Mon Dec 30 10:20am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Higgins comes up huge Week 17
It was a fitting end to the season with several huge performances from fantasy players once again. It made for some high-scoring fantasy championships. We had a receiver top 40 points and eight other players had 30 or more fantasy points. The only bad news with those big scorers were some of them weren’t in fantasy lineups because they were fringe players. But if you took a chance them, you likely won big! Hopefully, your championship games turned out well and you were able to take advantage of some of these big performances.
Chiefs 29, Steelers 10
Fantasy Stud: Travis Kelce. Kelce was down the last few weeks but came back in a big way in Week 17. He had eight receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown. Kelce scored 22.4 fantasy points, topping 20 points for the first time since Week 10. Some might think his season is a little down, but he is three catches shy of 100 and has four games with 20-plus fantasy points.
Fantasy Dud: George Pickens. There was hope for Pickens to return to the lineup and have one of his huge games in his first game back, but that didn’t happen. He was targeted seven times but caught three passes for just 50 yards. He scored just eight fantasy points, which wasn’t a big help for fantasy owners at all.
Game Notes: Patrick Mahomes had a three-touchdown performance, finishing 29-of-38 for 320 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. He has two straight games with 26-plus fantasy points.
Xavier Worthy found the end zone for the third straight game. He had eight receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown.
Ravens 31, Texans 2
Fantasy Stud: Derrick Henry. It was fitting for Henry to have another one of his huge performances during championship week. He ran 27 times for 147 yards and a touchdown. Henry also caught two passes for 18 yards. Henry had 24.5 fantasy points, his highest total since Week 9. It was his seventh game this season with 20-plus fantasy points. A move to Baltimore was a great one for Henry, posting huge numbers on a consistent basis.
Fantasy Dud: Joe Mixon. The entire Texans offense was a dud but Mixon led the way, considering his production throughout the season. The Ravens really held him in check, though. Mixon rushed nine times for just 26 yards and caught two passes for 13 yards. Mixon had a season-worst 5.9 fantasy points.
Game Notes: Lamar Jackson attempted just 15 passes and ran four times but produced huge numbers once again despite his limited workload. He was 10-of-15 for 168 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. Jackson rushed four times for 87 yards and another touchdown.
Mark Andrews found the end zone for the fifth straight game. He had two receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown.
Seahawks 6, Bears 3
Fantasy Stud: Seahawks defense. The Seahawks defense had a completely dominating performance, holding the Bears to just three points and 179 total yards of offense. Seattle had seven sacks and an interception in the game. The Seahawks scored double-digit fantasy points in nearly every fantasy format. This unit has taken a huge step forward this year and becoming a top weekly fantasy starter.
Fantasy Dud: Jaxon Smith-Njigba. There were duds across the board for both teams in this one, but Smith-Njigba tops the list for us. He had been producing such great numbers lately that this performance was really unexpected. He had just three catches for 32 yards. This game broke a streak of 70-plus yards seven straight games.
Game Notes: Caleb Williams had his struggles, missing on some throws once again. He was 16-of-28 for just 122 yards and failed to score a touchdown.
D.J. Moore had six receptions for 54 yards, giving him at least six catches seven straight games.
Chargers 40, Patriots 7
Fantasy Stud: Ladd McConkey. McConkey is clearly the top target in the Chargers passing game. He had eight receptions for 94 yards and two touchdowns on 10 targets. He has scores two of three games. He is over 1,000 yards for the season. McConkey is going to be a top player in this offense for years to come. The best is likely yet to come for the talented rookie.
Fantasy Dud: Hunter Henry. Henry failed to catch a pass for the first time all season. He was targeted two times in the game. Henry has been consistent in this offense nearly all season but didn’t show up in Week 17. He had at least four catches five straight games before this one.
Game Notes: J.K. Dobbins returned from his knee injury and looked good. He ran 19 times for 76 yards and a touchdown, and caught a pass for seven yards.
