December 22, 2025
Cleveland Browns running back
Raheim Sanders projects to garner a considerable workload over the season's remaining few weeks after teammate
Quinshon Judkins (leg, knee) went down with a severe injury in Week 16. Judkins suffered a gruesome lower-leg injury during Sunday's 23-20 loss to the visiting Buffalo Bills. In his stead, Sanders and backfield mate
Trayveon Williams split snaps dead evenly (20-20), with the former handily out-touching the latter 11-3 on the ground. However, Williams was the preferred option in the receiving game, boasting four targets (4/38) to Sanders' one. That said,
Dylan Sampson (hand) figures to occupy the receiving role once healthy, and it's likely he'd pick up a few more carries than Williams did working in his stead. Sanders may not see as many opportunities on the ground as Judkins has, but he's trending up in a Cleveland offense that's moved the ball much better with rookie QB
Shedeur Sanders under center.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 22, 2025
Detroit Lions running back
Jahmyr Gibbs had a miserable day as a rusher in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording just two rushing yards on seven attempts. However, the 23-year-old saved his production with his work out of the backfield as a receiver, hauling in 10 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets. Gibbs has now been held to 43 rushing yards or fewer in three straight games and four out of his last six contests. Still, his involvement in the passing game provides a relatively safe PPR floor. Across six games since Lions tight end
Sam LaPorta (back) was placed on Injured Reserve with a back injury, Gibbs has recorded 40 receptions for 333 yards and two touchdowns on 51 targets. He's racked up 1,662 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns across 15 games this season and remains a must-start fantasy running back heading into his Week 17 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Detroit Lions quarterback
Jared Goff found his way to a productive stat line in Week 16, completing 34 of 54 pass attempts for 364 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Over his last three games, the 31-year-old has now recorded 1,011 passing yards and seven touchdowns without a turnover. With the Lions' defense and run game both struggling, Goff has turned into one of the league's highest-volume passers in the second half of the season. Across eight games since Detroit's Week 8 bye, Goff is averaging 38 pass attempts per contest. As long as he continues to find himself in pass-heavy game scripts, Goff should be able to provide solid fantasy production without elite efficiency. The Lions will travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Samaje Perine remains an appealing deep league option despite playing second fiddle to lead rusher
Chase Brown in the team's ground attack. Perine posted another solid outing in Cincinnati's 45-21 thrashing of the Miami Dolphins, racking up 25 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries, and another 16 more on 2-of-3 receiving. It was the veteran's second rushing score of the campaign, as he continues to enjoy an elevated workload in the back half of the season. In four games since returning from an ankle injury, Perine has hovered around 40% of the Bengals' snaps, while averaging 12 opportunities per appearance. Even with Brown boasting a majority of the backfield touches, fantasy managers can turn to the 30-year-old as a sound flex asset, or in a pinch in shallower formats. They'll get a porous Cardinals' rush defense in Week 17.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 22, 2025
Cleveland Browns running back
Dylan Sampson (hand) is poised to handle a starting role moving forward following the injury to teammate
Quinshon Judkins (leg, knee) in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Sampson has been inactive over the past two weeks due to calf and hand issues -- the latter of which kept him out of Week 16's matchup. With Judkins out for the remainder of the season, the 21-year-old will slide into Cleveland's RB1 role when back to full strength. Sampson has proven more than capable of occupying a sort of scatback role. However, it's worth noting that it's unclear whether he'd operate as a workhorse or split early-down touches with teammates
Trayveon Williams and
Raheim Sanders. As it stands, Sampson should at least get the bulk of the backfield work, and slots in as an intriguing low-end RB2/high-end flex play for the remainder of the season. That is, so long as he gets over his ailing hand.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 22, 2025
Boston Celtics guard/forward
Jordan Walsh (illness) is questionable for Monday's game against the Indiana Pacers. The 21-year-old has been dealing with an illness and played only 13 minutes in Saturday's win over the Toronto Raptors -- his lowest since Nov. 18. Walsh has started regularly since mid-November, averaging 8.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 23.9 minutes per game. If
Jaylen Brown (illness) feels healthy enough to return to action, he will take Walsh's spot in the starting lineup. Should both be unavailable,
Hugo Gonzalez and
Josh Minott are expected to see increased minutes, with one likely moving into the starting five.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Clippers center
Ivica Zubac (ankle) is facing a multi-week absence. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Croatian big man was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain and will miss three weeks. Losing Zubac is a massive blow for the Clippers, who will probably rely more on
Brook Lopez over the coming weeks. Lopez logged a season-high 25 minutes in Saturday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers, tallying 11 points, five rebounds, and two blocks.
