Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (illness) will be active for Thursday's road bout with the Minnesota Vikings on Christmas Day, per the team. The veteran appeared on Detroit's practice report on Tuesday, missing the session due to illness. After logging a limited practice on Wednesday, it would seem Montgomery will be able to play anyway, and figures to assume his typical allotment of snaps behind teammate Jahmyr Gibbs as the Lions attempt to keep their playoff hopes alive. Notably, the seventh-year pro has seen his snap count steadily dwindle since Week 11, dropping under 20 plays in each of his last three appearances, compared with just once over the season's first 13 weeks. Correlatively, he'll offer little more than flex appeal with Gibbs dominating time and touches in the backfield.

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According to the team, Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) will be active for Thursday's divisional clash against the hosting Minnesota Vikings. St. Brown gave fantasy managers a scare, beginning the week tagged with a DNP after upgrading to limited sessions over the ensuing two days. Fortunately, the tough-as-nails 26-year-old will play through the issue and has yet to miss a start all season. It's unclear if he'll feel any of the lingering effects from the knee injury he picked up in Week 16, so fantasy managers may want to temper expectations, particularly against a stout Vikings' pass defense that's allowed the third-fewest passing yards per game (169.2). That said, St. Brown is a must-start option when healthy and should be amongst the top scorers at his position again deep in the fantasy playoffs. He's RotoBaller's PPR WR4 for Thursday's outing.

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Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine has garnered a greater role in the offense since returning from an ankle injury a few weeks back, absorbing at least seven touches in four straight outings. Backfield mate Chase Brown has still operated as Cincinnati's clear lead back. However, Perine has begun eating into the former's workload on the ground, handling 14 carries in two of the last four contests. Over that four-game sample, the veteran has nearly doubled his rushing production on the season, while seeing eight opportunities in the red zone -- a stark contrast to the four he accrued through the campaign's first 12 weeks. As it stands, Brown is the best bet for fantasy production in the backfield, but Perine has evolved into one of the higher-end handcuffs in the league, offering some standalone flex appeal. He'll be a solid play against a Cardinals' defense that's yielded the second-most fantasy points per game to RBs (26.95).

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ESPN's Todd Archer reports that Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson (calf) has been ruled out for the remainder of the game after sustaining a calf injury. He caught 1-of-2 targets for six yards and a touchdown before exiting the contest. Ferguson saw his last opportunity of the outing early in the second quarter, but did not rejoin his team coming out of halftime. With the 26-year-old deemed out, fellow tight end Luke Schoonmaker will operate as the Cowboys' No. 1 option at the position. Brevyn Spann-Ford will mix in behind him. Fantasy managers can also expect a modest uptick in work for wide receivers George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb while Ferguson is sidelined.

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike is worthy of owners' consideration as a low-end PPR flex play ahead of Week 17's outing with the visiting New Orleans Saints. The rookie's fantasy output has been anything but consistent in his debut season, tied to a developing Cameron Ward under center. However, Dike has retained a decent role and is a legitimate threat in the red zone. On the season, the fourth-round pick of April's draft has 15 opportunities in the red area, with the next closest Titans' pass-catcher failing to eclipse eight (Gunnar Helm). Moreover, Dike's superb work on special teams gives him an enormous boost in formats that account for such statistics. Indeed, the rookie teeters on boom-bust territory for fantasy. That said, he leads all Tennessee wideouts in receptions (41) and touchdown catches (four), and is a perpetual threat to score in the return game.

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According to Tommy Yarrish of the team, Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (shoulder) is questionable to return to Thursday's road matchup with their division-rival Washington Commanders. Williams exited Christmas Day's contest in the first half after picking up a shoulder injury. Before leaving, he'd racked up 54 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries, failing to bring in either of his targets. With the University of North Carolina product on the sideline, fantasy managers can expect backfield mates Malik Davis and Hunter Leupke to pick up extra snaps in his stead. As it stands, Davis figures to get most of the work, considering he's primarily played behind Williams over the previous few weeks.

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Chicago Bears rookie running back Kyle Monangai has emerged as an integral part of the team's offensive attack and presents as a solid flex play despite splitting time with backfield mate D'Andre Swift. The 23-year-old began the season minimally involved in the Bears' offense, averaging just seven carries a game through the campaign's first eight weeks. However, following a 176-yard eruption in Week 9 in Swift's stead, Monangai has been much more heavily utilized, picking up double-digit rush totals in six of eight appearances. Swift's presence will keep the rookie on the back burner for as long as he's healthy, capping his upside. Still, fantasy managers can comfortably slot the latter into their lineups for low-end flex production at worst. Moreover, Monangai holds massive built-in upside if his teammate is ever forced to miss time. The duo will get a formidable San Francisco 49ers' rush defense this weekend on Sunday Night Football.

