Fantasy Football News

Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (groin) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional game against the New York Giants. Rodriguez was a non-participant on Wednesday, but he was able to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday. The third-year running back has operated as Washington's lead back in recent weeks, handling double-digit carries in four of the past games. He exited early with a shoulder injury during the first half of the Week 10 game against the Lions after recording six carries for 16 yards and a touchdown. Rodriguez has totaled 54 carries for 253 yards with three rushing scores since then. He'll profile as a solid flex option in a favorable Week 15 matchup against the Giants if he's active, while rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Jeremy McNichols would handle the work if Rodriguez is unable to go.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was held in check by the Houston Texans in last week's loss. The Chiefs WR1 caught four passes for 34 yards, finishing third on the team in receiving yardage. Despite his lackluster performance, Rice still finished with a team-high eight targets, demonstrating the team's determination to keep him involved. The 26-year-old may once again struggle to find success this week against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers defense is allowing the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season, making them one of the most difficult matchups at the position. Rice has been the team's focal point on offense since his return, so he should continue to be heavily involved despite the matchup. Rice was also listed on the injury report with a hamstring injury this week, but was a full participant in every practice and does not have an injury designation for Sunday's game. Rice is ranked WR4 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a top-end WR1 option again this week despite his recent struggles.

Coming off the best game of his young NFL career, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy will see another quality fantasy matchup when the Vikings travel to Dallas in Week 15. The former Michigan star has been particularly hot-and-cold, even for a young quarterback, but managers in Superflex formats can consider him an option this week against the Cowboys' defense. While Dallas leads the NFL in pressure percentage, the Cowboys rank 31st in passing yards allowed, 30th in net yards per attempt, and 32nd in passing touchdowns surrendered. The biggest issue for McCarthy has been turnovers, but he's coming off a week in which he played turnover-free ball and set a career-best mark for passer rating in a decisive win against Washington. McCarthy is rushing for nearly five yards per attempt and still has an excellent collection of weapons, giving him lineup potential if he can continue to build upon last week's blueprint.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (foot) was cleared from the injury report Friday and will play in Week 15's divisional matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. McConkey was limited every day in practice this week with a foot injury, but he will head into Sunday without an injury designation. The second-year wideout is coming off one of his least productive games of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles, recording just one catch for 12 yards on five targets. It marks his second game this season with just one catch, with the other coming back in Week 4. McConkey will look to rebound against the Chiefs, whom he faced back in Week 1 and tallied six catches for 74 yards on nine targets. The second-year wideout will have a higher fantasy ceiling if receiver Quentin Johnston (calf) is ruled out.

The Minnesota Vikings may have developed a rest-of-season formula last week, which could mean continued RB3/flex potential for running back Aaron Jones Sr. (shoulder) against the Dallas Cowboys. In a 31-0 rout of Washington last week, the Vikings leaned on their running game, which led to 14 carries and 76 rushing yards for Jones. The veteran still hasn't had a breakout game this season, but has maintained a steady floor, even as the Vikings have struggled for much of the year. Additionally, he'll see a plus matchup against a Dallas defense that ranks 28th against PPR running backs and presents added potential for Jones, who has 31 targets in nine games. Jones has been battling a shoulder injury for over a month now, but has still appeared in all five games since sustaining the injury, so managers can consider him a high-floor flex option in Week 15.

Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason is coming off a solid performance last week, but remains a risky, mid-tier option when his team travels to Dallas in Week 15. The first-year Viking has been solid when called upon, but has only finished better than 20th among PPR running backs one time this season. The Vikings have favored the run more than usual as they attempt to acclimate second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, though Mason has drawn double-digit touches only once in the past five weeks as Minnesota has continued to favor Aaron Jones Sr. The Cowboys rank a lowly 28th against PPR running backs, but Mason has just 13 catches on the season and has become a touchdown-dependent fantasy play. Ranked as RotoBaller's No. 41 running back for Week 15, Mason is likely best saved for deeper formats.

Week 15, which marks the start of the fantasy playoffs in many leagues, brings about an especially difficult call for fantasy managers who roster Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson ahead of a primetime game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday night. On one hand, Jefferson remains one of the game's best; he's healthy, and he's up against a Cowboys defense that has allowed more points to fantasy receivers than any other team. On the other hand, the superstar receiver's recent lack of production is staggering. Jefferson hasn't finished among the top 20 PPR receivers since Week 9, and he has just 15 combined receiving yards in Minnesota's past two games. Managers who have been burned surely feel cautious; however, the matchup is favorable, and Jefferson is still too good to completely overlook. Factoring in the offense's struggles as they break in quarterback J.J. McCarthy, Jefferson is more of a WR2/high-end flex, but there is serious potential against a Dallas defense that has given up a ton of production to wide receivers this season.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (Achilles) should be considered a high-risk, high-reward WR3/flex candidate with the Vikings set to travel to Dallas in Week 15. Minnesota's typically dangerous passing game has taken a significant step back in 2025 as second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy has faced both injuries and periods of struggle, prompting the Vikings to simplify the offense and prioritize their running attack. McCarthy has favored Addison, however, as the receiver has 17 targets in the past two weeks. That offers breakout potential against a Dallas defense that ranks 30th in net yards per attempt allowed, 32nd in passing touchdowns allowed, and 32nd against fantasy wide receivers. Off the injury report and now facing a quality matchup, Addison has a pathway to a big week, albeit with risk, given the Vikings' offensive volatility this year.

