Bengals WR Tee Higgins to play vs. Dolphins

Sun Dec 21 12:14pm ET
Field Level Media

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins will return from his second concussion of the season to play in Sunday's game against the host Miami Dolphins.

Higgins cleared concussion protocol and was a full participant in practice on Friday. He had been listed as questionable to play against Miami before he was labeled as active.

ESPN reported that the Bengals (4-10) were interested in seeing how Higgins felt on Sunday morning before formally announcing his availability to play against the Dolphins (6-8).

Higgins, 26, sustained his initial concussion on Nov. 23 after smacking his head on the turf during Cincinnati's 26-20 loss to the New England Patriots. He sat out the Bengals' next game four days later before returning on Dec. 7, when he had six catches for a team-high 92 yards and two touchdowns in Cincinnati's 39-34 setback to the Buffalo Bills.

He reeled in his second touchdown grab on a snowy afternoon on a 25-yard lob from Joe Burrow with 2:13 remaining in the fourth quarter.

Higgins has totaled 46 catches for 667 yards and a team-high nine touchdowns in 12 appearances this season.

While Higgins is active, the Bengals listed the following players as inactive for Sunday's game: Jake Browning (emergency third quarterback), wide receiver Charlie Jones, cornerback Bralyn Lux, safety PJ Jules, defensive end Joseph Ossai, tight end Noah Fant and defensive tackle Jordan Jefferson.

As for the Dolphins, Tua Tagovailoa will serve as the team's emergency third quarterback while rookie Quinn Ewers makes his first career NFL start.

Miami also listed wide receivers Tahj Washington and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, cornerback Isaiah Johnson, offensive tackle Kendall Lamm and defensive tackle Matthew Butler as inactive.

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The Paur Report

Starts, Sits, Sleepers: Week 16

Player Notes
Gardner Minshew II Dec 21 10:54pm CT
Gardner Minshew II

Dynasty | Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew tore his ACL in a loss to the Titans. Dynasty Analysis: And the fun just keeps coming for the Chiefs. who have already been eliminated from playoff contention and lost Patrick Mahomes for the season with a torn ACL of his own. Chris Oladokun will likely end the season at the helm for a Chiefs team that is clearly looking like a team that could finish 6-11 in a season they'll want to forget. As for Minshew, this could be a career-altering injury considering his age and likely lack of availability for the start of next season.

George Pickens Dec 21 10:53pm CT
George Pickens

Dynasty | Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens had seven catches for 130 yards and one touchdown in a loss to the Chargers. Dynasty Analysis: When the Cowboys acquired Pickens in the off-season, they likely envisioned him as being a solid sidekick for CeeDee Lamb. Instead, Pickens has looked like a WR1 virtually all season. Dallas is going to make it a priority to bring him back next season but there are going to be plenty of suitors who are going to be wanting to grab him and instantly make him the centerpiece of their passing offense. In short, Pickens' ADP and ranking are moving up and still have room to grow.

Aaron Rodgers Dec 21 10:53pm CT
Aaron Rodgers

Pittsburgh Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers completed 27-of-41 passes for 266 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in Week 16 against the Detroit Lions, while running twice for nine yards.

Fantasy Spin: Rodgers has not turned the ball over, going five games without any interceptions, but he also has just four touchdown passes and one rushing score in the past four outings. He remains more of a low-end QB2 heading into Week 17.

From TheHuddle

Dalton Schultz Dec 21 10:43pm CT
Dalton Schultz

Houston Texans TE Dalton Schultz registered five receptions for 35 yards and a touchdown on five targets in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Fantasy Spin: Stanford scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter, and he has now scored two times in the past two games after scoring just once in the first 13 outings. He has emerged as a solid low-end TE1 in most fantasy leagues of 12 or more teams heading into Week 17.

From TheHuddle

Jacoby Brissett Dec 21 10:43pm CT
Jacoby Brissett

Arizona Cardinals QB Jacoby Brissett completed 16 of his 31 passes for 203 yards, a touchdown and an interception in a 26-19 loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. He also added a five-yard run.

