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FFL: Week 16 | NFL: Week 16

Jets WR Garrett Wilson to miss final three games

Fri Dec 19 2:03pm ET
Field Level Media

New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson is out for the final three games of the regular season and will not return from injured reserve.

"We felt like it was best for him and the team," head coach Aaron Glenn said on Friday.

Wilson was placed on IR on Nov. 13 after re-injuring his right knee. He previously missed two games in the 2025 regular season with the same injury.

The 25-year-old Wilson, the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2022, was leading the Jets in targets (59), receptions (36), receiving yards (395) and touchdown catches (four) when he first hit injured reserve after starting seven games in 2025. Before the injury, Wilson had played in all 57 games since being drafted 10th overall in 2022.

New York hasn't figured out the quarterback position, and Jets QB1 Justin Fields was far more inconsistent after Wilson was hurt. Tyrod Taylor became the starter after Fields was benched. Taylor was injured against the Miami Dolphins on Dec. 7, and the Jets turned the keys of the offense over to undrafted rookie Brady Cook.

He has been sacked nine times and throw one touchdown pass with five interceptions, compiling a passer rating of 44.3. Cook entered off the bench in the loss to the Dolphins and made his first career start against the Jacksonville Jaguars last week.

When a post-mortem on the team's offensive struggles is conducted, the loss of initial starting wide receivers Wilson and Josh Reynolds (placed on IR with a hip injury) is a consideration.

Combined, the Jets' trio of QBs have 14 TD passes. There are 23 NFL quarterbacks, including former Jets Joe Flacco and Geno Smith, who have at least 15 TD passes this season.

Two receivers acquired via trades, John Metchie III and Adonai Mitchell -- added at the trade deadline from the Colts in the Sauce Gardner deal -- are helping keep the offense afloat. Metchie and Mitchell both have two TD catches since joining the Jets in November.

The Jets earlier this week released Allen Lazard, who had been a healthy scratch and caught 10 passes this season before being let go.

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The Paur Report

Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 16

Player Notes
Quinn Ewers Dec 19 3:50pm ET
Quinn Ewers

Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers has spent most of the 2025 season in a reserve role behind veteran QB Tua Tagovailoa. However, with Tagovailoa struggling and the team now eliminated from playoff contention, Miami announced that Ewers will take over as the starter for the team's Week 16 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The 22-year-old is a rookie who was drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL draft after three seasons as the starting quarterback at the University of Texas. Across 14 games for the Longhorns in 2024, he completed 65.8% of his pass attempts for 3,472 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. While Ewers's lack of draft pedigree should limit expectations for his production, he could have a multi-game runway as the starter in Miami. After facing Cincinnati in Week 16, the Dolphins will host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17. In deep, two-quarterback fantasy leagues, Ewers could be worth a look as a streamer.

From RotoBaller

Gunnar Helm Dec 19 3:40pm ET
Gunnar Helm

Across 14 games this season, Tennessee Titans tight end Gunnar Helm (toe) has recorded 41 receptions for 347 yards and two touchdowns on 50 targets. Helm is officially listed as questionable to play in his team's Week 16 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs due to a toe injury, but he was able to practice in full on Friday. If Helm is active in Week 16, he could have a chance to continue his late-season surge. Over his past five games. Helm has earned 25 targets, recording at least four receptions in four out of five contests. In his most recent game against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 15, he recorded four grabs for 49 receiving yards and a touchdown. The Titans split tight end snaps between Helm and veteran Chig Okonkwo, which limits the upside for both players. Still, Helm could offer appeal as a streaming tight end option for deep-league fantasy managers down the stretch of the season.

From RotoBaller

Rashee Rice Dec 19 3:30pm ET
Rashee Rice

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (concussion) has been ruled out for his team's Week 16 matchup against the Tennessee Titans due to a concussion. The 25-year-old has functioned as the number one option in the Chiefs' passing game since returning from suspension in Week 7, recording 53 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns across eight games. Kansas City will also be without wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (concussion) in Week 16, so wideouts Xavier Worthy, Marquise Brown, and JuJu Smith-Schuster appear likely to see the majority of the snaps on Sunday. Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce could see an uptick in targets as well. With quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) out for the season and Gardner Minshew now the starting quarterback in Kansas City, the outlook for all of the team's pass catchers is less favorable. Still, Kelce and Worthy in particular could have a chance to volume their way to production in Week 16 against Tennessee.

