Nakobe Dean Questionable to Return in Week 16
Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nakobe Dean (hamstring) exited during the first quarter of Saturday's Week 16 contest. He is officially listed as questionable to return. Dean suffered the injury while tackling Treylon Burks on a completion over the middle. The 25-year-old had four sacks over his previous six games, so Philadelphia will hope he's able to return sooner rather than later. In the meantime, first-round rookie linebacker Jihaad Campbell will enter the game in Dean's absence.
Source: Philadelphia Eagles
Source: Philadelphia Eagles
Jaylin Lane Questionable to Return Against Eagles
Washington Commanders wide receiver Jaylin Lane (ankle) exited during the first quarter of Saturday's Week 16 contest against the Philadelphia Eagles. The rookie is officially listed as questionable to return. He suffered the injury while returning a punt prior to the start of Washington's second offensive drive. Lane had not registered an offensive statistic at the time of his departure. In his absence, Treylon Burks and Chris Moore could earn more snaps behind starting wide receivers Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr.
Source: Zach Selby
Source: Zach Selby
Panthers Won't Activate David Moore This Week
The Carolina Panthers won't activate wide receiver David Moore (elbow) from Injured Reserve this week, according to Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer. Moore landed on IR after suffering an elbow injury during Carolina's 42-13 loss to the New England Patriots in Week 4. The 30-year-old wideout has just one catch for five yards in his four games played this season. The veteran will hope to return to action for Week 17's matchup against the Seattle Seahawks.
Source: Mike Kaye
Source: Mike Kaye
Rams Fire Special Teams Coach Chase Blackburn
The Los Angeles Rams have fired special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Rams' special teams have played a role in three of their four losses this season, including Thursday night's massive game against the Seattle Seahawks, which essentially decides the top seed in the NFC. It's a surprising development for the league's most dominant team this year and marks the first in-season coaching change in Sean McVay's tenure.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Christian Watson Should Be Able to Go Against Bears
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (chest, shoulder) should be able to go for Saturday night's divisional matchup against the Chicago Bears, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Watson missed Tuesday's practice but practiced in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday this week. The 26-year-old wideout was sent to the hospital after suffering injuries to his chest and shoulder during last week's loss to the Denver Broncos, but said that he was "feeling pretty good" this week and will suit up for a big matchup on Saturday night. Watson has been the Packers' most explosive pass catcher since returning in Week 8 and offers WR2 upside in a favorable matchup against the Bears.
Source: Ian Rapoport
Source: Ian Rapoport
Marvin Harrison Jr. Set to Benefit From High Volume in Week 16 Return
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) will benefit from his team's high-volume passing attack if he's healthy enough to play in Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Atlanta Falcons. Harrison has missed four of the last five games due to various injuries, but he's making good progress ahead of Sunday's battle of eliminated NFC teams. The former first-round pick was limited in practice this week and told reporters that he's healthy enough to play. Assuming he's confirmed as active for Week 16, Harrison should operate as a high-volume WR2. The Cardinals' passing attack has been impressive ever since Jacoby Brissett took over for Kyler Murray (foot). Brissett is averaging 43 pass attempts and 301 passing yards per game as a starter, and he has been a top-12 fantasy quarterback in each of his nine starts. Arizona's high passing volume has allowed Brissett to support fantasy-relevant performances from Harrison, Michael Wilson, and Trey McBride. Therefore, Arizona's game plan and Week 16 game script against the Falcons bodes well for Harrison to deliver a solid fantasy performance. The Falcons have allowed the fourth-most touchdowns and seventh-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2025. Harrison ranks as the overall WR36 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 16, but he could climb into the top 24 once he's officially confirmed as active on Sunday.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Bills Elevate Michael Badgley, Activate Mecole Hardman
The Buffalo Bills have elevated kicker Michael Badgley from the practice squad to the active roster and activated wide receiver Mecole Hardman (calf) from Injured Reserve. Badgley will be filling in for an injured Matt Prater (quadriceps), who could be looking at a multi-game absence. The 30-year-old Badgley was signed to the Bills' practice squad after beginning the season with the Indianapolis Colts, where he made 10 of his 11 field goal attempts and 18 of his 21 extra points in seven games. Hardman, on the other hand, landed on IR after injuring his calf in his first game with the Bills in Week 11's win over the Buccaneers. The 27-year-old wideout is unlikely to be a significant factor in the Bills' offense, but should play a role on special teams in Week 16's game versus the Cleveland Browns.
Source: Buffalo Bills PR
Source: Buffalo Bills PR
Emari Demercado a Risky Fantasy Play Despite Increased Role
Arizona Cardinals running back Emari Demercado is expected to handle an increased workload against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16, but his fantasy outlook remains murky. He is on track to operate as the backup to Michael Carter this week after Zonovan Knight (ankle) was placed on injured reserve. While Demercado was viewed as Arizona's passing-down specialist at points earlier this season, it's unclear whether that remains his role given how well Carter has performed in the passing game lately. Carter has 19 catches over his last five games, whereas Demercado has just 10 catches through parts of 10 games this year. Rather than being a true passing-down specialist, it seems more likely that the 26-year-old will fall into a change-of-pace role, allowing the Cardinals to manage Carter's workload and keep him fresh. Demercado has shown impressive burst in the past, and his 8.3 yards per carry over the last two seasons indicates that he's capable of breaking off big plays. His fantasy value in Week 16 likely hinges on whether he's able to break off any big runs or catches against the Falcons. In other words, he'll need high efficiency to overcome a backup's workload. He currently ranks as the RB51 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 16.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ricky Pearsall DNP Again Saturday, Unlikely to Play Monday Night
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) missed practice for the third straight day on Saturday and is considered unlikely to play Monday night against the Indianapolis Colts, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports. Pearsall aggravated his PCL injury during last week's win over the Tennessee Titans and is set to miss more time. The second-year wideout still produced a strong receiving line despite picking up the injury, catching six of seven targets for 96 yards. Jauan Jennings should be in line to see an uptick in opportunities behind Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle in San Francisco's pass game on Monday night, with Kendrick Bourne also in line to fill in for extra reps.
