December 24, 2025
Detroit Lions running back
Jahmyr Gibbs has been inconsistent as a rusher in recent weeks, as he's been held to 3.6 yards per carry or less in five out of his last six games. The 23-year-old was able to save his Week 16 production with his work as a receiver, recording 10 catches for 66 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Gibbs has been heavily involved in the Lions' passing game since Detroit placed tight end
Sam LaPorta (back) on Injured Reserve. Across six games without LaPorta, Gibbs has hauled in 40 catches for 333 yards and two touchdowns on 51 targets. Gibbs' receiving work may need to continue carrying his production in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings enter the week ranked 12th in the NFL in yards per carry allowed (4.1). Gibbs had his least productive game of the season in his first matchup of the year against Minnesota, racking up just 28 scrimmage yards on 12 touches in Week 9. However, he may see a few more touches this time around, as Lions back
David Montgomery (illness) is officially listed as questionable to play on Thursday. Gibbs remains a must-start fantasy running back, but fantasy managers may want to downgrade expectations in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Kimani Vidal (neck) missed his second practice of the week after suffering a neck strain late in the team's Week 16 win over the Cowboys. After undergoing an MRI early in the week, he was considered day-to-day, but he has yet to return to the practice field, putting his availability for a Week 17 matchup with the Texans in question. Vidal had been splitting snaps with
Omarion Hampton since the rookie returned from a prolonged absence due to an ankle injury, but if he is unable to suit up on Saturday, Hampton should see bellcow duties against a tough Houston front. The matchup is not ideal for championship weekend, but Hampton has looked dynamic since returning in Week 14 and could put up low RB1 numbers if he gets the backfield to himself.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Los Angeles Chargers
December 24, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) is officially listed as questionable for his team's Week 17 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings after being held to limited practice participation on both Tuesday and Wednesday. The 26-year-old has been one of the NFL's most consistent wide receivers so far this season, recording 98 receptions for 1,194 yards and 11 touchdowns on 144 targets. However, he faces a very difficult matchup against Minnesota. Entering the week, Minnesota ranks second in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (2,790) and tied for second in passing touchdowns allowed (14). Still, St. Brown was able to have success in his first outing against the Vikings this season, recording nine catches for 97 yards on 13 targets in Week 9. St. Brown has also earned at least nine targets in five out of his last six outings. The Lions may choose to limit his reps on Thursday due to his knee ailment, but Detroit is also in a must-win situation to keep their fading playoff hopes alive. If active, St. Brown profiles as a must-start fantasy wide receiver in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Detroit Lions running back
David Montgomery (illness) is officially questionable to play in his team's Week 17 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings after being limited in practice on Wednesday with an illness. If Montgomery is active, he will be looking to rebound from one of his least productive games as a Lion in Week 16 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Montgomery recorded just four carries for 14 yards against Pittsburgh, marking his sixth straight outing with eight or fewer rush attempts. The 28-year-old also played just 13 snaps against the Steelers, his fewest in any game this season. On the bright side, Montgomery had a solid game in his first time out against Minnesota this season, recording 50 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 13 touches. Still, Montgomery's recent workload trend makes him tough for fantasy managers to trust. If active, Montgomery profiles as a low-end flex option in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Detroit Lions quarterback
Jared Goff has played solid football all season long, completing 68.6% of his pass attempts for 4,036 yards, 32 touchdowns, and five interceptions across 15 games. Goff's production has ramped up to another level in recent weeks, as he's attempted 129 passes and thrown for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns without an interception over his last three games. However, Goff and the Lions will face a very difficult matchup in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings. Entering the week, Minnesota ranks second in the NFL in total passing yards allowed (2,790) and tied for second in passing touchdowns allowed (14). In their Week 16 win over the New York Giants, the Vikings allowed Giants quarterback
Jaxson Dart to throw for just 33 yards on 13 pass attempts. In his first matchup of 2025 against Minnesota in Week 9, Goff was sacked a season-high five times. Fantasy managers in single-quarterback formats may want to avoid Goff if possible in Week 17.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Denver Broncos wide receiver
Pat Bryant (concussion) has been ruled out for the team's Thursday night Christmas matchup with the Chiefs. The rookie wideout was concussed late in the Broncos' Week 16 loss to the Jaguars on a violent hit over the middle and was immediately taken to the hospital. He was released from the hospital on Tuesday but remains in the league's concussion protocol. With the Broncos playing on a short week, it was always viewed as unlikely that he would be able to suit up, but he has now been officially ruled out for Week 17. Bryant has seen his role steadily increase across the back half of the season, and with him inactive,
Troy Franklin,
Marvin Mims Jr., and tight end
Evan Engram could all see a bump in target share, while
Courtland Sutton remains a high-upside WR2.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Denver Broncos
December 24, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver
A.J. Brown (teeth) was listed as a non-participant at Wednesday's practice after getting his wisdom teeth pulled, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. It's not what fantasy managers want to see heading into championship week in most leagues, but we expect Brown to be ready to roll by Sunday on the road in Buffalo against the Bills. The 28-year-old has had an up-and-down 2025 season, but the good news is he's been much more consistent for fantasy managers in the second half. Three of his five 100-yard games have come since the team's bye in Week 9, and Brown has seen double-digit targets from quarterback
Jalen Hurts in five of the last six contests. In what could definitely be a shootout in Week 17, Brown will be a top-12 fantasy receiver even though he had teeth pulled this week.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
December 24, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs defense gave up 24 points to the Tennessee Titans in Week 16 while recording two sacks and zero takeaways. The Chiefs' defense has now allowed 20 or more points in 10 of 15 games this season. The Kansas City defensive unit has also recorded two or fewer sacks in 10 of 15 games. Kansas City will now take on the Denver Broncos, who are trying to clinch the top seed in the AFC with the Los Angeles Chargers just one game behind them. The Broncos offense has gained the 10th-most yards per game this season, so the Chiefs defense could have its hands full on Christmas Day. The Chiefs' defense is ranked 27th in our RotoBaller rankings, making them a defensive unit to avoid in Week 17.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
December 24, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs kicker
Harrison Butker nailed three of his four field goal attempts and did not attempt a single extra-point since the Chiefs did not find the end zone in last week's loss to the Tennessee Titans. Butker and the Chiefs could be in for another low-scoring affair in Week 17 against the Denver Broncos. The Broncos defense has allowed the fifth-fewest points per game this season, and with
Chris Oladokun leading the offense, the Chiefs could have a tough time scoring any points on Christmas. Butker has now missed a kick in eight of his 15 games this season, making him a tough kicker to trust even with optimal conditions. Butker is ranked K27 in our RotoBaller rankings, making him a low-end option at the position this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
December 24, 2025
New Orleans Saints running back
Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) is missing yet another practice on Wednesday, according to Katherine Terrell of ESPN. Kamara has not been active for the Saints since suffering an MCL sprain in Week 12, and the 30-year-old veteran figures to sit out the final two games of the year with nothing on the line for the Saints. Rookie
Devin Neal (hamstring) is officially done for the year as well, which led to tight end
Taysom Hill leading the team with 12 carries in the Week 16 win over the New York Jets. The 35-year-old also caught a season-high four passes on six targets for 36 yards through the air.
