December 15, 2025
Nebraska quarterback Dylan Raiola (leg) intends to enter the transfer portal when it officially opens on January 2, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Raiola suffered a broken fibula in the team's November 1 loss to USC, ending his season after nine games. Through his first 22 collegiate contests, he's tallied 4,819 passing yards, 31 passing touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. The 20-year-old was the No. 7 overall player and No. 2 quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class (247Sports) and was originally committed to Georgia before flipping to the Cornhuskers. Raiola was born in Hawaii and played his high school football in Texas, Arizona, and Georgia. He should draw plenty of interest in the transfer portal, though it will be a competitive market after DJ Lagway, Brendan Sorsby, and more have announced their intentions to leave their schools.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
December 15, 2025
Carolina Panthers wide receiver
Xavier Legette was once again not very busy in the Panthers' Week 15 loss to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. The Carolina WR caught two of his three targets for 39 yards and finished with 5.9 PPR points. Although this is the most PPR points Legette registered since Week 11, he has been mostly irrelevant in fantasy football through the season. In 14 games played, Legette has only two double-digit PPR finishes. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing the Carolina Panthers in Week 16. Tampa Bay ranked 18th in fantasy points per game allowed to the WR position in the last four weeks leading up to Week 15. Even with a middling matchup, Legette's volume has been too inconsistent to warrant a roster spot during the fantasy playoffs.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 15, 2025
Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver
Tetairoa McMillan logged his worst performance of the year in the Panthers' loss to the Saints in Week 15. The first-round rookie caught two passes for 25 yards, totaling 4.5 PPR points in the first round of the fantasy playoffs in most leagues. This was the first time this year that McMillan posted less than 5.0 PPR points, and it was also the first time he had not scored a touchdown since Week 10. The Carolina Panthers take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16. In the last four weeks leading up to Week 15, Tampa Bay ranked 18th in fantasy points per game allowed to WRs. McMillan has been targeted less than five times in each of his last two games, but he has a decent matchup for Week 16. He has averaged 7.2 targets per game this season. McMillan's possible volume still makes him startable as a WR3 or flex option for Week 16. He could see more targets in the major NFC South showdown against the Buccaneers.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 15, 2025
Carolina Panthers running back
Rico Dowdle rushed for 49 yards on 16 carries with one touchdown in Carolina's Week 15 loss to New Orleans on Sunday. He added five receiving yards on one reception and totaled 12.4 PPR points. Dowdle outperformed
Chuba Hubbard, who registered 38 scrimmage yards and 4.8 PPR points. Despite the workload being mostly split between the two RBs, Dowdle logged the most snaps (60%). In Week 16, the Panthers will face their NFC South rival, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Tampa Bay ranked 16th in fantasy points per game allowed to the RB position in the last four weeks leading up to Week 15. Even though Dowdle has a middling matchup this week, he is still worth starting as an RB2 or flex option based on his volume. In his last five games, he has fewer than 16 carries once, and he averaged 15.4 carries per game.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 15, 2025
Carolina Panthers quarterback
Bryce Young completed 15 of 24 pass attempts for 163 yards and a touchdown in the team's 20-17 loss to the Saints in Week 15 on Sunday. The Carolina QB also added a season-high 49 rushing yards on seven carries, totaling 15.4 Fantasy points. In 13 games played this season, Young has averaged 14.2 fantasy points per game. He has also registered more than 15 fantasy points in three of his last four starts. In Week 16, the Panthers will go up against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the four weeks leading up to Week 15, the Buccaneers ranked last in the league in fantasy points per game allowed to QBs. Tampa Bay's pass defense also surrendered the second-most passing touchdowns against opposing QBs during that span (eight). Although his fantasy totals for the year have been mediocre, this matchup makes Young a more favorable starter in superflex leagues for Week 16. Those who are desperate in one-QB leagues can also consider streaming Young.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 15, 2025
An MRI exam on Monday confirmed that Green Bay Packers star pass-rusher Micah Parsons (knee) suffered a season-ending torn left ACL in Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. It's a devastating injury for Parsons and the Packers as they battle to make the postseason in the final three weeks of the 2025 regular season. The 26-year-old was having another All-Pro campaign in his first year with the Packers, recording 41 tackles (19 solo), 12.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 26 QB hits, and two forced fumbles in 14 games. Parsons suffered the non-contact injury in the second half of Sunday's game in Denver while rushing quarterback
Bo Nix. Even if Parsons recovers ahead of pace following knee surgery, he will most likely not be ready for the start of next season. Green Bay's defense won't be nearly as formidable down the stretch without its best pass-rusher.
