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NFL News

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

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Kenneth Walker III Deemed One of 2025 Fantasy Busts

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Kenneth Walker III was identified as one of the worst fantasy football picks from the 2025 drafts, specifically in Round 4. Despite an average draft position (ADP) of RB15, he finished as RB29 in points per game. Walker recorded 232 touches for 1,176 yards and five touchdowns, but his season was marked by inconsistency, with only six double-digit fantasy performances and ten single-digit outings. He notably lost 11 touchdowns to teammate Zach Charbonnet, who remained involved enough to keep Walker out of consistent RB2 production.

Deommodore Lenoir 'Ready' to Shadow Jaxon Smith-Njigba in Week 18

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San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir has declared himself 'ready' for the regular-season finale against the Seattle Seahawks, expressing a desire to shadow star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Lenoir wants 'man-to-man coverage' against JSN. In their Week 1 matchup, Smith-Njigba recorded 124 receiving yards on nine catches, though Lenoir was not shadowing him and allowed no completions on his single target. With the 49ers' defense ranking 25th in the NFL with 235.6 pass yards allowed per game, Lenoir aims to limit Smith-Njigba's impact.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Emerges as Top Fantasy WR1, Faces Key Matchup

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Seattle Seahawks WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba was recognized as the best fantasy football pick from Round 4 of the 2025 drafts, significantly outperforming his WR13 ADP to finish as WR2 in points per game. He consistently delivered, scoring double-digit fantasy points in all but one contest and 14+ points in 13 of 16 games. Smith-Njigba led the league with 37% of his team’s receptions and 44.2% of its receiving yards, establishing himself as a locked-and-loaded WR1 for 2026. He faces a key Week 18 matchup against 49ers' Deommodore Lenoir, who aims to shadow him. In their Week 1 encounter, Smith-Njigba recorded 124 receiving yards on nine catches.

Eli Manning Named Pro Football Hall of Fame Finalist Again

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Eli Manning has been named a modern-era finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026, marking his second consecutive year on the list. The legendary Giants quarterback, who spent his entire 16-year career with the team, accumulated 57,023 passing yards and 366 touchdowns, placing him 11th all-time. A four-time Pro Bowler, Manning famously led the Giants to two Super Bowl titles, earning Super Bowl MVP in both. He is considered a strong candidate among the 15 finalists, with results to be announced on February 5.

Robinson Sets NFL Record with 229 Scrimmage Yards in Falcons Loss

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Falcons RB Bijan Robinson delivered a dazzling performance against the Rams, rushing 22 times for 195 yards and a 93-yard touchdown, adding five catches for 34 yards and another score for 229 total scrimmage yards. He set a franchise record with 2,255 scrimmage yards for the year and now holds the NFL record for most career scrimmage yards (5,605) before turning 24. Despite his league-leading season, the Falcons will miss the playoffs for the third straight year.

Eagles Expected to Rest Jalen Hurts, Starters in Week 18 Finale

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts is expected to be among several starters rested for the team's Week 18 home game against the Commanders, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The Eagles currently hold the third seed in the NFC playoff standings but could potentially move up to second if they win and the Bears lose to Detroit. The decision aims to preserve key players ahead of the postseason.

Carson Schwesinger Secures Spot on 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team at LB

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Carson Schwesinger has secured a spot on the 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team at linebacker. Analysts are currently building out the first- and second-team rosters, and Schwesinger's inclusion at LB is already confirmed. This recognition highlights his standout performance in his inaugural NFL season, solidifying his status as one of the top first-year players in the league.

Cam Ward in Contention for 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team QB1 Spot

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Cam Ward is being considered for the QB1 position on the 2025 NFL All-Rookie Team. The discussion centers on whether he or Tyler Shough will be named the top rookie quarterback, as analysts build out first- and second-team rosters. This recognition highlights Ward's strong performance in his first year, positioning him as one of the standout first-year players in the league.

Brandon Aiyuk Absent from 49ers Facility, Likely Offseason Release Looms

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Brandon Aiyuk has been absent from the 49ers facility for months, with teammate Kendrick Bourne, coach Kyle Shanahan, and GM John Lynch confirming they haven't seen him, aside from a viral video. His contract guarantees were voided earlier this season due to summer incidents. Aiyuk was placed on the reserve/left squad list on December 13, officially ending his season. He is now likely to be released in the offseason.

Kendrick Bourne Expresses Concern Over Brandon Aiyuk's Absence

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49ers wide receiver Kendrick Bourne discussed the ongoing absence of teammate Brandon Aiyuk, stating that neither he nor the coaching staff and front office have seen Aiyuk in months, outside of a viral video. Bourne, who saw Aiyuk rehabbing early in the season, expressed concern, noting Aiyuk is "MIA" from the facility. Aiyuk's contract guarantees were voided earlier this season, and he was placed on the reserve/left squad list on December 13, officially ending his season, with a likely release in the offseason.

