December 22, 2025
Memphis Grizzlies forward/center
Brandon Clarke (calf) will be re-evaluated in three weeks, the team announced on Monday. He was diagnosed with a Grade 2 right calf strain. It's an awful blow for the 29-year-old big man, as Clarke has already spent the majority of the season on the sidelines. After having offseason knee surgery, Clarke was finally cleared to return to action last week. He played only two contests before landing back on the shelf. With
Zach Edey (ankle) also out,
Jaren Jackson Jr.,
Santi Aldama, and
Jock Landale will handle the bulk of the work in the frontcourt. On Monday, Memphis also brought in
Christian Koloko on a 10-day deal for additional depth.
--Taavi PailkSource: Memphis Grizzlies PR
December 22, 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back
Jordan Mason (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Vikings conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Both Mason and
Aaron Jones exited during the first quarter of Sunday's win over the New York Giants, but Jones returned while Mason did not. In fact, Mason had to be carted to the locker room, so it's possible that his injury is severe and could lead to a multi-week absence. The 26-year-old is especially unlikely to play in Week 17, since the Vikings have a quick turnaround. Minnesota faces the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day (Thursday), leaving Mason just three days to get healthy. If he doesn't suit up,
Zavier Scott will back up
Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle).
--Andersen PickardSource: Kevin Seifert
December 22, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard
Craig Porter Jr. (illness) will rejoin the action on Monday against the Charlotte Hornets. He has been cleared to return from a one-game absence after the team initially listed Porter Jr. as probable for the contest. With
Donovan Mitchell (illness) and
Sam Merrill (hand) also back in the lineup, Porter Jr. will have a limited role in the rotation and won't offer much fantasy value. During the season, the 25-year-old has posted 5.0 points, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 16.4 minutes per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (right hand) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Vikings conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. McCarthy exited during the middle of the Vikings' Week 16 contest and was unable to return. Video from the FOX broadcast showed McCarthy in serious pain, so between his pain level and Monday's injury report, it seems like there's a very real chance the former first-round pick misses Week 17 against the Detroit Lions. To make matters worse for McCartyhy, the Vikings and Lions have a short week, playing on Christmas Day (Thursday). He only has a few days to get healthy for Week 17. Otherwise,
Max Brosmer would be in line to start against Detroit.
--Andersen PickardSource: Kevin Seifert
December 22, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard/forward
Sam Merrill (hand) has received the green light to play on Monday against the Charlotte Hornets. He has been out of commission since Nov. 17 due to a right-hand sprain. Merrill is in the midst of a career year, averaging 13.9 points per game on fabulous 44.4 three-point shooting. On Monday, he may have to rely more on his two-point shot to score, as Charlotte gives up the fourth-fewest three-point attempts in the league.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Cleveland Cavaliers guard
Donovan Mitchell (illness) will return from a one-game absence on Monday versus the Charlotte Hornets. The Cleveland star missed Friday's matchup against the Chicago Bulls, but he was expected to return on Monday night after the team listed him as probable on the initial injury report. Mitchell returns in a good spot, as Charlotte is among the NBA's worst defensive teams, ranked 24th in defensive efficiency. He could also have some additional motivation to perform well on Monday after producing a 17-point dud on 25 percent shooting in his previous clash against the Hornets. Mitchell's return will push
Tyrese Proctor back to the second unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Lions conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. The 26-year-old is coming off a relatively disappointing contest in which he caught four of his nine targets for 54 yards while handling a season-high 97% snap share. He did handle an increased target share on the final drive of the game, but two of his catches (including a touchdown) were called back due to penalties. The Lions have a quick turnaround before playing again on Thursday against the Minnesota Vikings, so St. Brown only has a few days to get healthy. If he suits up in Week 17, he'll be a WR1.
