December 30, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies center
Jock Landale (calf) is available for Tuesday's meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers. He was out of action for two straight games due to a right calf strain. Across 30 games this season, the 30-year-old big man is averaging 11.0 points and 5.9 rebounds in 22.3 minutes per contest. With Landale back tonight,
Christian Koloko will likely see fewer minutes on the floor.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Grizzlies PR
December 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Jonnu Smith will be set up as a more attractive TE2 streamer in fantasy football for the final week of the regular season this Sunday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, with
Darnell Washington done for the year after breaking his forearm in Sunday's Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns. With Washington getting hurt, Smith ended up leading the Steelers with five receptions (five targets), although it amounted to only 18 receiving yards on a day in which Pittsburgh's offense couldn't get into the end zone. After a career year in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, the 30-year-old Smith has predictably struggled in Arthur Smith's offense, posting a 37-220-2 line in 16 games. Smith's five targets in Week 17 were his most since Week 9, though, and he's now topped 20 scrimmage yards in three straight games. In deeper fantasy leagues, Smith will be slightly more attractive as a TE2 streamer in Week 18 versus the Ravens.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 30, 2025
Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback
Quinn Ewers threw his first two touchdown passes in a Week 17 upset win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, going 14-for-22 passing for 172 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in his second NFL start. The 22-year-old seventh-rounder from Texas added four rushing attempts for five yards. Ewers threw for 260 yards in his first start last week against the Cincinnati Bengals, but he threw no TDs and two picks. He wasn't exceptional on Sunday against Tampa, but he managed to avoid turning the ball over, with his touchdown passes going to receiver Theo Wease and tight end
Greg Dulcich. To close out the year, he'll get the division-rival New England Patriots on the road as the Dolphins look to spoil New England's chances of earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC and a first-round bye in the playoffs. Ewers should be considered as nothing more than a low-end QB2 option in his first meeting with the Pats.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 30, 2025
Philadelphia 76ers center
Joel Embiid (ankle) is available for Tuesday's matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies. Embiid missed Sunday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to a sprained right ankle. He is averaging 24.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 blocks across 30.0 minutes per game in six December games. With the star big man back in the mix this evening,
Andre Drummond will return to his backup center role.
--Andrew LennoxSource: NBA Injury Report
December 30, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) was listed as a limited participant in Tuesday's practice, according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows. Pearsall aggravated a knee injury dating back to earlier this year and missed the Week 16 contest, but he returned for Sunday night's tilt against the Chicago Bears to play 81% of the offensive snaps. The 25-year-old former first-rounder looked good, too, leading the team in receiving with 85 yards on five catches (eight targets). Injuries have become an issue for Pearsall in just his second year in the NFL, but as long as he doesn't suffer a setback, he should be active in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Saturday evening versus the division-rival Seattle Seahawks in a game that will decide the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Tight end
George Kittle's (ankle) potential return this weekend could take valuable targets away from Pearsall.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
December 30, 2025
Utah Jazz guard
Keyonte George (illness) is set to suit up for Tuesday's matchup with the Boston Celtics. The 22-year-old has been feeling under the weather but has been cleared to play. George is averaging a career-high 24.2 points and 6.8 assists across 31 games this season. He provides plenty of fantasy value for this evening's contest as he has finished with at least 20 points in his last eight appearances.
