

Fri Dec 12 9:51pm ET
Field Level Media
The Las Vegas Raiders made it official Friday, naming backup Kenny Pickett the starting quarterback for their Sunday game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Pickett played for the Super Bowl champion Eagles in 2024, backing up Jalen Hurts and starting one game, a 41-7 win over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17.
Regular starter Geno Smith has been nursing a right shoulder injury and couldn't practice this week after sustaining the injury in the Raiders' 24-17 loss to the Denver Broncos on Sunday.
Pickett, 27, received first-team reps in practice this week after relieving Smith in the Broncos game, going 8 of 11 for 97 yards with a touchdown pass.
The Raiders (2-11) acquired Pickett from the Browns after training camp was completed in August. Cleveland previously acquired Pickett from the Eagles but ran out of room at the position.
Pickett has completed 481 of 769 passes (62.5%) for 4,870 yards, 16 TDs and 14 picks in 33 games (25 starts) for the Pittsburgh Steelers (2022-23), Eagles (2024) and Raiders. He is 15-10 as a starter.
The Steelers selected him 20th overall in the 2022 draft out of the University of Pittsburgh.
The Raiders have lost seven straight heading into Sunday against the Eagles (8-5).
Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 15
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (hip) won't carry an injury designation into the Week 15 matchup against the Washington Commanders. Tracy was forced to exit early during the Week 13 loss to the New England Patriots with a hip contusion. The 26-year-old is ready to go after a week off during the team's bye. Tracy figures to handle the bulk of the carries in the backfield, while Devin Singletary gets mixed in as well. The second-year back has rushed for over 60 yards in three of his last four games. During that span, Tracy has also finished with 50 receiving yards or more in two of those games. The Commanders' defense ranks 27th in points allowed to running backs this season. With a full workload, Tracy should be able to offer RB2 value in 12-team formats in Week 15.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (ribs) was forced to leave last week's big win over the Chiefs early with a rib injury, but there's still a chance he's available for Week 15 against the Cardinals. He missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday but was able to get in a limited session on Friday. If he does play, he'll get a great matchup against the Cardinals' porous run defense that has given up 18 touchdowns to running backs this season. While Woody Marks is likely to get most of the work even if Chubb is healthy, he would bring touchdown-dependent upside. He only had one carry for three yards last week before his injury, but in Week 13, he found the end zone against the Colts for his third score of the season. He's a high-risk flex play even if he's active, even though he does have the potential to get some work, especially if the Texans play from ahead against Arizona
From RotoBaller
New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is hopeful for better results after a lackluster performance against the New England Patriots in Week 13. Dart made his return to the field before the bye after missing two games due to a concussion and completed 17 of 24 passes for 139 yards and one touchdown in the loss. The biggest takeaway is that Dart only rushed the ball four times for 20 yards. Before missing two games, Dart had scored a touchdown on the ground in five straight games. The Giants previously stated they want Dart to be smarter with the way he runs the ball. His passing stats alone are unlikely going to be able to carry him as a QB1 in fantasy, even with a plus matchup against the Washington Commanders in Week 15. Dart has been held to under 200 passing yards in three of his last four games. The Commanders' defense has allowed 58 points over their previous two contests. That's good news for Dart, but he should still be viewed on the lower end of the QB1 spectrum for this weekend.