Justin Herbert continued his great play, going 26-of-38 for 281 yards and three touchdowns without a turnover. Herbert has multiple scores three straight games.
Bengals 30, Broncos 24
Fantasy Stud: Tee Higgins. Higgins had a game-winning fantasy performance. He had an absolutely monster game, catching 11 passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns. There was even some thought he might not play in this game because of his ankle injury. Higgins had season highs across the board, scoring 41.1 fantasy points. He has been huge down the stretch, having scores three straight and six of the last seven games he has played.
Fantasy Dud: Chase Brown. Brown wasn’t awful but wasn’t great, either. He had 20 carries for just 67 yards and caught four passes for 24 yards. You were hoping for a bigger week from him in such a crucial week of games. Plus, he had a chance to score late in the game but pulled up at the goal line to take more time off the clock. He also hurt himself on that play, injuring his ankle. He didn’t return to the game, which was insult to injury for his fantasy owners because the game ended up going to overtime.
Game Notes: Mike Gesicki had double-digit receptions for the first time all season. He had 10 receptions for 86 yards on 12 targets.
Marvin Mims continued to show some signs of life after a terrible start to his season. He had a season-high eight receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns on eight targets.
Rams 13, Cardinals 9
Fantasy Stud: Trey McBride. McBride picked a good time to finally find the end zone, scoring his first touchdown of the season. It was a long time coming for all his fantasy owners. He had a huge game, catching 12 passes for 123 yards and a score. He scored a season-best 30.3 fantasy points. McBride has double-digit receptions three of six games.
Fantasy Dud: James Conner. Conner was able to play but aggravated his knee injury and left the game early. He had four carries for just four yards before getting hurt once again. He also had two receptions for four yards. Conner burnt all the fantasy owners that used him in Week 17.
Game Notes: Puka Nacua had 10 receptions for 129 yards. Nacua has double-digit receptions two of four games.
Cooper Kupp had just a catch for 29 yards. Kupp has just four receptions for 53 yards his last three games. He has been targeted just nine times during that three-game stretch.
Jaguars 20, Titans 13
Fantasy Stud: Brian Thomas. Thomas continued his great rookie season, catching seven passes for 91 yards and a touchdown. Thomas scored a touchdown for the third straight game. He had 23.9 fantasy points, topping 20 points for the sixth time this year. Thomas is nearing 1,200-receiving yards for the year, which is impressive considering the passing woes of the Jaguars this season.
Fantasy Dud: Chig Okonkwo. Okonkwo wasn’t terrible but you expected much better after his last two monster performances. He had five receptions for 42 yards in this one, putting up some pretty mediocre numbers. Okonkwo had 17 receptions his last two games.
Game Notes: Tyjae Spears had a solid showing in a starting role for the Titans. He ran 20 times for 95 yards and caught three passes for eight yards. He even left the game early because of a concussion so his numbers could have been even better.
Mac Jones had his best showing in a starting role for the Jaguars. He missed on just seven passes, going 15-of-22 for 174 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover.
Bucs 48, Panthers 14
Fantasy Stud: Baker Mayfield. Mayfield had a huge, huge performance. He was nearly flawless, going 27-of-32 for 359 yards and five touchdowns without a turnover. Mayfield scored a season-high 38.15 fantasy points. Mayfield is having another huge season, having 42 total touchdowns and nearly 4,300-passing yards. He has been a solid No. 1 fantasy quarterback all season.
Fantasy Dud: Rachaad White. White was one of the few Bucs that didn’t produce big fantasy numbers. He had six carries for just 30 yards and a catch for four yards. You expected much better from White in a game the Bucs scored nearly 50 points and racked up a ton of yards offensively. He is taking a backseat to Bucky Irving more and more, though.
Game Notes: Bucky Irvin had another big-time performance, racking up 190 total yards. He ran 20 times for 113 yards and caught four passes for 77 yards.
Adam Thielen reached the 100-yard mark for the second time in four games. He had five receptions for 110 yards and two touchdowns.
