December 24, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs placed wide receiver
Tyquan Thornton (concussion) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Both Thornton and fellow wideout
Rashee Rice (concussion) will miss the final two games of the regular season due to head injuries. The 25-year-old Thornton had some fantasy relevance earlier this season with
Xavier Worthy injured and Rice out due to a suspension, but once both pass-catchers returned, he fell down the depth chart as a hard-to-trust deep threat in KC's offense. The former second-rounder will finish his first year in Kansas City with 19 catches on 37 targets for a career-high 438 yards and three touchdowns in 14 games (four starts). Worthy and
Marquise Brown will have more opportunities to close out the year, but expectations must be tempered for fantasy managers with third-string quarterback
Chris Oladokun set to run KC's offense.
--Keith HernandezSource: The 33rd Team - Ari Meirov
December 24, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
Max Brosmer will start for the team in a Christmas Day meeting with the Detroit Lions, but the chance to play doesn't mean fantasy managers should go anywhere near this matchup. Vikings starter
J.J. McCarthy (hand) will miss another game, while backup
Carson Wentz (shoulder) is already out for the year, thrusting the undrafted rookie into the spotlight. Brosmer's first and only start in the NFL so far was a total disaster: he threw no touchdowns and four interceptions in a loss at Seattle, the first of which was a wild, ill-advised heave while being sacked that the Seahawks returned for a game-changing touchdown. Brosmer played admirably after McCarthy departed last week, and the Lions have allowed more air yards than any team in the NFL, which gives some hope. Even so, the odds are stacked against Brosmer, who has played only out of desperation and is facing a short week to boot. Fantasy managers still playing this weekend almost certainly can find a higher-rated option.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back
Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle) has been a reliable, if unremarkable, fantasy option this year, but he finds himself in RB3 territory as Minnesota prepares to host the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day. Due to injuries to starting quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (hand) and backup
Carson Wentz (shoulder), the Vikings are down to third-stringer
Max Brosmer, an undrafted rookie. Already without left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee), the Vikings also ruled out center Ryan Kelly (concussion) and tight end
T.J. Hockenson (shoulder), while right tackle Brian O'Neill (heel) is questionable. Jones figures to get most of the running back work with fellow running back
Jordan Mason (ankle) injured, but the Vikings' offense is a shell of what it was even two weeks ago. Detroit ranks 12th against half-PPR running backs, and the Lions surely will be keying on the run in an effort to put pressure on Brosmer. Managers will have to weigh whether Jones dominating the backfield is worth the risk of relying upon an offense counting on so many reserves.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs placed wide receiver
Rashee Rice (concussion) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday, ending his 2025 season, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Fellow wideout
Tyquan Thornton (concussion) also landed on IR. Both receivers will miss the final two games of the regular season with the Chiefs already eliminated from postseason contention. The 25-year-old Rice got a late start to the year after serving a suspension, but once he returned, he had a high weekly floor for fantasy managers with 53 receptions, 571 yards, and five touchdowns in eight games played. When healthy, it's clear that Rice has become quarterback
Patrick Mahomes' (knee) favorite weapon through the air. With both Rice and Thornton out for the last two games,
Xavier Worthy and
Marquise Brown will have more opportunities, but third-string quarterback
Chris Oladokun will be running the offense with Mahomes and
Gardner Minshew (knee) dealing with torn ACLs.
--Keith HernandezSource: The 33rd Team - Ari Meirov
December 24, 2025
For fantasy managers weighing whether to start Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Justin Jefferson against the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day, the better question is how much they trust an offense led by an undrafted rookie quarterback. Vikings starter
J.J. McCarthy (hand) will miss his seventh game of the season, and backup
Carson Wentz (shoulder) is out for the year, leaving rookie
Max Brosmer to take the reins. To say Brosmer's first start went poorly would be putting it mildly: he threw four interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and Jefferson finished with a paltry two catches for four yards. The superstar has routinely torched the Lions in his career, gaining more than 1,200 receiving yards and scoring five touchdowns in 11 games against them. Detroit ranks dead last in the NFL in air yards allowed, so the matchup is a good one for Jefferson, albeit with the significant risk of relying upon Brosmer. The offense likely will run through running back
Aaron Jones Sr. and Jefferson, the latter of whom should be considered a high-risk WR2.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Denver Broncos running back
RJ Harvey gets to travel and face the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas in Week 17. Since the Week 12 bye, Harvey has produced RB1 consensus numbers in all but one game, averaging 17.25 touches for 87 yards and 1.25 touchdowns per game in that four-week stretch. Profiling as a potential league winner on the season, Harvey will look to carry the momentum from his Week 16 performance against the Jacksonville Jaguars, in which he had 121 yards and a touchdown on 11 touches. With RotoBaller ranking Harvey as the RB14 overall for Week 17, he should be relied upon as a high-end RB2 with upside.
