🏈 Fantasy Football Week 11 Takeaways: Usage, Injuries, and Hidden Trends You Can’t Ignore for Week 12
- Mikey Henninger
- 3 days ago
- 9 min read
Welcome back, my friends. Week 11 was absolute chaos — injuries, surprise breakouts, depth-chart shakeups, and usage trends that casual fantasy managers will totally miss heading into Week 12.
But that’s why you’re here.
You want the data.
You want the truth.
You want the edge.
I dug through every snap, touch, target, and red-zone carry from Week 11 to bring you the real takeaways that matter for Week 12 fantasy football success.
Let’s dive in.
🧠 Quarterback Takeaways from Week 11 (That Matter for Week 12 of Fantasy Football)
Michael Penix goes down → Kirk Cousins becomes a priority Superflex add
Michael Penix suffered a knee injury that looks likely to end his season. That instantly makes Kirk Cousins a priority add in Superflex and 2QB formats.
Justin Fields reportedly benched → Tyrod Taylor time
The Jets are reportedly benching Justin Fields. The beneficiary? Tyrod Taylor, who becomes a priority add in Superflex and 2QB leagues.
Dillon Gabriel in concussion protocol → Shedeur Sanders worth a flier
With Dillon Gabriel in concussion protocol, there’s at least some chance he misses Week 12. That opens the door for Shedeur Sanders in 2QB/Superflex formats. If you’re desperate at QB2 or QB3, he’s worth a speculative add now before clarity hits the news cycle.
🏃♂️ Running Back Takeaways: Where Week 12 Will Be Won (or Lost)
This is where most of the fantasy football Week 11 takeaways live: snap shares, red-zone usage, and backfield chaos that your league mates will ignore.
Emanuel Wilson: Priority RB3/Flex if Josh Jacobs sits
With Josh Jacobs leaving with a knee injury:
Emanuel Wilson played 79% of the snaps
Handled 12 touches (including 1 target/catch)
Turned them into 49 scrimmage yards and 1 TD
Jacobs’ Week 12 status is questionable at best, and that puts Wilson firmly in the conversation as one of the top RB3/flex waiver claims for Week 12.
Sean Tucker vs Rachaad White (and the Bucky Irving wildcard)
Sean Tucker:
21 touches (including 2 targets/catches)
140 scrimmage yards and 3 TDs
Handled 3 carries inside the 10
Rachaad White:
12 touches
62 scoreless yards
0 carries inside the 10
On usage alone, Tucker looked like the clear lead and a potential high-end RB3/flex even in a tough Week 12 matchup vs the Rams.
But there’s a catch: Bucky Irving could make his long-anticipated return. If that happens, Tucker’s Week 12 outlook (and waiver-wire price tag) gets a lot shakier. He’s worth adding, but don’t treat him like a locked-in league winner.
Chris Rodriguez vs Jacory Croskey-Merritt: One back is separating
Chris Rodriguez:
45% of the snaps
16 touches (including 1 target/catch)
85 scoreless yards
Jacory Croskey-Merritt:
27% of the snaps
10 touches (including 1 target/catch)
33 scoreless yards
High-value touches:
Both backs had 2 carries inside the 10
Both had 1 inside the 5
Jeremy McNichols also saw 1 carry inside the 5
Usage + performance both suggest Rodriguez is the preferred option moving forward and the better flex bet.
Jaguars Backfield: Bhayshul Tuten surges, but Etienne still owns the money touches
Bhayshul Tuten:
Season-high 32% of the snaps
15 touches (all carries)
74 yards and 1 TD
Travis Etienne:
Season-low 49% of the snaps
Still saw 19 carries
73 yards and 2 TDs
7 carries inside the 10 (3 inside the 5)
Tuten: just 1 carry inside the 10
The Jaguars blew out the Chargers 35–6, creating a garbage-time environment for Tuten to rack up additional work. Tuten is worth monitoring and stashing in deeper leagues, but Etienne still fully controls the high-value work.
Bears' Backfield: Swift still leads, but Kyle Monangai is annoying enough to matter
Kyle Monangai:
13 touches (including 1 target/catch)
37 yards and 1 TD
2 touches inside the 10, 1 inside the 5
D’Andre Swift:
21 touches (all carries)
90 yards
Just 1 touch inside the 10
Swift is still the clear lead, but Monangai’s red-zone involvement keeps him on the RB3/flex radar and caps Swift’s weekly ceiling a bit more than we’d like.
Jaylen Warren ankle scare → Kenneth Gainwell eruption (but beware the trap)
With Jaylen Warren leaving Week 11 due to an ankle injury:
Kenneth Gainwell:
Played 63% of the offensive snaps
16 touches
7 catches on 8 targets
105 yards and 2 TDs
BUT: Warren said he “could have returned” in Week 11. It’s entirely unclear whether he’ll miss Week 12.
That makes Gainwell a shaky waiver claim. The upside is obvious if Warren sits, but there’s plenty of downside risk if he plays through it.
