Seattle Seahawks Quarterback Sam Darnold led his team to a big win last Thursday against the Rams, throwing for 270 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. He's had a few down games lately, but has also thrown for at least 249 yards in three straight games. When the touchdowns are there, he's typically a solid, QB2 or low-end option in single-QB deep leagues. Darnold and the Seahawks have a tough matchup on the road against the Panthers in Week 17, in a battle of teams pushing towards the playoffs. He's not in an elite spot, but he still brings enough upside to be a decent pickup if you need help at the position in two-QB formats or deep leagues.

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Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Gardner Minshew (knee) got good news from an MRI on his injured knee, as his ACL was not torn as initially feared. He's still out for the rest of the season on IR, but his recovery will be quicker since it's a "non-displaced tibial plateau fracture," which is basically a severe bone bruise but does not require surgery. The seventh-year QB was on a one-year deal with the Chiefs, but only played two games this season. He'll be a free agent this offseason, and the fact that he won't have to recover from a torn ACL will make him one of the better backup options on the market. He could return to Kansas City or land with a new team, but wherever he ends up, the fact that he doesn't have a torn ACL should improve his chances of being ready for offseason activities and the start of next season.

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Minnesota Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy (hand) missed practice on Monday after having to leave last week's game at halftime with a hand injury. The Vikings have a favorable matchup this week and a chance to play spoiler against the Lions, but McCarthy will need to overcome his injury to be a viable option. He was excellent in his last two full games before the injury, producing three total touchdowns in wins over the Commanders and the Cowboys. McCarthy has the potential to be a streamer in two-QB or deep leagues if healthy, so keep a close eye on his practice participation if you're in the market for some help. If he's out, Max Brosmer would likely start, but he has not yet proven he can be a fantasy option.

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Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence is on a heater as the Jaguars push to the playoffs, and he makes a good start in almost all formats this week. He's still available in about one-third of leagues despite his recent success, and he has a favorable matchup in Week 17 against the Colts, who were just carved up by Brock Purdy on Monday Night Football. Lawrence led the Jags to a huge win in Denver by throwing for 279 passing yards, three touchdowns, and running for a fourth score. Lawrence has thrown multiple touchdowns in five straight weeks and added a rushing score in each of the last two weeks as well. He finishes the season with division matchups against the Colts and Titans, and will be an elite play as long as he isn't rested before the playoffs.

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Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco took back over as the lead back for the Chiefs this week, stepping in ahead of veteran Kareem Hunt and taking eight carries for 34 yards while adding six catches for 41 yards in the team's loss to the Titans last week. Pacheco could be in for a heavy workload moving forward, since the team could phase out Hunt now that the playoffs are no longer a possibility. The team could take the next two weeks to evaluate Pacheco and rookie Brashard Smith for their future roles, but Pacheco is in a brutal matchup this week against the Broncos, who have been elite against the run. Pacheco does have touchdown-dependent upside and should get a good workload, but he's still a long-shot flex play to add off the waiver wire this week due to the matchup.

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Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett had a rough week against the Falcons in Week 16, but he should be poised to bounce back in a big way against the Bengals in Week 17. Brissett has thrown multiple touchdowns in eight of his previous nine games, but he only threw for one score and a season-low 203 passing yards last week against Atlanta. The Bengals have allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks this season, allowing 30 QB touchdowns (passing and rushing) in 15 games, along with an average of 256 passing yards per week. In what should be a much better matchup, Brissett can be a great addition and streaming play in Week 17 if you need help at the position.

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Indianapolis Colts QB Philip Rivers completed 23 of 35 passes for 277 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16. With the game out of hand late, Rivers was replaced by QB Riley Leonard on the final drive.

Fantasy Spin: Rivers came out on fire versus the 49ers, leading the Colts to touchdowns on their first two drives. After a punt, Rivers would lead three additional scoring drives in a row, though just one touchdown. Things fell apart late, but it was still a highly impressive effort from the 44-year-old. While the loss essentially puts an end to Indy's playoff dreams, Rivers could still start against Jacksonville this week as they remain mathematically alive at the moment. Even if he does play, Rivers would be a tough sell against a solid Jaguars defense.