From RotoBaller
Seattle Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (ankle) remains a solid streaming option in Week 15 against an Indianapolis Colts defense that allows 15.5 points per game to opposing tight ends in fantasy. Barner has been relatively inconsistent this season due to variable target volume. However, he has remained an every-down player, and he is always a threat to score a touchdown. Barner's ceiling is tapped by a lack of volume, but he retains a solid floor for the tight end position. With the Colts having trouble containing opposing tight ends, Barner could find room to work, especially with wide receivers Rashid Shaheed and Jaxon Smith-Njigba running wild on the outside. Look for the Seahawks to deploy an effective passing attack on Sunday. If you are dealing with an inconsistent starter or you have been streaming the position this year, you could do worse than Barner this week. Barner has been listed as a full participant on Seattle's injury report this week, but he should be good to go for Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (knee) missed some practice earlier this week but does not have an injury designation and is ready to go for the Texans' Week 15 matchup against Arizona. The Cardinals have allowed 18 running back touchdowns in 13 games, including eight in the last four weeks. Marks could get more of the workload with Nick Chubb (ribs, questionable) banged up. Marks checks in as the No. 17 RB in RotoBaller's Week 15 rankings, so he's a strong RB2 play this week after setting a new career-high with 26 carries last week. He scored his fifth touchdown of the season in the Texans' win over the Chiefs, and he has a much better matchup this week, giving him a good ceiling, especially if he gets all the work in this favorable matchup. He crushed the Titans as the focal point of the offense in a similar scenario earlier this season, and he's a strong start in Week 15.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. would likely be one of the best free-agent options at his position this offseason if he were to reach the open market. The organization might not let that happen, though, and could use the franchise tag on him. Pitts opened everyone's eyes to how great he can be during Thursday's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, hauling in 11 of his 12 targets for 166 yards while scoring three touchdowns in a comeback victory. The 25-year-old has been underwhelming during his career in Atlanta, but has shown flashes of greatness. There is enough upside that multiple organizations would likely be willing to gamble on Pitts if he were to become a free agent. The Falcons might attempt to delay that with the franchise tag, but we'll see what direction they decide to go in this offseason.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud will try to help the Texans earn their sixth straight win when they host the Cardinals this week. Stroud missed the first three games of the winning streak but took back over and led the team to big wins over the Colts and Chiefs. This week, he gets a much easier matchup against the Cardinals, who have allowed 10 passing touchdowns in the last four weeks, including three games of three touchdown passes against them. Stroud has not had outstanding numbers in his two games since returning, totaling 276 passing yards against the Colts and 203 passing yards against the Chiefs. He threw only one touchdown in those two games, but he also threw only one interception and did what was needed to keep drives alive. With an easier matchup, it could be a breakout day for Stroud, but he will most likely continue to rely on his game management skills along with his strong defense and running game. Stroud is the QB19 in RotoBaller's Week 15 rankings, making him a strong second QB in most dual-QB leagues but not a great starter in single-QB formats.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders rookie wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (concussion) won't carry an injury designation into Sunday's Week 15 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Thornton was limited in practice to begin the week, but has been cleared to suit up after two straight full practice sessions. He's back in the mix after sitting out due to a concussion during last week's loss to the Denver Broncos. When healthy, Thornton is unlikely to be a significant contributor in what has been a bad Raiders offense. The 23-year-old has only eight receptions for 123 yards in 11 games this season. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for help ahead of Vegas' tough road matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Wicks was limited during the first two practices of the week before getting in a full session on Friday. He should be back in the mix this Sunday, but he won't draw an easy matchup. The Broncos have allowed the second-fewest yards per target to wide receivers this season. The Packers also have a ton of mouths to feed at the receiver position with Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and rookie Matthew Golden all healthy heading into this game. Wicks had an epic two-touchdown game during the Thanksgiving Day win over the Detroit Lions. That performance put him on the fantasy radar, but he has quickly fallen off as the Packers get healthy. Fantasy managers can leave Wicks on the bench in Week 15 after he wasn't targeted at all last week in the win over the Bears.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed (shoulder) will avoid an injury designation ahead of the Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Reed made his return from a 10-game absence due to a fractured foot and broken collarbone during last week's win over the Chicago Bears. The 25-year-old hauled in all four of his targets for 31 yards while carrying the ball twice for 22 yards. The assumption is that Reed's workload will increase after playing only 47 percent of the offensive snaps last weekend. He'll draw a tough matchup against a Broncos defense that has allowed the second-fewest yards per target to wide receivers this season. Reed still has enough upside to be looked at as a potential flex play in Week 15, but fantasy managers should temper their expectations in a bad matchup as Reed battles for touches in a crowded WR room in Green Bay.
