Tue Jun 18 12:26pm ET
Field Level Media
The Detroit Lions signed Jake Bates from the United Football League and waived fellow kicker James Turner on Tuesday.
Bates spent the spring with the Michigan Panthers and made 21 of 28 field goals, including a 64-yard attempt and two others of at least 60 yards. He also made visits to the Washington Commanders and Green Bay Packers but chose to say in Detroit, where he kicked at Ford Field for the Panthers.
The Lions currently employ veteran kicker Michael Badgley.
Badgley, who turns 29 next month, spent parts of the past two seasons with the Lions, his fifth team. In 16 regular-season games with Detroit, Badgley has made 24 of 28 field goal attempts with a long of 53.
Bates, 25, played his senior season in 2022 at Arkansas, where he was a kickoff specialist and didn't attempt field goals. He was named to All-SEC first-team after leading the conference with an average of 64.47 yards per kickoff.
Turner, 23, was an undrafted rookie who played at Louisville (2019-22) and Michigan (2023).
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that wide receiver Christian Watson (chest) was taken to the hospital for further evaluation on his chest injury following his team's Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos. Watson recorded three catches for 29 yards on five targets before being forced to exit the game in the third quarter. The 26-year-old missed Green Bay's first six games of the 2025 season while rehabbing a knee injury that ended his 2024 season. Watson has been coming on strong of late, recording five touchdown catches over his last four games coming into Week 15. While the exact severity of Watson's injury is unclear, his status would appear to be up in the air for Green Bay's Week 16 matchup against the Chicago Bears next Saturday night. If Watson is sidelined, Packers wideouts Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks, and Matthew Golden could all see increased roles.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (shoulder) is questionable to return to his team's Week 15 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings due to a shoulder injury, per ESPN's Todd Archer. The 25-year-old recorded six carries for 13 yards and a touchdown before exiting the game. If Williams is unable to return, Malik Davis would be the only remaining running back on the Cowboys' active roster and would likely dominate backfield snaps for the remainder of Week 15. Fullback Hunter Luepke and wide receiver KaVontae Turpin could also handle some rushing work. Williams entered the week with 1,150 scrimmage yards and 11 touchdowns on 248 touches, so his absence would be a big loss for the Dallas offense.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) suffered a hamstring injury during the team's 41-34 win over the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Adams exited Sunday's game after reaggravating his left hamstring that he had been managing over the last couple of weeks. The 32-year-old had hauled in four catches for 71 yards on nine targets before exiting the game in the fourth quarter and did not return. Coach Sean McVay sounded pessimistic about Adams' status for Thursday's game against the Seattle Seahawks, then went on to say, "but I certainly wouldn't rule him out quite yet," reported by Stu Jackson of RamsNFL. It is worth noting that the Rams did clinch a playoff spot after their win over the Lions.
From RotoBaller
Arizona Cardinals S Budda Baker and CB Garrett Williams each had eight total stops and five solo tackles in Week 15 against the Houston Texans. Williams was credited with a tackle for loss, too.
From TheHuddle
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Van Jefferson exited the Titans' Week 15 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in the second half due to a back injury. Jefferson hauled in one catch for 43 yards on five targets before leaving the game. The 29-year-old has shown flashes this season and has been a reliable target for rookie quarterback Cameron Ward at times during the year. The Titans have already battled injuries this season in their receiver room after losing Calvin Ridley for the season to a leg injury. Jefferson's status for their Week 16 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs will be monitored as the team heads into the next week of practice.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders RB Jeremy McNichols rushed nine times for six yards and caught one pass for 16 yards in a 29-21 win over the New York Giants in Week 15.
Fantasy Spin: Although McNichols saw 10 total touches, it was Jacory Croskey-Merritt who led the backfield with Chris Rodriguez Jr. sidelined. Even if Rodriguez misses more time, McNichols is unlikely to be a reliable option for fantasy owners.
From TheHuddle
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Devaughn Vele (shoulder) exited during the fourth quarter of the team's 20-17 win over the Carolina Panthers. Vele left the game due to a shoulder injury after hauling in five catches for 69 yards on six targets. The 28-year-old was spotted after the game with his left arm in a sling, reported by Mike Triplett of NewOrleans.Football. With Vele in a sling, it will leave his availability in Week 16 against the New York Jets will be up in the air. Vele's status will become clearer when the Saints resume team practice on Wednesday.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders QB Marcus Mariota completed 10 of his 19 passes for 211 yards and a touchdown and rushed 10 times for 43 yards and lost a fumble in a 29-21 win over the New York Giants in Week 15.
Fantasy Spin: Mariota was back under center in place of the injured Jayden Daniels, and while he only completed 10 passes, he was able to connect on some big plays against New York's struggling defense. He also topped 40 rushing yards for his third straight start, and if Daniels remains sidelined, Mariota can be a low-end QB2.
From TheHuddle
Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett completed 27-of-40 passes for 249 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in Week 15 against the Houston Texans.
Fantasy Spin: Brissett was facing a very difficult matchup against the suffocating Houston defense, but he had a decent statistical day, with most stats coming after the game was decided. Fantasy managers don't care how the points come, as long as they do. He has been putting up QB1-type fantasy numbers on a regular basis, shockingly.
