Who Should I Start? Adam Thielen or Alexander Mattison

Thursday, November 21, 3:10 PM

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) was limited in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday as he looks to make his return to game-day action this Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs for the first time since injuring his hamstring in Week 3. Thielen was activated from Injured Reserve during the team's bye week, but he's still not in the clear to return for Week 12. An upgrade to a full practice session on Friday could do the trick. The 34-year-old veteran expects to play against KC, although the Panthers could monitor his workload on Sunday if that's the case given his long layoff. When he's fully up to speed, though, Thielen should be one of quarterback Bryce Young's top targets opposite rookie Xavier Legette. Thielen is worth stashing for WR depth in deeper leagues, but he's trending as a shaky fantasy play against a tough Chiefs defense if he's active on Sunday.

Thursday, November 21, 7:50 PM

Las Vegas Raiders running backs Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quadriceps) both missed practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. Unless one or both of them return to practice on Friday, the Raiders could be heading into Sunday's divisional contest against the visiting Denver Broncos with Ameer Abdullah and rookie Dylan Laube as their top backs against a top-five defense. No matter how you slice it, having any Raiders RB in your starting lineup this week in a bad matchup isn't ideal, but with six teams on bye in Week 12, it might be necessary for some. The Raiders could get Laube much more involved, but probably only if both Mattison and White sit out. In last week's loss to the Miami Dolphins, Abdullah had one carry for one yard and caught three passes for 16 yards and his second TD of the season. He'll be no better than an RB3/flex if Mattison and White are inactive.