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

Thursday, December 25, 2025

Jake Ferguson Exits Commanders Game with Calf Injury; Week 18 Status Uncertain

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Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson was ruled out for the remainder of Thursday's Week 17 contest against the Washington Commanders due to a calf injury, with the announcement coming after halftime. Before exiting, Ferguson recorded one catch on two targets for six yards and a touchdown. His absence left Dallas' tight end room to Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford. It will be a situation to avoid in fantasy lineups if Ferguson misses next weekend's season finale against the Giants, impacting the Cowboys' offensive strategy.

Hunter Luepke Sees Limited Carries After Williams' Injury

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Cowboys FB Hunter Luepke saw limited carries in the second half of Thursday's game against the Commanders after RB Javonte Williams suffered a shoulder injury and did not return. While Malik Davis took on the primary workload, carrying 20 times for 103 yards, Luepke received six carries in the second half. His role remained secondary to Davis's increased usage following Williams' exit. Luepke's involvement may continue to be limited depending on Williams' recovery and the team's strategy for the season finale.

Malik Davis Rushes for Career-High 103 Yards; Poised for Week 18 Workload

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Cowboys RB Malik Davis recorded his first career 100-yard game, carrying the ball 20 times for 103 yards in the team's 30-23 Christmas Day victory over the Commanders. He failed to catch either of his two targets. Davis saw a substantial workload after Javonte Williams exited early with a shoulder injury, doubling his previous high in carries and out-carrying FB Hunter Luepke 12 to six in the second half. He could be in line for another high-volume performance in Week 18 against the Giants, depending on Williams' recovery. If Williams misses that game, Davis will be squarely on the fantasy radar in a pristine matchup.

Javonte Williams Exits Game with Shoulder Injury After Scoring 11th TD

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Dallas Cowboys RB Javonte Williams suffered a shoulder injury in the second quarter of Thursday's game against the Commanders and did not return. Prior to the injury, Williams scored his 11th rushing touchdown of the season with a 4-yard run, capping a 17-play drive and extending the Cowboys' lead to 14-3. He also converted two crucial fourth-and-1 plays, finishing with 13 carries for 54 yards and the touchdown. Malik Davis is expected to handle most of the running back reps if Williams remains sidelined. Dallas has no reason to push him back for the season finale against the Giants.

Calvin Throckmorton Signed to Active Roster, Active for Thursday Night Football

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Denver Broncos offensive guard Calvin Throckmorton has been signed to the active roster ahead of Thursday Night Football. Throckmorton is officially active for the game against the Chiefs, indicating he will be available to play and contribute to the Broncos' lineup. This move provides additional depth on the offensive line for the team's crucial matchup. His activation could offer flexibility and support to the blocking unit, bolstering the Broncos' protection scheme for the evening.

Marcedes Lewis Signed to Active Roster, Active for Thursday Night Football

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Denver Broncos tight end Marcedes Lewis has been signed to the active roster ahead of Thursday Night Football. Lewis is officially active for the game against the Chiefs, indicating he will be available to play and contribute to the Broncos' lineup. This move provides additional depth at the tight end position for the team's crucial matchup. His presence could offer a veteran blocking option and potentially a target in the passing game, bolstering the Broncos' offensive strategy for the evening.

Dak Prescott Throws for 307 Yards, Two TDs; Plans to Play Season Finale

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Cowboys QB Dak Prescott led his team to a 30-23 Christmas Day victory over the Commanders, completing 19 of 37 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns, while adding 24 rushing yards. He connected with KaVontae Turpin for an 86-yard touchdown and Jake Ferguson for a 6-yard score, marking his 29th TD pass of the season and fourth career 30-TD campaign. Prescott topped 300 passing yards in four of the last six games. After the win, Prescott reiterated his desire to play in next week's season finale against the Giants, citing his pride in not finishing below .500 as a team.

Marvin Harrison Limited Again Thursday with Lingering Heel Injury

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Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison (heel) was a limited practice participant Thursday, maintaining his activity level from Wednesday's walkthrough. He has one remaining chance during Week 17 prep to prove the health of his lingering heel injury, with Friday's practice report set to reveal his designation for Sunday's game at Cincinnati. In his return from a two-game absence last Sunday, Harrison handled just a 51 percent snap share, recording one catch on three targets for 14 yards.

Isaac TeSlaa Scores Fourth Touchdown in Five Games for Lions

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Lions rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa caught a four-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jared Goff just before halftime on Thursday afternoon, evening the score at 7-7 against the Vikings. This marked TeSlaa's fourth touchdown reception in his last five games. The score capped off an impressive 19-play, 80-yard drive that consumed over 10 minutes of game clock, showcasing his growing role in the Lions' offense.

