December 29, 2025
New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback
Tyler Shough continues to get better with more playing time. For the second straight week, the 26-year-old threw for over 300 yards in the Week 17 win over the Tennessee Titans. Shough went 22-for-27 passing on Sunday for a season-high 333 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in the 34-26 win. He added six rushing yards on four attempts. The second-rounder out of Louisville has latched on to star receiver
Chris Olave, but beyond him, he doesn't have a lot of experienced options, which makes his rise in the second half of the 2025 season that much more impressive. In 10 games (eight starts), Shough has completed 67.8% of his pass attempts for 2,125 yards, nine TDs, and five interceptions, adding 152 rushing yards and two more touchdowns. In the season finale this weekend against Atlanta, Shough will be a popular streaming option in fantasy as he looks to close out his rookie campaign on a high note.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 29, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Emari Demercado hasn't really been a realistic starting option for fantasy managers this year, even in a banged-up Cardinals backfield. Through 12 games in 2025, Demercado has 42 rushing attempts for 283 yards (6.7 yards per tote) while adding 12 catches for 73 yards and one touchdown on 19 targets. The 26-year-old played only seven snaps in Week 15 in his return from injury against the Houston Texans, but he's been more involved the last two weeks, carrying the ball five times apiece the last two games. Demercado outsnapped lead back
Michael Carter in Sunday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and finished with five carries for 11 yards while catching two of his three targets for nine yards. It wasn't much to look at, but with fewer options available to fantasy managers in Week 18, Demercado could be a sneaky deep-league PPR flex play as a pass-catcher in a matchup against the Rams that should feature plenty of positive game script for the Cardinals to use Demercado as a receiver.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 29, 2025
Although Arizona Cardinals running back
Michael Carter doesn't have a high fantasy ceiling, he's still the team's lead back for the final week of the regular season for a divisional matchup against the Los Angeles Rams. In the Week 17 loss on the road to the Cincinnati Bengals, Carter was held in check, picking up only 29 yards on the ground on seven rushing attempts. The 26-year-old added two receptions on four targets for 14 yards. He was outsnapped by backfield mate
Emari Demercado, but Carter had two more touches. It was a disappointing performance for Carter in a plus matchup against a bad Bengals defense, but with the Cardinals falling behind by multiple scores early, they weren't really able to keep using Carter as a runner. On the bright side, Carter has 208 rushing yards and 4.6 yards per carry in the last six games, and he's had double-digit carries in two of the last three games. He'll be in play as an RB3/flex in deeper fantasy leagues this weekend against L.A.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com
December 29, 2025
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport says he doubts that Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll will be back with the team in 2026. If the Raiders come away with another loss to the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday, they will have the No. 1 overall pick for the 2026 NFL Draft. As things currently look, the Raiders would be expected to draft Indiana QB Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick next year after the failed
Geno Smith experiment in 2025. The Raiders are desperately searching for some glimmer of hope for the future, and securing the No. 1 overall pick would be a big step in the right direction. However, the front office will need to surround a new franchise QB with the right coaching staff as well. Carroll, at 74 years old, wouldn't exactly be a great fit for a rookie signal-caller.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
December 29, 2025
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said on Monday that wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. (foot) suffered a new foot injury in Sunday's loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Harrison missed Weeks 14 and 15 due to a heel injury that was on the opposite foot of the one he injured in Week 17. Gannon said that Harrison will play in the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams "if he is healthy enough to play." Given all of the 23-year-old's injuries this year and the fact that the Cardinals have nothing to play for, fantasy managers still playing for a championship this week shouldn't be holding their breath for Harrison. Even if Harrison ends up suiting up, he probably won't be on the field all that much as the No. 3 target behind
Michael Wilson and star tight end
Trey McBride.
--Keith HernandezSource: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
December 29, 2025
The Houston Texans announced on Monday that they activated wide receiver
Justin Watson (calf) from Injured Reserve. Watson will be eligible to play in the team's Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday against the division-rival Indianapolis Colts, but it's unclear if he'll actually be active. The Texans activating the 29-year-old this week ensures that they'll have him available for their playoff run as additional receiving depth behind
Nico Collins, rookies
Jayden Higgins and
Jaylin Noel, and slot man
Christian Kirk. Watson had played in only two games with Houston before landing on IR, catching three of his four targets for 30 yards. The eight-year vet probably isn't going to be a huge part of the Texans' offense the rest of the way, barring an injury to a receiver ahead of him on the depth chart.
--Keith HernandezSource: Houston Texans
December 29, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Monday that quarterback
Trey Lance will make the start on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Denver Broncos, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. The Chargers will rest
Justin Herbert, and he won't dress for the game in Denver. Lance will make his first start of the year and only the sixth start of his NFL career.
