he will be ready to go in Week 12. The 49ers play at the Packers, and it's in the later Sunday window so owners will certainly want to pay attention to what kind of work Kittle can get in this week at practice.