

Sun Dec 21 12:14pm ET
Field Level Media
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins will return from his second concussion of the season to play in Sunday's game against the host Miami Dolphins.
Higgins cleared concussion protocol and was a full participant in practice on Friday. He had been listed as questionable to play against Miami before he was labeled as active.
ESPN reported that the Bengals (4-10) were interested in seeing how Higgins felt on Sunday morning before formally announcing his availability to play against the Dolphins (6-8).
Higgins, 26, sustained his initial concussion on Nov. 23 after smacking his head on the turf during Cincinnati's 26-20 loss to the New England Patriots. He sat out the Bengals' next game four days later before returning on Dec. 7, when he had six catches for a team-high 92 yards and two touchdowns in Cincinnati's 39-34 setback to the Buffalo Bills.
He reeled in his second touchdown grab on a snowy afternoon on a 25-yard lob from Joe Burrow with 2:13 remaining in the fourth quarter.
Higgins has totaled 46 catches for 667 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns in 12 appearances this season.
While Higgins is active, the Bengals listed the following players as inactive for Sunday's game: Jake Browning (emergency third quarterback), wide receiver Charlie Jones, cornerback Bralyn Lux, safety PJ Jules, defensive end Joseph Ossai, tight end Noah Fant and defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson.
As for the Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa will serve as the team's emergency third quarterback while rookie Quinn Ewers makes his first career NFL start.
Miami also listed wide receivers Tahj Washington and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, cornerback Isaiah Johnson, offensive tackle Kendall Lamm and defensive tackle Matthew Butler as inactive.
Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 16
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was demoted to the third-string role ahead of Week 16, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Tagovailoa has likely played his final snap with the team. Barring something unexpected, Miami will finish the year with Quinn Ewers and Zach Wilson as its active quarterbacks before re-evaluating the position group sans Tagovailoa during the offseason. Specifically, Rapoport said on Sunday that the Dolphins hope to trade Tagovailoa within the upcoming months. With that said, it may be tough to find a suitor who wants to take on the former first-round pick and the approximate $175 million cap hit that he carries over the next three years, especially after a tumultuous campaign in which he tallied 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Van Jefferson (back) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Jefferson was questionable heading into Sunday. He missed Wednesday's practice before eventually being upgraded to a full participant on Friday. The 29-year-old has played a full-time role for the Titans since Week 6 but has not been overly productive, collecting 20 catches for 256 yards and a touchdown on 43 targets in that span. In a struggling Titans offense, Jefferson doesn't profile as a trustworthy fantasy option in Week 16. He is projected to continue to operate as the WR3 behind rookies Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans rookie tight end Gunnar Helm (toe) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Helm entered Sunday listed as questionable due to a toe injury. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday before logging a full practice on Friday. The rookie fourth-rounder has been a bright spot for the Titans this season, recording the most receptions among rookie tight ends in franchise history. Helm leads the team in catches and receiving yards over the last four games. During these four games, Helm has tallied 131 yards on 17 receptions and has found the back of the end zone once. He profiles as an upside TE2 in Week 16 for managers in deeper leagues.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (ankle) is expected to be inactive for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders, according to NFL.com's Ian Rapoport. He had been listed as questionable and missed two of the Texans' three practices this past week. Although it was previously reported that Marks planned to play, the Texans are ultimately deciding to hold him out. Not only do they want to keep him fresh for the playoff push, but they can also feel comfortable about their chances with a slightly short-staffed backfield against a porous Las Vegas Raiders run defense that has allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns to running backs in 2025. Nick Chubb (ribs) should lead the way against Vegas, but we also expect to see a mix of Jawhar Jordan and Dare Ogunbowale, especially if the Texans jump out to an early lead.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine will be a healthy inactive for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals. Westbrook-Ikhine has played in all 14 games for Miami so far this season, totalling 11 catches for 89 yards on 20 targets, but won't play in Week 16 due to a coach's decision. The 28-year-old wideout hasn't recorded a catch in four straight weeks and has only seen one target over this stretch. With Westbrook-Ikhine out, Malik Washington, Dee Eskridge, and Cedrick Wilson Jr. will be in the mix for more snaps and targets behind Jaylen Waddle in Week 16.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields (knee) is officially inactive for Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, while Tyrod Taylor (groin, knee) will be active as the QB2 behind undrafted rookie Brady Cook. Both quarterbacks were questionable heading into Sunday, with Fields' status more in doubt after being limited in practice this week. As a result, the 2021 first-round pick will at least serve as the emergency QB3 in Week 16. Taylor was expected to serve as the backup to Cook after logging a full practice on Friday. Cook shouldn't be considered as a fantasy option against a New Orleans Saints defense that has been stingy against the pass in recent weeks. In his NFL debut last weekend, Cook threw three interceptions with just one passing score and 176 passing yards.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Carolina Panthers. Shepard didn't log a snap in last week's loss to the Falcons, as he saw his role disappear with Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan returning from injured reserve. Now, with Tampa Bay carrying only five wide receivers into today's divisional battle with Carolina, Shepard is the odd man out, rather than fellow depth receiver Tez Johnson. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Emeka Egbuka continue to lead this receiver room, while McMillan and Johnson fill depth roles. Shepard can be dropped in most fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mecole Hardman (calf) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns. Hardman was activated off Injured Reserve on Saturday and will play in place of Keon Coleman, who will serve as a healthy inactive for the third time this season. Hardman was upgraded to a full participant in practice on Thursday and Friday after being limited on Wednesday. The former Kansas City Chiefs wideout landed on IR after injuring his calf in his first game with the Bills in Week 11's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Hardman is unlikely to play a major role in the Bills' spread-out passing attack and shouldn't be in any fantasy lineups in Week 16.