--Luke DeMarcusSource: ESPN
December 24, 2025
Denver Broncos tight end
Evan Engram will face the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas in Week 17. Engram has been an underwhelming start this year in most weeks for fantasy managers, and that shouldn't be much different in Week 17. While Engram might get some more playing time with rookie wide receiver
Pat Bryant out due to a concussion suffered late in the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, it's unlikely that he will be reliable for production in the fantasy championship games. When Engram faced the Chiefs in Week 11, he turned in four catches for 33 yards and no touchdowns. As the TE26 overall in RotoBaller's rankings for Week 17, managers should look elsewhere for a healthier scoring floor.
--Luke DeMarcusSource: ESPN
December 24, 2025
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Troy Franklin travels to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17 for a Christmas game matchup. Franklin has been thrown back into a relevant role after trending downward for two straight games following the Week 12 bye, after recording a 64% offensive snap share in Week 16. Rookie wide receiver
Pat Bryant will also be out for Week 17 with a concussion that was suffered in the final minute of the Week 16 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, which relegates the competition for snaps. After putting up 84 yards on four catches in the Week 11 matchup against the Chiefs, RotoBaller has Franklin ranked as the WR33 overall for Week 17.
--Luke DeMarcusSource: ESPN
December 24, 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back
Jordan Mason (ankle) has been ruled out for the Christmas Day game on Thursday versus the division-rival Detroit Lions after missing practice from Monday through Wednesday, per the team. Mason was always viewed as a long shot to play on a short week after injuring his ankle in the Week 16 win over the New York Giants on Sunday. The Vikings have nothing left to play for in 2025, so they were not going to push Mason to play. With the 26-year-old on the sidelines on Thursday,
Aaron Jones Sr. should be in line for more backfield touches against the Lions. However, his fantasy upside will be tempered with inexperienced backup quarterback
Max Brosmer set to start in place of the injured
J.J. McCarthy (hand). Jones should be considered more of a touchdown-dependent, high-end RB3/flex for the matchup against the Lions.
--Keith HernandezSource: Minnesota Vikings
December 24, 2025
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Courtland Sutton has been putting up solid numbers since the Week 12 bye and will look to continue that streak while traveling to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 17. Sutton has now posted two consecutive WR1 consensus weeks, combining for 199 receiving yards on 13 catches and two touchdowns in that span. While the Kansas City Chiefs are typically a stingy defense to face, the narrative has shifted for the Chiefs after losing quarterback
Patrick Mahomes to a season-ending ACL tear in Week 15. Coming off another solid performance in Week 16 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sutton should maintain his momentum against the Chiefs as RotoBaller ranks him at WR17 overall for Week 17.
--Luke DeMarcusSource: ESPN
December 24, 2025
Denver Broncos quarterback
Bo Nix travels to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas in Week 17. Last time Nix faced the Chiefs in Week 11, he put up 295 passing yards with no touchdowns, no interceptions, and added three carries for eight yards. This time around, Nix will be facing a very different Chiefs team that has been riddled with injuries and is coming off a 26-9 loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 16, in which rookie quarterback
Cam Ward had a season-high pass completion percentage of 75%. Despite facing what is statistically considered a top-five defense in the NFL since the Chiefs are giving up the fourth fewest points per game on average at 19.6, Nix should be able to carry his passing momentum from Week 16 into this matchup. RotoBaller ranks Nix as the QB11 overall for Week 17 matchups.
