December 20, 2025
The Dallas Cowboys have activated cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) from Injured Reserve, and he will start on Sunday against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Patrik Walker of DallasCowboys.com. Diggs' return coincides with fellow cornerback Daron Bland (foot), who is set to miss the rest of the season after being moved to Injured Reserve. Diggs was placed on IR in late October after suffering a concussion while also managing a knee injury. The 27-year-old is expected to return in a rotational role for Week 16's game against the Chargers before ramping up over the final two games of the season.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Patrik Walker
December 20, 2025
Tennessee Titans running back
Tony Pollard has posted back-to-back games with over 100 rushing yards and a touchdown. Pollard's previous season high for rushing yards was 92 back in Week 2, and he scored only twice in the first 13 weeks before erupting over the past two games. The 28-year-old ranks as the RB3 in PPR points in the past two weeks after a mediocre first 12 games, where he ranked as the RB29. The former Dallas Cowboys running back has maintained a steady workload with double-digit touches in every game and at least 15 in three of the past four games. However, Pollard has a tough matchup on Sunday against a Kansas City Chiefs defense that has allowed the fourth fewest PPR points per game to running backs. He ranks as RotoBaller's RB29 in PPR leagues and is more of a FLEX option in Week 16.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 20, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Calvin Austin III failed to bring in his lone target in last week's win over the Miami Dolphins and will hope to see an uptick in utilization against the Detroit Lions in Week 16. This matchup sets up extremely well for Pittsburgh's aerial attack, given its high projected point total and a struggling Detroit secondary that is allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts this season. Still, Austin has not been able to establish himself as a consistent weapon for quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, who has frequently targeted
DK Metcalf along with the Steelers' running backs and tight ends. Given the matchup, Austin could certainly surprise with an explosive play, but he remains off the fantasy radar in all redraft formats.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers kicker
Chris Boswell has underwhelmed for fantasy purposes as of late, attempting just two field goals over the past four weeks. He'll look to get back on track against the Detroit Lions in Week 16. Boswell has been steady when given opportunities this season, and perhaps more importantly, this contest is expected to feature plenty of scoring. Of course, the Steelers will need to reach the end zone to keep pace with the Lions' high-powered offense, but Boswell could still have ample chances to make an impact in a climate-controlled environment at Ford Field. Fantasy managers can start Boswell as a top-12 option at the position this week.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback
Cameron Ward has thrown multiple touchdowns in back-to-back games for the first time this season. Ward completed 18 of 29 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns with a season-high 101.2 passer rating in last week's loss to the San Francisco 49ers. The No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft has largely struggled this season, totaling 12 touchdowns to 16 turnovers and taking a league high 49 sacks. Positively, he's taken only one sack and committed one turnover in the past two games, but faces another challenge on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have allowed the fifth fewest passing touchdowns and the 12th fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season. Ward profiles as a desperation QB2 in superflex leagues in Week 16.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 20, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Pat Freiermuth was effective in Week 15, catching three passes for 45 yards, and will hope to stay involved in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions. Though the Lions have struggled against the pass this season, the majority of production they have allowed has come from opposing wide receivers. Still, this isn't necessarily a matchup to avoid, especially given the game's healthy projected point total. The concern for Freiermuth remains his volatile role, as Pittsburgh continues to split opportunities fairly evenly among him,
Jonnu Smith, and
Darnell Washington. Fantasy managers in deep formats who are desperate at the position could look to stream Freiermuth in hopes of a touchdown, but the 27-year-old should be left on waiver wires in most redraft leagues.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs have signed running back
Dameon Pierce to the 53-man roster ahead of Sunday's matchup against the Tennessee Titans, Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston reports. Pierce signed with Kansas City's practice squad on November 24 after being waived by the Houston Texans. The 2022 fourth-round pick had a promising rookie campaign, totalling 939 yards and four touchdowns on 220 carries with 30 catches (39 targets) for 165 yards and another score as a receiver, but has faded into a depth role since then. Pierce doesn't have a path to consistent playing time with the Chiefs, as
Kareem Hunt and
Isiah Pacheco lead the backfield. He shouldn't be considered for fantasy purposes in Week 16 and is mainly a dynasty league stash for now.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Aaron Wilson
December 20, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell has been heavily involved over the past five weeks and should remain a focal point of the offense against the Detroit Lions in Week 16. The Lions' run defense has been stout for most of the season, but perhaps more importantly, Detroit has shut down opposing backs in the passing game, surrendering the second-fewest receiving yards, the fourth-fewest receptions, and zero receiving touchdowns to the position. On paper, this doesn't bode well for Gainwell, who has thrived as a check-down option for quarterback
Aaron Rodgers. Still, Pittsburgh doesn't have many reliable pass-catchers outside of
DK Metcalf, and Gainwell actually leads the team in receptions through 15 weeks. Expectations should be tempered, but Gainwell remains on the fantasy radar as a flex option on Sunday.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Darnell Mooney was targeted six times in last week's 29-28 win over the Buccaneers, but managed to haul in just three of them for 35 scoreless yards. The 28-year-old has caught four passes only one time all season, totaling 25 catches for 364 yards and one touchdown in 12 games played. His chances for making a fantasy impact won't get any better in Week 16 with
Drake London (knee) expected to return for Sunday's road matchup against the Cardinals. The veteran wideout has fallen off the WR3 radar and is shaping up as nothing more than a risky Flex play for managers in the fantasy playoffs.