--Keith HernandezSource: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz
December 15, 2025
Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby is expected to enter the winter transfer portal, according to On3Sports. This is somewhat of a surprising development for the 21-year-old, and he should draw plenty of interest on the open market. Sorsby began his career at Indiana in 2022, where he spent two years with the program under head coach Tom Allen. After Allen's firing, he spent two years with the Bearcats, tallying 5,613 passing yards, 45 passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 24 games. He added another 1,027 yards and 18 scores as a runner. He was named a second-team All-Big 12 performer after leading Cincinnati to a 7-5 season in 2025. Sorsby has one season of collegiate eligibility remaining, and he could fetch a big-money offer from another Power Four program for his services in 2026.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3 on X
December 15, 2025
Fantasy managers should no longer be ignoring Los Angeles Rams tight end
Colby Parkinson. The 26-year-old has been a bigger part of L.A.'s high-scoring offense ever since
Tyler Higbee (ankle) landed on Injured Reserve, and he's not slowing down. In the team's 41-34 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday, Parkinson played a season-high 86% of the offensive snaps and set season-highs in catches (five), targets (seven), and receiving yards (75) while finding the end zone twice. The former fourth-rounder now has a whopping six touchdown receptions in the last six games for the Rams, and yet somehow, he's only rostered in 4% of Yahoo leagues. Higbee's return isn't imminent, so Parkinson could be the team's top pass-catching TE the rest of 2025. The Rams' Week 16 matchup against the division-rival Seahawks on Thursday night isn't ideal, but with receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) potentially out, Parkinson could have an even bigger role in the passing attack. Parkinson should be a priority waiver-wire addition at the TE position this week.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 15, 2025
Most fantasy managers were probably avoiding all of the New York Jets' offensive skill players with rookie quarterback
Brady Cook making his first career start in Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday. Wide receiver
Adonai Mitchell still managed to produce for fantasy managers who were brave enough to start him, as he finished with six catches on nine targets for a team-high 58 yards and a touchdown in the 48-20 loss. His six receptions tied for the team high, while his nine targets and 58 receiving yards led the team. The 23-year-old also carried the football one time for a loss of four yards. It's not always going to be pretty the rest of the way for Mitchell with New York's less-than-ideal QB situation, but he proved on Sunday that he's a weekly flex consideration. In his five games with the Jets, he's been targeted 40 times and has 18 catches for 236 yards and two touchdowns.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 15, 2025
Much like last year, Carolina Panthers wide receiver
Jalen Coker is starting to make some noise late in the season. The 24-year-old former undrafted free agent scored for the second straight game in Sunday's 20-17 loss to the New Orleans Saints, catching all four of his targets for 60 yards to lead the Panthers in receiving. Before the Week 14 bye, Coker caught four of a season-high six targets for a season-high 74 yards and his first touchdown of the year. It wasn't all great on Sunday against New Orleans, though, as he also lost a fumble. Overall, though, it was a positive day for Coker, who had two catches of 20-plus yards for the first time this year. The Holy Cross alum could take over WR2 duties from
Xavier Legette for the final three weeks of the season. He has gone over 50 receiving yards in three of the last four games. Coker is rostered in only 5% of Yahoo leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 15, 2025
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver
Luther Burden III (ankle) injured his ankle in Sunday's Week 15 win over the visiting Cleveland Browns, but he still managed to lead the team in catches (six), targets (seven), and receiving yards (84). Burden saw an elevated role in Chicago's offense for the second straight week, with fellow wideout
Rome Odunze (foot) being scratched just before kickoff. In two games with Odunze sidelined, the 22-year-old second-rounder has 10 receptions on 13 targets for 151 yards for the Bears. Odunze is dealing with a stress fracture in his foot and could miss more time, which makes Burden a priority waiver-wire addition this week, despite his ankle injury. Burden has 36 catches on the year for 479 yards and one touchdown on 47 targets. If Odunze misses more time and Burden's injury isn't serious, he would be firmly in play as a WR4/flex with upside this weekend in a rematch against the division-rival Packers.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 15, 2025
Free-agent first baseman
Josh Bell agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal that includes a mutual option for 2027 with the Minnesota Twins on Monday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. The 33-year-old switch-hitter will play first base and designated hitter for the Twins next season. This is the first big-league signing of the offseason for the rebuilding Twins. Barring more offseason moves, Bell should see the majority of playing time in Minnesota in 2026 after slashing .237/.325/.417 with 22 home runs, 63 RBI, and 54 runs scored in 140 games with the Washington Nationals. The 6-foot-3, 261-pounder still brings some pop from both sides of the plate, but he has only reached the 30-homer mark once (back in 2019 with the Pittsburgh Pirates), and he doesn't contribute really anywhere else for fantasy managers. Bell will be corner-infield depth in fantasy leagues in 2026 in his first year with the Twins.
