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FFL: Playoff Week 2 | NFL: Week 17

Chiefs star Travis Kelce becomes third TE with 1,000 receptions

Wed Dec 25 3:46pm ET
Field Level Media

Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce became the third tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions during Wednesday's contest against the host Pittsburgh Steelers.

Kelce reached the milestone by making a 19-yard catch late in the third quarter. He later caught a touchdown to set a franchise record for receiving scores.

Pro Football Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez (1,325) and Jason Witten (1,228) were the first two tight ends to gain membership in the 1,000 receptions club. Witten, a 11-time Pro Bowl selection, retired after the 2020 season and isn't yet eligible for enshrinement.

Kelce also caught a touchdown pass to become Kansas City's all-time leader with 77, one more than Gonzalez, who earned 10 of his 14 Pro Bowl selections with the Chiefs.

After making the catch to surpass Gonzalez's touchdown mark, Kelce dunked the football over the crossbar. Gonzalez, who also played college basketball, celebrated TD catches with the same maneuver.

Kelce's touchdown catches rank fifth all-time among tight ends.

Kelce had seven receptions for 75 yards with under 12 minutes left in the game to give him 1,003 receptions for his career. He is a nine-time Pro Bowl selection.

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Player Notes
Isiah Pacheco Dec 25 3:50pm ET
Isiah Pacheco

Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) is questionable to return in Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pacheco injured his ribs during Wednesday's contest and exited in the second half. With just under six minutes to go and a 19-point lead, Pacheco will likely be done for the day. The 25-year-old rushed for 18 yards on six carries and wasn't targeted in the Christmas game. Pacheco has been outplayed by Kareem Hunt recently, but the Chiefs continue to use a backfield by the committee. Hunt should see the majority of touches with Pacheco sidelined. The 29-year-old has already found the end zone and is currently the team's leading rusher with 20 rushing yards. If Pacheco doesn't return on Wednesday, his next chance to return will be the regular season finale against the Denver Broncos.

From RotoBaller

Nelson Agholor Dec 25 3:10pm ET
Nelson Agholor

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor (concussion) is officially inactive for Wednesday's game against the Houston Texans. Agholor was placed in concussion protocol on December 15th and still hasn't been cleared heading into the Christmas game. The 31-year-old will miss his second consecutive game. Agholor has caught 14 passes for 231 yards and four touchdowns over 14 games in 2024. Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Tylan Wallace, and Devontez Walker will lead Baltimore's wide receiver crew against Houston. Wallace should see an uptick in targets with Agholor out but is not on the fantasy radar with Flowers active for Wednesday's contest.

From RotoBaller

Zay Flowers Dec 25 2:50pm ET
Zay Flowers

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (shoulder) is officially active for the Christmas game against the Houston Texans. Flowers was initially listed as questionable, heading into Wednesday's contest after logging a limited practice on Tuesday. The 24-year-old will suit up after dealing with a shoulder injury during the week. Flowers caught five of eight targets for 100 yards in Week 16's 34-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Overall, he has been excellent for the Ravens this season, catching 71 passes for 1,016 yards and four touchdowns over 15 games in 2024. Fantasy managers can safely start Flowers as a low-end WR2 for the fantasy championships. Flowers is the 25th-ranked wideout in the latest RotoBaller rankings and can be started in all leagues.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Williams Dec 25 1:00pm ET
Caleb Williams

The Seattle Seahawks defense/special teams is a solid streaming option in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. The Bears' offense has been notoriously bad in the first half of games this season. Additionally, rookie quarterback Caleb Williams has been sacked a staggering 60 times this season. He has only turned the ball over ten times, but the constant sacks are a great way for opposing D/STs to rack up fantasy points. The Seahawks have experienced solid defensive success lately. They are causing turnovers and finding ways to get to the quarterback in the backfield. Expect this unit to push for three or more sacks in this game. If they can force a turnover, they will certainly end up with a solid day in fantasy. Additionally, the Bears have only scored more than 20 points once over their past nine games. It is part of the reason why they are on a nine-game losing streak. The Seahawks should be a fine start in Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Geno Smith Dec 25 12:20pm ET
Geno Smith

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith checks in as a QB2 in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. Smith has a chance to put up solid numbers against a Bears defense that just got torched by Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions. The Bears have not played particularly well over the second half of the season given the turmoil in the organization and the multiple coaching changes. The Seahawks must win on Thursday to keep their playoff hopes alive. The offense should be aggressive both on the ground and through the air as a result. Smith should reach 200 yards passing without issue. The question is whether the touchdowns will flow for him. He has only thrown multiple touchdowns in a game on three occasions this year. That has limited him to the QB2 range despite being third in the league in passing yards. He is a great option for two-quarterback leagues, but he should remain on benches in leagues that only start a single quarterback.

