December 28, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback
Geno Smith (ankle) is questionable to return for Sunday's game against the New York Giants due to an ankle injury that he suffered in the fourth quarter after limping off the field. The fact that the Giants have a double-digit lead in the final quarter likely means that Smith is done for the day. He completed 20 of 28 passing attempts for 176 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions before leaving this contest. Backup
Kenny Pickett will take over under center and could potentially start in Week 18 against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs if Smith is unable to play. Smith's season ending early due to injury would be a fitting end to a dismal first year in Las Vegas.
--Andy WebbSource: Ryan McFadden
December 28, 2025
New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback
Tyler Shough threw for 308 yards last week and was able to top that on Sunday. The rookie quarterback continues to look better each week. On Sunday, Shough completed 22 of 27 passing attempts for 333 yards with two touchdowns and zero interceptions in the win over the Tennessee Titans. The 26-year-old was down 13-0 early in this game, but he was able to settle in and help his team get the comeback victory. Shough is working with mostly a skeleton crew on offense, but luckily, he still has his favorite target in receiver
Chris Olave. The two of them connected on a 19-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Shough will look to surpass his new career-high in passing yards against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18. Shough has made a realistic case to win Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2025.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin Jr. exceeded expectations during Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. Before this game, Godwin recorded 50 combined receiving yards in his last two games. On Sunday, Godwin hauled in seven of his eight targets for 108 yards and a touchdown in the loss. Godwin saved his best performance of the season for the fantasy football championships. It should be noted that over half his yardage came on a 59-yard play in the fourth quarter. He figures to continue being heavily involved in the passing game next week. Godwin has seen five or more targets in five straight games. The Bucs will need to be at their best with the division title on the line against the Carolina Panthers in Week 18.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback
Trevor Lawrence saw his five-game streak with multiple passing touchdowns come to an end on Sunday. Lawrence didn't have great success through the air, but he was still able to get the job done versus the Indianapolis Colts on the road to put the team one win away from locking down the AFC South division. He completed 23 of 37 passing attempts for 263 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Lawrence was able to salvage his fantasy value with two rushing touchdowns and 26 additional yards on the ground. He'll continue to be a strong QB1 option for fantasy managers heading into next week's contest against the division-rival Tennessee Titans. The Jags could clinch the AFC South with a win or a Houston Texans loss to the Colts.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) was forced to make an early exit from Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He exited the contest with a groin issue and wasn't able to return during Sunday's win, but the good news is that before departing the Week 17 contest, Fannin was able to haul in his sixth touchdown of the year. The rookie tight end is set to undergo an MRI on Monday, at which point we should have a better idea of whether he'll be able to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, Jan. 4. The Browns could be in trouble at the tight end spot with
David Njoku (knee) being sidelined since Week 14. If Fannin sits out next week and Njoku misses another game,
Blake Whiteheart and
Brenden Bates would likely be asked to step up in Week 18. Fantasy managers will need to check back for the MRI results later on Monday, but the Browns think Fannin aggravated a groin injury he suffered in practice on Friday. The 21-year-old played through a questionable tag going into Sunday's game against Pittsburgh.
--Andy WebbSource: Zac Jackson
December 28, 2025
New Orleans Saints wide receiver
Chris Olave caught eight of his 11 targets for 119 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 17 win over the Tennessee Titans. Olave has been the highest-scoring fantasy receiver over the last three weeks, and he ranks as the overall WR6 in full-PPR leagues this season. Through 16 games, he now has 100 catches, 1,163 yards, and nine touchdowns, all of which are career-highs. He has enjoyed a career resurgence in an upward-trending Saints offense led by rookie quarterback
Tyler Shough. Olave will rank as a mid-to-high WR1 in the Saints' regular-season finale against the Atlanta Falcons next week, and he should maintain his status as a top-10 receiver heading into 2026 fantasy drafts.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Seattle Seahawks running back
Zach Charbonnet had 18 carries, 110 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns during Sunday's Week 17 win over the Carolina Panthers. He also caught two passes for an additional 12 receiving yards. The Seattle backfield has been nearly impossible to predict on a weekly basis this year, and Week 17 was no different.
