December 30, 2025
Out of nowhere, Buffalo Bills veteran wide receiver
Brandin Cooks led the team in receiving yards (101) while catching four of his six targets in the Week 17 loss to the visiting Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The Bills needed someone to step up in the passing attack with tight end
Dalton Kincaid (knee) out due to injury and receiver
Keon Coleman being a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old Cooks hooked up with quarterback
Josh Allen a few times deep down the field and averaged a healthy 25.3 yards per reception in his fifth game with the team. In the first four games with Buffalo, Cooks had only one catch on five targets for one yard. Although Cooks may be more of a long shot to replicate his production from Week 17 going forward, he might have done enough to secure a bigger role going into the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Jets and into the postseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Marquez Valdes-Scantling figures to be heavily targeted again in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, with
DK Metcalf suspended one more game. In Sunday's upset loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, Valdes-Scantling drew a season-high nine targets, hauling in three of them for a mediocre 21 receiving yards. The 31-year-old veteran pass-catcher has only five catches on 14 targets for 46 yards and one touchdown in his four games since joining Pittsburgh. MVS hasn't really been on the same page as quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, and his target share could be affected if
Calvin Austin III (hamstring) returns in a must-win Week 18 contest that will decide the winner of the AFC North. At best, Valdes-Scantling will be a deep-league dart throw as a WR5/flex versus Baltimore this weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins center Connor Dewar (undisclosed) will be available for Tuesday's tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 26-year-old left Monday's practice early but is set to remain on the fourth line against Carolina. On Sunday, Dewar ended a seven-game scoreless spell with an assist in a 7-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. During the season, he has contributed six goals and six assists in 37 outings, while averaging nearly two hits per game. His 69 hits rank second on the team behind Parker Wotherspoon. The Penguins average the fewest hits in the league, so having Dewar available against a tough divisional rival will be important. However, Dewar does not hold any fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 30, 2025
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Cleveland Browns have done some "preliminary research" for a potential coaching change following the 2025 season, although that doesn't mean they are locked into firing head coach Kevin Stefanski on Black Monday. Fowler also mentions the Las Vegas Raiders as another team that could be looking to move on from head coach Pete Carroll after just one season. Heading into a Week 18 regular-season finale this weekend against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, the Browns are in last place in the AFC North with a 4-12 record. It comes a year after a 3-14 finish. Even after signing a contract extension with the Browns 19 months ago and just upsetting the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers, the organization could choose to go in another direction after Stefanski's six tumultuous seasons in Cleveland.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
December 30, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev (lower body) was placed on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. He is set to miss at least three games due to a lower-body injury, starting with Tuesday's clash against the New Jersey Devils. This is unfortunate news, as Tanev had just returned from a seven-week injury layoff. He made three appearances before suffering a new injury setback. Health issues have limited the veteran rearguard to 11 outings this season. He has logged two assists and 15 hits with a plus-eight rating. Simon Benoit will come back into the lineup as Tanev's replacement on Tuesday. Although Benoit leads all Maple Leafs defensemen with 81 hits, he doesn't have fantasy value due to his lack of offensive ability.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 30, 2025
Los Angeles Rams rookie tight end
Terrance Ferguson will head into the Week 18 regular-season finale this weekend against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals as a legitimate streaming option at tight end for fantasy football managers. The 22-year-old found the end zone for the second straight contest in the Monday night loss to the Atlanta Falcons, catching two of his four targets for a season-high 54 yards and the trip to paydirt. In last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, he had three catches on four targets for 33 yards and his second score of the season. Ferguson's touchdown reception in Week 17 was a 27-yard strike from quarterback
Matthew Stafford when he was left all alone in the back of the end zone.
