Steelers expect Ben Roethlisberger to play Week 14

Dec 04, 2012

The Pittsburgh Steelers expect Ben Roethlisberger to return and start at quarterback against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has learned.

Roethlisberger was not medically cleared to play against the Ravens -- the third game in a row he missed with a rib and shoulder injury -- but the Steelers intend for him to return to practice and start against the Chargers.

Fantasy Impact:

At the same time, the team is preparing to have Charlie Batch at QB just in case Ben doesn't show much at mid-week practices. Big Ben likely won't be 100-percent, but he's a far better option than Batch. However, it may not be best to throw Ben right into this matchup unless he's a QB2. The Chargers are around the middle of the pack when it comes to allowing fantasy points to TEs. Guys like Mike Wallace, Antonio Brown and Heath Miller should see a bump in value as a result of Ben starting.

today

Buccaneers WR Mike Evans practices for second straight day

Greg Auman

0 minutes ago

Cooler weather for Bucs practice today -- Wirfs and Evans practicing again. Still no Zyon McCollum, but Troy Hill and Greg Gaines were practicing today.

Related Players: Sterling Shepard, Jalen McMillan, Trey Palmer

Fantasy Impact:

Fantastic news for fantasy managers hanging on to Mike Evans: he should be considered a WR1 option immediately.

yesterday

49ers TE George Kittle "good to go" for Week 12

KNBR

yesterday · 5:34 PM EST

“I will be playing on Sunday. Very excited, can’t pass up playing the Packers. I will be out there for sure.”

George Kittle says he’s good to go for Sunday

Related Players: Eric Saubert

Fantasy Impact:

Kittle returns to a great matchup against a Packers defense that ranks 26th in TE aFPA. He should be fired up as a high-end TE1 once again.

Bears RB D'Andre Swift misses Wednesday practice

Kevin Fishbain

yesterday · 1:29 PM EST

Per Bears head coach Matt Eberflus: Ryan Bates remains in the concussion protocol. Elijah Hicks (ankle) and D'Andre Swift (groin) won't practice.

Teven Jenkins will be limited.

Related Players: Roschon Johnson, Travis Homer

Fantasy Impact:

This is definitely a situation to keep an eye on, as Johnson would have a huge workload if Swift were to miss Week 12. Homer has three rush attempts and zero targets on the year.