December 21, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Marcus Mariota (right hand, quad) is day-to-day ahead of Thursday's Week 17 contest against the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Dan Quinn told the media. Mariota's right hand injury, which forced him out of Saturday's Week 16 loss to the Eagles, required stitches. He is also dealing with a quad ailment.
Josh Johnson relieved Mariota on Saturday and finished the game. Now, it appears that the veteran journeyman has a chance to become the Commanders' third different quarterback to start a game this season. Managers invested in Mariota's availability should closely monitor the Commanders' injury reports from Monday through Wednesday.
--Andersen PickardSource: Zach Selby
December 21, 2025
Cleveland Browns running back
Quinshon Judkins (leg, knee) has been diagnosed with a broken leg and will miss the remainder of the 2025 season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. He is also being evaluated for a knee injury. It's a devastating end to a promising rookie campaign for the second-round pick out of Ohio State. He finishes the season with 827 rushing yards, 171 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns through 15 games. Judkins will now begin recovering in hopes of making a full recovery ahead of the 2026 season. If healthy, he'll rank as a fringe top-12 running back in next summer's fantasy drafts. As for the Browns' short-term outlook,
Dylan Sampson (hand) has a chance to return in Week 17 and lead Cleveland's backfield the rest of the way.
Raheim Sanders should also earn more touches out of the backfield.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
December 21, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
Gardner Minshew (left knee) likely tore his ACL during Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Tennessee Titans, according to Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest. The veteran signal-caller exited in the first half after completing just three of his eight pass attempts for 15 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and zero turnovers. He also had eight rushing yards. This is deflating news for the Chiefs, who have now lost both
Patrick Mahomes (knee) and Minshew to torn ACLs in back-to-back weeks. This crushing sequence of injuries will leave third-string quarterback
Chris Oladokun in line to start on Thursday against the Denver Broncos. Outside of Oladokun, Kansas City has no healthy quarterbacks on its active roster or practice squad, so they'll likely make an addition or two within the next few days. In the meantime, Minshew will undergo additional testing to confirm his initial diagnosis.
--Andersen PickardSource: Matt Derrick
December 21, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Kimani Vidal (neck) exited during the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. He is officially listed as questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had just five carries for 11 rushing yards. After a couple of weeks splitting touches with
Omarion Hampton, Vidal took on a smaller role this weekend while Hampton got more involved. Even if Vidal returns Sunday, he'll likely remain in a change-of-pace role. While he's sidelined,
Hassan Haskins will operate as Los Angeles' No. 2 option out of the backfield.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Schefter
December 21, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kaleb Johnson (coach's decision) and wide receiver
Roman Wilson (coach's decision) are both healthy scratches for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Detroit Lions. Johnson is inactive for the very first time in his rookie campaign. The 22-year-old played just 3% of the snaps last Monday versus Miami, and he has just 28 carries, 69 rushing yards, one catch, and nine receiving yards so far this year.
Jaylen Warren and
Kenneth Gainwell are the Steelers' only active running backs on Sunday. Meanwhile, Wilson is inactive for the third game in a row. He has 12 catches, 166 yards, and two touchdowns in his second NFL campaign, and he hasn't caught a pass since Week 11. At the wide receiver position,
Scotty Miller and
Ben Skowronek are active, offering additional depth behind
DK Metcalf,
Calvin Austin III, and
Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
--Andersen PickardSource: Pittsburgh Steelers
December 21, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
Ryan Flournoy (knee) won't return to Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. He exited in the second quarter and was initially listed as questionable before being downgraded to out. Despite being behind
CeeDee Lamb and
George Pickens on the depth chart, the 26-year-old carved out a role for himself before departing. He finishes the game with two catches, 18 yards, and a touchdown. He'll now have just four days to get healthy before the Cowboys return to action on Christmas Day against the Washington Commanders. Look for KaVonte Turpin and
Jonathan Mingo to earn more snaps in his absence.
--Andersen PickardSource: Patrik Walker
December 21, 2025
Houston Texans wide receiver
Christian Kirk (illness) is officially active for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. He had been listed as questionable after missing Friday's practice. The veteran receiver is healthy enough to suit up this weekend, but he'll likely continue to operate in a depth role behind wide receivers
Nico Collins and
Jayden Higgins. He could also be out-targeted and out-produced by tight end
Dalton Schultz once again. As it stands, he ranks as RotoBaller's WR80 and can be benched or dropped to waivers in fantasy football.
--Andersen PickardSource: Aaron Wilson
December 21, 2025
Houston Texans running back
Nick Chubb (ribs) is officially active for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction after practicing in full. The veteran will be tasked with leading Houston's backfield on Sunday after
Woody Marks (ankle) was ruled out. Chubb has previously shown that he's capable of handling a lead-back workload both in Cleveland and Houston. However, he'll likely share plenty of opportunities this week with
Jawhar Jordan and
Dare Ogunbowale. Chubb ranks as a high-end RB3, and Jordan has the potential to sneak into the low-end RB3/flex tier.
