December 26, 2025
Houston Texans wide receiver
Jayden Higgins has made good progress throughout his rookie season, climbing the depth chart and locking in as the team's top option across the field from
Nico Collins. However, he only has one catch in each of his last two games, so he'll be a long-shot play this week, when his team takes on the Chargers in the first game of Saturday's doubleheader. Higgins has scored four touchdowns this season and hauled in 37 catches for 414 yards. He is only the WR 56 in RotoBaller's rankings for this week, though, so his recent quiet games have dropped him out of consideration as a flex play in standard-sized leagues.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
December 26, 2025
Houston Texans wide receiver
Nico Collins has remained his team's clear go-to option at receiver this season, but he's only a fringe WR1 this week in a tough Saturday afternoon matchup against the Chargers. Collins has hauled in 68 of his 116 targets this season for 1,060 receiving yards and six touchdowns, and he has at least three catches in every game he has played this season. Last week against the Raiders, he had four catches for 59 scoreless yards, but he found the end zone twice in the previous week against the Cardinals. He's still
C.J. Stroud's favorite target both in the open field and near the goal line, so he always brings upside, even in tough, low-scoring games like is expected this week. The Chargers have only allowed eight WR touchdowns all season, but did give up two last week to the Cowboys. Collins is the No. 9 WR in RotoBaller's Week 17 rankings, so he should be started as a top option in most formats, even with slightly tempered expectations.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
December 26, 2025
Houston Texans running back
Nick Chubb has been a regular part of the team's running back rotation this season, but his role in Week 17 against the Chargers is a little murky.
Woody Marks is ready to return from an ankle injury after missing Week 16, and
Jawhar Jordan had a nice breakout while Marks was injured. With both Marks and Jordan in the mix this week, carries could be hard to come by for Chubb. He could still be utilized as a short-yardage specialist since he is an effective between-the-tackles option, but he doesn't have the explosiveness he showcased earlier in his career. He'll be a touchdown-dependent flex long shot this week in a tough matchup, and he's only the No. 53 RB in RotoBaller's rankings, making him best left on the bench or waiver wire if possible this week.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
December 26, 2025
Houston Texans running back
Jawhar Jordan has impressed the last two weeks, but he's high-risk this week since his role is uncertain as his team visits the Chargers on Saturday afternoon. The 26-year-old broke out in his NFL debut in Week 15, taking 15 carries for 101 yards against the Cardinals. He followed that up last week with 15 more carries but only for 53 yards, but he saved his fantasy day with five catches for 17 more yards. Both of those big games came after
Woody Marks (ankle) left with an injury, but Marks is ready to return this week. Jordan and
Nick Chubb will likely continue to mix in for the Texans, but Marks was the primary running back before his injury and will likely resume that role moving forward. The Chargers have been good against the run this season, and Jordan is only the No. 52 RB in RotoBaller's Week 17 rankings. He's a desperation play who should still be involved, but he's best left on your bench this week if possible.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
December 26, 2025
Houston Texans running back
Woody Marks (ankle) missed last week's game against the Raiders after sustaining an injury in Week 15 against Arizona, but he had full participation in practice and has no injury status for this week, indicating he should be a full go in Week 17. The Texans are in a tough matchup against the Chargers in what is expected to be a low-scoring contest on Saturday afternoon, but Marks should step back into a significant role. Before his injury, Marks had set a season-high with 26 carries for 68 yards against the Chiefs and scored a touchdown as a receiver. The rookie now has five touchdowns on the season and seems to have taken the lead role in the backfield, although
Jawhar Jordan and
Nick Chubb will also likely remain involved. Since the Chargers have been good against the run and he's still in a committee, Marks is the RB No. 32 in RotoBaller's rankings for Week 17, since he is a high-risk RB3 or flex option with touchdown-dependent upside.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
December 26, 2025
Houston Texans quarterback
C.J. Stroud is in a tough matchup on Saturday afternoon against the Chargers, but he has shown enough momentum to still be a strong option in two-QB formats or in deep leagues this week. Stroud only threw for 187 yards and a touchdown last week in a narrow win over the Raiders, but he looked much better with 260 yards and three touchdowns the previous week against the Cardinals. Stroud has led his team to four straight wins since returning from a concussion, and the Texans have won seven straight overall to put themselves in a prime position to make the playoffs. While defense and a conservative offensive strategy have been the main reasons for their success, Stroud has shown enough play-making upside to still be the No. 17 QB in RotoBaller's rankings this week, making him a solid QB2.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
December 26, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Mack Hollins (abdomen) failed to practice again on Thursday as the team prepares to take on the hosting New York Jets in Week 17. Hollins had one of his better games of the campaign in New England's 28-24 victory over Baltimore last Sunday, reeling in 7-of-9 targets for 69 yards. However, he presumably picked up the issue in the win, despite leading the Pats' WR room in snaps. With teammate
Kayshon Boutte (concussion) following the same practice regimen as the veteran, and
DeMario Douglas (hamstring) limited with an injury of his own, New England is in danger of being down several critical offensive pieces. As it stands,
Stefon Diggs,
Kyle Williams, and
Efton Chism III are the only other active wideouts without a designation.
--Alex CiullaSource: New England Patriots
December 26, 2025
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Luther Burden III (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity for the second straight day ahead of Sunday night's matchup with the hosting San Francisco 49ers. The 22-year-old was deemed inactive for Week 16's win over the Packers after failing to practice at all leading up to the outing. However, Burden stringing together two limited sessions would seemingly put him on track to suit up on the road against San Francisco. If the rookie can get himself cleared to play in Sunday's game, he'd be in store for another significant workload, considering teammate
Rome Odunze (foot) is trending toward not playing. In the event that neither plays, fantasy managers can fire up
DJ Moore as a strong play against an exploitable 49ers' pass defense. Fellow wideouts
Olamide Zaccheaus and
Jahdae Walker would slot in behind him.