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears wide receiver D.J. Moore hauled in five of seven targets for 97 yards and a touchdown, while adding 12 rushing yards in the 22-16 overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers. After being held without a catch in the first half, Moore erupted, reeling in the game-winning 46-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Caleb Williams. With Rome Odunze (foot) and rookie Luther Burden III (ankle) inactive for Saturday's showdown, Moore was the top receiver, leading the team in nearly every statistical category and playing a season-high 95% of the snaps. With no update on whether either receiver will be back by their Week 17 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Moore could once again operate as the WR1 in this offense and be a must-start option if Odunze and Burden are ruled out once again.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Jalen Tolbert (coach's decision) and running back Jaydon Blue (coach's decision) are both healthy scratches for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. Tolbert is now headed for his third consecutive absence, and he hasn't logged a catch since Week 8. Ryan Flournoy, KaVontae Turpin, and Jonathan Mingo have offered more value in their depth roles behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, leading to Tolbert being inactive. He can be dropped in all fantasy leagues. Meanwhile, Blue remains the odd man out from the Cowboys' backfield and is inactive for the seventh game in a row. Dallas' backfield will continue to feature just two running backs -- Javonte Williams and Malik Davis -- as well as fullback Hunter Luepke. Blue can be dropped in redraft leagues, but he remains an intriguing dynasty stash.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (groin) is officially active for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Johnston was listed as questionable after being a limited participant in practice this week while managing a groin injury. The 24-year-old missed last week's game against the Kansas City Chiefs, but he should return to a full-time role in a favorable matchup against the Dallas Cowboys' 32nd-ranked pass defense. The TCU product has played 12 games this season, collecting 42 receptions for 533 yards and seven touchdowns on 71 targets. He projects as an upside WR4 for Week 16, facing a weak Dallas secondary.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants wide receiver Jalin Hyatt (coach's decision) is a healthy scratch for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Minnesota Vikings. The former third-round pick continues to be an afterthought in the Giants' offense, and this week, it will cost him his spot on the gameday roster. Hyatt played only 6% of the offensive snaps in Week 15, and he has caught just five of his 14 targets for 35 yards this season. His absence is likely a direct result of Gunner Olszewski (concussion) returning from his one-week absence. The 24-year-old can be left on waivers in fantasy football.
From RotoBaller
The New York Giants have declared OT Jon Runyan Jr., QB Russell Wilson, WR Ryan Miller, WR Jalin Hyatt, S Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles, DL Caleb Murphy and DL Rakeem Nunez-Roches inactive for Week 16.
From TheHuddle
The Minnesota Vikings have declared DL Javon Hargrave, LB Austin Keys, OT Walter Rouse and QB John Wolford inactive for Week 16.
From TheHuddle
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams completed 19 of 34 passes for 250 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions in the thrilling 22-16 overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers. Williams entered the fourth quarter with under 125 passing yards and just nine completions, but a positive game script and the second-year quarterback's clutch playmaking saved the day. The Bears are now 11-4 and control their destiny to win the NFC North, and none of this would be possible without the massive leap Williams has taken in his second season. They face the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night in Week 17, which could be a hat-and-T-shirt game for Williams and the Bears. For fantasy purposes, Williams will continue to be a risky QB2 due to his low volume in Ben Johnson's offense.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (concussion, neck) is inactive for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. He had been listed as questionable. Williams logged a full practice on Friday, but the team updated his status on Saturday to clarify that he's now dealing with a neck injury, in addition to the concussion. It's possible that Williams cleared concussion protocol in time for the kickoff, and the neck injury could be the reason for his absence. The 28-year-old has appeared in 13 games with the Jets and Cowboys this season, amassing 48 tackles, 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception. Kenny Clark and Solomon Thomas should earn more defensive snaps in his absence.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman will be a healthy scratch for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns, NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe reports. The Bills recently activated Mecole Hardman (calf) off Injured Reserve, and he will be active in Coleman's place. Coleman was a healthy scratch in Weeks 11 and 12 for disciplinary reasons, and his Week 16 absence is reportedly a coach's decision. It's been a disappointing season for the second-year wideout, totalling 36 catches (55 targets) for 355 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games, with 112 of those yards coming in Week 1. With Coleman out again, Joshua Palmer, Brandin Cooks, Tyrell Shavers, and Hardman will all be in the mix for more opportunities behind Khalil Shakir, who remains Buffalo's clear WR1 on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai was efficient in Week 16, carrying the ball nine times for 50 yards and adding three catches for 43 yards in the 22-16 overtime victory over the Green Bay Packers. After struggling to produce in the previous two outings, Monangai was a freight train on Saturday, averaging 5.6 yards per carry and moving the chains five times on his 12 total attempts. Monangai is averaging 8.9 fantasy points per game this season and is just 99 rushing yards away from passing Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco for most rushing yards by a seventh-rounder in their rookie season. He faces the San Francisco 49ers in Week 17 and should be considered a FLEX play moving forward.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) is officially active for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. He had been listed as questionable but was expected to play after the Cowboys activated him from injured reserve on Saturday. He's returning from an eight-game absence, offering key reinforcements to a Dallas secondary that just lost Daron Bland (foot) to IR. Through his first six games this year, Diggs had logged 18 tackles. He's still looking for his first interception of the season.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Chargers have declared WR Derius Davis, OT Branson Taylor, OT Trey Pipkins, LB Bud Dupree, S R.J. Mickens and TE Tyler Conklin inactive for Week 16.
From TheHuddle