Las Vegas add Terrell Edmunds to shore up a thinning secondary after Lonnie Johnson Jr. suffered an injury that will keep him out for a stretch. Edmunds, a veteran safety with a first-round pedigree, immediately injects experience into a room led by two hopefuls in Chris Smith and Trey Taylor.

Edmunds’ track record—79 games, 75 starts, 410 tackles across five seasons with Pittsburgh, plus stops with Philadelphia, Tennessee and a brief Jaguars stint—gives the Raiders a steadying presence. He figures to be in the mix as a depth piece and could slide into a larger role if Pola-Mao or Chinn (or another veteran) were to miss time. For fantasy, Edmunds isn’t a big splash, but the extra floor in tackles and occasional passes defended could help deeper leagues if he wins regular snaps.

The Las Vegas Raiders have signed veteran cornerback Lonnie Johnson Jr. to bolster their secondary, especially after losing key players in free agency. Johnson, who had a standout season in 2021 with three interceptions and 55 tackles, appears set to contribute primarily on special teams, while also providing depth in the defensive backfield. As he joins the Raiders, Johnson is positioned behind Isaiah Pola-Mao and Thomas Harper on the depth chart for free safety.

While Johnson's contract situation remains unclear, the Raiders aim to build a more resilient defense after a season plagued by injuries. With the emphasis on establishing a new culture under the current coaching staff, Johnson's experience and tackling capabilities could potentially be utilized in blitz-heavy schemes, particularly with the pass-rushing strategy following Maxx Crosby's significant contract extension. If executed well, the Raiders' defensive front could become one of the fiercest in the NFL.

The Carolina Panthers will head into Week 18 without their standout cornerback, Jaycee Horn, who has been ruled out due to a hip injury. Horn, the only Panthers player selected for the Pro Bowl this season, did not participate in practice throughout the week and also missed the previous game. Despite his absence, Horn's impressive 2024 season included 68 combined tackles, 5 tackles for loss, 13 pass defenses, and 1 interception, marking a significant milestone in his career.

With Horn sidelined, the Panthers will likely rely on cornerbacks Michael Jackson and Caleb Farley during their matchup against the Atlanta Falcons on January 5. The Panthers have also listed four other players as inactive for the game, including linebackers Amare Barno, DJ Johnson, and Josey Jewell, along with cornerback Lonnie Johnson. Notably, Jewell has been a key player for the Panthers, starting 12 games and recording 97 combined tackles this season.

As the Panthers prepare for the crucial game against the Falcons, they face additional injury concerns. Offensive tackle Robert Hunt is questionable due to a knee injury, while fellow offensive tackle Taylor Moton and defensive tackle A'Shawn Robinson are also uncertain after limited participation in practice. However, running back Miles Sanders has returned to full practice and is also listed as questionable.

The Falcons, needing a win to secure a playoff spot, will face the Panthers at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. They must win and hope for a loss from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to clinch their first postseason berth since 2017. The game is set to kick off at 1 pm ET, coinciding with the Buccaneers' matchup against the New Orleans Saints.