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San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (ankle) collected seven receptions for 115 yards and a touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16 before departing with an ankle injury. After the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated it was too early to determine the severity of the injury.

Fantasy Spin: Kittle owners will be waiting with bated breath for an update on the star tight end's condition ahead of the team's Week 17 showdown with the Bears. If everything checks out, and Kittle is ready to roll, he'd belong in your lineup as a TE1. If Kittle is ruled out, Jake Tonges would become a very interesting plug-and-play option based on what he did earlier this year when Kittle was on IR. Kittle owners might want to preemptively move to add Tonges if they have an available roster spot to make sure they're covered either way.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers WR Demarcus Robinson had two catches, 23 yards, and a touchdown in Week 16 against the Indianapolis Colts.

From TheHuddle

San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey had 21 carries for 117 yards versus the Indianapolis Colts in Week 16. He added six receptions for 29 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Fantasy Spin: What's left to say about McCaffrey? Even in a year where the 49ers have largely struggled with their running game, CMC has found a way to consistently deliver for fantasy owners, averaging 126 combined yards per game and scoring his 15th and 16th touchdowns of the season on Monday night. Most importantly, he's stayed healthy and is a high-end RB1 this Sunday night.

From TheHuddle

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson has been a steady producer for most of the 2025 season, recording 70 receptions for 733 yards and three touchdowns on 93 targets across 15 games. Johnson posted one of his better performances in Week 16 against the New York Jets, hauling in eight catches for 89 yards on nine targets. The Saints placed wideout Devaughn Vele (shoulder) on Injured Reserve leading into the game, which cements Johnson's status as the number two pass-catcher in New Orleans behind star wideout Chris Olave. While Johnson may not have major upside, he's recorded just one game with fewer than four receptions since Week 6. Behind rookie quarterback Tyler Shough, the Saints are playing some of their best football of the season in recent weeks and face another favorable matchup in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable viewing Johnson as a high-floor streamer option off the waiver wire at the tight end position.

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Across 14 games this season, Chicago Bears rookie tight end Colston Loveland has recorded 42 receptions for 528 yards and four touchdowns on 58 targets. The 21-year-old has provided remarkably consistent production in the second half of the year. Loveland has recorded no fewer than three and no more than four receptions in each of his last seven games. In that stretch, he's also logged between four and six targets and between 29 and 63 receiving yards in every outing. With Bears wideouts Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle) potentially set to miss the team's Week 17 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, Loveland could finally see a production spike. Even if his role remains the same, he's a good bet to continue to provide around 10 PPR fantasy points. In leagues where he remains available, Loveland should be viewed as a low-end TE1 option for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire.

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Across 10 games in 2025, Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange has hauled in 37 catches for 434 yards and two touchdowns on 49 targets. The 24-year-old had his season interrupted by a hip injury that sidelined him from Week 6 through Week 11, but he's stayed healthy since then, and his production appears to be trending in the right direction. Strange tied his season high with seven targets in Week 16 against the Denver Broncos, recording five catches for 39 yards and a touchdown. Between wide receivers Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas Jr., and Parker Washington, the Jaguars have other capable pass-catchers who could steal opportunities away from Strange. However, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has thrown for 609 yards and eight touchdowns over the last two weeks and appears to be leading the Jacksonville offense to new heights. Strange carries streamer appeal in deeper leagues heading into his Week 17 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts.

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San Francisco 49ers TE George Kittle (ankle) limped off the field in the third quarter of the Week 16 game against the Indianapolis Colts due to an ankle injury. He is questionable to return.

Fantasy Spin: Kittle has been ripping it up on Monday night, going for seven receptions, 115 yards and a touchdown before the injury. If he cannot make it back, at least he posted a tremendous stat line for fantasy managers. When his status is updated, we'll pass it along. Kittle and the Niners have a titanic matchup in Week 17 against the Chicago Bears on Sunday Night Football.

