Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy (hand) ruled out vs. Giants

Sun Dec 21 3:26pm ET
Field Level Media

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy injured his right hand and was ruled out for the remainder of the game against the New York Giants on Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.

McCarthy, the Vikings' first-year starter, appeared to injure his hand near the end of the first half. He was hit hard by Giants pass rusher Brian Burns and fumbled the ball. Giants safety Tyler Nubin returned the fumble for a touchdown.

McCarthy completed 9 of 14 passes for 108 yards and an interception before his injury. He also ran for a 12-yard touchdown with two minutes left in the first half.

Rookie Max Brosmer replaced McCarthy.

The Vikings also lost running back Jordan Mason (ankle) and center Ryan Kelly (concussion), who were ruled out before the start of the second half.

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Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 16

Player Notes
Marcus Mariota Dec 21 3:30pm CT
Marcus Mariota

Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (right hand, quad) is day-to-day ahead of Thursday's Week 17 contest against the Dallas Cowboys, head coach Dan Quinn told the media. Mariota's right hand injury, which forced him out of Saturday's Week 16 loss to the Eagles, required stitches. He is also dealing with a quad ailment. Josh Johnson relieved Mariota on Saturday and finished the game. Now, it appears that the veteran journeyman has a chance to become the Commanders' third different quarterback to start a game this season. Managers invested in Mariota's availability should closely monitor the Commanders' injury reports from Monday through Wednesday.

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Quinshon Judkins Dec 21 3:10pm CT
Quinshon Judkins

Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins (leg, knee) has been diagnosed with a broken leg and will miss the remainder of the 2025 season, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. He is also being evaluated for a knee injury. It's a devastating end to a promising rookie campaign for the second-round pick out of Ohio State. He finishes the season with 827 rushing yards, 171 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns through 15 games. Judkins will now begin recovering in hopes of making a full recovery ahead of the 2026 season. If healthy, he'll rank as a fringe top-12 running back in next summer's fantasy drafts. As for the Browns' short-term outlook, Dylan Sampson (hand) has a chance to return in Week 17 and lead Cleveland's backfield the rest of the way. Raheim Sanders should also earn more touches out of the backfield.

From RotoBaller

Gardner Minshew II Dec 21 3:00pm CT
Gardner Minshew II

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew (left knee) likely tore his ACL during Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Tennessee Titans, according to Matt Derrick of Chiefs Digest. The veteran signal-caller exited in the first half after completing just three of his eight pass attempts for 15 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and zero turnovers. He also had eight rushing yards. This is deflating news for the Chiefs, who have now lost both Patrick Mahomes (knee) and Minshew to torn ACLs in back-to-back weeks. This crushing sequence of injuries will leave third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun in line to start on Thursday against the Denver Broncos. Outside of Oladokun, Kansas City has no healthy quarterbacks on its active roster or practice squad, so they'll likely make an addition or two within the next few days. In the meantime, Minshew will undergo additional testing to confirm his initial diagnosis.

From RotoBaller

Kimani Vidal Dec 21 2:40pm CT
Kimani Vidal

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal (neck) exited during the fourth quarter of Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. He is officially listed as questionable to return. At the time of his departure, he had just five carries for 11 rushing yards. After a couple of weeks splitting touches with Omarion Hampton, Vidal took on a smaller role this weekend while Hampton got more involved. Even if Vidal returns Sunday, he'll likely remain in a change-of-pace role. While he's sidelined, Hassan Haskins will operate as Los Angeles' No. 2 option out of the backfield.

From RotoBaller

Kaleb Johnson Dec 21 2:30pm CT
Kaleb Johnson

Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kaleb Johnson (coach's decision) and wide receiver Roman Wilson (coach's decision) are both healthy scratches for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Detroit Lions. Johnson is inactive for the very first time in his rookie campaign. The 22-year-old played just 3% of the snaps last Monday versus Miami, and he has just 28 carries, 69 rushing yards, one catch, and nine receiving yards so far this year. Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell are the Steelers' only active running backs on Sunday. Meanwhile, Wilson is inactive for the third game in a row. He has 12 catches, 166 yards, and two touchdowns in his second NFL campaign, and he hasn't caught a pass since Week 11. At the wide receiver position, Scotty Miller and Ben Skowronek are active, offering additional depth behind DK Metcalf, Calvin Austin III, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.

