

Fri Jan 2 11:46am ET
Field Level Media
Former Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce and franchise nemesis Mike McCarthy are among candidates on New York's interview list as the franchise searches for a new head coach, according to reports.
Pierce was head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders for parts of two seasons and went 9-17. He played linebacker for the Giants from 2005-09.
McCarthy, the former Cowboys and Packers coach, is expected to be a candidate for multiple openings. He was not retained at the end of the 2024 season by Dallas, which promoted offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to fill the opening.
Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley, Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo and Giants interim coach Mike Kafka are also expected to be candidates for the Giants' job, ESPN reported.
Kafka is 1-5 since being named interim head coach following the firing of Brian Daboll. Daboll was 20-40-1 and was dismissed after a 2-8 start to the 2025 season.
Joe Judge was the team's coach from 2020-21 and went 10-23 and before that Pat Shurmur had a 9-23 record from 2018-19.
Cleveland Browns rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) has officially been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. Fannin injured his groin on a touchdown reception in last week's upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 21-year-old was unable to practice all week and will miss the final game of what has been an exceptional first year in the NFL. Despite the presence of David Njoku (knee), who will also miss Week 18, Fannin led the Browns in catches (72), targets (107), receiving yards (731), and touchdowns (six). Fannin has a bright future ahead of him as a pass-catching TE, and he'll be on the TE1 radar in fantasy drafts in the fall. Blake Whiteheart, Brenden Bates, and Sal Cannella will form a TE committee for the Browns in Week 18.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) has officially been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, according to Browns Zone's Scott Petrak. Njoku has not practiced or played since injuring his knee on a touchdown reception back in Week 14. The 29-year-old will finish his ninth year in the NFL with a disappointing 33 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns on 48 targets. Njoku just was unable to become fantasy relevant in most leagues due to the presence of rookie Harold Fannin Jr. (groin), who ended up being the team's leading receiver in 2025. Fannin will also sit out the season finale, leaving the Browns to mix and match at tight end this weekend with Blake Whiteheart, Brenden Bates, and Sal Cannella.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn announced on Friday that running back Isaiah Davis (concussion) will not play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Breece Hall (knee) is trending towards being a game-time decision this weekend, so the Jets could be down to Kene Nwangwu and Khalil Herbert in their backfield against the Bills. The 23-year-old Davis took on a bigger role behind Hall this year with Braelon Allen (knee) landing on Injured Reserve. He'll finish his second year in the NFL with 43 rushing attempts for 236 yards and a touchdown while adding 21 receptions on 28 targets for 186 yards through the air in 16 games played. Davis could have an even bigger role for the Jets in 2026, depending on where Hall ends up in free agency.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn officially named Josh Johnson as the team's starting quarterback for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, according to Tashan Reed of The Washington Post. Veteran Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) will miss a second straight game to close out the year. Even though the Eagles will be resting key starters this weekend, Johnson will be hard-pressed to help fantasy managers without left tackle Laremy Tunsil (oblique) available. The 39-year-old signal-caller made his first start of the year in last week's Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys and went 15-for-23 passing for 198 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Even in two-QB leagues this weekend, fantasy managers should have better options to choose from than Johnson.
From RotoBaller
Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (illness) returned to practice on Friday and will play on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Cleveland Browns, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. Brown's availability for this weekend was in question after he missed the first two practices of the week due to illness. The 25-year-old will be ready to roll on Sunday, though, as he seeks the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his career. He heads into the final weekend of the regular season with 219 carries for 947 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground, adding a career-high 65 catches on 82 targets for 419 yards and four more touchdowns. Brown has been money for fantasy managers down the stretch and needs to remain in all starting lineups against Cleveland. In the season opener against the Browns, Brown had 21 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) is not practicing on Friday and is unlikely to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, according to Browns Zone's Scott Petrak. Rookie Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) also isn't expected to play this weekend, so the Browns will be down to Blake Whiteheart, Brenden Bates, and Sal Cannella at the tight end position. The 29-year-old Njoku's 2025 season will end on a low note after not practicing or playing since injuring his knee in Week 14. He became a lower-floor TE2 streamer in fantasy football this year thanks to the quick emergence of Fannin in his first year in the NFL. Njoku took a back seat to Fannin and will end up finishing his ninth year in the NFL with 33 catches (48 targets) for 293 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games.
