NFL fantasy football news and player signals for Monday, December 22, 2025

Despite playing banged up the previous few weeks and performing well, Josh Jacobs busted in Week 16 as Emanuel Wilson out-snapped and out-carried him, costing some fantasy players their playoff hopes.

Out-snapped and out-carried Josh Jacobs in Week 16, taking over the Packers' running back role and scoring fantasy points while Jacobs busted.

Returned to the Packers lineup in Week 16 after injury, though the source notes uncertainty around quarterback play heading into Week 17 with both Jordan Love and Malik Willis injured.

Ran the most routes (27) among Packers receivers in Week 16 but received only three targets, a disconnect the source attributes to 'weird quarterback play' with Malik Willis.

Had 18 PPR points in Week 16 with Quinn Ewers making his debut at quarterback; the source notes Ewers was not 'offense crippling' (20-of-30, 260 yards, 2 INTs), suggesting Chase maintained a reasonable floor despite the backup QB situation.

Despite a diminished 61% snap share and 16 touches following Sam Perron's return, Chase Brown was a 'playoff hero' in Week 16, turning 16 touches into 32.9 PPR points against the Dolphins defense; the source credits Joe Burrow's health and the team's offensive efficiency (unlike earlier in the season when Brown had usage but no scoring) as the driver of his high-advance-rate performance.

Returned from injury in Week 16 with three catches on 29 routes (36 drop backs) for 53 yards and a touchdown, showing immediate production despite two concussions this season and the Bengals' lack of playoff motivation.

Scored a touchdown in Week 16 but was down to three targets, and the source notes that 'the Kobe Verset magic ran out a little bit this week,' suggesting a decline in his offensive role and target volume.

Limited to part-time role in Week 16 with only 20 routes on 33 dropbacks; had a drop in the end zone on a ball he didn't need to jump for. The source expresses concern that Harrison 'just doesn't look right' coming off injury, noting he was on the right track but had a poor Week 16 performance.

Led the Bengals with 30 routes on 36 drop backs in Week 16, indicating heavy involvement in the passing game despite the team's offensive context.

Had a monster game with 24 routes run on 33 total dropbacks (not full-time but significant); 5 targets, 4 catches, 104 yards, 1 TD; source highlights Johnston as one of the stories of the season and notes that despite being among underperforming rookie receivers in the report, he can still look like an absolute monster; had a one-handed catch early in the game.

Drafted as WR3/WR4 but has become WR8 in PPR points per game; tied for 6th in TDs among WRs with 8 despite playing in a bad Saints offense; tied for 3rd in targets among 99 WRs with 200+ routes run; 4th in expected points per game; 5th in receptions; 7th in receiving yards; 8th in points per game. Olave ran hot on touchdowns (likely 3-4 in a normal distribution) but secured the volume and reception floor, making him one of the bigger quiet wins of the season. Looks really good despite playing in a bad offense with Spencer Rattler or Tyler Shuck at quarterback; securing yards and receptions provides a floor even in a poor offensive situation.

Expected to be the lead back without Bam Knight and Trey Benson, but only managed 54% snap share in Week 16, falling short of bellcow expectations. Amari de Marcado and rookie Cory Ker also received carries in the Cardinals backfield, limiting Carter's role.

Got injured in Week 16, opening the door for Aaron Jones to become a firm RB2 if Mason cannot play next week. Jones had 21 carries and three targets in the game where Mason got hurt.

Had 21 carries and three targets in Week 16 when Jordan Mason got injured. Would be a firm RB2 if Mason cannot play in Week 17, positioning Jones as a high-value handcuff.

Secured 70% plus snap share in Week 16 with Gardner Minshew sidelined and the Chiefs' offense struggling. Would be considered a league-winner candidate if Patrick Mahomes were healthy. Startable next week but not exceptional given the offensive context.

Snap share and rushing attempts declined significantly after a dominant Week 15; dropped from 76% snaps and 65% rush attempts to a 65/35 split, downgrading him from low-end RB2 back to high-end RB3 territory.

Usage declined sharply in Week 16 despite reports of being healthy; dropped to 57% snap share after posting fine usage in Weeks 13-15. The team may be easing back his workload in a contract year, possibly exploring alternatives like backup Malik Davis or fullback Lupkey.

Snap share declined significantly after Week 13; hit 58% of snaps in Week 13 but dropped to 43% and 41% in back-to-back weeks. Dow remains the preferred lead back in the Carolina backfield despite the Panthers' offensive struggles.

Firmly behind Jaylen Wright in the depth chart with only 1 touch compared to Wright's 10 touches in Week 16, indicating a clear secondary role with minimal opportunity.