--Andersen PickardSource: Aaron Wilson
December 21, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
Gardner Minshew (knee) won't return to Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Tennessee Titans. He was initially listed as questionable before being downgraded to out. The veteran signal-caller finishes this week having completed just three of his eight pass attempts for 15 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and zero turnovers. He also had eight rushing yards. With
Patrick Mahomes (knee) done for the year, Minshew was replaced by third-string quarterback
Chris Oladokun. Depending on the severity of Minshew's injury, we could see Oladokun earn the start on Thursday Night Football against the Denver Broncos in Week 17.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ari Meirov
December 21, 2025
Houston Texans running back
Woody Marks (ankle) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the wrong direction after missing two of the Texans' three practices this past week. Houston is exercising caution by holding the rookie out of Sunday's game. Not only do they want to keep him fresh for the playoff push, but they can also feel comfortable about their chances with a slightly short-staffed backfield against a porous Las Vegas Raiders run defense that has allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns to running backs in 2025.
Nick Chubb (ribs) should lead the way against Vegas, but we also expect to see a mix of
Jawhar Jordan and
Dare Ogunbowale, especially if the Texans jump out to an early lead. Chubb ranks as a high-end RB3. We could also see Jordan, who totaled 118 scrimmage yards last week, sneak into the RB3/flex range.
--Andersen PickardSource: Aaron Wilson
December 21, 2025
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Drake London (knee) is officially active for his team's Week 16 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The 24-year-old has been sidelined since Week 11 with a knee injury. Across nine games before getting hurt, London recorded 60 receptions for 810 yards and five touchdowns on 94 targets. He's earned double-digit targets in five out of nine outings this season and had recorded at least 100 receiving yards in five out of his last six games before going down in Week 11. Atlanta could choose to work him back into the lineup slowly, but London should immediately take over as his team's top pass-catcher. He profiles as a must-start wide receiver for fantasy managers in Week 16.
--Will BradySource: Atlanta Falcons
December 21, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (hand) has been ruled out for the remainder of his team's Week 16 matchup against the New York Giants with a hand injury. The 22-year-old took a big shot to his right hand and wrist area from Giants edge rusher Brian Burns right before halftime. It's been an injury-ravaged season for McCarthy, who has also missed time in 2025 with an ankle injury and a concussion. He will finish Week 16 with nine completions on 14 pass attempts for 108 yards, zero touchdowns, one interception, and one fumble. McCarthy also recorded two rush attempts for 20 yards and a touchdown. In his absence, Minnesota will turn to
Max Brosmer at quarterback for the remainder of Week 16. Brosmer has made one start this season and struggled, throwing four interceptions in Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
December 21, 2025
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) is officially active for his team's Week 16 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Harrison Jr. has been sidelined since Week 13 due to a heel injury. Across 10 games this season, the 23-year-old has hauled in 40 receptions for 594 yards and four touchdowns on 69 targets. Previous reporting from ESPN's Adam Schefter indicated that Arizona planned to "ease" Harrison Jr. back into the lineup, so he could see a smaller snap share than usual. In Harrison Jr.'s absence,
Michael Wilson has stepped into the WR1 role in Arizona, while star tight end
Trey McBride should be expected to remain the team's lead pass-catcher. Harrison Jr. profiles as a low-end WR3/flex option for fantasy managers in Week 16 against Atlanta.
