December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Konata Mumpfield took on a larger role last Thursday, and he continues to trend up ahead of Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons. Mumpfield has earned more targets lately with
Davante Adams (knee, hamstring) sidelined. While the door remains open for Adams to face the Falcons, he faces an uphill battle to suit up. Therefore, Mumpfield has an opportunity to produce once again. Last week, as
Matthew Stafford's No. 2 option in the passing game, the rookie caught three of his eight targets for 40 yards while handling a 46% snap share. His target share might regress this weekend, but his overall production should benefit from a matchup against the Falcons, who have allowed the seventh-most fantasy points and fourth-most catches to wide receivers in 2025. Mumpfield is a potential WR3/flex this week, and he's an intriguing waiver wire target, especially in deeper leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Colby Parkinson remains a top target on the waiver wire heading into Week 17. Although Parkinson let down his fantasy managers with just two catches for 21 yards last Thursday against the Seahawks, this game was likely an outlier and can be attributed to a tough matchup. Prior to that subpar outing, he had put together an impressive six-game stretch with 22 catches, 230 yards, and six touchdowns. He's a particularly appealing option given that
Davante Adams (knee, hamstring) is trending toward missing Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons. Adams has been a major threat in the red zone this year, scoring 14 touchdowns. Given Parkinson's success around the goal line lately, he should take over as one of
Matthew Stafford's favorite red-zone targets in Adams' absence.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
December 22, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Tyquan Thornton (concussion) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Chiefs did not practice on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Thornton missed Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans, and it now appears that he's at risk of missing a second consecutive game, albeit on a short week. Kansas City faces the Denver Broncos on Thursday, giving Thornton just a few days to clear the NFL's five-stage concussion protocol. The 25-year-old hasn't been a major contributor this year, catching just 19 passes for 438 yards and three touchdowns. However, with
Rashee Rice (concussion) also sidelined, Kansas City's receiving corps needs all the help it can get. Managers invested in Thornton's availability should stay tuned for additional updates when the Chiefs publish their subsequent injury reports on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Chris Oladokun will quarterback Kansas City in Week 17, lowering the floors of all Chiefs pass-catchers in fantasy football.
--Andersen PickardSource: Kansas City Chiefs
December 22, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Rashee Rice (concussion) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Chiefs did not practice on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Rice missed Sunday's loss to the Tennessee Titans, and it now appears that he's at risk of missing a second consecutive game, albeit on a short week. The 25-year-old's absence will be felt, given that he had been averaging 6.6 catches, 71.4 yards, and 0.6 touchdowns per game when healthy. Managers invested in Rice's availability should stay tuned for additional updates when the Chiefs publish their subsequent injury reports on Tuesday and Wednesday. If he can't suit up,
Xavier Worthy will remain in the No. 1 role while catching passes from third-string quarterback
Chris Oladokun.
--Andersen PickardSource: Kansas City Chiefs
December 22, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
Ryan Flournoy (knee) has been diagnosed with a knee sprain, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. The 26-year-old receiver said he feared that he might have suffered a significant knee injury, so he's relieved that additional testing revealed only a sprain. With that being said, Flournoy isn't sure if he'll be able to play in Thursday's Week 17 contest against the Washington Commanders. He was estimated as limited following Monday's walkthrough, and he now has three days to get healthy before the Cowboys' divisional contest on Christmas Day. Flournoy has impressed with 18 catches, 207 yards, and two touchdowns over his last two games, but as long as
CeeDee Lamb and
George Pickens are healthy, he's stuck in the No. 3 receiver role and isn't a consistent option for fantasy football.
--Andersen PickardSource: Jon Machota
December 22, 2025
San Francisco 49ers running back
Jordan James is active for Monday's Week 16 contest against the Indianapolis Colts and is on track to make his NFL debut. The rookie had previously been a healthy scratch, but he's getting a chance to play on primetime television, perhaps in a mix of special teams and offensive depth roles. He's taking the spot of fellow rookie
Isaac Guerendo, who is a healthy scratch for the first time in his young career. Guerendo has contributed on special teams this year, but he doesn't have an offensive snap yet. Both running backs remain buried on the depth chart behind
Christian McCaffrey and
Brian Robinson Jr.--Andersen PickardSource: San Francisco 49ers
December 22, 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back
Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Monday's practice report. The Vikings conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Jones and fellow running back
Jordan Mason (ankle) both exited during the first quarter of Sunday's win over the New York Giants, but unlike Mason, Jones was able to return. The veteran ball-carrier is trending in the right direction for Week 17 against the Detroit Lions, but fantasy managers should still monitor the Vikings' upcoming practice reports for additional updates. Jones could actually take on a slightly larger role this week if Mason, who was estimated as a non-participant on Monday, doesn't suit up. As it stands, he ranks as a mid-to-low RB2.
--Andersen PickardSource: Kevin Seifert
December 22, 2025
Minnesota Vikings tight end
T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Vikings conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Hockenson handled 75% of the snaps in the Vikings' Week 16 win over the New York Giants, but he wasn't a major receiving threat with just one catch for two yards. The 28-year-old doesn't have much time to get healthy before the Vikings' Week 17 contest on Thursday against his old team, the Detroit Lions.