Ollie Gordon: TD-or-bust RB3/Flex
9 carries
45 yards and 1 TD
Matched De’Von Achane with:
3 carries inside the 5
4 carries inside the 10
It’s clear he has a defined goal-line role, but limited passing work keeps him in TD-dependent RB3/flex territory.
Rams Backfield: Blake Corum gets chances looks, not yards
Blake Corum:
9 touches (including 2 targets, 1 catch)
Just 5 total yards (woof)
3 carries inside the 10
Kyren Williams:
Only 1 carry inside the 10
The usage is fascinating even if the production wasn’t. Corum’s red-zone work keeps him in deep-league flex discussion, but he's better treated as a bench stash.
Cardinals Depth: Michael Carter and Bam Knight emerge as emergency options
After Emari Demercado got hurt:
Michael Carter:
Played 43% of the snaps
7 touches
5 catches on 7 targets
28 yards
Bam Knight:
9 touches
4 targets/catches
45 yards and 1 TD
If Demercado (and Trey Benson) miss Week 12:
Carter is a PPR-only desperation RB3/flex
Knight joins him on the desperation RB3/flex radar, with slightly better TD juice
Tyjae Spears: PPR-only hope in negative script
Caught 5 of 5 targets
31 scoreless yards
With Tennessee projected as 12.5-point underdogs vs Seattle in Week 13, Spears sets up as a passing-down PPR option, but still a risky one.
TreVeyon Henderson: full-fledged workhorse
Season-high 88% of the snaps
24 touches (including 5 targets/catches)
93 yards and 3 TDs
Based on this role, he should be the first RB on the field even if Rhamondre Stevenson returns.
Broncos Backfield: RJ Harvey leads… but Jaleel McLaughlin steals the TDs
With JK Dobbins on IR:
RJ Harvey:
61% of the snaps
14 touches (including 3 targets/catches)
50 scoreless yards
1 carry inside the 10
Tyler Badie:
13% of the snaps
1 target (0 yards)
Jaleel McLaughlin:
13% of the snaps
7 touches (including 1 target/catch)
14 yards and 1 TD
2 carries inside the 10, 1 inside the 5
The Broncos head into their bye week, which gives Harvey two full weeks to entrench himself as the team’s RB1.
Woody Marks quietly stealing the important work
2 carries inside the 10
1 carry inside the 5
Nick Chubb: 0 such carries
Small sample, but notable. Marks is quietly getting the money touches that show up in box scores.
RB Situations You Should Probably Just Avoid
Dylan Sampson:
Played just 11% of the snaps
Back behind Jerome Ford (31%)
Jordan Mason:
Season-low 16% of the snaps
Simply can’t be trusted in lineups moving forward
Sometimes the best move is knowing when NOT to chase.
🎯 Wide Receiver Takeaways: Usage, Snap Shares & Depth Chart Shifts
Michael Wilson: Target hog with a plus Week 12 matchup
Caught 15 of 18 targets
185 yards in Week 11
Draws a soft matchup vs the Jaguars in Week 12
If Marvin Harrison remains out, Wilson has legit volume-based upside.
Jalen Coker vs Xavier Legette: both in play vs San Francisco
Jalen Coker:
68% of the snaps
4 of 4 targets for 52 scoreless yards
Xavier Legette:
55% of the snaps
4 of 8 targets
83 yards and 1 TD
Both get a friendly matchup vs the 49ers in Week 12, and both belong on the WR 4/flex radar, especially in deeper leagues.
Luther Burden: depth chart riser worth stashing
Played 44% of the snaps
Out-snapped Olamide Zaccheaus (13%)
Burden appears to be climbing the depth chart and has enough talent to be worth adding to your bench ahead of Week 12.
Jayden Higgins: quietly trending up with strong upcoming game environments
Played 61% of the snaps (more than Xavier Hutchinson at 53%)
5 of 7 targets for 55 yards in Week 11
Over the last 2 games:
14 targets
9 catches
97 yards
1 TD
With upcoming games vs the Bills, at the Colts, and at the Chiefs, Higgins could benefit from multiple pass-heavy game scripts and is worth a stash.
Bills WR Room: a dumpster fire of snaps
With Keon Coleman a healthy scratch, the Bills spread snaps across five WRs:
Khalil Shakir & Tyrell Shavers: 54%
Curtis Samuel & Josh Palmer: 50%
Gabe Davis: 41%
This is a usage nightmare for consistent fantasy value outside of Shakir. For most leagues, this is a lean-away situation until someone clearly separates.
Jets WR Room: chaos doesn’t help Justin Fields (or anyone)
The Jets’ WR snaps in Week 11:
John Metchie: 82%
Isaiah Williams: 74%
Adonai Mitchell: 49%
Mitchell earned 6 targets but caught just 1 for 10 yards. The one silver lining? A nice matchup with the Ravens is coming in Week 12, but it’s hard to trust anyone in this passing game right now.