Eagles 41, Cowboys 7
Fantasy Stud: DeVonta Smith. Smith had a really impressive showing, catching six passes for 120 yards and two touchdowns. He has 100-yard games two of three and touchstones three of four games. Smith has been a little up and down this year but produced plenty of big games like this along the way.
Fantasy Dud: Cooper Rush. Rush was starting to gain some fantasy value with his play of late, but he came back down to earth in this one. He was 15-of-28 for 147 yards and a touchdown with two interceptions. Rush showed why it is hard to trust a player like this at this time of the fantasy season.
Game Notes: Kenny Pickett was knocked from the game because of an injury. He looked pretty good before leaving, though, going 10-of-15 for 143 yards and a touchdown without a turnover. He also ran in a score, giving him two total scores.
Saquon Barkley went over 2,000-rushing yards for the season in this game. He ran 31 times for 167 yards and caught two passes for two yards.
Giants 45, Colts 33
Fantasy Stud: Drew Lock. There were just 1.1 percent of teams that used Lock on our site but for those owners, great work. He had the game of his career and one of the best fantasy games for a quarterback this season. He was 17-of-23 for 309 yards and four touchdowns without a turnover. He also ran in a score, giving him five total touchdowns. Lock scored 37.45 fantasy points.
Fantasy Dud: Tyrone Tracy. Tracy got his work but didn’t produce big numbers. He ran 20 times for just 59 yards and caught two passes for 14 yards. Tracy failed to reach double-digit fantasy points, scoring just 9.3 points. He has failed to reach double-digit points two of three games.
Game Notes: Malik Nabers had another big game, finishing with seven receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Nabers has at least seven receptions three straight games and four of five.
Jonathan Taylor had multiple touchdowns for the second straight game. He ran 32 times for 125 yards and two touchdowns. He has 100-yard games three straight.
Bills 40, Jets 14
Fantasy Stud: Josh Allen. Allen played his usual solid football, scoring three more touchdowns. Allen was 16-of-27 for 182 yards and two touchdowns without a turnover. He ran in a touchdown, rushing five times for 17 yards and a score. Allen has three-plus scores four of five games. He is having another MVP season.
Fantasy Dud: Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers had a poor showing, throwing for just 112 yards with two interceptions. He also failed to score a touchdown. Rodgers scored a horrible 3.6 fantasy points, his lowest total of the season. He had 20-plus points two of three games before this terrible performance.
Game Notes: Garrett Wilson was a bright spot for the Jets, catching seven passes for 66 yards and a touchdown. Wilson has scores two of three games.
James Cook scored a touchdown for the third straight week. He had 15 carries for 53 yards and a touchdown.
Raiders 25, Saints 10
Fantasy Stud: Jakobi Meyers. Meyers had five receptions for 61 yards and a touchdown. He scored 17.1 fantasy points. It was his first touchdown since Week 8. Meyers has been good as the top target for the Raiders, though, having double-digit fantasy points five of six games.
Fantasy Dud: Kendre Miller. Miller started but didn’t last long, going down with a concussion. He ran three times for just three yards before getting hurt. And he caught a pass for 16 yards. Miller was a huge bust for any owner that used him in what looked like a favorable matchup for him.
Game Notes: Ameer Abdullah continued his late-season surge, having his first 100-yard rushing game of the season. He ran 20 times for 115 yards and caught three passes for 32 yards.
Brock Bowers had seven receptions for 77 yards. He is up to 108 catches and 1,144 yards on the season, having arguably the best rookie season for a tight end.
Dolphins 20, Browns 3
Fantasy Stud: Jerry Jeudy. His team lost but Jeudy produced big numbers, finishing with 12 receptions for 94 yards. He didn’t score a touchdown but managed 21.4 fantasy points. He was targeted 18 times in the game, catching a season-high 12 passes. Jeudy has double-digit receptions two of three games.