From RotoBaller
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said on Friday that rookie first-round wide receiver Matthew Golden has a "very bright future" in Green Bay, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. The Packers' coaching staff was singing Golden's praises during training camp and the preseason, too, leading many to believe that a breakout was coming in Year 1 for the Texas alum. It has not happened in 2025, as Golden has been buried in Green Bay's crowded receiver room. Jayden Reed and Christian Watson have missed time with injuries this year, but Golden has just been unable to become a consistent part of the team's passing attack alongside the likes of Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. Golden enters the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings with only 28 catches on the year for 353 yards and zero touchdowns. He has only one target in two of the team's last three games.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) is not practicing on Friday and is unlikely to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. David Njoku (knee, personal) is also not expected to play this weekend for the Browns, leaving Blake Whiteheart, Brendan Bates, and Sal Cannella to fight for targets at the tight end position. Surprisingly, Fannin has been a top-five fantasy TE in his first year in the NFL with the Browns despite sharing the field with Njoku for most of the season. The third-rounder out of Bowling Green has a bright future in the NFL and will finish his first year with 72 receptions on 107 targets for 731 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games. Fannin goes into Week 18 leading the Browns in all major receiving categories.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (shoulder) will not practice on Friday, and head coach Mike McDaniel said "typically guys who don't practice Friday don't play," but Achane's status for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival New England Patriots on Sunday is still to be determined, according to ESPN's Marcel Louis-Jacques. The 24-year-old will be a game-time decision this weekend despite not practicing all week due to a shoulder injury. He will most likely receive a questionable tag on Miami's final injury report on Friday. Achane has been a top-10 fantasy RB all year long, but he's extremely volatile heading into Week 18 against the Patriots. If Achane does suit up, he'll be at risk of losing valuable snaps to both Jaylen Wright and rookie Ollie Gordon II. Wright will be a plug-and-play fantasy RB if Achane is ruled out.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (groin) will be placed on Injured Reserve on Friday, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. Waller will miss the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival New England Patriots. The 33-year-old veteran came out of retirement to play for the Dolphins in 2025 and will finish with 24 catches for 283 yards and six touchdowns in only nine games played. Waller got a late start to the season as he worked his way into playing shape and also missed time with a hamstring injury. He was not the same player he was earlier in his career with the Raiders, but Waller still had plenty of red-zone prowess in his return this year. It remains to be seen if he'll attempt to return in 2026 with Miami or another organization. Greg Dulcich should be the Dolphins' top pass-catching TE in Week 18.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (ribs) will be limited in Friday's practice and is questionable to play in Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival New England Patriots, according to Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. Waddle missed practice on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday and Friday. Tight end Darren Waller (groin) won't play in the final game of the season, and both Waddle and running back De'Von Achane (shoulder) could be held out. Waddle had five catches for 72 yards in rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers' first NFL start, but he failed to haul in his only target in last week's win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before injuring his ribs. The 27-year-old could be a game-time decision in Week 18, making him extremely risky for fantasy managers still trying to win a championship.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor (neck) has officially been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Buffalo Bills, according to Rich Cimini of ESPN. Taylor's rookie campaign will end with four straight missed games due to a neck injury. Head coach Aaron Glenn said that Taylor didn't have a setback with his injury. "Doctor's orders," Glenn said. Jelani Woods (hamstring) will also be out for the Jets this weekend, so Jeremy Ruckert and Stone Smartt will compete for pass-catching duties at TE for the team in the final game of the season. The 21-year-old will wrap up his first year in the NFL with 44 receptions on 65 targets for 369 yards and one touchdown. Taylor wasn't really relevant in 12-team fantasy leagues, and his outlook moving forward will all depend on the Jets' plans at quarterback.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (hand) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Mariota was a stretch to make it back to play in the final game of the year after injuring his hand in the Week 16 loss to the Eagles. The 32-year-old veteran was held out of the Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 and will now miss a second straight game to end the year. Journeyman QB Josh Johnson will make a second straight start for the Commanders. Mariota ended up playing in 11 games (eight starts) this year while filling in for the injured Jayden Daniels, and he held his own, throwing for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven interceptions. He added 297 yards on the ground and a TD.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (knee) will be limited in practice again on Friday and will be evaluated before Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Buffalo Bills, according to head coach Aaron Glenn. With Isaiah Davis (concussion) not expected to play, the team's only other RBs are Kene Nwangwu and Khalil Herbert, with Raheem Blackshear on the practice squad. It sounds as though Hall is very questionable to play in a meaningless game to close out the season for the Jets, so fantasy managers need to have a backup plan if they are still playing for a title this weekend. Despite playing in a poor offense all season long, Hall managed to reach the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the first time in his career while scoring five total touchdowns (four rushing, one receiving) in 16 games played.