--Luke DeMarcusSource: ESPN
December 24, 2025
Already not in the best form of his career, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Jordan Addison will see another downgrade on Thursday when his team plays host to the Detroit Lions. The third-year receiver hasn't finished among the top 30 PPR receivers since Week 7 and is coming off a week in which he dropped a touchdown. Now, he'll see another change at quarterback with
J.J. McCarthy (hand) ruled out for the game, leaving undrafted rookie
Max Brosmer to start. The Vikings didn't score a point in Brosmer's lone start this season, a four-interception debacle last month at Seattle. The quarterback played well in helping Minnesota earn a victory last week against the Giants, and the passing game will see a plus matchup against a Detroit defense that has allowed the most air yards in the NFL. Addison, however, comes with a lot of risk as a low-end WR4 option, given the less-than-ideal circumstances.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Due to a litany of injuries around him, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Jalen Nailor is a lowly rated option when the Vikings play host to the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day. The Michigan State product has developed a solid chemistry with starter
J.J. McCarthy (hand), but the latter will miss Thursday's game, giving way to undrafted rookie
Max Brosmer. Detroit ranks a bottom-tier 31st against PPR receivers, though the Vikings are beaten up and on a short week. In addition to McCarthy, the Vikings will be without star left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee), center Ryan Kelly (concussion), tight end
T.J. Hockenson (shoulder), running back
Jordan Mason (ankle), and could be without right tackle Brian O'Neill (heel) as well. Nailor's varied role in the offense is difficult to rely upon anyway, as the receiver has not caught a pass three times in the past five weeks, yet had one game with two touchdowns. Ranked as RotoBaller's No. 86 receiver this week, Nailor is avoidable in all formats.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Minnesota Vikings tight end
T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) has been ruled out for the Christmas Day game on Thursday against the division-rival Detroit Lions after missing practice all week with a shoulder injury, according to the team. The Vikings' offense will be a shell of itself against Detroit on Thursday, with Hockenson and quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (hand) being ruled out. They will also be without running back
Jordan Mason (ankle). With Hockenson missing this week,
Josh Oliver should operate as the team's top pass-catching tight end. But with
Max Brosmer under center against Detroit, we wouldn't recommend using Oliver as a TE2 streamer in fantasy, even in the deepest of leagues. The 28-year-old has 12 receptions on the season for 123 yards and four touchdowns in his 13 games played as the backup to Hockenson.
--Keith HernandezSource: Minnesota Vikings
December 24, 2025
Minnesota Vikings tight end
Josh Oliver is a lowly rated option who can be safely avoided in the majority of formats when the Vikings play host to the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day. The Vikings will be without starter
T.J. Hockenson (shoulder), though Oliver will be reliant upon a third-string quarterback and a patchwork offensive line to power the passing attack. With backup quarterback
Carson Wentz (shoulder) already out for the year, the injury to
J.J. McCarthy (hand) means that
Max Brosmer will earn another start. That comes with the backdrop of left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) and center Ryan Kelly (concussion) missing, and right tackle Brian O'Neill (heel) questionable as well. The Lions rank a favorable 20th against half-PPR tight ends, but Minnesota is so hampered that Oliver, rated RotoBaller's No. 52 tight end this week, can remain on waivers in most leagues.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Ironically, given the tortured history of the Minnesota Vikings, the most consistent thing about their 2025 season has been kicker
Will Reichard, who can once again be considered a fantasy lineup option for a Christmas Day matchup against Detroit. The Alabama alum is a perfect 18-for-18 on field goals inside 50 yards this year, 28-for-28 on extra points, and 27-for-29 on field goal attempts overall. The Lions rank 27th against fantasy kickers, although Minnesota will be starting
Max Brosmer at quarterback due to an injury to
J.J. McCarthy (hand). Ranked as RotoBaller's No. 11 kicker this week, Reichard comes with the notable risk of an offense led by an undrafted rookie. But he's ultimately up against a bad defense, playing indoors, and in terrific form, giving him lineup potential.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
The Baltimore Sun's Mike Preston writes that "it's clear that head coach John Harbaugh has become tired" of quarterback
Lamar Jackson (back), "even though he builds him up after every game. He has to, or Jackson will go into his own self-exile." Preston suggests that the Ravens should look into trading Jackson as a way to land two or three first-round draft picks for the future. Jackson has had an extremely disappointing 2025 season that has been filled with nagging lower-body injuries. After injuring his back in Sunday night's loss to the New England Patriots, Jackson is now in danger of missing the Week 17 game this Saturday at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers after missing two practices already this week. It's unclear if Baltimore would realistically entertain trading the two-time MVP QB, but it sounds like the coaching staff has at least soured on Jackson after this season.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Baltimore Sun - Mike Preston
December 24, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
Ryan Flournoy (knee) is questionable for the team's Week 17 Christmas Day matchup with the Commanders after missing the last two practices of the week. Flournoy was limited with a knee issue to begin the shortened week before logging DNPs on Tuesday and Wednesday. The second-year wideout has seen increased usage over the past few weeks, including a career best nine catches for 115 yards and a touchdown in a Week 14 loss to the Lions. Against a Commanders defense that has struggled to defend the pass all year, Flournoy could have made for a sneaky flex play in Championship weekend, but with a knee issue now threatening his availability, fantasy managers thankfully have plenty of time to pivot away from the potential Thursday start.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Patrik Walker
December 24, 2025
Mike Reiss of ESPN reports that New England Patriots rookie running back
TreVeyon Henderson (concussion) was seen in a helmet and in a non-contact jersey on Wednesday as he headed to practice. Henderson is in the league's concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the Week 16 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. He will need to clear the concussion protocol later this week to play in Week 17 against the division-rival New York Jets on Sunday, but it's a good sign that he'll at least be limited in the first official practice of the week. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on Henderson's status later this week. The 23-year-old has the most upside of any RB in the Pats' backfield, but fantasy managers must prepare for the possibility that he won't play this weekend. If Henderson is out against the Jets,
Rhamondre Stevenson would be a must-start, plug-and-play option at RB.