--Andersen PickardSource: Eric Woodyard
December 22, 2025
Indiana Pacers point guard
T.J. McConnell (knee) will miss Monday's contest against the Boston Celtics. The team has downgraded McConnell's status from questionable to out. The veteran guard is considered day-to-day with a sore left knee. Starting point guard
Andrew Nembhard will probably play a bit more with McConnell on the shelf, while
Quenton Jackson,
Ethan Thompson, and
Garrison Mathews could also get some extra minutes in the rotation. Boston allows the third-fewest fantasy points to point guards, making this a tough matchup for Indiana's playmakers.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Ladd McConkey bounced back in Week 16 after two quiet outings, leading the team with six targets and finishing with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown in the 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys. It was a much-needed get-right performance, as McConkey reasserted himself as Herbert's primary chain-mover and red-zone option, bringing his season total to six touchdowns. However, Week 17 presents a dramatically tougher matchup against the Houston Texans, who boast one of the league's most suffocating pass defenses. Houston ranks near the top in EPA per pass, completion percentage allowed, interception rate, pressure rate, and total yards allowed. With the Texans generating consistent pressure and limiting downfield opportunities, McConkey may be limited to short-area targets and modest volume, making him a volatile WR3 rather than a dependable fantasy starter.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
December 22, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
Collin Sexton (quadriceps) has been ruled out for Monday's meeting with the Cleveland Cavaliers. This was expected after Sexton was listed on the initial injury report as doubtful. With Sexton out for a seventh consecutive game, there will be around 25 minutes of action available to be shared around in the backcourt.
LaMelo Ball could be set for a busy night, with
Tre Mann,
KJ Simpson, and
Sion James all potentially having larger roles to play. However, this is a tough matchup for Charlotte's backcourt, as Cleveland has produced solid defensive numbers against opposing guards.
--Taavi PailkSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Tre' Harris continued to earn
Justin Herbert's trust, catching four passes for 54 yards on five targets and finishing second on the team in receiving yards in the 34-17 win over Dallas. Despite seeing his snap share cut nearly in half with
Quentin Johnston back in the lineup, Harris still posted an 18% target share, tying Johnston and
Keenan Allen. Harris has now seen ten targets over the last two games, an impressive trend given his fluctuating playing time. Week 17 brings a much tougher test against the Houston Texans, one of the league's most dominant pass defenses, ranking near the top in EPA per pass, pressure rate, yards allowed, and interceptions. With Houston limiting explosive plays and Harris still splitting work with veterans, his upside is capped, making him a risky flex option in deeper formats.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back
Omarion Hampton delivered in the team's 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys, rushing 16 times for 85 yards and a touchdown while averaging an impressive 5.3 yards per carry. Hampton handled 62% of the team's rushing attempts, especially after
Kimani Vidal exited with a neck injury, and consistently showed more burst and decisiveness than his backfield mates. He also contributed as a receiver, adding a 10-yard catch. Heading into Week 17, Hampton could see an expanded role if Vidal misses time, though Houston presents a much stiffer challenge. The Texans rank among the top seven run defenses, allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards this season. Still, with the Chargers leaning on the ground game and Hampton's explosiveness standing out, he profiles as a volume-based RB2 with RB1 upside.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
December 22, 2025
New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (undisclosed) won't be available for Tuesday's tilt against the New Jersey Devils. The team announced that Sorokin is dealing with a nagging injury. He is expected to return to the lineup after the Christmas break. Sorokin has blown hot and cold in 2025-26, posting a 12-10-2 record. He has registered three shutouts with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage. The Russian netminder began December with a five-game winning streak before losing back-to-back starts. David Rittich is expected to start on Tuesday, with Marcus Hogberg being called up from the minors to provide cover.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 22, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
DK Metcalf is being suspended for two games without pay due to his confrontation with a fan during their victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon. Metcalf was seen physically confronting the fan during the contest. However, Pelissero noted that the lead wideout is planning to appeal his suspension as he has already reported this same fan to security last season. During their thrilling victory over the Lions, Metcalf brought in just four of his nine targets for 42 yards. However, during Weeks 14 and 15, Metcalf averaged a strong 18.1 PPR points per game and tallied 101.5 yards per game. If Metcalf were to lose his appeal, the team's top wideout would not be eligible to participate in their final two games of the regular season. This would leave
Calvin Austin III (hamstring) as the tentative WR1, if he can suit up, as he suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday. With his status potentially in doubt as well, managers should expect both running backs,
Jaylen Warren and
Kenneth Gainwell, to see an even higher target share in their Week 17 tilt against the Browns.
