December 17, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Tyquan Thornton (concussion) will not practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Andy Reid. Fellow wideout
Rashee Rice is also dealing with a concussion and will not practice on Wednesday. The Chiefs have been eliminated from playoff contention and lost star quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (knee) to a torn ACL in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, so they won't be pushing Thornton or Rice to play in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans this Sunday. The 25-year-old Thornton has 19 catches on 36 targets for 438 yards and three touchdowns this year, but he's mostly been quiet in KC's offense since Rice returned from his suspension. He hasn't scored a touchdown since Sept. 28 and has five zero-catch games this year. If Thornton and Rice are unable to play this weekend,
Xavier Worthy,
Marquise Brown, and
JuJu Smith-Schuster would all be forced into bigger roles.
--Keith HernandezSource: Chiefs.com - Matt McMullen
December 17, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs head trainer Rick Burkholder said that quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (knee) was operated on quickly to fix the LCL part of his ACL/LCL knee injury that he suffered in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, according to Jesse Newell of The Athletic. Mahomes has started his rehab in Dallas this week and will continue through Thursday before returning to KC. The fact that the 30-year-old tore both his ACL and LCL will make his recovery more complicated, but reports suggest that Mahomes is "hellbent" on returning for the Week 1 season opener in 2026. For the final three weeks of the 2025 season,
Gardner Minshew will run KC's offense, which is an obvious downgrade for all of the Chiefs' offensive skill players. Mahomes, a three-time Super Bowl MVP, threw for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions in 14 games in 2025 in his ninth NFL season.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Jesse Newell
December 17, 2025
The Kansas City Chiefs say that wide receiver
Rashee Rice (concussion) will not practice on Wednesday, according to Pete Sweeney. It's a new injury for Rice, and one that could certainly keep him from playing in the Week 16 game against the Tennessee Titans this Sunday, especially with the Chiefs now eliminated from playoff contention. The 25-year-old's fantasy stock will be down, regardless, for the final three games of the season, with quarterback
Patrick Mahomes (knee) done for the year following a torn ACL suffered in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on Rice's status the rest of the week. He'll need to gain clearance from an independent neurologist to play this Sunday.
Tyquan Thornton also suffered a head injury against the Chargers.
Xavier Worthy,
Marquise Brown, and
JuJu Smith-Schuster could be in for expanded roles against the Titans if Rice and Thornton are unable to suit up.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arrowhead Pride - Pete Sweeney
December 17, 2025
The Buffalo Bills are opening wide receiver
Mecole Hardman's (calf) 21-day practice window on Wednesday, according to Maddy Glab of BuffaloBills.com. Hardman has been on Injured Reserve for the last four games after injuring his calf in the Week 11 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 27-year-old will be eligible to play this Sunday in Week 16 against the Cleveland Browns on the road, but the Bills will have to officially activate him from IR first. When healthy, Hardman is unlikely to be a big part of Buffalo's offense, especially with
Gabe Davis and
Brandin Cooks now in the picture. The former Kansas City Chiefs wideout will be a top kickoff return option on special teams, though. Hardman failed to reel in his only target in his only game played for the Bills this year. He will not be on the fantasy radar for the final three weeks of the regular season.
