Hunter Long

It doesn't matter for fantasy managers now that Brenton Strange is back, but Long should help the Jaguars as a blocker against the Titans.

Strange makes his return from injured reserve against a Cardinals defense that enters Week 12 having allowed the 12th-most receiving yards (617) to opposing tight ends. Players returning from lengthy, injury-induced absences make for risky starts. Strange could be a tad rusty, and the Jaguars' pass-catching corps looks quite a bit different than it did when he last played, in Week 5. Strange must be viewed as a highly volatile fantasy option this week. The Jaguars declared WR Brian Thomas Jr., CB Jourdan Lewis, RB Cody Schrader, EDGE Travon Walker, LB Yasir Abdullah, OL Anton Harrison and TE Hunter Long inactive for Week 12 against the Cardinals.

We'd bet that Strange remains out after three limited sessions this week given that there's still time remaining on his 21-day window and the Jaguars weren't inclined to push it last week. But if he did somehow find himself active, he'd be a high-end TE2 due to re-injury risk in what projects as a nice game script for the Jaguars. Hunter Long (hip/knee) was also ruled out after three limited sessions, leaving blocker Johnny Mundt as the starter if Strange can't go.

Ankle injury Jaguars rule out RT Anton Harrison (knee/ankle), CB Jourdan Lewis (neck), TE Brenton Strange (hip/quad) and TE Hunter Long (hip/knee) for Chargers. WR Brian Thomas Jr. (ankle) is questionable. Likely replacements are Cole Van Lanen at RT and Montaric Brown at CB (Michael DiRocco on X) FF Today's Take: Thomas injured his ankle in Week 9 and missed last week's game against the Texans. He's now listed as questionable for Week 11 against the Chargers after getting in limited practice sessions all week. He should be considered a gametime decision until we get and update on his status.

He was a surprise DNP on Friday as well. Strange is still in his 21-day window so there's no need to push it if he's not going to play this week. Hunter Long (hip/knee) was also ruled out today, leaving Johnny Mundt as the primary Jaguars tight end in Week 11.