Fantasy Football News

The Minnesota Vikings are activating All-Pro WR Justin Jefferson off their injured reserve on Tuesday ahead of their Week 13 bye. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: As was expected, the Vikings waited until their bye week to activate Jefferson from injured reserve, giving him an extra week of recovery before needing to get back on the field. After shocking the NFL world with a five-game win streak while starting three different quarterbacks to get themselves back in the playoff hunt, Minnesota has since tumbled into consecutive losses. The return of Jefferson, who was averaging 7.2 catches and 114.2 receiving yards per game in his early-season tear, could give the team the boost they need to claw right back into the playoffs with five games to go.

In Sunday's two touchdown performance, Jonathan Taylor suffered a thumb injury that is requiring further evaluation and puts his status in doubt going forward. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Taylor will be further evaluated before the Colts make an official decision on his status. This will be a situation to monitor. Zack Moss would take over the lead role if Taylor misses time.

Free agent LB Shaquille Leonard is set to visit with the Cowboys. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Leonard was released by the Colts last week after dealing with a number of injuries. He is also set to meet with the Eagles later in the week and could still make a huge difference for either defense.

Tee Higgins (hamstring) "has a chance to play next Monday night in Jacksonville," according to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer. (Source: Cincinnati Enquirer)

Fantasy Impact: Higgins has battled injury and subpar performances in one of the most frustrating seasons of his career, ultimately catching just 27 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns through seven games. The reduced quality of play from quarterback Jake Browning will further limit Higgins' upside upon his return.

X-rays came back negative on Quentin Johnston (ribs), per head coach Brandon Staley. (Source: Daniel Popper on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Johnston suffered the injury on Sunday night against the Ravens. He did not return to the game, though Staley insisted his absence was performance-related rather than injury-related. Nevertheless, he did undergo additional evaluation Monday. It's too early to tell whether the rookie will be good to go for Week 13.

The Vikings intend to evaluate the quarterback position during their bye week after Joshua Dobbs threw four interceptions on Monday Night Football against the Bears. (Source: Adam Schefter on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Not every interception was Dobbs' fault, but nevertheless, the four turnovers cost Minnesota this divisional clash. Next up on the depth chart is rookie Jaren Hall, who has produced shaky results through limited playing time this season.

The Chicago Bears D/ST allowed 10 points while logging four interceptions and two sacks in a 12-10 win over the Vikings in Week 12.

Fantasy Impact: The Bears made life miserable for Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs on Monday night as they picked him off four times. They held the Vikings to just 242 yards of total offense in one of the best performances of the season. Chicago will be on bye in Week 13 before taking on the Lions in Week 14.

Cairo Santos made four of his five field goals in a 12-10 win over the Vikings in Week 12's Monday night game.

Fantasy Impact: Santos provided all of the scoring for the Bears, who were held out of the end zone by Minnesota. He hit field goals from 25, 39, 55, and 30 yards out. Santos' final field goal was the game-winner as it came with 10 seconds left in the game. He will be on bye in Week 13.

Cole Kmet caught all seven of his targets for 43 yards in a 12-10 win over the Vikings in Week 12.

Fantasy Impact: Kmet was busy on Monday night, although if you take away his 24-yard reception he only gained 19 yards on his other six catches. Kmet has been a reliable TE1 in fantasy this season as he's caught at least five passes in four of his past five games. He will be on bye in Week 13 before a Week 14 matchup against Detroit.

Darnell Mooney caught two of his three targets for six yards in a 12-10 win over the Vikings in Week 12.

Fantasy Impact: Mooney was quiet on Monday night as DJ Moore and Cole Kmet combined to catch 18 of Justin Fields' 27 completions. Mooney has become an afterthought in the Chicago offense, having caught just five passes over his past three contests. He will be on bye in Week 13 before a Week 14 matchup against Detroit.

DJ Moore caught 11 of his 13 targets for 114 yards in a 12-10 win over the Vikings in Week 12's Monday night game.

