December 24, 2025
Due to a litany of injuries around him, Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Jalen Nailor is a lowly rated option when the Vikings play host to the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day. The Michigan State product has developed a solid chemistry with starter
J.J. McCarthy (hand), but the latter will miss Thursday's game, giving way to undrafted rookie
Max Brosmer. Detroit ranks a bottom-tier 31st against PPR receivers, though the Vikings are beaten up and on a short week. In addition to McCarthy, the Vikings will be without star left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee), center Ryan Kelly (concussion), tight end
T.J. Hockenson (shoulder), running back
Jordan Mason (ankle), and could be without right tackle Brian O'Neill (heel) as well. Nailor's varied role in the offense is difficult to rely upon anyway, as the receiver has not caught a pass three times in the past five weeks, yet had one game with two touchdowns. Ranked as RotoBaller's No. 86 receiver this week, Nailor is avoidable in all formats.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Minnesota Vikings tight end
T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) has been ruled out for the Christmas Day game on Thursday against the division-rival Detroit Lions after missing practice all week with a shoulder injury, according to the team. The Vikings' offense will be a shell of itself against Detroit on Thursday, with Hockenson and quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (hand) being ruled out. They will also be without running back
Jordan Mason (ankle). With Hockenson missing this week,
Josh Oliver should operate as the team's top pass-catching tight end. But with
Max Brosmer under center against Detroit, we wouldn't recommend using Oliver as a TE2 streamer in fantasy, even in the deepest of leagues. The 28-year-old has 12 receptions on the season for 123 yards and four touchdowns in his 13 games played as the backup to Hockenson.
--Keith HernandezSource: Minnesota Vikings
December 24, 2025
Minnesota Vikings tight end
Josh Oliver is a lowly rated option who can be safely avoided in the majority of formats when the Vikings play host to the Detroit Lions on Christmas Day. The Vikings will be without starter
T.J. Hockenson (shoulder), though Oliver will be reliant upon a third-string quarterback and a patchwork offensive line to power the passing attack. With backup quarterback
Carson Wentz (shoulder) already out for the year, the injury to
J.J. McCarthy (hand) means that
Max Brosmer will earn another start. That comes with the backdrop of left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) and center Ryan Kelly (concussion) missing, and right tackle Brian O'Neill (heel) questionable as well. The Lions rank a favorable 20th against half-PPR tight ends, but Minnesota is so hampered that Oliver, rated RotoBaller's No. 52 tight end this week, can remain on waivers in most leagues.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
Ironically, given the tortured history of the Minnesota Vikings, the most consistent thing about their 2025 season has been kicker
Will Reichard, who can once again be considered a fantasy lineup option for a Christmas Day matchup against Detroit. The Alabama alum is a perfect 18-for-18 on field goals inside 50 yards this year, 28-for-28 on extra points, and 27-for-29 on field goal attempts overall. The Lions rank 27th against fantasy kickers, although Minnesota will be starting
Max Brosmer at quarterback due to an injury to
J.J. McCarthy (hand). Ranked as RotoBaller's No. 11 kicker this week, Reichard comes with the notable risk of an offense led by an undrafted rookie. But he's ultimately up against a bad defense, playing indoors, and in terrific form, giving him lineup potential.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
December 24, 2025
The Baltimore Sun's Mike Preston writes that "it's clear that head coach John Harbaugh has become tired" of quarterback
Lamar Jackson (back), "even though he builds him up after every game. He has to, or Jackson will go into his own self-exile." Preston suggests that the Ravens should look into trading Jackson as a way to land two or three first-round draft picks for the future. Jackson has had an extremely disappointing 2025 season that has been filled with nagging lower-body injuries. After injuring his back in Sunday night's loss to the New England Patriots, Jackson is now in danger of missing the Week 17 game this Saturday at Lambeau Field against the Green Bay Packers after missing two practices already this week. It's unclear if Baltimore would realistically entertain trading the two-time MVP QB, but it sounds like the coaching staff has at least soured on Jackson after this season.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Baltimore Sun - Mike Preston
December 24, 2025
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver
Ryan Flournoy (knee) is questionable for the team's Week 17 Christmas Day matchup with the Commanders after missing the last two practices of the week. Flournoy was limited with a knee issue to begin the shortened week before logging DNPs on Tuesday and Wednesday. The second-year wideout has seen increased usage over the past few weeks, including a career best nine catches for 115 yards and a touchdown in a Week 14 loss to the Lions. Against a Commanders defense that has struggled to defend the pass all year, Flournoy could have made for a sneaky flex play in Championship weekend, but with a knee issue now threatening his availability, fantasy managers thankfully have plenty of time to pivot away from the potential Thursday start.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Patrik Walker
December 24, 2025
Mike Reiss of ESPN reports that New England Patriots rookie running back
TreVeyon Henderson (concussion) was seen in a helmet and in a non-contact jersey on Wednesday as he headed to practice. Henderson is in the league's concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in the Week 16 win over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night. He will need to clear the concussion protocol later this week to play in Week 17 against the division-rival New York Jets on Sunday, but it's a good sign that he'll at least be limited in the first official practice of the week. Fantasy managers will want to keep a close eye on Henderson's status later this week. The 23-year-old has the most upside of any RB in the Pats' backfield, but fantasy managers must prepare for the possibility that he won't play this weekend. If Henderson is out against the Jets,
Rhamondre Stevenson would be a must-start, plug-and-play option at RB.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Boston - Mike Reiss