Fantasy Dud: Devon Achane. Achane had his second-worst fantasy game of the season, scoring just 5.8 fantasy points. He ran 10 times for just 25 yards and caught two passes for 13 yards. He was used sparingly in the second half, so you have to wonder if he was battling some sort of injury. Either way, his poor game likely did in a lot of fantasy owners.
Game Notes: Tyler Hunter got the start and played a very good game, going 22-of-26 for 225 yards and a touchdown. He also led the team in rushing, running seven times for 52 yards and another touchdown.
Tyreek Hill was iffy to play but played and had his third 100-yard game of the season. He had nine receptions for 105 yards on nine targets.
Vikings 27, Packers 25
Fantasy Stud: Sam Darnold. Darnold continued his resurgence, showing up big in a crucial game for the Vikings. He was 33-of-43 for 377 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. He has two straight three-score games and hit that mark three of four games. Darnold has 36 total touchdowns on the season to 12 interceptions.
Fantasy Dud: Jordan Love. Love struggled some in this big division game, failing to throw for even 200 yards. He was 19-of-30 for 185 yards and a touchdown. Love scored just 15.85 fantasy points. He has failed to reach 20 fantasy points four straight games and five of six. He is not having near the fantasy season most hoped.
Game Notes: Jordan Addison scored a touchdown for the second straight game and has scores six of nine games. Addison has 13-plus points four straight games.
Romeo Doubs had a season-high 11 targets, catching seven passes for 58 yards. He has 14-plus fantasy points two of three games.
Commanders 30, Falcons 24
Fantasy Stud: Jayden Daniels. Daniels had some big-time performance once again, playing more like a seasoned veteran than a rookie quarterback. He was 24-of-36 for 227 yards and three touchdowns with an interception. Daniels led the Commanders in rushing, running 16 times for 127 yards. Daniels scored 35.5 fantasy points, giving him 30-plus fantasy points four of five games.
Fantasy Dud: Terry McLaurin. McLaurin was completely shut down in this one, catching a pass for five yards. He had a tough matchup but you still expected better from him based on his performances throughout this season. McLaurin had touchdowns four straight games before this one.
Game Notes: Olamide Zaccheaus continues to emerge as a big factor in the Commanders passing game. He had eight receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Bijan Robinson had multiple touchdowns for the second straight game. He had 17 rushes for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (chest, shoulder) is missing a second straight day of practice on Wednesday with chest and shoulder injuries, according to Jeff Neiburg of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Smith played 95% of the offensive snaps in the Week 12 loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and caught six of his 11 targets for 89 yards in a busy day, but he's now in danger of sitting out on a short week this Friday against the Chicago Bears. The 27-year-old will need to get back on the practice field on Thursday to have a shot at playing in Week 13. If Smith is inactive or limited at all this week, A.J. Brown figures to be peppered with targets. Tight end Dallas Goedert would also have a much higher fantasy ceiling. Jahan Dotson would most likely operate as the team's WR2.
