December 9, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Mike Evans (collarbone) was spotted at practice on Tuesday, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports. The veteran wideout has been on Injured Reserve since Week 7 with a broken collarbone, but he practiced in a limited capacity on Monday and was apparently on the field in some capacity on Tuesday. Evans could make his return in his team's Week 15 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Multiple injuries have limited Evans to just four games so far in 2025. Across those contests, he's recorded 14 catches for 140 yards and a touchdown on 32 targets. While Evans would likely re-assume his WR1 status in Tampa Bay upon his return, the Buccaneers could choose to work him in slowly, given his extended absence. Fantasy managers should check back throughout the week to see if he's able to get in a full practice before Thursday.
--Will BradySource: Fox Sports - Greg Auman
December 9, 2025
Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback
Riley Leonard (knee) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 PCL sprain, per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Leonard was forced into action in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars after Colts QB1
Daniel Jones (Achilles) suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon. Leonard completed 18 of 29 pass attempts for 145 yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception against Jacksonville. With Leonard's status in doubt, Jones sidelined, and quarterback Anthony Richardson (eye) on Injured Reserve, the Colts are bringing 44-year-old quarterback Philip Rivers in for a workout on Tuesday. Journeyman signal-caller
Brett Rypien would be the only competition for Rivers if the Colts bring him out of retirement and Leonard is not healthy enough to play. While Leonard would likely be the team's preferred option, this knee injury may force Indianapolis to resort to desperate measures.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
December 9, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Samaje Perine has had a meaningful role in the offense over the past two weeks, playing 38.5% of the snaps while handling 20 carries for 70 yards with three receptions (three targets) for 20 yards. However, he's been firmly behind starter
Chase Brown, who has played 62.9% of the snaps with 27 carries for 101 yards and a touchdown while adding 10 catches for 47 yards and another touchdown on 11 targets. Perine is a trusted veteran in pass protection and has familiarity with the Bengals offense, so he should maintain a healthy role behind Brown. His usage would tick up if Brown were to miss time, but his current value is just limited to deeper formats as a handcuff.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 9, 2025
Across 13 games this season, San Francisco 49ers running back
Brian Robinson Jr. has recorded 72 carries for 328 yards and two touchdowns. While Robinson Jr. has been efficient with his touches, the 26-year-old has not recorded more than nine carries or 53 rushing yards in any game. As long as star 49ers running back
Christian McCaffrey remains healthy, Robinson Jr. will stay in a supporting role. However, if McCaffrey were to suffer an injury, Robinson Jr. would immediately vault into being a must-start fantasy running back. As the fantasy season winds to a close, Robinson Jr.'s lack of standalone value is less important. In all leagues with 12 or more teams, Robinson Jr. should be a waiver wire target heading into his Week 15 matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 9, 2025
Toronto Raptors forward
Jamison Battle (ankle) is doubtful for Tuesday's matchup against New York, keeping the second-year wing on the fringes of the rotation. Battle has averaged 4.4 points and 2.0 rebounds in 11.3 minutes across his last five appearances, offering no fantasy utility even when active. His absence does not change Toronto's rotation, as
Scottie Barnes,
Collin Murray-Boyles, and
Ochai Agbaji already dominate the forward minutes. Managers can safely look elsewhere for streaming value, as Battle remains off the fantasy radar.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
Baltimore Ravens running back
Keaton Mitchell (knee) left Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a knee injury, but his MRI results came back clean, and his knee injury is considered minor, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports. It's positive news for the speedy running back, and it seems he will avoid missing any time. Mitchell was in the midst of his best game of the season before leaving on Sunday, posting six carries for 76 yards, including a 55-yard rush. With
Justice Hill (neck) on Injured Reserve, the 23-year-old has seen his opportunities increase behind
Derrick Henry, though
Rasheen Ali continues to be used on passing downs as well. Mitchell remains one of the higher upside handcuff options in fantasy football and should be stashed on benches just in case.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Jeremy Fowler
December 9, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans forward/center
Derik Queen erupted for 33 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists, and four blocks in 33 minutes during Monday's 135-132 loss to San Antonio, marking the best performance of his young career. The rookie is averaging 17.4 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 5.8 assists across his last five games while shooting 51.8 percent, and his role remains secure with
Zion Williamson (adductor) still sidelined and the Pelicans leaning heavily on their starters. Queen should be added in competitive formats, with
Trey Murphy III and
Saddiq Bey benefiting from the stability his play provides.
--Brian DailisanSource: Ohm Youngmisuk
December 9, 2025
Atlanta Hawks forward
Jacob Toppin (shoulder) has been ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum suffered in a late-November G League outing. He logged only spot minutes with Atlanta, producing eight points across five brief appearances, so his absence carries no fantasy consequences. The Hawks' forward rotation remains fully intact, with
Jalen Johnson anchoring the position and
Asa Newell and
Mouhamed Gueye holding reserve roles. No player gains meaningful opportunity from this injury, and managers can safely disregard Toppin in all formats.
