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Steelers star LB T.J. Watt (ankle) hurt vs. Eagles

Sun Dec 15 9:04pm ET
Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers star linebacker T.J. Watt injured his left ankle in the fourth quarter of Sunday's 27-13 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and didn't return.

Watt told reporters after the game that he rolled the ankle. Watt said he underwent X-rays and the results were negative.

Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said that Watt will be evaluated throughout the week. Pittsburgh visits the Baltimore Ravens in an AFC North showdown on Saturday.

Watt said he was unsure if he would be able to play against Baltimore.

Watt was injured while rushing around the edge in an effort to reach Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. He began to limp during the play and then fell to the ground with 4:46 left in the contest and reached for the ankle.

The 30-year-old Watt had two sacks and a forced fumble to go with seven tackles on Sunday. He has 11 1/2 sacks this season to reach double digits for the sixth time in his eight-year career.

Watt, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, has 108 career sacks in 118 games with Pittsburgh. He was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021 when he had a career-high 22.5 sacks to match the official league record (since 1982).

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Player Notes
Ty Johnson Dec 15 9:00pm CT
Ty Johnson

Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson caught five passes for 114 yards in the team's 48-42 win over the Detroit Lions. The veteran also rushed twice for nine yards. Buffalo's coaching staff clearly saw something on film when installing their game plan that suggested utilizing the third-down back. Johnson caught two passes for 57 yards on the team's opening drive. When the final whistle sounded, Johnson led the team in receiving yards. While he's been more involved in the offense recently, Johnson doesn't get enough touches for fantasy managers to feel good about starting him. He only needs to be added in deep leagues.

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Russell Wilson Dec 15 9:00pm CT
Russell Wilson

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson completed 14 of 22 pass attempts for 128 yards and a touchdown while adding four carries for 13 yards on the ground in a Week 15 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Wilson was also credited with a lost fumble on a toss dropped by running back Najee Harris. For the second consecutive week, Wilson failed to eclipse 200 passing yards without his top target George Pickens (hamstring) in the lineup. He did manage to find tight end Pat Freiermuth for a nine-yard score near the end of the second quarter but was otherwise quiet for fantasy purposes. Pittsburgh had just two offensive drives in the second half as Philadelphia dominated the time of possession and kept Wilson off the field. The 12th-year pro will hope to contribute more in a Week 16 divisional showdown with the Baltimore Ravens.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Hurts Dec 15 9:00pm CT
Jalen Hurts

Per Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin, outside linebacker T.J. Watt (ankle) sustained a low-ankle injury in Sunday's 27-13 loss to their in-state rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles. The superstar pass-rusher picked up his ailment on the game's final drive when rushing quarterback Jalen Hurts. His body appeared to contort weirdly while trying to get by the Eagles' offensive line, and his leg got stuck in the ground. He immediately came up limp. Before his exit, the 30-year-old registered seven tackles, two sacks, and a fumble forced. In excellent news, Watt's X-rays were reportedly clean, and for now, he's evaded the dreaded high-ankle variety of the injury. The Steelers will square off against the Baltimore Ravens next Sunday in a matchup with playoff-seeding repercussions, so Watt likely wants to be available for it. There will be an update on him over the coming days.

From RotoBaller

James Cook Dec 15 9:00pm CT
James Cook

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook rushed 14 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns in the team's 48-42 victory over the Detroit Lions. He also added one reception for 28 yards. The Lions have been a stout run defense throughout the season but injuries to their front seven are piling up. Cook's first score came from six yards away in the second quarter. His highlight play was a 41-yard scamper for six early in the third quarter. Buffalo utilized all three of their running backs in the win so it was encouraging for Cook's fantasy managers that he made the most of his touches. He'll be in must-start territory next week against the New England Patriots.

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Rico Dowdle Dec 15 9:00pm CT
Rico Dowdle

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle has now run for a career-high amount of rushing yards in three straight weeks. The 26-year-old is enjoying a breakout in his fifth NFL season, his first with an extended role. Dowdle rushed 25 times for 149 yards in the Week 15 win over the Carolina Panthers, taking advantage of a strong rushing matchup. He did not record a target in the dominant victory. Dowdle and the Cowboys will be back in action next Sunday night against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a tougher matchup on the ground than the previous few.

