Jacoby Brissett, QB, Arizona Cardinals: Brissett is available in more than 75 percent of ESPN leagues and 65 percent in Yahoo formats. If he is still available in your league, he needs to be rostered immediately. Brissett completed an NFL-record 47 passes in the blowout loss to the 49ers, throwing for 452 yards and two touchdowns. Since taking over the starting role in Week 6, Brissett has finished as QB7, QB12, QB10, QB10 and QB3. You cannot expect him to complete 47 passes each week, but the Cardinals are going to be trailing often and Brissett is going to sling it. The Jaguars’ suspect defense is up next, and if you are looking ahead, the Falcons and Bengals are due up in the fantasy playoffs.
Sean Tucker, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: I was asked about Tucker last week and shrugged it off because the playing time did not match the production. That changed in Week 11. The Calvert Hall alum was phenomenal on Sunday, accounting for 140 yards and three touchdowns. Bucky Irving returned to practice last week, so Tucker’s time as the lead back is limited. But until Irving is active, Tucker needs to be rostered.
Emanuel Wilson, RB, Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs was kept out of action by a knee injury on Sunday, and Wilson stepped in with 11 carries for 40 yards and a score. The severity of Jacobs’ injury is unknown, but Wilson is the clear back to own if Jacobs does miss extended time. Jacobs is fifth in the NFL in rushing attempts and second in rushing touchdowns. Wilson is a priority pickup, especially for Jacobs owners.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers: Gainwell is another back seeing increased opportunities with a teammate banged up. Jaylen Warren suffered an ankle injury against the Bengals on Sunday, and while he was able to return, Gainwell stepped up. Gainwell finished with just nine carries for 24 yards, but he also had seven receptions for 81 yards and two scores. Warren’s status for Week 12 is up in the air, potentially putting Gainwell in line for increased carries. Gainwell has been one of the handcuffs I have been highlighting for weeks. He showed why.
Chris Rodriguez, RB, Washington Commanders: Tucker, Wilson and Gainwell are getting extended looks because of injury. That is not the case for the Commanders, who have given Rodriguez the role of lead back with Jacory Croskey-Merritt hitting the rookie wall. Rodriguez led Commanders backs in snaps and touches, rushing 15 times for 79 yards. Washington is on a bye this week, so you will have to wait a week to play Rodriguez.
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers: The Packers have been hit hard by injuries in recent weeks, but Watson has made an impact since returning from a knee injury. Watson is back to being a home-run threat for Green Bay, hauling in four of five passes for 46 yards and two touchdowns. When the Packers need a big play, they are looking in Watson’s direction.
Michael Wilson, WR, Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr. missed Sunday’s action after needing surgery for appendicitis, and Wilson put up numbers Harrison owners hope come his way whenever he returns. Wilson caught 15 of 18 targets for 185 yards, the most receiving yards for any player this season. This could be a one-week wonder if Harrison comes back to action in Week 12, but Wilson was Brissett’s top option against the 49ers on Sunday. Receiver-needy teams must add Wilson, who is a must-start as long as Harrison is out.
Top Handcuffs (Rostered in less than 50 percent of leagues)
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears
Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams
Brian Robinson Jr., San Francisco 49ers
Tank Bigsby, Philadelphia Eagles
Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins
Emanuel Wilson. Green Bay Packers
Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns