December 22, 2025
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said that quarterback
Josh Johnson will get the "lion's share" of the starter's reps at practice this week, according to JP Finley of NBC Sports Washington. Johnson was forced into action on Saturday against the Philadelphia Eagles when fellow quarterback
Marcus Mariota (hand) exited early with a hand injury. The 39-year-old went five-for-nine for 43 yards with one interception. Entering the 2025 season, Johnson earned the QB3 job in Washington after outperforming
Sam Hartman during the preseason. After an injury-riddled season, Johnson is trending toward being the Commanders' starting quarterback on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys. On a short turnaround, Mariota's availability remains unclear for Week 17, and
Jayden Daniels has been ruled out for the remainder of the season. It is worth noting that Washington recently signed quarterback
Jeff Driskel off the Cardinals' practice squad to add depth to their quarterback room.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: JP Finlay
December 22, 2025
The Indianapolis Colts have activated defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (neck) from Injured Reserve ahead of their Week 16 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Buckner will play in tonight's game against his former team after missing an extended period of time due to a neck injury. The 31-year-old captain will not only solidify the Colts' defensive front but also provide a much-needed veteran presence in the locker room after the team lost both
Daniel Jones and Sauce Gardner in recent weeks. Before exiting Week 9 early, Buckner had tallied 42 tackles and four sacks this season. As a result of Buckner being activated, the Colts have waived quarterback
Brett Rypien.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: Ian Rapoport
December 22, 2025
The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired right-handed pitcher
Hunter Dobbins and right-handed pitching prospects Blake Aita and Yhoiker Fajardo from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for veteran first baseman
Willson Contreras, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. As part of the deal, St. Louis will cover $33.5 million of the $41.5 million remaining on Contreras' contract. The Cardinals are in rebuild mode and did not see Contreras as their first baseman of the future. Dobbins, 26, logged a 4.13 ERA and 1.28 WHIP with 45 strikeouts over 61 innings during the 2025 season before suffering a torn ACL in his right knee while attempting to cover first base. He has since begun a throwing program and is expected to be ready for spring training, where he'll compete for a rotation spot. Aita, 22, spent last season between Single-A and High-A Greenville, posting a 3.98 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and a 14.9% K-BB rate across 115 1/3 innings. He is expected to remain in the minors next season. Fajardo, the youngest of the trio at 19, recorded a 2.81 ERA and 1.23 WHIP with a 28.8% strikeout rate over 51 1/3 innings last season. Although Fajardo is a few years away from being called up to the majors, his strikeout ability gives him the highest ceiling among the three pitchers.
--Marty TallmanSource: Ken Rosenthal
December 22, 2025
The Washington Commanders are signing quarterback
Jeff Driskel off the Arizona Cardinals' practice squad, according to Ben Standig of The Athletic. Driskel served as Washington's QB3 last season and knows how to operate in Kliff Kingsbury's offense. This move adds much-needed depth to an injury-plagued quarterback room in Washington. With
Marcus Mariota's (hand) availability unclear and
Jayden Daniels being sidelined for the rest of the season, Driskel could be forced to slide into the QB2 role. Washington is playing on a short week and will be facing off against division rival Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day. On a quick turnaround, Washington likely wanted to bring in someone who has been around their offense to back up
Josh Johnson.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: Ben Standig
December 22, 2025
Denver Broncos kicker
Wil Lutz had a decent day in the 34-20 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Lutz converted two of three field goal attempts, with the longest coming from 54 yards out, and converted both PAT attempts. His eight points on the day could've been 11 had he not hit the right pole of the uprights on his first field goal attempt from 44 yards out in the first quarter. It was a tough break and a slight shift in momentum, as neither team had scored yet in the game, with five minutes and 11 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Still a confident kicker with plenty of reliability, Lutz will face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17, in which he went five for five field goals and converted his lone PAT when he last faced them in Week 11.
--Luke DeMarcusSource: ESPN
December 22, 2025
Houston Texans running back
Nick Chubb (ribs) was back on the field Sunday during Houston's 23-21 win over the Las Vegas Raiders. The 29-year-old had six carries for 33 yards and had one catch for nine yards. Despite rookie running back
Woody Marks (ankle) being ruled out, Chubb's workload was limited as
Jawhar Jordan led the backfield with 15 carries. Chubb has now gone six straight games without seeing double-digit touches and has only been able to find the endzone once during that stretch. It is worth mentioning that Chubb is coming off a rib injury, and the Texans could have been slow to roll him back into the offense. Chubb still profiles as a goal-line back that can still get work in the red zone. With Mark's availability uncertain for Week 17, Chubb is worth targeting off the waiver wire in deep standard leagues.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Ja'Tavion Sanders had a quiet fantasy day, but was a notable contributor in the Panthers' narrow 23-20 victory over the Buccaneers. The Carolina TE had two receptions for nine yards, but also caught his first touchdown pass since Week 10 of the 2024 season. Sanders played the most snaps of all Panthers TEs (57%) and totaled 8.9 PPR points, his highest fantasy total since Week 2. The Panthers will face the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17. Seattle ranked 18th in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the TE position in the last four weeks leading up to Week 16. Although Sanders has a decent matchup against Seattle, he does not see enough volume to consider him in Week 17. Weeks 2 and 10 are the only two times this season that Sanders had 5+ targets in a game. Fantasy players should ignore Sanders and the other Carolina TEs for the fantasy football championship in Week 17.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Chuba Hubbard had another quiet outing in the Carolina Panthers' 23-20 win against the Buccaneers. The Carolina RB had six carries for 27 yards while also adding one reception for seven yards. Hubbard finished the game with 4.4 PPR points, his lowest fantasy total since Week 11.
Rico Dowdle also outperformed Hubbard with 43 scrimmage yards and 8.3 PPR points. Even though the workload was split between the two RBs, Hubbard logged fewer snaps (41%). In Week 17, the Carolina Panthers will face the No. 1 seed in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle ranked seventh in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to the RB position in the last four weeks leading up to Week 16. Due to the rough matchup against Seattle and inconsistent volume, Hubbard is off the fantasy radar for Week 17.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Denver Broncos rookie running back
RJ Harvey turned in the most efficient game of his season in the Week 16 34-20 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Harvey had a stellar day with several explosive plays, leading to seven rushes for 50 yards and a touchdown, adding four catches on five targets for 71 receiving yards. Averaging 11 yards per touch is no easy task, but Harvey continues to impress and did this against a defense that was dominant against the run, with the lowest average rushing yards allowed per game coming into Week 16 at just 86.3. On a short week against the defeated Kansas City Chiefs, Harvey should be able to redeem himself from his Week 11 dud when he last faced them.
--Luke DeMarcusSource: ESPN
December 22, 2025
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Troy Franklin gets a bump in snap share during the 34-20 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. Ending the day with five targets for four catches and 66 yards with zero touchdowns, the most notable piece is that Franklin found himself on the field for 64% of the Broncos' offensive snaps. After seeing snap percentages of 53%, 26%, and 50% in each of the three games since the Week 12 bye, this is an encouraging sign that he could be more involved for the rest of the season. Rookie wide receiver
Pat Bryant suffered a concussion in the final minutes of this game and likely won't be available for the Week 17 Thursday Night Football matchup with the Chiefs, potentially projecting more opportunities for Franklin in that game.
--Luke DeMarcusSource: ESPN
December 22, 2025
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Courtland Sutton once again showed his dominance in the wide receiver room during the 34-20 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. Leading the team in all receiving categories, Sutton ended with six catches on 12 targets for 86 yards and one touchdown. Sutton did drop a touchdown in the back of the endzone that could've been critical in the Broncos' chances to keep the win streak alive, but he still had a superb day and passed the eye test. Quarterback
Bo Nix was also able to put up a career high in passing yardage with 352 in this game, which bodes well for Sutton's fantasy floor if the passing offense can maintain that production. Sutton will face the Chiefs in Week 17, in which he should be a must-start.
--Luke DeMarcusSource: ESPN
December 22, 2025
Rico Dowdle had nine carries for 29 yards in the Panthers' 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 16. The Carolina RB also added four receptions for 14 receiving yards, totaling 8.3 PPR points. Dowdle has cooled off in the last four starts, averaging 10.5 PPR points per game during that span. For the second consecutive week, Dowdle outperformed
Chuba Hubbard, who finished Week 16 with 34 scrimmage yards and 4.4 PPR points. Despite the workload being split between Dowdle and Hubbard, Dowdle logged the most snaps (57%). In Week 17, the Panthers face the Seattle Seahawks. In the last four weeks leading up to Week 16, the Seahawks ranked seventh in Fantasy Points Per Game allowed to RBs. Fantasy players who have their championship in Week 17 cab consider reserving Dowdle due to the tough matchup.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt saw a decreased workload in Week 16 with the return of teammate
Chris Rodriguez Jr., but was still productive, scoring his second touchdown in as many games. Croskey-Merritt toted the rock just eight times (25 yards) in Washington's 29-18 loss to the Eagles on Saturday -- ten fewer carries than he sported a week ago in Rodriguez's absence. However, he still played clearly ahead of
Jeremy McNichols in the rushing attack, despite the latter pacing him in snaps 15-11. The 24-year-old may not garner the same upside he did at the beginning of the campaign, but fantasy managers in a pinch can turn to him for low-end flex production when Washington squares off with the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 22, 2025
Bryce Young completed 21-of-32 attempts for 191 yards and two touchdowns in the Carolina Panthers' 23-20 triumph over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Carolina QB also added 20 yards on four carries, totaling 17.6 Fantasy points. It was the fourth time in the last five games that Young registered more than 15 Fantasy points, but he has reached the 20-point mark only three times in 2025. In 14 games played this season, Young has averaged 14.4 Fantasy Points Per Game. In Week 17, the Panthers will face the NFC's top-seeded team, the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle ranked second in Fantasy Points Per Game Allowed to the QB position over the last four weeks leading up to Week 16. If your fantasy football championship is in Week 17, Young should be avoided due to the matchup and his overall inconsistency for the year.
--Sean Engel - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Denver Broncos quarterback
Bo Nix put up a new career high in passing yards with 352 in the 34-20 loss against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16. In a matchup where it was expected that the passing game would be relied upon, Nix did all he could to give the Broncos a prime opportunity to extend their win streak to 12 straight. Nix completed 28 of 47 pass attempts for 352 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and added 11 rushing yards on four carries. Wide receiver
Courtland Sutton was the favorite in targets with 12, and did have one critical drop that could've been a second touchdown for Nix. While the fantasy numbers were mediocre for a semifinal matchup, Nix should find himself in a bounce-back spot against the defeated Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17.
--Luke DeMarcusSource: ESPN
December 22, 2025
South Florida quarterback Byrum Brown is set to enter the transfer portal, according to On3. The rising fifth-year senior posted a monster final season with the Bulls, tallying over 4,000 yards, 42 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. Brown spent the last three seasons under former USF head coach Alex Golesh, who is now the head coach at Auburn. Naturally, linking Brown to the Tigers makes sense, but you never know if another program will swoop in with a better deal for his services. Either way, it seems inevitable that he's headed for a Power Four conference team to close out his collegiate career. Brown has appeared in 35 games, piling up 7,690 passing yards, 2,265 rushing yards, and 92 total touchdowns.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: On3 on X
December 22, 2025
Tennessee Titans running back
Tyjae Spears notched his best outing of the 2025 season in Sunday's 26-9 home win against the Kansas City Chiefs, totaling 105 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. Spears' 18 touches in Week 16 are the most he'd handled all campaign, and it marked the fourth time in his last six appearances that he'd commanded at least five targets. Moreover, it was the first time he'd seen double-digit carries. While it's likely the uptick in work came from Tennessee deftly handling a visiting Chiefs squad, there's no denying the Tulane product is a talented athlete. For now, Spears is better suited for deep leagues, but his work in the receiving game keeps him in the range of a low-end flex in PPR formats. At the very least, he boasts high-end handcuff appeal. Tennessee gets an exploitable Saints' defense in Week 17.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 22, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Jameson Williams recorded five receptions for 70 yards on nine targets in his team's 29-24 Week 16 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. While the 24-year-old's production against Pittsburgh is a bit of a let-down relative to his performance in recent weeks, Williams continues to be a featured piece of the Detroit offense. He's earned at least nine targets in four straight games and has recorded at least 70 receiving yards in five out of his last six outings. For the season, Williams has now hauled in 57 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns on 91 targets across 15 games. With its defense struggling mightily, Detroit figures to continue to find itself in pass-heavy game scripts down the stretch of the season. Williams should continue to have opportunities to put up numbers in his final two matchups of the season against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 17 and the Chicago Bears in Week 18.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver
Isaac TeSlaa had the most productive game of his young career in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording four catches for 52 yards and a touchdown on seven targets. The 23-year-old has hauled in just 12 receptions on the season, but five of them have gone for touchdowns. Lions quarterback
Jared Goff attempted 54 passes against Pittsburgh, which partially explains TeSlaa's spike in production. Still, TeSlaa's usage has been trending upwards in recent weeks. He's played at least 55% of Detroit's offensive snaps in four consecutive games after failing to reach that mark in any of the team's first 11 games of 2025. TeSlaa's relatively limited target and reception volume overall make him tough for fantasy managers to trust, but he's established himself as a contested-catch weapon and has scored a receiving touchdown in three out of the last four weeks.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Cleveland Browns running back
Raheim Sanders projects to garner a considerable workload over the season's remaining few weeks after teammate
Quinshon Judkins (leg, knee) went down with a severe injury in Week 16. Judkins suffered a gruesome lower-leg injury during Sunday's 23-20 loss to the visiting Buffalo Bills. In his stead, Sanders and backfield mate
Trayveon Williams split snaps dead evenly (20-20), with the former handily out-touching the latter 11-3 on the ground. However, Williams was the preferred option in the receiving game, boasting four targets (4/38) to Sanders' one. That said,
Dylan Sampson (hand) figures to occupy the receiving role once healthy, and it's likely he'd pick up a few more carries than Williams did working in his stead. Sanders may not see as many opportunities on the ground as Judkins has, but he's trending up in a Cleveland offense that's moved the ball much better with rookie QB
Shedeur Sanders under center.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 22, 2025
Detroit Lions running back
Jahmyr Gibbs had a miserable day as a rusher in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, recording just two rushing yards on seven attempts. However, the 23-year-old saved his production with his work out of the backfield as a receiver, hauling in 10 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets. Gibbs has now been held to 43 rushing yards or fewer in three straight games and four out of his last six contests. Still, his involvement in the passing game provides a relatively safe PPR floor. Across six games since Lions tight end
Sam LaPorta (back) was placed on Injured Reserve with a back injury, Gibbs has recorded 40 receptions for 333 yards and two touchdowns on 51 targets. He's racked up 1,662 yards from scrimmage and 17 touchdowns across 15 games this season and remains a must-start fantasy running back heading into his Week 17 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Detroit Lions quarterback
Jared Goff found his way to a productive stat line in Week 16, completing 34 of 54 pass attempts for 364 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Over his last three games, the 31-year-old has now recorded 1,011 passing yards and seven touchdowns without a turnover. With the Lions' defense and run game both struggling, Goff has turned into one of the league's highest-volume passers in the second half of the season. Across eight games since Detroit's Week 8 bye, Goff is averaging 38 pass attempts per contest. As long as he continues to find himself in pass-heavy game scripts, Goff should be able to provide solid fantasy production without elite efficiency. The Lions will travel to Minnesota to take on the Vikings in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Samaje Perine remains an appealing deep league option despite playing second fiddle to lead rusher
Chase Brown in the team's ground attack. Perine posted another solid outing in Cincinnati's 45-21 thrashing of the Miami Dolphins, racking up 25 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries, and another 16 more on 2-of-3 receiving. It was the veteran's second rushing score of the campaign, as he continues to enjoy an elevated workload in the back half of the season. In four games since returning from an ankle injury, Perine has hovered around 40% of the Bengals' snaps, while averaging 12 opportunities per appearance. Even with Brown boasting a majority of the backfield touches, fantasy managers can turn to the 30-year-old as a sound flex asset, or in a pinch in shallower formats. They'll get a porous Cardinals' rush defense in Week 17.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 22, 2025
Cleveland Browns running back