--Brian DailisanSource: Atlanta Hawks
December 9, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Marcus Mariota has started six games in place of
Jayden Daniels this season and has mostly played very well. Mariota entered Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings after Daniels aggravated his previously dislocated left elbow after an interception in the third quarter. The veteran also couldn't get anything going for Washington's offense, as he threw an interception on his second pass of the game and later lost a fumble on a rushing attempt. There are plenty of questions around Daniels' availability for Week 15's divisional matchup against the New York Giants. Head coach Dan Quinn said on Monday that Daniels is "sore," but there aren't any long-term concerns, and his status will be monitored throughout the week. For what it's worth, Daniels was listed on the schedule for his weekly media availability on Wednesday, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Mariota would immediately re-enter the conversation as a high-end QB2 in fantasy football if Daniels is ultimately unable to go this weekend.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 9, 2025
Indiana Pacers guard/forward
Ben Sheppard (calf) has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 left calf strain and will miss at least 10 more days after already sitting out the past two contests. He averaged 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.0 assists in 25.0 minutes across 22 games, so his absence has minimal impact outside deeper formats. The main fantasy ripple is added opportunity for rookie
Ethan Thompson, who logged six points and five rebounds in 28 minutes in the last game and profiles as a deeper-league streamer, while
T.J. McConnell and
Garrison Mathews gain modest bumps.
--Brian DailisanSource: Tony East
December 9, 2025
Carolina Panthers quarterback
Bryce Young had his most efficient game of the season before the bye against the Los Angeles Rams. He completed 15 of 20 passes for 206 yards and three touchdowns while adding five carries for 23 yards as a runner in the upset win. Young will be looking to put together a consistent stretch of quality games, something he has struggled with this season and throughout his career. Notably, in the week after his career-high 448 passing yards in Week 11 against the Atlanta Falcons, he followed it up with two interceptions and only 169 passing yards against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick still sits as a low-end QB2 most weeks, and he has a tough matchup in Week 15 against a New Orleans Saints defense that hasn't allowed a 200-yard passer in four straight games.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 9, 2025
New York Knicks guard
Miles McBride (ankle) will miss Tuesday's game in Toronto after exiting Sunday's win over Orlando. His absence frees up backcourt minutes, putting veteran scorer
Jordan Clarkson on the streaming radar despite a quiet zero-point outing in 17 minutes Sunday. McBride had averaged 12.8 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.6 assists over his last five games, shooting 45.5 percent from the field, so his removal creates a clearer secondary role for Clarkson and a slight usage bump for the remaining starters. Managers in shallow formats can stream accordingly.
--Brian DailisanSource: NBA Injury Report
December 9, 2025
New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback
Tyler Shough rushed for two touchdowns in Sunday's 24-20 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and completed 13 of 20 passes for 144 yards with an interception while adding seven carries for 55 yards. It wasn't Shough's best day as a passer, but he made some big-time plays with his legs, including a 34-yard score in the third quarter, before adding a 13-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to give the Saints the lead for good. The rookie second-rounder has shown real flashes in his five starts and firmly belongs in the QB2 discussion moving forward for fantasy football. In Week 15, the 26-year-old faces a Carolina Panthers team that he already beat back in Week 10, when he completed 19 of 27 passes for 282 yards and two touchdowns. It may not be as easy the second time he faces them, but Shough is worth adding and starting in superflex formats.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 9, 2025
New Ole Miss head coach Pete Golding is hiring East Carolina offensive coordinator John David Baker to the same role in Oxford, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. The 35-year-old joined Lane Kiffin's Rebels' staff in 2021 as the team's passing game coordinator and tight ends coach before being promoted to co-offensive coordinator in 2022. He left after the 2023 season to call plays for the Pirates as the sole offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Among American Conference teams in 2025, ECU ranked third in total offense (465.7), third in passing offense (280.7), and fifth in scoring offense (33.5). He will be tasked with replacing Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. as the primary offensive mind in Oxford following the team's 2025 playoff run.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
December 9, 2025
San Antonio Spurs center
Victor Wembanyama (calf) will travel for Wednesday's NBA Cup matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers. He has missed 11 straight games with a left calf strain but participated fully in Sunday's practice, putting him close to a return. Fantasy managers should keep him on the bench but ready to activate. His last healthy stretch included 27.0 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 5.2 assists in 36.0 minutes. If he sits again,
Luke Kornet remains a low-usage streaming big, while
Kelly Olynyk and
Jeremy Sochan profile as deeper-league options.