From TheHuddle
Updating a previous report, Washington Commanders WR Noah Brown (ribs) did not return to the Week 15 game against the New York Giants after suffering an injury to his ribs. The injury was initially reported as a back issue.
From TheHuddle
According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Micah Parsons (knee) is believed to have suffered a torn ACL and is expected to miss the remainder of the 2025 season and potentially a part of the 2026 season. Parsons sustained this non-contact injury during their Week 15 loss to the Broncos. The Packers acquired Parsons from the Cowboys in a blockbuster deal in the offseason and eventually signed him to a massive four-year $188 million contract. Before exiting Sunday's game, Parsons tallied two tackles with one sack. Through the first 14 weeks of the season, Parsons tallied 12.5 sacks with 39 total tackles. While sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Lukas Van Nes to see a larger role on the defensive line.
From RotoBaller
Cleveland Browns rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. hauled in seven of his 14 targets for 48 yards during Sunday's 31-3 loss to the Chicago Bears. For the second straight week, Fannin led the team in receptions and targets, and he had one carry for two yards. The Cleveland offense struggled to gain its footing in Chicago, but the dependable rookie tight end continues to provide fantasy managers with a safe PPR floor. Fannin has a tough matchup against the Buffalo Bills' defense in Week 16, which has allowed the fewest points to tight ends this season. However, with David Njoku (knee) still dealing with an injury, Fannin is postured to remain a focal point and an offense that is engineering touches for him.
From RotoBaller
According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (knee) has suffered a torn ACL. Mahomes exited Sunday's loss to the Chargers in the fourth quarter after suffering a left knee injury. Following the game, the three-time Super Bowl winner underwent an MRI, which eventually revealed the extent of their injury. The team noted that Mahomes and the club are currently exploring surgical options. As a result, this will keep the 30-year-old quarterback sidelined for the remainder of the 2025 campaign and potentially part of the 2026 season. Before exiting on Sunday, Mahomes went 16-for-28 with 189 yards, an interception, and added 15 yards and a score with his legs. For the remainder of the season, Gardner Minshew is slated to take over QB1 duties in Kansas City. He will carry mid-end QB2 upside in Week 16, facing a weak Tennessee secondary, playing in an offense with Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Travis Kelce.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (cramping) has returned to Sunday's contest against the Detroit Lions, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The star wideout exited the game in the fourth quarter due to a cramping injury. However, he was able to quickly return, suggesting this injury was not overly serious. Managers should keep an eye on his status during the week leading up to their Week 16 contest on Thursday evening in case he faces a setback. Nacua has enjoyed a stellar showing during this game, catching nine of his 11 targets for 181 yards, which is on track to be a season-high.
From RotoBaller
Updating a previous report, Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (knee) had an MRI which showed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee late in the Week 15 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Mahomes and the team are exploring surgical options. QB Gardner Minshew is expected to take over the starting quarterback to finish the season.
Fantasy Spin: The news goes from bad to worse for the Chiefs, who were eliminated from the playoffs, and now this. The timetable for Mahomes' return is uncertain, but it's likely training camp and preseason will be unlikely, and the start of the 2026 season could also be in danger for Mahomes, since this injury occurred so late in the season.
From TheHuddle
Tennessee Titans S Xavier Woods (hamstring) left the Week 15 game against the San Francisco 49ers due to a hamstring injury and he did not return.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (cramping) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest due to cramping. The superstar wideout suffered this injury in the fourth quarter. While he may be in danger of missing the final minutes of this contest, it appears he has avoided a significant injury. Before exiting, Nacua enjoyed another massive showing, bringing in nine of his 11 targets for 181 yards. With Davante Adams (hamstring) also exiting the contest early, managers should expect Tutu Atwell and Joran Whittington to serve as the top options in the passing attack for the remainder of Sunday's game. Given that he appears to have avoided a serious injury, Nacua should be on track to suit up on Thursday when the Rams face the Seahawks.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (calf) is officially available for Sunday night's match against the Minnesota Vikings. The top tight end carried a questionable tag on Friday's final injury report. On Thursday, he was unable to practice but returned on Friday in a limited capacity. However, he was able to progress enough to suit up. After a hot start to the season, when he averaged an impressive 17.2 PPR points per game over the first seven weeks, Ferguson has seen his production take a massive step back, averaging just 8.7 PPR points from Weeks 8 through 14. This evening, he will face a Minnesota secondary that has allowed the 16th-most PPR points to opposing TEs this season. He projects to be a low-end TE1 in standard formats and is a viable play in DFS showdown slates.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams WR Davante Adams (hamstring) left the Week 15 game against the Detroit Lions in the fourth quarter due to an apparent hamstring injury.
Fantasy Spin: Adams went up for a reception, and immediately grabbed at the back of his leg after falling to the turf. Since he left for the locker room late in the game, it's likely we've seen the last of him for Week 15. When healthy, he remains a WR1 due to his touchdown-scoring ability. We'll provide more details when they become available.
From TheHuddle
Green Bay Packers defensive lineman Micah Parsons (knee) is questionable to return to Sunday's contest due to a knee injury. The superstar defensive lineman suffered this injury in the third quarter. This was a non-contact injury, and he needed assistance to walk off the field. Before exiting, Parsons tallied two tackles with one sack. For the remainder of the game, fantasy managers should expect Kingsley Enagbare and Lukas Van Ness to see an increase in snaps on the defensive line.
From RotoBaller