--Alex CiullaSource: FOX Sports
December 26, 2025
Cleveland Browns tight end
David Njoku (knee) has yet to return to practice, listed as a non-participant for the second consecutive session as the team gears up for a divisional matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday. The veteran has missed Cleveland's previous two games as he recovers from a knee injury sustained in Week 14's loss to the Tennessee Titans. That Njoku hasn't been able to practice in even a limited capacity since suffering the issue suggests he's trending toward missing his third straight appearance, paving the way for fellow TE
Harold Fannin Jr. to retain a featured role in the passing game in his stead. As it stands, if Njoku is inactive again, teammates
Blake Whiteheart and
Brenden Bates will continue working in behind the rookie.
--Alex CiullaSource: Cleveland Browns
December 26, 2025
Per the team, Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Christian Watson (shoulder, illness) is officially questionable for the team's Week 17 clash with the visiting Baltimore Ravens. Watson has dealt with a shoulder injury for a few weeks now, but was able to participate fully for Green Bay's first two practices of the week. However, the 26-year-old was a late addition to the report, picking up an illness that led to his being listed as a non-participant on Thursday. Unfortunately, this puts his availability for the Pack's Saturday night matchup in doubt, making him a volatile WR3/flex if active. If Watson is unable to suit up, teammates
Matthew Golden and
Dontayvion Wicks would see an uptick in snaps behind
Jayden Reed and
Romeo Doubs in the passing game.
--Alex CiullaSource: Green Bay Packers
December 25, 2025
Green Bay Packers running back
Josh Jacobs (knee) is off the injury report and is good to go on Saturday night against the Baltimore Ravens. Jacobs was limited all three days of practice this week with a nagging knee injury he suffered in Week 11 against the New York Giants. He played just 40% of snaps in last week's stunning loss to the Chicago Bears, while Emmanuel Wilson played 47%. Jacobs faces a Baltimore Ravens defense that has allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to running backs this season. With the Packers firmly clinched in the postseason, there's a possibility Jacobs could be limited again in Week 17. However, fantasy managers can still trust him in starting lineups for fantasy championships this week.
--Nathan HarveySource: Rob Demovsky - ESPN
December 25, 2025
New Orleans Saints running back
Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle) was an estimated non-participant in Thursday's practice as the Saints prepare to face the Tennessee Titans. Kamara suffered a knee injury and an ankle injury on an ugly hip-drop tackle in Week 12, which has caused him to miss the previous four games. With Kamara not practicing on Wednesday or Thursday, he seems unlikely to play in Week 17, and at this point, with the postseason out of play, he is unlikely to play in Week 18 as well. With
Kendre Miller (ACL) and
Devin Neal (hamstring) on the season-ending injured reserve list, the Saints will rely on
Audric Estime,
Evan Hull, and veteran tight end
Taysom Hill to carry the workload against the Titans. Last week, Hill led the team in carries with 12, and with Kamara trending toward another absence in Week 17, he should be a must-start TE against the Titans.
--Nathan HarveySource: New Orleans Saints
December 25, 2025
New England Patriots rookie running back
TreVeyon Henderson (concussion) was an estimated limited participant in Thursday's practice as the Patriots prepare to face the New York Jets. Henderson suffered a concussion early in the second quarter and was unable to return in the 28-24 win over the Baltimore Ravens. The second-round pick from Ohio State was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice, but he will need a full session on Friday to clear concussion protocol and be able to play in Week 17. The Jets defense has given up the second-most fantasy points to running backs this season. If Henderson can clear protocol, he will be a high-upside RB3 for fantasy purposes, while Stevenson would be a risky FLEX option. If Henderson is ruled out, Stevenson is a sure-fire RB2 against the Jets.
--Nathan HarveySource: New England Patriots
December 25, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver
A.J. Brown (teeth) was estimated to miss Thursday's practice as the Eagles prepare to face the Buffalo Bills. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that Brown had his wisdom teeth removed, causing him to miss practice on both Wednesday and Thursday. While missing practice on the first two days of the week could be a concern, given the severity of the issue, it seems likely that Brown will return for Friday's practice and be able to play in Week 17. The star receiver started the season slowly but has turned it on in recent weeks, totaling 35 receptions on 49 targets for 478 yards and four touchdowns. Brown is currently the WR10 in PPR scoring this season and the WR3 over the past five games. While the Buffalo secondary has been strong against wide receivers this season, Brown is a must-start WR assuming he's good to go in Week 17.
--Nathan HarveySource: Philadelphia Eagles
December 25, 2025
The Green Bay Packers' defense and special teams unit have been a disappointing unit most of the season, and they'll host the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17. Against the Bears in Week 16, Green Bay did not tally a sack or a turnover in its second game since losing star pass rusher Micah Parsons for the season. Since losing Parsons, the Packers have not sacked the quarterback once in two games. They've only forced one turnover in that span as well, so fantasy managers have likely moved on from the Packers D/ST in terms of fantasy options. Even with the potential of
Tyler Huntley under center for the Ravens in Week 17, the Packers may not be good enough as a unit to take advantage of that matchup. Green Bay is a high-risk fantasy option in Week 17.
--Kevin TompkinsSource: RotoBaller
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