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FFL: Week 14 | NFL: Week 14

Ben Roethlisberger: Might be time for Steelers, Mike Tomlin to part ways

Wed Dec 3 5:23pm ET
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Steelers great Ben Roethlisberger said Wednesday that it could be time for coach Mike Tomlin to depart Pittsburgh.

Roethlisberger stated on his podcast that Tomlin would be better off with a new job and the Steelers just might benefit with a new head coach.

Tomlin is in his 19th season as Pittsburgh coach. Roethlisberger was the quarterback for 15 of those seasons and played his entire 18-year career with the Steelers.

Roethlisberger even suggested the Penn State college coaching vacancy as something that might fit Tomlin, who has a record of 189-113-2 (.625) as a head coach, 8-11 in the postseason, including the Super Bowl title in 2008.

"It's being talked about around here a lot: Maybe it's a clean-house time. Maybe it's time," Roethlisberger said. "I like Coach Tomlin. I have a lot of respect for Coach Tomlin. But maybe it's best for him, too. Maybe a fresh start for him is what's best. Whether that's in the pros, maybe go be Penn State's head coach. You know what he would do in Penn State? He would probably go win national championships. Because he's a great recruiter."

The Steelers (6-6) have lost five of their last seven games after a 4-1 start despite having four-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers as quarterback. Pittsburgh is tied for first place in the AFC North with the Baltimore Ravens.

The Steelers visit Baltimore on Sunday.

Roethlisberger said he doesn't want to see Pittsburgh fire Tomlin. He feels it's best to seek a split where both sides can start over.

"Here's what you don't do: You don't fire a guy like Coach Tomlin," Roethlisberger said. "He's a Hall of Fame head coach, he's respected. What you do is you come to an understanding and agreement, and it's like, ‘Hey, listen, I think it's probably best for both of us.'"

The Steelers have dropped six straight playoff games, starting with a loss to the New England Patriots in the 2016 season AFC Championship Game.

A 13-win Pittsburgh team was upset by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the following's season divisional round and the Steelers have gone down in the wild-card round on four occasions, including last season's 28-14 loss to the Ravens with Russell Wilson as quarterback.

Roethlisberger pointed out the Steelers have seen longstanding coaches go before. Chuck Noll was on the job for 23 seasons before Bill Cowher spent 15 seasons in Pittsburgh prior to Tomlin.

"You go, ‘Hey, coach, listen, it's probably best for all parties involved, let's start over.' It happened with Chuck Noll, it happened with Coach Cowher," Roethlisberger said. "Coach Tomlin's been here a long time. You'd give him a statue, whatever you've got to do, because he deserves it, he's earned it. But it's time to find that next guy. Who's that next guy that could be here for the next 20 years?"

Roethlisberger mentioned how the Philadelphia Eagles faced a similar fork with Andy Reid as coach. The two parted ways after the 2012 season after 14 seasons and no Super Bowl titles.

The Eagles have since won two crowns and Reid has won three as coach of the Kansas City Chiefs.

"I think he might say it's time for a fresh start," Roethlisberger said of Tomlin. "Andy Reid, when he got let go in Philadelphia ... do you think he for one minute regrets it? And now the Eagles have won since he left, and he's won."

The Steelers last won the Super Bowl in the 2008 season when Roethlisberger was quarterback and Tomlin was in his second campaign as head coach. Roethlisberger also won the Super Bowl in the 2005 season when Cowher was head coach.

Roethlisberger passed for 64,088 yards, 418 touchdowns and 211 interceptions in 249 games (247 starts) with Pittsburgh. He stands sixth in career passing yards, eighth in career touchdown passes and was a six-time Pro Bowl selection.

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Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 14

Player Notes
Mike Evans Dec 3 5:20pm CT
Mike Evans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (collarbone) was listed as limited in the team's walkthrough practice on Wednesday, according to FOX Sports' Greg Auman. Evans has made good progress since breaking his collarbone in Week 7, but the Bucs will re-evaluate him later this week before determining if they'll activate him from Injured Reserve so that he can play on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints. The 32-year-old future Hall of Famer should not be floating around on the waiver wire in fantasy leagues, even if Tampa decides to wait another week to activate him. The six-time Pro Bowler will break a ridiculous streak of 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons due to injuries this year, but he still has the potential to be a difference-maker for fantasy managers in the playoffs. Evans' impending return is more bad news for slumping rookie first-round wideout Emeka Egbuka.