From RotoBaller
The Seattle Seahawks are signing free-agent running back Cam Akers to their active 53-man roster on Wednesday, sources told Jordan Schultz of FOX Sports. Akers, 26, spent time with the Minnesota Vikings this season and will now join the 8-3 Seahawks for RB depth. The Seahawks are facing the Vikings in Week 13 this Sunday. Akers appeared in only three games for Minnesota this year, carrying the ball five times for 19 yards while also completing a 32-yard pass on a trick play. The six-year NFL veteran will give Seattle some more backfield depth, with George Holani (hamstring) a candidate to land on Injured Reserve. Akers probably won't have any fantasy value as long as both Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet stay healthy.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said on Wednesday that quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will get most of the practice reps this week to prepare him in case Baker Mayfield (shoulder) is unable to play on Sunday against the visiting Arizona Cardinals, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Mayfield has a chance to play in Week 13 after suffering a mild AC joint sprain in his left (non-throwing) shoulder in the Sunday night loss to the Los Angeles Rams, but nothing is certain. The 33-year-old Bridgewater went 8-for-15 passing for 62 yards after taking over for the injured Mayfield on Sunday. He'll have a much better matchup against Arizona with time to prepare this weekend if he makes his first start of the season, but Bridgewater should still be considered a low-upside QB2 streamer, at best, in superflex leagues if he gets the nod.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said on Wednesday that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (knee) had successful surgery on his knee on Tuesday, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Penix had full reconstructive surgery to fix a partially torn ACL in his left knee, which will keep him out for the rest of this season and possibly for the start of the 2026 season next fall. The 25-year-old second-year signal-caller is facing a nine-month recovery, which will force Atlanta to rethink its long-term plan at the QB position this offseason. This is Penix's third ACL reconstruction in his career after he had two knee surgeries in college. Kirk Cousins will start the rest of the year under center for the Falcons, but depending on how he finishes the season, the Falcons could opt out of the final two seasons of his four-year deal.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka said that rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart (concussion) will be a full participant in practice on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan. It sounds as if both Dart and Jameis Winston will take first-team reps. Raanan points out that Dart is still officially in the league's concussion protocol after missing the last two games. It's good news that the 22-year-old Ole Miss product is practicing in full, but he still needs final clearance from the concussion protocol in order to be cleared to play on Monday night against the New England Patriots. Winston nearly led the G-Men to an upset of the Detroit Lions in Week 12, but if cleared, New York is fully expected to go back to Dart to close out the season after they traded into the first round of the 2025 draft to select him. If Dart is cleared to play on Monday, he'll immediately be in play as a QB1 again in fantasy due to his dual-threat abilities under center.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said on Wednesday that wide receiver Terry McLaurin (quadriceps) will practice this week, according to Tashan Reed of The Athletic. McLaurin looks to have made some progress coming out of the team's bye week and could make his return on Sunday Night Football versus the Denver Broncos in Week 13. The 30-year-old's status for this week will depend on how much he can do in practice, though. Scary Terry has played in only four games in 2025 due to his quad injury, but he could return just in time for the fantasy football playoffs in several weeks. If McLaurin does make his return in Week 13, he'll be coming back to an offense that is still being run by veteran backup quarterback Marcus Mariota as Jayden Daniels recovers from a gruesome dislocated left elbow. We'll be keeping a close eye on McLaurin's practice statuses this week.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that wide receiver Keon Coleman being a healthy scratch in last Thursday night's loss to the Houston Texans was not discipline-related but was due to the short run-up to the game, according to Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic. McDermott said the Bills will "take things one day at a time" with Coleman. McDermott didn't exactly clarify if Coleman will be active for this Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it would be a surprise if the second-year wideout was not back on the field after being held out the last two games. The 22-year-old was a healthy scratch in Week 11 after being late to a team meeting that Friday. Coleman has been a big disappointment for the Bills and fantasy managers in 2025, catching 32 passes for 330 yards and three touchdowns on 49 targets. He'll be pretty hard to trust as a WR4/flex play in fantasy in Week 13 if he's active.
