December 19, 2025
Houston Texans rookie wide receiver
Jayden Higgins ended his streak of solid production in Week 15, hauling in his only target for four yards. Last week marked the first time since Week 9 that Higgins had less than five targets, but he played his highest snap count of the season, playing 72% of the snaps. The 2025 second-round pick has supplanted
Xavier Hutchinson as the WR2 in this Texans offense, but that may not be enough for Higgins to be a fantasy-relevant piece moving forward. Star receiver
Nico Collins will continue to dominate the targets in Houston, which minimizes the upside and consistency that Higgins will have in fantasy moving forward. In Week 16, Higgins is a desperate start against the struggling Las Vegas Raiders secondary.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 19, 2025
Chicago Bulls point guard
Tre Jones (hamstring) has been cleared for Friday's matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he will be limited to 24 minutes. The skilful playmaker was listed as questionable on the initial injury report and was upgraded to probable earlier Friday. Jones played 24 minutes in Wednesday's win over Cleveland, posting a double-double with 11 points and 11 assists, while adding three steals to his tally. However, this performance came while
Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) was out of the lineup. On Friday, Dosunmu will be available, though also limited to 24 minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 19, 2025
Chicago Bulls guard/forward
Ayo Dosunmu (thumb) will end a three-game absence on Friday against the Cleveland Cavaliers. He has been dealing with thumb injuries lately. Dosunmu is set to be limited to 24 minutes on Friday. This is actually just a few minutes less than his season average playing time, so fantasy managers could still get plenty of value from Dosunmu. The 25-year-old has posted 15.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists in 27.8 minutes per game this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 19, 2025
Miami Dolphins running back
Ollie Gordon II had to leave with an ankle injury midway through the second quarter of Monday's loss to the Steelers, but he was able to participate fully in practice this week and avoid an injury tag for Sunday's game against the Bengals. Gordon was injured on his second carry of the game and finished with zero yards. On the season, the rookie has 60 carries for 191 rushing yards, and he has scored four touchdowns, with his most recent score in Week 14 against the Jets. He and
Jaylen Wright will split work behind
De'Von Achane, who is healthy and should go off against the Bengals. Gordon will likely get a few carries, but he's only the RB No. 65 in RotoBaller's Week 16 rankings, meaning he can be left on the bench or waiver wire in most formats.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
December 19, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Tre Tucker gave fantasy managers a goose egg as he failed to haul in any of his three targets during last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Tucker wasn't offering much fantasy value before Week 15. Over his last four games, Tucker has been held to under 30 receiving yards in all of those contests. The Raiders' offense has been unwatchable throughout most of the season, so it's not all Tucker's fault. At the moment,
Brock Bowers seems to be the only playable pass-catcher on this offense. It's unlikely Tucker will get things going against the Houston Texans' elite secondary. A unit that has allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to wideouts this season. Tucker hasn't given fantasy managers any reason to trust him at the moment and is an option in deep leagues at best.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
December 19, 2025
Miami Heat guard
Kasparas Jakucionis will have a night to remember on Friday, as he has been named a starter for the first time in his NBA career for a matchup against the Boston Celtics. This will also be only the third career appearance for the 19-year-old rookie. Jakucionis made his debut in the Association at the start of this month with a 54-second cameo against the Los Angeles Clippers. He logged 7:38 of action in Thursday's win over the Brooklyn Nets. Since Jakucionis is largely untested, projecting his performance on Friday is impossible. He will be joined in the first unit by
Norman Powell,
Jaime Jaquez Jr.,
Bam Adebayo, and
Kel'el Ware.
--Taavi PailkSource: Miami Heat
December 19, 2025
Miami Dolphins running back
De'Von Achane is in an excellent matchup against the Bengals this week. Cincinnati has allowed the most fantasy points to running backs this season, allowing 18 RB touchdowns in 14 games, along with an average of 129.1 rushing yards and 45.6 receiving yards. Achane should be ready for a monster performance, although there is a little uncertainty in how the Dolphins' offense will look with
Quinn Ewers in place of
Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback. Achane has been pretty matchup-proof, scoring 11 touchdowns and averaging 84.7 rushing yards and 32.1 receiving yards per game. He had six catches for 67 yards and 60 rushing yards for a big game against the Steelers last week, even though he didn't get into the end zone. This week, he's in such a great matchup against the Bengals that he's the No. 4 RB in RotoBaller's rankings, despite the QB switch. Achane should be started with confidence in all formats this week against the Bengals.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
December 19, 2025
Miami Heat point guard
Davion Mitchell (ankle) will miss Friday's matchup against the Boston Celtics, Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel reports. The team had initially listed Mitchell as questionable for the game. Miami's backcourt will also be without
Tyler Herro (toe), and the team won't have its fourth-highest scorer,
Andrew Wiggins (back), meaning the offense will run through
Norman Powell,
Bam Adebayo, and
Jaime Jaquez Jr. The latter will make his first start of the campaign.
