December 16, 2025
In 44-year-old quarterback
Philip Rivers' first NFL game in five years with the Indianapolis Colts in Sunday's 18-16 loss to the hosting Seattle Seahawks, wide receiver
Josh Downs caught his lone touchdown pass. Downs played a season-high 72% of the offensive snaps in Week 15 in Rivers' first game replacing
Daniel Jones, who is out for the year with a torn Achilles. The 24-year-old wideout was tied for second on the team with five targets, catching three of them for only 13 yards and his fourth touchdown of the year. All in all, it wasn't anything special for fantasy football production, but it was notable that Downs tied
Michael Pittman Jr. in targets, with
Alec Pierce seeing just one look from Rivers. With Rivers shotputting balls to his receivers, Downs could become a more attractive short-area target over Pierce to close out the season, making him worth a look off the waiver wire as WR depth. Downs is rostered in 43% of Yahoo leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 16, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Tre Tucker is still technically the team's top wideout, but he didn't record a single catch on three targets in the 31-0 beatdown at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. Tucker has been the Raiders' second leading receiver this year behind star tight end
Brock Bowers, catching 46 of his 75 targets for 574 yards and five touchdowns, but he's been in a funk lately. The 24-year-old doesn't have more than three catches or 28 receiving yards in any of the last four games. Fantasy managers in 12-team leagues are probably looking to drop him following his donut in Week 15, especially with a terrible upcoming matchup this weekend on the road against the Houston Texans and their No. 1 defense. However, with
Tyler Lockett (wrist) banged up and quarterback
Geno Smith (shoulder, back) potentially returning in Week 16, there's a glimmer of hope that Tucker can rebound in a tough matchup.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 16, 2025
New York Giants running back
Devin Singletary was a popular waiver-wire addition following the team's Week 13 loss to the New England Patriots, when he recorded 102 scrimmage yards and a touchdown following
Tyrone Tracy Jr.'s hip injury on a Monday night. Tracy had the Week 14 bye to heal up, though, and he returned as New York's clear lead back in Sunday's 29-21 loss to the Washington Commanders, leading the backfield with 15 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown. Tracy also caught all three of his targets for 27 yards and a second score through the air. Singletary was quiet, carrying the ball five times for only 13 yards and catching his only target for a one-yard gain. The lackluster day ended a stretch of three straight games with at least 40 rushing yards for the 28-year-old Singletary. Tracy will be the RB1 again in Week 16 versus the Vikings, but Singletary is a high-end handcuff option for fantasy managers for the final three weeks of the 2025 season.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 16, 2025
University of Southern California quarterback Jayden Maiava signed a new deal with the program to return in 2026, according to USC's official X account. The Hawaii native began his career at UNLV before heading to Los Angeles ahead of the 2024 campaign. While splitting time with Miller Moss as the Trojans' starting quarterback in 2024, he threw for 1,201 yards, 11 touchdowns, and six interceptions in seven games. After Moss left for Louisville in 2025, Maiava entered the season as the starting quarterback and completed over 66% of his passes for 3,341 yards, 23 touchdowns, and eight picks. He also ran for six touchdowns. USC improved from 7-6 to 9-3 (pending bowl game) from 2024 and 2025, and the program could continue its upward trend in the Big Ten with another year of Maiava running Lincoln Riley's offense.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: USC Football on X
December 16, 2025
Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson said last week that he was "feeling better" after battling through multiple lower-body injuries this season, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Although Jackson's performance was pedestrian in the 24-0 shutout win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, the team snapped a two-game losing streak, and Jackson looked more like himself. He had the fewest completions of his eight-year career in a full game with eight, throwing for 150 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The two-time MVP's 136 passing yards were his most in a first half this season, and he was back to producing touchdowns and stretching the field. Jackson ended a career-worst streak of five games without multiple TD passes. The 28-year-old's production has dipped recently in tandem with his reduced practice time, as he's missed at least one full practice in each of the last five games due to ankle, knee, and toe ailments. If Jackson is indeed putting his injuries in the rearview mirror, we could finally start to see the high-end QB1 version, although it might already be too late for fantasy managers.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
December 16, 2025
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said tight end
Tyler Higbee (ankle) will remain sidelined for the team's Week 16 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, per Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Higbee was placed on Injured Reserve following Week 11 due to an ankle injury. Across nine games before getting hurt, the 32-year-old had recorded 20 receptions for 190 yards and two touchdowns on 30 targets. The Rams operate with one of the deepest tight end rooms in the NFL, as all three of
Davis Allen,
Colby Parkinson, and
Terrance Ferguson have played at least 15 offensive snaps in every game since Higbee went down. Parkinson has stepped up as the leading receiver of the group, recording six touchdowns over his last five games. With Higbee sidelined and Rams wideout
Davante Adams (hamstring) potentially out as well, Parkinson could be a viable streaming option at the tight end position for fantasy managers in Week 16.