--Andy SmithSource: Tom Pelissero
December 22, 2025
New Orleans Pelicans forward
Herbert Jones (illness) will play on Monday against the Mavericks. He popped up on the injury report because of migraine headaches. However, it won't keep him off the floor. The 27-year-old has averaged only 9.8 points this season. While that kind of production doesn't make him a viable fantasy option in most formats, his presence will be felt on the defensive side of the ball, which could mean below-average contributions from
Cooper Flagg (back) and
P.J. Washington.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie tight end
Oronde Gadsden saw his role shrink significantly in the team's 34-17 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, recording just one catch for seven yards while playing only 59% of the snaps and posting a 3.5% target share. This marked his lowest usage since becoming a regular contributor, continuing a troubling post-bye trend in which his snap rate has dipped as the Chargers prioritize pass protection for their depleted offensive line. For the first time since Week 2, veteran
Will Dissly out-targeted Gadsden, highlighting the rookie's diminishing involvement. Week 17 brings a difficult matchup against the Houston Texans, who rank among the top pass defenses and top-10 units against tight ends in yards allowed. With declining playing time, reduced targets, and a challenging opponent, Gadsden should not be trusted in fantasy lineups during championship week.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
December 22, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Jordan Walsh (illness) won't play on Monday against Indiana. He's not feeling well. Fortunately, the C's aren't back in action until Friday for a rematch versus the Pacers, so he'll have time to feel better. Walsh is easily having the best season of his career. He's also started 16 times, averaging 8.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.3 steals in those appearances. However, now that he's on the shelf for Monday's contest,
Sam Hauser and
Hugo Gonzalez could see more minutes, giving both players a bump in fantasy expectations.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Philadelphia Flyers center Christian Dvorak (lower body) will play on Monday against the Vancouver Canucks, returning from a one-game absence. A lower-body injury forced Dvorak to miss Saturday's matchup against the New York Rangers. Luckily for the Flyers, he has made a quick recovery and will rejoin the first line on Monday night. Dvorak also skates on the second power-play unit. Recently, Dvorak enjoyed his best offensive spell of the season, notching seven points (one goal, six assists) over a six-game stretch. He sits third in scoring on his team, boasting 23 points (seven goals, 16 assists) in 33 contests. Monday's matchup is a good one for Dvorak and the Flyers, as Vancouver allows 3.34 goals per game.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 22, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder guard/forward
Alex Caruso (finger) won't suit up for Monday's meeting with Memphis. The 31-year-old has been on and off the injury report all season. This time, he'll be sidelined by a sprained right middle finger. He's averaged only 5.8 points, 3.1 boards, and 1.8 steals throughout the 2025 campaign, so he hasn't been an every day fantasy option. With
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf),
Jaylin Williams (heel), and
Chet Holmgren (illness) also out, Caruso could have gotten more involved. However, it appears
Kenrich Williams will see extra work, even more so if
Aaron Wiggins (adductor) doesn't play.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson (upper body) participated in the morning skate but won't play on Monday versus the Philadelphia Flyers, missing an eighth consecutive game. Canucks head coach Adam Foote hopes that Pettersson can return in the first or second game after the holiday break. In 28 appearances, Pettersson has recorded 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists), leading all Canucks forwards in scoring. He has also averaged nearly two blocks per game and one hit. David Kampf has seen time in the top six during Pettersson's absence, though he's having a really difficult time in 2025-26, posting one goal and zero assists in 15 games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 22, 2025
Seattle Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour (hand) has been ruled out for four weeks after having surgery. The versatile blue-liner injured his hand last week and will miss a third consecutive game on Monday night against the Anaheim Ducks. In 27 outings this season, Montour has registered 16 points (six goals, 10 assists), 68 shots, 35 blocks, and 34 hits. He averages nearly 22 minutes of ice time, so the Kraken have a big gap to fill on the backline. Josh Mahura has entered the lineup during Montour's absence, while Jamie Oleksiak and Adam Larsson have seen their workload increase.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 22, 2025
Utah Jazz forward
Lauri Markkanen (groin) will play on Monday against Denver after missing the last two contests. The 2017 No. 7 overall pick has had a fantastic 2025 campaign, averaging a career-high 27.8 points, adding 7.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals. Of course, that kind of production makes him a must-start in all fantasy setups, with his return likely resulting in