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Amari Cooper Dec 15 9:00pm CT
Amari Cooper

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper did not see a target in the team's 48-42 victory over the Detroit Lions. Josh Allen threw for 362 yards and the game featured over 1,000 yards of offense. Yet, the veteran receiver was held out of the box score. This is a sharp contrast from last week when Cooper earned 14 targets. The Bills relied on all offensive weapons. Just nine of Allen's 23 completions were to wide receivers. Cooper isn't consistently on the football field (fourth in wide receiver snaps this week) and can't be trusted as a startable fantasy football receiver moving forward.

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Antonio Gibson Dec 15 8:50pm CT
Antonio Gibson

New England Patriots running back Antonio Gibson rushed for 33 yards on seven carries during Sunday's Week 15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He also caught both of his targets for a total of 31 yards through the air. The 26-year-old continues to operate as the No. 2 option behind Rhamondre Stevenson, but his increased role out of the backfield cannot be ignored. Gibson has 126 scrimmage yards over his last two games, and he's averaging 6.8 yards per carry during that span. He remains worthy of RB3/FLEX consideration in leagues with at least 14 teams ahead of next week's game against the vulnerable Buffalo Bills.

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Ladd McConkey Dec 15 8:50pm CT
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey (knee/shoulder) returned after missing one game and had a solid performance in a Week 15 loss to the Tampa Bay Bucs. McConkey was targeted seven times and made five catches for 58 yards and a touchdown. The rookie receiver had a big first half before the Chargers offense just fell apart completely after half time. Most importantly, McConkey seemed to make it through the game without making his injuries any worse. The Bolts have a quick turnaround as they'll take on the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football in just a few days.

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Anders Carlson Dec 15 8:50pm CT
Anders Carlson

New York Jets kicker Anders Carlson made one of his two field goals and added three extra points in a 32-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15. Carlson hit a 43-yard field goal and missed on a 48-yard try in the high-scoring win. The veteran kicker has now 12 of his 13 field goals this season. He will take on the Los Angeles Rams at home in Week 16.

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Cooper Rush Dec 15 8:50pm CT
Cooper Rush

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Cooper Rush had a solid showing in the 30-14 win over the Carolina Panthers. Rush only turned the ball over once on a lost fumble and tossed three touchdowns. He completed 18-of-29 passes for 214 yards, helping the Cowboys notch their sixth win of the season. Rush will be back in action in another solid matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday night for Week 16, likely landing in QB2 range again.

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Mac Jones Dec 15 8:50pm CT
Mac Jones

The New York Jets defense struggled in a 32-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15. New York failed to capitalize on a plus matchup against a Mac Jones-led offense as they coughed up 421 yards of total offense, with Brian Thomas Jr. leading the way with 105 yards and two touchdowns. The Jets did notch two sacks and force two turnovers in the close win. They will look to bounce back at home against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Austin Hooper Dec 15 8:50pm CT
Austin Hooper

New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper caught all three of his targets for 38 yards during Sunday's Week 15 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. The 30-year-old has emerged as a key contributor within the Patriots' offense, averaging 3.6 catches, 47.6 receiving yards, and 0.4 touchdowns per game over his last five contests. Even in his role as the No. 2 tight end behind Hunter Henry, Hooper has started to generate some fantasy buzz, ranking as a fringe top-24 option at the position heading into Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills.

