NFL Player News

Dealing with a lingering calf injury, Burrow — who returned to practice this week as part of a top-secret plan hatched by Bengals brass — should be able to suit up for the season opener against Cleveland. A potentially gimpy Burrow will face a ferocious Browns pass rush headed by Myles Garrett. Cleveland’s defense could be a decent Week 1 option for fantasy managers, and Burrow should be started as a low-end QB1.

One loss away from clinching the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Raiders seem ready to head into a full rebuild this offseason. Last offseason’s plan to bring in Carroll along with former Seahawks QB Geno Smith failed spectacularly. Carroll was brought in as a stabilizer after Antonio Pierce was fired after just one season, but the Raiders were arguably even more in disarray this year and it’s likely the 74-year-old coach will suffer the same fate. While the decision on Carroll will be made by Mark Davis, expect Raiders minority owner Tom Brady to have input on the next coach once the job presumably becomes available.

Something has to change with the Cardinals losing 13 of their last 14 games in Gannon’s third year on the job, just don’t expect it to be the 42-year-old former defensive coordinator’s job status. Despite Kyler Murray being injured for much of the season, the offseason focus will be on how they can get rid of Murray rather than Gannon, according to Rapoport. Gannon, who inherited Murray, will also have a say along with GM Monti Ossenfort in selecting the next Cardinals QB. With Murray’s years of failure in Arizona outnumbering Gannon’s, it seems he was destined to lose this power struggle. At some point, though, the results have to turn around for Gannon to remain in place past next season.

Van Lanen, a fifth-year NFL veteran, is having a career year in his fourth season with the Jaguars. The versatile blocker has played all over the offensive line this season, taking snaps at left tackle (300), left guard (72), right guard (46) and right tackle (133). His 75.9 PFF pass-blocking grade and 78.9 PFF run-blocking grade both lead the team. The deal includes $32.5 million in guarantees and keeps Van Lanen in Jacksonville through his age-30 season.

Breer notes that the Buccaneers “just signed Todd Bowles to an extension through 2028 in June,” so moving on from him is an unlikely outcome. That said, the team suddenly finds itself “in the midst of a 1–7 slide, with a chance to miss the playoffs even with a win over the Panthers this weekend.” Ironically, Breer adds that “if a change comes,” he expects the Buccaneers to “look at young offensive coaches, like the ones they lost (Liam Coen, Dave Canales)” in recent seasons.

Orr tells readers to “expect to see” Joseph begin interviews as early as Wednesday, “in alignment with the league’s rules for coaches in the playoffs.” Joseph previously served as the Broncos’ head coach in 2017-2018 and now fields one of the NFL’s best defenses. NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe also recently reported that Joseph could be a head coaching candidate this offseason.

The Dolphins are apparently restructuring certain roles in their front office and are expected to “have three guys atop the football side—the head coach, the new GM and [senior vice president of football and business administration Brandon] Shore.” Shore is reportedly being “transitioned into an elevated role.” Breer believes the Dolphins are searching for a general manager “with a strong player-evaluation background” to complete the trio. Sullivan fits the bill, having come up “on the scouting side under the late Ted Thompson.” Breer also names the 49ers’ Williams as an option, if team owner Stephen Ross chooses to keep head coach Mike McDaniel, due to Williams and McDaniel’s “standing relationship.”

Mason is in line to start this week with RB Aaron Jones (hip) having been ruled out. The Packers have already locked up a playoff spot. The Vikings are simply trying to get a better read on QB J.J. McCarthy. Mason is on the RB3/FLEX radar this week. He will likely cede passing down snaps to No. 3 RB Zavier Scott.

Carter returned to practice on Friday, logging a limited session. Giants DL Dexter Lawrence (illness) was also removed from the injury report, though he did not resume practicing. We tentatively expect both players to be on the field for Week 18, but projecting their snap counts is tough. The Giants and Cowboys have both been eliminated from playoff contention.

Chiefs head coach Andy Reid initially said Worthy would be listed as questionable to play. Instead, the team lists him as doubtful. We do not expect him to play. The Chiefs will likely attempt to run out the clock in a lost season against the lowly Raiders.

The Broncos will have their rookie wide receiver on the field as they attempt to retain the AFC’s No. 1 playoff seed this week. Bryant has finished exactly as the half-PPR WR45 in each of his last three games and can be treated as a WR4 accordingly this week.