New England wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (concussion) was one of eight Patriots players to miss Wednesday's practice as he works through the league's concussion protocol. Boutte was injured on a deep pass late in New England's Week 16 win over the Ravens that controversially did not see a flag thrown for pass interference. Veteran receiver Mack Hollins (abdomen) also missed Wednesday's practice with an abdominal issue, but if he's able to suit up for a Week 17 divisional matchup with the Jets, he is the most likely candidate to assume Boutte's downfield role, putting him in a valuable spot against New York's struggling defense. Since becoming sellers at the NFL trade deadline, the Jets have been one of the most fantasy-friendly defenses in the league, and they come into Week 17 having allowed at least 330 passing yards in back-to-back games. The Patriots' injury report will need to be monitored throughout the week, as there is fantasy gold to be mined from their passing attack, with Drake Maye coming off his own 380-yard passing performance, the highest of his young career.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (abdomen) was not available for the team's first practice of the week with an abdominal issue. The veteran wideout caught seven of nine targets for 69 yards in a Week 16 win over the Ravens, and he could be in line for another high-floor fantasy performance if he's able to suit up in Week 17. Third-year wideout Kayshon Boutte (concussion) is currently in the league's concussion protocol and also missed Wednesday's practice. If Boutte misses Sunday's divisional matchup, Hollins could assume more of a downfield role against a Jets defense that has allowed 676 passing yards and eight total touchdowns across the last two games. With Boutte sidelined earlier this year with a hamstring injury, Hollins enjoyed his best two-game stretch of the season, including a WR28 finish against the Jets in Week 11. His status will need to be monitored throughout the week, but if Hollins clears the injury report by Sunday, he has flex potential for championship weekend.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver Luther Burden III (ankle) was limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to Bears Communications. Burden injured his ankle in the Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns and was forced to sit out of Saturday's win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 16. The 22-year-old has returned to the practice field, though, making it possible that he's back this Sunday night versus the San Francisco 49ers. Fellow wideout Rome Odunze (foot) most likely won't be active again until the start of the playoffs, so Burden could have serious fantasy football upside as a WR4/flex this weekend if he returns as Chicago's WR2 behind DJ Moore. In his last two games with Odunze sidelined, Burden had 10 catches on 13 targets for 151 yards. He's had at least six targets in all three games he played with Odunze out.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco has seemingly reclaimed his leadback role in the backfield, but it comes when the team turns to Chris Oladokun to be the starting quarterback. Pacheco rushed eight times for 34 yards, but the most surprising part of his stat line came in the receiving game. The 26-year-old was targeted a team-high seven times and caught six passes for 41 yards in last week's loss to the Tennessee Titans. The scoring opportunities will likely be few and far between for Pacheco, but once Oladokun stepped in as the starter, the running backs were targeted six times out of 16 attempts, and five of those went in Pacheco's direction. Pacheco will also have to deal with the Denver Broncos defense in Week 17. The Broncos have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs and the second-fewest rushing yards per game this season. Pacheco is ranked RB37 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him an RB3/Flex option for the fantasy playoffs. It could be an ugly game for Pacheco, but he should get enough opportunities to be worth considering.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt has been relegated to a reserve role in the offense since Isiah Pacheco has taken over RB1 duties. Hunt handled just three carries for two yards in last week's loss to the Tennessee Titans. Hunt was also not targeted at all in the passing game. The veteran back was most valuable for his role at the goal-line, but without Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice, and Tyquan Thornton helping to move the sticks, the goal-line opportunities could be scarce. Hunt will also have to contend with the Denver Broncos defense on Christmas in Week 17. The Broncos have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs and the second-fewest rushing yards per game this season. Facing one of the toughest defenses in the league with limited opportunities is a recipe for failure. Hunt is ranked QB50 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him nothing more than a desperation flex in the deepest of leagues.

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Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze (foot) was listed as a non-participant at Wednesday's practice, according to Bears Communications. Odunze is dealing with a stress fracture in his foot and hasn't practiced since Dec. 12. The 23-year-old is on track to miss a fourth straight game this weekend on Sunday Night Football when the team travels to face the San Francisco 49ers. At this point, it's looking likely that Chicago will hold the second-year wideout out of the final two regular-season games so that he's closer to full health for the playoffs. The good news is that rookie Luther Burden III (ankle) is back at practice, so he might return this weekend in the Bay Area. With Odunze and Burden out recently, wideouts DJ Moore, Olamide Zaccheaus, and rookie Jahdae Walker have all had bigger roles in the Bears' passing attack.

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