--Will BradySource: Arizona Cardinals
December 21, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie running back
Quinshon Judkins (leg) was carted off the field from his team's Week 16 matchup against the Buffalo Bills with an Aircast on his right leg. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Cleveland has ruled him out for the remainder of Week 16. While the exact nature of the injury is unclear, it appears to be a serious one for the 22-year-old. Judkins recorded eight carries for 22 yards and hauled in five receptions for 29 yards on six targets before exiting the game. The Browns entered the game already without running backs
Dylan Sampson (hand, calf) and
Jerome Ford (shoulder). Without their top three running backs, Cleveland will likely split backfield touches between
Raheim Sanders and
Trayveon Williams for the remainder of Week 16.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
December 21, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
Ryan Flournoy (knee) is questionable to return to his team's Week 16 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a knee injury, per ESPN's Todd Archer. The 26-year-old got twisted up awkwardly after taking a big hit from Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman. Before exiting the game, Flournoy recorded two receptions for 18 yards and a touchdown on two targets. Flournoy has emerged as the WR3 in Dallas alongside star wideouts
CeeDee Lamb and
George Pickens. If Flournoy is unable to return in Week 16,
KaVontae Turpin and
Jonathan Mingo could see more playing time at wide receiver, while tight end
Jake Ferguson could see an uptick in targets.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Todd Archer
December 21, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
Gardner Minshew (knee) is officially questionable to return to his team's Week 16 matchup against the Tennessee Titans due to a knee injury. Minshew completed three of eight pass attempts for 15 yards and recorded one carry for eight yards before exiting the game in the first half. Minshew was filling in for the injured
Patrick Mahomes (knee), so Kansas City's quarterback depth is thinning rapidly. If Minshew is unable to return,
Chris Oladokun would likely finish Week 16 under center for the Chiefs. A seventh-round pick out of South Dakota State in 2022, Oladokun has appeared in one career NFL game to this point. If Oladokun were to get injured, it's not clear who the Chiefs would turn to at quarterback.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 21, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings deemed running back
Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle) questionable to return to Sunday's game at the New York Giants, but saw the veteran come back to action during the second quarter. Jones had to leave the opening drive, on which fellow running back
Jordan Mason (ankle) also was injured. The Vikings weren't as lucky on Mason, who was quickly ruled out for the day. Now that the Vikings are down a running back,
Zavier Scott will slide into the No. 2 role for the remainder of the game.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings ruled out running back
Jordan Mason (ankle) from returning to Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Mason sustained the injury on the opening drive of the game and was carted back to the locker room after returning to the sideline. He'll finish the day with two carries for five yards. Luckily for Minnesota, it received good news on its other injured running back.
Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle) also left the Vikings' first drive of the game, but was able to return later in the first half.
Zavier Scott will back up Jones with Mason unable to play.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Minnesota Vikings
December 21, 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back
Jordan Mason (ankle) departed Sunday's game against the New York Giants after sustaining an injury on Minnesota's first offensive series. The first-year Viking lay on the turf for a few moments, walked gingerly to the sideline, and was eventually carted back to the team's locker room, where the team deemed him questionable to return. Even worse for the Vikings, Mason's injury occurred after top option
Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle) had already sustained an injury of his own, left the game, and was given a questionable tag. If neither running back can return, that leaves
Zavier Scott to handle most of the rushing work.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Lindsey Young
December 21, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings classified running back
Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle) as questionable to return to the Vikings' game against the New York Giants on Sunday. The Vikings saw both of their top two running backs sustain injuries on their first offensive series. Jones departed the game first, then
Jordan Mason (ankle) took a shot, was carted to the locker room, and was also given a questionable tag. Jones was shown warming up again on the sideline, but if neither can return, Minnesota likely will lean on running back
Zavier Scott and fullback
C.J. Ham to handle the running game.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Ralph Vacchiano
December 21, 2025
Miami Dolphins quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa was demoted to the third-string role ahead of Week 16, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Tagovailoa has likely played his final snap with the team. Barring something unexpected, Miami will finish the year with
Quinn Ewers and
Zach Wilson as its active quarterbacks before re-evaluating the position group sans Tagovailoa during the offseason. Specifically, Rapoport said on Sunday that the Dolphins hope to trade Tagovailoa within the upcoming months. With that said, it may be tough to find a suitor who wants to take on the former first-round pick and the approximate $175 million cap hit that he carries over the next three years, especially after a tumultuous campaign in which he tallied 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
December 21, 2025
Houston Texans running back
Woody Marks (ankle) is expected to be inactive for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. He had been listed as questionable and missed two of the Texans' three practices this past week. Although it was previously reported that Marks planned to play, the Texans are ultimately deciding to hold him out. Not only do they want to keep him fresh for the playoff push, but they can also feel comfortable about their chances with a slightly short-staffed backfield against a porous Las Vegas Raiders run defense that has allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns to running backs in 2025.