From RotoBaller
New York Giants tight end Theo Johnson (toe) has sidestepped the final Week 15 injury report and will play on Sunday against the division-rival Washington Commanders. Coming out of the bye week, Johnson was limited on Wednesday and Thursday due to a toe injury, but his ability to practice in full on Friday has cleared him to play this weekend. The 24-year-old should be considered a low-end TE1 for fantasy purposes after seeing a season-high eight targets before the Week 14 bye in the Monday night loss to the New England Patriots in rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart's first game back from a concussion. Dart gives the entire Giants offense more upside, including Johnson, especially in a matchup against a Washington defense that allows a league-high 8.7 yards per pass attempt. Johnson has had double-digit half-PPR points four times this year and has found the end zone three times.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (glute) was added to the Week 15 injury report on Thursday with a glute injury and put in a limited practice. Andrews upgraded to a full practice on Friday, though, and has been cleared to play on Sunday against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. The 30-year-old has plenty of chemistry with quarterback Lamar Jackson, putting him on the low-end TE1 map in fantasy football most weeks, but he's caught exactly one pass for nine yards in two of the last three weeks. Isaiah Likely has become more involved in the passing game in recent weeks, too, which has made Andrews more volatile for fantasy managers. Additionally, Andrews has not scored in the last four games and has only gone over 50 receiving yards once in 2025, back on Sept. 22, when he had 91 yards and two touchdowns. The good news this week is that he'll be facing a Bengals defense that has allowed TEs to run wild this year. Andrews caught four of six targets for 47 yards in the last meeting against Cincy on Thanksgiving night.
From RotoBaller
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (ankle) was limited by an ankle injury earlier this week, but he practiced in full on Friday and has been removed from the Week 15 injury report. Lawrence will be active this Sunday when the New York Jets come to town. The 26-year-old former first overall pick is just outside the top 10 at the QB position in overall fantasy points this year, but he profiles as a low-end QB1 option in the first week of the fantasy playoffs in most leagues with a juicy matchup against the Jets. The Jags may not end up having to throw the ball all that much on Sunday, but Lawrence has been more productive in recent weeks, throwing for at least two TDs in each of the last three games with at least 229 passing yards. At the very least, Lawrence will be a viable streaming option for fantasy managers in need at the position in Week 15. During Jacksonville's current four-game winning streak, Lawrence has completed 59.6% of his passes for 882 yards, eight TDs, and four picks while adding 79 rushing yards and a touchdown on the ground.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (calf) carries a questionable tag into Sunday night's contest against the Minnesota Vikings and would be viewed as a low-end TE1 if cleared for action. Ferguson opened the week as a limited participant but was downgraded to a non-participant on Thursday, putting his availability in jeopardy. However, on Friday, the veteran tight end was able to practice in a limited capacity, which keeps him in play to suit up. Additionally, Todd Archer of ESPN reported that HC Brian Schottenheimer said he is "relieved" that Ferguson was able to "answer the bell" on Friday, suggesting he should be in a good position to play. From Weeks 1 through 7, Ferguson was on pace to compete for the overall TE1, as he averaged an elite 17.2 PPR points per game and found the back of the end zone six times. However, since Week 8, Ferguson's production has dropped considerably, averaging only 8.7 PPR points per game. During this stretch, he has scored just one touchdown. Even though Ferguson's production has continued to decline, managers should still view him as a reliable low-end TE1 given his elite offensive environment. He should be primed for a bounce-back in a projected high-scoring affair (O/U 48.5) against the Vikings on Sunday evening.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey should be locked into all starting lineups in the opening week of the fantasy playoffs when the Cowboys face the Minnesota Vikings. The 30-year-old enters Week 15 sitting as the overall K2 in total fantasy points, trailing only Seattle's Jason Myers. Aubrey is coming off one of his most productive outings of the campaign, when he hit all five of his attempts during their loss to the Lions. In this contest, Aubrey hit three field goals from 50+ yards out and nailed his other two from within 49 yards. Following his brief four-game skid (Weeks 8 through 12), when he went 4-for-6 on attempts, Aubrey has rounded back into form, going 8-for-8 on attempts and 3-for-3 on extra points over his last two games. Overall, Aubrey continues to showcase an elite ceiling at the position, given his ability to convert from long range. He has hit nine field goals from 50+ yards, trailing only Tampa Bay's Chase McLaughlin. Playing in a dome on Sunday night, managers should feel great knowing they have an elite positional advantage over their league mates and confidently start Aubrey in all formats.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams projects to be a must-start low-end RB1 on Sunday night when the Cowboys welcome the Minnesota Vikings. Last week, Williams continued his massive bounce-back campaign by punching in his ninth rushing score of the season and his 11th total score from scrimmage. Despite facing a Detroit defense that had allowed the fewest PPR points to opposing RBs this season, Williams racked up 14.7 PPR points and was quite effective with his opportunities, tallying 67 yards on 17 attempts. Since Week 11, the former first-round pick has posted a solid 4.0 YPC and averaged 13.5 PPR points per game. While his ceiling may be limited, facing a Vikings defense that has allowed the 12th-fewest PPR points to opposing RBs, Williams carries high upside to find the back of the end zone, playing on one of the sport's top offensive units. In addition, his massive workload as the lead back (averaging 76% of the team's total snaps) gives him a high floor, making him a must-start, low-end RB1, in all formats.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis has emerged as the primary No. 2 option behind workhorse Javonte Williams in the team's backfield. However, Davis has been unable to carve out a substantial role, which makes him a handcuff with RB4 value heading into a Week 15 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Since their Week 10 bye, Davis has been the only other running back Williams to log an offensive snap, suggesting he would see a massive workload in the event the former first-round pick misses time with an injury. However, during this four-game stretch, Davis has been unable to log over 20% of the snaps in a single game and has only logged more than three carries once. In Week 13, Davis made the most of his change-of-pace role, tallying 47 yards and a score on three attempts. However, in the other three games, Davis has totaled 50 yards on 10 carries. Given his current usage, managers should continue to view him as a top handcuff that should not be in their starting lineup outside of a cheap flier in a DFS single-game slate.
