Gunnar Helm Should Remain Off Fantasy Radars in Week 17
Tennessee Titans rookie tight end Gunnar Helm was held under 10 receiving yards for the third time this season during Week 17 against the Kansas City Chiefs. At times this season, Helm has flashed as a reliable pass catcher for Cameron Ward and the Titans offense. The 23-year-old rookie has managed to produce three TE1 performances this season, despite catching only two touchdowns. Entering Week 17, Helm will face the New Orleans Saints. The Saints' defense has allowed the third-fewest passing yards and the 11th-fewest passing touchdowns this season. The Titans could look to establish the run game early on Sunday with Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, since both running backs have been running well as of late. If the Titans lean into the run game early, Helm could be in for another small impact fantasy day. Helm should be viewed as a desperation play only in deeper fantasy leagues during Week 17.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Dontayvion Wicks Ruled Out with a Concussion
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (concussion) has been ruled out for the rest of Saturday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. Wicks was forced to exit near the end of the second quarter with concussion symptoms. The staff has evaluated Wicks and ruled him out for the second half of this contest. Wicks hauled in his lone target for seven yards before being forced to exit. His absence should mean expanded roles for Bo Melton and Matthew Golden. It's unclear if Wicks will be available for Week 18, but regardless, he hasn't been a consistent fantasy option this season.
Source: Green Bay Packers
Source: Green Bay Packers
Chimere Dike Gives Flex Appeal for Week 17
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike is beginning to become a bigger piece in the offensive gameplan. Dike didn't have much of a receiving role early, but has been one of the better pass-catchers in Tennessee down the stretch of the season. The rookie wideout has scored three touchdowns over his last five games. He has finished with three or more receptions in four of those contests. Dike will head into a tough matchup against the New Orleans Saints defense. A unit that has allowed the third-fewest receiving yards to wideouts this season. The Titans' offense is difficult to trust, but Dike could offer FLEX appeal in deep leagues for Week 17.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Roman Wilson Is a Desperation Option in Deep Leagues in Week 17
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Roman Wilson could be in line for an expanded role in Week 17. In the wake of wide receiver D.K. Metcalf's two-game suspension for punching a fan, Wilson could see more work in the passing game. The 24-year-old has recorded 12 catches for 166 yards and two touchdowns on 21 targets across 12 games this season. Entering Week 17, Wilson and the Steelers will face off against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins' defense has allowed the 10th-most receiving touchdowns this season. With Metcalf out, the Steelers' passing attack is left without its greatest red zone weapon. Wilson will be a touchdown-dependent flex option in deeper leagues heading into Week 17.
Source: NFL.com
Source: NFL.com
Dontayvion Wicks is Questionable to Return on Saturday
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks (concussion) is currently questionable to return for Saturday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. Wicks was forced to exit the game just before halftime and will undergo a concussion evaluation. Before leaving, Wicks hauled in his lone target for seven yards. His absence would likely mean expanded roles for Matthew Golden and Bo Melton. When healthy, Wicks hasn't been much of a factor anyway, with three receptions over his last three games heading into Saturday's contest. Fantasy managers should check back for another update after halftime.
Source: Green Bay Packers
Source: Green Bay Packers
Tyjae Spears Offers PPR Value for Week 17
Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears saw a season-high 13 carries during last week's win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Outside of that, Spears is kept to under five carries most weeks. The 24-year-old has been able to salvage some fantasy value with his work in the receiving game. Spears has finished with five receptions or more in three of his last six games. He'll head into a tough matchup against the New Orleans Saints in Week 17. A defense that has held receiving backs in check this season. There's some PPR value here, but Spears is best on the bench in most standard leagues.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Tony Pollard Looks to Keep Good Times Rolling
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard is in the middle of a strong stretch of play. Pollard has rushed for over 100 yards in three straight games. During that span, Pollard has totaled 367 yards with three touchdowns. He'll look to keep the good times rolling against the New Orleans Saints in Week 17. A defense that has allowed the seventh-most rushing yards to running backs this season. The only downside is that Pollard is expected to continue splitting the carries with Tyjae Spears. Given Pollard's success, he figures to continue getting plenty of chances. Fantasy managers should consider Pollard a low-end RB2 for this favorable Week 17 matchup.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
Cameron Ward Offers QB2 Value for Week 17
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cameron Ward is finally showing signs of solid progression over the last few weeks. The rookie signal-caller has thrown for multiple touchdowns in three straight games. The passing yardage has still been a problem, with less than 200 passing yards in three of his last four games. Ward is working with a skeleton crew of a supporting cast, so he does deserve the benefit of the doubt. The 23-year-old will head into a decent matchup against the New Orleans Saints in Week 17. Ward's six touchdowns over his last three games should bring some eyes to him ahead of this game. There's probably not enough upside here to trust Ward as anything more than a QB2 in SuperFlex leagues.
