December 24, 2025
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said on Wednesday that quarterback
Anthony Richardson Sr. (eye) will not be activated off Injured Reserve for the team's Week 17 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 23-year-old suffered an orbital fracture in pre-game warmups that has had him on Injured Reserve since mid-October. Richardson Sr. opened the season as the backup quarterback in Indianapolis behind
Daniel Jones (Achilles), who suffered a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in Week 14. With both Jones and Richardson Sr. unavailable, the Colts brought 44-year-old quarterback
Philip Rivers out of retirement in a last-ditch effort to save their season. Rivers has completed 66.1% of his pass attempts for 397 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions across two starts and appears to be in line to make his third start in Week 17. It's unclear whether Richardson Sr. will return this season or whether he would take the starting job away from Rivers once activated.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - James Boyd
December 24, 2025
Cleveland Browns running back
Dylan Sampson (hand) is expected to return to practice on Wednesday, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. Sampson has missed each of Cleveland's last two games due to calf and hand injuries. The 21-year-old has mostly been used in a part-time role as a receiver out of the backfield so far in 2025. However, with Browns RB1
Quinshon Judkins (leg, ankle) suffering a season-ending injury in Week 16, Sampson has an opportunity to take over as the team's lead back. Across 13 games this season, Sampson has racked up 375 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 72 touches. The Browns also have
Raheim Sanders and
Trayveon Williams as backfield options who can help fill in for Judkins. If active, Sampson could be a solid flex option for fantasy managers in his Week 17 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
UPDATE: Sampson was limited in Wednesday's practice.--Will BradySource: ESPN - Daniel Oyefusi
December 24, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders tight end
Brock Bowers (knee) has been placed on Injured Reserve, ending his 2025 season, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Pelissero notes that Bowers has been battling a lingering knee injury since Week 1, and the 2-13 Raiders are now focused on making sure their star tight end is fully healthy for 2026. Across 12 games this season, the 23-year-old recorded 64 receptions for 680 yards and seven touchdowns on 86 targets. With Bowers sidelined, Raiders tight end
Michael Mayer is likely in line for a spike in both playing time and target share. Across a two-game stretch in Weeks 6 and 7 with Bowers inactive, Mayer recorded six catches for 60 yards and a touchdown on nine targets. For fantasy managers now left scrambling to fill the tight end position, Mayer could be a solid streamer in Week 17 against the New York Giants.
--Will BradySource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
December 24, 2025
Cleveland Browns tight end
David Njoku (knee) is not expected to return to practice on Wednesday, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. The 29-year-old has missed Cleveland's last two games due to a knee injury, and his availability for the team's Week 17 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers appears to be in question. Across 12 games this season, Njoku has recorded 33 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns on 48 targets. In his absence, Browns tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. has seen a spike in production. With Njoku going down early in Week 14, Fannin Jr. has recorded 19 catches for 196 yards and two touchdowns on 31 targets over the last three weeks. If Njoku remains sidelined against the Steelers, Fannin Jr. can be viewed as a must-start fantasy tight end in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Daniel Oyefusi
December 24, 2025
Across 15 games this season, Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Konata Mumpfield has recorded just eight receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown on 17 targets. However, the 23-year-old saw a spike in playing time in Week 16 with star Rams wideout
Davante Adams (hamstring) sidelined by a hamstring injury, and recorded three catches for 40 yards on eight targets. Rams head coach Sean McVay has said that Adams is likely to remain out for the team's Week 17 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, so Mumpfield could spend another week as the team's WR2 alongside
Puka Nacua. Los Angeles uses more two and three-tight end personnel groupings than just about any team in the NFL, which limits Mumpfield's playing time even with Adams out. In Week 16, Mumpfield played 46% of the Rams' offensive snaps. Still, he could be a flex option for deep-league fantasy managers in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
San Francisco 49ers tight end
Jake Tonges has an opportunity to produce in Week 17 as the 49ers face the Chicago Bears. Tonges has hauled in 27 of 37 targets for 233 yards and four touchdowns, with most of his production coming early in the season.