--Will BradySource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
December 16, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie wide receiver
Isaiah Bond notched his most receiving yards of the season in the Week 15 loss to the Chicago Bears, catching two of his four targets for 89 yards. Bond posted his highest route share (73.8%) since Week 6 and continues to be a dangerous deep threat for rookie quarterback
Shedeur Sanders. The undrafted rookie out of Alabama's two deep shots accounted for just over half of Sanders' 177 passing yards for the game. Bond has established himself as a big-play threat in Cleveland's offense and has a growing connection with Sanders, giving him upside as a deep-league boom/bust flex option for the Week 16 game against the Buffalo Bills.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
Florida Gators wide receiver Aidan Mizell is set to enter the transfer portal, according to Hayes Fawcett of On3 and Rivals. The rising redshirt junior was a four-star recruit out of Orlando in the 2023 recruiting cycle, but he's been unable to carve out a big-time role in the Florida offense. In 22 career games, he's hauled in 38 receptions for 404 yards and three touchdowns, including 19 receptions for 177 yards and one score in his final year in Gainesville. He's a talented player with a strong prospect profile, so he should have several suitors as he hits the open market.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Transfer Portal on X
December 16, 2025
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said that wide receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) will not practice on Tuesday but has not yet been ruled out for the team's Week 16 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night, per ESPN's Sarah Bishop. Adams suffered a hamstring injury that forced him to exit early from the Rams' Week 15 win over the Detroit Lions. Given the short turnaround, Adams may be trending towards missing his team's crucial Week 16 matchup against Seattle that may decide which team gets the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs. Across 14 games this season, the 32-year-old has hauled in 60 receptions for 789 yards and 14 touchdowns on 114 targets. If he is sidelined, Rams wideouts
Konata Mumpfield and
Tutu Atwell could see an increase in playing time. Star Los Angeles wide receiver
Puka Nacua would likely be in line for an even larger target share in Week 16.
UPDATE: Adams could end up being a game-time decision on Thursday.--Will BradySource: ESPN - Sarah Bishop
December 16, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Noah Brown (ribs) has been placed on Injured Reserve, per JP Finlay of NBC 4 Sports. The team has also signed veteran wideout
Chris Moore from the practice squad to the active roster as the corresponding move. The IR placement ends what has been an injury-ravaged season for Brown. He appeared in just four games this season for Washington, recording five receptions for 83 yards on 10 targets. The 29-year-old has had a difficult time staying healthy in recent years, playing in just 25 games over the past three seasons. With Brown sidelined, Commanders wideouts
Treylon Burks and
Jaylin Lane should see more opportunities alongside Washington's star wide receiver duo of
Terry McLaurin and
Deebo Samuel Sr.--Will BradySource: NBC 4 Sports - JP Finlay
December 16, 2025
Tennessee Titans rookie tight end
Gunnar Helm delivered another promising outing in Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers, hauling in all four of his targets for 49 yards and his second touchdown of the season. Helm left the game during the second half with a toe injury, but was able to return and still finished with another promising performance. The rookie fourth-rounder has recorded the most receptions by a rookie tight end in Titans franchise history, with three games still left to play. While his routes have still been limited as he splits reps with
Chig Okonkwo, Helm has been a strong target earner with 29% targets per route run since Week 11, ranking second among tight ends with at least 75 routes over that stretch. He has at least four receptions in four of the past five games and has been one of the few bright spots in an otherwise poor Titans offense. Helm is worth consideration as a potential streamer in fantasy football for Week 16 against the Kansas City Chiefs, who have been eliminated from the playoffs.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
