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FFL: Playoff Week 2 | NFL: Week 17

Steelers WR George Pickens to return vs. Chiefs

Tue Dec 24 1:59pm ET
Field Level Media

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens will not carry an injury designation into Wednesday's game against the visiting Kansas City Chiefs.

Pickens has missed the past three games for the Steelers (10-5) due to a hamstring injury that he sustained in practice.

Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin said he's pleased to welcome back Pickens after the team has lost two in a row to find itself tied with the Baltimore Ravens (10-5) atop the AFC North.

"I think it's self-explanatory," Tomlin said on Tuesday. "He is a splash playmaker. He's a one-on-one playmaker. Oftentimes he controls schematics, which creates one-on-ones for others, or a light box regarding the run.

"But that's what talented, outside people do. Not only George, but anybody that has talented outside people."

Pickens, 23, has a team-leading 55 catches and 850 yards. He has caught three touchdown passes.

While Pickens is expected to play on Wednesday, cornerback Joey Porter Jr. (knee) and wide receiver Ben Skowronek (hip) didn't practice for the second straight day this week on Tuesday and have been ruled out against the Chiefs (14-1).

Quarterback Justin Fields was limited in practice on Tuesday and is questionable to face Kansas City due to an abdomen injury.

Defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi (groin), cornerback Donte Jackson (back) and safety DeShon Elliott (hamstring) do not carry an injury designation and are expected to play against the Chiefs.

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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 16

Player Notes
Harrison Butker Dec 24 2:50pm ET
Harrison Butker

Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17. Butker had a great bounce-back game last week against the Texans, nailing both field goal attempts and all three extra-point attempts. The Chiefs kicker should have the opportunity to build on that solid performance against a tough Steelers defense. If the Pittsburgh defense can stop the Kansas City offense in the redzone, Butker could score more points in this week's contest. Butker is ranked as the eighth-best kicker in our RotoBaller rankings this week, making him a start-worthy kicker. Fantasy managers should feel confident starting Butker on Christmas Day.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Dec 24 2:50pm ET
Aaron Rodgers

According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (knee) said that he "feels pretty good" and that he is "going to play" on Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. The 41-year suffered what he deems an "MCL issue" during Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the week in case he faces a setback during practice. Rodgers was beginning to find his footing on what has been a disappointing season as he averaged a solid 26.0 PPR points during Weeks 14 and 15. However, on Sunday, Rodgers would score only 17.4 as he threw for just 256 yards and one score against the Rams. Given his inconsistently all season, fantasy managers should view Rodgers as a high-floor QB2 in all formats facing the Buffalo Bills who have allowed the 13th-most PPR points to opposing quarterbacks this season.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Dec 24 2:50pm ET
Alvin Kamara

According to Matthew Paras of The Times-Picayune, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) would like to return to the field this season, but it will come down to his status. Kamara sat out on Monday evening due to a groin injury he suffered during their Week 15 loss to the Washington Commanders. Kamara was also unable to practice all week leading up to this game which suggest this injury might be relatively serious. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status throughout the week. Given their current place in the standings, Kamara will likely have to avoid any further setbacks to have a chance to return. While sidelined, Kendre Miller will continue to lead the backfield, with Jamaal Williams and Jordan Mims operating as change-of-pace options.

From RotoBaller

Marquise Brown Dec 24 2:40pm ET
Marquise Brown

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Brown will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17. Brown returned from injured reserve in Week 16 against the Houston Texans. Brown was second on the team in catches and targets on 27% of snaps in his first game back. The 27-year-old demonstrated his ability to get open in crucial situations and make explosive plays, which bodes well for his production moving forward. Brown will hope to be more involved against the Steelers, who rank ninth in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. Brown is ranked WR47 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, putting him in flex range this week. It won't be easy to start Brown in the fantasy playoffs with just one game under his belt this season, but fantasy managers can consider it.

