December 28, 2025
The Green Bay Packers clinched the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs on Saturday night. As a result, they are expected to rest key players in Week 18 against the Minnesota Vikings, according to Adam Schefter. This is common practice among teams that have secured a specific seed heading into the final week of the season. The outcome of Packers-Vikings has no bearing on the Packers' seeding, so they'll sideline plenty of key players to allow them to rest and avoid risking injury. Schefter didn't specify which Packers will sit out Week 18, but quarterback
Jordan Love (shoulder, concussion) and running back
Josh Jacobs are safe bets on the offensive side of the ball. Fantasy managers rostering any Packers players should check back for updates from head coach Matt LaFleur in the days leading up to Week 18.
--Andersen PickardSource: Adam Schefter
December 28, 2025
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver
Michael Wilson remains in must-start territory ahead of Sunday's Week 17 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. While
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) should play this week, he's expected to have a reduced snap share. As a result, Wilson should operate as the Cardinals' No. 1 wide receiver and one of
Jacoby Brissett's top targets once again. He has been spectacular in the back half of the season, catching 46 passes for 587 yards and four touchdowns over his last six games. During that span, he ranks as the overall WR3 in full-PPR leagues. In addition to his terrific momentum lately, Wilson should benefit from a very favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals' defense, which ranks among the worst in the NFL. They have been stronger against the pass, but this game's implied total of 53.5 points suggests that we're in for a shootout with plenty of offense and very little defense. Wilson ranks as the WR16 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings for Week 17, and he has top-10 upside.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Arizona Cardinals running back
Michael Carter is worth starting as an RB2, RB3, or flex in most fantasy leagues ahead of his extremely favorable matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 17. Although Carter did see his snap share (55%) and carries (11) get reduced last Sunday, he was still highly efficient with 65 total yards. He has 4.7 yards per carry over his last five contests, and he has also carved out a massive receiving role with 19 targets and 14 catches during that span. Carter should benefit from facing the Bengals, who have surrendered the most rushing yards and fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2025. They have also allowed the ninth-most rushing touchdowns, seventh-most catches, third-most receiving yards, and second-most receiving touchdowns to the position. While the game script could be better -- the Bengals are seven-point favorites with a -360 moneyline -- this game's implied total of 53.5 points bodes very well for Carter. He ranks as the overall RB25 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy rankings for Week 17.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Carolina Panthers wide receiver
Tetairoa McMillan (illness) is expected to play in Sunday's Week 17 contest against the Seattle Seahawks, according to ESPN's Jeff Darlington. McMillan was a late addition to the injury report on Sunday morning, when the Panthers announced that he was questionable to play. According to Darlington, the rookie arrived at the facility feeling unwell. He is expected to play in Week 17, but the Panthers still wanted to report his status for transparency purposes. McMillan has appeared in all 15 contests this year, catching 65 passes for 924 yards and seven touchdowns. Fantasy managers should check back around 11:30 a.m. EST for confirmation on his status. If McMillan is confirmed as active, he will rank as a strong WR2 option in fantasy football. In the event that he suffers a setback and doesn't play,
Xavier Legette and
Jalen Coker would likely step up as quarterback
Bryce Young's top targets.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jeff Darlington
December 28, 2025
Carolina Panthers wide receiver
Tetairoa McMillan (illness) was added to the injury report on Sunday morning and is officially listed as questionable to play against the Seattle Seahawks in Week 17. McMillan had not previously been listed on the injury report, so it appears that he picked up the illness sometime within the last 36 hours. The rookie has played in all 15 games so far this season, catching 65 passes for 924 yards and seven touchdowns. He scored a touchdown last Sunday and ranks as the overall WR14 in PPR leagues this year. Fantasy managers should check back around 11:30 a.m. EST for confirmation on his status. If McMillan can't play,
Xavier Legette and
Jalen Coker would likely step up as quarterback
Bryce Young's top targets.
--Andersen PickardSource: Ari Meirov
December 28, 2025
Carolina Panthers wide receiver
David Moore (elbow) was not activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's Week 17 contest against the Seattle Seahawks. As a result, he won't face his former team this weekend. Moore was eligible to be activated and seemed to be trending in the right direction after logging three full practices. However, the Panthers have decided to hold him out. Moore hasn't played since Week 4. He played 97% of the snaps in Week 3 but has just one catch for five yards this year. Even when he returns to action, the 30-year-old won't be a reliable fantasy receiver.
--Andersen PickardSource: Mike Kaye
December 28, 2025
The Tennessee Titans D/ST is coming off an impressive showing against a banged-up Kansas City Chiefs offense, but the unit could come back down to earth in Week 17 against the New Orleans Saints. The Saints have looked weak at certain times this year, but they're playing some very good football all of a sudden. New Orleans has won three consecutive games, and they exploded for 412 yards and 29 points last week against the New York Jets. Meanwhile, the Titans did tally four sacks and allow just nine points last Sunday, but they strongly benefited from a matchup against
Gardner Minshew (knee) and
Chris Oladokun. Tennessee has the 12th-lowest-scoring D/ST in fantasy football this year, and they drop to 10th-lowest if you throw out last week's game. Fantasy managers should be wary about starting the Titans this Sunday against the surging Saints. There are better alternatives available on the waiver wire.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars D/ST continues to be a strong fantasy football option heading into their Week 17 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts. The Jaguars have been one of the hottest defenses in football lately, ranking as the second-highest-scoring D/ST unit since Week 10. This week, they'll benefit from a matchup against the
Philip Rivers-led Colts. While the Colts have played competitive football since turning to the 44-year-old quarterback, Rivers is still turnover-prone. He has an interception in each of his two games, which bodes well for a Jaguars defense that has picked off six passes over the last three weeks. The Jaguars remain in must-start territory on Sunday.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 28, 2025
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver
Cooper Kupp has been underwhelming during his first year with the team, but last week's season-high snap share offers plenty of optimism near the end of the regular season. Kupp played 93% of the snaps in last week's overtime win over his old team, the Los Angeles Rams. Despite the increased involvement, he posted modest volume with four targets, three catches, 39 yards, and a lost fumble. With that being said, managers should feel optimistic that his high snap share could lead to improved volume in Week 17 against the Carolina Panthers. Kupp, who is the WR33 in half-PPR leagues over the last three weeks, faces a Carolina defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to slot receivers in 2025. His 284 slot snaps rank 14th-most among wide receivers this year. Kupp enters Week 17 as the WR49 in RotoBaller's latest fantasy football rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
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
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