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Geno Smith Geno Smith Throws two TDs in Week 16 return
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 9:08 PM
Smith (shoulder/back) completed 16 of 23 pass attempts for 201 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Texans.
Analysis: Smith returned from a one-game absence and nearly led the Raiders to an unexpected victory against one of the toughest defensive units in the league. The veteran signal-caller threw multiple touchdown passes for the fifth time in 14 starts with Las Vegas, highlighting his underwhelming play since becoming the team's starter this past offseason. Despite his overall struggles, Smith performed well in his return from injury and could be a sneaky fantasy play in deeper formats against an inconsistent Giants' defense next Sunday. |
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Brock Bowers Brock Bowers Nabs seventh TD in Week 16
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 7:31 PM
Bowers had five receptions on as many targets for 33 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Texans.
Analysis: Geno Smith (shoulder/back) returned from a one-game absence and reignited his tight end's hot streak dating back to Week 13. The veteran signal-caller found Bowers in the end zone in the second quarter for the fourth touchdown in the duo's last three active games. The 22-year-old Bowers is well off the pace from the 1,194 receiving yards he racked up in 2024 as a rookie, but his improved nose for the end zone (seven trips) as a sophomore has helped offset the dip in volume. Bowers can be viewed as a premier tight end in fantasy for next Sunday's tilt against the Giants. |
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Ashton Jeanty Ashton Jeanty Overcomes tough matchup against HOU
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 7:02 PM
Jeanty ran the ball 24 times for 128 yards and a touchdown while catching one of two targets for 60 yards and another score in Sunday's 23-21 loss to the Texans.
Analysis: Jeanty was mired in a three-game slump in which he failed to top 35 rushing yards in each start, but he broke out in impressive fashion by scoring touchdowns as both a runner and receiver Sunday. The 21-year-old accomplished the feat against arguably the league's fiercest defense of 2025, helping push the Texans to the brink of a potential shocking upset. The outburst coincided with the return of starting QB Geno Smith (shoulder/back), but the rookie tailback had been struggling with the veteran signal-caller under center earlier in the schedule. Jeanty will attempt to sprint to the finish line of an inconsistent rookie campaign by taking advantage of a soft matchup against the Giants next Sunday. |
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Tyler Lockett Tyler Lockett Hurts wrist Sunday
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 4:19 PM
Lockett exited Sunday's game against the Texans due to a wrist injury.
Analysis: Before his departure, Lockett didn't record a catch. In his absence, Tre Tucker, Jack Bech, Dont'e Thornton and Alex Bachman are in line to handle the Raiders' Week 16 WR duties. |
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Zamir White Zamir White Not playing Week 16
Sun, Dec 21, 2025, 2:03 PM
White (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Texans.
Analysis: White continues to be a healthy scratch for the Raiders this season, with the fourth-year running back not appearing in a regular-season game since Week 5 against the Colts. His next opportunity to play is Week 17 against the Giants on Sunday, Dec. 28, though he's unlikely to play in that game unless Ashton Jeanty, Raheem Mostert or Dylan Laube were to miss time. |
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Geno Smith Geno Smith Confirmed Week 16 starter
Fri, Dec 19, 2025, 3:57 PM
Head coach Pete Carroll confirmed Friday that Smith will start Sunday's game against the Texans, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Smith missed the Raiders' Week 15 shutout loss to the Eagles due to shoulder and back injuries, but he has been a full participant throughout Week 16 prep and will reclaim the starting role under center Sunday against Houston's elite defense. His return pushes Kenny Pickett back down to the bench. |
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Tyler Lockett Tyler Lockett Returns to full practice
Thu, Dec 18, 2025, 5:07 PM
Lockett (knee) practiced fully Thursday.
Analysis: After being deemed a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Lockett worked fully a day later, which paves the way for the wideout to be available Sunday against the Texans. Meanwhile, QB Geno Smith -- who was inactive for the Raiders' 31-0 loss to the Eagles in Week 15 -- is practicing fully this week and is poised to return to action this weekend. In that context, Lockett maintains modest fantasy value in PPR formats, with the 33-year-old having recorded an 18-201-0 line on 24 targets in seven games with the Raiders since being signed after he was let go by the Titans. |
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Ian Thomas Ian Thomas Overcomes calf issue
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 7:07 PM
Thomas (calf) logged a full practice Wednesday.