From RotoBaller
Houston Texans rookie running back Woody Marks (knee) was able to practice in full on Friday and has been removed from the final Week 15 injury report. Marks will be active on Sunday against the visiting Arizona Cardinals and should have another heavy workload. Backfield mate Nick Chubb (ribs) is questionable after getting hurt in Sunday night's win over the Kansas City Chiefs. With Chubb getting hurt in Week 14, the 24-year-old Marks had a season-high 26 carries for 68 yards and caught two of three targets for eight yards and a touchdown. Marks was a non-participant in Wednesday's practice before slowly working his way to a full-go on Friday. Against a Cardinals defense that has allowed the fourth-most half-PPR points to RBs this year, Marks has plenty of upside for fantasy managers as an RB2 this weekend, even if Chubb is cleared to play. He has had double-digit carries in each of the last eight games and 16-plus carries in each of the last four contests.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (concussion) passed the league's concussion protocol and is off the injury report heading into their Sunday night tilt against the Minnesota Vikings. Lamb sustained this concussion during their Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions on Thursday night. However, before exiting, the superstar wideout still made an impact, catching six of his eight targets for 121 yards on just 47% of the team's snaps. This was his second-straight game eclipsing the century mark. Since his three-game absence due to an ankle injury in Weeks 4 through 6, Lamb has returned to his high-end status at the position. During this seven-game stretch, Lamb has averaged a strong 17.6 PPR points per game and has continued to see a massive target share, earning 9.3 targets per game, despite playing alongside George Pickens. Given Dallas' high-octane passing game, QB Dak Prescott has been able to support both Pickens and Lamb as they have continued to produce WR1 stat lines on a weekly basis. Even though Lamb will face a formidable Minnesota secondary that has allowed the fewest PPR points to opposing WRs this season and just contained Terry McLaurin to 41 yards last Sunday, Lamb remains a must-start WR1 in all formats in the opening week of the fantasy playoffs.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is coming off one of the worst showings of his breakout season, but he is still worth viewing as a WR1 in all formats when he faces the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday night. Last Thursday, Pickens brought in just five of his nine targets for a mere 37 yards. This was his lowest total since Week 1, when he tallied only 30 yards on three receptions. His production last week was quite disappointing as the team's No. 1 WR, CeeDee Lamb, exited with a concussion. Still, Pickens was unable to connect with quarterback Dak Prescott. However, managers should continue to view Pickens as a must-start option as he enters Week 15 as the overall WR2 in PPR scoring despite his Week 14 dud. During Weeks 11 through 13, Pickens averaged an elite 24.6 PPR points per game and totaled 126 yards per game with two receiving scores. Overall, Pickens has found the back of the end zone eight times, which is the same number of times he found the end zone as a Steeler during the 2023 and 2024 seasons combined. Despite facing an elite Minnesota secondary that enters the fantasy playoffs allowing the fewest PPR points to opposing WRs, and Lamb cleared for action, Pickens still carries immense upside in all formats and is a must-start WR1 in all league types.
From RotoBaller