DJ Uiagalelei will be elevated from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster to back Lance up. The 25-year-old former first-round pick has completed seven of his 13 pass attempts in three games played for the Bolts in 2025 for 90 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. With other starters on offense possibly being rested while facing one of the best defenses in the league (the Broncos will be playing for a first-round bye), Lance will not be set up for success in Week 18.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
December 29, 2025
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on Monday that quarterback
Josh Allen (foot) is dealing with "some soreness" in his right foot, much like he was last week, but he might be slightly better this week, according to Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN. The Bills will see how Allen looks over the course of the week, but as of right now, fantasy managers should expect him to be available to play in a juicy Week 18 matchup against the division-rival New York Jets. The 29-year-old underwent precautionary X-rays after Sunday's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, and they came back negative. Despite not being 100% on Sunday, the former MVP did run the ball seven times for 27 yards and two touchdowns in the one-point loss to Philly. Allen went 23-for-35 passing for 262 yards without a TD or interception as a passer. Depending on how Allen progresses this week, it's still possible that Buffalo decides to shut him down for the regular-season finale.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Alaina Getzenberg
December 29, 2025
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said on Monday that center Tyler Biadasz (ankle, knee) doesn't need surgery for his injuries, but he's unlikely to play on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, according to Ben Standig of The Athletic. In addition to Biadasz, quarterback
Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) is expected to miss a second straight game to close out the year. It means that Nick Allegretti will most likely be snapping footballs to journeyman QB
Josh Johnson to close out the season against an Eagles team that could be resting most of their starters this weekend. The 28-year-old Biadasz suffered ankle and knee injuries in last Thursday's Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Ben Standig
December 29, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said on Monday that quarterback
Justin Herbert won't play on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale on the road against the division-rival Denver Broncos, according to Kris Rhim of ESPN. Harbaugh said that other starters with "the most bruises" and need "the most healing" won't play either. Herbert has been playing through a fractured left hand for weeks, but he's been practicing in full and hasn't missed any time. The Bolts are electing to give the 27-year-old signal-caller some extra rest before the start of the postseason. With Herbert sitting this Sunday, backup
Trey Lance will be thrust into a starting role, and it remains to be seen what other offensive skill players the Bolts might rest. With a win this weekend, the Broncos would clinch the top seed in the AFC and a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Kris Rhim
December 29, 2025
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on Monday that linebacker Terrel Bernard (calf) will not play in the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday versus the division-rival New York Jets due to the calf injury that he suffered in Sunday's 13-12 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, per Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. The 26-year-old linebacker will sit out the final game of the regular season, but the Bills will hope he can make enough progress to play in the wild-card round of the playoffs against a yet-to-be-determined opponent. Even though Bernard being ruled out will be a downgrade for Buffalo's defense in Week 18, their defense/special teams unit will still be a strong play in lineups where titles are still on the line against the lowly Jets. With Bernard out, Joe Andreessen and Dorian Williams will both see more playing time.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
December 29, 2025
Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson is under contract through the 2027 season, but a prominent NFL agent said on Sunday that "the biggest story of the offseason is going to be Lamar. That is going to be crazy." Head coach John Harbaugh has downplayed stories suggesting that his relationship with Jackson has been strained amid a disappointing season for the two-time MVP QB. Jackson and Baltimore have been in this position before, but after a lengthy contract negotiation and a trade request from Jackson, the two sides agreed to a five-year, $260 million extension in April of 2023. "The fact that Lamar does not have an agent is really a big negative," an NFL team executive said. When he's been at his best (and healthy), Jackson has been elite at the QB position, but outside of two seasons, the dual-threat QB hasn't been consistently great. With a lengthy injury history, too, it makes sense as to why Baltimore might consider trading Jackson this offseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mike Sando
December 29, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said on Monday that the team is still trying to decide if they will play their starters in the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday against the division-rival Washington Commanders. "There's still things up in the air as far as seeding goes. We'll end up doing what we think is best for the team. And we're still thinking through that. That's not a decision I have to make today -- or tomorrow," Sirianni said. The Eagles are locked into the No. 2 or 3 seed for the NFC playoff picture this year. Philly is currently in the No. 3 spot, but they can bump up to the No. 2 seed with a win over Washington on Sunday and a Chicago Bears loss to the Detroit Lions. In the No. 2 seed, they'd be matched up against the Packers in the wild-card round of the postseason. If the Eagles stay in the No. 3 spot, they'd host the third-place team in the NFC West on wild-card weekend. Fantasy managers will want to pay close attention to the Eagles' decision on playing their starters this weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Brooks Kubena
December 29, 2025
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said the team is looking to get rookie first-round wide receiver
Tetairoa McMillan more involved in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Saturday, according to Joseph Person of The Athletic. McMillan was under the weather last weekend and ended up catching just one pass for five yards in the Week 17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, his worst performance of his rookie season. "Our focal point is T-Mac. We try to build formations and try to get him into spots to get him the ball," Canales said. "I didn't do a good enough job of that last week, and we'll make sure that that comes alive." McMillan saw a lot of man and press coverage, which was considered his weak spot coming out of college. In the first game against Tampa two weeks ago, McMillan had six catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. Fantasy managers playing for a title in Week 18 will be hoping the Panthers grease the squeaky wheel in the rematch.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Joseph Person
December 29, 2025
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said on Monday that it would be "a stretch" for quarterback
Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. The Commanders aren't closing the door on Mariota playing, but with Washington eliminated from the playoffs, it's unlikely. It means that veteran journeyman QB
Josh Johnson is lined up to make a second straight start to close out the 2025 season. The 39-year-old went 15-for-23 passing 198 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys last Thursday. Mariota is not moving at full speed yet after suffering multiple injuries in the Week 16 loss to the Eagles. He didn't practice at all last week and shouldn't be counted on for fantasy managers still playing for a title in Week 18.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
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