Chris Rodriguez returned to a significant role with 55% snap share and 60% rush attempt share, scoring 13.9 PPR points. His return displaced Bill Crosby and re-established him as the primary back.

Rhamondre Stevenson is a potential league-winner in Week 17 if Trevon Henderson cannot play due to his concussion, positioning Stevenson as the backup opportunity in the Patriots backfield.

Did not suit up in Week 16 against the Raiders; status for Week 17 uncertain pending health evaluation. His absence opened the door for Jaward Jordan to assume the lead-back role.

Jaylen Wright is firmly established as the lead back with 10 touches in the game, significantly ahead of Ollie Gordon who had only 1 touch, confirming Wright's depth chart dominance.

Trevon Henderson suffered a concussion in Week 16 after delivering on rookie upside down the stretch. He played only 18% of snaps and is unlikely to play Week 17, as concussions typically require at least a one-week minimum and the Patriots have no reason to rush him back despite playoff aspirations.

Kamani Vidal got banged up in the game versus the Cowboys, opening opportunity for Raheem Sanders. The source suggests Sanders would have been just as productive had Vidal remained healthy.

Raheem Sanders became the lead back once Judkins went down, posting a 77% backfield carry share and 6.7% target share with 2 of 2 backfield carries inside the 10-yard line. The source views him as a dynasty darling with size, speed, and pass-catching ability comparable to Kamani Vidal's production, and expects him to be discussed on the waiver wire.

Quinshon Judkins suffered a fractured fibula or tibia and broken ankle (not ACL/LCL damage as initially feared). While this injury typically zaps explosiveness in the first year back, he is young and explosive enough that it is not a career-ending event. Dynasty outlook: likely to return to form by 2027, but 2026 will be difficult to trust due to expected loss of explosiveness.

Isaac Tesla's route share is declining (83% to 67% to 58%) and his per-target numbers are all brutal, but he still posted 7 targets, 4 catches, 52 yards, and a touchdown against the Steelers on a crucial final drive where the game was on the line. The source believes the team really likes him based on clutch play-calling in high-leverage situations, suggesting confidence in his role despite declining efficiency metrics.

Kyle Williams, initially dismissed early in the season for brutal per-target numbers, is now rebounding with improving yards-per-run metrics and big-play production; his route share is slowly climbing from 7% to 30%, and he made a 60-yard touchdown catch. The source views him as a year-2 breakout candidate in 2026, though likely to be priced higher than desired; he's comparable to a player who didn't produce in year one but wasn't a complete zero, suggesting upside potential.

Pat Bryant suffered a concussion in Week 16 and was bounced early from the game, but still managed a season-high 8 targets against the Jaguars. He also had an injury in Week 15, making his health status a significant concern heading forward despite the target volume.

Cole Kmet returned to the field for the first time alongside Colston Loveland, creating a two-tight-end situation that impacts Loveland's role and opportunity going forward.

Despite disappointing in Week 16 with no production, Colston Loveland hit an 80%+ route share for the first time while sharing the field with Cole Kmet. The source believes better days are ahead for Loveland given his strong underlying numbers and increased role opportunity.

Luther Burden suffered an injury right when it appeared he was about to break out and produce at a high level, preventing him from delivering the late-season rookie receiver production that was expected.

Mecole Hardman's route percentage has collapsed from 89% (early season) to 63% to 50% in weeks 14-16 as Chris Godwin, Jaylen McMillan, and Mike Evans returned to the Buccaneers offense. Despite the sharp decline in involvement, Hardman still leads all rookie receivers in targets per route run at 1.85 yards per out run, suggesting per-route efficiency remains elite even as overall volume has dried up. The source expresses skepticism about the depth chart decline, suggesting possible lingering injuries rather than a complete loss of talent, but acknowledges this will be a polarizing 2026 dynasty/redraft conversation.

Drake London, a regular season stud, underperformed in Week 16, finishing as WR 64. He had a full-time role with 30 routes on 36 dropbacks (behind only Darnell Mooney) and tied for team lead with 8 targets alongside Kyle Pitts, but only converted 3 catches for 27 yards. This was his first game back from injury, illustrating how elite regular season performers can struggle in playoff weeks despite volume opportunity.

RJ Harvey has hit 20+ PPR points in three of his last four games since the bye week, exemplifying how negative advance rate players in the fantasy regular season can explode in playoff weeks and create upset potential for lower-seeded teams. In Week 16, he recorded 7 carries for 50 yards and 1 TD plus 5 targets for 4 catches and 71 yards—20+ PPR on just 11 touches—showcasing an explosive, high-receiving-ceiling role under Shawn Payton. He has been great as a rookie receiver, though he suffered a banged-up injury last night.