--Taavi PailkSource: Ira Winderman
December 19, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Parker Washington has seen his role in the Jaguars' offense reduced recently. Washington was playing a bigger part while
Brian Thomas Jr. was injured. Now with Thomas back in the picture, Washington has fallen to the third option in this passing attack behind Thomas and
Jakobi Meyers. Last week, Washington hauled in all three of his targets for 53 yards during the win over the New York Jets. His snap count has taken a hit over the last two weeks, and he has been playing less than 50 percent of the offensive snaps. Washington shouldn't be counted on as anything more than a deep league option for the Week 16 matchup against the Denver Broncos.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
December 19, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Craig Porter Jr. (illness) won't be in the lineup on Friday against the Chicago Bulls, Joel Lorenzi of The Athletic reports. The Cavaliers seem to be dealing with an illness bug in the locker room, as Porter Jr. will join
Donovan Mitchell (illness) on the sidelines. He was initially listed as questionable for the game. With two backcourt players out,
Lonzo Ball could receive extended minutes to show his former team that they are missing. Rookie
Tyrese Proctor might also pick up additional shifts in the rotation.
--Taavi PailkSource: Joel Lorenzi
December 19, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Romeo Doubs has been an inconsistent fantasy option for over a month now. Doubs was offering decent fantasy value mid-season, but is becoming unusable in fantasy formats late in the season. The return of
Jayden Reed has undoubtedly contributed to Doubs' downfall. The Packers also have a ton of mouths to feed with Reed,
Christian Watson (chest),
Dontayvion Wicks (ankle), and
Matthew Golden all fighting for targets with Doubs. The 25-year-old has seen four or fewer targets in four straight games. It's unlikely that Doubs gets more involved unless Watson or Wicks sit out. At the moment, both players are questionable for the Week 16 matchup versus the Chicago Bears. If they play, Doubs will remain a low-floor option for Week 16.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
December 19, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Sam Hauser (ankle) will play on Friday night against the Miami Heat. The 28-year-old sharpshooter tweaked his left ankle in Monday's loss to Detroit, exiting the contest after only four minutes. However, he won't miss additional time. As a three-point specialist, Hauser has a very favorable matchup on Friday, as Miami allows the second-most three-point attempts in the league. With that said, Hauser has not been much of a factor offensively this season, averaging 6.6 points in 21.6 minutes.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 19, 2025
Miami Dolphins quarterback
Quinn Ewers will be making his first NFL start this week, when his team hosts the Bengals on Sunday afternoon. Ewers was a seventh-round pick for the Dolphins out of Texas last season, and the 22-year-old will now get a chance to make his first NFL start. He played a few series in Cleveland earlier this season, completing five of his eight passes for 53 yards and taking a pair of sacks. He will have a favorable matchup against the Bengals, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. Ewers is likely playing for an increased opportunity next season, since the team seems ready to move on from
Tua Tagovailoa, even though he signed a four-year, $212.4 million contract only last summer. Ewers has a favorable matchup, but he's so unproven that he's still only the No. 27 QB in this week's rankings, making him not a good option in all but the very deepest formats.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
December 19, 2025
The Baltimore Orioles acquired right-hander
Shane Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for four prospects, outfielders Slater de Brun and
Austin Overn, right-hander Michael Forret, catcher Caden Bodine, plus a Competitive Balance Round A draft pick (No. 33 overall), sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Baz, 26, is an electric young arm that just hasn't been able to take the next step in his career. Last year for the Rays, Baz posted a 4.87 ERA (3.85 xERA) with a 15.8 K-BB% and a 1.33 WHIP across a career-high 166 1/3 innings. On the bright side, he was able to pitch nearly the entire season for the first time in his career. The 6-foot-3 hurler joins
Trevor Rogers,
Kyle Bradish,
Dean Kremer, and
Tyler Wells in the revamped O's rotation. Fantasy managers should welcome the change of scenery for Baz, even if Camden Yards isn't as pitcher-friendly as Tropicana Field.
