NFL Player News

Buchanan was running down field with the punt coverage team when he went down on a non-contact play. The rookie linebacker was grabbing at his right knee before heading to the sideline and was later carted to the locker room. A rookie fourth-round pick, Buchanan has started 12 of the 13 games he’s appeared in this season, totaling 91 tackles, a half sack, and a forced fumble.

Sampson missed Week 15 with the calf issue. Trayveon Williams played the role of RB2 versus Chicago. He touched the ball three times and generated seven yards. Sampson’s likely absence for Week 16 will simply mean more receiving opportunities for Quinshon Judkins.

Taylor will miss his second consecutive game with the neck injury. The news comes shortly after the front office signed 25-year-old TE Jeremy Ruckert to a two-year, $10 million extension, which is unfortunate. The Jets face the Patriots in Week 17. Hopefully, Taylor can return in time to face them.

Njoku missed Week 15 with the knee issue. He didn’t practice once last week and now looks unlikely to suit up for Week 15. Harold Fannin led the Browns with seven catches on Sunday. He turned that into 48 yards. Fannin is in line for another TE1 ranking this week.

Wicks was listed as a DNP for Tuesday’s walkthrough. He will likely be limited in today’s practice, but that still puts him on track to suit up on Saturday. With Christian Watson banged up, Wicks could play a larger role than usual this week. He would be a high-risk WR5 if Watson is out for Week 16.

Head coach Brian Schottenheimer said Williams is doing better but remains in the league’s concussion protocol. A DNP to open the week will make it hard for him to clear the protocol ahead of Sunday’s game. As expected, Williams has been a massive upgrade for the Dallas defense. He has 1.5 sacks with the team and picked off J.J. McCarthy in Week 15. Losing him would likely send the Cowboys’ defense back to their early-season form.

Bateman was a late addition to the injury report last week. He was added to the report on Thursday and then downgraded to a DNP on Friday before being listed as questionable. Bateman was ultimately among the team’s inactives ahead of kickoff. A return to practice today is a step in the right direction, but fantasy managers will get more clarity later in the week. Either way, Bateman is not a particularly appealing fantasy option to close out the year.

Darrisaw has been in and out of the lineup because of the knee issue this year. With the Vikings officially eliminated from the playoff hunt, he may have played his last snap of the season. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said both Justin Skule and Blake Brandel will get reps at left tackle in practice.

Metellus will undergo surgery on his shoulder, sidelining him for the remainder of the season. He has been playing through the injury as of late, but there isn’t much point in that anymore with the Vikings out of the playoff hunt. His season ends with six pass breakups, two interceptions, and .5 sacks.

Head coach Matt LaFleur praised Jacobs’ toughness yesterday as he continues to battle through injuries to close out the regular season. Jacobs has been dealing with the knee issue for a while, though the ankle issue appears to be new. He played through the knee injury last week after logging a lone limited practice on Friday. Jacobs is likely headed for a similar practice routine this week. Fantasy managers may want to keep Emanuel Wilson on their bench in case Jacobs doesn’t play this week, which remains a possibility.

The Chiefs said Mahomes, who went down in Week 15’s loss to the Chargers, underwent surgery on Monday to repair the LCL part of his ACL/LCL ligament and immediately started his rehab. Mahomes has a shot to be under center for Kansas City to start the 2026 season, though it will be a close call considering he suffered the ACL injury in mid-December. ESPN’s Adam Schefter has said “it will be a surprise” if Mahomes is not ready for Week 1 in 2026.