Carolina Panthers DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps) popped up on the Week 12 injury report and missed practice on Friday with a quad injury. The Panthers listed him as questionable to play in Sunday's contest against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. Given the fact that the 23-year-old's injury occurred in the final practice of the week, he may be on the wrong side of questionable for this weekend. The good news for the Panthers is that veteran Adam Thielen (hamstring), although also listed as questionable, is expected to play against KC for the first time since Week 3. If Coker plays, he won't be a recommended flex play in deep fantasy leagues with the return of Thielen. Coker has caught 17 of his 26 targets for 263 yards and one TD in his first seven NFL games. If he's ruled out on Sunday, David Moore would be in line to serve as Carolina's WR3.

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle is one of the lone healthy players on the offense heading into Week 13. Despite Dallas' struggles running the ball behind a young offensive line, Dowdle grades as a flex option this week against a Washington defense that surrenders the sixth-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Dowdle could see even more touches than usual if star receiver CeeDee Lamb (back, foot) misses Sunday's tilt, making him a high-end flex option. His ceiling is limited due to Dallas' offensive struggles, but Dowdle should be started in most formats with loads of byes across the league.

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (hamstring) and tight end Tommy Tremble (back) will play this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Mike Kaye of The Observer. Thielen has been on the injured reserve since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 3 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Tremble has been held out of action for the past two weeks. Fantasy managers should expect Thielen to operate as a full-time option in a young Carolina receiving room. Tremble should be expected to split time with rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders. Theilen could be worth a look as a low-end flex option in deeper formats, as the Panthers will likely be trailing against the Chiefs, while Tremble should be left out of all lineups given his uncertain playing time.UPDATE: Thielen is listed as questionable but is expected to play on Sunday.

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is set to make his NFL debut this weekend against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to David Newton of ESPN. The second-round selection in this year's NFL draft has been sidelined all season due to suffering a torn ACL last November during his final season at Texas. Brooks was able to log three consecutive full practice sessions this week, which suggests he may be given a solid workload in his NFL debut. However, the 21-year-old will likely split time with presumed No.1 option Chuba Hubbard during the remainder of the season, limiting each other's fantasy ceiling. For now, fantasy managers should still view Hubbard as a solid RB2, with Brooks projecting it as a low-end flex option, facing a tough Kansas City run defense.UPDATE: Brooks is listed as questionable but is expected to play on Sunday.

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) is well on his way to making his NFL debut this weekend against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Brooks put in another day of full practice on Thursday and is fully expected to be the backup to lead back Chuba Hubbard in Week 12. The 21-year-old also practiced in full before the Week 10 win over the New York Giants in Germany, but the Panthers held him out as a precaution going into their bye. Because Brooks will take a back seat to Hubbard in his debut, he won't be a realistic starting fantasy option in his debut. However, the former Texas RB and first RB off the board in this year's draft has plenty of long-term upside in Carolina and will at least be a worthwhile handcuff for those that have Hubbard the rest of the season. Miles Sanders (ankle) is expected to sit out this weekend and could be the RB3 when he's healthy.