December 4, 2025
Miami Dolphins veteran tight end
Darren Waller made his return in Week 13, hauling in two of three targets for 47 yards in the 21-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints. Waller came back in Week 13, after suffering a pectoral injury in Week 7 that forced him to the injured reserve. The former Raiders' star was limited to just 47% of the snaps in his return, while backups
Julian Hill played 58%, and
Greg Dulcich played 37%. Waller faces a New York Jets defense in Week 14, which has allowed the third-most touchdowns to tight ends this season, with seven scores against them. Waller should see an expanded workload in Week 14, and is a low-end TE1 that could be relied on with injuries and bye weeks affecting other tight ends across the league.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 4, 2025
According to On3.com, former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll could be a new target for the Penn State head-coaching job. The Nittany Lions have struck out on several candidates in recent days, and despite firing James Franklin early in the 2025 season, they are still without a head coach. Daboll was recently let go by the Giants following a 2-8 start this year, and he finished his Giants career with a 20-40 record and one playoff win. The 50-year-old has spent most of his time in the NFL, but he worked as Nick Saban's offensive coordinator at Alabama in 2017 before leaving to run the offense for the Buffalo Bills. Despite his lack of NFL head-coaching success, Daboll is known as a strong offensive mind, and given the mess that is the Penn State coaching search right now, he could be a strong hire.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3.com
December 4, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Bam Knight had his most productive game of the season in Week 13, totaling 98 scrimmage yards and a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Injuries have decimated the Cardinals' running back room, including starter
James Conner (leg), primary backup
Trey Benson (knee), and
Emari Demercado (ankle), which has forced Knight to step up. With Benson still not practicing ahead of Week 14's game against the Los Angeles Rams, Knight may have to carry the workload again. A tough matchup is on deck for the Cardinals, as they face a Rams defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to running backs this season. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Benson's status, as Knight could be a solid FLEX play despite the tough matchup in Week 14.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 4, 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back
Jordan Mason has an opportunity to handle the workload in Week 14. Last week, starting back
Aaron Jones Sr. exited early after suffering a shoulder injury on a play he fumbled. Jones has dealt with a shoulder injury earlier in the season and was limited in practice on Wednesday. Mason has been very efficient with his limited workload this season, averaging 6.6 yards per carry in the last four games. In the games that Jones did not play earlier in the season due to a hamstring injury, Mason averaged over 70 rushing yards and had four touchdowns in those four games. The former 49er broke out in 2024 as a handcuff to
Christian McCaffrey, and he has shown that same ability in Minnesota. If Jones is unable to play in Week 14 against the Washington Commanders, Mason would be a must-start in fantasy this week.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 4, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans center
Yves Missi (ankle) will miss Thursday's game against Minnesota, leaving rookie
Derik Queen in line for another sizable workload. Queen has started the past two games and averaged 21.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists while playing heavy minutes, making him a strong short-term pickup in all formats as the Pelicans remain without
Zion Williamson (adductor) and several starters. Queen's scoring efficiency and passing give him a stable floor, and he should again operate as the primary interior option until Missi returns.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers guard/forward
Quentin Grimes (calf) is questionable for Thursday's matchup with Golden State after missing Tuesday's win over Washington. His absence opened meaningful minutes on the wing, with rookie
VJ Edgecombe producing nine points, six rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks in 24 minutes while starting.
Justin Edwards and
Jared McCain also handled expanded roles and remain viable short-term streamers if Grimes sits again. Grimes should still be held in most formats due to stable minutes, three-point volume, and steals, but managers should track Edgecombe's continued ramp-up.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Washington Wizards guard/forward
Bilal Coulibaly (oblique) is expected to miss multiple weeks, removing a key perimeter defender from an already thin rotation and opening short-term streaming chances on the wing.
Cam Whitmore logged 16 minutes Tuesday and posted four points, five rebounds and one block, placing him on the radar as a deeper-league fringe option rather than a priority add.
Justin Champagnie and rookie
Will Riley also scored 13 points and offer low-end appeal. All three profile as situational streamers while Coulibaly is out.