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Nick Chubb Dec 21 2:20pm CT
Nick Chubb

Houston Texans running back Nick Chubb (ribs) is officially active for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the right direction after practicing in full. The veteran will be tasked with leading Houston's backfield on Sunday after Woody Marks (ankle) was ruled out. Chubb has previously shown that he's capable of handling a lead-back workload both in Cleveland and Houston. However, he'll likely share plenty of opportunities this week with Jawhar Jordan and Dare Ogunbowale. Chubb ranks as a high-end RB3, and Jordan has the potential to sneak into the low-end RB3/flex tier.

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Christian Kirk Dec 21 2:20pm CT
Christian Kirk

Houston Texans wide receiver Christian Kirk (illness) is officially active for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. He had been listed as questionable after missing Friday's practice. The veteran receiver is healthy enough to suit up this weekend, but he'll likely continue to operate in a depth role behind wide receivers Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins. He could also be out-targeted and out-produced by tight end Dalton Schultz once again. As it stands, he ranks as RotoBaller's WR80 and can be benched or dropped to waivers in fantasy football.

From RotoBaller

Ryan Flournoy Dec 21 2:20pm CT
Ryan Flournoy

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (knee) won't return to Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. He exited in the second quarter and was initially listed as questionable before being downgraded to out. Despite being behind CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens on the depth chart, the 26-year-old carved out a role for himself before departing. He finishes the game with two catches, 18 yards, and a touchdown. He'll now have just four days to get healthy before the Cowboys return to action on Christmas Day against the Washington Commanders. Look for KaVonte Turpin and Jonathan Mingo to earn more snaps in his absence.

From RotoBaller

Drake London Dec 21 2:10pm CT
Drake London

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (knee) is officially active for his team's Week 16 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The 24-year-old has been sidelined since Week 11 with a knee injury. Across nine games before getting hurt, London recorded 60 receptions for 810 yards and five touchdowns on 94 targets. He's earned double-digit targets in five out of nine outings this season and had recorded at least 100 receiving yards in five out of his last six games before going down in Week 11. Atlanta could choose to work him back into the lineup slowly, but London should immediately take over as his team's top pass-catcher. He profiles as a must-start wide receiver for fantasy managers in Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Woody Marks Dec 21 2:10pm CT
Woody Marks

Houston Texans running back Woody Marks (ankle) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Las Vegas Raiders. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the wrong direction after missing two of the Texans' three practices this past week. Houston is exercising caution by holding the rookie out of Sunday's game. Not only do they want to keep him fresh for the playoff push, but they can also feel comfortable about their chances with a slightly short-staffed backfield against a porous Las Vegas Raiders run defense that has allowed the second-most rushing touchdowns to running backs in 2025. Nick Chubb (ribs) should lead the way against Vegas, but we also expect to see a mix of Jawhar Jordan and Dare Ogunbowale, especially if the Texans jump out to an early lead. Chubb ranks as a high-end RB3. We could also see Jordan, who totaled 118 scrimmage yards last week, sneak into the RB3/flex range.

From RotoBaller

Gardner Minshew II Dec 21 2:10pm CT
Gardner Minshew II

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew (knee) won't return to Sunday's Week 16 contest against the Tennessee Titans. He was initially listed as questionable before being downgraded to out. The veteran signal-caller finishes this week having completed just three of his eight pass attempts for 15 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and zero turnovers. He also had eight rushing yards. With Patrick Mahomes (knee) done for the year, Minshew was replaced by third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun. Depending on the severity of Minshew's injury, we could see Oladokun earn the start on Thursday Night Football against the Denver Broncos in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

J.J. McCarthy Dec 21 2:00pm CT
J.J. McCarthy

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (hand) has been ruled out for the remainder of his team's Week 16 matchup against the New York Giants with a hand injury. The 22-year-old took a big shot to his right hand and wrist area from Giants edge rusher Brian Burns right before halftime. It's been an injury-ravaged season for McCarthy, who has also missed time in 2025 with an ankle injury and a concussion. He will finish Week 16 with nine completions on 14 pass attempts for 108 yards, zero touchdowns, one interception, and one fumble. McCarthy also recorded two rush attempts for 20 yards and a touchdown. In his absence, Minnesota will turn to Max Brosmer at quarterback for the remainder of Week 16. Brosmer has made one start this season and struggled, throwing four interceptions in Week 13 against the Seattle Seahawks.

From RotoBaller

Marvin Harrison Jr. Dec 21 1:50pm CT
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) is officially active for his team's Week 16 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. Harrison Jr. has been sidelined since Week 13 due to a heel injury. Across 10 games this season, the 23-year-old has hauled in 40 receptions for 594 yards and four touchdowns on 69 targets. Previous reporting from ESPN's Adam Schefter indicated that Arizona planned to "ease" Harrison Jr. back into the lineup, so he could see a smaller snap share than usual. In Harrison Jr.'s absence, Michael Wilson has stepped into the WR1 role in Arizona, while star tight end Trey McBride should be expected to remain the team's lead pass-catcher. Harrison Jr. profiles as a low-end WR3/flex option for fantasy managers in Week 16 against Atlanta.

