December 11, 2025
Baylor is hiring former Kansas State and North Dakota State defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman as its new defensive coordinator, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel. Klanderman spent the last 12 years on Chris Klieman's staff with the Wildcats and Bison, including the last five seasons as the defensive play-caller at Kansas State. Klanderman has four FCS National Championship rings as a defensive back coach at NDSU. Baylor head coach Dave Aranda called defensive plays for the Bears last season, so it's unclear if he'll continue in that role or if Klanderman will run the defense in 2025. Baylor ranked near the bottom of the Big 12 in several defensive categories this season, and improving that unit will be important for Aranda's job security moving forward.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Thamel - ESPN
December 11, 2025
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Colby Parkinson has emerged as the starter in replacing veteran
Tyler Higbee (ankle). Since Higbee was placed on Injured Reserve before Week 12, Parkinson has had 11 catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns in the last three games. The former Seahawks starter has hauled in a touchdown in four of his last five games and ranks as the TE8 during that span. Unfortunately, the tight end rotation in Los Angeles is tight. In Week 14, Parkinson played 72% of the snaps, while
Davis Allen played 75%, and rookie
Terrance Ferguson played 67%. Whether it was due to a blowout victory by the Rams or a changing of the guard, fantasy managers in deeper leagues will need to monitor this room.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 11, 2025
After a slow start to the 2025 season, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Jauan Jennings has proved himself as a must-start receiver moving into the fantasy playoffs. Jennings has caught a touchdown in four of his last five starts and has averaged 13.9 PPR fantasy points per game since Week 9. His hot streak has gotten him back to his WR1 role in San Francisco, ahead of
Ricky Pearsall and
Brandon Aiyuk. With Aiyuk (knee) unlikely to play in 2025, Jennings has no reason to slow down. He faces the Tennessee Titans in Week 15, who have allowed the sixth-most receiving yards to wide receivers in 2025, and struggled to maintain Browns rookie quarterback
Shedeur Sanders in the snow in Week 14. Fantasy managers can fully trust Jennings as a starting option in the fantasy playoffs, as he looks to extend his touchdown streak following the bye.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 11, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals tight end
Mike Gesicki had his best game of the season in Week 14, hauling in all six targets for 86 yards and a touchdown in the 39-34 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Gesicki was having a career-worst season prior to his Week 14 explosion, averaging just 3.2 PPR points per game, ranking as the TE51, trailing the likes of
Daniel Bellinger and
Jackson Hawes. His snap count remains low, playing just 39% of the snaps in Week 14, behind both
Noah Fant (43%) and
Drew Sample (46%). If he wants to become a starting option for fantasy managers, he needs to play more snaps; otherwise, he'll be incredibly volatile. His role will be one to watch this week, as the Bengals host the division rival Baltimore Ravens in a must-win game in Week 15.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 11, 2025
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver
Luther Burden III led the team in receiving in Week 14, hauling in four of six targets for 67 yards in the 28-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers. With
Rome Odunze (foot) inactive last week, Burden handled the duties as the lead receiver for the first time in his NFL career and played well against the strong Packers secondary. Burden has increased in snaps in every game since Week 11, playing a career-high 71% in Week 14. The 2025 second-round pick is making his way up the depth chart in Chicago, and fantasy managers should be fully aware of his emergence. He faces the tough Cleveland Browns defense, which has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Week 15 will be a tough test for Burden, but he's checked every box so far, except for becoming a reliable option for fantasy managers to count on.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 11, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin Jr. missed most of the past year following a gruesome leg injury last season, but he has begun to show some of his old form just as the fantasy playoffs are set to begin in 2025. The veteran has 13 targets for eight catches and 133 yards in the past two weeks, though a Bucs receiver room that has been decimated by injuries could be getting closer to full health.