From RotoBaller

Spencer Rattler Dec 24 2:40pm ET
Spencer Rattler

According to Mike Triplett of New Orleans Football, head coach Darren Rizzi confirmed that rookie Spencer Rattler would be the team's starting quarterback if Derek Carr (hand) is unable to play this weekend. Carr has missed the previous two games due to a hand injury but has expressed that he wants to return to the field again this season. While sidelined, both Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler each earned a start but either was able to deliver a victory. On Monday evening, Rattler went 15-for-30 with 153 passing yards and added 28 yards on five attempts. If Carr is unable to turn the corner, Rattler should be viewed as a low-end QB2 in all formats despite facing a weak Las Vegas defense that has allowed the 13th-most PPR points to opposing QBs.

From RotoBaller

DeAndre Hopkins Dec 24 2:30pm ET
DeAndre Hopkins

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17. Hopkins put forth a lackluster performance last week, catching four passes for 37 yards against the Texans. The 32-year-old looked like a solid fantasy asset after his acquisition at the trade deadline, but his production has since fallen off. With the Kansas City offense running through rookie Xavier Worthy, Hopkins has seen his target volume and production dip the last two weeks. Hopkins will hope to find the endzone against the Steelers, who rank ninth in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. Hopkins is ranked WR42 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a flex option this week. Fantasy managers will have a difficult time starting Hopkins in the fantasy playoffs as he no longer seems like a focal point of the offense.

From RotoBaller

Mason Rudolph Dec 24 2:20pm ET
Mason Rudolph

According to Ari Meirov of the 33rd Team, the Tennessee Titans are expected to give Mason Rudolph his second-straight start on Sunday afternoon against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Rudolph replaced Will Levis during their Week 15 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals and got the starting nod last weekend against the Indianapolis Colts. Despite losing this past weekend, Rudolph was able to lead the Titans to 30 offensive points, for the first time this season. In this game, Rudolph threw for 252 yards and two scores with three interceptions. He should be in a good position to have another solid scoring output this weekend as the Jacksonville Jaguars have allowed the second-most PPR points to opposing QBs this season. Fantasy managers in deeper Superflex formats should view him as a QB2 with upside.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Worthy Dec 24 2:20pm ET
Xavier Worthy

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17. Worthy has been acting as the Chiefs WR1 the last two weeks, and fantasy production has followed. The rookie caught seven passes for 65 yards and a touchdown on 11 targets in Week 16 against the Texans. Worthy has received 11 targets and found the endzone in back-to-back games. The Chiefs have decided to lean on Worthy as their leading pass catcher despite the presence of DeAndre Hopkins, Travis Kelce, and Marquise Brown. The 21-year-old will look to continue his production against the Steelers, who rank ninth in fantasy points allowed to opposing wide receivers this season. Worthy is ranked WR40 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings this week despite his recent production. Worthy should offer fantasy managers a solid floor despite the difficult matchup.

From RotoBaller

Cairo Santos Dec 24 2:20pm ET
Cairo Santos

Chicago Bears kicker Cairo Santos should not be viewed as a viable streaming option on Thursday evening when the Bears host the Seattle Seahawks. Last weekend, Santos went 1-for-1 on attempts and 2-for-2 on extra points during their loss to the Detroit Lions. Over the past four weeks, Santos has only attempted two or more field goals in a single game on one occasion. During this span he attempted zero field goals in two of the games. Even though he holds a strong 84.6 FG% since Week 9, Santos has not been given enough volume to provide a solid fantasy output. During the fantasy playoffs, it is critical to target kickers on high-scoring offensive units and the Chicago Bears do not fit that criteria. Facing a Seattle Seahawks defense that has allowed the tenth-fewest fantasy points to opposing kickers, fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a streaming option.