December 24, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Emeka Egbuka caught only one pass in a Week 16 loss to the Panthers, but offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard told the media on Wednesday that he would like to get his rookie wideout more involved, specifically noting the importance of getting him the ball early. After a red-hot start to the season that had him looking like a locked-in Rookie of the Year candidate, Egbuka has failed to top 65 receiving yards in six straight games, and he's caught only one touchdown since Week 5. With the recent returns to health of
Mike Evans and
Jalen McMillan, he has also seen two of his lowest snap shares of the season over the past two weeks. Grizzard's words should offer encouragement to fantasy managers forced into starting Egbuka in their Week 17 title matches, but he's still a perilous play given his recent usage.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Scott Smith
December 24, 2025
Buffalo Bills tight end
Dawson Knox (knee) missed Wednesday's practice as he deals with a knee injury that threatens to hold him out of his first game this season. Knox caught one of his two targets in a Week 16 win over the Browns for only 10 yards, while handling a 68% snap share. Fellow tight end
Dalton Kincaid (knee), who was held without a catch on Sunday, also missed Wednesday's session with a knee injury of his own. The Bills could be seriously shorthanded at the position, heading into a Week 17 matchup with an Eagles team that has shut down tight ends all season long. With fantasy titles on the line, neither Knox nor Kincaid should be viewed as a viable starter.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Buffalo Bills PR
December 24, 2025
Buffalo Bills tight end
Dalton Kincaid (knee) did not practice on Wednesday after seeing the field on only 38% of his team's offensive snaps in a Week 16 win over the Browns. He was listed as a non-participant in the first two practices of Week 16 before logging a full participation on Friday and heading into Sunday with no injury designation. Assuming a similar approach this week, Kincaid will face an Eagles defense that has ranked as the second most difficult matchup for opposing tight ends. With Kincaid battling injuries and finishing as a top 20 tight end only once in the last seven weeks, he is not a recommended start for fantasy championship weekend and can be viewed as droppable in redraft leagues.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Buffalo Bills PR
December 24, 2025
Buffalo Bills quarterback
Josh Allen (foot) was limited on Wednesday after sitting out of Tuesday's walkthrough. Allen suffered a foot injury in the Bills' Week 16 win over the Browns, and while he didn't miss any time, he was seen getting attention on the sideline. With Buffalo still in the hunt for a sixth consecutive AFC East title, the expectation is that he will be available for the team's Week 17 matchup with the Eagles, but any limitations to Allen's mobility could cap his fantasy ceiling against a Philadelphia defense that has held opposing quarterbacks to nearly four points below expectation. Fantasy managers will need to continue monitoring his status heading into championship weekend, though in most cases, anyone who has gotten this far with Allen at quarterback is unlikely to find a more attractive option with a title on the line.
UPDATE: Allen plans on playing on Sunday versus the Eagles.--Patrick McGrathSource: Buffalo Bills PR
December 24, 2025
Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson (back) is not practicing on Wednesday due to a back contusion, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. If Jackson cannot play on Saturday against the Green Bay Packers,
Tyler Huntley would start under center for the Ravens. Jackson injured his back in the second quarter of Sunday night's loss to the New England Patriots and never returned. With two DNPs on a short week, it's looking like the 28-year-old two-time MVP is on the wrong side of questionable for Week 17 action. Fantasy managers who somehow made it to the championship matchup with the banged-up Jackson as their QB should already have a backup plan in place. If Huntley starts this weekend, he'd merely be a desperation QB2 option in superflex and two-QB fantasy leagues against a tough Packers defense.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
December 24, 2025
Green Bay Packers quarterback
Malik Willis (illness, shoulder) didn't practice on Wednesday due to an illness, according to Ryan Wood of USA Today Sports. Willis did not have a setback with his shoulder in Tuesday's practice (he was limited). The 26-year-old backup was forced into action in Saturday night's loss to the Chicago Bears when starter
Jordan Love suffered a concussion. Willis went 9-for-11 passing for 121 yards and a touchdown, also adding 10 carries for 44 yards on the ground, but he suffered a right-shoulder injury that now makes him questionable to play this Saturday versus the Baltimore Ravens. If neither Willis nor Love can get cleared to play in Week 17, the Packers would be down to third-stringer
Clayton Tune in a huge game. Fantasy managers must continue to keep a close eye on the Packers' QB situation entering the weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: USA Today Sports - Ryan Wood
December 24, 2025
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said on Wednesday that safety Budda Baker (concussion) came in this week with concussion symptoms and is now in the league's concussion protocol, according to Darren Urban of AZCardinals.com. Baker played 68 defensive snaps in Sunday's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but the 29-year-old suffered a head injury and is now up in the air to be active for a Week 17 game against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Cardinals are eliminated from playoff contention, so expect them to be cautious in bringing Baker back for the final two games of the 2025 regular season. If Baker misses this weekend's game against the Bengals, Kitan Crawford would be in line to start at free safety for the Cardinals. Fantasy managers in IDP leagues should be searching for backup options if Baker is ruled out.
--Keith HernandezSource: AZCardinals.com - Darren Urban
December 24, 2025
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Las Vegas Raiders safety Jeremy Chinn (back) is headed to season-ending Injured Reserve on Wednesday, according to a source. The Raiders also placed star tight end
Brock Bowers (knee) on IR. Chinn hasn't missed any games with a nagging back injury, but the Raiders have decided to shut the 27-year-old defensive back down with two games remaining in the season. Chinn will end up finishing his first year in Vegas with a healthy 114 tackles (63 solo), one sack, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 15 starts. The Raiders' defense will be more vulnerable on the back end to close out the season with Chinn out, beginning with a Week 17 matchup this weekend against the visiting New York Giants.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
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