Kenneth Walker III led the backfield last week, and evidently, it was Charbonnet's turn this Sunday. While the 24-year-old did lead the team in carries, it's even more interesting to note that he out-snapped Walker with a 53.7% snap share. He has now played more than half of the snaps in three consecutive games, maintaining a trend of increased involvement. Charbonnet is firmly in the mix as a solid RB2 option for fantasy football ahead of Week 18 against the San Francisco 49ers.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Chase Brown had 22 carries for 101 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns during Sunday's Week 17 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He also caught all three of his targets for an additional 40 receiving yards. Brown capitalized on a solid matchup and an extremely favorable game script. In addition to remaining highly productive as a pass-catcher, he handled large volume on the ground and posted impressive touchdown efficiency. The 25-year-old ranks among the top 12 running backs in fantasy scoring this season, and he should continue to be started as an RB1 against the Cleveland Browns in Week 18.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson registered eight carries, 47 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown during Sunday's Week 17 win over the New York Jets. He also caught all five of his targets for an additional 55 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. Stevenson delivered an enormous fantasy performance for the second week in a row. Unlike last Sunday, his high-scoring outing this week came while he was sharing volume with
TreVeyon Henderson, who logged 19 touches. Despite the split backfield, Stevenson exploded as a top fantasy running back. He exceeded expectations after entering this week ranked as an RB3/flex. Managers should continue to view him as a top-30 fantasy running back heading into Week 18 against the Miami Dolphins, who have allowed the eighth-most rushing yards, sixth-most receiving yards, and 11th-most fantasy points to running backs in 2025.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Stefon Diggs caught all six of his targets for 101 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 17 win over the New York Jets. After a three-week lull, Diggs has bounced back in a huge way, catching 15 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown over his last two games. The veteran receiver has earned the full trust of MVP candidate
Drake Maye, whether it's a medium pass to move the chains or a tricky pass into coverage downfield. There's certainly some risk associated with starting Diggs given his occasional inconsistency this year, but his role and recent success will keep him as a top-15 fantasy receiver for Week 18 against the Miami Dolphins. He should continue to be started in all leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Tennessee Titans wide receiver
Van Jefferson (forearm) has already been ruled out for Week 18 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to interim head coach Mike McCoy. His season is over. Jefferson picked up the injury during the second quarter of Sunday's loss to the New Orleans Saints. At the time of his departure, he led the team with three catches for 46 yards on three targets. After the game, McCoy was quick to rule out Jefferson for the last week of the season. While not a top fantasy threat, Jefferson had recently taken on a larger role after
Calvin Ridley (leg) landed on injured reserve.
Chimere Dike,
Elic Ayomanor, and
Mason Kinsey will operate as the Titans' top receivers against a Jaguars secondary that has been playing at a high level lately.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jim Wyatt
December 28, 2025
New York Jets running back
Breece Hall (knee) said that he's fine and doesn't expect to require additional testing, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Hall exited during the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 17 loss against the New England Patriots and did not return. His comments seem to indicate that he'll be available for the Jets' Week 18 regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills. However, given that the Jets have been eliminated from playoff contention, it's possible that they could hold him out to avoid risking further injury. Hall has 1,065 rushing yards, 350 receiving yards, and five touchdowns this season. He has missed just one game over the last three years and is slated to hit free agency in March 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: Rich Cimini
December 28, 2025
Carolina Panthers tight end
Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) suffered a broken ankle during Sunday's Week 17 loss against the Seattle Seahawks, according to head coach Dave Canales. He will undergo surgery during the upcoming week. This injury will shut down Sanders for the final week of the regular season and presumably all of the playoffs, should Carolina qualify. He ends the year with just 29 catches for 190 yards and one touchdown through 13 games. It was a disappointing campaign for the tight end out of Texas, who showed promise as a rookie but evidently wasn't able to take a second-year leap in 2025.
Tommy Tremble,
Mitchell Evans, and
James Mitchell will step up as the Panthers' top tight ends going forward.
--Andersen PickardSource: Mike Kaye
December 28, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is not in danger of being fired after the season, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. While there has been some speculation about the future of Bowles, whose Bucs are just 2-8 over their last 10 games, it appears that the head coach's job is safe. When reporting that Bowles is expected back next season, Rapoport cited a three-year extension that he was given prior to the 2025 season. Bowles is under contract through 2028, and the team isn't ready to cut bait just months after signing him to a new deal. Additionally, Rapoport notes that the Buccaneers have won three consecutive divisional titles under Bowles and are still in the hunt for a fourth this season. Tampa Bay has plenty of work to do this upcoming offseason, but a change atop the chain of command isn't expected.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
December 28, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers will not void the guarantees in wide receiver
DK Metcalf's contract despite his two-game suspension, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. Because Metcalf was suspended by the NFL, the team could have voided those guarantees, but they reportedly want to stay on good terms with Metcalf long-term. Taking away guaranteed money would have gone against that mission. The talented receiver was issued the two-game ban after an altercation with a fan during Week 16 against the Detroit Lions. He's done for the regular season but would be eligible to return for the playoffs, should Pittsburgh qualify. Interestingly, Glazer reported that Metcalf had filed a security report against this same fan last season, so there appears to be some history between the two. Metcalf and the Steelers will look to put this off-field drama behind them, especially since Pittsburgh is without its top two receivers and needs to win next week to make the playoffs.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jay Glazer
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