Source: Matt Barrows
Source: Matt Barrows
Michael Wilson Still a Top Fantasy Threat Amid Teammate's Potential Return
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Michael Wilson should remain a strong fantasy option against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16 despite the potential return of Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel). Harrison, listed as questionable, is working his way back from missing four games in the last five weeks. Wilson has been at his best when Harrison is inactive. During those four games, he averaged a whopping 15.0 targets, 10.3 catches, 124.8 yards, and 0.8 touchdowns. Harrison's potential return would certainly lower his ceiling and floor, but he can still be a viable fantasy starter, especially with Jacoby Brissett throwing the ball at least 40 times every game. Wilson has low-end WR1 upside if Harrison sits out, and he'd be a low-end WR2 or high-end WR3 with Harrison playing. Even if Harrison suits up, we wouldn't be surprised to see Wilson lead the Cardinals' wide receiver room in snaps, targets, catches, and yards, given how well he has played lately. He ranks as the overall WR15 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 16.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Gunnar Helm Expected to Play Against Chiefs
Tennessee Titans rookie tight end Gunnar Helm (toe) is expected to play on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN. Helm was a limited participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday before being upgraded to full on Friday. The rookie fourth-rounder has emerged as one of the few bright spots on the Titans' offense in recent weeks. He caught all four of his targets for 49 yards and his second touchdown of the season in last week's loss to the 49ers. The Texas product leads the team with 131 receiving yards over the past four games, ranking as the TE15 in that span. Helm's stock is trending up, and he projects as an upside TE2 option even in a tougher matchup on Sunday against a Kansas City Chiefs defense that has given up the fifth fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends.
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Source: Jeremy Fowler
Trey McBride a Matchup-Proof Fantasy Starter in Week 16
Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride remains a top fantasy option despite a difficult matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. On paper, it may appear that the odds are stacked against McBride. Not only is he facing a Falcons defense that has allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends in 2025, but he could also face additional competition if Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel, questionable) returns from his two-game absence. However, McBride has consistently established himself as matchup-proof this year, so he should feast despite facing Atlanta. Furthermore, he could still lead the team in targets and catches, even if Harrison does return to the mix. In total this year, the 26-year-old has 105 catches, 1,071 yards, and a career-high 10 touchdowns. He is on track to finish this year as the overall TE1 in PPR leagues after finishing 2024 as the TE2. McBride has especially benefited from the presence of quarterback Jacoby Brissett. In full-PPR leagues, he averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game with Kyler Murray (foot) as the starter, and a whopping 23.3 fantasy points per game with Brissett as the starter. We should expect more otherworldly, video-game numbers from McBride this week. He's the undisputed TE1 in this week's fantasy rankings and should be a must-start as the fantasy playoffs continue.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Chig Okonkwo Remains Low Ceiling Option in Week 16
Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo isn't a realistic fantasy option for Week 16's matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. Okonkwo has yet to find the end zone in 14 games this season and hasn't exceeded four catches in a game. The 26-year-old tight end is second on the team in receiving yards over the past four games, but that's more of a reflection of how poor the Titans' offense is. Okonkwo has a tough matchup on deck in Week 16 against a Kansas City Chiefs defense that has allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to tight ends. He's fallen outside the top 32 tight ends in RotoBaller's Week 16 rankings.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Elic Ayomanor Profiles as Deep League Option Only for Week 16
Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Elic Ayomanor hasn't been a trustworthy fantasy option despite playing a full-time role since the start of the season. Ayomanor has caught just one ball in each of the past three games after recording multiple receptions in his first 10 games. His two lowest target totals of the season have also come in the past two games. The rookie fourth-rounder has scored double-digit PPR points twice in 13 games, coming back in Weeks 2 and 3. Ayomanor is tough to trust beyond a deep league FLEX option for Week 16's matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Michael Carter an Intriguing Fantasy Play in Larger Role
Arizona Cardinals running back Michael Carter should lead the backfield against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16, reinforcing his fantasy value as a low-end RB2 or high-end RB3 in fantasy football. Carter will handle a larger workload this week after Zonovan Knight (ankle) was placed on injured reserve. After Knight exited last weekend, Carter played a season-high 80% snap share with 14 carries, 56 rushing yards, four catches, and 38 receiving yards. The 26-year-old is likely headed for similar volume this Sunday, but we also wouldn't be surprised if Emari Demercado eats into his workload slightly. Nevertheless, Carter should remain the clear No. 1 back heading into a favorable matchup against the Falcons, who have allowed the 13th-most rushing yards and 14th-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2025. A spread of ATL -3.0 also indicates that this should be a competitive game, which is another reason why we expect Carter to see a healthy dose of carries and targets. He ranks as the overall RB25 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 16.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
RADIO