Since returning in Week 13 from an ankle injury that caused him to miss two games, Cincinnati Bengals running back
Samaje Perine has recorded 135 scrimmage yards on 38 touches across three contests. While Bengals back
Chase Brown remains the lead rusher in Cincinnati, Perine plays a third-down role that has led to a consistent snap share this season. He's played at least 37% of Cincinnati's offensive snaps in every game since returning from injury, giving him a chance at standalone fantasy value every week. Still, Perine's main utility for fantasy managers is as a handcuff option to Brown. If Brown were to go down over the final weeks of the season, Perine would likely dominate backfield snaps in Cincinnati. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Perine is worth targeting on the waiver wire and stashing in a bench spot.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 16, 2025
East Carolina is pursuing North Texas offensive coordinator Jordan Davis to be its next offensive coordinator, reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel. The 33-year-old aided former UNT head coach Eric Morris in leading the Mean Green to the No. 1 total offense (504.3) and scoring offense (44.8) in 2025. Quarterback Drew Mestemaker had a breakout season under Davis, passing for over 4,000 yards and 31 touchdowns. Davis began his coaching career at Texas Tech in 2016 as a graduate assistant before stints at Incarnate Word, Washington State, and North Texas. If the two sides reach a deal, he will be tasked with replacing John David Baker, who has been hired as Ole Miss' offensive coordinator for 2026.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
December 16, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver
Tre' Harris had his best game of the season in Week 15 versus the Kansas City Chiefs, collecting three receptions (five targets) for a season-high 49 yards. His big day was the direct result of fellow wideout
Quentin Johnston sitting out with a groin injury. Harris recorded a 75.8% route share, which only trailed
Ladd McConkey in the game. It was the rookie's highest mark since Week 6, and only his third game at 50% or higher. With an increased role, Harris should be on the fantasy radar as a potential deep-league flex option for a favorable Week 16 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys if Johnston misses another game. The Cowboys rank last in passing yards and touchdowns allowed, which could set Harris up for a breakout game if his uptick in playing time sticks.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end
Brenton Strange had a down week in Week 15, recording just one catch for 26 yards on three targets against the New York Jets. However, the 24-year-old had earned 15 targets over his last three games heading into Week 15. Jaguars quarterback
Trevor Lawrence is playing some of his best football in recent weeks, throwing for 1,059 passing yards and 12 touchdowns over his last four outings. With the Jacksonville passing game finding its groove, Strange should have opportunities for high-value targets every week. The Jaguars have a difficult matchup in Week 16 against the Denver Broncos before a more favorable matchup in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts. For fantasy managers in leagues with 12 or more teams in need of help at the tight end position, Strange could be a solid streaming option to target on the waiver wire.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 16, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (knee) "appears to be hellbent" on returning for Week 1 of the 2026 season, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in Kansas City's Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, ending his season. The 30-year-old underwent surgery on Monday, so a return in Week 1 of 2026 would be right around nine months of recovery time. While it's obviously too soon to know exactly when Mahomes will return, it's noteworthy that the initial plan is to be ready for the start of the season. By his lofty standards, the two-time MVP had a down year in 2025, completing a career-low 62.7% of his pass attempts for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions across 14 games.