--Andrew LennoxSource: Utah Jazz
December 30, 2025
San Francisco 49ers tight end
George Kittle (ankle) was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. It's early in the week, but it's a good sign that Kittle is back on the practice field after missing all three practices last week and being ruled out for the Sunday night win over the Chicago Bears. The 32-year-old veteran might need to upgrade to a full practice before Thursday to avoid taking a questionable tag into Saturday night's divisional clash against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 18, though. If Kittle returns for the contest that will decide the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff picture, he'll be a must-start TE1 in fantasy football lineups. In Kittle's absence in Week 17,
Jake Tonges stepped up in a big way, securing seven catches for 60 yards and a touchdown on nine targets as one of quarterback
Brock Purdy's favorite weapons.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
December 30, 2025
San Francisco 49ers running back
Christian McCaffrey (back) did not practice on Tuesday due to a back injury, according to Matt Barrows of The Athletic. McCaffrey dealt with back stiffness earlier this month, too, but he didn't miss any time. The 29-year-old's back injury isn't very serious this time around, either, and it shouldn't keep him from playing a big role in a crucial divisional battle this Saturday night against the Seattle Seahawks that will determine the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoff picture. CMC was unstoppable in Sunday night's win over the Chicago Bears, going for a season-high 140 rushing yards and a touchdown on 23 rushing attempts. He also caught four of six targets for 41 yards as a receiver. McCaffrey won't find running room as easily to come by against Seattle, but he should still be considered a high-end RB1 option for fantasy managers still playing for something in Week 18.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
December 30, 2025
Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Kirk Cousins led the team to another upset victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football to close out Week 17 action. Most of the heavy lifting was done by star running back
Bijan Robinson, though, who finished just shy of 200 rushing yards with a touchdown on 22 carries. Robinson also caught five passes for 34 yards and a second touchdown. Cousins, meanwhile, continued to play a game-manager role at QB, going 13-for-20 passing for 126 yards, a touchdown, and no interceptions. The 37-year-old veteran signal-caller shouldn't attract a ton of fantasy interest as a streamer going into the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Cousins has gone over 200 passing yards just twice in the last five games. In the first game against the Saints, he threw for 199 yards, two TDs, and a pick on Nov. 23.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 30, 2025
Out of nowhere, Buffalo Bills veteran wide receiver
Brandin Cooks led the team in receiving yards (101) while catching four of his six targets in the Week 17 loss to the visiting Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. The Bills needed someone to step up in the passing attack with tight end
Dalton Kincaid (knee) out due to injury and receiver
Keon Coleman being a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old Cooks hooked up with quarterback
Josh Allen a few times deep down the field and averaged a healthy 25.3 yards per reception in his fifth game with the team. In the first four games with Buffalo, Cooks had only one catch on five targets for one yard. Although Cooks may be more of a long shot to replicate his production from Week 17 going forward, he might have done enough to secure a bigger role going into the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Jets and into the postseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Marquez Valdes-Scantling figures to be heavily targeted again in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, with
DK Metcalf suspended one more game. In Sunday's upset loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 17, Valdes-Scantling drew a season-high nine targets, hauling in three of them for a mediocre 21 receiving yards. The 31-year-old veteran pass-catcher has only five catches on 14 targets for 46 yards and one touchdown in his four games since joining Pittsburgh. MVS hasn't really been on the same page as quarterback
Aaron Rodgers, and his target share could be affected if
Calvin Austin III (hamstring) returns in a must-win Week 18 contest that will decide the winner of the AFC North. At best, Valdes-Scantling will be a deep-league dart throw as a WR5/flex versus Baltimore this weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins center Connor Dewar (undisclosed) will be available for Tuesday's tilt against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 26-year-old left Monday's practice early but is set to remain on the fourth line against Carolina. On Sunday, Dewar ended a seven-game scoreless spell with an assist in a 7-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. During the season, he has contributed six goals and six assists in 37 outings, while averaging nearly two hits per game. His 69 hits rank second on the team behind Parker Wotherspoon. The Penguins average the fewest hits in the league, so having Dewar available against a tough divisional rival will be important. However, Dewar does not hold any fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 30, 2025
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Cleveland Browns have done some "preliminary research" for a potential coaching change following the 2025 season, although that doesn't mean they are locked into firing head coach Kevin Stefanski on Black Monday. Fowler also mentions the Las Vegas Raiders as another team that could be looking to move on from head coach Pete Carroll after just one season. Heading into a Week 18 regular-season finale this weekend against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, the Browns are in last place in the AFC North with a 4-12 record. It comes a year after a 3-14 finish. Even after signing a contract extension with the Browns 19 months ago and just upsetting the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers, the organization could choose to go in another direction after Stefanski's six tumultuous seasons in Cleveland.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeremy Fowler
December 30, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev (lower body) was placed on Injured Reserve on Tuesday. He is set to miss at least three games due to a lower-body injury, starting with Tuesday's clash against the New Jersey Devils. This is unfortunate news, as Tanev had just returned from a seven-week injury layoff. He made three appearances before suffering a new injury setback. Health issues have limited the veteran rearguard to 11 outings this season. He has logged two assists and 15 hits with a plus-eight rating. Simon Benoit will come back into the lineup as Tanev's replacement on Tuesday. Although Benoit leads all Maple Leafs defensemen with 81 hits, he doesn't have fantasy value due to his lack of offensive ability.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 30, 2025
Los Angeles Rams rookie tight end
Terrance Ferguson will head into the Week 18 regular-season finale this weekend against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals as a legitimate streaming option at tight end for fantasy football managers. The 22-year-old found the end zone for the second straight contest in the Monday night loss to the Atlanta Falcons, catching two of his four targets for a season-high 54 yards and the trip to paydirt. In last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks, he had three catches on four targets for 33 yards and his second score of the season. Ferguson's touchdown reception in Week 17 was a 27-yard strike from quarterback
Matthew Stafford when he was left all alone in the back of the end zone.