--Brian DailisanSource: Josh Robbins
December 4, 2025
Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka finished Wednesday's 7-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks with a 27-save shutout. He became only the second goaltender in the league this season to shut out the Ducks, who average the third-most goals (3.48). Vejmelka, who registered his first shutout of the season, rebounded superbly after a rough outing against the San Jose Sharks on Monday, where he was pulled in the first period. The Mammoth's No. 1 now holds an 11-7-2 record for the season. Vejmelka boasts a solid 2.73 goals-against average, but he has managed only a .891 save percentage, which is one of the worst marks among regular starters in 2025-26.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 4, 2025
Utah Mammoth winger JJ Peterka led the demolition job in Wednesday's 7-0 victory over the Anaheim Ducks, notching two goals and two assists. Peterka became the fourth Utah player with a four-point effort this season. Only the league-leading Colorado Avalanche (6) have more. After managing only six points in November, Peterka already has five points in two games this month. On Friday, the exciting winger gets a perfect matchup to maintain his hot form, as the Mammoth visit the Vancouver Canucks, who allow a league-worst 3.63 goals per game. After 28 outings, Peterka has posted 12 goals and 21 points for the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 4, 2025
Montreal Canadiens winger Cole Caufield posted a power-play assist in Wednesday's 3-2 shootout victory over the Winnipeg Jets. Caufield's work helped Juraj Slafkovsky score Montreal's first goal midway through the second period. With the assist, Caufield extended his point streak to nine games. Currently, it's the longest active scoring streak in the league. The entire first line has heated up for the Canadiens. Slafkovsky made it on the score sheet for a fourth consecutive game on Wednesday night, and Nick Suzuki is riding a seven-game point streak. The trio will look to continue their success over the weekend during a back-to-back against Toronto and St. Louis. Caufield leads his team with 14 goals and has managed 29 points in 26 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 4, 2025
Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov had his second multi-point performance in three games on Wednesday, finishing a 5-2 home win against the Buffalo Sabres with a pair of assists. He recorded a power-play helper on a Travis Konecny goal in the first period and had an even-strength assist when Owen Tippett capped off the scoring in the second. Recently, Michkov has enjoyed his best spell of the season, averaging a point per game over a five-game span. His role is expected to grow in the coming weeks, with Tyson Foerster (upper body) unavailable for at least a couple of months. Michkov has managed eight goals and 16 points in 26 games for the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 4, 2025
Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger logged a 30-save shutout in Wednesday's 3-0 road win against the New Jersey Devils. Dallas' No. 1 collected his second shutout of the season, improving to 12-4-2. On Wednesday, Oettinger recorded his 161st career win to surpass Ed Belfour for the third most in franchise history. Oettinger tends to have some leaky nights, but he has won four consecutive starts and eight of his last seven outings. The 2024 All-Star holds a 2.60 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 4, 2025
Washington Capitals right wing Ryan Leonard had the best game of his young career on Wednesday, posting two goals and two assists in a 7-1 road victory over the San Jose Sharks. Leonard became the first Capitals rookie to record a four-point game since legendary playmaker Nicklas Backstrom in 2008. The 20-year-old is riding a four-game point streak and has finished scoreless just once in his past six outings. He has scored power-play points in three consecutive games. Washington has used Leonard on the first power-play unit, which has given him a big lift. In even-strength situations, he has been limited to a third-line role. Leonard boasts 18 points (seven goals, 11 assists) in 28 games for the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 4, 2025
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Cam York (upper body) was injured during the second period of Wednesday's 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres, Adam Kimelman of NHL.com reports. He sustained an upper-body injury late in the period during a scrum. York has been a regular in the Flyers lineup after missing the first three games of the season. He has registered 12 points (one goal, 11 assists) and 46 blocks in 23 outings. Noah Juulsen will likely be used as York's replacement in the lineup if he isn't ready to play in Sunday's contest against the Colorado Avalanche.
--Taavi PailkSource: Adam Kimelman
December 4, 2025
Toronto Raptors center
Jakob Poeltl (back) won't be in the lineup on Thursday against the Los Angeles Lakers. The Austrian giant has been managing a back problem all season, regularly skipping games when Toronto has a back-to-back scheduled. Fantasy managers can expect to see Poeltl return to the court on Friday against the Charlotte Hornets.
Collin Murray-Boyles and
Sandro Mamukelashvili have increased fantasy value with Poeltl out of the lineup, although
Jamison Battle started in his place the last time he was rested. Even as a starter, Battle only logged 11:15 of action, so he isn't someone fantasy managers should consider.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Washington Wizards center
Alexandre Sarr (adductor) has been ruled out for a third consecutive game on Thursday against the Boston Celtics. The talented Frenchman is nursing a right adductor strain. Given the nature of muscle injuries, his return to action may take some time. In Sarr's absence,
Marvin Bagley III has become a popular man among fantasy managers and looks set to maintain a starting role on Thursday. As a member of the first unit, Bagley III has averaged 16.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward
Jonathan Kuminga (ankle) is on the injury report with a questionable tag ahead of an encounter with the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. Since returning from a knee issue, Kuminga has played in two games. Now, he may have to miss time due to a sore right ankle. Golden State is battling the injury bug right now, and many players would have added fantasy value if the team goes into Thursday night's game with a depleted lineup.