Josh Oliver would earn additional volume if Hockenson doesn't suit up, but he could be catching passes from
Max Brosmer after
J.J. McCarthy (hand) was also estimated as a non-participant.
--Andersen PickardSource: Kevin Seifert
December 22, 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back
Jordan Mason (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Vikings conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. Both Mason and
Aaron Jones exited during the first quarter of Sunday's win over the New York Giants, but Jones returned while Mason did not. In fact, Mason had to be carted to the locker room, so it's possible that his injury is severe and could lead to a multi-week absence. The 26-year-old is especially unlikely to play in Week 17, since the Vikings have a quick turnaround. Minnesota faces the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day (Thursday), leaving Mason just three days to get healthy. If he doesn't suit up,
Zavier Scott will back up
Aaron Jones Sr. (ankle).
--Andersen PickardSource: Kevin Seifert
December 22, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (right hand) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Vikings conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. McCarthy exited during the middle of the Vikings' Week 16 contest and was unable to return. Video from the FOX broadcast showed McCarthy in serious pain, so between his pain level and Monday's injury report, it seems like there's a very real chance the former first-round pick misses Week 17 against the Detroit Lions. To make matters worse for McCartyhy, the Vikings and Lions have a short week, playing on Christmas Day (Thursday). He only has a few days to get healthy for Week 17. Otherwise,
Max Brosmer would be in line to start against Detroit.
--Andersen PickardSource: Kevin Seifert
December 22, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's practice report. The Lions conducted a walk-through on Monday, so this designation is based on an estimation from the team. The 26-year-old is coming off a relatively disappointing contest in which he caught four of his nine targets for 54 yards while handling a season-high 97% snap share. He did handle an increased target share on the final drive of the game, but two of his catches (including a touchdown) were called back due to penalties. The Lions have a quick turnaround before playing again on Thursday against the Minnesota Vikings, so St. Brown only has a few days to get healthy. If he suits up in Week 17, he'll be a WR1.
--Andersen PickardSource: Eric Woodyard
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Ladd McConkey bounced back in Week 16 after two quiet outings, leading the team with six targets and finishing with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown in the 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys. It was a much-needed get-right performance, as McConkey reasserted himself as Herbert's primary chain-mover and red-zone option, bringing his season total to six touchdowns. However, Week 17 presents a dramatically tougher matchup against the Houston Texans, who boast one of the league's most suffocating pass defenses. Houston ranks near the top in EPA per pass, completion percentage allowed, interception rate, pressure rate, and total yards allowed. With the Texans generating consistent pressure and limiting downfield opportunities, McConkey may be limited to short-area targets and modest volume, making him a volatile WR3 rather than a dependable fantasy starter.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Tre' Harris continued to earn
Justin Herbert's trust, catching four passes for 54 yards on five targets and finishing second on the team in receiving yards in the 34-17 win over Dallas. Despite seeing his snap share cut nearly in half with
Quentin Johnston back in the lineup, Harris still posted an 18% target share, tying Johnston and
Keenan Allen. Harris has now seen ten targets over the last two games, an impressive trend given his fluctuating playing time. Week 17 brings a much tougher test against the Houston Texans, one of the league's most dominant pass defenses, ranking near the top in EPA per pass, pressure rate, yards allowed, and interceptions. With Houston limiting explosive plays and Harris still splitting work with veterans, his upside is capped, making him a risky flex option in deeper formats.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
December 22, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back
Omarion Hampton delivered in the team's 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys, rushing 16 times for 85 yards and a touchdown while averaging an impressive 5.3 yards per carry. Hampton handled 62% of the team's rushing attempts, especially after
Kimani Vidal exited with a neck injury, and consistently showed more burst and decisiveness than his backfield mates. He also contributed as a receiver, adding a 10-yard catch. Heading into Week 17, Hampton could see an expanded role if Vidal misses time, though Houston presents a much stiffer challenge. The Texans rank among the top seven run defenses, allowing the fifth-fewest rushing yards this season. Still, with the Chargers leaning on the ground game and Hampton's explosiveness standing out, he profiles as a volume-based RB2 with RB1 upside.
--Don FanelliSource: NFL
December 22, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
DK Metcalf is being suspended for two games without pay due to his confrontation with a fan during their victory over the Detroit Lions on Sunday afternoon. Metcalf was seen physically confronting the fan during the contest. However, Pelissero noted that the lead wideout is planning to appeal his suspension as he has already reported this same fan to security last season. During their thrilling victory over the Lions, Metcalf brought in just four of his nine targets for 42 yards. However, during Weeks 14 and 15, Metcalf averaged a strong 18.1 PPR points per game and tallied 101.5 yards per game. If Metcalf were to lose his appeal, the team's top wideout would not be eligible to participate in their final two games of the regular season. This would leave
Calvin Austin III (hamstring) as the tentative WR1, if he can suit up, as he suffered a hamstring injury on Sunday. With his status potentially in doubt as well, managers should expect both running backs,
Jaylen Warren and
Kenneth Gainwell, to see an even higher target share in their Week 17 tilt against the Browns.
--Andy SmithSource: Tom Pelissero
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