UPDATE: Henderson was officially limited on Wednesday.--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
December 24, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Emeka Egbuka caught only one pass in a Week 16 loss to the Panthers, but offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard told the media on Wednesday that he would like to get his rookie wideout more involved, specifically noting the importance of getting him the ball early. After a red-hot start to the season that had him looking like a locked-in Rookie of the Year candidate, Egbuka has failed to top 65 receiving yards in six straight games, and he's caught only one touchdown since Week 5. With the recent returns to health of
Mike Evans and
Jalen McMillan, he has also seen two of his lowest snap shares of the season over the past two weeks. Grizzard's words should offer encouragement to fantasy managers forced into starting Egbuka in their Week 17 title matches, but he's still a perilous play given his recent usage.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Scott Smith
December 24, 2025
Buffalo Bills tight end
Dawson Knox (knee) missed Wednesday's practice as he deals with a knee injury that threatens to hold him out of his first game this season. Knox caught one of his two targets in a Week 16 win over the Browns for only 10 yards, while handling a 68% snap share. Fellow tight end
Dalton Kincaid (knee), who was held without a catch on Sunday, also missed Wednesday's session with a knee injury of his own. The Bills could be seriously shorthanded at the position, heading into a Week 17 matchup with an Eagles team that has shut down tight ends all season long. With fantasy titles on the line, neither Knox nor Kincaid should be viewed as a viable starter.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Buffalo Bills PR
December 24, 2025
Buffalo Bills tight end
Dalton Kincaid (knee) did not practice on Wednesday after seeing the field on only 38% of his team's offensive snaps in a Week 16 win over the Browns. He was listed as a non-participant in the first two practices of Week 16 before logging a full participation on Friday and heading into Sunday with no injury designation. Assuming a similar approach this week, Kincaid will face an Eagles defense that has ranked as the second most difficult matchup for opposing tight ends. With Kincaid battling injuries and finishing as a top 20 tight end only once in the last seven weeks, he is not a recommended start for fantasy championship weekend and can be viewed as droppable in redraft leagues.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Buffalo Bills PR
December 24, 2025
Buffalo Bills quarterback
Josh Allen (foot) was limited on Wednesday after sitting out of Tuesday's walkthrough. Allen suffered a foot injury in the Bills' Week 16 win over the Browns, and while he didn't miss any time, he was seen getting attention on the sideline. With Buffalo still in the hunt for a sixth consecutive AFC East title, the expectation is that he will be available for the team's Week 17 matchup with the Eagles, but any limitations to Allen's mobility could cap his fantasy ceiling against a Philadelphia defense that has held opposing quarterbacks to nearly four points below expectation. Fantasy managers will need to continue monitoring his status heading into championship weekend, though in most cases, anyone who has gotten this far with Allen at quarterback is unlikely to find a more attractive option with a title on the line.
