Chicago Bears tight end Martellus Bennett has been ruled out for Thursday's game against the Green Bay Packers, according to Brad Biggs of the Chicago Tribune.
Martellus Bennett ruled out for Thursday’s game, fantasy owners need a backup plan
The Bears will have to take on the NFC North leaders shorthanded on Thursday night. We break down the fantasy implications.
Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports
Bennett is dealing with a rib injury, although it is not known when it took place. The injury was reported on Monday when Bennett sat out practice, but the veteran tight end played in every snap during Week 11's loss to the Denver Broncos and got a limited session in on Tuesday. Despite an important divisional game on the horizon for Week 12, the Bears are opting to keep Bennett out of action.
Fantasy impact: Eddie Royal is also out, which could mean that the Bears pepper Alshon Jeffery with as many targets as he can handle on Thursday night. The Packers offense struggled in recent weeks, but found its footing against a talented Vikings defense in Week 11, indicating that the Bears could be in for a long night of playing catch-up. If that's the case, it's even more reason for optimism regarding Jeffery's fantasy prospects.
Zach Miller will start in place of Bennett, and is s sneaky streaming option against a Packers defense that has allowed touchdowns to tight ends in three straight weeks. Miller is a middling TE2 for owners in need at the position, and Bennett's owners will hope to get him back in 10 days for Week 13.
