December 21, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Calvin Austin III (hamstring) is listed as questionable to return for Sunday's game against the Detroit Lions. Austin was forced to exit in the fourth quarter due to a hamstring injury. Given it's already late in the game, it wouldn't be shocking to see Austin remain out for the rest of the contest. Before leaving, Austin hauled in his lone target for eight yards. If he remains out,
Marquez Valdes-Scantling and
Scotty Miller could see increased playing time for the final quarter of the game. Fantasy managers will need to check back for another update on his status following the game.
--Andy WebbSource: Burt Lauten
December 21, 2025
New Orleans Saints tight end
Juwan Johnson was involved in a big way during Sunday's game against the New York Jets. Johnson has been a consistent option all season, but posted one of his best performances of the season on Sunday. The 29-year-old hauled in eight of his nine targets for 89 yards in the victory. Both the receptions and yardage were season-highs for Johnson, while quarterback
Tyler Shough threw for a season-high 308 yards. Clearly, Johnson and Shough have built some strong chemistry together over the last few weeks. Johnson should remain in the mix as a TE1 for next week's matchup against the Tennessee Titans.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
George Pickens bounced back with a massive performance during Sunday's contest against the Los Angeles Chargers. Before this game, Pickens was held to under 40 receiving yards in each of his last two contests. Pickens rebounded with a massive performance against the Chargers' defense in Week 16. He hauled in seven of his nine targets for 103 yards and a touchdown in the loss. This marked the fifth time this season that Pickens has surpassed 100 yards in a single game. The 24-year-old has been elite with 88 receptions, 1,342 yards, and nine touchdowns heading into the Week 17 matchup against the Washington Commanders.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
Max Brosmer entered the game due to injury on Sunday and helped his team secure a 16-13 victory against the New York Giants by completing seven of nine passes for 52 yards. The undrafted rookie was called upon after starter
J.J. McCarthy (hand) sustained his third injury of the year and did not return. For Brosmer, Sunday was markedly better than a four-interception disaster at Seattle in Week 13, as he and the Minnesota running game were able to move the ball just enough to kick what became the game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter. McCarthy's availability for a Christmas Day game against the Lions is unknown, but even if he doesn't play, it would be beyond risky to depend on Brosmer in any fantasy format, especially this deep into the season.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Quentin Johnston returned to action in a big way during Sunday's 34-17 win against the Dallas Cowboys. Johnston sat out last week's win over the Kansas City Chiefs due to a groin issue. He returned from his one-game absence here and posted a massive performance. Johnston hauled in four of his five targets for 104 yards and a touchdown in the victory. The 24-year-old has been inconsistent over the last few months. This time, Johnston excelled as he posted his first 100-yard performance of the season. He'll draw a tough matchup against the Houston Texans' defense next week. His deep threat ability will certainly keep him on the fantasy radar in Week 17.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
Despite yet another injury and yet another quarterback change, Minnesota Vikings running back
Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle) put together an admirable performance with 93 total yards and the game-clinching first down in a 16-13 victory at the New York Giants. Despite departing the game on the first drive due to the injury, different from the shoulder ailment that has plagued him this season, the veteran running back returned to post 85 total rushing yards on 21 carries and two catches for eight yards. It was a necessary effort from Jones, who carried the offense after quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (hand) and fellow running back
Jordan Mason (ankle) left the game and didn't return. Jones figures to have full command of the backfield if Mason misses Thursday's game against Detroit, but everyone on the Minnesota offense would have a lower ceiling if McCarthy also misses time and undrafted rookie
Max Brosmer has to start.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Jordan Addison caught just two of three targets for 26 yards on Sunday in a 16-13 win at the New York Giants, and the lone missed connection was a costly one. Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy found the third-year receiver in single coverage in the end zone for what appeared to be a touchdown, but Addison lost control of the ball as he attempted to complete the catch, forcing a field goal attempt instead. Even worse for the Vikings, McCarthy (hand) departed the game shortly before halftime and did not return. Backup
Carson Wentz (shoulder) is already out for the year, so Minnesota once again had to turn to undrafted rookie
Max Brosmer, dimming the offense's outlook. If McCarthy misses a Christmas Day showdown with the Detroit Lions, trusting anyone on the Minnesota offense would be awfully difficult.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver
Ja'Marr Chase was once again a tough player to stop during Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. Chase has been one of the few bright spots in what has been a disappointing season for the Bengals. On Sunday, Chase hauled in nine of his 11 targets for 109 yards in Sunday's 45-21 victory over the Dolphins. This marked the third time in the last four games that Chase has surpassed the 100-yard mark in a game. The return of quarterback
Joe Burrow has certainly helped boost his play in the previous four contests. Chase is one of the best wideouts in the league and will continue to be an elite fantasy option for next week's matchup against the Arizona Cardinals.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback
Joe Burrow needed a bounce-back game after throwing two interceptions during last week's loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Burrow delivered a massive performance for fantasy managers during Sunday's 45-21 win over the Miami Dolphins. The 29-year-old completed 25-of-32 passing attempts for 309 yards and four touchdowns while rushing for six yards on two attempts during Sunday's victory. He connected with
Tee Higgins for a nine-yard touchdown in the first quarter. He would later find running back
Chase Brown for two short-yardage scores in the third quarter. Burrow would finish off his day with a 17-yard touchdown to
Mike Gesicki in the fourth quarter. Burrow is back to his elite ways and will get a promising matchup against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 17.