From RotoBaller

Mark Andrews Dec 3 5:10pm CT
Mark Andrews

Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews agreed to terms on a three-year, $39.3 million contract extension with the team on Wednesday that includes $26 million guaranteed, sources tell Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Andrews is the franchise's all-time leading receiver, who was in the final year of his deal. The 2026 campaign will be his ninth with the team after the Ravens drafted him in the third round in 2018. Andrews is going strong and currently has 473 career catches for 5,826 yards and 56 touchdowns. The 30-year-old veteran isn't nearly as consistent as he's been in the past for fantasy managers, but he's managed 37 catches on 52 targets for 332 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games in 2025, good enough to make him the TE13 in half-PPR scoring. Isaiah Likely's presence in Baltimore makes Andrews more volatile in fantasy, but he'll be a low-end TE1 this weekend against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers.

From RotoBaller

Bucky Irving Dec 3 5:10pm CT
Bucky Irving

Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (shoulder) is still on the team's injury report and was listed as limited in practice on Wednesday, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Irving returned in last Sunday's win over the Arizona Cardinals for the first time since Week 4 due to a dislocated shoulder and a foot sprain. Tampa was expected to ease the 23-year-old RB back in, but he ended up handling a healthy 17 carries for 61 yards (3.6 yards per tote) and two rushing touchdowns on 52% of the offensive snaps. Irving added two catches on two targets for 20 yards. Surprisingly, Sean Tucker played just 15% of the snaps. Irving should be fine to play in Week 14 against the division-rival New Orleans Saints, and he should see an even bigger share of the backfield work. As long as Irving doesn't have a setback with his shoulder, he should be considered an RB1 in fantasy in his second game back.

From RotoBaller

Chris Olave Dec 3 5:00pm CT
Chris Olave

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (back) was listed as a non-participant during Wednesday's practice due to a back injury, according to FOX Sports' Greg Auman. Olave dealt with some back spasms late last week and was considered questionable to play in Week 13 against the Miami Dolphins, but he ended up playing and catching four of seven targets for 47 yards and his fifth touchdown of the year. The 25-year-old's back flared up after Sunday's game in Miami, though, which could make him questionable for the second straight week. As long as Olave is able to return to practice later this week, though, he should be able to play this weekend versus the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Olave is a must-start fantasy wideout when he's active. In the previous meeting with Tampa on Oct. 26, Olave caught eight of his 12 targets for 63 yards.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Dec 3 4:50pm CT
Alvin Kamara

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (ankle, knee) is missing another practice on Wednesday, according to Greg Auman of FOX Sports. Kamara sprained his MCL in the Week 12 loss to the Atlanta Falcons and did not play in the Week 13 loss to the Miami Dolphins after missing practice all of last week. With the Saints well out of playoff contention, it seems likely that the 30-year-old will miss another game this weekend when the team takes on the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Kamara out last Sunday, rookie Devin Neal made his first career start and played a season-high 82% of the offensive snaps, taking 17 touches for 69 yards from scrimmage. In a plus matchup, Neal will be on the RB2/3 borderline for fantasy managers as New Orleans' lead back if Kamara is forced to sit out another game.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Monangai Dec 3 4:40pm CT
Kyle Monangai

Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai (ankle) was a non-participant on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. It's the first time that Monangai has been on the injury report with an ankle injury since back in Week 10. The Bears could be giving the 23-year-old some extra rest this week, but it's a situation to monitor closely for fantasy managers ahead of the team's big Week 14 divisional matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Monangai has seen double-digit carries in five of the last seven weeks for the Bears as he becomes a much bigger part of their offense. In last week's win over the Eagles, the seventh-rounder had 22 carries for 130 yards and a touchdown to bump his TD streak up to four straight games. If his ankle injury is serious enough to make him limited or keep him out entirely this weekend, D'Andre Swift would have clear RB1 upside as Chicago's workhorse RB.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Daniels Dec 3 4:40pm CT
Jayden Daniels

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, according to Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post. Daniels is back at practice after dislocating his left (non-throwing) elbow back in Week 9, but he has yet to be cleared for contact and is up in the air to return on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 14. The Commanders plan on waiting until Friday to re-evaluate the 24-year-old second-year signal-caller. There's a chance that Daniels will be able to return in Minnesota, but the Commanders will probably play it extra safe with their franchise QB, and he'll likely need to upgrade to a full practice before the week is over to have a realistic shot of playing. Washington won't be afraid to give Marcus Mariota his seventh start of the year if they are on the fence about Daniels' status.