From RotoBaller

George Pickens Dec 24 2:10pm ET
George Pickens

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) is off the injury report and good-to-go for Wednesday's matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The top wideout in the Steel City has been sidelined for the past three games with a hamstring injury. While he was sidelined, Calvin Austin III and Van Jefferson saw an uptick in opportunities. Before the injury, Pickens was enjoying a nice string of performances with Russell Wilson under center. Since Wilson took the starting job in Week 7, Pickens had averaged a strong 16.0 PPR points per game with 81.2 yards per game. This was a nice improvement over the 10.2 PPR points he averaged during the first six games of the campaign. He should be locked into all lineups as a WR2 on Wednesday facing the Chiefs who have allowed the 15th-most PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.

From RotoBaller

Isiah Pacheco Dec 24 2:10pm ET
Isiah Pacheco

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco will face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day in Week 17. Pacheco was expected to be the team's starting running back upon returning from the injured reserve, but that has not been the case over the last few games. The 25-year-old took a backseat to Kareem Hunt in Week 16 against the Texans. Hunt handled more carries and catches while finding the endzone in last week's contest. Pacheco will have to hope the split leans more in his direction this week against the Steelers, who rank 11th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season. Pacheco is ranked RB35 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a flex option this week. It will be difficult for fantasy managers to trust either running back in the Chiefs backfield if they continue to split opportunities.

From RotoBaller

Kareem Hunt Dec 24 2:10pm ET
Kareem Hunt

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt will face the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 17. Hunt has been splitting opportunities with Isiah Pacheco since his return from the injured reserve, but the split has favored Hunt. The veteran running back handled 11 carries for 55 yards and a touchdown in Week 16 against the Texans. Hunt also caught two passes for 24 yards in last week's contest. Despite being the older back, the Chiefs have decided to lean on Hunt instead of Pacheco. Hunt will hope this usage against the Steelers, who rank 11th in fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs this season. Hunt is ranked RB33 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, placing him outside the RB2 range this week. Fantasy managers will have a tough time trusting Hunt in the fantasy playoffs.

From RotoBaller

Patrick Mahomes Dec 24 2:00pm ET
Patrick Mahomes

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is off the injury report and ready to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day in Week 17. Mahomes was listed on the injury report with an ankle injury but practiced fully all week and has been removed ahead of the matchup. The 29-year-old had a good game against the Houston Texans on Sunday, passing for 260 yards with one touchdown through the air and one on the ground. Despite entering last week's contest with an alleged high-ankle sprain, Mahomes had his third-highest rushing total of the season. The Chiefs quarterback will look to continue his production this week against the Steelers, who rank fourth in fantasy points allowed to opposing quarterbacks this season. Mahomes is ranked QB18 in our RotoBaller rankings, putting him outside of QB1 range in a difficult matchup. Fantasy managers may need to consider other options at the quarterback position.

From RotoBaller

Kenny Pickett Dec 24 1:40pm ET
Kenny Pickett

Philadelphia Eagles backup quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) underwent X-rays on his ribs after the Week 16 loss to the division-rival Washington Commanders. Pickett was forced into action on Sunday when starter Jalen Hurts suffered a concussion and didn't return to the game. The 26-year-old former Steeler went 14-for-24 for 143 yards with a touchdown and interception in the loss. With both Hurts and Pickett now up in the air to play in Week 17 against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys, it's possible the Eagles will have to rely on third-stringer Tanner McKee as the starter this weekend under center. That would obviously be a very bad situation for fantasy managers counting on running back Saquon Barkley or receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. We'll be keeping a close eye on Philly's QB situation leading up to Sunday's contest.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Dec 24 1:40pm ET
Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets rookie left tackle Olu Fashanu (foot) is heading to Injured Reserve and will have season-ending foot surgery after getting hurt in the Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. More specifically, interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich said Fashanu is dealing with a plantar-fascia injury. The 22-year-old first-rounder out of Penn State ends what had been a strong rookie season early after he settled in as the team's starting left tackle in place of Tyron Smith after he injured his neck in November. With Fashanu now done for the final two games of the regular season, expect Max Mitchell to take over on the left side of the offensive line as the blind-side protector for quarterback Aaron Rodgers (knee). Fashanu is expected to make a full recovery and should be ready to go for the team's workouts next spring.

