December 24, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. Pearsall sat out during Monday's win over the Indianapolis Colts due to nagging knee and ankle issues. He's clearly still dealing with the issues, but at least he was able to practice in a limited capacity. Fantasy managers will need to monitor his status over the next few days ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears on Sunday night. Another absence from Pearsall would mean increased roles for
Jauan Jennings,
Kendrick Bourne, and
Demarcus Robinson. Jennings is the most consistent contributor out of the three wideouts right now for the Niners offense. Even if Pearsall plays in Week 17, it will be hard to recommend him for a flex spot in fantasy football lineups with championships on the line.
--Andy WebbSource: Matt Maiocco
December 24, 2025
Green Bay Packers running back
Josh Jacobs (knee, ankle) was a limited participant during Wednesday's practice session. This is now back-to-back days that Jacobs has been able to get through a limited session. Jacobs has been playing through lingering knee and ankle issues since Week 11. It has resulted in a smaller workload with 12 carries in each of his last two games. Fellow back
Emanuel Wilson actually out-touched Jacobs during last week's loss to the Chicago Bears. The 26-year-old rushed for 82 yards and could see a larger share in the backfield, given that Jacobs is still banged up. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the injury report ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday. Jacobs has been a must-start fantasy RB all year with 14 total touchdowns in 14 games, but he's literally limping to the finish line.
--Andy WebbSource: Matt Schneidman
December 24, 2025
New York Jets rookie tight end
Mason Taylor (neck) was a non-participant during Wednesday's practice session. Taylor has missed each of the last two games due to a neck injury. He's trending in the wrong direction to begin the week as the Jets head into their final home game against the New England Patriots in Week 17. The Jets have been using a committee approach between
Jeremy Ruckert,
Stone Smartt, and
Jelani Woods over the last two games with Taylor sidelined. Ruckert has at least two receptions in four straight games, while Smartt caught five passes last week. Neither of these players should be considered viable options in 12-team fantasy formats ahead of Week 17. Fantasy managers should be preparing to be without Taylor for a third straight game this weekend.
--Andy WebbSource: Rich Cimini
December 24, 2025
New England wide receiver
Kayshon Boutte (concussion) was one of eight Patriots players to miss Wednesday's practice as he works through the league's concussion protocol. Boutte was injured on a deep pass late in New England's Week 16 win over the Ravens that controversially did not see a flag thrown for pass interference. Veteran receiver
Mack Hollins (abdomen) also missed Wednesday's practice with an abdominal issue, but if he's able to suit up for a Week 17 divisional matchup with the Jets, he is the most likely candidate to assume Boutte's downfield role, putting him in a valuable spot against New York's struggling defense. Since becoming sellers at the NFL trade deadline, the Jets have been one of the most fantasy-friendly defenses in the league, and they come into Week 17 having allowed at least 330 passing yards in back-to-back games. The Patriots' injury report will need to be monitored throughout the week, as there is fantasy gold to be mined from their passing attack, with
Drake Maye coming off his own 380-yard passing performance, the highest of his young career.
--Patrick McGrathSource: New England Patriots
December 24, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Mack Hollins (abdomen) was not available for the team's first practice of the week with an abdominal issue. The veteran wideout caught seven of nine targets for 69 yards in a Week 16 win over the Ravens, and he could be in line for another high-floor fantasy performance if he's able to suit up in Week 17. Third-year wideout
Kayshon Boutte (concussion) is currently in the league's concussion protocol and also missed Wednesday's practice. If Boutte misses Sunday's divisional matchup, Hollins could assume more of a downfield role against a Jets defense that has allowed 676 passing yards and eight total touchdowns across the last two games. With Boutte sidelined earlier this year with a hamstring injury, Hollins enjoyed his best two-game stretch of the season, including a WR28 finish against the Jets in Week 11. His status will need to be monitored throughout the week, but if Hollins clears the injury report by Sunday, he has flex potential for championship weekend.
--Patrick McGrathSource: New England Patriots
December 24, 2025
Detroit Lions running back
Jahmyr Gibbs has been inconsistent as a rusher in recent weeks, as he's been held to 3.6 yards per carry or less in five out of his last six games. The 23-year-old was able to save his Week 16 production with his work as a receiver, recording 10 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gibbs has been heavily involved in the Lions' passing game since Detroit placed tight end
Sam LaPorta (back) on Injured Reserve. Across six games without LaPorta, Gibbs has hauled in 40 catches for 333 yards and two touchdowns on 51 targets. Gibbs' receiving work may need to continue carrying his production in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings enter the week ranked 12th in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (4.1). Gibbs had his least productive game of the season in his first matchup of the year against Minnesota, racking up just 28 scrimmage yards on 12 touches in Week 9. However, he may see a few more touches this time around, as Lions back
David Montgomery (illness) is officially listed as questionable to play on Thursday. Gibbs remains a must-start fantasy running back, but fantasy managers may want to downgrade expectations in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Kimani Vidal (neck) missed his second practice of the week after suffering a neck strain late in the team's Week 16 win over the Cowboys. After undergoing an MRI early in the week, he was considered day-to-day, but he has yet to return to the practice field, putting his availability for a Week 17 matchup with the Texans in question. Vidal had been splitting snaps with
Omarion Hampton since the rookie returned from a prolonged absence due to an ankle injury, but if he is unable to suit up on Saturday, Hampton should see bellcow duties against a tough Houston front. The matchup is not ideal for championship weekend, but Hampton has looked dynamic since returning in Week 14 and could put up low RB1 numbers if he gets the backfield to himself.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Los Angeles Chargers