Fantasy Spin: Brissett's 203 yards were his fewest since becoming the starter, and he also failed to throw multiple touchdowns for the first time. The good news is that he should have a golden opportunity to bounce back in Week 17 when the Cardinals face the Cincinnati Bengals.

From TheHuddle

Christian Kirk Dec 21 10:33pm CT
Christian Kirk

Houston Texans WR Christian Kirk went for three receptions and 37 yards on five targets in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Fantasy Spin: Kirk had just one reception in the past three games, and he has managed more than seven receiving yards in just two of his past seven games. He cannot be trusted in most fantasy leagues heading into Week 17 and beyond.

From TheHuddle

Nick Chubb Dec 21 10:23pm CT
Nick Chubb

Houston Texans RB Nick Chubb ran six times for 33 yards in Week 16 against the Las Vegas Raiders, while adding a 9-yard reception on his lone target.

Fantasy Spin: Chubb was working as the No. 2 back, as Jawhar Jordan had a total of 15 carries and 20 touches, compiling 70 scrimmage yards. Chubb entered with a questionable tag due to a rib injury, with Woody Marks sidelined, opening the door for Jordan to shine. Chubb should only be trusted in deeper fantasy leagues as the moment.

From TheHuddle

Kirk Cousins Dec 21 10:13pm CT
Kirk Cousins

Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins completed 21 of his 35 passes for 197 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in a 26-19 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16. He also scored on a one-yard run and lost a fumble.

Fantasy Spin: Cousins started slow after taking over as the starter, but he has delivered three touchdowns in back-to-back games. The veteran is far from a sure thing, but Cousins could be worth a look if you need a QB2.

From TheHuddle

Lamar Jackson Dec 21 10:03pm CT
Lamar Jackson

Updating a previous report, Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (back) will not return to the Week 16 game against the New England Patriots due to a back injury suffered in the first half. He finished 7-of-10 for 101 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions, and he ran twice for seven yards.

Fantasy Spin: With Jackson exiting the game, it's Tyler Huntley who will continue to steer the ship the rest of the way. Jackson leaves the game when it means the most, killing the fantasy season for anyone unfortunate to have started him in the playoffs. Ouch.

From TheHuddle

Tre Tucker Dec 21 9:50pm CT
Tre Tucker

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker tallied four receptions and 43 yards off his five targets during Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 16. Interestingly, Tucker also logged two rushing attempts for 11 yards, demonstrating intent to get the third-year receiver more involved in the offense. Tucker still has not seen the end zone since Week 11 against the Dallas Cowboys, but getting five targets was his most involvement in the passing game since Week 7. The Las Vegas Raiders will face the New York Giants at home in Week 17, whose defense is a top-five matchup for wide receivers on the season. Also, veteran wide receiver Tyler Lockett (wrist) left the Week 16 game early with an apparent wrist injury. If he misses Week 17, Tucker and rookie wide receiver Jack Bech should be the primary beneficiaries of his absence. Despite Tucker's uptick in touches in Week 16, he is still an unreliable start outside deep leagues for the fantasy championships against the New York Giants.

From RotoBaller

Evan Engram Dec 21 9:43pm CT
Evan Engram

Denver Broncos TE Evan Engram caught two of his four targets for 36 yards in a 34-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16.

Fantasy Spin: It has been a quiet season for Engram, and he has topped 42 receiving yards just once all year. He has managed just five total catches over his past three games, and even as a TE2, fantasy owners can probably stream a better option.

From TheHuddle

Courtland Sutton Dec 21 9:33pm CT
Courtland Sutton

Denver Broncos WR Courtland Sutton caught six of his 12 targets for 86 targets and a touchdown in a 34-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16.

Fantasy Spin: Sutton has piled up 32 targets over the past three games, and after an up-and-down stretch earlier this season, he has been back to his reliable self in recent weeks. He is Bo Nix's go-to option, and he can be trusted as a WR2 moving forward.

From TheHuddle

Foyesade Oluokun Dec 21 9:13pm CT
Foyesade Oluokun

Jacksonville Jaguars LB Foyesade Oluokun finished with 11 tackles, including six solo stops, in a 34-20 win over the Denver Broncos in Week 16.