From RotoBaller

Juwan Johnson Dec 19 3:30pm ET
Juwan Johnson

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson has been a steady producer for much of the 2025 season, recording 62 receptions for 644 yards and three touchdowns on 84 targets across 14 games. While he may not have explosive upside, the 29-year-old has recorded at least four catches in seven out of his last eight contests. On Friday, the Saints placed wide receiver Devaughn Vele (shoulder) on Injured Reserve, ending his season before the team's Week 16 matchup against the New York Jets. With Vele now out of the picture, Johnson could function as the number two option in the New Orleans passing game alongside star wideout Chris Olave. Johnson has a favorable schedule for the remainder of the fantasy playoffs, as after the Jets in Week 16, he will face the Tennessee Titans in Week 17. Johnson profiles as a borderline fantasy TE1 down the stretch of the season.

From RotoBaller

Josh Jacobs Dec 19 3:20pm ET
Josh Jacobs

In a recent radio appearance, Green Bay Packers beat writer Rob Demovsky of ESPN said Packers running back Josh Jacobs (knee, ankle) is "more doubtful than probable" to play in the team's Week 16 matchup against the Chicago Bears on Saturday. Jacobs is officially listed as questionable to play after missing practice all week as he battles a lingering knee injury. The 27-year-old has rushed for 890 yards and 13 touchdowns on 218 carries across 13 games this season. If Green Bay does indeed hold Jacobs out, Emanuel Wilson would likely be in line for a sizable workload increase against Chicago. In Jacobs' lone missed game this season in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings, Wilson recorded 125 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 30 touches. The final word is unlikely to come until gametime on Saturday, so managers will need to monitor Jacobs' injury situation closely.

From RotoBaller

Justice Hill Dec 19 3:10pm ET
Justice Hill

Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (neck) has been progressing from the neck injury that landed him on Injured Reserve in late November, and could return as early as Week 17, according to head coach John Harbaugh. Hill sustained the injury during practice and has not played in a game since Week 12, but Harbaugh believes a return for the team's Week 17 matchup with the Packers is a real possibility. Used primarily as the team's passing back, Hill's absence has led to more opportunities for Keaton Mitchell and second-year back Rasheen Ali, though neither has seen enough work to enter the fantasy discussion. Derrick Henry, who somewhat quietly has amassed 1,000 rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns for the seventh time in his last eight seasons, remains an every-week start regardless of who is spelling him.

From RotoBaller

Rhamondre Stevenson Dec 19 3:10pm ET
Rhamondre Stevenson

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson has seen a notable decline in usage since returning from the toe injury that caused him to miss three games from Weeks 9-11. Prior to the injury, he was averaging 12.8 opportunities per game, while that number has slipped to just 10.7 over the past three weeks. He has taken exactly six handoffs in two of those three games, and the goal line work that was almost exclusively his to begin the year is now being split with explosive rookie TreVeyon Henderson. Stevenson looked good on his limited opportunities in a Week 15 loss to the Bills, but his touches all but dried up following an undisciplined penalty, leaving Henderson to handle most of the team's second-half work. The Patriots face an undaunting Ravens run defense in Week 16, but Stevenson looks to have fallen behind Henderson in New England's backfield committee, and he is RotoBaller's RB41 for the week.

From RotoBaller

Devaughn Vele Dec 19 2:50pm ET
Devaughn Vele

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele (shoulder) has been placed on injured reserve, ending his season before the team's Week 16 matchup with the Jets. Vele suffered the season-ending shoulder injury during the fourth quarter of a Week 15 win over the Panthers and had already been ruled out for Sunday. Vele had established a strong rapport with rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, regularly seeing target shares in the high-teens to mid-20s, and his absence should see tight end Juwan Johnson step in as the team's number two pass-catching option behind Chris Olave. Olave, who has seen double-digit targets only once since Shough took over as starter, but has found the endzone in three of his last five games, could once again see the type of heavy volume that defined his early season and is RotoBaller's WR11 for Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Dec 19 2:40pm ET
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) was not spotted during the open portion of Friday's practice, signifying a near certainty that he will miss his fourth consecutive game. With rookie Devin Neal (hamstring) placed on Injured Reserve earlier this week, the Saints' backfield will now be led by second and third-year runners Audric Estime and Evan Hull. With Neal prematurely exiting the team's Week 15 win over the Panthers, it was Estime who out-snapped and out-touched Hull. Although Hull's calling card coming out of college was his receiving ability, it was also Estime who saw three targets to Hull's zero. It's always risky relying on in-game adjustments to predict how a backfield will be split with a full week of preparation, but Estime appears to be the New Orleans running back with the most value heading into a favorable Week 16 matchup with the Jets. Still, it should come as no surprise if Hull is worked in more as the team's dedicated passing back.