From RotoBaller

Stone Smartt Dec 15 8:50pm CT
Stone Smartt

Los Angeles Chargers tight end Stone Smartt made five catches in a Week 15 loss to the Tampa Bay Bucs. Smartt was targeted six times and his five catches were tied for the team lead. He ended up gaining 51 yards including a long play of 31. Smartt was a popular waiver wire addition this week after Bolts starter Will Dissly (shoulder) was confirmed out. With a quick turnaround ahead of Thursday Night Football coming up in Week 16, Smartt is expected to once again get the start at tight end and could have a similar game, putting him on the TE1/2 border.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Dec 15 8:40pm CT
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) handled five carries for 12 yards and reeled in 4-of-5 targets for another 58 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 20-19 loss to the Washington Commanders. The veteran RB couldn't get anything going on the ground this afternoon but salvaged his day with a sweet one-handed 21-yard TD snag. Kamara has now put up mediocre rushing lines in back-to-back games, but the more significant issue here is his groin injury. The 29-year-old is considered day-to-day after his post-game MRI and is undoubtedly a candidate to be monitored over the coming few days. Fortunately, New Orleans will get an extra day of rest this week, which bodes well for the Tennessee product, as they have a matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football in Week 16. With the team's first practice of the week scheduled for Thursday, expect an update on him by then at the latest.

From RotoBaller

Braelon Allen Dec 15 8:40pm CT
Braelon Allen

New York Jets running back Braelon Allen carried the ball twice for five yards in a 32-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15 but he ultimately left early with a back injury in the contest. Allen was expected to operate as Breece Hall's main backup but his injury knocked him out of the game, leaving the backup role for Isaiah Davis. Allen's status is now in question heading into a Week 16 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, making Davis worth a look as a waiver stash for this upcoming week.

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Kimani Vidal Dec 15 8:40pm CT
Kimani Vidal

Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back Kimani Vidal wasn't very involved in a Week 15 blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Bucs. Vidal ran the ball three times for nine total yards and was targeted three times in the passing game, making two catches for 13 yards. The Chargers only recorded 11 rushing attempts in the whole game as offensive coordinator Greg Roman seemingly gave up on anything but quarterback Justin Herbert's arm. Vidal should have better games coming up as long as Gus Edwards keeps running like he's in quicksand and J.K. Dobbins (knee) remains on IR.

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Rhamondre Stevenson Dec 15 8:40pm CT
Rhamondre Stevenson

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 69 yards on 13 carries during Sunday's loss to the Arizona Cardinals. He also converted his lone target into a 16-yard reception. The 26-year-old delivered modest production, and although he still led the backfield in touches, he did share a significant portion of opportunities with Antonio Gibson. Stevenson's pass-catching upside should keep him in the high-end RB3 range ahead of next week's matchup against a vulnerable Buffalo Bills defense.

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Isaiah Davis Dec 15 8:40pm CT
Isaiah Davis

New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis carried the ball five times for 24 yards and caught his lone target for a two-yard gain in a 32-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15. Davis saw extra work in the contest after Braelon Allen left early with a back injury. The injury allowed Davis to finish just six yards behind starter Breece Hall in the high-scoring win. Depending on how Allen's back injury checks out in the coming days, Davis will be worth a claim on waivers this upcoming week with the Jets preparing to host the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16.

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Justin Herbert Dec 15 8:30pm CT
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert got off to a decent start in Week 15 but struggled throughout the second half in what ended up as a 40-17 loss. Herbert was clearly struggling with his ankle injury despite being removed from the official injury report. He was much less mobile in the pocket and did not record a single rushing attempt. In total, he attempted 33 passes, completing 21 of them for 195 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. The pick was only his second of the year, and could have been avoided if the intended target Quentin Johnston had actually tried to catch the football. Herbert took three sacks and will likely miss practice time this week in hopes of his ankle healing before a quick turnaround for a Thursday Night Football game against the division-rival Denver Broncos. Fantasy managers should definitely keep an eye on Chargers practice reports this week, as backup Taylor Heinicke took the last drive and would be next in line.

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Breece Hall Dec 15 8:30pm CT
Breece Hall

New York Jets running back Breece Hall carried the ball nine times for 30 yards and a touchdown while adding two receptions for 21 yards in a 32-25 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 15. Hall, who missed Week 14 with a knee issue, was surprisingly able to play after looking iffy earlier in the week. He found the end zone on a one-yard run in the fourth quarter to break a 25-25 tie and help propel the Jets to victory. He handled nine of 17 running-back handoffs in the contest and, more importantly, appeared to emerge from the game without any setbacks to his balky knee. Hall, who now has eight all-purpose touchdowns on the season, will be a solid fantasy option heading into Week 16 against the Los Angeles Rams.

From RotoBaller