From RotoBaller

Rome Odunze Dec 3 4:30pm CT
Rome Odunze

Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice session, according to the team's official website. Odunze last appeared on the injury report in Week 11 with an ankle injury, and it's been common for the second-year wideout to miss practice on Wednesdays this season as the team manages his workload. The 23-year-old hasn't missed a game this season, though, and he will likely be good to go for Sunday against the Packers, barring something unforeseen. Odunze's production has fallen off in recent weeks, as he's recorded three receptions or fewer in six of his last eight games with only one touchdown during that time. He projects as more of a WR3 for Week 14 against a tough Green Bay Packers defense, assuming he can suit up.

From RotoBaller

Daniel Jones Dec 3 4:00pm CT
Daniel Jones

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (fibula) was listed as a full participant in Wednesday's practice session, according to the team's official website. Jones' full participation on Wednesday is an estimation, as the Colts conducted a walk-through. It was reported last week that the 28-year-old signal-caller is playing through a fractured fibula, and his production has cooled off a bit in recent weeks after an excellent start to the season. Jones has completed 67.9% of his passes for 3,041 yards with 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions while adding 44 carries for 160 yards and five rushing touchdowns in 12 starts this season. The veteran quarterback will continue playing through the injury and will look to return to his early-season form for a big divisional game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14.

From RotoBaller

Josh Downs Dec 3 3:50pm CT
Josh Downs

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (hip, knee) was a non-participant during Wednesday's practice session, according to the team's official website. Downs last appeared on the injury report in Week 9 with a hip injury, but it appears he picked up a knee injury during the Colts' Week 13 loss to the Houston Texans. The 24-year-old's production has faded lately as he's taken a back seat to the Colts' other talented pass-catchers. He's recorded just five receptions for 57 yards on 14 targets in the past three games after seeing a season high of nine targets in Week 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Downs' participation in practice will be monitored in the next two days, but even if he suits up for Week 14's game against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars, he projects more as a deep-league flex option in PPR formats.

From RotoBaller

Harrison Phillips Dec 3 3:43pm CT
Harrison Phillips

New York Jets S Tony Adams (groin), CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr. (hip), DE Jermaine Johnson (ankle), DT Harrison Phillips (non-injury), LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball (hamstring) and CB Qwan'tez Stiggers (concussion) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 3. DE Will McDonald (ankle) was limited during practice, while LB Cam Jones (hip) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

Andrew Billings Dec 3 3:33pm CT
Andrew Billings

Chicago Bears LB Ruben Hyppolite II (shoulder), RB Kyle Monangai (ankle), WR Rome Odunze (foot) and CB Tyrique Stevenson (hip) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 3. LB T.J. Edwards (hamstring, hand) was limited during practice. DT Andrew Billings (concussion), CB Jaylon Johnson (groin), DE Dominique Robinson (concussion) and LB Noah Sewell (elbow) fully participated in practice. The Bears did not hold a practice Wednesday, so the report is an estimation.

From TheHuddle

Brock Wright Dec 3 3:30pm CT
Brock Wright

Detroit Lions tight end Brock Wright (neck) has been ruled out for Thursday night's game against the Dallas Cowboys, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. Wright was a non-participant every day in practice this week and isn't expected to return anytime soon after head coach Dan Campbell revealed his injury involves his trachea, and that it could be a long-term issue. The 27-year-old was expected to serve as the Lions' top tight end after Sam LaPorta (back) was placed on Injured Reserve, but Wright may miss the remainder of the season. Ross Dwelley stepped up and played the majority of snaps in Week 13 against the Green Bay Packers with Anthony Firkser mixing in, and both figure to split the reps on Thursday night against the Cowboys. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for help at the TE position.

From RotoBaller

Kalif Raymond Dec 3 3:30pm CT
Kalif Raymond

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (ankle) has officially been ruled out for Thursday night's matchup versus the Dallas Cowboys. The 31-year-old hasn't practiced since suffering an ankle injury during Detroit's overtime win over the New York Giants in Week 12 and will miss his third consecutive game. The Lions have multiple injuries at wide receiver and tight end, with star wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) questionable for Thursday, as well as tight ends Sam LaPorta (back) and Brock Wright (neck) facing extended absences. Rookie third-rounder Isaac TeSlaa is expected to see an increase in opportunities with Detroit's injuries piling up, and he's flashed upside in limited action, with three of his six receptions this season going for touchdowns.

