Writing about the seemingly doomed Ravens-Steelers game in yesterday's preview, I said the only member of Baltimore's passing game I was interested in was tight end Mark Andrews. That's what I get: Andrews was the latest big-name Raven to test positive for COVID-19. If this game ends up being played on Tuesday, Andrews won't be part of it.
All the good feelings we've had about the way the NFL season was doggedly pressing forward in the midst of a pandemic are being chipped away at for Week 12. The Ravens won't have a whole lot of their top players (and it's only Sunday; there's ample more time for others to be ruled out before Tuesday night). The Broncos won't have a quarterback. There will be at least a couple of ugly games on tap.
Those of you playing in leagues on myfantasyleague or ESPN (perhaps Yahoo and CBS Sportsline too) now have the option of adding Bronco Kendall Hinton. He's the practice squad wide receiver who was a college quarterback, and is Denver's only available sort-of quarterback with all of their actual quarterbacks officially ruled out of today's game against New Orleans. But on myfantasyleague and ESPN, he was added to their player pool as a quarterback. The appeal would have been being able to start him as a wide receiver or in a flex spot, as was possible with Taysom Hill last week. As a quarterback, really unlikely he'll be a top 25 option.
Baltimore-Pittsburgh is still on. The NFL wants to get this game in so they don't have to weeks onto the end of the schedule. At some point, you wonder a little if the Ravens will forfeit, or have to forfeit, as they now have 20-plus player on their reserve-COVID list. Among the many problems with a forfeit are the fact that it doesn't only hurt the Ravens, it hurts AFC teams chasing Pittsburgh for the top seed in the playoffs. But I'm increasingly pessimistic about this game actually being played on Tuesday. I went around my various leagues last night benching or replacing any players from this game I have rostered. No inside information, just seems unrealistic to think the positive tests won't keep coming over the next couple of days.
The Eagles have been giving expanded reps in practice to Jalen Hurts, at the expense of Carson Wentz. Eagles play the Seahawks tomorrow night. Those hoping to use Wentz should keep this in mind; might come off the field for more snaps than usual.
Austin Ekeler is expected to play for the Chargers, while Kalen Ballage is not. Ekeler should lead the Los Angeles backfield in touches this week.
Julio Jones (hamstring) is not expected to play today. Calvin Ridley should be heavily targeted, while Christian Blake, Russell Gage and Olamide Zaccheaus should see a few more looks (but risky counting on good numbers from any but Ridley).
Other major developments that crop up in the next couple of hours will be posted in the comments below.
--Andy Richardson