From RotoBaller

Drake London Dec 19 2:30pm ET
Drake London

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (knee) is listed as questionable heading into Sunday's matchup with the Cardinals, but head coach Raheem Morris told reporters on Friday that he expects his star receiver to suit up and play. London has missed the last four games with a knee injury, having last appeared in a Week 11 loss to the Panthers. In his absence, tight end Kyle Pitts Sr. has been the main benefactor, finishing as the TE5, TE6, and TE1 over the past three weeks, with the best game of his career coming in a Week 15 Thursday night victory over the Buccaneers. With London back, Pitts' target share is sure to drop, but he remains in play against a Cardinals defense that has been near the bottom of the league at defending tight ends. London himself can also be trusted against an Arizona defense that just saw Nico Collins finish as the WR4 in Week 15. London may face a limited snap count in his first game back, but he is still RotoBaller's WR7 for the week.

From RotoBaller

Chris Rodriguez Jr. Dec 19 1:40pm ET
Chris Rodriguez Jr.

Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) has been cleared from the injury report and is good to go for Saturday's divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. Rodriguez was a game-time decision for last week's contest against the New York Giants and was ultimately ruled out due to a groin injury. It looks like it will only be a one-game absence for the third-year running back, as he was back as a full participant every day in practice this week. The Kentucky product has found the end zone in three of the past five games since taking over as Washington's primary early down back, totalling 54 carries for 253 yards and one reception (two targets) for six yards. He should return to his standard 10-15 carries in a favorable matchup on Saturday against an Eagles' defense that is allowing 4.8 yards per carry over the past four weeks, ranking sixth-worst in the league. However, after rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt's big game in Week 15, the Commanders could be looking at more of a split backfield.

From RotoBaller

Jaylin Lane Dec 19 1:40pm ET
Jaylin Lane

Washington Commanders rookie wide receiver Jaylin Lane has gone catchless in three straight games after recording at least one reception in 11 consecutive games to open the season. Lane hasn't proven to be a reliable receiver yet, but he's been one of the most impactful punt returners in the league. The rookie fourth-rounder scored his second touchdown on a punt return in last week's win over the New York Giants and is one of five players with multiple punt-return touchdowns this season, ranking sixth in average yards per return (14.3). The Virginia Tech product doesn't have a major role in the offense behind Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel Sr., though, and shouldn't be considered as a fantasy option for Saturday's divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

From RotoBaller

John Bates Dec 19 1:40pm ET
John Bates

Washington Commanders tight end John Bates stepped into a near full-time role last week against the New York Giants with Zach Ertz (knee) out for the year with a torn ACL. Bates played 42 of 61 snaps (69%) and ran a route on 13 of 26 dropbacks (50%) while recording one catch for 19 yards on one target. The 28-year-old has operated as Washington's top blocking tight end this season, but will take on more responsibility as a receiver with Ertz out of the picture. Bates has never been an impactful pass-catcher at the NFL level, though, with a career high of just four catches in a game, a single-game best of 46 yards, and two total touchdowns in 79 career games. He should continue to see steady playing time in Week 16 with third-string TE Colson Yankoff (ankle) also out this week, but he could cede more receiving work to second-year tight end Ben Sinnott down the stretch, given Sinnott's Day 2 draft capital and better athletic profile. Bates shouldn't be considered as a viable fantasy option for Saturday's divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

From RotoBaller

Treylon Burks Dec 19 1:40pm ET
Treylon Burks

Washington Commanders wide receiver Treylon Burks hasn't recorded a reception since his spectacular one-handed touchdown catch in Week 13 against the Denver Broncos. His route share dropped from a season high of 67.3% in that game to 25% in Week 14 against the Vikings, with Noah Brown back in the lineup, but Brown suffered another injury to his ribs in that game and will miss the remainder of the season. The 2022 first-round pick still didn't see his routes tick back up without Brown last week against the Giants, climbing to just 26.9% and going catchless on two targets. Washington has trended much more run-heavy with quarterback Marcus Mariota under center, limiting the fantasy appeal of their pass-catchers. Burks shouldn't be considered for fantasy football lineups in Week 16 against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles.