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (hand) was cleared from the injury report Friday and is good to go for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Herbert broke his left hand during the Chargers' Week 13 win over the Raiders and played through the injury last week against the Eagles. The team will continue to manage his reps during practice, but he isn't expected to miss any game action. The 27-year-old signal-caller wasn't at his best in the overtime win over the Eagles, completing just 12 of 26 passes for 139 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while adding 10 carries for 66 yards. He took a career-high seven sacks as he continues to operate behind a makeshift offensive line. Herbert's fantasy upside is capped due to his injury while working with poor protection from his offensive line. He profiles more as a QB2 in the Week 15 divisional matchup against the Chiefs on the road.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco handled nine carries for 30 yards in last week's 10-20 loss to the Houston Texans. In his second game back from injury, Pacheco's opportunities ticked up closer to Kareem Hunt, who handled 12 carries in the contest. Pacheco looked like the best back in the backfield before his knee injury, so the team may prefer to lean on him more as he gets healthier. Pacheco will have a chance to surpass Hunt this week against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers defense has been middle-of-the-pack in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season, meaning that it should not be a difficult matchup for Pacheco. That said, splitting carries with Hunt in a divisional matchup could be a difficult situation to succeed in. Pacheco is ranked RB48 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a difficult player to trust until he shows more upside.

Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (shin) is coming off a highlight-worthy touchdown last week, but a decrease in passing volume will once again keep him as a low-end TE2 option when the Vikings travel to Dallas in Week 15. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy played the best game of his NFL career last week, which coincided with a tight-end-friendly gameplan. All three of McCarthy's passing touchdowns went to tight ends -- two to Josh Oliver and one to Hockenson -- but just three overall targets went Hockenson's way as Minnesota prioritized its running game. The Cowboys have been abysmal against the pass overall, surrendering the most passing touchdowns and second-most yards, but receivers have done much more damage: Dallas ranks a respectable 11th against half-PPR tight ends. While Hockenson is off the injury report, he's averaging just 3.5 catches and 28.5 yards per game, so he's best saved for formats that start more than one tight end.

Despite going up against a struggling Dallas Cowboys defense in Week 15, Minnesota Vikings kicker Will Reichard should be considered an average fantasy kicker option this week. Reichard, the 12th-ranked fantasy kicker, has been mostly reliable despite the Vikings' struggles on offense. He's 22-for-24 on field-goal attempts, which includes eight makes from 50 or more yards. Ironically, Dallas has been one of the poorer matchups for fantasy kickers, but mostly because its defense is having such a hard time getting to fourth down. The Cowboys have allowed 29 passing touchdowns and a 47.8% third-down conversion rate, both the worst marks in the NFL, and they are allowing red-zone touchdowns at the third-highest rate in the league. While Reichard has been consistent, managers may want to consider a stronger option if they're in the fantasy playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt handled 12 carries for 30 yards and a touchdown in last week's loss to the Houston Texans. The veteran back once again found the endzone, but was inefficient with his opportunities. Hunt averaged 2.5 yards per carry and failed to bring in his only target of the contest. Hunt has been the unquestioned lead back in the absence of Isiah Pacheco and retained that role in Pacheco's first game back from injury in Week 13, but things shifted last. Hunt had 12 carries for 30 yards, and Pacheco had nine carries for 30 yards (3.3 yards per carry). Pacheco's opportunities ticked up in his second week back from injury, putting Hunt's grip on the backfield in jeopardy. That said, Hunt should remain the back most likely to score a touchdown given the team's trust in him for goal-line chances. Hunt will have to fend off Pacheco for opportunities while taking on the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15. The Chargers have been middle-of-the-pack in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season, so it should not be a difficult matchup. Splitting touches with Pacheco in a game with a 40.5 O/U may lead to a lower ceiling for both players. Hunt is ranked RB31 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a RB3/Flex option for this contest in the fantasy playoffs.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is coming off his worst game of the season in last week's 10-20 loss to the Houston Texans. Mahomes completed 14 of 33 pass attempts (42%) for 160 yards and three interceptions. Despite his ineffectiveness through the air, Mahomes was the team's leading rusher with 59 yards on the ground. The Kansas City Chiefs now sit at 6-7 with an 11% chance of making the playoffs, which hinges on them winning out the rest of the season. The Chiefs superstar will have to pull off a miracle to bring the team back from the brink of elimination, and he will have to start with the Los Angeles Chargers this week. The Chargers defense has allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks this season, which means another difficult matchup for Mahomes this week. Mahomes was also listed on the injury report with a knee injury, but he practiced all week fully and does not have an injury designation for the game. Mahomes is ranked QB10 in our RotoBaller rankings, making him a low-end QB1 in a make-or-break game.