George Kittle (ankle) injured his ankle in the 48-27 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, which could open the door for Tonges to have a viable role in this offense. In the six games that Kittle missed or left early in the season, Tonges had 25 receptions for 224 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 10.9 PPR points per game, which ranked ninth among tight ends during that span. Kittle's injury will determine whether the third-year tight end will have any fantasy value in Week 17, so fantasy managers should keep a close eye on the 49ers' practice reports this week.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end
Brenton Strange hauled in five of seven targets for 93 yards and a touchdown in the 34-20 win over the Denver Broncos. Strange returned from a hip injury in Week 12 and hasn't looked back since, averaging 46 yards on 3.4 receptions and adding two touchdowns in the last five games. The third-year tight end is having a career-best season, averaging 9.2 PPR fantasy points per game and on pace to finish as the TE18. With the Jaguars heating up, winning seven of their last eight and scoring over 25 points in each of those games, Strange will have opportunities to produce, especially in the red zone. There are plenty of options at the tight end position entering Week 17, but Strange could beat them all given the Jaguars' offensive firepower.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Michael Carter had 11 carries for 65 yards in the 26-19 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The Cardinals have been decimated by injuries this season, especially in their RB room.
James Conner (ankle),
Trey Benson (knee), and
Bam Knight (ankle) are all on injured reserve, leaving Carter and
Emari Demercado as the two lead backs. Carter played 54% of the snaps and led the team in carries, while Demercado played 30% of the snaps. Their Week 17 matchup brings some upside, as they face the Cincinnati Bengals, who have allowed the most fantasy points to running backs this season. While he entered the season as an afterthought in Arizona, he could determine fantasy championships this week and offers low-end RB2 value against this struggling Bengals defense.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. returned from injury in Week 16, taking 15 carries for 63 yards and a touchdown in the 29-18 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Although there was concern that rookie
Jacory Croskey-Merritt would be more of a factor after his big Week 15 outing, Rodriguez returned to his usual workload. He played a season-high 56% of the snaps, while Croskey-Merritt played 22% and
Jeremy McNichols played 24%. He faces the Dallas Cowboys, who may be without star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. The Cowboys ranked as the worst run defense in the NFL before they acquired Williams at the deadline, and with him out last week,
Omarion Hampton had 95 yards and a touchdown on 17 attempts. While there are concerns about the Commanders' quarterback situation this week, look for them to run it a ton against this Cowboys defense, where Rodriguez could be a league-winner in Week 17.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
Washington Commanders tight end
Ben Sinnott has recorded one catch in three straight games, totalling 49 yards on four targets. The second-year tight end posted season highs in snaps and routes in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, playing 66.7% of the snaps with a 56% route share. He could continue to see more opportunities as a receiver moving forward with
Zach Ertz (knee) out for the season.
John Bates played more in the first game without Ertz in Week 15, but that usage flipped in Week 16, with Sinnott playing more snaps and running more routes. The floor is still low for the Kansas State product, but he remains an intriguing player to monitor in Thursday's Christmas Day matchup against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have struggled to defend the pass all season, and with Sinnott's opportunities on the rise, he profiles as a deep-league dart throw as a TE2 in Week 17.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie running back
Raheim Sanders had 11 carries for 42 yards in the 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 16. Sanders saw a role due to the season-ending leg injury to
Quinshon Judkins. With
Jerome Ford (shoulder) done for the season and
Dylan Sampson (calf) unable to play in Week 16, Sanders led the team in carries. After Judkins went out, both Sanders and veteran
Trayveon Williams split the backfield snaps (30%-30%). The Browns also face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17, who shut down Lions running backs
Jahmyr Gibbs and
David Montgomery last week. The injury status of Sampson will determine "Rocket's" fantasy value this week, but fantasy managers should be cautious about trusting this backfield in Week 17.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
Washington Commanders tight end
John Bates was outsnapped 37 to 27 by second-year tight end
Ben Sinnott in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Bates has served as Washington's No. 2 TE for most of the season, primarily as a blocker. He posted his highest route share (50%) of the season in Week 15 with
Zach Ertz (knee) out for the season, but that mark cratered in Week 16, falling to just 16%, his lowest since Week 2. Sinnott profiles as the better receiving option and is seeing his role increase in that area. He jumped to a season-high 56% route share last week. Bates seems to be trending back toward his typical role as the top blocking tight end and shouldn't be considered a fantasy option on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys, especially considering Washington's starting QB is likely to be