--Marty TallmanSource: Jeff Passan
December 19, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Andrei Iosivas has been a non-factor on offense over the last three games. The 26-year-old gave fantasy managers a goose egg last week with zero receptions in the loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Iosivas hasn't finished with more than 30 receiving yards in a single game since Week 12. The Bengals were without
Tee Higgins (concussion) last week, and Iosivas still only saw one target. It doesn't look like the Bengals view Iosivas as an essential piece of the offensive gameplan right now. Even if Higgins sits in Week 16, Iosivas is avoidable in most formats for the Week 16 matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
December 19, 2025
Miami Heat forward
Andrew Wiggins (back) will exit the lineup for Friday's tilt against the Boston Celtics. He is dealing with lower back pain after logging 33 minutes in Thursday's win over the Brooklyn Nets. In Wiggins' absence,
Simone Fontecchio could get a fresh opportunity to start, while players
Jaime Jaquez Jr. and
Kel'el Ware are also in a position to benefit. The latter two are better fantasy options, as Fontecchio has played a limited role on offense, even when starting.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 19, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (illness) won't suit up on Friday against the Chicago Bulls, The Athletic's Joel Lorenzi reports. An illness will force the Cavaliers' superstar to miss his third game of the season. With Mitchell out,
Darius Garland will have the ball more in his hands, while there will be additional scoring opportunities for the rest of the starting group. Friday's matchup is particularly tasty for Cleveland's frontcourt, as Chicago allows the second-most fantasy points to power forwards and the third-most to centers.
--Taavi PailkSource: Joel Lorenzi
December 19, 2025
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Justin Jefferson has been in an awful slump over the last few weeks. In the previous three games, Jefferson has been held to six receptions for 37 yards and hasn't scored a touchdown during that span. The 26-year-old clearly isn't on the same page as quarterback
J.J. McCarthy right now. The upside is too high for fantasy managers to keep Jefferson on the bench this weekend. He has a favorable matchup against the New York Giants in Week 16. A secondary that has allowed the fifth-most yards to wideouts this season. The duds aren't due to a lack of ability, but because of inconsistent quarterback play. Despite the rough stretch, Jefferson comes in as RotoBaller's WR22 in the latest rankings and will try to break out of his slump in a plus matchup vs. the Giants in Week 16.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
December 19, 2025
Nashville Predators right wing Jonathan Marchessault (lower body) was labeled day-to-day on Friday. He sustained a lower-body injury on Wednesday night against the Carolina Hurricanes. The veteran escaped a serious injury, but he could still miss some action. Nashville continues its season this weekend with a back-to-back against the Toronto Maple Leafs and New York Rangers. Marchessault has yet to get going in 2025-26, posting only 10 points (seven goals, three assists) in 28 contests. With Marchessault sidelined, Luke Evangelista and Matthew Wood could see increased ice time, and Tyson Jost is expected to fill his spot in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 19, 2025
New York Jets wide receiver
John Metchie III has played a full-time role since being acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles at the trade deadline. Excluding the first game with the team, where he played only eight offensive snaps, Metchie has compiled 21 catches for 188 yards and two touchdowns on 31 targets while playing 87% of the snaps. The 25-year-old scored in back-to-back games in Weeks 11 and 12, but his production has cooled off since, totalling 78 yards on exactly four catches in each of the past three games. With undrafted rookie QB
Brady Cook set to make his second consecutive start in Week 16 versus the New Orleans Saints, who have allowed under 200 yards passing in five straight games, Metchie doesn't offer much upside for the second round of the fantasy playoffs.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 19, 2025
Edmonton Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry (lower body) was placed on Injured Reserve on Friday. He is set to miss at least three games due to a lower-body injury. It's an unfortunate blow for the 30-year-old who has only just joined the team. Jarry has posted a 3-0-0 record with the Oilers since being acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 12. Edmonton has a back-to-back scheduled for this weekend, meaning both Calvin Pickard and Connor Ingram could get action. Neither goalie looks like a good fantasy option, as they will face very tough opponents in Minnesota and Vegas.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 19, 2025
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Darnell Mooney had a golden opportunity to produce as the team's WR1 with
Drake London (knee) missing the past four games due
to a PCL sprain in his left knee. The 28-year-old failed to deliver, recording nine catches for 140 yards and a touchdown on 18 targets, ranking as the WR45 in PPR points in that time. The former Chicago Bears receiver has taken a backseat to tight end
Kyle Pitts Sr., who is coming off one of the best games by a tight end in NFL history in Week 15 versus Tampa Bay, catching 11 of 12 targets for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Pitts has out-targeted Mooney 35 to 18 in the past four games, and now, with London cleared to return on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, the 28-year-old falls into WR4 territory for Week 16.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 19, 2025
