December 28, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle) is expected to play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football in Week 17, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Pearsall is listed as questionable after practicing in a limited capacity. While star tight end
George Kittle (ankle) is unlikely to play, San Francisco will get a major reinforcement in the passing game with Pearsall back from his one-game absence. The second-year receiver had six catches for 96 yards in his last healthy game against the Tennessee Titans, and he'll look to build on that performance this week against the Bears, who have allowed the third-most receiving yards and fifth-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers in 2025. He ranks as a low-end WR3/flex in deeper leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Schefter
December 28, 2025
San Francisco 49ers tight end
George Kittle (ankle) is "highly unlikely" to play against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football in Week 17, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.com. Kittle had been listed as questionable, and while he was expected to be a game-time decision, it seemed like he was trending in the wrong direction after missing all three practices this past week. He has been the overall TE2 since Week 8, so his absence will be felt among fantasy managers and the 49ers. As most leagues host their fantasy championships this week, managers should look for replacement options ahead of time. There are plenty of waiver-wire or bench options who play in the afternoon windows of games. Managers who want to wait until Kittle is ruled out tonight could pivot to
Jake Tonges (Sunday night) or
Colby Parkinson (Monday night).
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Schefter
December 28, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker
Chase McLaughlin has been offering consistent fantasy value all season. He's getting plenty of chances and is converting on them when he's called upon. The 29-year-old has converted 28 of 32 field goal attempts and has made 29 of 30 extra point tries over 15 games in 2025. McLaughlin hasn't missed a kick since the Week 6 matchup versus the San Francisco 49ers. He'll head into a decent matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 17. A team that is middle of the pack in fantasy points allowed to kickers this season. McLaughlin isn't an elite option, but is a consistent enough option to be trusted for Week 17.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
December 28, 2025
Tennessee Titans wide receiver
Van Jefferson is seeing consistent playing time, but hasn't been a reliable contributor this season. Jefferson has been held to under 40 receiving yards in every game but three this season. The veteran wideout has five total receptions over his last three games. He's also heading into a tough matchup against the New Orleans Saints defense in Week 17. A defense that has allowed the third-fewest receiving yards to wideouts this season. Fantasy managers are best to leave Jefferson on the bench this weekend.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
December 28, 2025
Tennessee Titans tight end
Chig Okonkwo is coming off his best performance of the season. Okonkwo finished with six receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown during last week's win over the Kansas City Chiefs. The 26-year-old also saw a season-high eight targets during that victory. It was a nice outing from Okonkwo, but fantasy managers should consider it more of a fluke game. He continues to split up the reps with rookie
Gunnar Helm. Okonkwo hasn't given fantasy managers much reason to have faith that he'll be a consistent contributor. He should only be viewed as a deep league streaming choice ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the New Orleans Saints.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
December 28, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders running back
Ashton Jeanty will suit up for Sunday's Week 17 matchup against the New York Giants. According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, there was speculation that Las Vegas could potentially sit Jeanty this weekend as the Raiders and Giants are in contention for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Raiders have already ruled out tight end
Brock Bowers (knee) and superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby (knee) for Sunday’s game. It was unclear if the Raiders would go into full tank mode and bench their star rookie running back. Despite the speculation, Jeanty will be available for this game and is a strong RB1 in a plus matchup versus the Giants.
--Andy WebbSource: Adam Schefter
December 28, 2025
Indianapolis Colts defensive back Sauce Gardner (calf) is listed as questionable, but is expected to suit up in Week 17, according to Ian Rapoport. Gardner appears ready to make his return after missing each of the last three games due to a calf injury. His return to the field will be a significant boost for this defense against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts are certainly going to need Gardner if they plan to slow down the red-hot
Trevor Lawrence. Fantasy managers with IDP seem to be safe to get Gardner into their lineups. The Colts defense is a risky streaming choice even with Gardner on Sunday.
--Andy WebbSource: Ian Rapoport
December 28, 2025
San Francisco 49ers tight end
George Kittle (ankle) plans to test out his ankle pre-game ahead of the Week 17 matchup against the Chicago Bears. Kittle hasn't practiced all week due to an ankle injury, but is shaping up as a game-time decision. Fantasy managers will need to make a big decision, as this game doesn't start until 8:20 est. There's a good chance that Kittle's final status won't be known until about an hour before kickoff. If available,
Jake Tonges could be worth stashing for fantasy managers waiting on Kittle's final status. Tonges should have an expanded role if Kittle is unable to go.