Buffalo Bills defensive end Joey Bosa (hamstring, wrist) was upgraded to a full practice participant on Friday and has been removed from the Week 15 injury report. He will be active on Sunday when the team takes on the division-rival New England Patriots on the road. The 30-year-old was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Bosa missed one game due to hamstring and wrist injuries, but he'll return this weekend for a big divisional clash as the Bills look to slow down the 11-2 Pats and split the season series. Getting Bosa back is great news for the Bills' defense, but they are still a defensive unit to avoid in fantasy football in Week 15 against a super-efficient New England offense that has limited their turnovers this year. Bosa has a total of 26 tackles (15 solo) and five sacks on the year in 12 games in his first year in Buffalo.

Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (calf) was unable to practice at all this week and has officially been ruled out for the Week 15 game in Chicago against the Bears on Sunday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. With Ward out, the Browns' secondary will be much more vulnerable against quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears' offense this weekend. This will be the first game that the 28-year-old Ward has missed in 2025. It's unclear if he'll be ready to return for a matchup against the visiting Buffalo Bills in Week 16 on Sunday, Dec. 21. Through 13 games played this year, Ward has posted 38 total tackles (29 solo), an interception, and eight pass breakups. The Browns' defensive unit has one of the best pass-rushers in football in Myles Garrett, but they allowed the Titans to score 30-plus points last week and will have their hands full in Chicago against one of the best rushing offenses in the league.

Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (neck) will not be activated from Injured Reserve to play this weekend against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 15, according to head coach Shane Steichen. Buckner did have his 21-day practice window opened on Wednesday, though, and he was limited on Wednesday and Thursday. If he can continue to improve going into next week, Buckner could make his return on Monday Night Football in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers. The struggling Colts will be without Buckner, All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf), and cornerback Charvarius Ward Sr. (concussion) this Sunday for a tough road matchup against the Seahawks. Ward was placed on Injured Reserve this week after suffering his third concussion of the year. Buckner has recorded 42 total tackles and four sacks over 424 defensive snaps this season.

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said that All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner (calf) will not play in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. Gardner will miss a second straight game with a calf injury, but he's expected to return before the end of the regular season, and he could make it back as soon as Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football on Dec. 22. The Colts paid a hefty price to land the 25-year-old defensive back from the New York Jets at the trade deadline, but he's only been able to play in three games for Indy. In 10 games this season, Gardner has 33 tackles (26 solo) and eight pass breakups. Mekhi Blackmon and Johnathan Edwards will continue to see more playing time in the Colts' defensive backfield with Gardner out. Not having Gardner against Seattle receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba this weekend could prove costly.

Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt (lung) has officially been ruled out for the Monday night game in Week 15 against the visiting Miami Dolphins, according to Teresa Varley of the team's official website. Watt had surgery on Thursday to fix a partially collapsed lung and is at home resting comfortably. The 31-year-old outside linebacker will be missing his first game of the year, and it's unclear if he can make it back to face the Detroit Lions in Week 16. The Steelers' defense won't have its leader on the field this Monday, but they'll still be in play for fantasy managers as a streaming unit against the Dolphins in primetime. Nick Herbig will need to pick up the slack as a starter for Pittsburgh's defense with Watt sidelined. Watt has had a down year in 2025 with only seven sacks in 13 starts.

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (groin) was a late addition to the Week 15 injury report on Friday due to a groin injury and is considered questionable to play on Sunday when the Bolts take on the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. Late-week additions to the injury usually are never a good sign, so fantasy managers are going to want to monitor the 24-year-old former first-rounder's status closely going into Sunday. The good news is that the Chargers play in the early window in KC. If Johnston is forced to sit out, it would mean more targets for receivers Ladd McConkey, Keenan Allen, and Tre' Harris, as well as rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden. Johnston was already teetering on the WR4/5 borderline in fantasy football. He does have seven touchdowns in 12 games, but only two of those have come since the start of November, and he's cleared 50 receiving yards in a game just once since Sept. 28.