December 28, 2025
Carolina Panthers tight end
Ja'Tavion Sanders (ankle) suffered a broken ankle during Sunday's Week 17 loss against the Seattle Seahawks, according to head coach Dave Canales. He will undergo surgery during the upcoming week. This injury will shut down Sanders for the final week of the regular season and presumably all of the playoffs, should Carolina qualify. He ends the year with just 29 catches for 190 yards and one touchdown through 13 games. It was a disappointing campaign for the tight end out of Texas, who showed promise as a rookie but evidently wasn't able to take a second-year leap in 2025.
Tommy Tremble,
Mitchell Evans, and
James Mitchell will step up as the Panthers' top tight ends going forward.
--Andersen PickardSource: Mike Kaye
December 28, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles is not in danger of being fired after the season, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. While there has been some speculation about the future of Bowles, whose Bucs are just 2-8 over their last 10 games, it appears that the head coach's job is safe. When reporting that Bowles is expected back next season, Rapoport cited a three-year extension that he was given prior to the 2025 season. Bowles is under contract through 2028, and the team isn't ready to cut bait just months after signing him to a new deal. Additionally, Rapoport notes that the Buccaneers have won three consecutive divisional titles under Bowles and are still in the hunt for a fourth this season. Tampa Bay has plenty of work to do this upcoming offseason, but a change atop the chain of command isn't expected.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
December 28, 2025
The Pittsburgh Steelers will not void the guarantees in wide receiver
DK Metcalf's contract despite his two-game suspension, according to Jay Glazer of FOX Sports. Because Metcalf was suspended by the NFL, the team could have voided those guarantees, but they reportedly want to stay on good terms with Metcalf long-term. Taking away guaranteed money would have gone against that mission. The talented receiver was issued the two-game ban after an altercation with a fan during Week 16 against the Detroit Lions. He's done for the regular season but would be eligible to return for the playoffs, should Pittsburgh qualify. Interestingly, Glazer reported that Metcalf had filed a security report against this same fan last season, so there appears to be some history between the two. Metcalf and the Steelers will look to put this off-field drama behind them, especially since Pittsburgh is without its top two receivers and needs to win next week to make the playoffs.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jay Glazer
December 28, 2025
The Cleveland Browns DST did not generate any turnovers, but managed to sack quarterback
Aaron Rodgers twice and keep the Pittsburgh Steelers out of the end zone in a 13-6 win in Week 17. Even though the Browns gave up almost 300 yards to the Steelers, the defensive squad kept the Rodgers-led offense from converting all three of its three fourth-down attempts, including a pivotal one at the goal line at the end of the game to seal the victory. The sturdy Browns' rush defense also kept the dominant running back duo of
Jaylen Warren and
Kenneth Gainwell to under 100 combined rushing yards. The Browns DST will close out the season on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals and their high-powered offense in Week 18.
--Matt McCauleySource: NFL
December 28, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie running back
Dylan Sampson (hand) was largely inefficient against in the Browns' 13-6 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, gaining just 27 yards from his 11 rushing attempts. The young ball carrier also had three receptions from three targets, but was unable to gain any air yards. Sampson did have three more rushing attempts than fellow rookie running back
Raheim Sanders, and the two seem to be splitting the backfield in
Quinshon Judkins' (ankle, leg) absence. The rookie running back will head to Cincinnati in Week 18 to take on the Bengals' defense, which is the best matchup for opposing running backs. His slight edge in backfield opportunities and a very favorable matchup make him an appealing option for fantasy managers in PPR leagues playing into Week 18.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback
Shedeur Sanders completed 17 of his 23 pass attempts for 186 yards and one touchdown, but threw two interceptions in Sunday's 13-6 victory over AFC North rivals the Pittsburgh Steelers. Sanders completed 73.9% of his passes in Week 17, which is his best completion percentage of the season and his second straight week showing improvement. The young rookie had four rushing attempts again this week, but only managed to gain 20 yards on the ground, his fewest since Week 13. Sanders will close out his rookie season on the road against the Bengals in Week 18, which is a top-five matchup for opposing quarterbacks. However, he may be without his favorite target, rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr., (groin) who reaggravated his groin injury after receiving a touchdown pass in the first quarter of Week 17.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Cleveland Browns wide receiver
Jerry Jeudy caught five of his seven targets for 54 yards in a gritty 13-6 victory in Week 17 over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jeudy stepped up after rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) left mid-way through the first quarter after reaggravating his groin injury. The veteran receiver has his most targets since Week 11 and most yards since Week 14 against a stout Steelers' pass defense. The severity of Fannin Jr.'s injury is unclear as Week 17 draws to a close. Still, if the tight end were to miss Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Jeudy is likely to be rookie quarterback
Shedeur Sanders' primary target. However, the Bengals' pass defense is a bottom-three matchup for opposing wide receivers, which will probably limit Jeudy's upside.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
New England Patriots quarterback