Audric Estime and
Evan Hull will remain involved on the ground, but Hill is worth picking up off the waiver wire in deeper leagues for a Week 17 tilt on the road against the Tennessee Titans. Fantasy managers shouldn't count on Kamara the rest of the way in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Katherine Terrell
December 24, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs tight end
Travis Kelce could be heavily involved on Christmas Day against the Denver Broncos. Kelce caught one pass for six yards on four targets in Week 16, giving fantasy managers one of his most disappointing performances of the season. With the Chiefs already eliminated from playoff contention, there is little left to play for except legacy. The 36-year-old tight end has not explicitly stated that this is his last season with the team, but there has been speculation that he could hang it up after this year. If Kelce does plan to retire this offseason, Christmas Day at Arrowhead could be Kelce's last home game of his career. Given the inexperience of
Chris Oladokun at quarterback, Kelce could operate close to the line of scrimmage and act as a release valve for the QB. Kelce will also have to deal with one of the best defenses in the league, the Denver Broncos. Despite giving up the fifth-fewest points per game this season, the Broncos defense has been relatively soft against tight ends. Kelce is ranked TE18 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a low-end TE2 option for fantasy managers this Thursday.
--Joshua CostelloSource: KSHB.com
December 24, 2025
San Francisco 49ers tight end
George Kittle (ankle) "has a chance" to play on Sunday night against the Chicago Bears in Week 17, according to head coach Kyle Shanahan. Kittle is not taking part in Wednesday's practice, but the team will see how he does in the next few days. The 32-year-old Pro Bowl tight end suffered an ankle sprain in the second half of Monday night's blowout win over the Indianapolis Colts and didn't return. He might not need to practice at all this week to play, but it could be a tough decision for fantasy managers to make on Kittle if he's a true game-time decision with this weekend's contest coming on Sunday night. Kittle is a no-doubt, must-start TE1 in fantasy when he's healthy. If the Niners play it safe and keep him out against the Bears,
Jake Tonges would enter the TE2 streaming picture in deeper leagues.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Nick Wagoner
December 24, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Marquise Brown will face the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day in Week 17. Brown caught three passes for 22 yards on three targets in last week's loss to the Tennessee Titans. With
Rashee Rice and
Tyquan Thornton placed on IR, Brown's role in the passing attack should increase. The veteran receiver should be more involved, but with
Chris Oladokun operating as the Chiefs QB1, Brown's upside could be severely capped. Brown will also have to deal with a Denver Broncos defense that has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Brown is ranked WR79 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a difficult player to start in any league regardless of depth or format.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
December 24, 2025
Detroit Lions running back
David Montgomery (illness) is considered questionable to play in Thursday's Christmas Day game versus the division-rival Minnesota Vikings due to an illness, according to the team's official website. Montgomery was added to the Week 17 injury report after not practicing on Tuesday while feeling under the weather. The 28-year-old returned to a limited practice on Wednesday, though, and he should be active for a must-win game on the road in Minnesota. If for some reason Monty still isn't feeling well on Thursday,
Sione Vaki and
Jacob Saylors would split RB2 duties for the Lions behind
Jahmyr Gibbs. Montgomery has been the clear RB2 this year behind Gibbs, giving him touchdown-dependent RB3/flex value most weeks. He does have eight rushing TDs on the year in 15 games, but Montgomery hasn't had double-digit carries in a game since Nov. 9.
--Keith HernandezSource: DetroitLions.com
December 24, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Xavier Worthy will now be the unquestioned WR1 for the team moving forward. The Chiefs placed
Rashee Rice and
Tyquan Thornton on IR on Wednesday morning, opening the door for Worthy to step into a more prominent role. Worthy led the wide receivers in receiving yards last week, catching two passes for 41 yards on three targets. Despite being the lead receiver, Worthy will have to deal with downgraded quarterback play and a difficult matchup in Week 17.
Chris Oladokun is now the Chiefs starting quarterback, and they face the Denver Broncos on Christmas Day. Oladokun has 16 passing attempts in his career, and the Broncos defense has allowed the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing wide receivers this season. Worthy's role in the offense could potentially be valuable, but he has a lot working against him this week. Worthy is ranked WR56 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR ranking, making him a desperation flex option this week.
--Joshua CostelloSource: ESPN.com
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