Source: Pro Football Reference
Source: Pro Football Reference
TreVeyon Henderson Clears Concussion Protocol, Will Play in Week 17
New England Patriots running back TreVeyon Henderson (concussion) no longer carries an injury designation into Sunday's Week 17 matchup against the New York Jets. Henderson has cleared concussion protocol after getting banged up during last week's game against the Baltimore Ravens. The rookie running back will continue splitting up the backfield duties with Rhamondre Stevenson. Henderson has looked like the much better option in recent weeks and figures to have a significant role given the Pats' offensive injuries. The Pats' rookie running back should offer top-12 fantasy value against the struggling Jets defense. Fantasy managers can safely get him into their lineups with Henderson clearing concussion protocol.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Davante Adams Downgraded to Doubtful for Week 17
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Davante Adams (hamstring) is now downgraded to doubtful ahead of the Monday Night matchup versus the Atlanta Falcons. Adams was initially questionable after not practicing all week due to a lingering hamstring issue. Now, Adams is doubtful to suit up for Week 17. Adams hasn't played since aggravating his hamstring problem during the Week 15 matchup against the Detroit Lions. Fantasy managers should check back on Monday night for Adams' official status, but have other plans, as he's unlikely to play. Konata Mumpfield, Xavier Smith, and Tutu Atwell should see an increased target share if Adams is unable to play. Mumpfield saw eight targets last week and could offer FLEX value in deep leagues for Week 17.
Source: Nate Atkins
Source: Nate Atkins
Brayden Willis is Elevated Ahead of Week 17
San Francisco 49ers tight end Brayden Willis has been elevated from the practice squad ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears. The elevation of Willis is not a good sign for fellow tight end George Kittle (ankle), who is questionable for this contest. The fact that Willis was brought up means Kittle is most likely going to miss this weekend's game. If Kittle sits, Jake Tonges figures to operate as the primary tight end in this offense. Tonges posted some decent performances earlier in the season when Kittle was sidelined. He could offer some streaming appeal to tight-end-needy fantasy managers, assuming Kittle is unable to play.
Source: Nick Wagoner
Source: Nick Wagoner
Mack Hollins Placed on Injured Reserve
New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (abdomen) was placed on the injured reserve on Saturday. Hollins was already expected to sit out in Week 17. The 32-year-old is now done for the rest of the regular season and won't play again unless the Pats make a deep playoff run. The loss of Hollins is pretty significant, considering he has seen 17 targets over the last two games. The absence of Hollins should mean larger roles for DeMario Douglas (hamstring) and Kyle Williams in the passing attack. Fantasy managers should view Williams as a possible deep league FLEX option with Hollins unavailable for the Week 17 matchup against the New York Jets. As for Douglas, he is questionable to play on Sunday but should see an increased role with Hollins and Kayshon Boutte (concussion) sidelined if active.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Maxx Crosby to Undergo Knee Surgery
Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (knee) is expected to require knee surgery that will sideline him into the offseason, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The news came out on Friday that Crosby would be shut down for the season. Now, the superstar pass rusher is expected to have surgery to fix a knee issue that has been bothering him for most of the regular season. The Raiders have officially placed Crosby on the season-ending injured reserve on Saturday. He'll finish the season with 73 tackles, 10.0 sacks, and two fumbles forced in 15 games. Crosby is under contract through 2029, but it wouldn't be shocking to see the rebuilding Raiders move on from him this offseason.
Source: Adam Schefter
Source: Adam Schefter
Chris Olave is Expected to Play in Week 17
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (back) is expected to be a full-go for Sunday's Week 17 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Olave has been limited in practice all week due to a lingering back issue. He traveled to Tennessee on Saturday and should be out there, barring any setbacks. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect the back issue to impact Olave's performance on the field. Last week, Olave hauled in 10 receptions for 148 yards and two touchdowns during the win over the New York Jets. He has become a favorite target for rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. Fantasy managers should get Olave in their lineups as a WR1.
Source: Nick Underhill
Source: Nick Underhill
Darnell Mooney Very Risky Despite Solid Matchup for MNF
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney recorded just two catches for 24 yards in Week 16, continuing a trend of disappointing performances that has persisted throughout the season. The 28-year-old has caught two or fewer passes in eight of the 13 games he's played this season, and has struggled to gain targets behind Drake London (knee), Kyle Pitts Sr. (knee), and Bijan Robinson. London heads into Week 17's home matchup against the Rams with a questionable designation, however, it would likely be more of a benefit to Kyle Pitts Sr. and David Sills V's target total if Atlanta's No. 1 receiver were to miss the game, not Mooney's. The veteran wideout is a risky play even in what appears to be a good matchup on paper, with Los Angeles allowing the ninth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers on the season and 277.7 yards passing over the last three weeks (second most in the NFL).
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
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