Stephen Curry (quadriceps) remains unavailable, while
Jimmy Butler III (knee),
Al Horford (sciatica),
Quinten Post (ankle), and
Trayce Jackson-Davis (knee) are all listed as questionable, alongside Kuminga.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Golden State Warriors forward
Jimmy Butler III (knee) has been listed as questionable for Thursday's tilt against the Philadelphia 76ers. The veteran star played only 15 minutes in Tuesday's matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, exiting the action with a sore left knee.
Gary Payton II started the second half in Butler's place, notching 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists.
Buddy Hield also had a larger workload without Butler, logging 28 minutes off the bench. He finished with 12 points, four rebounds, and two steals. Both players would have more fantasy value if Butler sits out Thursday's action.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers forward
Paul George (knee) is listed as questionable for Thursday's matchup against the Golden State Warriors. Philadelphia begins a back-to-back on Thursday, and it appears certain that George will miss at least one of the games. Since his season debut, George has seen limited action and played only 18 minutes in Tuesday's win over the Washington Wizards. He is averaging 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists, and 1.8 steals in 22.2 minutes per game.
Justin Edwards could return to the starting lineup if George doesn't play, giving him more fantasy appeal.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (knee) has been listed as doubtful for Thursday's clash against the Golden State Warriors, indicating that he is likely to miss a second consecutive game. Due to knee issues, the former MVP has taken the court just seven times this season, averaging 19.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.4 steals. Embiid's absence means fantasy managers can continue to keep faith in
Andre Drummond, who has posted seven double-doubles in his 10 starts this season. Golden State ranks 25th in rebounding rate, making it a favorable fantasy matchup for Drummond.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Boston Celtics guard/forward
Jaylen Brown (illness) is considered doubtful for Thursday's matchup against the Washington Wizards. He will likely miss his first game of the season due to illness. A second absence might also be in store for Brown, as Boston has another game on Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers. Brown leads the Celtics in scoring with 29.0 points per game, and his absence would open up a lot of offensive touches for other players on the team.
Derrick White,
Anfernee Simons,
Sam Hauser, and
Payton Pritchard will all have increased fantasy appeal if Brown sits on Thursday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 4, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
George Pickens has already posted career highs in receptions (73), receiving yards (1,142), and touchdowns in 12 games this season. Pickens has been a seamless fit in his first year with the Cowboys and has formed one of the most dynamic wide receiver duos in the league with
CeeDee Lamb. The 24-year-old was limited in practice on Monday with calf and knee injuries, but he has been cleared from the injury report and is all set to play Thursday night against the Detroit Lions. It's a dream matchup for the former Pittsburgh Steeler, as Detroit has played man coverage at a league-high 42.8% clip this season. Pickens has arguably been the best receiver against man coverage this season, leading all players by a wide margin with 463 yards against man, per Fantasy Points Data. In a matchup featuring the highest projected point total of the week, Pickens profiles as one of the best wide receivers in fantasy football in Week 14.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 4, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
CeeDee Lamb is coming off his best game of the year on Thanksgiving Day against the Kansas City Chiefs, posting seven receptions for 112 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. Lamb has had some frustrating drops this season, but he is still one of the best weekly fantasy football options at wide receiver. His 112 yards in Week 13 matched a season high and was his first 100-yard outing since Week 7 against the Washington Commanders. The star wideout has been overshadowed at times by
George Pickens, who has had a fantastic first season in Dallas, but there is plenty of passing volume with quarterback
Dak Prescott at the helm for both receivers to be high-end fantasy options every week. Lamb is ranked as RotoBaller's WR2 in PPR leagues for Thursday night against the Detroit Lions, who have allowed the second-most PPR points per game to opposing wide receivers.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 4, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Malik Davis had his best game of the season last week against the Chiefs on Thanksgiving, handling three carries for 47 yards and a touchdown. Davis ripped off a 43-yard touchdown during the second quarter, showing impressive burst and explosiveness. That marked the longest rushing touchdown of the season for the Cowboys, and Davis' speed is a nice complement to the bruising running style of starter
Javonte Williams. The 27-year-old Davis has been up and down from the practice squad for Dallas this season, but he has been active for each of the past six games and has firmly established himself as the No. 2 running back over rookie