Josh Johnson with
Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) injured.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
New Orleans Saints tight end
Taysom Hill turned back the clock in Week 16, which might be his final game in the Superdome. Hill led the team in carries, with 12 for 42 yards, and added 36 receiving yards on four receptions. He wasn't done either, throwing a 38-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
Chris Olave in the fourth quarter. The veteran playmaker scored 15.3 fantasy points in Week 16, and there's a legitimate reason he could improve his fantasy production in the final two weeks. He dominated the carries with
Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) and
Devin Neal (hamstring) inactive, outcarrying
Audric Estime and
Evan Hull combined, 12-5. The Saints' offense has been solid as well, averaging 24.3 points per game and winning three straight games. With a legitimate RB1 workload if Kamara is unable to return, Hill should be a must-start at the tight end position.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Treylon Burks led the team in targets in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, catching two of five targets for 30 yards. The 2022 first-round pick saw his snaps decrease with the return of
Noah Brown in Week 14, but with Brown now on Injured Reserve due to a rib injury, Burks played the most he has all season in Week 16. Burks tied
Terry McLaurin for the highest snap share (84.3%) on the team and should continue to see a healthy number of routes on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys' 32nd-ranked pass defense. However, the favorable matchup could be offset by Washington starting journeyman
Josh Johnson at QB this week, with
Marcus Mariota's status in doubt due to hand and quadriceps injuries. It's tough to trust Burks as anything more than a deep-league flex option in Week 17.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback
Tyler Shough has been playing really well of late, scoring 17 or more fantasy points in five of his last six starts. What is providing him a safe floor during this stretch is that he is averaging five rush attempts per contest and has built an excellent rapport with wide receiver
Chris Olave and tight end
Juwan Johnson. For the season (nine games), Shough has thrown for 1,792 yards, completing 66 percent of his passes, thrown for seven touchdowns and five interceptions, and has rushed for 146 yards and two touchdowns. Depending on his matchup for the week, he is borderlining the QB1 ranks, but given his limited experience and upside, he usually finds himself in the QB2 ranks. Shough is a solid Superflex (two-quarterback play) and should be viewed as a higher-end QB2 in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans, who are vulnerable against the passing game.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Deebo Samuel Sr. has been held under 50 yards in three straight games and hasn't found the end zone since Week 11. Samuel has exceeded 50 receiving yards only twice over the past nine games. The former San Francisco 49er draws a potential get-right spot on Christmas Day against the Dallas Cowboys, who have struggled to defend the pass. Dallas has allowed the most passing yards per game and the most PPR points per game to wide receivers this season. Washington's pass-catchers could take a hit for fantasy with quarterback
Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) uncertain to play after missing consecutive practices to begin the week, opening the door for journeyman
Josh Johnson to make his first start since 2021. Samuel currently ranks as RotoBaller's WR29 in PPR leagues in Week 17.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
Ian Rapoport spoke on Good Morning Football on Wednesday and said Detroit Lions star receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) should play on Thursday against the Minnesota Vikings. St. Brown has dealt with a few injuries over the past few weeks, including knee and ankle injuries, but still has played through them, even if he has not been at 100%. Still, given his progression throughout the short week, it's great news that he is expected to play, and fantasy managers should confidently fire him up in their lineups this week, regardless of the situation or matchup. The Vikings' defense has been stellar of late and tough against opposing wide receivers and quarterbacks. Still, the Lions are in a must-win situation to keep their playoff hopes alive, and shouldn't hold anything back against the
Max Brosmer-led Vikings on Thursday.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: Ian Rapoport
December 24, 2025
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid continued his ridiculous run of form with a five-assist performance in Tuesday's 5-1 victory over the Calgary Flames. It was his second career five-assist game, tying him with Leon Draisaitl and Paul Coffey for second place in Oilers history. Draisaitl had a hat trick of power-play goals on Tuesday night. Following Tuesday's victory, McDavid boasts 12 goals and 31 points through his last 11 appearances. He's had almost half of his season's total during that stretch. Recently, the Oilers captain has been locked in a close race with Nathan MacKinnon for the league's scoring lead, but McDavid now sits comfortably in first place with a six-point advantage over the Colorado Avalanche star. In 38 outings across the season, McDavid has tallied 67 points (23 goals, 44 assists).
