We got a break from the seemingly endless barrage of injuries from the last few weeks, so it will be nice to focus primarily on strong performances in our article this week. In particular, we'll highlight a linebacker who is returning to elite form as well as a few younger players who are starting to emerge with larger roles on their teams.
Be sure to consult our NFL injury report and the latest fantasy football news before setting your lineups. Also check out the Weekly Projections to see how this week's matchups shape up.
Risers
SWinston was mentioned as a speculative add two weeks ago after Xavier Woods suffered a hamstring injury. Woods returned Sunday to play 93 percent of defensive snaps, yet Winston also maintained his 100 percent snap rate. The Titans are moving to three-safety looks in the secondary, with Winston primarily playing in the slot. That will keep him near the line of scrimmage and in position to continue to rack up tackles.
LBFranklin has been one of the biggest IDP busts for most of the season. Perhaps he was slowed by an undisclosed injury in the early portions of the campaign, because he's finally starting to deliver as expected. Franklin has double-digit tackles in three straight games, while also logging a sack and a forced fumble in that span. He looks to be an elite contributor once again for the most pivotal parts of the season.
Terrell Burgess/Jordan Howden 
S
Justin Reid attempted to play through a knee injury in Sunday's loss to the Dolphins, but he was ultimately only able to play two defensive snaps. Head coach Kellen Moore indicated that Reid would likely miss additional time, creating an ongoing opportunity for both Howden and Burgess to see increased snap rates. In Week 13, Howden had the higher snap count and better role (snaps in the box and at free safety), so he'd be the preferred option. However, both players are potential risers that need to be monitored for fantasy IDP purposes.
SRansom received a one-game audition with a full defensive snap share, as Tre'von Moehrig was suspended. He delivered a season-high 11 tackles as well as his first career sack. Ransom is likely to return to a minimal defensive role in Week 14, but he's a name to keep on watch lists should Carolina shift their defensive scheme or should additional opportunities otherwise emerge.
DETurner has had the chance to emerge as a key member of the Minnesota defense with Jonathan Greenard battling a shoulder injury for the last few weeks. He's taken advantage with 4.0 sacks combined across his last three games, and he remained the starter and primary snap-earner even once Greenard returned in Week 13. Turner had a slow start to his career after being selected in the first round of the 2024 draft, but he looks to have found his footing and should continue to get run with the Vikings all but out of playoff contention.
SNot much has gone right for the Raiders this season, so it's only fair to highlight the few bright spots for the team. Chinn has been one, and he logged a career-high 17 stops in Week 13 – his third game with double-digit tackles this season. After struggling to find a consistent role and fit early in his career, Chinn is well on pace to log his second consecutive 100-tackle season and should have a career year.
LBThere's playing through injury, and then there's playing in a football game only two weeks after having surgery to treat testicular cancer. That's exactly what Singleton did in Week 13, returning from a one-game absence to play 89 of 90 defensive snaps in Sunday's loss. His stat line was a bit muted relative to his typical standard, but this was still an impressive showing from Singleton, and for fantasy IDP purposes he should be started confidently moving forward.
Fallers
Nubin returned from a two-game absence in Monday's blowout loss, but he didn't regain his starting role. Instead, Dane Belton was on the field to begin the game and ultimately played a modest four snaps more than Nubin. Nubin still made a solid impact in the game with six tackles, including four solo and one for a loss, but his decreased snap rate is nevertheless a concern.
Abdul Carter 
DE
Carter ended up rebounding from his second benching in the last three weeks to record the first full sack of his career Monday, but he's had a disappointing rookie campaign both on and off the field. His 12 quarterback hits suggest he deserves better in terms of a sack total, but the expectations were higher when he was selected third overall in the 2025 draft.
SThe situation in Washington was a modified version of what occurred in New York, described above, as Harris returned a nearly two-month absence. He was on the field for a majority of defensive snaps, but still ceded roughly 20 snaps to Reaves. Perhaps that changes moving forward as Harris gets his playing legs back underneath him, but any split in playing time would affect him down the stretch.