John Collins may also see some action at center, while
Kobe Brown's minutes could increase again after he was limited to only four minutes over the past two games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Chris Haynes
December 22, 2025
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said that
Brady Cook will remain the team's starting quarterback, per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Cook has started each of New York's last two games after taking over for veteran quarterback
Tyrod Taylor in the middle of the Jets' Week 14 loss to the Miami Dolphins. An undrafted rookie out of the University of Missouri, Cook has struggled in his first taste of NFL action. Across three games (two starts), he's completed 59.2% of his pass attempts for 527 yards, one touchdown, and six interceptions. However, there's little incentive at this point in the season for the 3-12 Jets to do anything but attempt to improve their 2026 draft pick, which may be the reason why Glenn is sticking with Cook under center. Heading into a difficult Week 17 matchup against the New England Patriots, fantasy managers should avoid Cook and may want to move away from Jets running back
Breece Hall as well.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
December 22, 2025
Utah Jazz forward/center
Kevin Love (rest) won't be in the lineup on Monday against the Denver Nuggets. The former All-Star is taking the night off after a heavy workload in Saturday's overtime loss to the Orlando Magic, where he tallied 16 points and 16 rebounds in 32 minutes. With
Lauri Markkanen (groin) also potentially sidelined, both
Kyle Filipowski and
Taylor Hendricks could have increased fantasy value. Filipowski stands out as the better fantasy option, although his performances have been inconsistent.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Despite spending most of the season off his team's active roster, Houston Texans running back
Jawhar Jordan has emerged as a major contributor over the last two weeks. With Texans RB1
Woody Marks (ankle) battling an ankle injury, Jordan has recorded 188 scrimmage yards on 37 touches over his past two games. Despite veteran back
Nick Chubb making his return in Week 16 from a rib injury that sidelined him in Week 15, Jordan worked as Houston's lead back. In Week 16, Jordan out-snapped Chubb 30 to 21 and out-touched him 17 to seven. If Marks remains sidelined for the team's Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Jordan could see another game with a heavy workload. Jordan is worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 17, just in case Marks is unable to make his return.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center
Brandon Clarke (calf) will be absent on Monday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After recovering from offseason knee surgery, Clarke made his season debut last week, but he suffered a calf strain in only his second appearance.
Santi Aldama started the second half in Clarke's place on Saturday against the Washington Wizards and will probably remain in the first unit on Monday. Although Aldama is productive coming off the bench, his scoring numbers typically improve as a starter. Across five starting appearances this season, Aldama has notched 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
North Carolina head coach Bill Belichick is hiring longtime college football coach Bobby Petrino as the team's next offensive coordinator, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Petrino finished the 2025 season as Arkansas' interim head coach following the firing of Sam Pittman. He began his coaching career in 1983 and has worked as an offensive coordinator at 10 different stops, including Louisville, Auburn, Arkansas, Texas A&M, and the Jacksonville Jaguars. He's 137-78 as a head coach between stints with Louisville, Arkansas, Missouri State, and Western Kentucky. While Arkansas turned in a 2-10 record this season, its offense ranked inside the top five in the conference in total yards per game, passing yards per game, rushing yards per game, and points per game. Petrino brings a storied resume of offensive production with him to Chapel Hill, and he'll be tasked with getting the Tar Heels' offense off the ground after it was one of the worst units in the ACC under former OC Freddie Kitchens.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
December 22, 2025
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson has seen his workload fall off in recent weeks, as he's recorded double-digit carries in just one game since Week 8. However, Patriots rookie running back
TreVeyon Henderson (head) was forced to leave New England's Week 15 win over the Baltimore Ravens early after suffering a head injury, which may open an opportunity for Stevenson. The 27-year-old had a solid game against Baltimore in Henderson's absence, recording 71 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 10 touches. While he's struggled to be efficient as a rusher this season (3.7 yards per carry), Stevenson's numbers look better when his work as a receiver is factored in. He's racked up 693 yards from scrimmage on 140 touches, good for an average of five yards per touch. If Henderson is unable to play in Week 17 against the New York Jets, Stevenson could dominate backfield touches in a favorable matchup. In fantasy leagues where he is available, Stevenson is worth targeting on the waiver wire while Henderson's availability is in question.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Denver Nuggets forward
Peyton Watson (side) could be out for a third consecutive game on Monday night against the Utah Jazz, as the team lists him as questionable on the injury report. Recently, Watson suffered a right trunk contusion in a game against the Houston Rockets.