Mike Evans (collarbone) and
Jalen McMillan (neck) have been activated from injured reserve, which could cause a shuffle ahead of Tampa's Week 15 game against Atlanta. The Falcons rank 22nd against PPR receivers, which is normally a green-light matchup, but managers rostering Godwin will shoulder some risk if the Bucs have Evans available to take targets away from other Bucs pass catchers.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Pro Football Reference
December 11, 2025
Following another monster performance in Week 14, Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Michael Wilson has further cemented his place as a waiver-wire home run. Wilson, who now ranks among the top 30 PPR wide receivers heading into the final month of the season, has gone off for 39 catches, 481 yards, and two touchdowns in the past four weeks alone, by far the best stretch of his career. Unfortunately for managers who have benefited from Wilson's recent outburst, they'll be forced to make a tough decision on Wilson at a high-stakes moment. As the fantasy playoffs begin for many leagues, the Cardinals will take on the stingy defense of the Houston Texans, who have allowed the third-fewest points to fantasy wide receivers. But Wilson has been so productive of late that he still deserves lineup consideration in all formats once again.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Pro Football Reference
December 11, 2025
Tennessee Titans running back
Tony Pollard has seen his fantasy value rise after piling up 161 yards and two touchdowns against a good Cleveland Browns defense in Week 14. Managers likely haven't been in a rush to add shares from a Titans offense that has struggled for most of the year, but Pollard is the No. 25 overall PPR running back and finished second at his position last week, making him an intriguing, if risky, option for the fantasy playoffs. The Titans take on a San Francisco 49ers defense that ranks 17th against fantasy running backs in Week 15, giving Pollard a decent but not outstanding matchup. He has 27 catches on the season and has maintained some RB3/flex value, but he could bring added value if Tennessee's offense turns a corner during the final month of the season.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Pro Football Reference
December 11, 2025
Detroit Red Wings winger Alex DeBrincat continued his prolific start to December with a three-point performance in Wednesday's 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames. He notched two goals and one assist, recording his third three-point outing of the season. DeBrincat has landed on the score sheet in each of his five outings this month, totaling four goals and eight points. The veteran winger is having a spectacular year and could average more than a point per game in a campaign for only the second time during his nine-year NHL career. After 31 outings, DeBrincat boasts a team-high 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists). He is tied for fourth in the league with seven power-play goals.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 11, 2025
Utah Mammoth winger Dylan Guenther finished Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Florida Panthers with two goals. He had Utah's first two tallies in the contest, setting the young franchise's new record with his seventh multi-goal effort for the club. The Mammoth are currently going through a tough time, but Guenther has remained productive. He has scored five goals over the last 10 games, adding five assists. Guenther is Utah's second-highest goal-scorer this season with 13 markers and ranks third with 25 points after 32 games. The 22-year-old will hope to post his third career three-game goal streak when Utah meets the Seattle Kraken on Friday.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 11, 2025
Texas A&M defensive coordinator Jay Bateman is leaving College Station to become the next defensive coordinator at Kentucky under new head coach Will Stein, according to On3Sports. Bateman has spent the last four seasons in the SEC, beginning in 2022 as Florida's inside linebackers coach. He was brought to Texas A&M in 2024 under Mike Elko, but Elko has been the primary defensive play-caller. The 52-year-old was named a Broyles Award finalist in 2018 for leading the Army Black Knights to the No. 8 total defense in the country. In 2025, he helped Elko run the Aggies' defense to the No. 5 total defense in the SEC. This is a strong hire for Stein, who specializes on the offensive side of the ball.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3 on X
December 11, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) has maintained a role within his team's backfield that makes him a rosterable fantasy player as Washington prepares to take on a shaky New York Giants defense in Week 15. Though the season is all but finished for Washington, Rodriguez has drawn double-digit carries four times in the past five weeks, which includes three rushing touchdowns and a pair of top-30 finishes among PPR running backs despite his lack of involvement in the passing game. Rodriguez didn't practice on Wednesday, but with quarterback
Jayden Daniels (elbow) out again, the Commanders could look toward the backfield against a Giants defense that ranks 31st against fantasy running backs. The third-year back has been touchdown-dependent, but if he's able to play, he's getting enough action to consider him in favorable matchups, particularly in leagues with more than one flex spot.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Pro Football Reference
December 11, 2025
Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett registered two goals and one assist in Wednesday's 4-3 road victory over the Utah Mammoth. He set up Carter Verhaeghe for a goal late in the first period and lit the lamp twice inside the opening 3:24 of action in the second. Bennett now has a whopping eight points (three goals, five assists) over his last four appearances. That is nearly half of his entire tally this season. In 29 outings, Bennett has contributed nine goals and 11 assists. 15 of Bennett's 20 points have come in 11 games since Nov. 17.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 11, 2025
Seattle Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn had a hugely impressive performance against the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday, factoring in all of his team's goals in a 3-2 overtime win. Dunn sent out a pair of power-play assists during regulation and finished the game with a power-play goal 1:21 into overtime. Playing in his 303rd contest with the Kraken, Dunn became the fourth-fastest active defenseman to post 200 points with a franchise. He has notched 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 28 outings this season, putting Dunn on track for his second career 50-point campaign.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 11, 2025
New Orleans Saints running back
Devin Neal (abdomen) is warding off an injury but has nonetheless seen his fantasy stock rise, making him a possible priority free agent for managers looking to make a playoff run. The rookie from Kansas is coming off the best day of his NFL career last week at Tampa, during which he rushed 19 times for 70 yards and a touchdown, and also caught his only target for 14 yards. The increase in work arrived because longtime starter
Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) has been sidelined, which included missing Wednesday's practice. For his part, Neal practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday ahead of a Week 15 game against Carolina. Though he's not out of the woods yet, Neal and the Saints have a terrific set of matchups with the Panthers, Jets, and Titans on deck in the next three weeks, which could give Neal steady value if Kamara remains out.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: Pro Football Reference
December 11, 2025
Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Spencer Knight posted his second shutout of the season on Wednesday night against the New York Rangers, finishing a 3-0 victory with 21 saves. Connor Bedard took care of things on the other end, recording a goal and an assist. After a great start to the campaign, Knight struggled with consistency in November, but he appears to have gotten over the hump in December. The 24-year-old has opened the month with a 2-1-1 run. Knight holds a 10-6-5 record for the season and has a 2.50 goals-against average and a .916 save percentage. Next up, Knight and the Blackhawks face the struggling St. Louis Blues, who are averaging only 2.55 goals this season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 11, 2025
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (lower body) didn't complete Wednesday's 4-3 victory over the Calgary Flames. He suffered a lower-body injury, taking only a couple of shifts in the second period and missing the third. Edvinsson has been an all-around contributor for the Red Wings, totaling nine points (three goals, six assists), 33 shots, 57 blocks, and 37 hits in 28 contests this season. Detroit will return to action on Thursday night against the Edmonton Oilers, and Jacob Bernard-Docker is in line to fill Edvinsson's spot in the lineup if he can't play. Bernard-Docker does not hold any fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 11, 2025
Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann (undisclosed) was injured during Wednesday's 3-2 overtime win against the Los Angeles Kings. He exited the action late in the third period following a collision with Kings goaltender Anton Forsberg. McCann opened the scoring in the contest with a power-play goal. The 29-year-old skated in only his 11th game of the season after he missed time earlier in the campaign due to a lower-body injury. McCann has recorded five goals and eight points. Kaapo Kakko could be McCann's replacement in the top six if he has to miss time.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 11, 2025
Portland Trail Blazers center
Donovan Clingan (leg) will sit out a third consecutive game on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans. The 21-year-old big man is nursing a lower leg contusion. Meanwhile,
Robert Williams III (illness) and
Yang Hansen (face) have been tagged as questionable on the injury report, meaning Portland may be shorthanded at the center position on Thursday night. It could be a big night for
Duop Reath if Williams III and Hansen join Clingan on the sidelines. New Orleans allows the fourth-most fantasy points in the league to centers.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 11, 2025
Portland Trail Blazers guard
Jrue Holiday (calf) will miss his 13th consecutive game on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans. Holiday remains out with a right calf strain. The initial expectation was that Holiday could return to action after two weeks, but it has been almost a month since his last appearance.
Caleb Love has been a regular in the lineup during Holiday's absence, but he hasn't exactly set the world alight. The 24-year-old is averaging 8.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 18.0 minutes per game for his rookie season.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 11, 2025
Milwaukee Bucks guard
AJ Green (shoulder) is considered questionable for Thursday's Eastern Conference showdown against the Boston Celtics. He is dealing with a shoulder issue and may be absent for a second consecutive game. Green was only a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, which doesn't bode well for his chances to play against Boston. Green has taken a big leap this season, averaging a career-high 11.3 points with 48.5 percent shooting from downtown. He has been a starter in all 24 appearances. With Green unavailable,
Kyle Kuzma joined the first unit on Saturday against the Detroit Pistons, finishing with 15 points, four rebounds, and one steal. Kuzma will have additional fantasy value again on Thursday if Green can't return.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 11, 2025
Sacramento Kings guard
Dennis Schroder (hip) has been tagged as doubtful on the injury report for Thursday's matchup against the Denver Nuggets, indicating that he is expected to remain out for a seventh consecutive contest. The German star is working his way back from a right hip flexor strain.
Zach LaVine (thumb) has already been ruled out for Thursday, while
Domantas Sabonis (knee) remains unavailable, meaning
Russell Westbrook,
DeMar DeRozan, and
Keegan Murray will do the heavy lifting offensively. Meanwhile, players like
Malik Monk and
Nique Clifford may see more playing time due to the holes in the Kings' lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 11, 2025
Sacramento Kings guard/forward
Zach LaVine (thumb) won't take the court on Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets. He has been ruled out due to right thumb soreness. LaVine has had a very inconsistent campaign and went from a 42-point effort to a 16-point outing in his last appearance against the Indiana Pacers. His departure from the lineup creates additional playing opportunities for
Malik Monk,
Keon Ellis, and
Nique Clifford. On Thursday, the trio may also benefit from the absence of
Dennis Schroder (hip), who is listed as questionable on the injury report.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 11, 2025
Houston Rockets center
Alperen Sengun (illness) has come off the injury report and will play in Thursday's contest against the Los Angeles Clippers. The star big man has missed a couple of games due to illness. The Rockets will also have
Steven Adams (ankle) available on Thursday night, pushing
Clint Capela down the pecking order. Before he got sidelined, Sengun had a big start to December, averaging 29.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 2.5 blocks, and 3.0 steals across two games. Meetings with the Clippers have been good matchups for bigs, as they allow the 10th-most fantasy points in the league to centers.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 11, 2025
Golden State Warriors point guard
Stephen Curry (quadriceps) practiced fully on Wednesday and is expected to return to action on Friday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Curry, who has missed five games with a left quadriceps contusion, is scheduled to practice again on Thursday. The former MVP might face a minutes restriction in his first game back from injury, but he can still be impactful. In his 17th NBA season, Curry has averaged 27.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.3 steals in 31.1 minutes.