Jaydon Blue. He could work his way into more touches against the Lions on Thursday night after an impressive Week 13 performance. However, Davis still profiles as a handcuff option for now and should remain on benches in Week 14.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 4, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Javonte Williams hasn't been as efficient a runner in recent games, but he still has one of the biggest workloads among RBs. In Weeks 1-7, Williams recorded 111 carries for 592 yards (5.2 yards per tote ) and six touchdowns while adding 23 receptions (32 targets) for 85 yards and a touchdown as a receiver, ranking as the RB7 in PPR points per game (19.0). Over the past five games, the 25-year-old has still been solid, but not quite as dynamic, with 87 carries for 363 yards (4.2 YPC) and two touchdowns to go with eight receptions (10 targets) for 43 yards and a touchdown. He still ranks as the RB20 with 13.3 PPR points per game in that span, which fantasy managers will take if that is considered his floor. Williams should be in line for a big workload again Thursday night versus the Detroit Lions in a game featuring the highest projected point total of the week. The Lions' defense has been stingy against the run, but Williams' body of work this year has made him matchup-proof.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 4, 2025
Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Dak Prescott is playing at an MVP level this season and has been one of the top quarterbacks in fantasy football. During the Cowboys' current three-game win streak, Prescott leads the league with eight passing touchdowns and is second with 942 passing yards. He ranks as the QB1 with 24.7 fantasy points per game during that time as well, and
Josh Allen is the only other QB above 22 points per game. The 32-year-old signal-caller has arguably the best wide receiver duo in football in
George Pickens and
CeeDee Lamb, which has helped fuel his big season. Prescott profiles as a top-three option in Week 14 against the Detroit Lions in a game with the highest projected point total of the week. The Lions have played man coverage at a league-high 42.8% clip this season, which Prescott has feasted against with the third-most passing yards (916) in the league, per Fantasy Points Data. He ranks as RotoBaller's QB2 for Week 14.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 3, 2025
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that former Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres general manager Josh Byrnes will be the new Colorado Rockies GM under president of baseball operations Paul DePodesta, according to sources. Byrnes had been the Los Angeles Dodgers' senior vice president of baseball operations since 2014. The 55-year-old served as the Rockies' assistant GM under Dan O'Dowd from October 1999 through the 2002 season. Byrnes worked with DePodesta in the late 1990s in Cleveland when they were both starting their careers. He was also the assistant GM with the Boston Red Sox from 2003-05 and was part of their World Series championship in '04. Byrnes served as Arizona's GM from 2005-10 and as the Padres' GM from 2011-14. His work with the Dodgers, while helping them win three World Series titles, was key to his return to Colorado.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
December 3, 2025
Free-agent left-hander
Anthony Kay and the Chicago White Sox agreed to a two-year, $12 million contract on Wednesday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Kay, a former first-round pick by the New York Mets in 2016 out of the University of Connecticut, will make a return to the U.S. after a two-year stint in Nippon Professional Baseball with the Yokohama Bay Stars. The 30-year-old veteran southpaw posted a 2.53 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 249 strikeouts and 94 walks in 291 2/3 frames over the last two years in Japan. He was exceptional this past season, with a 1.74 ERA and a 57.8% ground-ball rate. Kay should have a decent chance to open the 2026 season in Chicago's starting rotation, and he'll be looking to show that he's a different pitcher after recording a 5.59 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, and 22.4% strikeout rate in his first five MLB seasons. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues will have better starting options to choose from.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
December 3, 2025
The Miami Marlins have a glaring need at first base going into next season, but MLB.com's Christina De Nicola writes that as of now, the team doesn't plan to give catcher
Agustin Ramirez reps there. However, that could change if he doesn't show progress as a defender behind the plate. The 24-year-old Dominican backstop hit only .231 (124-for-537) in his first major-league season in 2025, but he impressed with 21 long balls, 67 RBI, 72 runs scored, and even 16 stolen bases in 136 games played. Another thing that could change the Marlins' mind with Ramirez playing some first base is if catching prospect
Joe Mack, the team's No. 4 prospect per MLB Pipeline, forces their hand and wins the starting catching job on Opening Day. With the glove, Ramirez was one of the worst defensive catchers in baseball last year, so he's going to need to continue to hit to keep a spot in the starting lineup regularly.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Christina De Nicola
December 3, 2025
According to Will Gottlieb of AllCHGO.com, Chicago Bulls guard/forward
Kevin Huerter (hamstring) will miss at least one week due to a hamstring injury before he is re-evaluated. The 27-year-old could return to action on Dec 12, versus the Hornets. While Huerter is absent,
Ayo Dosunmu will likely take on extra minutes and could make a significant impact in fantasy with an expanded role. Through 18 appearances this season, Dosunmu is averaging 15.8 points and 3.2 assists across 27.4 minutes per contest.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Will Gottlieb
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