Giants WRs without Darius Slayton: viable volume
With Slayton out, the Giants leaned on:
Wan’Dale Robinson: 97% of snaps
Isaiah Hodgins: 79% of snaps
Jalin Hyatt: 61% of snaps
Hodgins turned his role into 5 of 6 targets for 57 yards and now gets the Lions in Week 12. There’s flex value here in deeper formats.
Commanders WR rotation behind Deebo Samuel
Behind Deebo:
Chris Moore: 82%
Robbie Chosen: 36%
Jaylin Lane: 15%
Jacoby Jones: 16%
There’s a lot of rotation here and not much fantasy reliability. Great for cardio, not so much for your lineup.
Greg Dortch: back on the WR4/Flex map if MHJ is out again
68% of the snaps
6 of 6 targets
66 yards and 1 TD
If Marvin Harrison remains out in Week 12, Dortch will land on the WR4/flex radar in a friendly matchup vs the Jaguars.
Role Increases: Jakobi Meyers, Rashid Shaheed, Tim Patrick, Cedric Wilson
Jakobi Meyers:
Jumped from 44% snaps in Week 11 to 65% in Week 12, his second game with the Jaguars.
Rashid Shaheed:
Jumped from 34% snaps in Week 11 to 54% in Week 12, his second game with Seattle.
Tim Patrick:
Played 58% of the snaps vs Dyami Brown’s 27%, suggesting Patrick has passed Brown on the Jaguars depth chart.
Cedric Wilson:
Played 30% of the snaps, slightly more than Nick Westbrook-Ikhine at 27%.
Could be emerging as the new WR3 in Miami.
All four are worth monitoring in deeper leagues and best ball.
DeAndre Hopkins, Tylan Wallace, Demarcus Robinson, Troy Franklin, Christian Watson, and Atlanta without Drake London
With Rashod Bateman out:
DeAndre Hopkins: 69% of snaps
Tylan Wallace: 43%
Neither did much of note statistically, but the roles are clear.
Demarcus Robinson:
Played 49% of the snaps vs Kendrick Bourne’s 24%, suggesting Robinson has leapfrogged him for the WR3 role in San Francisco.
Troy Franklin:
Saw 8 targets, catching 4 for 84 yards in Week 11.
Somehow still available in 41% of Yahoo leagues.
With the Broncos on bye in Week 12, he’s a perfect stash now, start later type.
Drake London will miss Week 12 (and possibly longer), freeing up 10+ targets:
Darnell Mooney becomes the obvious WR1 in Atlanta.
Behind him: David Sills (56% of snaps in Week 11), KhaDarel Hodge (9%), and Casey Washington (5%).
Christian Watson:
Led Packers WRs with 78% of the snaps
4 of 5 targets for 46 yards and 2 TDs
That kind of role plus scoring upside keeps him squarely in every-week WR3/flex territory with spike-week upside.
🧵 Tight End Takeaways: Volume, Roles, and Late-Season Streamers
Brock Wright: LaPorta’s replacement in name, not yet in production
With Sam LaPorta on IR:
Brock Wright:
Played 83% of the snaps
Saw 7 targets
But caught only 2 for 8 yards
The volume is intriguing, especially at a gross position like TE, but he’s more of a desperation streamer until efficiency improves.
Dawson Knox: Kincaid’s fill-in with limited result
With Dalton Kincaid out:
Dawson Knox:
Played 77% of the snaps
Caught 1 of 3 targets for 23 scoreless yards
Role is solid, production is not. Back-end TE2 streamer at best.
Colston Loveland: quietly involved alongside Cole Kmet
Cole Kmet: 79% of snaps
Colston Loveland: 75% of snaps
Loveland: 3 of 4 targets for 40 yards
Loveland’s snap share and routes are worth tracking as we head into fantasy playoffs.
Luke Musgrave buried, AJ Barner erupts
Luke Musgrave: just 35% of the snaps
Behind John FitzPatrick (64%) and Josh Whyle (36%)
AJ Barner:
Had seen 4 or fewer targets in 8 of his first 9 games
Suddenly erupted for 10 catches on 11 targets for 70 scoreless yards
Barner’s usage spike isn’t something you ignore. He immediately moves onto the streaming radar at a brutal position.
Dalton Schultz: the model of TE volume consistency
Saw 9 targets in Week 11
Caught 6 for 51 yards
Has 5+ targets in 8 of 10 games
Has 8+ targets in 4 of his last 5
Schultz is one of the safest volume bets at TE and should be locked into lineups unless you’re absurdly stacked.
🏁 Turn These Takeaways into Week 12 Wins
All of these fantasy football Week 11 takeaways are useful, but they become truly dangerous when you plug them into:
Weekly projections
Matchup writeups
Start/sit decisions
DFS stacks and leverage spots
That’s exactly what I build for you in Week Winner every single week.
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