Drake Maye completed 19 of his 21 pass attempts for 256 passing yards, five touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Week 17 win over the New York Jets. He also rushed for 22 yards and took just one sack. The former No. 3 pick arguably had the best game of his young career. This was his first outing with at least four passing touchdowns, and he also became the first quarterback in NFL history to complete 90% of his passes while throwing for at least 250 yards and five touchdowns. Fascinatingly, Maye put together this performance despite being pulled from the game in the middle of the third quarter. In case there was any doubt, Maye reminded fantasy managers that he is a high-end QB1 and should be started in all leagues. That remains true heading into Week 18 against the Miami Dolphins.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (lung) is expected to return for Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Watt's health is in a "good place," and he should play in the Steelers' next meaningful game. As it turns out, Week 18 will be a meaningful game, since the winner of Ravens-Steelers wins the AFC North. Once next weekend comes around, Watt should return following a three-game absence. He has been sidelined due to a dry needling session that went awry and resulted in a partially collapsed lung. The 31-year-old will likely make a huge impact against a Ravens offense led by
Lamar Jackson (back) and
Derrick Henry.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ian Rapoport
December 28, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Darnell Washington (arm) suffered a broken arm in Sunday's Week 17 loss against the Cleveland Browns, head coach Mike Tomlin announced. Tomlin wouldn't rule out Washington for Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens, but this diagnosis will presumably shut him down for at least a few weeks, if not the entire playoffs (should Pittsburgh qualify). The 24-year-old had been stepping into a larger role lately, and he caught two passes for 15 yards prior to his departure on Sunday afternoon. Washington is a big, physical, and talented tight end, so his absence will be felt against the Ravens next week. With that said, the Steelers are lucky to have such a deep tight end room, so they will work to fill Washington's void with
Jonnu Smith,
Pat Freiermuth, and
Connor Heyward.
--Andersen PickardSource: Teresa Varley
December 28, 2025
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) exited during the second half of Sunday's Week 17 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team listed him as questionable, but he never returned to the contest. He finished Sunday's game with three tackles and one pass defended. It's too early to tell whether Gardner will play in Week 18 against the Houston Texans, but the fact that Indianapolis never officially ruled him out is encouraging. With that said, the Colts have been eliminated from playoff contention, so they have no reason to rush him back if he's not 100 percent healthy. Mekhi Blackmon, Johnathan Edwards, and Jaylon Jones should earn more defensive snaps if Gardner doesn't play next weekend.
--Andersen PickardSource: Indianapolis Colts
December 28, 2025
Miami Dolphins linebacker Jordyn Brooks (hamstring) exited during the third quarter of Sunday's Week 17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The team listed him as questionable, but he didn't end up getting back into the game. Brooks finished the game with one pass defended and five tackles, including one tackle for loss. His departure led to more defensive snaps for K.J. Britt and Willie Gay Jr. It's too early to tell whether Brooks will be able to play in Week 18 against the Patriots, but with Miami eliminated from playoff contention, they probably won't rush him back. With 174 tackles this year, Brooks has been a high-scoring option in IDP leagues, so managers will eagerly await updates on his status in the days leading up to Week 18.
--Andersen PickardSource: Miami Dolphins
December 28, 2025
New York Jets running back
Isaiah Davis (concussion) entered concussion protocol and was ruled out during the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 17 loss against the New England Patriots. Davis exited the contest while making a tackle on special teams. He registered three carries, 11 rushing yards, one catch, and nine receiving yards prior to his departure. The Jets also lost
Breece Hall (knee) in the fourth quarter, forcing
Kene Nwangwu and
Khalil Herbert into the game. Those two backs would be in line to share ball-carrying duties against Buffalo in Week 18 if neither Hall nor Davis are able to suit up.
--Andersen PickardSource: New York Jets
December 28, 2025
New York Jets running back
Breece Hall (knee) exited during the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 17 loss against the New England Patriots. He was listed as questionable to return and ultimately did not re-enter the game before the clock hit triple zeroes. He finished with 14 carries, 111 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown, plus an additional two catches for 18 receiving yards.
Isaiah Davis (concussion) was ruled out and
Braelon Allen (knee) is on injured reserve, so Hall's departure forced running backs
Kene Nwangwu and
Khalil Herbert into the game. It's too early to tell whether Hall will be available for Week 18 against the Buffalo Bills. That game could have playoff implications for Buffalo, but it's meaningless for the Jets, who could possibly hold Hall out to keep him healthy ahead of his impending free agency.
--Andersen PickardSource: New York Jets
December 28, 2025
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) exited during the second half of Sunday's Week 17 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. He was listed as questionable to return but did not check back into the game before the clock hit triple zeroes. The second-year receiver entered this week with a lingering heel injury, so it appears that he re-aggravated the existing ailment. Harrison had a disappointing performance with zero catches on one target. He has handled a reduced workload while injured, catching just one pass on four targets over his last two games. With the Cardinals eliminated from the playoff hunt, they could consider making Harrison inactive for Week 18. Managers should check back for updates in the days leading up to next week's contest.
--Andersen PickardSource: Arizona Cardinals
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