Pat Spencer has had a strong stretch recently, but his fantasy value will take a hit with Curry's return.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 11, 2025
Si Woo Kim had a busy 2025, playing in 30 events and recording 13 top-25 finishes. His overall numbers were nearly identical to 2024, finishing 25th in total strokes gained (+0.751 per round), compared to 26th (+0.761) last year. Kim was strong off the tee and on approach, but putting continued to hold him back, ranking just 161st and losing -0.367 strokes per round. He had some standout moments, including an impressive T8 at the PGA Championship and a T4 at the RSM Classic to close out his season, though he missed the cut at The Open and finished T42 at the U.S. Open. If he can tighten up his putting in 2026, Kim has the game to be in contention frequently and build on what was otherwise a solid season.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
December 11, 2025
Akshay Bhatia wrapped up what was an overall disappointing 2025 season with a 14th-place finish at the Hero World Challenge. After a win and a runner-up in 2024, he wasn't able to match that level this year, finishing with four top-10s and 19 made cuts in 26 starts. His best result came at THE PLAYERS Championship, where he finished T3. His overall strokes gained dipped slightly from 27th (+0.748 per round) to 36th (+0.638), but the bigger issue was off the tee. Bhatia fell from 59th in 2024 to 103rd in 2025 in strokes gained off the tee and finished 155th in total driving after ranking 27th last year. The driver held him back all season, but if he can get that part of his game sorted out in 2026, the 23-year-old still has massive upside and should be a strong candidate to bounce back with another win.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
December 11, 2025
After a winless 2024, Brian Harman got himself back in the winner's circle this year with a victory at the Valero Texas Open. Beyond that, he put together a steady season overall, finishing with four top 10s, 10 top 25s, and only four missed cuts in 24 starts. His approach play dipped a bit from last year, ranking 90th at +0.069 strokes gained per round compared to +0.322 and 35th in 2024. He also slid from 23rd to 87th in total strokes gained, and, for the first time since the 2013-14 season, lost strokes off the tee. Despite the April win, Harman's overall form took a step back in 2025, especially with the driver. If he can clean up the off the tee issues in 2026, he should be more competitive in a wider range of events.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
December 11, 2025
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Christian Watson has been outstanding since making his season debut in Week 7 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Watson leads the team in receiving since returning, collecting 25 receptions for 452 yards and five touchdowns on 38 targets. Those numbers would put him on a 17-game pace of 60 catches for nearly 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns. The 26-year-old wideout has two multi-touchdown games in the past four weeks and has cleared 80 receiving yards in three of his seven games played, which is already the most of any Green Bay pass-catcher this season. Watson remains one of the most explosive downfield threats in the league, a perfect fit for quarterback
Jordan Love's playing style and willingness to push the ball down the field. However, Watson has a challenging Week 15 matchup coming up against the vaunted Denver Broncos defense and could be shadowed by cornerback Patrick Surtain, last year's Defensive Player of the Year.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 11, 2025
Sam Burns wrapped up a steady, consistent 2025 season with an 11th-place finish at the Hero World Challenge. He posted 13 top-25 results in 2025, and came closest to a win at the Canadian Open, where he fell to Ryan Fox in a four-hole playoff. The 29-year-old once again shined with the flatstick, finishing the year as the number one putter on tour and gaining an impressive +0.983 strokes per round on the greens. The one area that held him back was his iron play. Burns ranked 127th in strokes gained on approach, losing -0.118 strokes per round after finishing 2024 ranked 73rd and gaining 0.173. His tee-to-green play was fairly average overall, ranking 107th (+0.014 per round), and his driving accuracy sat at 60.20%, good for 97th on tour. Burns still put together a strong season from start to finish, and if he can get his iron play and ball-striking back to where they've been in the past, he should be poised for another successful campaign in 2026.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: PGA Tour
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