From RotoBaller
The Kansas City Chiefs have ruled out tight end Noah Gray (concussion) for Thursday's Thanksgiving Day game against the hosting Dallas Cowboys, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Gray will not have enough time to clear the league's concussion protocol on a short week. His next chance to play will come in Week 14 against the Houston Texans on Sunday, Dec. 7. Travis Kelce will continue to operate as one of quarterback Patrick Mahomes' top options in the passing game, but with Gray out on Thursday, both Robert Tonyan and Jared Wiley will have a chance to see the field more. The 26-year-old Gray has not been on the fantasy football radar in most leagues in 2025, catching 16 of his 28 targets for 132 yards and no touchdowns in 11 games played.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said "there's a chance" that tight end Dalton Kincaid (hamstring) returns to play this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 13, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. However, Kincaid will not be at practice with the rest of the team on Wednesday. Kincaid is slowly improving, but he has not played since injuring his hamstring back in Week 10, and he's up in the air to return this weekend. Without the 26-year-old on the field, Dawson Knox has failed to take advantage of his increased opportunities, catching only four passes on seven targets for 40 yards in the last two weeks. Kincaid is one of Buffalo's top pass-catchers this year, so they could really use him back for an important game against Pittsburgh, but he's going to need to get back on the practice field first. If Kincaid returns in Week 13, he'll be immediately back on the TE1 radar in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
The Buffalo Bills released veteran wide receiver Elijah Moore on Wednesday after signing veteran receiver Brandin Cooks on Tuesday, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Moore failed to capitalize with Buffalo despite second-year wideout Keon Coleman being a healthy scratch the last two games for disciplinary reasons, and now he'll be searching for a new team to close out the 2025 season. The 25-year-old former second-round pick of the New York Jets in 2021 out of Mississippi was a non-factor in fantasy football in his nine games in Buffalo, catching only nine passes on 17 targets for 112 yards and no touchdowns. Cooks, 32, caught 19 of his 25 targets for 165 yards and no scores in 10 games with the New Orleans Saints before joining Buffalo. He'll provide the Bills' struggling offense with an experienced deep threat to help stretch the field.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (neck) has been on Injured Reserve for the entirety of the 2025 regular season after suffering a neck injury in preseason action. While McMillan has yet to have his IR activation window opened by the team, Greg Auman of Fox Sports reports that McMillan "seems close" heading into Tampa Bay's Week 13 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. Across 13 games as a rookie in 2024, McMillan recorded 37 catches for 461 yards and eight touchdowns on 58 targets. While 2025 appears likely to be a mostly lost year for the 23-year-old, Auman's reporting indicates that McMillan has a chance to get back on the field before the end of the regular season. If he can return, McMillan would join a crowded Tampa Bay wide receiver room that includes Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, and Tez Johnson, and could be getting Mike Evans (collarbone) as well. It's unclear how heavily the team would lean on McMillan, particularly given the long injury layoff.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that quarterback Daniel Jones (leg) will be listed as limited for Wednesday's walkthrough practice, but he will be good to go for Sunday's divisional game against the Houston Texans, according to Mike Chappell of FOX 59. Jones was also on last week's injury report with a fibula injury, but he eventually returned to a full practice and played in Sunday's overtime loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, going 19-for-31 passing for 181 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions. The 28-year-old has been a front-runner for Comeback Player of the Year in 2025 in his first year in Indy, having thrown for 2,840 yards, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 11 games. Jones will be more of a low-end QB2 option in fantasy football this weekend, though, against the No. 1 defense in the NFL.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said Wednesday that he thinks wide receiver Drake London (knee) is "doubtful" to play in his team's Week 13 matchup against the New York Jets, per D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. London suffered a PCL injury in Week 11 that appears likely to sideline him for at least two games. Across nine games this season, the star wideout has recorded 60 catches for 810 yards and six touchdowns on 94 targets. In his absence in Week 12 against the New Orleans Saints, Falcons wideouts David Sills V and Dylan Drummond both saw an increase in playing time. Wide receiver Darnell Mooney and tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. may be the most likely beneficiaries from a target perspective if London remains out against the Jets.