Welcome to the Week 17 fantasy and betting cheat sheet, a one-stop shop for The Athletic’s game previews, injury and weather updates, and expert analysis. With the extra Christmas games on Wednesday, it’ll be a slightly different schedule for the Cheat Sheet this week, so bookmark this page and check back often, as we offer regular updates Wednesday and Thursday to assist with fantasy lineups and betting decisions. We’ll come back with a special cheat sheet focused on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday games later this week.
The latest NFL news and headlines
Last updated: 5 p.m. ET, Dec. 26
Injury news | Weather report
Featured games | Fantasy rankings
Waiver wire
Injury news
Updated through 5 p.m. ET, Dec. 26
Thursday Night Football
Zach Charbonnet, RB, SEA (elbow) — Active
Kenneth Walker III, RB, SEA (ankle) — Injured reserve
Seattle placed Walker on injured reserve, while Charbonnet is off the injury report and expected to play. After Charbonnet excelled with Walker out due to injury, the expectation was that the two backs would share carries. But Walker had eight carries and eight receptions to Charbonnet’s single carry for negative yards and two receptions in Week 16. Without Walker, Charbonnet is back in RB1 territory against an ever-worsening Bears rush defense.
Noah Fant, TE, SEA (knee) — Active
Fant was a limited participant in Monday’s practice but is expected to play. Last week, he had three receptions for 50 yards and is averaging only 6.53 PPR points per game this year.
Saturday
J.K. Dobbins, RB, LAC (knee) — Questionable
Gus Edwards, RB, LAC (ankle) — Out
Los Angeles opened Dobbins’ 21-day practice window, according to the Chargers’ official site. Gus Edwards, Kimani Vidal and company have been largely unable to replace Dobbins’ production, and the Chargers would love to get their RB1 back. Edwards had his best game in Week 16, finishing with 20.1 PPR points, 68 rushing yards and two touchdowns but has been ruled out for Week 17. If Dobbins and Edwards sit, Vidal could lead the backfield in Week 17.
Will Dissly, TE, LAC (shoulder) — Questionable
Dissly hasn’t played since Week 14, and in his absence, Stone Smartt has been the top tight end (even with Hayden Hurst’s return). Smartt had three receptions for 37 yards in Week 16, but if Dissly returns, he’s the tight end to roster for the Chargers.
Tee Higgins, WR, CIN (ankle/knee) — Questionable
Higgins was limited in practice Tuesday. He began last week on the injury report, too, and then scored 19.8 PPR points for the second week in a row. The Bengals have one of the best WR duos in the league in Ja’Marr Chase and Higgins.
James Conner, RB, ARI (knee) — Questionable
Trey Benson, RB, ARI (ankle) — Questionable
Conner injured his knee against Carolina in Week 16 and is questionable for Week 17. Backup Trey Benson has been on the injury report lately, but he’s an RB2 with RB1 upside if he starts. If Benson and Conner sit, Michael Carter will start and can be flexed. DeeJay Dallas could see some carries too in that scenario; Emari Demercado is on injured reserve.
Matt Prater, K, ARI (knee) — Questionable
Prater put in a limited practice Wednesday. If he sits this week, Chad Ryland will kick again. Ryland has made 86.2 percent of his field goals and is 3-for-3 on 50-plus yard attempts. He’s also made all extra-point attempts.
Sunday 1 p.m.
Xavier Legette, WR, CAR (hip) — Questionable
Adam Thielen, WR, CAR (hamstring) — Questionable
Head coach Dave Canales said Legette is day-to-day but would need to make “significant” progress to suit up in Week 17, according to The Athletic’s Joe Person. Without Legette last week, Adam Thielen (limited in practice Thursday) had five catches for 43 yards and a touchdown. David Moore also caught a touchdown pass but was targeted only three times. Jalen Coker saw five targets but ended with only eight receiving yards.
Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR (knee) — Questionable
Hubbard was limited in practice with a knee injury. Hubbard had a massive Week 16 with 152 rushing yards on 25 carries, two touchdowns, and four receptions for 13 yards. Raheem Blackshear and Velus Jones Jr. are next on the Panthers’ depth chart.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL (shoulder) — Out
Lamb is out for the final two games of the season, the Cowboys said in a statement, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. In Week 16, he had 100-plus receiving yards for the second week in a row; he had 93 and a touchdown the week before that. Now it’s up to Brandin Cooks, Jalen Tolbert and TE Jake Ferguson to fill the massive void Lamb leaves behind.