Saints' Kelvin Banks Jr. Named First-Round Standout in Week 17

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New Orleans Saints' first-round rookie, Kelvin Banks Jr., was recognized as a standout performer in Week 17 of the 2025 season. His play earned him a spot among the top first-round rookies graded for their strong contributions.

Dolphins' Kenneth Grant Shines as First-Round Standout in Week 17

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Miami Dolphins' first-round rookie, Kenneth Grant, delivered a standout performance in Week 17 of the 2025 season. He was highlighted among the top first-round rookies for his play, earning recognition for his strong showing.

Monday, December 29, 2025

Purdy's Five-TD Masterpiece Fuels MVP Buzz After Stellar Bears Win

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San Francisco 49ers QB Brock Purdy delivered a stellar performance in a 42-38 win over the Bears, completing 24-of-33 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns, plus two rushing scores for a total of five touchdowns. This marks his second consecutive five-TD game, fueling MVP discussions. He became the first 49ers quarterback since Colin Kaepernick (2013) to achieve two-or-more passing and two-or-more rushing touchdowns in a game, solidifying his role as essential for the 49ers' top-tier offense.

49ers Legend Frank Gore Named Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Finalist

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Former San Francisco 49ers running back Frank Gore has been named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026. As one of four first-time eligible candidates to reach the final 15, Gore is recognized for his illustrious career. He ranks No. 3 all-time in NFL rushing yards with 16,000 and fourth in scrimmage yards with 19,985. A five-time Pro Bowl selection and 2010s All-Decade team member, Gore's induction decision will be unveiled on Feb. 5 during the NFL Honors Show.

Jaelan Phillips Shakes Off Ankle Scare, Dominates with Sack & Forced Fumble

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Jaelan Phillips briefly limped off the field after rolling his ankle but quickly returned, playing a stellar game for the Eagles. He recorded 6 tackles, 3 pressures, a sack, and a forced fumble against the Bills. Phillips played 66 of 76 defensive snaps (87%), his highest percentage since joining Philadelphia. He has now played 17 games this season across two teams, a rare feat shared by only two other players in recent years.

A.J. Brown Achieves Historic 4th Straight 1,000-Yard Season for Eagles

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A.J. Brown surpassed 1,000 receiving yards for the fourth consecutive season with 68 yards on Sunday, becoming the first Eagle ever to achieve this milestone. He also reached 5,034 career yards as an Eagle, moving into ninth place in franchise history. Brown is one of only a few NFL receivers to achieve four straight 1,000-yard seasons. He played 48 offensive snaps (89%) in the recent game, securing his 68 yards in the first half.

Goedert's 11th TD Sets Eagles Single-Season Red Zone Record

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Dallas Goedert recorded his 11th touchdown catch of the season, tying for 5th-most in Eagles franchise history and 17th-most by an NFL tight end. Ten of his 11 TDs came in the red zone, setting a new single-season franchise record for an Eagle, surpassing Cris Carter and Calvin Williams. He played 43 offensive snaps (80%) in the recent game. This milestone highlights his significant impact as a red-zone threat for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Robinson's Record Night: 195 Yards, 2 TDs in Falcons' Upset

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Bijan Robinson delivered a career-defining performance for the Atlanta Falcons, rushing for 195 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-24 upset win over the Rams. He also added five catches for 34 yards and a receiving touchdown, including a franchise-record 93-yard run. This historic effort, which set an age-based NFL record, highlights the Falcons' strategy to feature him heavily. Robinson is now just 12 yards shy of his previous season's total with one game remaining.

Stafford Passes Roethlisberger, Throws 3 INTs in Loss

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Matthew Stafford passed Ben Roethlisberger for sixth all-time in passing yards but struggled against the Falcons, throwing three interceptions, including a pick-six. He finished 22-of-38 for 269 yards and two touchdowns. Stafford's performance, which included a near-miss on a controversial pass interference call and a dropped potential catch of the year by Nacua, hurt his MVP bid. Despite the loss, the Rams plan to play him and other healthy starters in Week 18 against the Cardinals.

Nacua Scores Late TD, Nearly Makes Catch of the Year

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Puka Nacua scored a late 11-yard touchdown to tie the game at 24 in the Rams' 27-24 loss to the Falcons. He finished with five receptions on 10 targets for 47 yards. Nacua also nearly made an incredible one-handed catch on the final drive, which could have been the catch of the year. Despite limited production compared to previous weeks, Nacua continues to build on his career-best receiving line. The Rams plan to play healthy starters in Week 18, giving Nacua another opportunity.