From RotoBaller

Eric Murray Dec 3 3:13pm CT
Eric Murray

Jacksonville Jaguars WR Parker Washington (hip), OT Walker Little (concussion), DE Travon Walker (knee) and S Andrew Wingard (concussion) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Dec. 3. OT Chuma Edoga (calf), OG Patrick Mekari (concussion), DT Arik Armstead (hand), DE Danny Striggow (knee), LB Devin Lloyd (chest), LB Foyesade Oluokun (hamstring), P Logan Cooke (shoulder) and LS Ross Matiscik (back) were limited during practice. CB Jourdan Lewis (neck) and S Eric Murray (neck) fully participated in practice.

From TheHuddle

Amon-Ra St. Brown Dec 3 3:03pm CT
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Detroit Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) is listed as questionable for Week 14 against the Dallas Cowboys.

Fantasy Spin: The team has been silent about his exact chances of playing, but he has been limited in practice. Wait for inactives but have a backup plan in case he is ruled out.

From TheHuddle

Amon-Ra St. Brown Dec 3 3:00pm CT
Amon-Ra St. Brown

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (ankle) is officially listed as questionable to play on Thursday night against the visiting Dallas Cowboys, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. St. Brown missed the first two practices on a short week, and he admitted on Tuesday that he's unsure if he'll be able to play in Week 14 after he suffered a low-ankle sprain early in the Thanksgiving Day loss to the Green Bay Packers last Thursday. The 26-year-old figures to be a game-time decision on Thursday evening. Normally a must-start in fantasy football lineups when healthy, he'll be a much more volatile option if he's active, even in a great matchup against Dallas. St. Brown will most likely be less than 100% if he's active, and Detroit could use him as a decoy. Rookie Isaac TeSlaa and Tom Kennedy will see more playing time behind Jameson Williams if St. Brown is ruled out.

From RotoBaller

Omarion Hampton Dec 3 2:50pm CT
Omarion Hampton

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters on Wednesday that rookie first-round running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) is "on track and looking good" to come off Injured Reserve and play on Monday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 14, per Omar Ruiz of NFL Network. "He's ramping up," Harbaugh said when asked about his confidence level on whether Hampton will play on Monday. The 22-year-old from North Carolina has been out since Week 5 due to a fracture in his ankle, but he's trending toward playing in Week 14. It's perfect timing with the fantasy football playoffs starting in most leagues next week. However, Hampton still isn't a lock to play on Monday, and if he does, the Chargers are expected to have a shared backfield with Hampton and Kimani Vidal to ease Hampton back into the fold. The Chargers hold their first official practice of the week on Thursday, so check back to see what Hampton's participation is.

From RotoBaller

Justin Herbert Dec 3 2:30pm CT
Justin Herbert

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters that quarterback Justin Herbert (hand) will not practice on Wednesday during the team's walkthrough, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Herbert had surgery to fix a broken bone in his left (non-throwing) hand on Monday, and the Chargers are not ready to say whether he will be able to play on Monday Night Football in Week 14 versus the visiting Philadelphia Eagles. The Bolts won't hold their first official practice of the week until Thursday. Herbert said he plans on playing through his broken hand, although he's probably not going to see much practice time this week. With a tough matchup looming against Philly and the injury to boot, Herbert is trending as more of a QB2 for fantasy managers this week if he's active. Backup Trey Lance, who will see first-team goal-line reps this week in practice, would make his first start of the year if Herbert isn't cleared.

From RotoBaller

George Pickens Dec 3 2:10pm CT
George Pickens

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens (calf, knee) has been cleared from the injury report and will play Thursday night against the Detroit Lions, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports. Pickens was listed as a limited participant on Monday with multiple injuries, but he was upgraded to full on Tuesday. The 24-year-old has excelled in his first season in Dallas, recording 73 receptions for 1,142 yards and eight touchdowns on 105 targets in 12 games. He is one of just three wide receivers to already clear 1,000 yards, along with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Puka Nacua. Pickens again profiles as an elite fantasy football option in a matchup with the highest projected point total of the week versus the Lions on Thursday night.

From RotoBaller