Deebo Samuel Tops 90 Scrimmage Yards in Commanders' Loss

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Deebo Samuel recorded 93 scrimmage yards in the Commanders' 30-23 Christmas Day loss to the Cowboys, catching two of four targets for 68 yards and adding 25 rushing yards on two carries. This was his highest scrimmage total since Week 5. Despite the solid outing, Samuel has seen limited touches recently, with no more than four in his last four games, and hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 11. He aims to break his scoring drought in Week 18 against the Eagles.

Terry McLaurin Leads Commanders with Five Catches on Christmas

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Terry McLaurin led the Commanders with five catches for 63 yards on seven targets in their 30-23 Christmas Day loss to the Cowboys. Since returning from a quadriceps strain in Week 13, McLaurin has maintained consistent production despite quarterback instability, accumulating 21 catches for 322 yards and two touchdowns on 35 targets over the last five games. He aims to conclude a challenging season with a strong performance in Week 18 against the Eagles.

Rookie Aireontae Ersery Questionable for Texans with Thumb Injury

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Rookie left tackle Aireontae Ersery is listed as questionable for the Texans' Saturday game against the Chargers. He is managing a thumb injury that caused him to miss practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. With right tackle Trent Brown already ruled out, Ersery's status adds to the Texans' offensive line concerns, potentially leaving them without two starting tackles.

Texans Rule Out Trent Brown for Saturday's Game with Injuries

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Texans right tackle Trent Brown has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Chargers. Brown missed all practices this week due to ankle and knee injuries. His absence means the Texans will be without at least one of their starting offensive tackles, impacting their offensive line ahead of the crucial matchup.

Croskey-Merritt Explodes for 105 Yards, 2 TDs; Secures Key Role

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Elevated to lead back for the Commanders, Jacory Croskey-Merritt delivered a breakout Christmas Day performance, rushing 11 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-23 loss to the Cowboys. He scored from 10 yards out and broke a 72-yard TD run, his longest and seventh of the season. This marks his second 100+ yard, multi-TD game, accumulating 226 yards and four TDs over his last three contests. Despite Chris Rodriguez's expected return, Croskey-Merritt has earned a significant role in the offense, building on a Week 15 career-high 18 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown.

Jaylen Warren Practices Fully, Set for Key Role vs. Browns

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Steelers RB Jaylen Warren (hip) practiced fully on Thursday, indicating he's ready to maintain his key role in Sunday's game against the Browns. After being limited Wednesday, his full participation clears him for action. In Week 16, Warren played 49% of snaps, rushing for 143 yards and two TDs on 14 carries, plus two catches for eight yards. He's expected to be a focal point in the offense, especially with WR DK Metcalf suspended for the team's final two regular-season contests.

Chargers OL Mekhi Becton Questionable for Saturday with Knee Injury

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Chargers right guard Mekhi Becton (knee) is listed as questionable for Saturday's game against the Texans. His status will be a key factor for the Chargers' offensive line as they prepare for the matchup.

Ricky Pearsall Limited Again, Questionable for Sunday vs. Bears

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49ers WR Ricky Pearsall (knee/ankle) was limited in Thursday's practice, his second straight limited session after missing Monday's game. He's recovering from a sprained ankle and an aggravated MCL sprain that sidelined him earlier this season. His status for Sunday's game against the Bears hinges on Friday's report. If Pearsall is out or limited, Kendrick Bourne and Demarcus Robinson are expected to see increased targets behind Jauan Jennings.

Josh Johnson Manages Commanders Offense in Christmas Day Loss

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Josh Johnson, making his first NFL start since 2021 due to injuries to Jayden Daniels and Marcus Mariota, completed 15 of 23 passes for 198 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, adding 10 rushing yards in the Commanders' 30-23 loss to the Cowboys. The 39-year-old effectively managed the game. With Daniels out for the season, Johnson is likely to start again against the Eagles in Week 18 if Mariota remains unavailable.

George Kittle Misses Practice Again with Ankle Sprain; Status Uncertain

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49ers TE George Kittle was a non-participant in Thursday's practice, his second straight DNP since exiting Monday's win with a left ankle injury, reportedly a mid-to-low sprain. His status for Sunday's game against the Bears remains uncertain, though coach Kyle Shanahan stated Kittle 'has a chance' to play. Kittle, named to his seventh Pro Bowl, has 52 catches for 599 yards and seven touchdowns in 10 games this season. If he's out or limited, Jake Tonges is expected to see an increased role.

George Pickens Surpasses 1,400 Yards, Secures Win with Key Catch

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George Pickens recorded four catches on five targets for 78 yards in the Cowboys' 30-23 Christmas Day victory over the Commanders. He finished second in receiving yards for Dallas, including a crucial 21-yard gain on third-and-1 that helped seal the win. Despite his lowest target volume since Week 5, this performance pushed him past 90 catches and 1,400 receiving yards for the first time in his career. Pickens aims for a strong finish in Week 18 ahead of potential free agency.