From RotoBaller

Jason Myers Dec 25 12:20pm ET
Jason Myers

Seattle Seahawks kicker Jason Myers is a solid option in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears. The Seahawks should be in plenty of great positions to score this week. In Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings, Myers missed his first field goal since Week 5. That came on a 60-yard attempt. Myers has been primarily reliable when given the chance. The Seahawks should not have any issues moving the ball against the Bears on Thursday. That should give Myers plenty of chances to kick field goals and extra points. With the Seahawks in desperation mode, they will likely be aggressive on offense. Look for Myers to push for double-digit fantasy points this week. He could be a key piece to your championship lineup.

From RotoBaller

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Dec 25 12:10pm ET
Jaxon Smith-Njigba

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba is in another great position to succeed in Week 17. The Seahawks will travel to Chicago to face the Bears this week. The Bears started the season as one of the best passing defenses, but they have faltered lately. This matchup is a lot better than the raw numbers would suggest. JSN has been a target hog for several weeks and that should not change in a must-win game for the Seahawks. Smith-Njigba has racked up 1,089 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season. He has scored 18.3 or more PPR fantasy points in six of his last seven games. He is on a complete tear and should be a valuable addition to championship lineups this week.

From RotoBaller

D.K. Metcalf Dec 25 12:10pm ET
D.K. Metcalf

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf has been a difficult fantasy asset to trust lately. In Week 16 against the Minnesota Vikings, Metcalf scored his first touchdown since Week 7. His target volume has been solid lately, but his production has not flowed. The Seahawks face the Chicago Bears in Week 17. The Bears have not been a scary matchup for opposing passing games in recent weeks. Still, Metcalf is a risky play. His catch rate of 60% is primarily contributing to his poor production. His downfield targets are a high-risk, high-reward. Additionally, the emergence of Jaxon Smith-Njigba as a true No. 1 wide receiver in the offense is not helping Metcalf's case. The Seahawks are in desperation mode and must win on Thursday to have any chance of advancing to the playoffs. As such, expect them to be aggressive offensively. That could play to Metcalf's advantage. He checks in as a high-end flex play with upside this week.

From RotoBaller

Chris Jones Dec 25 11:50am ET
Chris Jones

Kansas City Chiefs star defensive lineman Chris Jones (calf) is officially inactive for Wednesday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. This comes as no surprise, as the Chiefs announced this morning that Jones was not expected to play. The 30-year-old injured his calf during Saturday's win over the Texans and only logged a limited session on Tuesday. Jones has been a defensive force for the Chiefs, racking up 37 tackles, five sacks, and a forced fumble over 15 games in 2024. Jones' next chance to suit up will be the regular season finale against the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs DST without Jones takes a slight hit, but fantasy managers can start Kansas City's defense in most leagues, as they are currently ranked ninth among all DSTs for Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Eddie Jackson Dec 24 10:43pm ET
Eddie Jackson

Free-agent S Eddie Jackson (Ravens) was signed to the practice squad of the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, Dec. 23. RB John Kelly was released to make room for him on the practice squad.

From TheHuddle

Troy Franklin Dec 24 9:50pm ET
Troy Franklin

Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin (ankle) was able to get through a full practice session on Tuesday. Franklin popped up on the injury report to begin the week, but the fact he was a full participant on Tuesday suggests that he'll be fine for the Week 17 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Franklin hauled in two of his three targets for 25 yards during last week's loss. The rookie wideout hasn't finished with more than two receptions in a single game since Week 7. That being said, Franklin won't be an ideal streaming option for Saturday's game against the Bengals.