Dylan Sampson (hand) is poised to handle a starting role moving forward following the injury to teammate
Quinshon Judkins (leg, knee) in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Sampson has been inactive over the past two weeks due to calf and hand issues -- the latter of which kept him out of Week 16's matchup. With Judkins out for the remainder of the season, the 21-year-old will slide into Cleveland's RB1 role when back to full strength. Sampson has proven more than capable of occupying a sort of scatback role. However, it's worth noting that it's unclear whether he'd operate as a workhorse or split early-down touches with teammates
Trayveon Williams and
Raheim Sanders. As it stands, Sampson should at least get the bulk of the backfield work, and slots in as an intriguing low-end RB2/high-end flex play for the remainder of the season. That is, so long as he gets over his ailing hand.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 22, 2025
Boston Celtics guard/forward
Jordan Walsh (illness) is questionable for Monday's game against the Indiana Pacers. The 21-year-old has been dealing with an illness and played only 13 minutes in Saturday's win over the Toronto Raptors -- his lowest since Nov. 18. Walsh has started regularly since mid-November, averaging 8.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in 23.9 minutes per game. If
Jaylen Brown (illness) feels healthy enough to return to action, he will take Walsh's spot in the starting lineup. Should both be unavailable,
Hugo Gonzalez and
Josh Minott are expected to see increased minutes, with one likely moving into the starting five.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Clippers center
Ivica Zubac (ankle) is facing a multi-week absence. According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Croatian big man was diagnosed with a Grade 2 left ankle sprain and will miss three weeks. Losing Zubac is a massive blow for the Clippers, who will probably rely more on
Brook Lopez over the coming weeks. Lopez logged a season-high 25 minutes in Saturday's win over the Los Angeles Lakers, tallying 11 points, five rebounds, and two blocks.
John Collins may also see some action at center, while
Kobe Brown's minutes could increase again after he was limited to only four minutes over the past two games.
--Taavi PailkSource: Chris Haynes
December 22, 2025
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said that
Brady Cook will remain the team's starting quarterback, per Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Cook has started each of New York's last two games after taking over for veteran quarterback
Tyrod Taylor in the middle of the Jets' Week 14 loss to the Miami Dolphins. An undrafted rookie out of the University of Missouri, Cook has struggled in his first taste of NFL action. Across three games (two starts), he's completed 59.2% of his pass attempts for 527 yards, one touchdown, and six interceptions. However, there's little incentive at this point in the season for the 3-12 Jets to do anything but attempt to improve their 2026 draft pick, which may be the reason why Glenn is sticking with Cook under center. Heading into a difficult Week 17 matchup against the New England Patriots, fantasy managers should avoid Cook and may want to move away from Jets running back
Breece Hall as well.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
December 22, 2025
Utah Jazz forward/center
Kevin Love (rest) won't be in the lineup on Monday against the Denver Nuggets. The former All-Star is taking the night off after a heavy workload in Saturday's overtime loss to the Orlando Magic, where he tallied 16 points and 16 rebounds in 32 minutes. With
Lauri Markkanen (groin) also potentially sidelined, both
Kyle Filipowski and
Taylor Hendricks could have increased fantasy value. Filipowski stands out as the better fantasy option, although his performances have been inconsistent.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Despite spending most of the season off his team's active roster, Houston Texans running back
Jawhar Jordan has emerged as a major contributor over the last two weeks. With Texans RB1
Woody Marks (ankle) battling an ankle injury, Jordan has recorded 188 scrimmage yards on 37 touches over his past two games. Despite veteran back
Nick Chubb making his return in Week 16 from a rib injury that sidelined him in Week 15, Jordan worked as Houston's lead back. In Week 16, Jordan out-snapped Chubb 30 to 21 and out-touched him 17 to seven. If Marks remains sidelined for the team's Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, Jordan could see another game with a heavy workload. Jordan is worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 17, just in case Marks is unable to make his return.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center
Brandon Clarke (calf) will be absent on Monday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After recovering from offseason knee surgery, Clarke made his season debut last week, but he suffered a calf strain in only his second appearance.
Santi Aldama started the second half in Clarke's place on Saturday against the Washington Wizards and will probably remain in the first unit on Monday. Although Aldama is productive coming off the bench, his scoring numbers typically improve as a starter. Across five starting appearances this season, Aldama has notched 16.4 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
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