Bruce Brown and
Tim Hardaway Jr. have shared starts during Watson's absence. Hardaway Jr. started the last contest, but Brown outplayed him, producing a 12-point, 11-rebound double-double and adding two steals. Monday's game is a great fantasy matchup for the Nuggets, as Utah plays with the fourth-highest pace in the league, while owning the second-worst defensive rating.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Dating back to Week 10, Chicago Bears running back
Kyle Monangai has recorded double-digit touches in six straight games. While the 23-year-old remains stuck in a backfield time share with veteran running back
D'Andre Swift, the Bears have shown a willingness to force-feed the ball to both players every week. Monangai has rewarded his team with efficient rushing as well. Across 15 games this season, he's logged 731 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 155 carries, averaging 4.7 yards per rush attempt. Swift remains the lead back in Chicago, but just barely. Monangai has played at least 41% of his team's offensive snaps in five straight games. In that five-game stretch, Swift has recorded 70 carries while Monangai has logged 68. As long as the split between the two backs remains close to even, the Bears' rushing offense is powerful enough to support production from two players. In fantasy leagues where he remains available, Monangai is a priority waiver wire target heading into his Week 17 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans forward
Herbert Jones (migraine) may miss Monday's contest against the Dallas Mavericks, as the team considers him questionable for the game. The 27-year-old was hit in the face in a matchup against the Indiana Pacers on Saturday and has been dealing with a migraine since then.
Jordan Poole started the second half against Indiana and may remain part of the first unit if Jones is absent on Monday. A starting role would increase Poole's fantasy appeal. He finished Saturday's contest with 16 points, two rebounds, six assists, and one block in 32 minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Klay Thompson (knee) is listed as questionable for Monday's action against the New Orleans Pelicans. The veteran has been a regular on the injury report lately due to a sore left knee, but Thompson has made four consecutive appearances. He may finally take some time off on Monday night to recover, as Dallas will start a back-to-back. Thompson's only two absences this season have come during back-to-back situations.
D'Angelo Russell and
Jaden Hardy could be more involved in the rotation if Thompson doesn't play. While Russell has the potential to produce in fantasy, his struggles over the past few weeks make him a less attractive option right now.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
As the 2025 season has progressed, Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell has emerged as one of his team's most reliable all-purpose weapons. Over his last six games, the 26-year-old has recorded 568 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 84 touches. Gainwell has earned 38 targets in that six-game stretch and has now hauled in at least five receptions in five out of his last six outings. The Steelers continue to deploy a near 50/50 split in the backfield between Gainwell and
Jaylen Warren, which limits the upside for both players to some degree. However, as long as Gainwell continues to function as a featured piece in the Pittsburgh passing game, he should provide a safe production floor in PPR fantasy leagues. In any league where he remains available, Gainwell is a must-add player off the waiver wire heading into his Week 17 matchup against the Cleveland Browns.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Blake Corum began the 2025 season as his team's clear RB2 behind established back
Kyren Williams. However, as the year has progressed, Corum and Williams have moved closer to a true timeshare in the backfield. Over his last four games, Corum has recorded 328 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 44 carries. While Williams remains the team's leading rusher and snap-earner, Corum has played at least 22 offensive snaps in three straight weeks. Given the overall prowess of the Rams' offense, Corum has a chance to provide fantasy-relevant production every week, as long as he continues to earn double-digit touches. In any fantasy league where he remains available, Corum is a must-add player on the waiver wire heading into his Week 17 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Indiana Pacers point guard
T.J. McConnell (knee) has been labeled as questionable for a clash against the Boston Celtics on Monday night. The veteran playmaker has a sore left knee, which may force McConnell out of the lineup for the first time since he made his season debut on Nov. 11. McConnell has maintained a backup role in Indiana this season, averaging 9.5 points, 4.6 assists, and 1.2 steals in 16.7 minutes. If McConnell can't suit up on Monday, players like
Quenton Jackson, Garrison Matthews, and
Ethan Thompson will likely absorb his minutes. However, none of the three is an appealing fantasy option.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
Collin Sexton (quadriceps) is looking at a seventh consecutive absence, as the team lists him as doubtful for Monday's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Sexton is battling a quadriceps strain, and muscle injuries are not easy to shake off.
KJ Simpson,
Sion James, and
Tre Mann have more fantasy appeal due to Sexton's absence. The trio would receive an even larger boost if
LaMelo Ball (wrist) exited the lineup. Currently, Ball is listed as probable on the injury report.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Portland Trail Blazers forward
Jerami Grant (Achilles) is listed as questionable for Monday's meeting with his former team, the Detroit Pistons. Grant is dealing with a sore left Achilles tendon, which may keep him sidelined for a second consecutive contest.
Kris Murray started in Grant's place on Saturday against the Sacramento Kings but didn't do a lot, finishing with nine points, three rebounds, and two steals in 36 minutes.