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is coming off one of his best performances of the season in last Thursday's 38-37 shootout with the Seahawks, and remains a high-end fantasy option moving forward. Stafford tossed three touchdowns across 457 yards in Week 16's defeat. The yardage total was a career-high, and it was the eighth time he'd thrown at least three TDs and no interceptions in the 2025 campaign. The former Georgia Bulldog has been lights out this season, and managers can continue rolling him out with confidence deep into the fantasy playoffs. While LA may decide to sit the veteran and other starters in Week 18 depending on this weekend's outcomes, Stafford will be afforded an excellent outing on Monday night against a Falcons' defense that's yielded 24 points per game -- ranking in the bottom third of the league.

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Pittsburgh Steelers running back Kenneth Gainwell has come on strong in recent weeks, solidifying himself as an excellent fantasy asset over the back half of the season. Gainwell popped off earlier in the campaign in backfield mate Jaylen Warren's (hip) stead, although he'd operated in a secondary role for most of the season. However, in Week 11, the 26-year-old emerged as a legitimate threat in the passing game and has since recorded at least six targets in all but one appearance. Furthermore, Gainwell has out-snapped Warren in each of the previous two weeks despite the latter remaining heavily involved in the rush attack. While both will seemingly hold substantial value over the season's remaining weeks, Gainwell stands to see an uptick in targets, considering wide receiver DK Metcalf will be absent while he serves a two-game suspension, vacating looks in the offense.

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New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson saw an increased role in Week 16's 29-6 home win against the New York Jets, and figures to remain heavily involved moving forward after the loss of teammate Devaughn Vele (shoulder) for the remainder of the season. Johnson has been a strong producer for the Saints and fantasy managers alike in 2025. However, the emergence of Vele had capped the veteran's upside over the last month or so. Leading up to New Orleans' victory last Sunday, Vele was placed on injured reserve, paving the way for Johnson to operate as the second option behind wide receiver Chris Olave (back), and he delivered (8/89). With rookie Tyler Shough playing competently, Johnson is poised to carry high-end TE fantasy value for the campaign's remaining weeks. He'll get another excellent matchup in the hosting Tennessee Titans this Sunday.

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Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (rest, groin) could not find the end zone again in Week 16's 45-21 lopsided loss to the Bengals, but projects to be a useful fantasy asset for the remainder of the season. Waller and the rest of the Dolphins' skill players' value took a hit last Sunday when the team announced they'd turn to rookie signal-caller Quinn Ewers. The move was a response to teammate Tua Tagovailoa floundering in his role as a starter. For one game, at least, it was a downgrade for the Dolphins' offense. However, Waller remained involved, placing second on the team in targets (five) behind wide receiver Jaylen Waddle's nine. Waller's upside won't be the same with Ewers under center, but owners can still rely on him as a fringy TE1, particularly against a Buccaneers' defense that's allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to the position (15.65).

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Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston registered a stellar performance in his return to the field in Week 16, corraling 4-of-5 targets for 104 yards and a touchdown during the team's 34-17 road win against the Dallas Cowboys. The TCU product was inactive for LA's victory over the Chiefs the week prior after popping up on the practice report with a groin injury. Nonetheless, Johnston only missed one appearance and posted his first 100-yard performance of the campaign. While the 24-year-old has seen his production dip from an excellent first month of play, he's remained, at worst, the Chargers' second-leading wideout in terms of snaps on a weekly basis. Unfortunately, consistent production has been hard to find with a myriad of mouths to feed in the team's attack. However, he'll remain on the flex radar with substantial upside, even against a staunch Texans' defense in Week 17.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce posted a strong bounce-back effort in Week 16's 48-27 loss to the 49ers, reeling in all four of his targets for 86 yards and two touchdowns. Pierce has been a solid fantasy asset all season. However, he looked to be fading two weeks ago when Indy named veteran QB Philip Rivers their starter. At the time, the 25-year-old's downfield skill set didn't appear to be a match for Rivers' current play style. That changed on Monday night, though, when the 44-year-old began pushing the ball a bit more. If Rivers won't be pigeonholed into a short, quick attack, then Pierce will still hold a bit of value down the stretch. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect a ton of volume from the former Cincinnati Bearcat, but he'll at least still be the recipient of valuable downfield targets. Pierce has led all Colts' receivers in snaps in eight of their last nine outings.