From RotoBaller

Travis Kelce Dec 24 1:40pm ET
Travis Kelce

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day in Week 17. Kelce had another disappointing performance last week, catching five passes for 30 yards on seven targets. The 35-year-old finished third on the team in targets but was fifth in receiving yards. Kelce will look to be more efficient against the Steelers, who rank 22nd in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends this season. Kelce is ranked TE8 in our RotoBaller Half-PPR rankings, making him a mid-tier TE1 option this week. Fantasy managers who made it this far in the fantasy playoffs have done so despite Kelce, but hopefully, he can score for the first time since Week 10.

From RotoBaller

Christian Watson Dec 24 1:30pm ET
Christian Watson

Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur delivered some good news on wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) on Tuesday after he injured his knee in Monday's blowout victory over the New Orleans Saints. "We got good news on him. It's more just a bruise. It's when the guy fell on him on the sideline. Still gotta be able to function. We'll see how he practices this week & see where we're at," LaFleur said. Watson's status for the Week 17 divisional game against the Minnesota Vikings will be determined by his practice participation this week. The 25-year-old avoided a serious injury, though, which is a sigh of relief for the Packers for a player that has dealt with his fair share of injuries early in his career. In a crowded relief corps in Green Bay, Watson hasn't been a top-50 fantasy wideout with 29 receptions, 620 yards and only two touchdowns in 2024. If he plays on Sunday, he'll be a shaky WR4/flex in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Dec 24 1:20pm ET
Malik Nabers

New York Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers (undisclosed) will not take part in the team's practice on Tuesday. The Giants are practicing on Tuesday this week and will be taking Wednesday off for Christmas. It's early in the week, so the Giants are likely just giving their star wideout some extra rest heading into a Week 17 tilt on Sunday versus the visiting Indianapolis Colts. The 21-year-old first-rounder has battled several lower-body injuries in recent weeks but hasn't missed any time, so we'd expect him to be good to play this weekend as the unquestioned top wideout for the G-Men. Despite the awful mess at quarterback for the Giants with Drew Lock still the starter, Nabers has seen 28 targets over the last two weeks and has caught 17 passes for 160 yards and a touchdown. For fantasy managers battling for a trophy this week, Nabers is a must-start in lineups.

From RotoBaller

Tyrone Tracy Jr. Dec 24 1:20pm ET
Tyrone Tracy Jr.

New York Giants rookie running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle) will not participate in Tuesday's practice. The Giants are holding a practice on Tuesday and taking Wednesday off for Christmas this week. It's early in the week, but Tracy's status is worth watching closely heading into a Week 17 matchup on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts after he aggravated his ankle injury in the Week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. If the 25-year-old isn't able to play this Sunday, Devin Singletary would be in line for lead-back duties, giving him RB3/flex appeal against a Colts defense that has been gashed on the ground all year. Tracy had only 26 rushing yards on seven carries against Atlanta but salvaged his fantasy day with four catches for 43 yards and a touchdown through the air. He's shaping up as a risky RB3/flex in fantasy this week due to his injury and New York's lousy offense under quarterback Drew Lock.

From RotoBaller

Drew Lock Dec 24 1:00pm ET
Drew Lock

New York Giants quarterback Drew Lock (shoulder) will start again in Week 17 against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, according to head coach Brian Daboll. Lock made the start in the blowout loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 16, but his availability was in question for this week after he underwent an MRI exam on his right shoulder on Monday. Apparently everything checked out fine with Lock's throwing shoulder, so he'll make his fourth start of the year this weekend. The 28-year-old has not looked good at all in his three starts for the G-Men, completing 53.33% of his 120 pass attempts for 615 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions while also losing two fumbles. He has run for 117 yards and a touchdown on the ground, but nobody that advanced to a fantasy championship should be using Lock as a QB2 in superflex leagues.

From RotoBaller