Gardner Minshew is the current fill-in for Mahomes in Kansas City, but he will be a free agent at the end of the season. If Mahomes were to miss time in 2026, it's unclear who the Chiefs would turn to under center.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
December 16, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back
LeQuint Allen Jr. hasn't played a significant role this season behind
Travis Etienne Jr. and fellow rookie
Bhayshul Tuten, but he is likely to see an uptick in snaps with Tuten set to miss a few weeks with a finger injury that will require surgery. Allen handled five touches for 16 yards in the Week 15 blowout win over the New York Jets, his most since Week 11. The rookie seventh-rounder will step into the RB2 role behind Etienne and becomes an interesting deep-league option heading into the Week 16 game against the Denver Broncos on the road. His appeal is limited to deep leagues only, but he could have some standalone value with more touches likely coming his way.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
Across 14 games this season, Philadelphia Eagles running back
Tank Bigsby has recorded 41 carries for 237 yards. The 24-year-old's playing time is limited by the presence of star Eagles running back
Saquon Barkley, who dominates backfield snaps in Philadelphia. Bigsby has played double-digit snaps in just two games this season, so he holds little to no standalone fantasy value as long as Barkley is healthy. However, if Barkley were to get injured, Bigsby would be in line for a significant workload increase. He's proven he can be effective in a larger role, as he recorded 766 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 168 carries across 16 games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024. In fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Bigsby is worth rostering just in case Barkley goes down over the final weeks of the season.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 16, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Malik Davis saw more action in Week 16 when
Javonte Williams left briefly in the first half with a shoulder injury in Sunday night's loss to the Minnesota Vikings, but Williams returned in the second half. Davis took advantage of his increase in opportunities in the first half, handling eight carries for 21 yards and a touchdown to go with two receptions (three targets) for 16 yards as a receiver. He had only played 52 total offensive snaps entering the game, but played 37 in the loss to the Vikings. The 27-year-old has proven to be a quality backup behind Williams this season, adding more explosiveness to the Cowboys' backfield. It seems Williams will be good to go for Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers, but his status will be worth monitoring this week. Davis should be added as a strong contingency option in an elite Dallas offense.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
The New York Jets are releasing wide receiver
Allen Lazard, Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports. Lazard hasn't played a significant role for the Jets this season, collecting 10 catches for 70 yards on 18 targets in 10 games. His snap share dipped to just 22.4% over the past three games after averaging 45.7% over his first seven games. The 29-year-old wideout was passed on the depth chart by trade-deadline acquisitions
Adonai Mitchell and
John Metchie III, who both present more youth and upside at the WR position. Lazard will likely be scooped by another team in the coming days, but he can be ignored in fantasy football.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Zack Rosenblatt
December 16, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden recorded four catches (five targets) for 61 yards in the Week 15 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, his most yards in a game since Week 9. Gadsden struggled to produce in the previous four games, totalling just seven receptions for 88 yards on 17 targets as his route participation dipped during that time. The Chargers have shifted to a more run-heavy approach and heavier pass protection with a banged-up offensive line, which has limited the rookie's production of late. The Syracuse product led the Chargers in receiving on Sunday but saw his route share dip to 54.5%, his lowest since he became a full-time starter. However, Gadsden is still involved in the passing game and has upside in a favorable Week 16 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. He is worthy of streamer consideration for the second round of the fantasy playoffs.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
Houston Texans quarterback
C.J. Stroud is coming off one of his most efficient performances of the season against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15, completing 22 of 29 passes for three touchdowns. It marked his fourth game this season in which he completed more than 75% of his passes with at least two touchdown passes, tying for the second-most in the league. The third-year signal-caller is emerging as a strong streaming option with the Texans' offense finding its best form and an ideal Week 16 matchup on deck against the Las Vegas Raiders. While he doesn't add much value as a runner, Stroud is showing the passing upside to be worth consideration as a plug-and-play starter this week.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 16, 2025
Minnesota Vikings QB
J.J. McCarthy had a rough start to the season, with mistakes and injuries keeping him from being a fantasy option in almost all formats. In the last few weeks, though, the Michigan man has found a very nice groove while leading his team to wins over the Commanders and Cowboys. On Sunday Night Football, he completed 15 of 24 pass attempts for 250 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 15 rushing yards and a third score on the ground. He has six total touchdowns and just one turnover in those two games, and he has a great matchup to keep his momentum going in Week 16 as the Vikings head to New York and face the Giants. If you're looking for a second QB or are desperate for a streaming option, McCarthy's rushing potential makes him a solid snatch and start option this week.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN
December 16, 2025
Atlanta Falcons running back
Tyler Allgeier continues to share time with
Bijan Robinson, which makes him a high-risk play in standard leagues. Allgeier only had two carries for 18 rushing yards against the Bucs in Week 15. He had averaged double-digit carries for the previous three weeks with a touchdown and 98 rushing yards, but he didn't get nearly as much work this week in Tampa. Robinson is carrying a very heavy workload, but Allgeier has made the most of his opportunities when given chances. He still has deep league upside, since he has eight touchdowns this season, but he is too inconsistent to rely on in standard leagues.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN.com
December 16, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin Jr. has stepped back into a meaningful role after missing five games with a fibula injury earlier this season. Godwin has worked his way back into the mix, with 12 catches over the last three games for a total of 153 yards and a touchdown. His touchdown came on Thursday Night Football against the Falcons in Week 15, when he hauled in four of his five targets for 20 yards. Godwin and the Bucs have a big divisional matchup against the Panthers this week in Week 16, and they'll meet again in Week 18. In between, they'll face the Dolphins, so Godwin has solid potential working out of the slot over the next few games. He clearly has the trust of
Baker Mayfield and will continue to be a fringe PPR option for the next few weeks.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN
December 16, 2025
Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier scored two goals in Monday's 4-1 road win against the New York Rangers. With the game tied at one, Gauthier popped up with a power-play goal early in the third period and completed his third multi-goal effort of the season with an empty-netter. On Monday, Gauthier took over the goal-scoring lead in the Ducks camp. He boasts 18 markers for the campaign and has tallied 36 points in 33 appearances. It has been a superb year for Gauthier, although his recent production has been inconsistent. The 21-year-old has finished half of his eight appearances this month scoreless.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 16, 2025
Michigan quarterback Jadyn Davis plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, according to On3Sports. The former four-star recruit in the Class of 2024 has appeared in just one game, attempting two passes, and throwing one interception. The North Carolina native was stuck behind five-star Bryce Underwood in 2025, and he'll search for a new opportunity ahead of the 2026 season. The list of transfer quarterbacks continues to grow with names like Brendan Sorsby (Cincinnati), Dylan Raiola (Nebraska), and DJ Lagaway (Florida), so Davis won't be the hottest name available. That said, he's a talented player and should have several suitors.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3 on X
December 16, 2025
Cleveland Browns wide receiver
Jerry Jeudy still has plenty of big-play potential and is getting chances in his team's passing game. Jeudy has 16 targets in the four games since
Shedeur Sanders took over at quarterback, and he caught two of his four targets in Week 15 for 22 yards. He had 76 yards and a touchdown in Week 14 against the Titans and has multiple catches in each of his last three games. He still brings big-play upside, and Sanders does throw lots of deep balls, which gives him upside against the Bills and Steelers in a pair of home games in the next two weeks. Jeudy is high-risk, but there is still upside to playing him in deep leagues.
--Zach ThompsonSource: ESPN
December 16, 2025
Reported by ESPN's Pete Thamel, former Arkansas defensive coordinator Travis Williams is joining Mike Elko's staff at Texas A&M as a linebackers coach. He could also potentially join the staff with another title. The 42-year-old began his collegiate coaching career as a graduate assistant for Auburn in 2009 and worked his way up to co-defensive coordinator for the Tigers. He then spent two seasons as UCF's defensive coordinator before three seasons running the Razorbacks' defense. Arkansas showed flashes on defense in 2023 and 2024, but Williams' unit fell apart in 2025, ranking at or near the bottom of several defensive stats in the SEC. Despite that, this is a strong hire for Elko, as Williams has tons of practical experience and a reputation as a solid recruiter.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
December 16, 2025
Ottawa Senators forward Tim Stutzle recorded three assists as the team beat the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 in overtime on Monday night. The Senators were facing defeat with only a couple of minutes left to play in the third period. Yet, Jake Sanderson sent the game into the extra frame with a goal 1:54 from the end of regulation, and Brady Tkachuk delivered Ottawa the victory in overtime. Nick Cousins also scored in the contest, helping Stutzle post his third three-point game of the season. The Senators have alternated between wins and losses lately, but Stutzle has been consistent with his production, and it has been outstanding. The German star has finished with multiple points in four consecutive games. Another such effort on Thursday against the Pittsburgh Penguins would tie Stutzle for the longest multi-point streak in franchise history. During the hot streak, Stutzle has become Ottawa's leading scorer, posting 33 points (15 goals, 18 assists) in 32 appearances this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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