--Keith HernandezSource: BuffaloBills.com - Maddy Glab
December 17, 2025
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that wide receiver
Christian Watson (chest) is expected to be limited in Wednesday's practice, according to Rob Demovsky of ESPN. "He's improving. We'll just see how he's feeling out there," LaFleur said. Watson was listed as a non-participant on Tuesday's estimated injury report. He was hospitalized following a chest injury in Sunday's loss to the Denver Broncos, but doctors ruled out a long-term injury. The 26-year-old's status is up in the air for Saturday's big divisional rematch against the Chicago Bears, but it's a good sign that Watson is returning to practice. Since making his season debut halfway through the 2025 season, Watson has been Green Bay's go-to wideout, catching 28 of his 43 targets for 481 yards and five touchdowns. The former second-rounder had 89 yards and two touchdowns two weeks ago against Chicago. If he's cleared to play, Watson will have WR2 upside in the rematch in the Windy City.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Rob Demovsky
December 17, 2025
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that wide receiver
Marvin Harrison Jr. (heel) will take part in the team's walkthrough practice on Wednesday, per Tyler Drake of Arizona Sports. Harrison has missed the last two games with a heel injury, but Gannon said he's doing "good." The 23-year-old former first-rounder is expected to play again this year, possibly as soon as this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16. Harrison has missed four of the last five games with his heel injury, and after undergoing an appendectomy. The Ohio State product has not lived up to his fourth overall draft slot through almost two full NFL seasons. When healthy in 2025, Harrison has been inconsistent with 40 catches, 594 yards, and four touchdowns in 10 games. If Harrison returns this weekend, though, he'll be on the WR2 radar in Arizona's pass-happy offense. We'll continue to keep a close eye on his status over the next two days.
--Keith HernandezSource: Arizona Sports - Tyler Drake
December 17, 2025
Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that wide receiver
Drake London (knee), who is considered day-to-day, will practice on Wednesday so the team can see where he's at, according to Terrin Waack of AtlantaFalcons.com. Morris said on Monday that he's "very hopeful" that London will return in Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals. Wednesday will be the first time that the 24-year-old has practiced since spraining his left PCL back in Week 11. He's not a lock to play on Sunday against Arizona, but his return to practice at least gives his fantasy managers hope that he might be available this weekend. Tight end
Kyle Pitts Sr. has had a much higher ceiling with London out, as evidenced by his monster 11-catch, 166-yard, three-touchdown spectacle last Thursday night. London is typically a must-start WR1 in fantasy when he's active, but he'll be a bit more volatile in Week 16 if he returns and is on a snap count.
--Keith HernandezSource: AtlantaFalcons.com - Terrin Waack
December 17, 2025
Across seven games before his team's Week 8 bye, Detroit Lions wide receiver
Jameson Williams had recorded just 17 receptions and looked like he was headed towards a disappointing year. However, the 24-year-old has had a breakout second half of the 2025 season and is now up to 52 receptions for 936 yards and seven touchdowns on 81 targets across 14 games. Over his last three games in particular, Williams has been dominant, hauling in 21 catches for 374 yards and two touchdowns on 28 targets. With Lions tight end
Sam LaPorta (back) on Injured Reserve, Williams has emerged as the clear number two option in the Detroit passing game. With their defense struggling, the Lions have also been forced into more pass-heavy game scripts, leading quarterback
Jared Goff to average 36 pass attempts per game over the last five contests. Between LaPorta's injury and Detroit's tendency to find itself in shootouts, Williams should see plenty more opportunities for production heading into matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings over the next two weeks.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 17, 2025
Detroit Lions running back
David Montgomery has seen a reduced workload in 2025 as fellow Lions back
Jahmyr Gibbs has emerged as the team's clear lead rusher. However, Montgomery remains a red zone and goal-line threat, as he's scored a touchdown in three straight weeks and has eight scores on the season. The 28-year-old is still an effective rusher when given the opportunity, as he's averaging a career-best 4.7 yards per carry and has totaled 635 rushing yards across 14 games this season. Montgomery's ceiling is capped as long as Gibbs is healthy, as he's recorded double-digit touches just once over the last five weeks. Still, as a touchdown-dependent flex option, Montgomery has some fantasy value heading into his Week 16 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Week 17 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 17, 2025