--Brian DailisanSource: Jeff McDonald
December 9, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy led his team to a 31-0 rout of the Commanders in Week 14 in a triumphant return from injury. He threw for 163 yards and three touchdowns in the win while adding 19 rushing yards on six carries as well. McCarthy completed 16 of his 23 pass attempts in one of his best performances of the season. This week, he'll be in a tougher matchup on the road against the Cowboys, but even though Dallas's defense has shown potential, they're still giving up a lot of points. The Vikings have a favorable few weeks ahead, so McCarthy can be an interesting play if you need a second QB for the rest of the season. His rushing potential and good pass-catching weapons give him good upside, even though he has struggled to reach his high ceiling throughout his first year as the team's starter.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN
December 9, 2025
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson missed three weeks with a toe injury, allowing rookie
TreVeyon Henderson to go off and become a fantasy star. Stevenson played two games before the team's bye week, though, and he still clearly has a significant role in the offense. In Week 13 against the Giants, he outsnapped Henderson 38-to-32, and he took 12 carries for 40 yards, while adding 40 more yards on three catches. Stevenson still seems to be the preferred short-yardage option, and he also showed he can be involved as a receiver. He'll be in about an even timeshare with Henderson coming back from the bye week in a solid matchup against the Bills. Both backs remain touchdown-dependent, but they have enough upside to be worth owning in all formats, since the Patriots have a fairly favorable schedule the rest of the season. While he doesn't have the home-run potential of Henderson, Stevenson is a nice waiver wire option if someone bailed on him too early in your league.
--Zach ThompsonSource: RotoBaller
December 9, 2025
New York Giants tight end
Theo Johnson will return from his team's bye week and look to continue his solid season, working as one of the top targets for
Jaxson Dart. Johnson has at least three catches in seven straight games and has totaled 42 catches for 456 yards and five touchdowns in his 13 games this season. He matched his season high with eight targets against the Patriots in his most recent game before the bye week, and he has established a solid rapport with Dart, which makes him one of the best widely available tight end plays in most leagues. Johnson hasn't hit 100 yards in any game yet, but he has posted at least 75 yards in two of his last four games, showing he has a good ceiling to go with his solid PPR floor. The Giants have a favorable schedule the rest of the season, starting this week with a home game against the struggling Commanders.
--Zach ThompsonSource: RotoBaller
December 9, 2025
Cleveland Browns wide receiver
Jerry Jeudy has proven he can have massive games in the past, and the first-round pick had one of his best games of the season in Week 14 against the Titans. He only had three catches but racked up 76 yards and a long touchdown from
Shedeur Sanders, who looked like a solid QB for the rest of the year. Sanders throws the deep ball well, and if he connects more often with Jeudy, the receiver could be a nice add for the fantasy football playoffs. Jeudy has shown a very high ceiling, and he may now have a QB who can connect with him to make big plays. His season-long numbers are still not very impressive, but he and Sanders are trending up coming into their matchup this week with the Bears, who have allowed the third-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN
December 9, 2025
According to On3Sports' Pete Nakos, Virginia Tech is targeting Penn State co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Ty Howle as its next offensive coordinator. Howle worked under new Hokies' head coach James Franklin for six seasons. He started as an analyst in 2020 before becoming the tight ends coach in 2021. He received another promotion to co-offensive coordinator in 2023. Howle is a 34-year-old up-and-comer who is obviously familiar with Franklin, and he's credited with helping develop Brenton Strange, Theo Johnson, and Tyler Warren, all of whom were selected before Round 5 in the last three NFL Drafts.
UPDATE: Howle is officially joining Franklin's staff as Virginia Tech's offensive coordinator.--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3.com
December 9, 2025
Chicago Bears running back
Kyle Monangai is getting enough work to be a solid pickup from the waiver wire if you need running back help this week. Against the Packers in Week 14, Monangai played 29 snaps (41%) and finished with a team-high 14 carries for 57 yards while adding one catch for no yards as well. He didn't find the end zone this week, snapping a four-game scoring streak. He has gotten double-digit carries in four straight games and is splitting work just about evenly with starting running back
D'Andre Swift. Monangai and the Bears face a tough Browns defense this week, but
Tony Pollard just had a huge game against them last week, so there's still enough upside in playing Monangai that he should be owned in almost all formats as one of the top second running backs in the league.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN
December 9, 2025
Free agent quarterback Philip Rivers visited the Colts on Monday night and "threw the ball well," according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Rivers turned 44 on Monday as well, and he hasn't played in the NFL since 2020, when he started 16 games for the Colts. On Sunday, the Colts lost
Daniel Jones (Achilles) for the season, and his backup
Riley Leonard (knee) is considered week-to-week after his knee injury, but coach Shane Steichen said "the hope" is that he'll still be able to play this week. If not, the injuries would leave
Brett Rypien as the only healthy QB on the team's roster. Rivers is being considered as a practice squad option at this point, but if Leonard is out, he could be the team's backup this week in Seattle. His comeback story would be a wild one if he returns from retirement, but he isn't much of a realistic fantasy option, despite the drama and potentially fascinating narrative.
