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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
The Buffalo Bills have signed veteran defensive end Matthew Judon, 33, to their practice squad. Judon was recently released by the Dolphins after appearing in 13 games with three starts and recording no sacks in his lone season with the team. A former fifth-round pick, Judon boasts a career total of 72.0 sacks, with a personal best of 15.5 sacks in 2022. He passed through waivers unclaimed before joining the Bills.
Los Angeles Chargers player Omarion Hampton has been selected by the SportsLine Machine Learning Model as a top anytime touchdown scorer pick for NFL Week 16. The model has locked in its best bets for players expected to score a touchdown, placing Hampton prominently among them. This designation underscores his high potential to reach the end zone in the upcoming week's games, making him a key player for fantasy football managers and those considering anytime TD scorer wagers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers player Bucky Irving has been selected by the SportsLine Machine Learning Model as a top anytime touchdown scorer pick for NFL Week 16. The model has locked in its best bets for players expected to score a touchdown, placing Irving prominently among them. This designation underscores his high potential to reach the end zone in the upcoming week's games, making him a key player for fantasy football managers and those considering anytime TD scorer wagers.
Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has been selected by the SportsLine Machine Learning Model as a top anytime touchdown scorer pick for NFL Week 16. The model has locked in its best bets for players expected to score a touchdown, placing St. Brown prominently among them. This designation underscores his high potential to reach the end zone in the upcoming week's games, making him a key player for fantasy football managers and those considering anytime TD scorer wagers.
Patriots QB Drake Maye faces a "sneaky-challenging" matchup against the Ravens, particularly with his deep-ball efficiency dropping to 30.4% recently, down from 76.5% earlier in the season. Despite this, he remains football's best downfield passer (60.7% on 10+ yards). The Ravens are tough against deep passes, but vulnerable to play-action (Patriots 7th-most efficient) and intermediate throws (Patriots 1st). Maye's mobility, a key weapon (350 scramble yards, 23 first downs), may be stifled as Baltimore limits QB scrambles effectively.
Quarterback Tyler Shough, associated with the New Orleans Saints, is drawing significant attention for NFL Week 16. He is currently under consideration for his fantasy football upside, with analysts and managers assessing his potential for upcoming matchups. Shough is also highlighted in Week 16 picks for "keeping rolling," suggesting continued strong performance. His status is being discussed alongside other key Week 16 topics, confirming his presence on the radar for fantasy considerations.
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos is listed as questionable for Monday night's game against the Indianapolis Colts due to a hamstring injury. While wide receiver Ricky Pearsall and cornerback Renardo Green have been ruled out, Gross-Matos's status remains uncertain for the prime-time matchup.
Jets QB Justin Fields, benched after Week 11 and dealing with a knee injury, returned to practice but stated he won't be ready to play Sunday. Fields expressed hope to play again this season, saying he's taking it 'day by day' and hasn't considered his 2026 outlook. He signed a two-year deal with the Jets, including $10 million guaranteed. Cutting him without a post-June 1 designation would result in $22 million in dead money for the team in 2026.
Tennessee Titans rookie safety Kevin Winston Jr. has been fined $23,186 by the NFL for a hip-drop tackle on 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. Although Pearsall avoided a serious ankle injury, he later aggravated a knee condition. This marks the second time Winston has been fined for a hip-drop tackle this season, having previously been docked $6,470 in Week 7. The league banned the technique before the 2024 season.
49ers star Christian McCaffrey is actively supporting teammate Ricky Pearsall through his injury struggles, drawing on his own experience with bilateral Achilles tendonitis and a knee injury that limited him to four games in 2024. McCaffrey expressed confidence in Pearsall's future, stating he believes the young wideout will continue to improve and "pop off" due to his "unbelievable" talent, shiftiness, speed, and great hands, particularly his ability to stretch the field.
Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Myles Murphy has shown considerable improvement, making great strides under the team's new defensive coaches. This development, alongside Joseph Ossai, is seen as vital for bolstering the Bengals' pass rush, which is considered essential for supporting quarterback Joe Burrow and enhancing the team's defensive capabilities. Murphy's progress indicates a promising trajectory for his contribution to the Bengals' defense.
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Joseph Ossai has demonstrated significant improvement and made great strides under the guidance of the team's new defensive coaching staff. His development, alongside Myles Murphy, is noted as a key factor in potentially strengthening the Bengals' pass rush, which is crucial for keeping quarterback Joe Burrow happy and improving the team's overall defensive performance. This progress highlights a positive outlook for Ossai's role within the Bengals' defensive scheme.
Quarterback J.J. McCarthy, associated with the Minnesota Vikings, is being evaluated for his fantasy football upside heading into NFL Week 16. Discussions around his potential performance are part of broader analyses that also touch on other Week 16 matchups, including the Bears' rushing attack and a potential upset in the Commanders-Eagles game. This highlights McCarthy as a player of interest for fantasy managers looking for last-minute additions or strategic plays.
Green Bay Packers' Rashan Gary is now the team's only healthy proven pass rusher following Micah Parsons' season-ending torn ACL. Gary, who is second on the team with 7.5 sacks, will face increased attention from opposing offenses, likely drawing double teams. With Devonte Wyatt also out for the season and Kingsley Enagbare questionable, the Packers are heavily relying on Gary to perform. The team needs other players to step up to complement Gary's efforts down the stretch.
Green Bay Packers star pass rusher Micah Parsons has been ruled out for the remainder of the season after suffering a torn ACL. His absence is a significant blow to the team, as he was one of the best pass rushers in football and led the team with 7.5 sacks before his injury. With Parsons sidelined, Rashan Gary is now the only healthy proven pass rusher on the roster, leaving the Packers' defensive line severely depleted and facing challenges in generating pressure.
Los Angeles Chargers safety Derwin James Jr. is focusing on maintaining the team's high standards as they near a playoff berth. James, who secured a game-ending interception in a 16-13 win over the Chiefs, reflected on his own experience starting with a 12-4 Chargers team in 2018. He stresses the importance of upholding the current standard, ensuring it remains consistent even as players and coaches change. This veteran leadership is crucial for preparing younger teammates for the looming playoff challenge.
Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman, an 11-year veteran, is actively mentoring younger teammates as the team approaches the playoffs. Perryman, who recorded a season-best nine tackles in a recent win over the Chiefs, credits former Chargers like Philip Rivers, Manti Teʻo, and Melvin Ingram for teaching him how to be a professional early in his career. He is now passing on this generational knowledge, emphasizing the importance of upholding the team's standard for success, regardless of roster or coaching changes.
49ers coach Kyle Shanahan revealed he sarcastically praised quarterback Brock Purdy during their 37-24 win over the Titans for completing a simple 3-yard pass to fullback Kyle Juszczyk. Shanahan admitted the "proud" comment was intended to "piss him off," as Purdy frequently bypasses this safe option for deeper throws, having failed to execute it against the Browns in Week 13. The play resulted in a 7-yard gain on second-and-6, and three plays later, Purdy connected with George Kittle for a touchdown.
Arizona Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) is listed as questionable for Week 16 against the Falcons but expects to play, stating he feels "good enough to go." He was a limited participant in practice all week, returning after missing two games. Harrison acknowledged his heel injury is unlikely to resolve this season and plans to play through it for the remainder of the year. The 2024 fourth overall pick, playing for a playoff-eliminated team, noted he doesn't know his exact role but will do his best. His injury is a significant NFL concern.
Eagles defensive end Nolan Smith is no longer on a pitch count after returning from a five-game stint on IR due to a triceps injury, which required surgery following Super Bowl LIX. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio confirmed his usage is increasing, with snap counts rising from 27.9% in Week 10 to 61.9% in Week 15. Smith has shown improved production in his last four games, tallying 2 sacks, 4 QB hits, and 16 pressures. Fangio noted Smith is "getting better and more comfortable" and "back to where he was."