Making his first start since January 2021, Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Philip Rivers managed to hold his own in Week 15 against the Seattle Seahawks. The 44-year-old completed 18 of 27 pass attempts for 120 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, and nearly led his team to an upset victory on the road. The Colts announced that Rivers will make another start in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers, who are expected to be a more manageable matchup than Seattle. Fantasy expectations should remain limited for Rivers, as he provides zero value as a rusher and averaged just 4.4 yards per pass attempt against the Seahawks. However, Rivers may be more productive as he gains more time to work with the Colts' pass catchers and becomes more familiar with the team's offense. In deep, two-quarterback fantasy leagues, Rivers could be a streaming option off the waiver wire in Week 16.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
December 17, 2025
In a clip from HBO's "Hard Knocks: In Season with the NFC East," Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn is seen emphasizing the importance of hitting New York Giants quarterback
Jaxson Dart when Dart takes off as a runner. Based on the clip, Giants beat writer Dan Duggan of The Athletic speculates that Dart "clearly has a target on his back as a runner." The rookie quarterback has been highly effective with his legs so far this season, recording 400 rushing yards and seven touchdowns across 11 games (nine starts). However, he also missed two games due to a concussion and has drawn criticism for his tendency to absorb unnecessary contact. If the 2-12 Giants pull back the reins on Dart as a rusher, his fantasy production would clearly be impacted. While Dart has shown little indication of being hesitant to run so far this season, it's a storyline worth monitoring as the team prepares to take on the Minnesota Vikings in Week 16.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Dan Duggan
December 17, 2025
Cleveland Browns running back
Dylan Sampson (hand) is not expected to practice on Wednesday, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Sampson missed his team's Week 15 loss to the Chicago Bears due to both calf and hand injuries, but it appears it's the hand that's now giving him more problems. Across 13 games this season, the 21-year-old has recorded 375 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns on 72 touches. He's emerged as the primary receiving back in Cleveland, with fellow rookie running back
Quinshon Judkins handling the lion's share of early-down work. With Sampson sidelined in Week 15,
Trayveon Williams was utilized as Cleveland's RB2, recording seven yards from scrimmage on three touches. If Sampson remains sidelined for the Browns' Week 16 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, Judkins could see a significant workload as both a rusher and receiver.
--Will BradySource: Cleveland.com - Mary Kay Cabot
December 17, 2025
Cleveland Browns tight end
David Njoku (knee) is not expected to practice on Wednesday, per Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Njoku is battling a knee injury that forced him to miss Cleveland's Week 15 loss to the Chicago Bears. Across 12 games this season, the 29-year-old has hauled in 33 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns on 48 targets. If Njoku is sidelined for a second straight game in Week 16 against the Buffalo Bills, Browns rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. could continue his recent surge. Over the past two weeks, Fannin Jr. has recorded 15 receptions on 25 targets and appears to be emerging as the favorite pass-catcher of Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders.
--Will BradySource: Cleveland.com - Mary Kay Cabot
December 17, 2025
After being eliminated from the playoffs in Week 15, the Miami Dolphins have released veteran pass-rusher Matthew Judon, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. The Dolphins granted his wish as he looks to join a contending team for the remainder of the 2025 season. Judon has played in 13 games this season and has yet to record a sack despite playing 41% of the snaps. Judon will likely look to clear waivers first before signing with the team of his choice, but keep an eye out for one of his former teams to be in the market, such as the Baltimore Ravens or New England Patriots. The Dolphins will hope that second-year pass rusher Chop Robinson will step up to replace the veteran.
--Nathan HarveySource: Mike Garafolo - NFL Network
December 17, 2025
The Miami Dolphins announced they will be benching quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa and starting rookie quarterback
Quinn Ewers. While former first-round pick
Zach Wilson was an option as well, they will be rolling with the rookie with their playoff hopes completely eliminated. The 2025 seventh-round pick led the Texas Longhorns to the semifinals in 2024, totaling 3,472 yards and 32 touchdowns in 14 games. In the preseason, Ewers completed 23 of 43 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Ewers is hard to trust for fantasy managers, even against the Cincinnati Bengals, who have given up the third-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season. While running back De'Von Achane will remain an elite RB1, pass catchers
Jaylen Waddle,
Malik Washington, and
Darren Waller all become more volatile options.
--Nathan HarveySource: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
RADIO