--Jarod RuppSource: ESPN
December 20, 2025
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) has officially been ruled out for Monday night's matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, according to Mike Chappell of FOX 59. The star cornerback hasn't practiced since suffering a calf strain in the Colts' Week 13 loss to the Houston Texans and will miss his third consecutive game. The 25-year-old played in just two full games since the Colts acquired him for two first-round picks and
Adonai Mitchell at this year's trade deadline. Gardner's injury was described as week-to-week, and the team is hopeful that he can return before the end of the regular season, though with the Colts' playoff hopes dwindling, it's possible he is shut down with only two games remaining after this week.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Mike Chappell
December 20, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
DK Metcalf has scored as a top-24 fantasy option in each of his past two games and should stay hot against the Detroit Lions in Week 16. On the season, Detroit has allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing wideouts, and over the past four weeks, it has surrendered the most receptions, the most yards, and the second-most touchdowns to the position. This contest has shootout potential with the highest projected point total of the week, and with the Lions entering as heavy home favorites, Pittsburgh may be forced to air it out. While Metcalf's utilization in the offense has been underwhelming at times, the connection between him and quarterback
Aaron Rodgers has been heating up recently. Fantasy managers should fire up Metcalf in all formats as a borderline WR1 this week.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars kicker
Cam Little has been solid in 2025. Little has drilled 23 of 27 field goals while converting 39 of 40 extra point tries. However, it might be tough to trust him in the fantasy playoffs with a tough matchup against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos have the third-best scoring defense in the NFL, which, in theory, should limit Little's kicking opportunities. However, coming off a massive game against the New York Jets, the Jacksonville offense is clicking, so they could at least move the ball. That could mean fewer red-zone chances but more field-goal opportunities. Fantasy managers who have been riding Little all season can continue to do so, but there are certainly better options to start in Week 16.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: Kickers RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars DST is a decent starting option most weeks, but could struggle against the Denver Broncos. In important Week 16 playoff matchups, fantasy teams should be looking for defenses with better matchups. However, given the defense's ability to force turnovers, the Broncos aren't the worst matchup.
Bo Nix is a good quarterback, but he is prone to turnovers at times, so the Jaguars could get a pick-six and have a fantasy-worthy week. Still, in a matchup that is important for both teams in the real NFL standings, the Broncos will likely play a bit more carefully and protect the ball. Fantasy managers can do worse, but Jacksonville can be used as a streamer and come in as DST12 in the latest RotoBaller rankings for Week 16.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBallerSource: D/ST RotoBaller
December 20, 2025
Dallas Cowboys kicker
Brandon Aubrey doubled his season total for missed field goals, missing two attempts in last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings for just the third time in his career. Aubrey attempted a career-high six field goals, missing kicks from 51 and 59 yards out. His performance from long range in Week 15 is an outlier compared to his season production, ranking second in the league with nine made field goals from 50 yards or more. The 30-year-old remains one of the elite kickers in fantasy and should be expected to bounce back in Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 20, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Jaylen Warren was outshined by teammate
Kenneth Gainwell last week but will look to get back on track against the Detroit Lions in Week 16. Detroit has been much stronger defensively against the run than the pass this season, but it has softened up a bit as of late. The Lions have surrendered 4.2 yards per carry and over 20 fantasy points per game to running backs over the past four weeks. With this contest projected for a healthy amount of points, fantasy managers should look to start offensive pieces on both sides. Even if Pittsburgh continues to take a hot-hand approach in the backfield, Warren should see enough volume on the ground to provide fantasy value while offering touchdown upside. The 27-year-old checks in as the RB28 in RotoBaller's Week 16 rankings and should be viewed as a high-end flex play.
--Jorden HillSource: RotoBaller
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