Colby Parkinson remains heavily involved -- he outsnapped Ferguson 51 to 32 and caught six passes for 53 yards -- but Ferguson could certainly find the end zone for a third straight week this Sunday against Arizona.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 30, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Dakota Joshua (kidney) won't play on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils. He faces a multi-game absence after suffering a kidney injury on Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings. Joshua remains in Detroit and is under observation. "Whether he took a hit or went into the boards, it's his kidney ... so we got to see where he's at, too," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said Tuesday. The team placed Joshua on Injured Reserve ahead of Tuesday's game, meaning he will sit out at least three games. Toronto is dealing with several injury issues in the attacking department, which may give players like Bobby McMann, Nicholas Robertson, and Mattias Maccelli a chance to play larger roles.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 30, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers are choosing to rest starting quarterback
Justin Herbert for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday in Denver against the division-rival Broncos, which opens the door for backup
Trey Lance to make his first start of the season. Head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed on Monday that Lance will start against the Broncos and their strong defense. The 25-year-old former third overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers back in 2021 out of North Dakota State will be making just his sixth start in the NFL. There is an opportunity for Lance, but we won't be expecting much from him in his first start of the year for various reasons. For one, the Chargers' banged-up offensive line is unlikely to be able to protect him consistently against a Broncos D that leads the league in sacks. Additionally, the Bolts could be resting other key offensive skill players besides Herbert. Lance should be considered a desperation low-end QB2 in superflex leagues this weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
December 30, 2025
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault will start Tuesday's matchup against the Florida Panthers. He hasn't seen NHL action since Dec. 9. It has been a tough campaign for Montembeault, who has registered a horrible .857 save percentage while allowing 3.65 goals. The 29-year-old carries a 5-6-1 record. Recently, Montembeault had a conditioning stint in the AHL, finishing with a 0-2-0 record, a 2.53 goals-against average, and a .904 save percentage. It will take a brave manager to trust Montembeault against the back-to-back champions, who have averaged nearly four goals per game (3.92) during a 9-3-0 run.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 30, 2025
The Los Angeles Angels and third baseman
Anthony Rendon agreed to restructure the rest of his contract on Tuesday, a league source told Sam Blum of The Athletic. The agreement will allow the 35-year-old Rendon to retire with one year left on his contract. He is owed the $38 million for the final year of his seven-year, $245 million deal, and the Angels will pay out that money over the next three to five years to free up significant cash for the club to pursue high-profile free agents in 2026. A second hip surgery caused Rendon to miss all of 2025. He will remain on the roster next year, but he's likely to be placed on the 60-day injured list at the outset of spring training. In six years with the Halos, Rendon appeared in just 257 of a possible 1,032 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Sam Blum
December 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (illness) will play Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. It was unclear if Karlsson would be available after he missed Monday's practice due to illness. The former Norris Trophy winner has scored only one point in his past five appearances. Still, it has been a fine campaign for Karlsson, who has totaled 26 points (three goals, 23 assists) in 37 appearances. Karlsson leads the Penguins in average ice time with 23:55, and nothing suggests he will have a reduced workload Tuesday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
December 30, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (lower body) will miss a second consecutive game on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. He remains day-to-day after suffering a lower-body injury in Saturday's win over the Ottawa Senators. Auston Matthews (lower body) is a game-time call and could join Nylander on the sidelines Tuesday night. If that's the case, players like Nicholas Robertson, Scott Laughton, and Bobby McMann will have additional fantasy value. Nylander's next chance to play will come on Thursday night against the Winnipeg Jets.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
December 30, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (lower body) is a game-time decision on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. The Maple Leafs captain sustained a lower-body injury while blocking a shot during Sunday's matchup against the Detroit Red Wings. Toronto's frontline has already been without William Nylander (lower body), and losing Matthews would be another bad blow. If Matthews can't play on Tuesday, John Tavares would assume first-line center duties, while Nicholas Roy and Scott Laughton could also see increased ice time. Tavares has begun to heat up with a three-game point streak, and a spot on the first line would make him an even more attractive fantasy target.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 30, 2025
Washington Wizards guard/forward
Corey Kispert (hamstring) will not be ready to return when the Wizards take on the Bucks on Wednesday. It has been a rough few months for Kispert, who missed 10 games with a thumb injury and then played only 13 minutes before leaving with hamstring tightness in his first game back. This will be his fourth straight game sidelined with his new injury, but the 26-year-old remains day-to-day. While he's out,
Justin Champagnie and
Tre Johnson should continue to get more minutes and usage, especially on Wednesday, when
Kyshawn George (hip) is also out.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
December 30, 2025
Free-agent right-handed reliever
Kirby Yates and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, pending a physical, a source told Ari Alexander. Yates will stay in L.A. after spending the 2025 campaign with the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, where he went 4-3 with a 5.23 ERA (4.76 FIP), 1.33 WHIP, three saves, 52 strikeouts, and 17 walks in 41 1/3 innings out of the bullpen during the regular season. It was a disappointing year for the 38-year-old veteran after he recorded a 1.17 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 33 saves the year prior with the Texas Rangers. Yates is no spring chicken, but he could bounce back to better results in 2026 and will be in the mix for more saves next season in an Angels bullpen that lost
Kenley Jansen in free agency. Yates' primary competition for saves next season will come from the oft-injured
Robert Stephenson and veteran lefty
Drew Pomeranz.