Anthony Richardson, QB, IND (back/foot) — Questionable
Richardson didn’t participate in Thursday’s practice, but the Colts are optimistic that he will start, according to ESPN’s Stephen Holder. The Colts have recommitted to Richardson as the starter, but if he can’t play, Joe Flacco will likely get the nod. While inconsistent, Richardson is in QB1 territory this week going against the Giants. In the past five weeks, Richardson has scored over 20 fantasy points three times.
Alec Pierce, WR, IND (concussion) — Questionable
Pierce missed last week due to a concussion but was a full participant during Wednesday’s practice. Pierce is the third-most targeted receiver in Indianapolis on a per-game basis (4.14) behind Josh Downs (7.5) and Michael Pittman Jr. (6.5).
Brenton Strange, TE, JAX (shoulder) — Questionable
Strange was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. In Week 15, Strange had 11 receptions and 73 yards receiving but had only two receptions for 22 yards in Week 16.
Derek Carr, QB, NO (hand) — Questionable
Carr fractured his left hand and hasn’t played since Week 14. The Saints were thumped by Green Bay on “Monday Night Football” in an embarrassing 34-0 loss. They’d love to get Carr back, but as recently as last week, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Saints QB was a few weeks away from being cleared for contact.
Alvin Kamara, RB, NO (groin) — Questionable
The Saints couldn’t get the running game going without Kamara against Green Bay on MNF. If he can’t play again, it’s hard to trust Kendre Miller after his 1.9-yards-per-carry performance Monday.
Chris Olave, RB, NO (concussion) — Questionable
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, NO (chest) — Questionable
Juwan Johnson, TE, NO (foot) — Questionable
Olave’s 21-day practice window was opened, and he could return for the Saints’ matchup against the Raiders on Sunday. But even then he’s hard to trust with QB Spencer Rattler under center. MVS had two good fantasy performances in Weeks 10 and 11 but since has averaged 9.83 PPR points. In Week 16, Johnson had two receptions for 27 yards, while Foster Moreau had two for 33. Until (if) Carr returns, the safest choice in fantasy is to avoid Saints pass catchers.
Malik Nabers, WR, NYG (ankle) — Questionable
Nabers didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice and considers himself a “gameday decision,” according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. Nabers is averaging 16.93 PPR points per game, despite playing with three different (struggling) quarterbacks this season. He had 13.8 points last week but scored 24.2 in Week 15.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, NYG (ankle) — Questionable
Head coach Brian Daboll said Tracy aggravated his ankle injury against the Falcons, according to the Giants’ official site. If he sits, Devin Singletary will lead the backfield. But in Week 16, neither RB was productive; Tracy had seven carries for 26 yards, while Singletary had four for 12 yards.
Drew Lock, QB, NYG (shoulder) — Questionable
Head coach Brian Daboll said Lock is on track to play Sunday, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan. If Lock can’t play, Tommy DeVito will likely start for the Giants in Week 17.
Davante Adams, WR, NYJ (hip) — Questionable
Aaron Rodgers and Adams have established chemistry over the past four weeks, and Adams has averaged 26.52 PPR points per game since Week 13. He’s also been targeted an average of 12 times, compared to Garrett Wilson’s 8.25. If Adams sits, Wilson could have a strong Week 17 performance.
Jalen Hurts, QB, PHI (concussion) — Questionable
Kenny Pickett, QB, PHI (ribs) — Questionable
Hurts left Week 16 with a concussion and was replaced by Kenny Pickett during the Eagles’ 3-point loss to the Commanders. Hurts is in concussion protocol, and Pickett had imaging done on his ribs. Tanner McKee is the third QB on Philly’s depth chart, and the Eagles are signing Ian Book to the practice squad, according to Mike Garafolo. If Hurts can’t play, temper expectations for A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, but Brown could still fare well against a Dallas defense ranked 22nd in passing yards per game allowed (223.7) and 30th in yards per play allowed (5.8).