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Chicago Bears wide receiver DJ Moore has been on a tear over the previous few weeks and is poised to retain an elevated role in the offense amid injuries to his teammates. Moore felt like an afterthought in Chicago's attack early in the campaign. Through the first nine games of the year, the University of Maryland alum had recorded just one touchdown and three double-digit fantasy performances. However, he's been more involved over the last month or so, particularly with fellow wideout Rome Odunze (foot) battling a nagging foot issue. While it's unclear if Odunze will miss a fourth straight outing, he's yet to practice in any capacity since Week 15. Furthermore, rookie Luther Burden III (ankle) could also be out again. If one or both are inactive, fantasy managers can rely on Moore as a solid WR2 with upside against a vulnerable San Francisco 49ers defense on Sunday Night Football.

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Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. (illness) will not be available for the team's divisional clash with the visiting Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 26-year-old was a late addition to Washington's injury report, as he came down with an illness early on Thursday. Despite initially garnering a questionable tag, he'll now miss his second game in three weeks. With Rodriguez inactive, backfield mates Jeremy McNichols and Jacory Croskey-Merritt will each see a significant uptick in work. Notably, in the last game sans Rodriguez, Croskey-Merritt barely eked out McNichols in snaps (32-30). However, he handily out-touched the latter 18-10. With that in mind, McNichols appeared to be the preferred passing-down back, so game script may determine who sees more work against the visiting Cowboys.

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Dallas Cowboys placekicker Brandon Aubrey remains a high-end fantasy asset for Week 17's road clash with their division-rival Washington Commanders. The Notre Dame product has been sensational when called upon in 2025, connecting on all but one extra-point try (42-of-43) and knocking through 32-of-36 field goal attempts. Notably, the four kicks Aubrey has missed have all been from 50-plus yards out. He'll benefit from another excellent matchup this Thursday in the hosting Commanders, who have yielded the sixth-most points per game to their opponents on the season (26.9). Owners can continue to rely on the 30-year-old as an elite fantasy play, and he'll rank as RotoBaller's No. 1 kicking option ahead of Week 17's outing.

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Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis won't be an optimal choice for fantasy when his team takes on the hosting Washington Commanders on Christmas Day. The fourth-year pro has seen a bit of extra work over the previous two weeks, notching eight carries in consecutive outings while getting a boost in playing time. In both appearances, Davis' extended play came while backfield mate Javonte Williams tended to injuries. With Williams presumably back to full health ahead of a road outing with the Commanders, considering he carries no designation, owners can look elsewhere for assistance in the fantasy playoffs. Even in an excellent matchup with the league's fourth-worst rush defense (141 yards per game), the 27-year-old is little more than a desperation flex play for fantasy. Davis lands as RotoBallers PPR RB57 for Week 17.

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers has entered streaming territory ahead of his Week 17 tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Despite not appearing in an NFL game since the 2020 season, the 44-year-old has looked quite comfortable in the Indianapolis offense and has flashed solid upside for fantasy. In his season debut in Week 15, Rivers faced a tough Seattle defense and went 18-for-27 with 120 yards and a 1:1 TD:INT. However, on Monday evening, Rivers took a massive step forward, going 23-for-35 with 277 yards, two scores, and just one interception during their loss to the 49ers. On Sunday, Rivers has a very favorable matchup against a Jaguars defense that is allowing the ninth-most PPR points to opposing QBs. Rivers carries high-end QB2 upside and viable streaming appeal for those in deeper 12+ team one-QB formats.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (abdomen) could see a larger role on Sunday afternoon when they face the New York Jets. During their victory over the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday night, wideout Kayshon Boutte and running back TreVeyon Henderson both exited with a concussion and are now in concussion protocol, which could open up more targets for Hollins this weekend. However, Hollins is also dealing with an abdominal injury himself, as he was unable to suit up during Wednesday's practice. Managers should not continue to monitor his status throughout the week, as he could have sleeper appeal in deeper three-WR leagues given his potential for a larger role, especially if Boutte cannot pass through the league's protocol. Since Week 11, Hollins has logged at least 75% of the snaps in all but one of his last six games and is averaging a strong 8.5 targets per game over his last two. He would carry FLEX upside in deeper leagues if Boutte cannot play.

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Los Angeles Rams tight end Colby Parkinson is set to remain in a lead role during their Week 17 contest against the Atlanta Falcons despite his disappointing showing last week. On Thursday, with No. 2 WR Davante Adams (hamstring) out of action, Parkinson was expected to see a larger role in the passing game, but was only able to bring in two of his four targets for a mere 21 yards. Instead, depth wide receiver Konata Mumpfield was able to draw eight targets, and rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson found the back of the end zone. However, with Adams set to miss another game, managers in 12+ team formats should view Parkinson as a viable low-end TE1 in the fantasy championships. Before his Week 16 dud, Parkinson averaged a strong 13.5 PPR points per game from Weeks 10 through 15 and should be poised to bounce back on Monday night.

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