December 24, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) is officially listed as questionable for his team's Week 17 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings after being held to limited practice participation on both Tuesday and Wednesday. The 26-year-old has been one of the NFL's most consistent wide receivers so far this season, recording 98 receptions for 1,194 yards and 11 touchdowns on 144 targets. However, he faces a very difficult matchup against Minnesota. Entering the week, Minnesota ranks second in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (2,790) and tied for second in passing touchdowns allowed (14). Still, St. Brown was able to have success in his first outing against the Vikings this season, recording nine catches for 97 yards on 13 targets in Week 9. St. Brown has also earned at least nine targets in five out of his last six outings. The Lions may choose to limit his reps on Thursday due to his knee ailment, but Detroit is also in a must-win situation to keep their fading playoff hopes alive. If active, St. Brown profiles as a must-start fantasy wide receiver in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Detroit Lions running back
David Montgomery (illness) is officially questionable to play in his team's Week 17 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings after being limited in practice on Wednesday with an illness. If Montgomery is active, he will be looking to rebound from one of his least productive games as a Lion in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Montgomery recorded just four carries for 14 yards against Pittsburgh, marking his sixth straight outing with eight or fewer rush attempts. The 28-year-old also played just 13 snaps against the Steelers, his fewest in any game this season. On the bright side, Montgomery had a solid game in his first time out against Minnesota this season, recording 50 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 13 touches. Still, Montgomery's recent workload trend makes him tough for fantasy managers to trust. If active, Montgomery profiles as a low-end flex option in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Detroit Lions quarterback
Jared Goff has played solid football all season long, completing 68.6% of his pass attempts for 4,036 yards, 32 touchdowns, and five interceptions across 15 games. Goff's production has ramped up to another level in recent weeks, as he's attempted 129 passes and thrown for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns without an interception over his last three games. However, Goff and the Lions will face a very difficult matchup in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings. Entering the week, Minnesota ranks second in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (2,790) and tied for second in passing touchdowns allowed (14). In their Week 16 win over the New York Giants, the Vikings allowed Giants quarterback
Jaxson Dart to throw for just 33 yards on 13 pass attempts. In his first matchup of 2025 against Minnesota in Week 9, Goff was sacked a season-high five times. Fantasy managers in single-quarterback formats may want to avoid Goff if possible in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Pat Bryant (concussion) has been ruled out for the team's Thursday night Christmas matchup with the Chiefs. The rookie wideout was concussed late in the Broncos' Week 16 loss to the Jaguars on a violent hit over the middle and was immediately taken to the hospital. He was released from the hospital on Tuesday but remains in the league's concussion protocol. With the Broncos playing on a short week, it was always viewed as unlikely that he would be able to suit up, but he has now been officially ruled out for Week 17. Bryant has seen his role steadily increase across the back half of the season, and with him inactive,
Troy Franklin,
Marvin Mims Jr., and tight end
Evan Engram could all see a bump in target share, while
Courtland Sutton remains a high-upside WR2.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Denver Broncos
December 24, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver
A.J. Brown (teeth) was listed as a non-participant at Wednesday's practice after getting his wisdom teeth pulled, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. It's not what fantasy managers want to see heading into championship week in most leagues, but we expect Brown to be ready to roll by Sunday on the road in Buffalo against the Bills. The 28-year-old has had an up-and-down 2025 season, but the good news is he's been much more consistent for fantasy managers in the second half. Three of his five 100-yard games have come since the team's bye in Week 9, and Brown has seen double-digit targets from quarterback
Jalen Hurts in five of the last six contests. In what could definitely be a shootout in Week 17, Brown will be a top-12 fantasy receiver even though he had teeth pulled this week.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
December 24, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs defense gave up 24 points to the Tennessee Titans in Week 16 while recording two sacks and zero takeaways. The Chiefs' defense has now allowed 20 or more points in 10 of 15 games this season. The Kansas City defensive unit has also recorded two or fewer sacks in 10 of 15 games. Kansas City will now take on the Denver Broncos, who are trying to clinch the top seed in the AFC with the Los Angeles Chargers just one game behind them. The Broncos offense has gained the 10th-most yards per game this season, so the Chiefs defense could have its hands full on Christmas Day. The Chiefs' defense is ranked 27th in our RotoBaller rankings, making them a defensive unit to avoid in Week 17.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
December 24, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs kicker
Harrison Butker nailed three of his four field goal attempts and did not attempt a single extra-point since the Chiefs did not find the end zone in last week's loss to the Tennessee Titans. Butker and the Chiefs could be in for another low-scoring affair in Week 17 against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos defense has allowed the fifth-fewest points per game this season, and with
Chris Oladokun leading the offense, the Chiefs could have a tough time scoring any points on Christmas. Butker has now missed a kick in eight of his 15 games this season, making him a tough kicker to trust even with optimal conditions. Butker is ranked K27 in our RotoBaller rankings, making him a low-end option at the position this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
December 24, 2025
New Orleans Saints running back
Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) is missing yet another practice on Wednesday, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Kamara has not been active for the Saints since suffering an MCL sprain in Week 12, and the 30-year-old veteran figures to sit out the final two games of the year with nothing on the line for the Saints. Rookie
Devin Neal (hamstring) is officially done for the year as well, which led to tight end
Taysom Hill leading the team with 12 carries in the Week 16 win over the New York Jets. The 35-year-old also caught a season-high four passes on six targets for 36 yards through the air.
Audric Estime and
Evan Hull will remain involved on the ground, but Hill is worth picking up off the waiver wire in deeper leagues for a Week 17 tilt on the road against the Tennessee Titans. Fantasy managers shouldn't count on Kamara the rest of the way in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
RADIO