UPDATE: Bell's one-year deal is worth $7 million.--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
December 15, 2025
Cuban outfielder
Adolis Garcia and the Philadelphia Phillies are finalizing a one-year, $10 million deal, pending a physical, on Monday, sources told Francys Romero. Garcia will head to the National League East and look to help a contending team as he tries to get back to his 2023 form, when he was named MVP of the American League Championship Series. The 32-year-old veteran will essentially be replacing
Nick Castellanos, who is expected to be traded or released this offseason. The landing spot is an ideal one for Garcia in a hitter-friendly ballpark in a stacked lineup in Philly. Garcia had a second straight season with an OPS under .700 in 2025, and he also hit fewer than 20 home runs for the first time since becoming an everyday player. Injuries are a concern and could have contributed to a drop in his batted-ball metrics and bat speed in 2025. At a slightly discounted price in fantasy drafts next spring, though, Garcia will be an attractive bounce-back candidate in his new digs.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Francys Romero
December 15, 2025
Houston Texans rookie running back
Woody Marks (ankle) aggravated an ankle injury in Sunday's win over the visiting Arizona Cardinals and didn't finish the game, but head coach DeMeco Ryans later said that Marks could have continued playing, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Sports. Practice-squad RB
Jawhar Jordan rushed for 101 yards on 15 carries in Week 15 in his NFL debut after Marks left in the 40-20 win.
Dare Ogunbowale and Jordan combined for 143 rushing yards on 33 carries --
Nick Chubb (ribs) was inactive. Marks finished with 30 yards on seven carries, but he salvaged his day for fantasy managers with a goal-line touchdown before aggravating his ankle injury. The 24-year-old will almost certainly be on the Week 16 injury report, but it sounds like he will have a chance to play and serve as the team's lead back in a great matchup next Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders.
--Keith HernandezSource: KPRC 2 Sports - Aaron Wilson
December 15, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kenneth Gainwell could be slated for a considerable boost in workload for his Monday night home matchup with the Miami Dolphins in Week 15. Pittsburgh's backfield has been a pleasantly surprising source of fantasy output in 2025, with both Gainwell and teammate
Jaylen Warren (illness) ranking as low-end PPR RB2s on the campaign as a whole. However, the former appears poised for a significant touch share when his team hosts the Dolphins on MNF, given Warren was downgraded to questionable after coming down with an illness early Monday. If the latter fails to suit up, Gainwell's upside would be massive, presuming that he assumes a workhorse role as he did the last time Warren sat out in Week 4. In that outing, the former Philadelphia Eagle popped off for 134 yards and two scores on 77% of the team's snaps.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 15, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers are signing veteran wide receiver
Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the active roster ahead of their matchup on Monday Night Football with the visiting Miami Dolphins. Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the news. Pittsburgh intended to elevate the 31-year-old from its practice squad for their meeting with Miami, but will instead choose to make him a fixture on their roster for the remainder of the season. Valdes-Scantling made his first appearance with the team in Week 14, playing 31% of snaps and failing to bring in his lone target. He doesn't figure to be involved enough to matter for fantasy, and can likely be avoided in all formats.