Cade Otton, TE, TB (knee) — Questionable
Otton was inactive for Week 16, and backup TE Payne Durham had five catches for 29 yards. Otton has been a great addition to Tampa Bay, but his best performance in the past six weeks came in Week 14 when he had 70 receiving yards on three catches and four targets.
Tony Pollard, RB, TEN (ankle) — Questionable
Pollard didn’t practice Wednesday, and if he can’t play, Tyjae Spears could be in for a big week. In Week 16, Spears had 10 carries for 27 rushing yards and added 39 receiving yards. Pollard rushed eight times for 35 yards and caught two passes for five yards.
Nick Folk, K, TEN (abdomen) — Questionable
Folk didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice. In Week 16, Brayden Narveson filled in and missed his only field-goal attempt. On the season (primarily with the Packers), Narevson has made only 66.7 percent of his kicks.
Sunday 4 p.m.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, CLE (calf) — Questionable
Jameis Winston, QB, CLE (shoulder) — Questionable
Jerry Jeudy, WR, CLE (knee/shin) — Questionable
Cedric Tillman, WR, CLE (concussion) — Questionable
David Njoku, TE, CLE (knee) — Questionable
Head coach Kevin Stefanski said Njoku would need an MRI to diagnose the severity of his knee injury, according to the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram’s Scott Petrak. The Browns were dismal with Thompson-Robinson under center, losing to the Cincinnati Bengals 24-6, but Njoku was the primary pass catcher with 10 targets, eight receptions and 66 yards receiving. Jerry Jeudy had only two receptions for 20 yards. Tillman hasn’t played since Week 12 and shouldn’t start in fantasy championships. Stefanski said Thompson-Robinson will start as QB as long as he’s healthy, but DTR is questionable with a calf injury, and Jameis Winston was inactive in Week 16 with a shoulder injury. Maybe Bailey Zappe will get a chance this week?
Christian Watson, WR, GB (knee) — Questionable
Watson said after Monday’s lashing of New Orleans that he would get his knee examined and is “hoping for the best,” according to The Athletic’s Matt Schneidman. On MNF, Dontayvion Wicks had a team-high seven targets but only three receptions and 13 receiving yards, though he did have a TD reception. Jayden Reed had three receptions and 76 receiving yards, while TE Tucker Kraft finished with 63 receiving yards.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, MIA (hip) — Questionable
Tyreek Hill, WR, MIA (wrist) — Questionable
Jaylen Waddle, WR, MIA (knee) — Questionable
Tagovailoa threw for 215 yards and a touchdown, finishing with a 92.2 passer rating in Week 16, but it’s hard to continue depending on Hill and Miami receivers for big points. Hill was targeted seven times but finished with only three catches for 29 yards, though he did score a touchdown. TE Jonnu Smith and RB De’Von Achane led the Dolphins in receiving. Hill is still averaging 12.98 PPR points per game, and his ceiling is at the 28 points he scored in Week 14. Waddle is averaging just over 10 PPR points per game and has a similar ceiling to Hill. Tua and Hill likely play this week, but Waddle missed Week 16 and didn’t practice Wednesday.
Tucker Kraft, TE, GB (hip) — Questionable
Luke Musgrave, TE, GB (ankle) — Questionable
Kraft and Musgrave were limited at Wednesday’s practice. While Musgrave returned to the field in Week 16, Kraft is the starting tight end for the Packers. Musgrave had only one target and no receptions; Kraft had three receptions for 63 receiving yards on four targets.
Sunday Night Football
Drake London, WR, ATL (hamstring) — Questionable
Head coach Raheem Morris said London could have returned against the Giants in Week 16, according to the Falcons’ official site. With rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. under center in Week 16, London was targeted eight times and caught five passes for 59 yards. Darnell Mooney saw six targets and had five receptions for 82 yards. TE Kyle Pitts had one reception for seven yards and continues to disappoint.
Terry McLaurin, WR, WAS (ankle) — Questionable
McLaurin didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice. Since Week 12, McLaurin is averaging 22.95 PPR points per game, but last week Olamide Zaccheaus saw more targets and had two touchdowns. Still, McLaurin is the most reliable receiver in the Commanders’ offense and a fringe WR1 this week.