Detroit Red Wings right wing Patrick Kane (upper body) will miss a third consecutive game on Saturday against the Washington Capitals. The former MVP was injured last Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks, and it remains unclear when he can rejoin the action. Kane has been impactful this season, notching 23 points (six goals, 17 assists) in 24 games. In his absence, John Leonard has received a chance on the second line, recording one assist across two games. He figures to remain in the role for Saturday's tough matchup against one of the NHL's best defensive teams.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 19, 2025
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore (upper body) will miss this weekend's back-to-back and is considered week-to-week. He sat out his first game of the season on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. With 20 points (four goals, 16 assists) in 31 games, Theodore is the runaway scoring leader among Vegas' defensemen and has 48 blocks. On Wednesday, Jeremy Lauzon hopped into the lineup as Theodore's replacement, registering one shot, one block, three hits, and two penalty minutes. Meanwhile, Noah Hanifin led the blue line in ice time with 26:07, logging 2:18 of action on the power play.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 19, 2025
Buccaneers running back
Sean Tucker has logged single-digit touches in three straight games, but he's at least found the end zone in back-to-back weeks. His role has shrunk since
Bucky Irving returned in Week 13. Tucker's 13 touches over the past three games rank firmly behind
Rachaad White (19) and Irving (53). It's disappointing usage for the third-year back after breaking out for 140 total yards and three touchdowns in Week 11 against the Buffalo Bills. However, he is seemingly the preferred back near the goal line, handling four of the six running back carries in the last three weeks. That still doesn't present much upside for the 24-year-old back, making him tough to trust heading into Week 16's divisional matchup against the Carolina Panthers.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 19, 2025
New York Knicks forwards
Karl-Anthony Towns (knee) and
Josh Hart (abdomen) will play Friday night when the team hosts the Philadelphia 76ers. Towns, Hart, and
Mitchell Robinson all missed Thursday night's win over Indiana, following New York's NBA Cup championship. Expect the Knicks to return to the five-man starting lineup of
Jalen Brunson,
OG Anunoby,
Mikal Bridges, Hart, and Towns.
--Andrew BallSource: Vincent Goodwill
December 19, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs defense will take on the Tennessee Titans in Week 16. The Chiefs defense has struggled mightily over the last six games, losing five of six and allowing 20 or more points in five of six. The Kansas City defense was able to hold the Los Angeles Chargers to 16 points in Week 15, but they were unable to come away with the win. The Chiefs should have an easier time this week against the Tennessee Titans. The Titans are tied for the second-fewest points per game this season, averaging 16.1 points per game. The Chiefs have also gotten a takeaway in two of their last three games and have three or more sacks in back-to-back games. The Kansas City defensive unit is ranked as the third-best defense in our RotoBaller rankings, making them one of the best options at the position this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
December 19, 2025
Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (illness, lower body) has not joined the team for this weekend's back-to-back on the road against the Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers. Vegas' star man has been dealing with an illness this week and also has a lower-body injury, missing his first game of the season on Wednesday night against the New Jersey Devils. With Eichel sidelined, the Golden Knights travel to Alberta without their top scorer. Eichel notched 41 points (12 goals, 29 assists) in 31 games. In his absence, Mitchell Marner is set to skate as a center, while Brandon Saad practiced on the first line on Friday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 19, 2025
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that wide receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) likely won't play in Week 17's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, per Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. The 33-year-old wideout missed Thursday night's matchup against the Seattle Seahawks after aggravating a hamstring injury during Week 15's win over the Detroit Lions. The star wideout has had an incredible first season in Los Angeles, hauling in 60 receptions for 789 yards and a league-leading 14 touchdowns on 114 targets in 14 games. Star receiver
Puka Nacua should continue to see a heavy dose of targets in Adams' absence, with
Konata Mumpfield,
Xavier Smith,
Tutu Atwell, and
Jordan Whittington vying for opportunities behind him.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Adam Grosbard
December 19, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs kicker
Harrison Butker was perfect in Week 15, cashing in on both of his field goal attempts and his only extra-point attempt. Butker has been serviceable this season, but he has not reached the level of upside he once had when the Chiefs were one of the highest-scoring offenses in the league. Butker's value could take yet another hit with the loss of
Patrick Mahomes in Week 15.
Gardner Minshew will now lead the Kansas City offense, which means more stalled drives and fewer scoring opportunities. Given the state of the offense and the fact that the team has already been eliminated from playoff contention, there is not much for the Chiefs to play for this season. Kansas City is not expected to push the pace of play and increase scoring now to end the season, which hurts Butker's chances to get more kicking opportunities. Butker is ranked K24 in our RotoBaller rankings, making him a very low-end option at the position this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
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