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NFL News

Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.

Sunday, January 4

Hunter Henry Leads Patriots in Receiving, Earns Incentive in Week 18 Win

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New England Patriots TE Hunter Henry brought in all five targets for 56 yards in Sunday's 38-10 win over the Dolphins, leading the team in receptions, receiving yards, and targets. His performance allowed him to reach the 60-catch threshold for the season, earning a $250,000 contract incentive. Henry displayed excellent rapport with second-year QB Drake Maye throughout the 2025 campaign, amassing a career-high 768 receiving yards and seven touchdowns over 17 games. He is expected to remain one of Maye's favorite targets during the upcoming postseason, starting with a home matchup against the Chargers.

TreVeyon Henderson Rushes for Two Touchdowns in Patriots' Week 18 Win

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New England Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson rushed 13 times for 53 yards and two touchdowns (from five and two yards out) in the 38-10 win over the Dolphins, marking his fourth multi-TD game of his rookie campaign. He was not targeted in the passing game. Henderson finished his first NFL season with 911 rushing yards and nine touchdowns at 5.1 yards per carry, alongside a 35-221-1 receiving line across 17 regular-season games. He will continue to work in a fairly even timeshare with Rhamondre Stevenson in the upcoming wild-card matchup against the Chargers.

Tom Brady Previews Playoffs, Names St. Brown LFG Player of the Game

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Legendary QB Tom Brady joined "FOX NFL Sunday" to preview the first round of playoffs, discussing matchups and MVP candidates. Earlier, Brady awarded Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown the LFG Player of the Game honor for his significant Week 18 performance against the Chicago Bears, highlighting St. Brown's impact and endorsement of head coach Dan Campbell. Brady's commentary role continues to keep him engaged with current NFL events and player performances.

Drake Maye Leads Patriots to AFC No. 2 Seed, Downplays MVP Talk

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New England Patriots QB Drake Maye was highly efficient in a Week 18 win, completing 14 of 18 passes for 191 yards, one touchdown (to Rhamondre Stevenson), and no interceptions, adding 41 rushing yards. He downplayed MVP talk, calling it a "Team award." Maye closed his second regular season with a 72.0% completion rate, 4,394 passing yards, 31:8 TD:INT, and 450 rushing yards with four additional scores across 17 games, leading New England to the AFC's No. 2 seed. He now prepares for his first postseason game against the Chargers, with Tom Brady also mentioning him as an MVP candidate.

Blake Corum Active and Handles 14 Touches Despite Ankle Injury in Rams' Win

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Los Angeles Rams RB Blake Corum (ankle) was active for Sunday's game against the Cardinals despite a visible limp and limited practice. He took 13 carries for 59 yards and caught his only target for 10 yards in the 37-20 win. Both Corum and Kyren Williams (ankle) suited up, with Corum's role expanding as a sophomore, generating a career-best 145-746-6 rushing line across 17 games in 2025. He will continue to split backfield duties behind Williams against the Panthers in the wild-card round of the playoffs, as the Rams secured the NFC's No. 5 seed.

Brissett Caps Career Year with Two TDs, 243 Yards in Week 18 Loss

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Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett completed 22 of 31 passes for 243 yards, two touchdowns (including a 7-yarder to Josiah Deguara), and an interception, adding 19 rushing yards in a 37-20 loss to the Rams. Brissett rallied the Cardinals in the second half. He finished a career year with 3,367 passing yards and 23 touchdowns across 12 starts after taking over for an injured Kyler Murray in Week 6. Both QBs are under contract for the 2026 season.

St. Brown Dominates Week 18 with 11 Catches, 139 Yards; Endorses Campbell

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Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee, ankle) delivered a dominant Week 18 performance, securing 11 of 15 targets for 139 yards in a 19-16 win over the Bears. He paced the Lions in receptions, receiving yards, and targets, earning Tom Brady's LFG Player of the Game award. St. Brown finished the season with 117 receptions for 1,401 yards and 11 touchdowns across 17 games. Following the game, he endorsed head coach Dan Campbell, emphasizing his pride in the win and his expected role as a centerpiece of the Lions' air attack in 2026.

Ayomanor Records 3 Catches for 50 Yards in Loss, Caps Rookie Season

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Tennessee Titans WR Elic Ayomanor recorded three receptions on 10 targets for 50 yards in Sunday's 41-7 loss to the Jaguars. He showed early rapport with Cam Ward before Ward's exit. Ayomanor finished his rookie season with 515 receiving yards and four touchdowns across 16 games, though his role could diminish in 2026 if the Titans upgrade their wide receiver room.

Burden Records Three Catches in Week 18 Loss, Prepares for Postseason Debut

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Chicago Bears WR Luther Burden caught three of four targets for 35 yards and rushed once for 10 yards in Sunday's 19-16 loss to Detroit. Despite being projected as the No. 2 receiver with Rome Odunze inactive, Burden had his fewest catches since Week 12. He finished his rookie campaign with 47 receptions for 652 yards and two touchdowns, plus 37 rushing yards over 15 games. Burden will now make his postseason debut in the wild-card round against the Packers.