From RotoBaller

Dylan Sampson Dec 19 1:30pm ET
Dylan Sampson

Cleveland Browns rookie running back Dylan Sampson (calf, hand) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the visiting Buffalo Bills in Week 16, according to The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Mary Kay Cabot. Sampson was unable to practice all week and will miss his second straight game due to a pair of injuries. It's unclear if the 21-year-old will be ready to play in Week 17 against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. With Sampson out again, expect Trayveon Williams and Raheim Sanders to battle for backfield scraps behind rookie starter Quinshon Judkins. Sampson has really only been valuable in fantasy for the Week 1 regular season opener when Judkins was out. In the 17-16 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Sampson had a season-high 12 carries for 29 yards and caught all eight of his targets for 64 yards. Since then, he's had only two games with more than three rushing attempts.

From RotoBaller

Deshaun Watson Dec 19 1:30pm ET
Deshaun Watson

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that a decision on activating quarterback Deshaun Watson (Achilles) to the 53-man roster will be made next week, according to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. The deadline for the Browns to activate Watson from the Physically Unable to Perform list is next Tuesday. Watson has been ruled out for the Week 16 contest against the visiting Buffalo Bills. Even if the 30-year-old is activated from the PUP list before the Week 17 divisional matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, rookie Shedeur Sanders is expected to remain Cleveland's starter to close out the 2025 season. If the Browns don't activate Watson by next Tuesday, he'll be ineligible for the final two games of the year. The three-time Pro Bowler's NFL future remains incredibly murky, although he's expected to stick around in Cleveland next year and compete for the starting job with Sanders and Dillon Gabriel.

From RotoBaller

David Njoku Dec 19 1:20pm ET
David Njoku

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) has officially been ruled out for the second straight game and will not dress for the Week 16 contest this Sunday against the visiting Buffalo Bills, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. Njoku has not practiced the last two weeks after suffering a knee injury on a touchdown grab in Week 14. It's unclear if he'll be able to play in the final two weeks of the 2025 regular season. The 29-year-old has taken a clear back seat to rookie Harold Fannin Jr. this year, catching just 33 passes on 48 targets for 293 yards and four touchdowns. With Njoku out in last week's blowout loss to the Chicago Bears, Fannin had seven catches on a team-high 14 targets for 48 yards. Fannin will have more TE1 upside for a second straight week this Sunday against Buffalo with Njoku out again.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Dec 19 1:10pm ET
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (concussion) will be questionable for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins in Week 16, according to Mike Petraglia. Higgins was limited in practices on Wednesday and Thursday and still has one more hurdle to clear to pass through the league's concussion protocol. For context, the 26-year-old wideout has had two concussions in the last several weeks, and the Bengals could be extra hesitant to throw him back out there now that they've been eliminated from the playoffs. Higgins' first concussion occurred late in the Week 12 loss to the New England Patriots, and he experienced more concussion symptoms following the Week 14 loss to the Buffalo Bills. He's missed two of the last three games and could miss another contest this Sunday. When active, Higgins is a must-start in fantasy with a 46-667-9 line on 81 targets this year.

From RotoBaller

Emari Demercado Dec 19 1:10pm ET
Emari Demercado

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said on Friday that running back Michael Carter will get the starting nod in the backfield on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons with Bam Knight (ankle) done for the year, according to Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. Emari Demercado is "expected to be involved as well." Carter should handle most of the early down work for Arizona in the final three games of the season, with Demercado serving as the team's passing-down specialist. The 26-year-old returned from a three-game absence due to an ankle sprain in last week's loss to the Houston Texans. Demercado played just 11% of the snaps and had one carry for one yard and two catches for no gain on three targets. In 10 games in 2025, he's averaged only 3.2 yards per carry for 242 yards, and no touchdowns on 32 carries on the ground, adding 10 catches for 64 yards and a TD. At best, Demercado will be a low-upside RB3/flex option for fantasy managers in deeper leagues this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Marvin Harrison Jr. Dec 19 1:00pm ET
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) has "looked pretty good" in his return to practice this week, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. "Getting his wind back a little bit. That's a tough injury, but particularly (for) a skill guy that runs fast and has to decelerate and accelerate. Our staff has done a good job with him. He's done a good job pushing through. We'll see how he does today," Gannon said. The head coach added that the team "will have a plan for him" when asked about any extra concern about getting his conditioning back for a return this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. After missing the last two weeks with a heel injury and four of the last five weeks due to an appendectomy, Harrison looks primed to return in Week 16. However, he could take a back seat to Michael Wilson, who has gone nuclear for fantasy managers in Harrison's absence. If Harrison is active, treat him as a low-end WR2 in fantasy football.

From RotoBaller