Analysis: Thomas was sidelined for the Raiders' Week 15 game against the Eagles. After logging a full session, he should be ready to return Sunday against the Texans. While Thomas has logged around a 50 percent offensive snap rate in his last few healthy games, he has not reached 40 receiving yards in a game this season and has surpassed 20 yards only once. |
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Alex Bachman Alex Bachman Returns to full practice
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 7:02 PM
Bachman (thumb) practiced in full Wednesday.
Analysis: Bachman has missed the last two games with the thumb injury, but his return to a full session suggests he's in line to return for a Week 16 matchup against the Texans. He'll contribute primarily on special teams. |
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Tyler Lockett Tyler Lockett Limited practice Wednesday
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 5:37 PM
Lockett (knee) was limited at practice Wednesday.
Analysis: Lockett sustained a wrist injury in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Eagles, but Wednesday's injury report instead lists the wideout as dealing with a knee issue. In any case, Lockett has two more opportunities to practice fully before the Raiders assign injury designations ahead of this weekend's game against the Texans. Assuming he's available, Lockett's only a lineup option in deeper fantasy formats, with the Raiders having dropped eight straight games and set to face a stingy Houston defense in Week 16. |
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Geno Smith Geno Smith Full practice Wednesday
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 5:26 PM
Smith (shoulder/back) practiced fully Wednesday.
Analysis: Adam Schefter of ESPN previously reported that coach Pete Carroll said there was "a good chance" that Smith would rejoin the lineup Sunday against the Texans, and the QB's full practice participation Wednesday sets the stage for that to occur. With Smith inactive in Week 15, Kenny Pickett struggled to get the Raiders offense going in a 31-0 loss to Eagles (the team's eighth straight defeat). In his looming return to action, Smith only merits fantasy consideration in deeper, QB-friendly formats while facing a stout Houston defense. |
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Geno Smith Geno Smith Practicing Wednesday
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 1:50 PM
Smith (shoulder/back) is returning to practice Monday, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Smith didn't practice at all last week, yet Raiders coach Pete Carroll said the veteran QB had "a really good chance to be back" for Week 16 against the Texans. It's arguably a matchup between the NFL's best defense and worst offense, but Smith's presence would at least be good news for fantasy managers that are relying on TE Brock Bowers or RB Ashton Jeanty. |
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Raheem Mostert Raheem Mostert One touch in blowout loss
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 6:42 AM
Mostert caught his lone target for two yards in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Eagles.
Analysis: Mostert failed to record a single rushing attempt for the second straight week and the fourth time in 11 appearances. The veteran running back played just 10 of the Raiders' 42 offensive snaps, behind starter Ashton Jeanty (30) and ahead of Dylan Laube (2). As long as Jeanty is healthy, Mostert will retain little to no fantasy value with such limited usage. The Raiders are set to visit the Texans in Week 16. |
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Michael Mayer Michael Mayer Nonfactor against Eagles
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 6:35 AM
Mayer failed to record a single target in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Eagles.
Analysis: Mayer was not involved in Raiders' passing attack Sunday, as the tight end was held without a catch for the second time this season. The 24-year-old played just eight of the Raiders' 42 offensive snaps in the blowout loss, while starter Brock Bowers was on the field for 38 snaps. Barring an injury to Bowers, Mayer cannot be trusted for fantasy purposes. Next up for the Raiders is a Week 16 matchup against the Texans. |
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Dont'e Thornton Dont'e Thornton Not targeted against Philadelphia
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 2:18 AM
Thornton failed to record a single target in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Eagles.