--Alex CiullaSource: Gerry Dulac
December 15, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Jaylen Warren (illness) has been downgraded to questionable for his team's Monday night home game with the Miami Dolphins due to an illness, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. It's ill-timed for the 27-year-old, who has an excellent matchup slated for Week 15 in a sieve-like Dolphins' rush defense. If Warren is eventually unable to suit up due to his illness, teammate
Kenneth Gainwell projects to handle a majority of the backfield work in his place, considering the two had split snaps fairly evenly over the previous three contests. Gainwell would immediately slot in as a strong RB2 play in Warren's absence, with rookie rusher
Kaleb Johnson likely to spell him on occasion as a chance-of-pace option.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
December 15, 2025
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Arizona Cardinals running back
Bam Knight (ankle) is trending toward being inactive for Week 16's home game in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons. Knight was out there for just one snap in the team's 40-20 loss to the Houston Texans, handling one carry for negative two yards before injuring his ankle and being carted off the field. Schefter notes that Knight will undergo an MRI on Monday to assess the severity, although it's being described as a "bad sprain." It's good news that initial testing revealed no breaks. Either way, it seems that his chances of suiting up against the visiting Falcons are slim at best. Teammate
Michael Carter stepped up in Week 15 (14/56), with the 24-year-old unable to continue, though it's possible he splits more work with
Emari Demercado as the latter regains health from an ankle injury of his own.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
December 15, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Isaac TeSlaa entered Week 15 on a two-game touchdown-scoring streak, but he was targeted just once and failed to record a catch in his team's Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams. TeSlaa saw a slight reduction in playing time thanks to the return of veteran wideout
Kalif Raymond, who had missed Detroit's two previous games due to an ankle injury. Across 14 games this season, TeSlaa has now hauled in eight receptions for 120 yards and four touchdowns on 15 targets. While he's flashed high-end contested catch ability, the 23-year-old has simply been unable to carve out a consistent role as a target-earner when the Lions' wide receiver corps is healthy. The lack of reliability makes TeSlaa very difficult for fantasy managers to trust heading into his Week 16 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
December 15, 2025
Former flyweight title challenger Brandon Royval suffered a first-round TKO loss in the main event of UFC Vegas 112 on Saturday. It was mostly an even fight for a couple of minutes, but then Kape pushed Royval to the fence and landed a thunderous right hand that dropped Royval. Royval tried to get up, but smelling blood in the water, Kape followed up with two punches that forced the referee to stop the fight. In 3:18 of action, Royval landed 17 significant strikes.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
December 15, 2025
According to On3Sports sources, Baylor, LSU, and Miami are among the programs to watch in the potential pursuit of Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, who is set to enter the transfer portal this offseason. Lagway is a Texas native, and his father, Derek, played running back at Baylor from 1997 to 2001. LSU and Miami were both top players in Lagway's initial recruitment as a five-star prospect in 2024, and both programs will need new starting quarterbacks with Garrett Nussmeier and Carson Beck departing. The 20-year-old is one of the most talented quarterbacks in the country, but he has yet to put it all together, and injuries have not helped his cause. Overall, Lagway has completed 62% of his passes for 4,179 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 23 interceptions in 24 career games.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3.com
December 15, 2025
According to head coach Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall (ankle, knee) was hampered by multiple injuries during Sunday's 37-24 win over the visiting Tennessee Titans. Pearsall's 6/96 line was his best output since Week 3, and he played nearly 60% (58) of snaps despite apparently dealing with an ankle issue and potential aggravation of the PCL injury that forced him from six games earlier in the campaign. "We'll know for sure tomorrow, but he hurt the ankle on the first play...and played with that the whole game," noted Shanahan. "And then, the knee thing, I think, was just him most likely irritating his PCL from the past. Those linger...he was battling through a lot today." Shanahan's sentiment seems to be positive, but there's no guarantee Pearsall's playing time won't be affected. Fantasy managers should remain watchful of his status over the next few days, particularly after a useful outing in Week 15.