Monday Night Football
Isaac Guerendo, RB, SF (foot/hamstring) — Questionable
Head coach Kyle Shanahan said the 49ers expect Guerendo to practice Thursday, according to ESPN’s Nick Wagoner. In Guerendo’s Week 16 absence, Patrick Taylor had eight carries for 24 yards, while WR Deebo Samuel had five carries for 25 yards.
Week 17 Injury Report
| Player | POS. | Team | Inj. | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
RB |
ARI |
Knee |
Questionable |
|
|
RB |
ARI |
Ankle |
Questionable |
|
|
K |
ARI |
Knee |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
ATL |
Hamstring |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
CAR |
Hip |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
CAR |
Hamstring |
Questionable |
|
|
RB |
CAR |
Knee |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
CIN |
Ankle/Knee |
Questionable |
|
|
QB |
CLE |
Calf |
Questionable |
|
|
QB |
CLE |
Shoulder |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
CLE |
Knee/Shin |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
CLE |
Concussion |
Questionable |
|
|
TE |
CLE |
Knee |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
DAL |
Shoulder |
Out |
|
|
TE |
GB |
Hip |
Questionable |
|
|
TE |
GB |
Ankle |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
GB |
Knee |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
IND |
Concussion |
Questionable |
|
|
QB |
IND |
Back/Foot |
Questionable |
|
|
TE |
JAX |
Shoulder |
Questionable |
|
|
RB |
LAC |
Knee |
Questionable |
|
|
RB |
LAC |
Ankle |
Out |
|
|
TE |
LAC |
Shoulder |
Questionable |
|
|
QB |
MIA |
Hip |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
MIA |
Wrist |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
MIA |
Knee |
Questionable |
|
|
QB |
NO |
Hand |
Questionable |
|
|
RB |
NO |
Groin |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
NO |
Concussion |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
NO |
Chest |
Questionable |
|
|
TE |
NO |
Foot |
Questionable |
|
|
RB |
NYG |
Ankle |
Questionable |
|
|
QB |
NYG |
Shoulder |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
NYG |
Toe |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
NYJ |
Hip |
Questionable |
|
|
QB |
PHI |
Concussion |
Questionable |
|
|
QB |
PHI |
Ribs |
Questionable |
|
|
RB |
SF |
Foot |
Questionable |
|
|
RB |
SEA |
Ankle |
Injured reserve |
|
|
RB |
SEA |
Elbow |
Active |
|
|
TE |
SEA |
Knee |
Active |
|
|
TE |
TB |
Knee |
Questionable |
|
|
RB |
TEN |
Ankle |
Questionable |
|
|
K |
TEN |
Abdomen |
Questionable |
|
|
WR |
WAS |
Ankle |
Questionable |
Weather report
Outdoor games only
In Jake Ciely’s fantasy football strategy guide to weather, he notes that the passing game is impacted when temperatures drop below 35 degrees, which is illustrated in the table below.
| TEMP | CMP% | PAYD/GM | ATT/TD | ATT/INT | RTG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
35- |
60.3 |
229.2 |
24.5 |
39.4 |
84.0 |
|
36+ |
63.0 |
239.9 |
22.3 |
42.0 |
89.4 |
|
TEMP |
YDS/ATT |
CTCH PA% |
RB TGT% |
WR TGT% |
TE TGT% |
|
35- |
6.9 |
66.1% |
18.8% |
58.5% |
20.2% |
|
36+ |
7.2 |
68.2% |
19.8% |
57.4% |
20.5% |
According to Rotowire’s aggregated NFL-related forecasts, Thursday night’s game doesn’t have a high likelihood of being affected by weather:
Featured games
Game-specific previews and live updates are available on the day of the game.