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch has delivered back-to-back productive games with Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendicitis) sidelined. Over the past two weeks, Dortch has caught 12 passes on 15 targets for 119 yards and a touchdown in each game. Dortch has played 65% of the snaps during this period, more than doubling the snaps he previously played. Head coach Jonathan Gannon stated that there is no timetable for Harrison's return, which gives Dortch the opportunity to continue producing. The Cardinals face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13, who have allowed the tenth most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. If Harrison remains out, Dortch should remain a valuable asset for fantasy managers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin (leg) looked "fine" in practice on Wednesday, according to Greg Auman of Fox Sports. The 29-year-old returned in Week 12 from a long injury layoff due to a leg injury and recorded two catches for nine yards on four targets in his team's blowout loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Godwin played just 36% of Tampa Bay's offensive snaps against the Rams, but Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said earlier this week that the team plans to ramp up his usage going forward. Across the three games he's been healthy for this season, Godwin has recorded eight catches for 61 yards on 18 targets. He's dealt with persistent lower-body issues since suffering a dislocated ankle in October 2024, so it's wise for fantasy managers to proceed with caution until Godwin proves he can maintain health for an extended stretch. Godwin remains tough to trust heading into the Buccaneers' Week 13 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, particularly with starting Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield's (shoulder) status in question due to a shoulder injury.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (foot, shoulder) looked "fine" in practice on Wednesday, per Greg Auman of Fox Sports. Irving is expected to practice all week heading into Tampa Bay's Week 13 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, although his status for Sunday against Arizona remains unclear. Irving has not played since Week 4 due to multiple injury issues. Across four games before getting injured, the 23-year-old had recorded 430 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 90 touches and looked like the clear RB1 in Tampa Bay. In his absence, the Buccaneers have turned to Rachaad White and Sean Tucker for backfield snaps. Even when Irving returns, the team may choose to operate with more of a committee approach in order to bring him back slowly from the long injury layoff. Still, Irving's return to the field would be a welcome sign for fantasy managers. The final word on his Week 13 status is unlikely to come before the end of the week.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) has been sidelined since suffering a gruesome dislocated left elbow in his team's Week 9 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. However, the 24-year-old was able to avoid surgery, and a return in Week 14 against the Minnesota Vikings is a "realistic possibility," per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Fowler notes that while Daniels has not been officially ruled out for Week 13 against the Denver Broncos, Washington is more likely to go with veteran quarterback Marcus Mariota for one more week. Across six games this season, Daniels has completed 62.5% of his pass attempts for 1,184 yards, eight touchdowns, and two interceptions. He's also been a major threat with his legs, rushing for 262 yards and two touchdowns on 54 attempts. While a Week 14 return for Daniels would obviously be a positive thing for fantasy managers, it might be wise to temper expectations, specifically for his rushing workload. With Washington currently saddled with a 3-8 record, the team will likely be cautious with putting its franchise quarterback at risk.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler speculates that the Minnesota Vikings could make a play for current Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones when Jones hits free agency after the 2025 season. Fowler writes that "a few people inside the league" have wondered whether Minnesota can "bring in a veteran/reclamation project to compete" with struggling quarterback J.J. McCarthy (concussion) heading into 2026. McCarthy has struggled mightily across six starts this season, completing 54.1% of his pass attempts for 929 yards, six touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He's also missed time with an ankle injury and is currently in the league's concussion protocol heading into Week 13. Minnesota has familiarity with Jones, as he served as the backup to former Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold down the stretch of the 2024 season. Jones is in the midst of a resurgent campaign with Indianapolis, leading the Colts to an 8-3 record while throwing for 2,840 yards and 17 touchdowns. While Minnesota may have interest, the Colts seem likely to make a strong play to retain Jones as well.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (wrist) is slated to return in Week 13 against the Buffalo Bills. Rodgers suffered a broken left wrist in Week 11 and was unable to play in Week 12's loss to the Chicago Bears. Head coach Mike Tomlin stated that he was "highly optimistic" that Rodgers was going to be back against the Bills. The Steelers held him back from playing last week, preparing him for this marquee showdown against the Bills, which will be extremely important as the Steelers chase a divisional title. Buffalo has been among the best pass defenses in the NFL this season, allowing the fifth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks. Despite Rodgers trending towards playing this week, a tough matchup could limit his fantasy value in Week 13.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (toe) said to the media on Tuesday that he will not sit if he's healthy enough to play. Burrow suffered a grade-three turf toe injury in Week 2 and underwent surgery to repair the ligament. With the Bengals' current situation and the unlikelihood of them making the postseason, some are speculating whether Burrow should return this season. However, Burrow shut down those conversations on Tuesday, stating, "I'm not going to live my life and play this game scared of something happening." Burrow is set to return in Week 13 against the Baltimore Ravens, which will be a must-win game for the Bengals. Burrow offers low-end QB1 value in Week 13, as he makes his highly anticipated return to the field.
From RotoBaller