--Zach ThompsonSource: Jeremy Fowler
December 9, 2025
Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson had a perfect night at the office on Monday, finishing a 4-0 victory over the Vancouver Canucks with a 39-save shutout. The American netminder landed his first shutout of the season and won his third consecutive start. Gibson has started to recover from a tricky patch, although his save percentage for the season still stands at a dissapointing .881 percent. He has allowed 3.35 goals while going 7-7-1. Wednesday's matchup against a low-scoring Calgary Flames team gives Gibson a good opportunity to record his first four-game winning streak since November 2021. However, Cam Talbot will also be an option to start as Detroit begins a back-to-back.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 9, 2025
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri finished Monday's 7-4 victory over the Buffalo Sabres with a goal and two assists. Yegor Sharangovich also had three points (two goals, one assist) as the NHL's worst offense suddenly came alive. Kadri factored in Calgary's first four goals. While his team has struggled to generate goals all season, Kadri is having a fine campaign. Across 31 appearances, he has notched six goals and 26 points. Five of Kadri's last 10 outings have ended with multiple points. He will look to continue that momentum in the next matchup against a Detroit Red Wings team that has one of the worst save percentages in the league at .882.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 9, 2025
Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek recorded a season-high three points in Monday's 4-1 road victory over the Seattle Kraken, ending a five-game scoreless spell. The Swedish forward opened the scoring early in the second period and bagged a pair of assists in the third. With his second assist, Erikson Ek broke a tie with Mikael Granlund for the 10th-most points in Wild history. Recently, Eriksson Ek has struggled to make an impact offensively, but his season hasn't gone too badly. After 30 appearances, Erikson Ek sits on 19 points (five goals, 14 assists). He is third on the Wild squad with 52 hits.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 9, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Dennis Hildeby stopped all 29 shots against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday to record his first career shutout in a 2-0 victory. With Joseph Woll (lower body) and Anthony Stolarz (upper body) sidelined, Hildeby made his fifth start of the campaign and improved to 2-2-2. The 24-year-old Swedish native boasts a 2.16 goals-against average and a .936 save percentage. He currently looks like a great option between the sticks for fantasy managers. Next up, Hildeby will face the San Jose Sharks on Thursday if neither Woll nor Stolarz returns.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 9, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Dakota Mermis (lower body) will be evaluated on Tuesday after he was injured in Monday's win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mermis was forced to exit the game early in the third period due to a knee-on-knee hit from Lightning forward Gage Goncalves, who received a major penalty and a game misconduct. The 31-year-old was reinserted into the lineup on Monday after he served as a healthy scratch for three games. Now, he might have to miss time due to injury. Mermis has recorded one goal, five shots, nine blocks, and eight hits in 11 outings with the Maple Leafs this season. Philippe Myers, who made way for Mermis in the lineup on Monday, is likely to replace him if he misses time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 9, 2025
Minnesota Wild defenseman Jacob Middleton (undisclosed) was injured in Monday's victory over the Seattle Kraken. He left the contest in the third period due to an undisclosed injury. Before his exit, Middleton recorded an assist on Minnesota's first goal. This gives Middleton six assists for the season. He has yet to score a goal with 21 attempts on the net. Last season, Middleton produced a career-high eight goals. In 2025-26, the veteran rearguard has also recorded 46 blocks and 45 hits in 27 appearances. Minnesota played with seven defensemen on Monday night, so a forward might come into the lineup as Middleton's replacement if he can't play in Thursday's contest against the Dallas Stars.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 9, 2025
Minnesota Wild right wing Mats Zuccarello (undisclosed) exited Monday's 4-1 win over the Seattle Kraken after logging only 5:32 of ice time. He was knocked out of the lineup by a big hit from Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn. The Norwegian veteran was making his 15th appearance of the season after he missed the start of the campaign with a lower-body injury. Zuccarello has been sharp on the first line, contributing two goals and 12 assists. Vladimir Tarasenko, who has notched 11 points (three goals, eight assists) in 23 outings, may join the top six if Zuccarello has to spend some time on the sidelines.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 9, 2025
Toronto Raptors point guard
Jamal Shead (quadriceps) is considered questionable for a meeting with the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup on Tuesday. He could miss his first game of the season due to a right quadriceps contusion. With
RJ Barrett (knee) on the shelf, Shead has regularly logged 20-plus minutes on the floor. In Sunday's loss to the Boston Celtics, Shead even started the second half after Ja'Kobe Walter struggled. If Shead exits the lineup, players like Walter and
Ochai Agbaji will have an opportunity to take on a larger workload. However, neither player has offered consistent fantasy production in 2025-26.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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