Colby Parkinson remains heavily involved -- he outsnapped Ferguson 51 to 32 and caught six passes for 53 yards -- but Ferguson could certainly find the end zone for a third straight week this Sunday against Arizona.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 30, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Dakota Joshua (kidney) won't play on Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils. He faces a multi-game absence after suffering a kidney injury on Sunday against the Detroit Red Wings. Joshua remains in Detroit and is under observation. "Whether he took a hit or went into the boards, it's his kidney ... so we got to see where he's at, too," Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube said Tuesday. The team placed Joshua on Injured Reserve ahead of Tuesday's game, meaning he will sit out at least three games. Toronto is dealing with several injury issues in the attacking department, which may give players like Bobby McMann, Nicholas Robertson, and Mattias Maccelli a chance to play larger roles.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 30, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers are choosing to rest starting quarterback
Justin Herbert for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday in Denver against the division-rival Broncos, which opens the door for backup
Trey Lance to make his first start of the season. Head coach Jim Harbaugh confirmed on Monday that Lance will start against the Broncos and their strong defense. The 25-year-old former third overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers back in 2021 out of North Dakota State will be making just his sixth start in the NFL. There is an opportunity for Lance, but we won't be expecting much from him in his first start of the year for various reasons. For one, the Chargers' banged-up offensive line is unlikely to be able to protect him consistently against a Broncos D that leads the league in sacks. Additionally, the Bolts could be resting other key offensive skill players besides Herbert. Lance should be considered a desperation low-end QB2 in superflex leagues this weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
December 30, 2025
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault will start Tuesday's matchup against the Florida Panthers. He hasn't seen NHL action since Dec. 9. It has been a tough campaign for Montembeault, who has registered a horrible .857 save percentage while allowing 3.65 goals. The 29-year-old carries a 5-6-1 record. Recently, Montembeault had a conditioning stint in the AHL, finishing with a 0-2-0 record, a 2.53 goals-against average, and a .904 save percentage. It will take a brave manager to trust Montembeault against the back-to-back champions, who have averaged nearly four goals per game (3.92) during a 9-3-0 run.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 30, 2025
The Los Angeles Angels and third baseman
Anthony Rendon agreed to restructure the rest of his contract on Tuesday, a league source told Sam Blum of The Athletic. The agreement will allow the 35-year-old Rendon to retire with one year left on his contract. He is owed the $38 million for the final year of his seven-year, $245 million deal, and the Angels will pay out that money over the next three to five years to free up significant cash for the club to pursue high-profile free agents in 2026. A second hip surgery caused Rendon to miss all of 2025. He will remain on the roster next year, but he's likely to be placed on the 60-day injured list at the outset of spring training. In six years with the Halos, Rendon appeared in just 257 of a possible 1,032 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Sam Blum
December 30, 2025
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (illness) will play Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. It was unclear if Karlsson would be available after he missed Monday's practice due to illness. The former Norris Trophy winner has scored only one point in his past five appearances. Still, it has been a fine campaign for Karlsson, who has totaled 26 points (three goals, 23 assists) in 37 appearances. Karlsson leads the Penguins in average ice time with 23:55, and nothing suggests he will have a reduced workload Tuesday night.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
December 30, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (lower body) will miss a second consecutive game on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. He remains day-to-day after suffering a lower-body injury in Saturday's win over the Ottawa Senators. Auston Matthews (lower body) is a game-time call and could join Nylander on the sidelines Tuesday night. If that's the case, players like Nicholas Robertson, Scott Laughton, and Bobby McMann will have additional fantasy value. Nylander's next chance to play will come on Thursday night against the Winnipeg Jets.
--Taavi PailkSource: TSN
December 30, 2025
Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (lower body) is a game-time decision on Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils. The Maple Leafs captain sustained a lower-body injury while blocking a shot during Sunday's matchup against the Detroit Red Wings. Toronto's frontline has already been without William Nylander (lower body), and losing Matthews would be another bad blow. If Matthews can't play on Tuesday, John Tavares would assume first-line center duties, while Nicholas Roy and Scott Laughton could also see increased ice time. Tavares has begun to heat up with a three-game point streak, and a spot on the first line would make him an even more attractive fantasy target.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 30, 2025
Washington Wizards guard/forward
Corey Kispert (hamstring) will not be ready to return when the Wizards take on the Bucks on Wednesday. It has been a rough few months for Kispert, who missed 10 games with a thumb injury and then played only 13 minutes before leaving with hamstring tightness in his first game back. This will be his fourth straight game sidelined with his new injury, but the 26-year-old remains day-to-day. While he's out,
Justin Champagnie and
Tre Johnson should continue to get more minutes and usage, especially on Wednesday, when
Kyshawn George (hip) is also out.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
December 30, 2025
Free-agent right-handed reliever
Kirby Yates and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal on Tuesday, pending a physical, a source told Ari Alexander. Yates will stay in L.A. after spending the 2025 campaign with the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers, where he went 4-3 with a 5.23 ERA (4.76 FIP), 1.33 WHIP, three saves, 52 strikeouts, and 17 walks in 41 1/3 innings out of the bullpen during the regular season. It was a disappointing year for the 38-year-old veteran after he recorded a 1.17 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and 33 saves the year prior with the Texas Rangers. Yates is no spring chicken, but he could bounce back to better results in 2026 and will be in the mix for more saves next season in an Angels bullpen that lost
Kenley Jansen in free agency. Yates' primary competition for saves next season will come from the oft-injured
Robert Stephenson and veteran lefty
Drew Pomeranz.