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
December 24, 2025
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Terry McLaurin has provided a major lift to the passing game since returning in Week 13. McLaurin has compiled 16 catches on 26 targets for 259 receiving yards and two touchdowns, ranking 16th among wide receivers in yards over that span. The 30-year-old wideout has a golden matchup on Christmas Day against a Dallas Cowboys defense that is allowing a league-high 8.8 yards per pass attempt over the last five games. However, the Ohio State product could be catching passes from journeyman quarterback
Josh Johnson, with
Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) uncertain to play after missing two straight practices to open the week. McLaurin still profiles as a solid start with upside in Week 17 as Washington's clear top target, ranking as RotoBaller's WR14 in PPR leagues.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Parker Washington is coming off a career day in Week 16, where he caught six of nine targets for a career-high 145 yards and a touchdown. The Denver Broncos' defense had no answer for him and rising star
Trevor Lawrence. With the Broncos' top cornerback, Patrick Surtain, following
Brian Thomas Jr. most of the afternoon, that allowed Washington to find openings and carve up the stellar Broncos defense. Although it's unlikely he repeats this type of production in Week 17, he remains a decent option for Lawrence, and his 10 targets from Week 16 shouldn't be overlooked. The Jaguars take on the Indianapolis Colts in Week 17, who just got carved up against the San Fransico 49ers on Monday Night Football, and the Jaguars' offense should have one of the higher implied team totals on the week, making all of Brian Thomas Jr.,
Jakobi Meyers, and Washington fantasy value. For teams with three wide receiver slots or multiple flex spots, Washington should be in consideration.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (upper body) missed a scheduled start on Tuesday night against the Colorado Avalanche. He was sidelined by an upper-body injury, prompting the team to sign Colten McIntyre to an amateur tryout agreement as a backup to Vitek Vanecek for the night. Vanecek had a strong performance, stopping 25 of 26 shots, but Utah still lost to the dominant Avalanche 1-0. The Mammoth have the rest of the week off, giving Vejmelka time to recover. Whether that will be sufficient for the Czech goaltender to avoid missing additional action remains uncertain. In 29 starts this season, Vejmelka has posted a 16-10-2 record, a 2.70 goals-against average, a .896 save percentage, and one shutout.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
December 24, 2025
Montreal Canadiens winger Alexandre Texier (upper body) was hurt during Tuesday's physical matchup against the Boston Bruins, leaving a 6-2 win after logging only 4:20 of ice time. He was ruled out for the rest of the game after the second intermission. Texier recently had a four-game point streak, but he has now finished four consecutive appearances without making a mark in the scoring department. The French forward has registered six points (three goals, three assists) and 16 hits in 15 appearances since joining the Canadiens in late November. Montreal continues its season on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, giving Texier some additional time to recover. If he can't play, Sammy Blais or Brendan Gallagher might move up in the lineup.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
December 24, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Jeremy McNichols has had a solid season as the team's primary third-down back, recording 42 carries for 220 yards and a touchdown to go with 21 catches (27 targets) for 176 yards in 15 games. The veteran handled a season-high 10 touches in Week 15 with
Chris Rodriguez Jr. inactive, but he had only three touches with Rodriguez back last week against the Eagles. It will likely be a similar situation for McNichols on Christmas Day against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys, where the Commanders could be starting journeyman quarterback
Josh Johnson with the status of
Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) in doubt. McNichols shouldn't be considered as a fantasy option in Week 17.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
Cleveland Browns running back
Dylan Sampson (hand) is in line to see more volume upon his return, following the injury to teammate
Quinshon Judkins (leg, knee) in Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills. Sampson is dealing with injuries of his own, but according to Cleveland head coach Kevin Stefanski, he reported on Tuesday that Sampson is improving by the day. Sampson has not played since Week 14, and when healthy, was still involved in the offense primarily as a receiver in passing situations. Still, with Judkins placed on the Injured Reserve, Sampson could earn the RB1 carries and should provide RB3 fantasy value in Week 17 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, who, although they have been better against opposing running backs of late, would still be on the fantasy radar and a decent option in Week 17 for fantasy managers. At this time, it's unclear how involved
Trayveon Williams or
Raheim Sanders would be; however, Sampson has been the only running back involved since the start of the season, giving him the upper hand should he be active.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin (ankle) missed the final few minutes of Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Florida Panthers, Cory Lavalette of The North State Journal reports. The Russian blue-liner exited with 3:46 remaining in regulation and was spotted icing his right ankle after the game. Carolina's defense has taken several injury hits throughout the campaign and just lost Jaccob Slavin (upper body) for the second time this season. Nikishin is having a fine debut campaign, logging 13 points (four goals, nine assists), 60 shots, 46 blocks, and 69 hits with a team-best plus-13 rating in 35 outings.