UPDATE: Allen plans on playing on Sunday versus the Eagles.--Patrick McGrathSource: Buffalo Bills PR
December 24, 2025
Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson (back) is not practicing on Wednesday due to a back contusion, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. If Jackson cannot play on Saturday against the Green Bay Packers,
Tyler Huntley would start under center for the Ravens. Jackson injured his back in the second quarter of Sunday night's loss to the New England Patriots and never returned. With two DNPs on a short week, it's looking like the 28-year-old two-time MVP is on the wrong side of questionable for Week 17 action. Fantasy managers who somehow made it to the championship matchup with the banged-up Jackson as their QB should already have a backup plan in place. If Huntley starts this weekend, he'd merely be a desperation QB2 option in superflex and two-QB fantasy leagues against a tough Packers defense.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
December 24, 2025
Green Bay Packers quarterback
Malik Willis (illness, shoulder) didn't practice on Wednesday due to an illness, according to Ryan Wood of USA Today Sports. Willis did not have a setback with his shoulder in Tuesday's practice (he was limited). The 26-year-old backup was forced into action in Saturday night's loss to the Chicago Bears when starter
Jordan Love suffered a concussion. Willis went 9-for-11 passing for 121 yards and a touchdown, also adding 10 carries for 44 yards on the ground, but he suffered a right-shoulder injury that now makes him questionable to play this Saturday versus the Baltimore Ravens. If neither Willis nor Love can get cleared to play in Week 17, the Packers would be down to third-stringer
Clayton Tune in a huge game. Fantasy managers must continue to keep a close eye on the Packers' QB situation entering the weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: USA Today Sports - Ryan Wood
December 24, 2025
Free-agent right-handed reliever
Pete Fairbanks and the Miami Marlins agreed on a one-year, $13 million contract on Wednesday, sources told Jeff Passan of ESPN. Fairbanks landed on the open market this offseason after the Tampa Bay Rays turned down an $11 million option for the 32-year-old closer. His deal with Miami also includes a $1 million signing bonus and another $1 million in appearance-based incentives in 2026. Fairbanks should immediately become the Marlins' primary closing option for next season after they went with a committee approach to close out games for most of 2025. In 60 1/3 frames in Tampa last year, Fairbanks was solid, with a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 59 strikeouts, 18 walks, and a career-high 27 saves in 32 chances. Health has been an issue for Fairbanks in his career, though, and Miami isn't exactly the greatest landing spot for save opportunities.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
December 24, 2025
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said on Wednesday that safety Budda Baker (concussion) came in this week with concussion symptoms and is now in the league's concussion protocol, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Baker played 68 defensive snaps in Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but the 29-year-old suffered a head injury and is now up in the air to be active for a Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Cardinals are eliminated from playoff contention, so expect them to be cautious in bringing Baker back for the final two games of the 2025 regular season. If Baker misses this weekend's game against the Bengals, Kitan Crawford would be in line to start at free safety for the Cardinals. Fantasy managers in IDP leagues should be searching for backup options if Baker is ruled out.
--Keith HernandezSource: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
December 24, 2025
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (back) is headed to season-ending Injured Reserve on Wednesday, according to a source. The Raiders also placed star tight end
Brock Bowers (knee) on IR. Chinn hasn't missed any games with a nagging back injury, but the Raiders have decided to shut the 27-year-old defensive back down with two games remaining in the season. Chinn will end up finishing his first year in Vegas with a healthy 114 tackles (63 solo), one sack, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 15 starts. The Raiders' defense will be more vulnerable on the back end to close out the season with Chinn out, beginning with a Week 17 matchup this weekend against the visiting New York Giants.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
December 24, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back
Bhayshul Tuten (finger) was spotted wearing a non-contact jersey during the portion of practice on Wednesday that was open to the media, according to Demetrius Harvey of Jaguars.com. Tuten will likely be listed as limited on Wednesday's injury report, the first of Week 17. The 23-year-old change-of-pace back missed the Week 16 win over the Denver Broncos after having surgery for a finger injury, but his return to the field this week suggests he might be in play to return this Sunday for a divisional clash against the Indianapolis Colts.
Travis Etienne Jr. remains Jacksonville's clear lead back, but Tuten has shown flashes of explosiveness out of the Jags' backfield in his first 14 NFL games. The fourth-rounder has 284 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 78 carries and has added 10 catches for 79 yards and two more scores. If Tuten is back in the fold on Sunday against Indy, he'll be flex-worthy in fantasy championship matchups.
UPDATE: Tuten was limited in Wednesday's practice.--Keith HernandezSource: Jaguars.com - Demetrius Harvey
December 24, 2025
Washington Commanders quarterback
Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) has officially been ruled out for the Week 17 divisional game on Christmas Day on Thursday against the Dallas Cowboys, according to Tashan Reed of The Washington Post. Mariota injured his hand and quad in Saturday's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. It's unclear if Mariota will be cleared to play in next week's regular-season finale against the Eagles. With Mariota out on Christmas Day, veteran journeyman
Josh Johnson will make his first start in the NFL since late in the 2021 season. For what it's worth, head coach Dan Quinn said he's hoping that Mariota will be ready to return in Week 18 for the rematch against Philly. The 32-year-old has been serviceable as a QB2 in fantasy football in 11 games (eight starts) this year with
Jayden Daniels injured, completing 61.2% of his passes for 1,695 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and seven picks.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Washington Post - Tashan Reed
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