Nick Chubb (ribs) should lead the way against Vegas, but we also expect to see a mix of
Jawhar Jordan and
Dare Ogunbowale, especially if the Texans jump out to an early lead.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
December 21, 2025
Tennessee Titans rookie tight end
Gunnar Helm (toe) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Helm entered Sunday listed as questionable due to a toe injury. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday before logging a full practice on Friday. The rookie fourth-rounder has been a bright spot for the Titans this season, recording the most receptions among rookie tight ends in franchise history. Helm leads the team in catches and receiving yards over the last four games. During these four games, Helm has tallied 131 yards on 17 receptions and has found the back of the end zone once. He profiles as an upside TE2 in Week 16 for managers in deeper leagues.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Jim Wyatt
December 21, 2025
The Washington Commanders are likely to retain head coach Dan Quinn and fire defensive coordinator Joe Whitt during the upcoming offseason, according to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. Whitt is a longtime assistant who has worked with Quinn in Washington, Dallas, and Atlanta, but Rapoport and Pelissero write that he's "unlikely to return as defensive coordinator." The writing has been on the wall ever since Quinn took over play-calling duties from Whitt in early November. Quinn, on the other hand, is expected back in 2026 despite leading the Commanders to a 4-11 record so far. Washington has been gutted with injuries on both sides of the ball, which is likely enough justification to give Quinn a chance to get the team back on track next season. After all, Washington is less than a year removed from going 12-5 and making the NFC playoffs as the No. 6 seed in quarterback
Jayden Daniels' rookie campaign.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero
December 21, 2025
The New York Giants are expected to target Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman in their offseason coaching search, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. It's unclear whether Freeman to New York is a realistic possibility, but Garafolo reports that the Notre Dame coach is the Giants' top candidate from the college ranks. Freeman is 43-12 in his time as the Fighting Irish head coach, leading his program to the College Football Championship last year. This season, Notre Dame went 10-2 under his guidance and just barely missed a spot in the College Football Playoff. They declined an offer to play in a bowl game. Freeman is reportedly being paid roughly $10 million per year at Notre Dame, so it would likely take a similarly significant financial commitment for him to shift from college to the pro ranks. Still, at just 39 years old, he could be tempted with a long-term contract that gives him an opportunity to kickstart a long career as an NFL head coach. With that said, the Giants will surely consider plenty of candidates already in the NFL, including prominent coordinators, so Freeman is far from the only target. Nevertheless, this will be an interesting storyline to monitor as the coaching carousel picks up steam in January.
--Andersen PickardSource: Mike Garafolo
December 21, 2025
Tennessee Titans wide receiver
Van Jefferson (back) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Jefferson was questionable heading into Sunday. He missed Wednesday's practice before eventually being upgraded to a full participant on Friday. The 29-year-old has played a full-time role for the Titans since Week 6 but has not been overly productive, collecting 20 catches for 256 yards and a touchdown on 43 targets in that span. In a struggling Titans offense, Jefferson doesn't profile as a trustworthy fantasy option in Week 16. He is projected to continue to operate as the WR3 behind rookies
Chimere Dike and
Elic Ayomanor.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Jim Wyatt
December 21, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor is expected to return next season, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Taylor is under contract through 2027, and the organization doesn't anticipate making a head coaching change during the upcoming offseason. While the Bengals' 4-10 record is frustrating, quarterback
Joe Burrow missed nine games, creating an unexpected hiccup that prompted the team to start
Jake Browning and
Joe Flacco. There's an argument to be made that the Bengals could still be in playoff contention if Burrow hadn't missed time. Of course, Burrow's injury isn't the only reason for Cincinnati's shortcomings. The Bengals' defense has struggled all year long, allowing the most total points (437) and points per game (31.2). Cincinnati has plenty of areas to improve this upcoming offseason, and it appears that Taylor will be given another chance to turn the Bengals around.
--Andersen PickardSource: Tom Pelissero
December 21, 2025
Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine will be a healthy inactive for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Westbrook-Ikhine has played in all 14 games for Miami so far this season, totalling 11 catches for 89 yards on 20 targets, but won't play in Week 16 due to a coach's decision. The 28-year-old wideout hasn't recorded a catch in four straight weeks and has only seen one target over this stretch. With Westbrook-Ikhine out,
Malik Washington,
Dee Eskridge, and
Cedrick Wilson Jr. will be in the mix for more snaps and targets behind
Jaylen Waddle in Week 16.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Miami Dolphins
December 21, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll's future with the team is "in doubt," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Carroll came out of retirement to accept the Raiders' head coaching staff earlier this year, and now, it appears that he could be one-and-done in Las Vegas. While the Raiders were expected to endure growing pains in 2025, their 2-12 record so far is a massive disappointment. Vegas had optimism for this season after signing
Geno Smith to a multi-year deal, drafting
Ashton Jeanty, and strengthening a defense that already featured Maxx Crosby. Carroll's Raiders have just one win over the last 14 weeks, and it came against the Titans. They also pulled off a Week 1 victory over the Patriots that now appears shocking. Rapoport notes that in addition to the Raiders' underwhelming performance, Carroll bears some responsibility for the two midseason coordinator firings. He reports that owner Al Davis will ultimately make the decision on Carroll's future within the next two weeks, and he'll listen to opinions from multiple people, including partial owner
Tom Brady.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
December 21, 2025
Buffalo Bills wide receiver
Mecole Hardman (calf) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Hardman was activated off Injured Reserve on Saturday and will play in place of
Keon Coleman, who will serve as a healthy inactive for the third time this season. Hardman was upgraded to a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday after being limited on Wednesday. The former Kansas City Chiefs wideout landed on IR after injuring his calf in his first game with the Bills in Week 11's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman is unlikely to play a major role in the Bills' spread-out passing attack and shouldn't be in any fantasy lineups in Week 16.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Cameron Wolfe
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