From TheHuddle

Tyler Lockett Dec 21 9:13pm CT
Tyler Lockett

Las Vegas Raiders WR Tyler Lockett (wrist) ended up with just one catch for six yards on two targets in Week 16 against the Houston Texans.

Fantasy Spin: Lockett had been one of the most dependable receivers since coming over from Tennessee to reunite with coach Pete Carroll. However, he remains useful only as a low-end WR4 or flex fantasy option when healthy.

From TheHuddle

Josh Sweat Dec 21 9:03pm CT
Josh Sweat

Arizona Cardinals C Hjalte Froholdt (elbow), LB Josh Sweat (ankle) and CB Garrett Williams (Achilles) each left the Week 16 game against the Atlanta Falcons due to injuries, and none were able to return.

From TheHuddle

Lamar Jackson Dec 21 9:00pm CT
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (back) is questionable to return to his team's Week 16 matchup against the New England Patriots due to a back injury, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Jackson completed seven of 10 pass attempts for 101 yards before exiting the game late in the first half. If Jackson is unable to return, Tyler Huntley would likely finish Week 16 at quarterback for Baltimore. Across three games (one start) this season entering Week 16, Huntley has completed 27 of 37 pass attempts for 254 yards, one touchdown, and zero interceptions. He's also rushed for 89 yards on 14 attempts. The severity of Jackson's injury is currently unclear, but his absence is obviously a massive blow for the Ravens' offense.

From RotoBaller

Trevor Lawrence Dec 21 9:00pm CT
Trevor Lawrence

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence posted another huge performance in his team's Week 16 win over the Denver Broncos, completing 23 of 36 pass attempts for 279 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. The 26-year-old also recorded 20 rushing yards and a touchdown on six attempts. Lawrence has arguably played the best football of his career in recent weeks. Over his last four games, he's thrown for 1,096 yards, 12 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Lawrence has also rushed for 112 yards and two touchdowns on 18 attempts over that same four-game stretch. With the way he's currently playing, Lawrence looks like one of the NFL's best dual-threat quarterbacks. He profiles as a solid fantasy QB1 heading into a Week 17 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Dec 21 8:53pm CT
Lamar Jackson

Baltimore Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (back) left the Week 16 game against the New England Patriots in the second half due to a back injury. He is considered questionable to return. QB Tyler Huntley will finish up if Jackson cannot return.

Fantasy Spin: Jackson has had trouble with various injuries this season, missing time with the hamstring injury, and now he is nursing a back. We'll see if he comes back, but he has really slid down the fantasy rankings before of his lack of dependability.

From TheHuddle

Mike Evans Dec 21 8:40pm CT
Mike Evans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans hauled in five catches for 31 yards and a touchdown on nine targets in his team's Week 16 loss to the Carolina Panthers. Evans has now hauled in 11 receptions for 163 yards across two games since returning from a collarbone injury that sidelined him from Week 8 through Week 14. While injuries have held down the 32-year-old's season-long numbers in 2025, he remains an effective player when he's on the field. Across six games this season, Evans has recorded 25 catches for 303 yards and two touchdowns on 53 targets. He looks like the clear-cut number one option in the passing game for Tampa Bay down the stretch of the season, as Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has targeted Evans on 35% of his pass attempts for the last two weeks. Tampa Bay will travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Bijan Robinson Dec 21 8:40pm CT
Bijan Robinson

Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson dominated the Arizona Cardinals in his team's 26-19 Week 16 win. The 23-year-old recorded 16 carries for 76 yards and hauled in seven receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets. Across 15 games this season, Robinson has now recorded 2,026 yards from scrimmage and nine touchdowns on 321 touches. Robinson has racked up at least 107 scrimmage yards in five out of his last six games and has logged at least 88 scrimmage yards in every game but one in 2025. He may be the NFL's premier all-around back and is currently on pace to finish the season with just a shade under 2,300 yards from scrimmage. Robinson profiles as a must-start fantasy back heading into the team's Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.

From RotoBaller