--Andy WebbSource: Ian Rapoport
December 28, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver
Roman Wilson shouldn't be considered for fantasy in this weekend's road matchup with the division-rival Cleveland Browns. With the Steelers' WR room in flux, the 24-year-old will re-enter the lineup in Week 17 after being a healthy scratch for the previous three games. As it stands, it's unclear in what type of role Wilson will operate, as veterans
Marquez Valdes-Scantling and
Adam Thielen both project to play a considerable amount of snaps. Notably, head coach Mike Tomlin pointed to the second-year pro as a candidate to step up during teammate
DK Metcalf's two-game suspension. However, fantasy managers can't rely upon Wilson until he shows a decent standing in Pittsburgh's passing game hierarchy.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Marquez Valdes-Scantling is little more than a cheap DFS play for Sunday's outing with the hosting Cleveland Browns. The veteran has picked up considerable playing time in Pittsburgh's wide receiver corps over the last three weeks and should be in store for even more over the season's remaining games. With teammate
DK Metcalf serving a two-game suspension, and
Calvin Austin III (hamstring) deemed out with a hamstring issue, Valdes-Scantling is set to run alongside
Adam Thielen in two-wide-receiver sets. While this should boost the 31-year-old's floor,
Roman Wilson's return does cloud the situation a bit. More so, quarterback
Aaron Rodgers has made a habit of distributing the ball evenly. Valdes-Scantling should boast a significant amount of playing time on the road against the Browns, but won't be a recommended option for fantasy, ranking as RotoBaller's PPR WR79 for the divisional clash.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
Tennessee Titans wide receiver
Elic Ayomanor is unlikely to make an impact for fantasy when his team lines up with the visiting New Orleans Saints this Sunday. All things considered, the Stanford product has had a decent rookie season. While it hasn't always shown up in the box score, Ayomanor had drawn targets at a nice rate earlier in the campaign and periodically flashed his athleticism in a Titans' attack that's largely struggled in 2025. That said, he's seen his opportunities dip recently following a hamstring injury that forced him to miss Week 12. Moreover, Ayomanor played behind teammates
Van Jefferson and
Chimere Dike in Week 16, notching his lowest snap share of the season (56%). Tennessee's offense is trending in the right direction, but the rookie's volume makes him a questionable play deep in the fantasy playoffs. Ayomanor is RotoBaller's PPR WR61 for his outing with the Saints.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 28, 2025
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) should be available for this weekend's road meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals. For the second week in a row, Harrison could only practice in a limited fashion while he battles a nagging heel issue, and he was ultimately deemed questionable. Per Schefter, the second-year pro will again have his snaps managed by the team. It's unfavorable news for fantasy managers, as Harrison commanded just three targets (1/14) in Week 16's loss to Atlanta, while recording his second-lowest snap share of the campaign (51%). Furthermore, it's unclear if the Ohio State alum has come any closer to full health, considering his unchanged practice regimen. Even in an excellent matchup, Harrison ranks only as a mid-range WR3, with his playing time difficult to decipher.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
December 28, 2025
Cleveland Browns tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) is expected to be a "full go" for Sunday's clash with the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. The rookie picked up a groin injury during practice on Friday, causing him to log a limited session ahead of Week 17's home outing. Fortunately, it appears that Fannin will be without limitation, despite garnering a questionable tag. As it stands, he's set for another sizable target share against Pittsburgh, considering teammate
David Njoku (knee) will miss a third straight appearance with a pesky knee injury. In addition to a favorable role, the Steelers have been an excellent matchup for fantasy TEs, yielding the third-most points per game to the position (17.11). Fannin leads all Browns' pass-catchers in targets, receptions, yards, and touchdowns.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
December 27, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end
Pat Freiermuth could be in line for an expanded role in Week 17. Following wide receiver
D.K. Metcalf's two-game suspension for punching a fan, Freiermuth could see more work in the passing game. In his last four games, the 27-year-old has garnered 12 targets in the Steelers' passing attack. It is worth noting that Freiermuth has had big fantasy performances in the past, including a Week 7 outing this season when he went over 100 receiving yards and scored twice. With Metcalf out, the Steelers' passing attack is left without its greatest red zone weapon, and Freiermuth could be the biggest beneficiary. Entering Week 17, Wilson and the Steelers will face a Miami Dolphins defense that has allowed the 10th-most receiving touchdowns this season. Freiermuth will be a touchdown-dependent tight end in Week 17, but he has a better chance to find the end zone than usual.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: NFL.com
December 27, 2025
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.
--Wyatt McClintockSource: NFL.com
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