--Taavi PailkSource: Cory Lavalette
December 24, 2025
Washington Commanders rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt has scored in back-to-back weeks for the first time this season. Croskey-Merritt, aka Bill, played only 11 snaps in last week's loss to the Eagles, but handled eight carries for 25 yards and a score. The rookie seventh-rounder was still firmly behind
Chris Rodriguez Jr. in snaps and touches, but he earned more work on the goal line, outcarrying Rodriguez four to three inside the 10. The Commanders could be starting
Josh Johnson at QB this week, with
Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) uncertain to play on a short week. That would limit the fantasy appeal for Croskey-Merritt. Plus, he has a tough matchup against a Dallas Cowboys defense that is allowing the sixth-fewest rushing yards per game since acquiring Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline. JCM projects as a desperation flex option for Week 17.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Pro Football Reference
December 24, 2025
New England Patriots running back
Rhamondre Stevenson could potentially see most of the running back opportunities on Sunday with rookie
TreVeyon Henderson (head) currently working his way through the concussion protocol after leaving the game early in Week 16 against the Baltimore Ravens. Since Stevenson's return from injury in Week 12, his snap share has increased each week, from 31 percent to 58 percent, 67 percent, and 84 percent, respectively. Combine that with Henderson potentially being out on Sunday, Stevenson would climb up the RB ranks and become a borderline RB1 against the New York Jets, who have been reeling of late and are allowing the fourth most points on the season to the running back position. Regardless of Henderson's status for Week 17, Stevenson will provide fantasy value given the matchup.
--Nicho RoesslerSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Philadelphia Flyers forward Denver Barkey (undisclosed) missed the third period of Tuesday's 3-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks, Jackie Spiegel of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. He was injured on a hit from behind and will be re-evaluated over the holiday period. Barkey played his third career game on Tuesday night. He has slotted well into the middle six and registered two assists in his NHL debut against the New York Rangers last week. Before making a step up into the big league, the 20-year-old registered 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 26 AHL appearances.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jackie Spiegel
December 24, 2025
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Travis Sanheim was removed from Tuesday's matchup against the Blackhawks by a concussion spotter, Jackie Spiegel of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. Sanheim wasn't available for the final 12:33 of action in a tightly-contested 3-1 road win. Speaking to reporters after the game, Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet didn't seem too concerned about Sanheim's status, suggesting that he might not have to miss additional time. With the league taking a Christmas break, the 29-year-old will have some additional time to recover. Philadelphia will return to work on Sunday against the Seattle Kraken. Sanheim has produced 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 36 games and shares the team lead with 65 blocked shots.
--Taavi PailkSource: Jackie Spiegel
December 24, 2025
Washington Wizards forward
Cam Whitmore (shoulder) will be out indefinitely after being diagnosed with upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. Whitmore recently dropped out of the lineup due to a shoulder issue, and now we know why. The 21-year-old is playing his first season in Washington after being traded by the Houston Rockets in the offseason. He has averaged 9.2 points and 2.8 rebounds in 16.9 minutes per game across 21 outings. Prior to his exit from the lineup, Whitmore had fallen out of the rotation, so his absence won't have an impact in fantasy basketball.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
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