--Keith HernandezSource: Ari Alexander
December 30, 2025
Washington Wizards forward
Kyshawn George (hip) will miss a third straight game while dealing with a hip flexor injury when his team visits the Bucks on New Year's Eve. George is averaging 15.0 points, 5.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.0 steals per game in 31.9 minutes per game in his second season in the NBA. Without him on Wednesday,
Khris Middleton and
Tre Johnson will likely get more work against Milwaukee, and Johnson has been surging lately and is coming off 24 points on Monday against the Suns. For as long as George is out, Johnson will be an intriguing streamer and DFS option for Washington, since he can be such an effective scorer when given minutes.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
December 30, 2025
ESPN's Josh Weinfuss writes that there's an outside chance that if both head coach Jonathan Gannon and general manager Monti Ossenfort are fired, the new regime will decide to run it back with Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray (foot). If the Cardinals decide to move on from Murray, who didn't play at all in 2025 after spraining his foot back in Week 5, they will likely bring veteran
Jacoby Brissett back on the second year of his two-year deal while drafting a signal-caller. The Cardinals should be able to pick one of three young QBs in next year's draft among Indiana's Fernando Mendoza, Oregon's Dante Moore, or Alabama's Ty Simpson. The Cardinals have taken a liking to the 6-foot-2 Simpson, who is known as a pocket passer. But if Arizona decides to trade down in the first round or wait until the second round to take a QB, they could look at Miami's
Carson Beck or LSU's Garrett Nussmeier.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Josh Weinfuss
December 30, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies guard/forward
Vince Williams Jr. (knee) is out for Tuesday's game against the 76ers, making it six straight games the versatile contributor has missed with this lingering left knee injury. Since
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (hamstring) is also out, there will be even more time available on the wings for
Cedric Coward and
Jaylen Wells, as the Grizzlies look to fill in for KCP and Williams. The next chance for Williams to get back on the floor will be Friday against the Lakers.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
December 30, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback
Baker Mayfield (knee, shoulder) is on the team's Week 18 injury report with multiple injuries and was listed as limited in the first practice of the week on Tuesday, according to Brianna Dix of Buccaneers.com. Mayfield injured his left (non-throwing) shoulder earlier this season, but now he's dealing with an injury to his throwing arm heading into a must-win Week 18 divisional game this Saturday against the Carolina Panthers. The 30-year-old veteran will almost certainly play this weekend, but he certainly hasn't looked 100% in a long while. Mayfield's fortunes haven't turned around recently as the Bucs have gotten healthy on offense, and he's averaging just 222.5 passing yards with six touchdowns and six turnovers in the last four games. At best, Mayfield will be a low-end QB1 option as he plays for the NFC South title this weekend against Carolina.
--Keith HernandezSource: Buccaneers.com - Brianna Dix
December 30, 2025
Detroit Pistons guard
Caris LeVert (knee) was downgraded from doubtful to out on Tuesday afternoon before his team faces the Lakers in Los Angeles. He sustained the injury on Sunday in the third quarter against the Clippers. At this point, it's just being described as "soreness," so it may not be a long-term issue. On Tuesday, though, without LeVert in the second unit, both
Jaden Ivey and
Javonte Green will likely get more playing time. Levert's next chance to return will be Thursday against Miami.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
December 30, 2025
Sacramento Kings forward
Keegan Murray (calf) was originally questionable but was upgraded to available for Tuesday's matchup against the Clippers. He was expected to miss a week when the injury was initially announced last Friday, but he's ahead of schedule and will be back on the floor this Tuesday. Murray is averaging 14.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.5 steals in 37.1 minutes per game in his 15 games this season. His return will likely push
Keon Ellis back to the bench, but it's a big upgrade for the Kings' offense as a whole. Like the Kings, get Murray back into your lineups for Tuesday's game, and be excited that he was able to recover ahead of schedule.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NBA Injury Report
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