From RotoBaller

JaMycal Hasty Dec 24 9:40pm ET
JaMycal Hasty

New England Patriots running back JaMycal Hasty (ankle) was a full participant during Tuesday's practice session. This is good news after Hasty was forced to miss last week's loss to the Buffalo Bills due to an ankle injury. The 28-year-old as mainly been used as the third-down back while also operating as the primary kick returner. His status won't make a difference for fantasy purposes, but having Hasty out there would be a benefit to the Pats special teams unit ahead of Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers.

From RotoBaller

Noah Fant Dec 24 9:30pm ET
Noah Fant

Seattle Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (knee) was a full participant during Tuesday's practice session. That is good news after Fant was limited during Monday's walkthrough. It sounds like Fant should be ready to go for Thursday's game against the Chicago Bears. Fant has been dealing with a lingering knee issue for weeks, but has suited up in each of the last four games. Over that span, Fant has 12 receptions for 109 yards, which means he'll be a low-end TE2 for Week 17.

From RotoBaller

Zach Charbonnet Dec 24 9:20pm ET
Zach Charbonnet

Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (elbow) was a full participant during Tuesday's practice session. This is good news after Charbonnet was listed as limited to begin the week. It appears Charbonnet is trending in the right direction ahead of Thursday's game against the Chicago Bears. The 23-year-old has seen more activity lately, but that could be because fellow back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) is still banged up. Walker missed Tuesday's practice after suffering an ankle injury during last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. If Walker sits, Charbonnet would be a strong RB2 for Thursday's game.

From RotoBaller

Kenneth Walker III Dec 24 9:20pm ET
Kenneth Walker III

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (ankle) was not able to suit up for Tuesday's practice session. This marks back-to-back missed practice sessions for Walker after he suffered an ankle injury during last week's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. The fact Walker is still missing practice is not a good sign ahead of Thursday's game against the Chicago Bears. If Walker sits, Zach Charbonnet (elbow) would become the lead back and would be a solid RB2 for fantasy purposes. Fantasy managers will have to check back on Wednesday for another update on his status.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Dec 24 8:23pm ET
Aaron Rodgers

New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers (knee) is dealing with a 'little' MCL injury but expects to play in Week 17, he told reporters on Tuesday, Dec. 24.

Fantasy Spin: While Rodgers playing is good news for the Jets' offense, he isn't a suggested lineup option in Week 17.

From TheHuddle

Leonard Williams Dec 24 8:23pm ET
Leonard Williams

Seattle Seahawks TE Brady Russell (foot) and RB Kenneth Walker III (ankle) did not take part in practice on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Also, OT Abraham Lucas (knee, rest), LB Ernest Jones (knee, rest) and DE Leonard Williams (foot, rest) were limited and S K'Von Wallace (ankle), TE Noah Fant (knee), RB Zach Charbonnet (elbow), C Olu Oluwatimi (knee), LB Derick Hall (shoulder) and LB Uchenna Nwosu (wrist) practiced in full. The injury report was an estimation, as the Seahawks held a walkthrough.

From TheHuddle

James Conner Dec 24 7:23pm ET
James Conner

Arizona Cardinals RB James Conner (knee) was a limited participant in practice on Tuesday, Dec. 24. The injury report was an estimation, as the Cardinals only held a walkthrough.

Fantasy Spin: Conner exited the Week 16 game early due to a knee injury, but the fact that he was an estimated limited participant is a good sign he has a chance to play. Conner is a borderline RB1 play if he suits up.

From TheHuddle

Anthony Miller Dec 24 7:23pm ET
Anthony Miller

Baltimore Ravens WR Anthony Miller was elevated from the practice squad for Week 17 on Tuesday, Dec. 24.

From TheHuddle

Matt Prater Dec 24 7:13pm ET
Matt Prater

Arizona Cardinals S Joey Blount (ribs), CB Elijah Jones (ankle) and P Michael Palardy (illness) did not take part in practice on Tuesday, Dec. 24. Also, OL Kelvin Beachum (rest), RB Trey Benson (ankle), OL Evan Brown (neck), LB Baron Browning (neck), RB James Conner (knee), PK Matt Prater (knee), DL Darius Robinson (calf) and LB Mack Wilson (concussion) were limited. The injury report was an estimation, as the Cardinals only held a walkthrough.

From TheHuddle