From RotoBaller

Quinshon Judkins Dec 21 1:30pm CT
Quinshon Judkins

Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins (leg) was carted off the field from his team's Week 16 matchup against the Buffalo Bills with an Aircast on his right leg. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that Cleveland has ruled him out for the remainder of Week 16. While the exact nature of the injury is unclear, it appears to be a serious one for the 22-year-old. Judkins recorded eight carries for 22 yards and hauled in five receptions for 29 yards on six targets before exiting the game. The Browns entered the game already without running backs Dylan Sampson (hand, calf) and Jerome Ford (shoulder). Without their top three running backs, Cleveland will likely split backfield touches between Raheim Sanders and Trayveon Williams for the remainder of Week 16.

From RotoBaller

Gardner Minshew II Dec 21 1:20pm CT
Gardner Minshew II

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew (knee) is officially questionable to return to his team's Week 16 matchup against the Tennessee Titans due to a knee injury. Minshew completed three of eight pass attempts for 15 yards and recorded one carry for eight yards before exiting the game in the first half. Minshew was filling in for the injured Patrick Mahomes (knee), so Kansas City's quarterback depth is thinning rapidly. If Minshew is unable to return, Chris Oladokun would likely finish Week 16 under center for the Chiefs. A seventh-round pick out of South Dakota State in 2022, Oladokun has appeared in one career NFL game to this point. If Oladokun were to get injured, it's not clear who the Chiefs would turn to at quarterback.

From RotoBaller

Ryan Flournoy Dec 21 1:20pm CT
Ryan Flournoy

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Ryan Flournoy (knee) is questionable to return to his team's Week 16 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers due to a knee injury, per ESPN's Todd Archer. The 26-year-old got twisted up awkwardly after taking a big hit from Chargers linebacker Denzel Perryman. Before exiting the game, Flournoy recorded two receptions for 18 yards and a touchdown on two targets. Flournoy has emerged as the WR3 in Dallas alongside star wideouts CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. If Flournoy is unable to return in Week 16, KaVontae Turpin and Jonathan Mingo could see more playing time at wide receiver, while tight end Jake Ferguson could see an uptick in targets.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Jones Dec 21 1:10pm CT
Aaron Jones

The Minnesota Vikings deemed running back Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle) questionable to return to Sunday's game at the New York Giants, but saw the veteran come back to action during the second quarter. Jones had to leave the opening drive, on which fellow running back Jordan Mason (ankle) also was injured. The Vikings weren't as lucky on Mason, who was quickly ruled out for the day. Now that the Vikings are down a running back, Zavier Scott will slide into the No. 2 role for the remainder of the game.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Mason Dec 21 1:00pm CT
Jordan Mason

The Minnesota Vikings ruled out running back Jordan Mason (ankle) from returning to Sunday's game against the New York Giants. Mason sustained the injury on the opening drive of the game and was carted back to the locker room after returning to the sideline. He'll finish the day with two carries for five yards. Luckily for Minnesota, it received good news on its other injured running back. Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle) also left the Vikings' first drive of the game, but was able to return later in the first half. Zavier Scott will back up Jones with Mason unable to play.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Jones Dec 21 12:40pm CT
Aaron Jones

The Minnesota Vikings classified running back Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle) as questionable to return to the Vikings' game against the New York Giants on Sunday. The Vikings saw both of their top two running backs sustain injuries on their first offensive series. Jones departed the game first, then Jordan Mason (ankle) took a shot, was carted to the locker room, and was also given a questionable tag. Jones was shown warming up again on the sideline, but if neither can return, Minnesota likely will lean on running back Zavier Scott and fullback C.J. Ham to handle the running game.

From RotoBaller

Jordan Mason Dec 21 12:40pm CT
Jordan Mason

Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (ankle) departed Sunday's game against the New York Giants after sustaining an injury on Minnesota's first offensive series. The first-year Viking lay on the turf for a few moments, walked gingerly to the sideline, and was eventually carted back to the team's locker room, where the team deemed him questionable to return. Even worse for the Vikings, Mason's injury occurred after top option Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle) had already sustained an injury of his own, left the game, and was given a questionable tag. If neither running back can return, that leaves Zavier Scott to handle most of the rushing work.

From RotoBaller