From RotoBaller
The Cleveland Browns have high hopes for the long-term trajectory of rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr., according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. "I have all the belief in the world in him, can't wait to see what he does next year," tight ends coach Christian Jones said about Fannin. The 21-year-old third-rounder out of Bowling Green suffered a groin injury in last week's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and may not play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals this weekend, but he currently leads the team in catches (72), targets (107), receiving yards (731), and touchdowns (six) in his 16 games played. David Njoku (knee) is also likely to miss the season finale, which would leave the Browns with Blake Whiteheart and Brenden Bates at TE in Week 18. Going into next season, Fannin is going to be a highly sought-after TE1 in fantasy football drafts.
From RotoBaller
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (foot) will be limited for Friday's team practice, and is "good to go" for Sunday's home outing with their division-rival New York Jets, per Syracuse.com's Matt Parrino. The fantasy stalwart has battled a foot issue for a few weeks now, one he picked up in Buffalo's Week 16 win over Cleveland. Unfortunately, Allen would miss practice for the first time on Wednesday and Thursday because of it, although it's encouraging that he'll at least work in a limited capacity to close out the week. Barring any unforeseen setbacks, it appears the 29-year-old will suit up for the season's final game, even with the Bills slated for a meaningless clash with the visiting Jets. Fantasy managers still sticking around can rely on Allen as an elite QB1 if active, but should account for the possibility of the team benching him, particularly if they jump out to an early lead.
From RotoBaller
New Orleans Saints running back Evan Hull did not see an increase in touches during the team's 34-26 victory against the Titans, instead playing well behind teammate Audric Estime in the backfield hierarchy. New Orleans hasn't had a healthy ground game in some time now, as they've dealt with injuries to Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) and Devin Neal (hamstring). With both inactive over the past two weeks, Estime and Hull were set to split work in the Saints' ground attack. That wasn't the case, though, as Hull combined for just six yards on seven carries over that span. Moreover, Estime and tight end Taysom Hill alternated as the team's lead rushers over the games mentioned, adding more variability to the situation. Either way, it appears Hull is set for handcuff duties, making him a volatile fantasy option for the season's final week.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard has been completely phased out of the team's game plan with their WR corps at full strength, putting him on the back burner for fantasy. The 32-year-old was a bigger part of Tampa Bay's offense earlier in the campaign, as the receiving room dealt with a myriad of injuries. However, as veterans Mike Evans (rest) and Chris Godwin Jr., and second-year pro Jalen McMillan have returned to full health, Shepard has faded from the offense. In fact, Shepard has been a healthy scratch over the past few weeks, signaling the team's preference in the starting lineup. The Oklahoma product has been a fine secondary option over the course of his career, but he can be avoided for fantasy purposes in a loaded Bucs' pass-catching unit.
From RotoBaller
Despite garnering a decent share of the team's targets weekly, New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton's output hasn't been enough to warrant consistent fantasy consideration. When teammate Malik Nabers (knee) suffered a season-ending knee injury, the seventh-year pro automatically slotted in as New York's WR2 behind Wan'Dale Robinson (rib). However, Slayton hasn't turned his opportunity into steady fantasy production, instead taking a clear back seat to Robinson, who leads the team in each significant receiving category by a wide margin sans touchdowns. As it stands, Slayton could see a modest uptick in work when the Giants take on the Cowboys this Sunday, particularly if Robinson and tight end Theo Johnson (illness) are forced to sit with their respective ailments. If they play, though, the veteran is a fade. Slayton has eclipsed 50 receiving yards in just four of 13 games in 2025.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Konata Mumpfield stepped up admirably in Week 16's loss to the Seahawks, while teammate Davante Adams (hamstring) sat with an injury, leaving fantasy managers to believe he was next in line with the veteran shelved. However, he slid back down the pecking order in the following game, signaling instability in a loaded Rams' offense. Mumpfield saw a robust eight targets two weeks back, but that slipped down to five in their loss to the Falcons on Monday night, as he took a back seat to teammate Xavier Smith (chest) (4/67) and tight end Colby Parkinson (6/53). Moreover, Puka Nacua still handled a hefty 10 targets. With Adams out, another asset in LA's passing game is sure to step up. That said, Mumpfield can't be relied upon for consistent fantasy production, considering quarterback Matthew Stafford's propensity to spread the ball around when Adams isn't active.
From RotoBaller