--Andy WebbSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Justin Jefferson looked more like his old self on Sunday by catching six passes on eight targets for 85 yards despite losing his starting quarterback for the second half in a 16-13 victory against the New York Giants. The superstar receiver had multiple impressive catch-and-runs, made an excellent sideline catch, and was on pace for a big day, but settled for merely a good one after
J.J. McCarthy (hand) was lost for the day right before halftime. Still, it was a welcome slump-buster for Jefferson, who caught more than five passes for the first time since Week 9 and surpassed 80 yards for the first time since Week 5. It was a welcome sight for managers who survived the worst three-game stretch of Jefferson's career, but the immediate future looks uncertain. If McCarthy cannot return in time for a Christmas Day showdown against Detroit, undrafted rookie
Max Brosmer would be in line for another start.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
New Orleans Saints wide receiver
Chris Olave caught 10 of his 16 targets for 148 yards and two touchdowns during Sunday's Week 16 win over the New York Jets. Olave is having quite the redemption campaign in New Orleans this season, as he now has over 1,000 yards and a career-high eight touchdowns. He ranks among the top eight fantasy receivers in scoring (full-PPR) this season, which is also the highest mark of his career. One of the biggest factors toward Olave's success has been his health. Knock on wood, the 25-year-old has not yet missed a game this season. He missed three games over his first two pro seasons, and he was sidelined for a whopping nine contests last year. As long as Olave stays healthy for the final two weeks of the year, he'll continue to be a strong WR1 option rest-of-season. That includes Week 17, when the Saints face off against the Titans and could deliver another double-digit margin of victory.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 21, 2025
Buffalo Bills running back
James Cook had 16 carries, 117 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns during Sunday's Week 16 win over the Cleveland Browns. He also converted two targets into one catch for 17 receiving yards. Cook's quest for the NFL rushing title continued against a Browns defense that has been absolutely ripped apart by opposing running backs over the last three weeks. Buffalo's primary ball-carrier now has 14 touchdowns and over 1,800 scrimmage yards on the year, including five trips to the end zone in his last two games. Preseason concerns that Cook was due for regression have been completely unfounded, as he remains one of the top fantasy running backs while continuing to play a massive role around the goal line. He's a very strong RB1 option with a high ceiling heading into Week 17 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 21, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert completed 23 of his 29 pass attempts for 300 yards, two passing touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Sunday's Week 16 win over the Dallas Cowboys. He also had eight rushing attempts, 42 rushing yards, and one rushing touchdown. Herbert put together a phenomenal fantasy performance with three total touchdowns and zero turnovers. He also made an impact on the ground and led the Chargers to a key win in the midst of the playoff hunt. After four consecutive games where Herbert was less than 100% due to injury, it was very encouraging to see him bounce back in such a huge way. After Sunday's big outing, managers should trust Herbert as a solid QB1 option heading into Week 17, despite facing off against a strong Houston Texans defense.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 21, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback
Shedeur Sanders completed 20 of his 29 pass attempts for 157 yards and one touchdown, but threw two interceptions in Sunday's 23-20 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Sanders managed to overcome an injured pinky finger on his throwing hand, which forced him out of the game for a few plays, and completed 69% of his passes, his best passing completion percentage of the year. Most notably, the rookie play caller had four rushes for 49 yards, also a season high. If Sanders continues to gain yards on the ground, which helps to support his fantasy points floor, he may become a more appealing deep league Superflex option. Looking ahead, the Browns will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17, whose defense gives up the eighth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks for the year.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
December 21, 2025
Cleveland Browns rookie running back
Raheim Sanders led the Browns' backfield after rookie running back
Quinshon Judkins (ankle, leg) left the game early due to an injury during Sunday's Week 16 loss against the Buffalo Bills. Sanders substituted in as the early downs back and turned his 11 rushing attempts into 42 yards. He also brought in one reception for four yards, but running back
Trayveon Williams saw the majority of the backfield's passing opportunities. The Cleveland Browns will host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17, who are a tough matchup for opposing running backs. With rookie running back
Dylan Sampson (hand) still managing an injury and Judkins at risk of missing the rest of the season, Sanders may emerge as the starter against the Steelers.
--Matt McCauleySource: ESPN
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