Fantasy Impact: Moore turned in a big outing as he easily led the Bears in all receiving categories. Moore's receptions and targets both set season highs for him as he now has 70 catches for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in his first season with the Bears. He will be on bye in Week 13 before taking on the Lions in Week 14.

Roschon Johnson carried the ball 10 times for 35 yards and added five receptions for 40 yards in a 12-10 win over the Vikings in Week 12.

Fantasy Impact: Johnson out-touched starter Khalil Herbert 15-to-8 in the Monday night win as it appears that he may be posed to take over the Chicago backfield moving forward. The Bears used a fourth-round pick on Johnson in the 2023 draft and will likely look to get him more touches coming out of their Week 13 bye. He is a solid waiver add this week.

Khalil Herbert carried the ball six times for 24 yards and added two catches for 14 yards in a 12-10 win over the Vikings in Week 12.

Fantasy Impact: Herbert was quiet in the low-scoring loss. Even more concerning than that, rookie Roschon Johnson appears to have taken over the backfield as he out-touched Herbert 15-to-8. Herbert will be on bye in Week 13 before he takes on the Lions in Week 14 but he will be tough to trust moving forward.

Justin Fields completed 27 of his 37 passes for 217 yards and added 12 carries for 59 yards while losing two fumbles in a 12-10 win over the Vikings in Week 12.

Fantasy Impact: Fields was unable to lead the Bears on any touchdown-scoring drives but they still managed to pull off the win on Monday night behind four field goals from Cairo Santos. The veteran quarterback was held without a touchdown pass for the second time in his past two games. A low-end QB1 most weeks thanks to his rushing upside, Fields will be on bye in Week 13 before taking on the Lions in Week 14.

The Vikings D/ST allowed 12 points while picking up three sacks and forcing two turnovers in a 12-10 loss to the Bears in Week 12's Monday night game.

Fantasy Impact: Minnesota's defense played well in limiting the Bears to 317 yards of total offense. They also recovered two Justin Fields fumbles in the contest. The Vikings will be on bye in Week 13 before they face the Raiders in Week 14.

Greg Joseph made his lone field goal and added an extra point in a 12-10 loss to the Bears in Week 12's Monday night game.

Fantasy Impact: Joseph hit a 34-yard field goal in the second quarter but that was his only attempt in a game where the Vikings threw four interceptions. Joseph has now made 18 of his 23 field goals and 27 extra points this season. He will be on bye in Week 13.

Josh Oliver was not targeted in a 12-10 loss to the Bears in Week 12's Monday night game.

Fantasy Impact: Oliver played 21 snaps in the low-scoring contest but did not show up in the box score. The veteran tight end will be on bye in Week 13 before a Week 14 matchup against the Raiders.

T.J. Hockenson caught five of his six targets for 50 yards and a touchdown in a 12-10 loss to the Bears in Week 12's Monday night game.

Fantasy Impact: Hockenson was one of the few bright spots on a rough night for the Minnesota offense. The veteran tight end led the team in receiving yards and scored the only touchdown of the game on a 17-yard catch in the fourth quarter. Hockenson will take 80 catches for 786 yards and five touchdowns into his team's Week 13 bye.

Jordan Addison caught six of his 10 targets for 39 yards in a 12-10 loss to the Bears in Week 12.

Fantasy Impact: Addison led the Vikings in receptions and targets but only finished with 39 yards in a game where the Vikings only threw for 185 yards. The rookie has been impressive in his debut season, posting 54 catches for 686 yards and seven touchdowns in 12 games. He is likely to be back in the No. 2 WR role after Minnesota's Week 13 bye with Justin Jefferson (hamstring) tentatively expected back for a Week 14 matchup against the Raiders.

K.J. Osborn caught three of his four targets for 34 yards in a 12-10 loss to the Bears in Week 12's Monday night game.

Fantasy Impact: Osborn was quiet on a night where the Vikings only threw for 185 yards. The veteran wideout hasn't done much since his big eight-catch, 99-yard outing against Green Bay in Week 9. He will be on bye in Week 13 and could be back in the No. 3 WR chair in Week 14 with Justin Jefferson tentatively expected back for a matchup against the Raiders.