Analysis: Thornton played just eight of the Raiders' 42 offensive snaps, behind fellow wide receivers Tre Tucker (39), Jack Bech (34) and Tyler Lockett (32). The rookie wideout has had an underwhelming start to his career, recording just eight receptions on 25 targets for 123 yards in 12 appearances. Thornton should continue to develop, but it appears the Raiders are unlikely to expand his role in the final stretch of the season. The Tennessee product remains far off the fantasy radar heading into a Week 16 matchup against the Texans. |
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Tre Tucker Tre Tucker Held catchless in blowout loss
Wed, Dec 17, 2025, 2:11 AM
Tucker failed to secure any of his three targets in Sunday's 31-0 loss to the Eagles.
Analysis: Tucker was held without a catch for the first time all season, despite playing 93 percent of the Raiders' offensive snaps, the most of any Las Vegas pass catcher. The 24-year-old wideout has been quiet in recent weeks, failing to score a touchdown or record at least 30 receiving yards since Week 11. Tucker's lack of significant production is directly tied to the Raiders' offensive struggles as a whole, which has limited the upside of most Las Vegas skill position players with the exception of tight end Brock Bowers. The Cincinnati product is best left out of fantasy lineups down the stretch, and he'll have a tough test in Week 16 when the Raiders visit the Texans and their formidable defense. |
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Geno Smith Geno Smith Status for Week 16 uncertain
Mon, Dec 15, 2025, 1:22 PM
Raiders head coach Pete Carroll declined Monday to state whether Smith (shoulder/back) is expected to practice Wednesday or return to action for Sunday's matchup against the Texans, Ryan McFadden of ESPN.com reports.
Analysis: Smith didn't practice in any capacity Week 15 before being ruled out for Las Vegas' blowout loss to the Eagles. Kenny Pickett will figure to draw another start if Smith is unable to return versus Houston on Sunday. Carroll had previously expressed optimism about Smith's chances of retaking the field Week 16, but it doesn't appear a more substantial update on the veteran quarterback's health will arrive until Wednesday's practice report is released. |
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Jack Bech Jack Bech Two catches in shutout loss
Sun, Dec 14, 2025, 11:08 PM
Bech brought in two of three targets for 17 yards in the Raiders' 31-0 loss to the Eagles on Sunday.
Analysis: Despite his very modest numbers, Bech was more involved than Tre Tucker, who failed to come up with any of his three targets. Bech also finished with just 11 fewer yards than team leader Brock Bowers, as spot starter Kenny Pickett averaged just 2.6 yards per attempt while throwing for 64 yards. Bech could be due for a boost in opportunity in a Week 16 road matchup against the Texans next Sunday if Geno Smith can return from his shoulder injury and/or Tyler Lockett isn't able to suit up due to the wrist injury that he suffered in the second half of Sunday's loss. |
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Ashton Jeanty Ashton Jeanty Limited opportunity in loss
Sun, Dec 14, 2025, 5:54 PM
Jeanty rushed nine times for 35 yards and brought in four of six targets for seven yards in the Raiders' 31-0 loss to the Eagles on Sunday.
Analysis: Jeanty saw his rushing opportunity curtailed by game script, as the Eagles already held a 17-0 lead by halftime. The rookie first-round pick finished with the second-most receptions on the Raiders, who were being quarterbacked by backup Kenny Pickett. Jeanty's fantasy outlook remains perpetually capped by the team's circumstances on his side of the ball, and the outlook only gets more worrisome in Week 16 when Las Vegas travels to face an elite Texans defense. |
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Kenny Pickett Kenny Pickett Extremely modest numbers in loss
Sun, Dec 14, 2025, 5:51 PM
Pickett completed 15 of 25 passes for 64 yards with no touchdowns and an interception in the Raiders' 31-0 loss to the Eagles on Sunday. He also rushed twice for seven yards.
Analysis: Pickett averaged a microscopic 2.6 yards per attempt, a figure that naturally didn't come close to helping the Raiders keep pace with Jalen Hurts and his teammates. Pickett also took four sacks and showed a fair share of rust in his first start of the season. Pickett could get a second consecutive starting nod in a difficult Week 16 road matchup against the Texans next Sunday if Geno Smith (shoulder) remains sidelined. |
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