Sidy Cissoko also has a chance to see more action without Grant, but his impact on Saturday was even smaller than Murray's.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (groin) remains on the injury report ahead of Monday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets, putting him at risk of missing a third consecutive game. The Finnish star is managing a groin issue, and at least one absence looks guaranteed for him early this week, as Monday marks the start of a back-to-back.
Kyle Filipowski has had a starting role during Markkanen's absence, although he has been frustratingly inconsistent. Meanwhile,
Keyonte George,
Svi Mykhailiuk, and
Ace Bailey get more work on the offensive end among Utah's starters.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Dallas Mavericks guard/forward
Cooper Flagg (back) could miss his second game of the season on Monday, as the team has listed him as questionable for a matchup against the struggling New Orleans Pelicans. The exciting rookie is nursing a back contusion. Dallas begins the week with a back-to-back, so it appears likely that Flagg will miss at least one game.
Klay Thompson (knee) and
Max Christie (illness) are also considered questionable for Monday night, which could lead to
D'Angelo Russell and
Jaden Hardy having much larger roles in the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center
Chet Holmgren (back) is on the injury report as questionable for Monday's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. The uniquely talented big man is dealing with lower back spasms and could miss his first game since Nov. 7.
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) has already been ruled out, making it vital for the Thunder to have Holmgren available. It wouldn't be surprising to see both big men miss one game during the back-to-back that kicks off on Monday. If neither player is in the lineup against Memphis,
Branden Carlson and
Kenrich Williams will likely take on larger roles in the frontcourt.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Green Bay Packers running back
Emanuel Wilson could be a top waiver wire priority this week, as the Packers get ready to host the Ravens on Saturday. The team could be without
Jordan Love (concussion) and
Josh Jacobs (knee) for that matchup, and Wilson has proven he can be a fantasy factor if he takes over for Jacobs as the primary option. Last week, Wilson ran for 82 yards on 14 carries against the Bears, while Jacobs had just 36 yards on 12 carries. Wilson also starred in Green Bay's win over the Packers when Jacobs was injured, racking up 107 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries in that week. The Ravens have been a great matchup for running backs this season, and if Wilson gets the start, he could be a true difference-maker in Week 17.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
December 22, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies point guard
Ja Morant (ankle) will miss a third consecutive game on Monday versus the Oklahoma City Thunder. The oft-injured guard remains out due to an ankle sprain. With
Vince Williams Jr. (knee) also out,
Cam Spencer is likely to retain a starting role. The 25-year-old logged a 19-point, 11-assist double-double in Saturday's loss to the Washington Wizards. Spencer has had a very strong month, averaging 19.3 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists while shooting 60 percent from the field. His form will be put to a stern test on Monday, as the Thunder hold by far the best defensive rating in the NBA.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Michael Carter filled in as the starter in Week 16 for the team's banged-up backfield, and he had a solid game against the Falcons. He took 11 carries for 65 yards but failed to catch either of his two targets or get into the end zone. Carter played well ahead of
Emari Demercado and
Corey Kiner and will likely lead the backfield committee again in Week 17 with
James Conner,
Trey Benson, and
Bam Knight all on the shelf for the rest of the season. Carter and the Cards get a favorable matchup in Week 17 against the Bengals, so if you need some emergency help in the backfield, he's a solid streaming option with touchdown-dependent upside in Week 17.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN
December 22, 2025
New England Patriots rookie running back
TreVeyon Henderson (head) suffered a head injury during their victory over the Ravens on Sunday night. Henderson suffered the injury in the second quarter. Before exiting, the second-round pick took just five carries for a mere three yards and brought in his lone target for nine yards. In relief, veteran
Rhamondre Stevenson led the way, totaling 51 yards and a score on eight attempts and bringing in two of his three targets for another 27 yards. Managers should pay close attention to Henderson's status ahead of their Week 17 contest against the Jets next Sunday. During the second half of the campaign, Henderson has enjoyed a massive breakout, averaging a stellar 22.6 PPR points per game over the last five games, entering Sunday night. If Henderson sits out in Week 17, Stevenson would carry high-end RB2 upside facing a Jets defense that is allowing the third-most PPR points to opposing RBs.
--Andy SmithSource: New England Patriots
December 22, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. seems to have secured the top spot in the backfield coming down the stretch, and he should be fantasy relevant in the closing weeks of the season. He makes a solid waiver wire add if you need a running back after picking up 63 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries on Saturday against the Eagles, and adding a six-yard catch as well. He played 28 snaps (52%) this week, compared to just 15 snaps (28%) for
Jeremy McNichols and 11 snaps for
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (20%). Rodriguez and the Commanders face the Cowboys on Christmas Day after a short week, and he'll have touchdown-dependent flex upside in a favorable matchup against Dallas this coming week.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
RADIO