From TheHuddle

Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz has been a steady contributor throughout the 2025 season, recording 75 catches for 685 yards and three touchdowns on 98 targets across 15 games. While he may not be the most explosive player at the tight end position, Schultz provides a relatively stable production floor. Entering his Week 17 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, the 29-year-old has earned at least five targets and recorded at least 10 PPR fantasy points in six out of his last eight games. Outside of star Texans wideout Nico Collins, Schultz may be the most trusted pass-catching option for Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud. In leagues where he remains available, Schultz can be viewed as a viable streamer at the tight end position for fantasy managers to target on the waiver wire heading into Week 17.

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Detroit Lions rookie wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa had the best game of his young career in Week 16, recording four catches for 52 yards and a touchdown on seven targets against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While TeSlaa has hauled in just 12 receptions on the season, the 23-year-old has turned five of those catches into touchdowns. Most encouragingly, TeSlaa's playing time has spiked in recent weeks. After failing to play more than 28 offensive snaps in any game from Week 1 through Week 12, TeSlaa has now played at least 41 offensive snaps in each of Detroit's last four contests. He's been a favorite end-zone target of Lions quarterback Jared Goff in that stretch, recording three touchdown catches. Additionally, top Lions wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's injury report ahead of the team's Week 17 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day. Based on his touchdown potential and emerging role in Detroit, TeSlaa could be worth targeting on the waiver wire for deep-league fantasy managers.

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Across 15 games this season, Chicago Bears wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus has hauled in 39 receptions for 313 yards and two touchdowns on 65 targets. While his numbers don't jump off the page, Zaccheaus has moved into a more prominent role in the Chicago offense in recent weeks, thanks to injuries to Bears wideouts Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle). With both Odunze and Burden III sidelined in Week 16, Zaccheaus played 86% of his team's offensive snaps and was targeted five times. Odunze is dealing with a stress fracture in his foot that has held him out since Week 13 and may keep him on the shelf through the end of the regular season. Since Odunze went out, Zaccheaus has played at least 79% of Chicago's offensive snaps in every game. While it has not led to big production yet, Zaccheaus may be in line for another game of significant playing time in Week 17 against the San Francisco 49ers. He could be a viable injury replacement for deep-league fantasy managers off the waiver wire.

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Denver Broncos TE Marcedes Lewis might be promoted to the 53-player roster ahead of Week 17 if TE Nate Adkins (knee) cannot go. Lewis has reached his limit of three practice-squad elevations.

From TheHuddle

New Orleans Saints running back Evan Hull is coming off a very disappointing performance against the New York Jets. As a result, he can be left on waivers in most fantasy leagues ahead of his Week 17 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Although there had been some speculation that Hull would lead New Orleans' backfield on Sunday with Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) sidelined, that never came to fruition. Instead, he handled just five carries for three rushing yards on a 21% snap share. Audric Estime (three catches) was far more productive than Hull in the receiving game, and veteran playmaker Taysom Hill (12 carries) handled the bulk of the volume on the ground. If Kamara misses another game, Hill is the early favorite to lead the team in carries while Estime gets involved in the passing game. That leaves Hull as the odd man out, despite facing a Titans defense that has allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to running backs in 2025.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets wide receiver Adonai Mitchell has been heavily targeted lately, but he's a risky fantasy option heading into a tough matchup against the New England Patriots in Week 17. To his credit, Mitchell has enjoyed a career resurgence since being traded to the Jets, commanding at least six targets in each of his last six games. However, he has caught just 45.6% of his targets since the trade, averaging a modest 8.6 full-PPR points per game during that span. This week's matchup is far from ideal for Mitchell, especially as he adjusts to the quarterback play of inexperienced rookie Brady Cook, who will earn another start on Sunday. The Patriots have allowed the seventh-fewest catches and ninth-fewest receiving yards to wide receivers in 2025. Mitchell has a high ceiling and low floor, which makes him a risky option as the fantasy playoffs continue. He's only worth adding off the waiver wire in leagues with at least 12 teams.

From RotoBaller