--Keith HernandezSource: Ari Alexander
December 30, 2025
Washington Wizards forward
Kyshawn George (hip) will miss a third straight game while dealing with a hip flexor injury when his team visits the Bucks on New Year's Eve. George is averaging 15.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game in 31.9 minutes per game in his second season in the NBA. Without him on Wednesday,
Khris Middleton and
Tre Johnson will likely get more work against Milwaukee, and Johnson has been surging lately and is coming off 24 points on Monday against the Suns. For as long as George is out, Johnson will be an intriguing streamer and DFS option for Washington, since he can be such an effective scorer when given minutes.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
December 30, 2025
ESPN's Josh Weinfuss writes that there's an outside chance that if both head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort are fired, the new regime will decide to run it back with Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray (foot). If the Cardinals decide to move on from Murray, who didn't play at all in 2025 after spraining his foot back in Week 5, they will likely bring veteran
Jacoby Brissett back on the second year of his two-year deal while drafting a signal-caller. The Cardinals should be able to pick one of three young QBs in next year's draft among Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, Oregon's Dante Moore, or Alabama's Ty Simpson. The Cardinals have taken a liking to the 6-foot-2 Simpson, who is known as a pocket passer. But if Arizona decides to trade down in the first round or wait until the second round to take a QB, they could look at Miami's
Carson Beck or LSU's Garrett Nussmeier.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
December 30, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward
Vince Williams Jr. (knee) is out for Tuesday's game against the 76ers, making it six straight games the versatile contributor has missed with this lingering left knee injury. Since
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (hamstring) is also out, there will be even more time available on the wings for
Cedric Coward and
Jaylen Wells, as the Grizzlies look to fill in for KCP and Williams. The next chance for Williams to get back on the floor will be Friday against the Lakers.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
December 30, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback
Baker Mayfield (knee, shoulder) is on the team's Week 18 injury report with multiple injuries and was listed as limited in the first practice of the week on Tuesday, according to Brianna Dix of Buccaneers.com. Mayfield injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder earlier this season, but now he's dealing with an injury to his throwing arm heading into a must-win Week 18 divisional game this Saturday against the Carolina Panthers. The 30-year-old veteran will almost certainly play this weekend, but he certainly hasn't looked 100% in a long while. Mayfield's fortunes haven't turned around recently as the Bucs have gotten healthy on offense, and he's averaging just 222.5 passing yards with six touchdowns and six turnovers in the last four games. At best, Mayfield will be a low-end QB1 option as he plays for the NFC South title this weekend against Carolina.
--Keith HernandezSource: Buccaneers.com - Brianna Dix
December 30, 2025
Detroit Pistons guard
Caris LeVert (knee) was downgraded from doubtful to out on Tuesday afternoon before his team faces the Lakers in Los Angeles. He sustained the injury on Sunday in the third quarter against the Clippers. At this point, it's just being described as "soreness," so it may not be a long-term issue. On Tuesday, though, without LeVert in the second unit, both
Jaden Ivey and
Javonte Green will likely get more playing time. Levert's next chance to return will be Thursday against Miami.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
December 30, 2025
Sacramento Kings forward
Keegan Murray (calf) was originally questionable but was upgraded to available for Tuesday's matchup against the Clippers. He was expected to miss a week when the injury was initially announced last Friday, but he's ahead of schedule and will be back on the floor this Tuesday. Murray is averaging 14.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.5 steals in 37.1 minutes per game in his 15 games this season. His return will likely push
Keon Ellis back to the bench, but it's a big upgrade for the Kings' offense as a whole. Like the Kings, get Murray back into your lineups for Tuesday's game, and be excited that he was able to recover ahead of schedule.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
December 30, 2025
Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback
Cameron Ward, the first overall pick back in April, has completed 59.6% of his passes for 3,117 yards, 15 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in his first year in the NFL. He's added 148 rushing yards and a score while also fumbling a league-high 11 times (losing seven). Ward's 79.8 passer rating ranks 26th out of 27 qualifying QBs. He's been sacked 55 times, tied for the most in the NFL. The 23-year-old came into the NFL with a sharp learning curve after spending most of his college career in an Air Raid system. Ward has made some wow plays with his strong arm, but "there are some around the NFL who are concerned his accuracy will have a ceiling if he doesn't refine his mechanics," according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe. Ward's scrambling ability can help him compensate for some of it, but in the long term, he could be inconsistent if he doesn't clean up his mechanics.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Jeff Howe
December 30, 2025
Denver Nuggets center
Nikola Jokic seems to have avoided major injury, but he will still be out for at least a month. After leaving Monday's game against Miami, Jokic was diagnosed with a hyperextension in his left knee. While he will miss at least four weeks, tests show that his knee ligaments are intact. Jokic will be the fourth Nuggets' starter sidelined, since
Christian Braun (ankle),
Aaron Gordon (hamstring), and
Cameron Johnson (knee) are already dealing with injury. Jokic could return towards the end of January or early in February before the All-Star break, although it depends on how his recovery progresses.