Kyle Filipowski heading back to the bench.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Miles Wood (lower body) will be available after a one-game absence on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. Due to a lower-body injury, he was a late scratch for Saturday's matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. Wood has contributed eight goals and four assists in 28 outings, delivering 35 hits. However, Wood hasn't produced any offense in six straight appearances. Columbus tries to spark Wood on Monday by pairing him with two creative players, Dimitri Voronkov and Sean Monahan, on the third line.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 22, 2025
Charlotte Hornets center
Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) won't play on Monday against Cleveland. The rookie will miss his third contest of the 2025 campaign, so his next chance to suit up will be on Tuesday versus the Washington Wizards. Without him,
Moussa Diabate is the favorite to enter the starting lineup. The 23-year-old has started twice this season, averaging 8.5 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 1.0 steals. However, his statistical contributions could improve, considering
Evan Mobley (calf) remains sidelined.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (lower body) will miss Monday's matchup against the Los Angeles Kings. The good news is that the team considers Werenski day-to-day. He sustained a lower-body injury while blocking a shot in Saturday's loss to the Anaheim Ducks. After Monday night, Columbus will be off until Sunday, giving Werenski plenty of time to recover. Werenski and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche are the only defensemen this season to reach the 40-point plateau. Only three points separate the two, with Werenski producing 40 points (14 goals, 26 assists) in 35 games. Jake Christiansen is expected to take Werenski's place in the lineup on Monday, while Ivan Provorov will replace him on the first power-play unit.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 22, 2025
Boston Celtics forward
Jaylen Brown (illness) will play against Indiana. He didn't suit up for Saturday's win over the Toronto Raptors, marking only his second absence of the 2025 campaign. Fortunately, the illness won't keep him off the floor for more than one contest. The 29-year-old has had a fantastic season, averaging a career-high 29.3 points. That trend should continue versus the Pacers, a team that has had their share of struggles defensively this season.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (lower body) won't play in Monday's contest against the Seattle Kraken and is day-to-day. This will be Anaheim's final contest before the Christmas break, so Carlsson will get a good amount of time to recover from his lower-body injury before the next game on Saturday against the Los Angeles Kings. It has been an incredible season for Carlsson, who has a good chance to surpass his last campaign's scoring total (45 points) before the turn of the year. Across 36 outings, he has produced 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists). Mikael Granlund will move into the top six on Monday and looks like an appealing fantasy option after scoring in three consecutive games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 22, 2025
Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center
Chet Holmgren (illness) won't play on Monday against Memphis.
Isaiah Hartenstein (calf) and
Jaylin Williams (heel) are also sidelined, so OKC will be thin at the five spot. To make matters worse,
Aaron Wiggins (adductor) is questionable. As a result,
Jalen Williams might be spending most of his time at the power forward position, with
Kenrich Williams in line to enter the starting lineup, giving him a bump in streaming value versus a Grizzlies team that is without
Brandon Clarke (calf) and
Zach Edey (ankle)
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Charlotte Hornets guard
LaMelo Ball (wrist) will play on Monday against Cleveland. The 24-year-old has missed 10 games this season for various ailments. Fortunately, that trend won't continue, with Ball in line to suit up for his third-straight contest. He has struggled offensively this season, averaging 19.2 points, down from the 2024 campaign, although he's at least amassed a career-high 8.6 assists per contest. Despite his struggles on the offensive end, Ball is a must-start in any format, and his scoring issues could improve somewhat now that
Ryan Kalkbrenner (elbow) won't suit up.
--Dennis ClausenSource: NBA Injury Report
December 22, 2025
Head Coach Sean McVay said that the Los Angeles Rams will not activate tight end
Tyler Higbee (ankle) from injured reserve for Monday night's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN. Higbee was placed on injured reserve due to an ankle injury he sustained in Week 11 against the Seattle Seahawks. The 32-year-old was eligible to return to play in Week 16 but will remain on injured reserve. Before his injury, Higbee had hauled in 20 catches for 190 receiving yards and two touchdowns on 30 targets. In his absence,
Colby Parkinson has stepped into the TE1 role for the Rams offense and has been a reliable streaming option for fantasy managers. With a playoff spot secured, the Rams will want to make sure Higbee is fully healthy before rushing him back into action.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: Sarah Barshop
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