UPDATE: 11:28 p.m. Friday The quarterback shortage for this weekend has gotten a bit worse with news that San Francisco’s Brock Purdy will miss Sunday’s game against Green Bay because of an injured shoulder. And there are indications that he might not be healthy for Week 13, either. So it’s probably a good idea to check out our free-agent shopping list from Wednesday’s posting. The Raiders will be even more of a mess this week as their top two running backs, Zamir White and former Viking Alexander Mattison, are doubtful. That makes third-stringer Ameer Abdullah a barely tolerable replacement option. Also ruled out: Philly wideout Devonta Smtih, who has been almost non-existent over the past couple of weeks, anyway. ORIGINAL POST: 9:00 a.m. Wednesday Every fantasy league on the planet has two anxious owners this week: the folks depending on the Bills’ Josh Allen and the Bengals’ Joe Burrow. The first week of a two-part Bye Hell is upon us, and two of the league’s top quarterbacks will be watching Red Zone this week along with you. So fantasy mavens heading to the waiver wire for a one-week replacement will see one name jump out at them: Heisman Trophy winner Caleb Williams. The Chicago QB has underwhelmed this season, with just 2016 yards and nine TDs in the first 10 games. But he ran for a career-high 70 yards last week against Green Bay for new offensive coordinator Thomas Brown. This is a must win for the Bears if they entertain any hopes of sneaking into the final NFC wild card slot. And they’re facing a Vikings team that is 26th in the league in pass defense, surrendering 235 yards per game. A deficiency they’ve covered up well thanks to Brian Flores’ blitzing. Here are other waiver wire options who could pay off big this weekend: Anthony Richardson (Colts): The sophomore’s benching is over after he led Indy past the Jets with one touchdown pass and two TD runs. He could post great numbers in what looks to be an offensive shootout against the NFC-leading Lions. Quarterback Anthony Richardson #5 of the Indianapolis Colts holds off Isaiah Oliver #23 of the New York Jets as he scrambles during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) Drake Maye (Patriots): It’s a rematch against the Dolphins, who the Pats likely would have beaten last month in Foxborough if they started Maye instead of Jacoby Brissett. In six games as the No. 1, Maye has nine TD passes and has averaged a little over 200 yards per game. Drake Maye #10 of the New England Patriots throws a pass against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on Nov. 10, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) Bo NIx (Broncos): This week’s foe Las Vegas stinks, but Nix does not. The former Oregon Duck is clearly the No. 2 rookie QB. He has totalled 14 TD passes and four scoring runs, and he’s averaging about 260 yards per game over the past four weeks. Bo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos looks to pass in the first quarter of a game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Nov. 10, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by David Eulitt/Getty Images) Cooper Rush (Cowboys): Lost amid the Dallas Dumpster Fire is the capable play of their No. 2 QB. He proved to be one of the NFL’s best backups, heading into the season with a 5-1 mark in place of Dak Prescott. And he threw for 354 yards against Houston on Monday night. Cooper Rush #10 of the Dallas Cowboys stiff arms Tim Settle Jr. #98 of the Houston Texans during the second quarter in the game at AT&T Stadium on Nov. 18, 2024 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images) Sitting stars San Francisco RB Christian McCaffrey is nowhere near 100 percent; he certainly won’t be the top runner this week in Green Bay. … Aaron Jones is getting less valuable as the Vikings turn more to Cam Akers. … The Loop is tired of waiting for Titans RB Tony Pollard to have a big game, and he won’t in Houston. … Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt might be OK against the Panthers, but he’s soon to be replaced by a mended Isiah Pacheco. … Receivers we’re cool on this week include the Bears’ Keenan Allen against the Vikings and Miami’s Jaylen Waddle against New England. … Rams QB Matthew Stafford will be kept mostly in check by the Eagles. … And neither elderly quarterback is worth starting in Thursday night’s Browns-Steelers game: Russell Wison or Jameis Winston. Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Leonard Williams #99 of the Seattle Seahawks in the first quarter of a gameat Levi’s Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) Matchup game Houston’s Joe Mixon ran over, around and through Dallas on Monday night, and Washington’s Brian Robinson Jr. will do the same Sunday. … We’re personally tired of Bears RB Roschon Johnson vulturing TDs near the goal line, but he likely will again against the Vikings … Sunday could also be the day that Bears WR Rome Odunze breaks out … The not-unbeaten Chiefs will rebound strong, so we’re espcially betting on WR Xavier Worthy. … Packers WR Christian Watson will stay hot against the 49ers. … Two second-tier tight ends will pay off again: the Dolphins’ Jonnu Smith vs. the Patriots and the Commanders’ Zach Ertz against the Cowboys. … And the most underrated quarterback, Seattle’s Geno Smith, will post more good numbers against Arizona. Brian Robinson Jr. #8 of the Washington Commanders celebrates after a gain against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on Nov. 14, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) Injury watch There are remarkably few major injuries in Week 11, though do we have a personal interest in the healing status of former Vikings RB Alexander Mattison. The list of questionables includes one quarterback (49ers’ Brock Purdy), a couple of running backs (Titans’ Tyjae Spears, Panthers’ Jonathan Brooks), four receivers (Bucs’ Mike Evans, Vikings’ Jordan Addison, Browns’ Elijah Moore, Panthers’ Adam Thielen) and a slew of tight ends (49ers’ George Kittle, Browns’ David Njoku, Lions’ Sam LaPorta, Cowboys’ Jake Ferguson, Seahawks’ Noah Fant). Jevon Holland #8 of the Miami Dolphins tackles Alexander Mattison #22 of the Las Vegas Raiders in the fourth quarter of a game at Hard Rock Stadium on Nov. 17, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Rich Storry/Getty Images) Deepest sleeper Sure, a 98-yard touchdown reception will get you noticed, but Tennessee’s Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has been compiling some nice numbers under the radar. Over the past six weeks, he has 25 catches for 256 yards and five TDs. He won’t set any records with Mayonnaise Man Will Levis throwing the pigskin. But Westbrook-Ikhine IS a former Indiana standout, and this does appear to be the Hoosiers’ year. Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (15) catches the ball and runs for a 98 yard touchdown as Minnesota Vikings safety Joshua Metellus (44) defends on the play during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne) The Thursday pick Steelers at Browns (+3½): Pick: Steelers by 7 TreDavious White #25 of the Baltimore Ravens breaks up a pass to George Pickens #14 of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half on Nov. 17, 2024 at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on Twitter — @theloopnow. He can be reached at [email protected]. Related Articles Minnesota Vikings | The Loop NFL Picks: Week 12 Minnesota Vikings | The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 11: Last-minute moves Minnesota Vikings | The Loop NFL Picks: Week 11 Minnesota Vikings | The Loop Fantasy Football Update Week 10: Last-minute moves Minnesota Vikings | The Loop NFL Picks: Week 10