Jonas Valanciunas will be the primary replacement for Jokic, and the veteran should be a solid contributor for as long as Jokic is out.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Shams Charania
December 30, 2025
The Buffalo Bills announced on Tuesday that they re-signed wide receiver/return specialist
Mecole Hardman to their practice squad. The Bills will reunite with Hardman after cutting him over the weekend. The 27-year-old has appeared in only two games with Buffalo this year and hasn't caught a pass on just one target. On special teams, he returned a kickoff 61 yards and recorded four yards on two punt returns. There's no guarantee that Hardman will be elevated to the active 53-man roster again for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival New York Jets or for the postseason. If Hardman does see action for the Bills again, it will most likely only come via a special-teams role.
--Keith HernandezSource: Buffalo Bills PR
December 30, 2025
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones hinted on 105.3 The Fan on Tuesday that rookie running back
Jaydon Blue could get some snaps on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants in the Week 18 regular-season finale, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. The Cowboys have nothing left to play for but pride, and fellow RBs
Javonte Williams (shoulder) and
Malik Davis (eye) are banged up, potentially leading to Blue playing for the first time since Week 8. The 21-year-old has only seen action in four games in 2025 in his first year in the NFL, carrying the ball 22 times for 65 yards while adding one catch for a five-yard gain. The Cowboys essentially benched Blue in favor of Davis after the fifth-rounder lost a fumble in the Week 8 loss to the Denver Broncos. Depending on the statuses of Williams and Davis this weekend, though, Blue could be in play as a DFS sleeper against the G-Men.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
December 30, 2025
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said that running back
Rico Dowdle (toe) did not practice on Tuesday due to a sore toe, according to Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. The Panthers are hopeful that he'll be ready for Saturday's big divisional showdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 18 to decide the NFC South. Dowdle is considered day-to-day, and the Panthers wanted to give him a rest day in the first official practice of the week. As long as the 27-year-old can practice on Wednesday or Thursday, he should be fine to play in the regular-season finale. Many teams across the league will be resting players in Week 18, but not the Panthers, as they seek to win the division and secure a playoff spot. Since his last 100-yard game on Nov. 2, Dowdle has gone over 50 rushing yards three times in seven games, although one of those came in last week's loss to Seattle. Dowdle will be on the RB2/3 borderline for fantasy managers this weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: Panthers.com - Darin Gantt
December 30, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals tight end
Mike Gesicki has seen his snap share drop steadily over the past three games. Now, with nothing but divisional pride on the line in a Week 18 matchup with the Browns, there is no guarantee of playing time for the 30-year-old veteran in the first year of the three-year deal he signed this offseason. For fantasy managers still playing into Week 18, there are more alluring names to be found on the waiver wire, with a pleasant number of NFL teams still playing for something in the final week of the regular season. Gesicki did finish as the TE2 as recently as Week 14, so he does represent a ceiling uncommon to the waiver wire, but with an unclear picture of how the Bengals are approaching the end of the season, he is best viewed as a desperation-only play in deeper leagues.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 30, 2025
Tennessee Titans tight end
Chig Okonkwo has finished as a top-five fantasy tight end in back-to-back weeks, helping to secure titles for the few brave managers who dared to stray from the consensus start/sit path. Okonkwo played a similar championship-winning role last season, gathering 22 receptions for 182 yards from Weeks 15-17. For fantasy managers still playing in Week 18, he becomes an interesting name on this week's waiver wire as the Titans prepare to face a Jaguars defense that has been a bottom-10 unit at defending the position. An important thing to note is that in Week 18 of 2024, Okonkwo saw only a 5% snap share. However, with an interim head coach and an unlikely shot at the number one overall pick, there is a greater expectation that Tennessee will play its starters on Sunday.
--Patrick McGrathSource: RotoBaller
December 30, 2025
Auburn quarterback Deuce Knight is officially entering the NCAA transfer portal, according to On3's Pete Nakos. Knight was a true freshman in 2025 and tallied 437 total yards and six touchdowns in two game appearances. The Mississippi native was the No. 6 quarterback recruit in the country in the class of 2025 (247Sports). With Hugh Freeze out at Auburn and Alex Golesh in, the Tigers could be targeting former South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown to be their starter in 2026. Knight showed big-time upside in limited playing time on The Plains, so he should fetch plenty of interest on the crowded quarterback transfer portal market.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3 on X
December 30, 2025
Ole Miss running back Kewan Lacy (shoulder) said he did not have limitations in practice this week, and he is ready to go against Georgia in the College Football Playoff on Thursday. The SEC's second-leading rusher (1,366 yards) was banged up in the first-round win over Tulane, but he's listed as probable, and it sounds like he'll carry a full workload. Lacy led the conference with 21 rushing touchdowns this season, and Ole Miss establishing a ground game against the Bulldogs could be key to upsetting Kirby Smart and company.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
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