Brian Thomas Cleared After Concussion, Plays Through Injury for 49 Yards

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Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas was evaluated for a concussion during Sunday's game against the Titans but was cleared to return, playing through the injury. He recorded three receptions on five targets for 49 yards in the 41-7 win, though he missed nearly the entire second quarter due to the evaluation and played only about half the game. Thomas finished a disappointing sophomore campaign with 707 receiving yards and two touchdowns across 14 games, marking only his third time in six matchups topping 40 receiving yards.

Ian Thomas Cleared to Return After Concussion Evaluation

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Ian Thomas was evaluated for a concussion during Sunday's game against the Titans but has since been cleared to return. Prior to his exit, the wideout caught one of his two targets for 22 yards. This is good news for the Jaguars as they head to the postseason.

Williams Active, Gains 81 Yards in Week 18; Finishes Season with 1,252 Rushing Yards

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Los Angeles Rams RB Kyren Williams (ankle) was active for Sunday's game against the Cardinals, handling 12 carries for 60 yards and adding three receptions for 21 yards in the 37-20 victory. Despite a limited practice week, Williams played his usual role, splitting backfield work with Blake Corum. He finished the regular season with 1,252 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 259 carries, plus 281 receiving yards and three scores across 17 starts, marking his third consecutive year with 1,000+ rushing yards and double-digit touchdowns. Williams will continue to start as the Rams face the Panthers in the wild-card round.

Strange Catches Third TD, Sets Career Highs in Jaguars' Week 18 Win

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Jacksonville Jaguars TE Brenton Strange recorded six receptions on six targets for 52 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 41-7 win over the Titans. He tied for second on the team in targets and was particularly impactful with a seven-yard touchdown catch. Strange took a significant step forward in his third pro season, setting new career highs with 46 receptions, 540 yards, and three touchdowns despite playing in only 12 games. He is expected to be a key target for Trevor Lawrence during the team's playoff run.

Michael Badgley Missed XPs While Filling in for Injured Matt Prater

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Buffalo Bills K Michael Badgley missed a pair of extra points while filling in for Matt Prater, who was out with an injury. Prater has now exited Sunday's game against the Jets with a quad injury, putting his playoff status in doubt. Badgley's previous performance suggests uncertainty in the Bills' kicker situation for the postseason.

Bills K Matt Prater Exits Game with Quad Injury, Playoff Status in Doubt

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Buffalo Bills K Matt Prater was knocked out of Sunday's game against the Jets with a quad injury, putting his availability for the playoffs in doubt. This comes after he had just returned from a two-game absence, during which Michael Badgley missed a pair of extra points in his place. Fantasy managers are advised to avoid the situation in early playoff drafts.

Barkley Sits Out Week 18 Finale, Prepares for Eagles' Playoff Run

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Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley was active but did not play in Sunday's 24-17 loss to the Commanders, as he was given a breather before the postseason. He finished his second campaign with the Eagles having accumulated 1,140 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 280 carries, along with 273 receiving yards and two scores on 37 catches over 17 regular-season contests. Barkley, who had 499 rushing yards and five touchdowns in last year's postseason, will look to make an impact against the 49ers in the wild-card round.

Jeanty Rushes for 87 Yards, Finishes Rookie Season Shy of 1,000 Rushing

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Las Vegas Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty rushed 26 times for 87 yards and added 3 receptions for 7 yards in a 14-12 Week 18 victory over the Chiefs. He logged over 25 total touches, finishing his rookie campaign with 1,321 yards from scrimmage, just 25 rushing yards short of 1,000. Despite the win, the Raiders hold the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, suggesting a better supporting cast for Jeanty's sophomore season.

A.J. Brown Sits Out Week 18, Ready for Playoff Matchup vs. 49ers

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Philadelphia Eagles WR A.J. Brown was active but did not play in Sunday's 24-17 loss to Washington, receiving the week off to prepare for the postseason. He concluded his fourth campaign in Philadelphia with 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns on 121 targets over 15 regular-season contests. Brown is now set to challenge the 49ers' secondary in the upcoming wild-card round.

Hurts Sits Out Week 18, Prepares for Wild-Card Matchup vs. 49ers

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Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts was active but did not play in the team's 24-17 loss to the Commanders in Week 18, as expected. He officially finished the regular season having completed 65 percent of his passes for 3,224 yards and 25 touchdowns, while also adding 421 rushing yards and eight scores on the ground over 16 contests. Hurts will now gear up to face the 49ers in the wild-card round next weekend.

Bigsby Impresses as Lead Back with 106 Scrimmage Yards, Touchdown

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Philadelphia Eagles RB Tank Bigsby took advantage of his opportunity as the lead back with Saquon Barkley resting, rushing 16 times for 75 yards and a two-yard touchdown in the 24-17 loss to the Commanders. He also added one reception for an impressive 31 yards, totaling 106 scrimmage yards. Bigsby ripped off a pair of 13-yard gains on the ground, with four of his 16 carries going for at least eight yards. He will return to a reserve role for Philadelphia's playoff run, closing the regular season with 377 yards from scrimmage across 16 games.