December 28, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Chase Brown had 22 carries for 101 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns during Sunday's Week 17 win over the Arizona Cardinals. He also caught all three of his targets for an additional 40 receiving yards. Brown capitalized on a solid matchup and an extremely favorable game script. In addition to remaining highly productive as a pass-catcher, he handled large volume on the ground and posted impressive touchdown efficiency. The 25-year-old ranks among the top 12 running backs in fantasy scoring this season, and he should continue to be started as an RB1 against the Cleveland Browns in Week 18.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson registered eight carries, 47 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown during Sunday's Week 17 win over the New York Jets. He also caught all five of his targets for an additional 55 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown. Stevenson delivered an enormous fantasy performance for the second week in a row. Unlike last Sunday, his high-scoring outing this week came while he was sharing volume with
TreVeyon Henderson, who logged 19 touches. Despite the split backfield, Stevenson exploded as a top fantasy running back. He exceeded expectations after entering this week ranked as an RB3/flex. Managers should continue to view him as a top-30 fantasy running back heading into Week 18 against the Miami Dolphins, who have allowed the eighth-most rushing yards, sixth-most receiving yards, and 11th-most fantasy points to running backs in 2025.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Stefon Diggs caught all six of his targets for 101 yards and one touchdown during Sunday's Week 17 win over the New York Jets. After a three-week lull, Diggs has bounced back in a huge way, catching 15 passes for 239 yards and one touchdown over his last two games. The veteran receiver has earned the full trust of MVP candidate
Drake Maye, whether it's a medium pass to move the chains or a tricky pass into coverage downfield. There's certainly some risk associated with starting Diggs given his occasional inconsistency this year, but his role and recent success will keep him as a top-15 fantasy receiver for Week 18 against the Miami Dolphins. He should continue to be started in all leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Tennessee Titans wide receiver
Van Jefferson (forearm) has already been ruled out for Week 18 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to interim head coach Mike McCoy. His season is over. Jefferson picked up the injury during the second quarter of Sunday's loss to the New Orleans Saints. At the time of his departure, he led the team with three catches for 46 yards on three targets. After the game, McCoy was quick to rule out Jefferson for the last week of the season. While not a top fantasy threat, Jefferson had recently taken on a larger role after
Calvin Ridley (leg) landed on injured reserve.
Chimere Dike,
Elic Ayomanor, and
Mason Kinsey will operate as the Titans' top receivers against a Jaguars secondary that has been playing at a high level lately.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jim Wyatt
December 28, 2025
New York Jets running back
Breece Hall (knee) said that he's fine and doesn't expect to require additional testing, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com. Hall exited during the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 17 loss against the New England Patriots and did not return. His comments seem to indicate that he'll be available for the Jets' Week 18 regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills. However, given that the Jets have been eliminated from playoff contention, it's possible that they could hold him out to avoid risking further injury. Hall has 1,065 rushing yards, 350 receiving yards, and five touchdowns this season. He has missed just one game over the last three years and is slated to hit free agency in March 2026.
--Andersen PickardSource: Rich Cimini
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
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
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