NFL Player News

Rooney also said the “door is open” for Colbert to stay on in a reduced role after the draft but that seems unlikely. The 64-year-old has been Pittsburgh’s general manager since 2000, adding Vice President to his (successful) title in 2016. Mike Tomlin’s role will reportedly stay the same between his responsibilities as coach and GM over personnel no matter Colbert’s decision. The Steelers already interviewed Omar Khan and Brandon Hunt for the role and will continue to talk with outside candidates as well.

It’s anyone’s guess for now how much Leonard practices after injuring his knee in Week 14’s loss to the Jaguars. Late-week practice participation for Leonard — who threw for 145 yards and an interception against Jacksonville — would suggest he can suit up in eek 15 against Seattle. Philip Rivers, 44, who signed with the Colts on Wednesday, could get the starting nod if Steichen determines Leonard isn’t ready to play. Both QBs would be big downgrades for every fantasy relevant player in the Colts offense.

The season is over for Benson, who never came back from the knee injury he suffered in October. He ends the season with 160 rush yards (5.5 yards per carry) and 13 receptions for 64 scoreless yards. Benson was set to function as the Cardinals’ lead back after James Conner went down for the year. That never materialized, and now Bam Knight serves as the nominal RB1 in the Arizona backfield. Knight, who has 25 touches over the past two games, profiles as a usable flex this week against the Texans.

Knox in Week 14 led the Bills in receiving with six grabs for 93 yards. If he doesn’t return to practice by Friday, Dalton Kincaid could see an expanded role, making him a must play in Week 15 against the Patriots. Twenty-five percent of the Bills’ targets have gone to the tight end position in 2025, the sixth highest rate in the league.

Bosa was sidelined last week against the Bengals with a hamstring issue but could return for the Bills’ critical Week 15 matchup against the Patriots. Buffalo’s vulnerable defense will need all the help it can get to slow down MVP frontrunner Drake Maye.

Rivers’ HOF eligibility will reset if he’s on the Colts’ active roster at any point in the coming weeks. Rivers was set to be eligible for the Hall as early as 2026. “I haven’t been holding my breath on that,” Rivers said during a Wednesday presser. “I haven’t been counting down the years.” If that’s the case, Rivers could be under center in Week 15 against the Seahawks, as QB Riley Leonard deals with a knee injury he sustained in Week 14 against the Jaguars. Rivers reportedly impressed Colts coaches and officials in his workout. Rivers would profile as a desperation superflex play in fantasy formats.

Evans is practicing this week and — barring a setback — should suit up Thursday night against Atlanta. Evans over the season’s first three weeks led the Bucs offense with a 41 percent air yards share and a 27 percent target share. His return to the Tampa lineup could limit Emeka Egbuka’s opportunities, though the rookie should remain in most 12-team lineups against the Falcons. Evans needs to be started in Week 15.

“He can still spin it,” a Colts official told ESPN. Another team source added, “I’d still take him at this stage over most 22- to 23-year-old [backups].” Rivers during his workout with the Colts threw on the run and worked the entire route tree. His familiarity with head coach Shane Steichen’s offensive system could land Rivers, 44, under center in Week 15 against the Seahawks. Riley Leonard is dealing with a knee injury and is considered week to week after subbing in for Daniel Jones (Achilles) in Week 14 against the Jaguars. Rivers — a recent grandfather — is not yet in typical NFL shape, however. “He needs to get in football shape, but there’s no question he can throw it,” a team source told ESPN. “Sources maintain that how Rivers handles his first week of practice will determine whether he plays Sunday.”

Ertz’s 2025 season is over after a Week 14 cheap shot resulted in a torn ACL for the 35-year-old veteran. He ends the season with 50 receptions for 504 yards and four touchdowns. Ertz was tenth among tight ends in catches and 12th in yardage before the injury. John Bates will likely operate as Washington’s TE1 for now, though Ben Sinnott could mix in as the Commanders play out the rest of their lost season. Neither Bates nor Sinnott should be played in 12-team leagues.

Pickens reverted to the low-effort Pittsburgh version of himself in Week 14’s loss to the Lions, giving up on routes and appearing generally disinterested in the proceedings. Pickens had just 37 yards on nine targets against Detroit. “We talked a little bit about it,” Schottenheimer said Monday. “In his words, he said, ‘Hey Schotty, I didn’t play my best game.’ I think that, unfortunately, none of us played our best game. But again, I don’t worry about George and his love for football and playing this game. You know, for five or six weeks, he was the talk of the sporting world. ‘Look at George Pickens.’ We didn’t coach or play well enough to win that game in Detroit. They beat us. It is what it is.” Hopefully Pickens gives better effort in Week 15 against a Minnesota secondary that has been burned on deep throws for much of the season. He’ll be a top-12 fantasy option, and a top seven or eight option if CeeDee Lamb (concussion) is out.

The 44-year-old Rivers signed with the Colts on Tuesday and could be immediately thrust into the starting role. With Daniel Jones out for the season, Anthony Richardson still dealing with an eye injury, and Riley Leonard now dealing with a “Grade 1 PCL injury”, Rapoport says there is “a very real chance that Rivers is the starting quarterback for the Colts this Sunday.” We will see how Rivers practices having been out of the league for nearly five seasons, but the Colts may be making the move to start him as soon as Week 15 against the Seahawks.