--Alex CiullaSource: Myles Simmons
December 15, 2025
Detroit Lions running back
David Montgomery recorded just seven carries for 32 yards in his team's Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but he salvaged his fantasy production by recording his eighth rushing touchdown of the season. The 28-year-old has now recorded a rushing touchdown in three straight games. However, his workload in Detroit continues to be limited as he plays a backup role to Lions running back
Jahmyr Gibbs. Montgomery has recorded double-digit touches just once in his last five games and has not played more than 39% of Detroit's offensive snaps in any game since Week 10. Montgomery has touchdown upside every week, but he also remains entirely reliant on touchdowns for fantasy production as long as Gibbs remains healthy. The Lions will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
December 15, 2025
Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal when it officially opens on January 2, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. The 20-year-old has one season of eligibility remaining, and he'll exercise it at his third school in four years. Chiles began his career at Oregon State before following head coach Jonathan Smith to Michigan State. Overall, the California native has appeared in 30 career games, completing 61.3% of his passes for 4,116 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He's totaled 531 yards and 12 more scores as a runner. Chiles may not be the hottest quarterback name on the market this offseason, but he's shown flashes of upside, and his experience could make him attractive to QB-needy programs that need immediate production.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
December 15, 2025
Manel Kape extended his win streak to three by defeating former title challenger Brandon Royval via first-round TKO on Saturday. It didn't take long for Kape to finish Royval, as Kape backed Royval into the fence and landed a vicious right hook that knocked Royval down. Kape then landed two more strikes while Royval was down, forcing the referee to stop the fight. In 3:18 of action, Kape landed 17 significant strikes. By beating Royval, Kape made a very convincing case to be next in line for the UFC flyweight title.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
December 15, 2025
Detroit Lions running back
Jahmyr Gibbs posted an underwhelming performance in his team's Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Rams, recording 58 scrimmage yards and zero touchdowns on 17 touches. The 23-year-old's 3.4 yards per touch against Los Angeles was his third-worst mark of the season and his worst since Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings. On the bright side, Gibbs continues to be a featured player in the Lions' passing game. He saw seven targets in Week 15 and has earned 38 targets across five games since Detroit tight end
Sam LaPorta (back) was placed on Injured Reserve with a back injury. Gibbs also out-snapped fellow Lions running back
David Montgomery 52 to 18 in Week 15, marking the fifth straight game where Gibbs has logged at least 20 more snaps than his backfield running mate. Despite the frustrating showing against the Rams, Gibbs remains a must-start fantasy running back in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
--Will BradySource: ESPN.com
December 15, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Jayden Reed recorded five catches for 55 yards on six targets in his team's Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos. In his second game back after missing nearly three months due to collarbone and foot injuries, Reed saw his snap share increase from 47% of Green Bay's offensive snaps in Week 14 to 65% in Week 15. The 25-year-old's playing time outlook was also improved by an injury to Packers wideout
Christian Watson (chest), who left the game early with a chest injury. Watson has reportedly avoided a long-term injury, but his status is in question for the team's Week 16 matchup against the Chicago Bears. If Watson is sidelined, Reed could operate as the team's top target-earner in Week 16. Even if Watson can play, Reed has upside as he works his way back to full health and gets re-integrated into the Green Bay offense. In fantasy leagues where he remains available, Reed is a must-add waiver wire target heading into Week 16.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 15, 2025
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn announced on Monday that the team has fired defensive coordinator Steve Wilks, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. New York's defense was embarrassed by Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback
Trevor Lawrence in Week 15, who recorded six touchdowns in a 48-20 rout of New York. Through 15 weeks, the Jets' defense ranks 29th in total rushing yards allowed (1,921), 23rd in yards per pass attempt allowed (7.2), and 30th in opponent points per game (28.4). Wilks was in his first season in New York and has now lasted one season or less in each of his last three stints as an NFL defensive coordinator. Jets head coach Aaron Glenn served as the Detroit Lions' defensive coordinator for four seasons before taking over in New York, so he could assume defensive play-calling duties for the remainder of the 2025 season.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
December 15, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) was a late scratch before his team's Week 15 win over the New York Giants due to a groin injury. In his absence, Commanders back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the way with 18 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown. However, Rodriguez Jr. had emerged as the lead rusher in Washington before getting hurt. Across three games leading into Week 15, the 25-year-old racked up 172 rushing yards and a touchdown on 36 carries. Croskey-Merritt's stellar performance against the Giants may lead to more of a split backfield in Washington going forward. Still, in fantasy leagues where Rodriguez Jr. is available on the waiver wire, he should be targeted heading into his team's Week 16 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 15, 2025
Up-and-coming UFC prospect Kevin Vallejos extended his win streak by defeating Giga Chikadze via second-round knockout in the co-main event of UFC Vegas 112 on Saturday. Although he had success in the first round, Vallejos was having trouble closing the distance. Vallejos started pushing the pace in the second round, and after tagging Chikadze with a right hand, Vallejos landed a spinning backfist out of nowhere, knocking Chikadze down. Vallejos then followed up with elbows on the ground, knocking Chikadze out cold. In 6:29 of action, Vallejos landed 20 significant strikes. With the win, Vallejos extended his win streak to six and improved his record under the UFC banner to 3-0.
--Alen KurbasicSource: UFC
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