Thursday Night
Seattle Seahawks (8-7) vs. Chicago Bears (4-11)
- Venue: Soldier Field — Chicago
- Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
- TV: Prime Video
Geno Smith and the Seahawks were prey to Sam Darnold’s 2024 redemption tour in Week 16, losing to the Vikings 27-24. In the loss, Jaxon Smith-Njigba once again out-targeted (12) and outgained (95 yards receiving) DK Metcalf (seven targets, 57 yards), but both receivers finished with a touchdown. Smith-Njigba is an easy start this week against a Bears defense that gives up 225.2 passing yards per game (23rd) and ranks second to last in opponent passing yards per attempt. Despite Zach Charbonnet’s promising performances in Kenneth Walker III’s absence due to injury, Walker returned as lead back (eight carries, 31 yards; eight receptions, 28 yards), and Kenny McIntosh saw more carries than Charbonnet. But Walker injured his ankle late in the game and has been placed on injured reserve, making Charbonnet an RB1/2 this week and next.
Chicago has lost its last nine games and was trolled by the Detroit Lions last week 34-17. Caleb Williams threw for 334 yards and two touchdowns, finishing with a 107.7 passer rating and was Chicago’s leading rusher (six carries, 34 rushing yards). D’Andre Swift rushed nine times for 20 yards — just 2.2 yards per carry. Roschon Johnson had one carry for three yards. WR Keenan Allen was the standout, finishing with 141 yards receiving and a touchdown on a team-high 13 targets. DJ Moore and Rome Odunze also finished strong with 68 and 77 receiving yards, respectively. Since Week 11, on a per-game basis, Allen has led the team in targets, targets per route run, epa per target and receiving yards.
Jake Ciey’s Week 17 fantasy football rankings
Find out Jake’s top QB, RB, WR and TE for the week!
- There is no perfect widget out there, sadly, still. I know many view this on your phone, but 1) use the rankings widget on a PC/laptop/etc. if possible or 2) open in your phone’s browser, especially for Android users, to get the scrolling to work (or Android people can try a two-finger scroll).
- ECR = “Expert” Consensus Ranking (which isn’t updated by everyone consistently, so take with a grain of salt).
- Updated regularly, so check up to lineups locking.
Get Ciely’s full Week 17 analysis. Plus sleepers and projections.
Jake Ciely’s Week 17 fantasy football waiver wire
Jake Ciely’s Week 17 waiver wire guide
Waiver wire running back ranks
- Jerome Ford, CLE — The D’Onta Foreman goal-line fumble opened the door for more Ford work, and he’s in the RB2 tier for the final week.
- Trey Benson and Michael Carter, ARI — If James Conner is out and Benson returns, Benson would be a Top 20 option — assuming he’s 100%. That would make Carter a flier RB3, but if Benson is out too, Carter becomes a fringe RB2 given his inconsistent career, and in the Tank Bigsby/Tyjae Spears range as a pickup.
- J.K. Dobbins, LAC — Could return. If Dobbins is back, he’s a huge risk but with upside for Top 20 value. Your call if you need the desperation start.
Waiver wire wide receiver ranks
- Jalen McMillan, TB — Not much more to say at this point. McMillan has gone from locked-in WR3 status with upside to potentially WR2 value against the Panthers.
- Rashod Bateman, BAL — Only here if Zay Flowers is out. If Flowers plays, Bateman is down at the bottom of the list.
- Hollywood Brown, KC — Boom/bust WR4, as the Chiefs don’t use wideouts more than around 60% of the dropbacks, and maybe that changes with Brown, but it’s still a tough matchup.
Streaming tight ends
Streaming DST
- IND at NYG
- MIA at CLE
- LAC at NE
- LV at NO
— Ciely
Check out all of Ciely’s waiver wire advice this week.
(Photo of CeeDee Lamb: Todd Kirkland / Getty Images)
The final week of the NFL regular season is upon us, and fantasy football managers and bettors alike are looking for any edge they can get to finish the year strong. In this cheat sheet, we’ll cover the latest news on player availability and injuries to help you make the best decisions for your lineups and wagers.
First up, running back Zach Charbonnet is active for the Los Angeles Rams in their crucial Week 17 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Charbonnet has been a key contributor for the Rams in recent weeks, and his presence in the backfield should give a boost to fantasy managers who have him in their lineup.
On the flip side, Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has been ruled out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury. Lamb has been a fantasy stud all year long, so this news is a tough blow for managers who were counting on him in the final week of the season. Look for other options to fill the void left by Lamb in your lineup.
As you prepare for Week 17, keep these updates in mind and make sure to adjust your fantasy lineups and betting strategies accordingly. Good luck and happy gaming!
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