The fantasy football championship week is here, and inevitably, player injuries will occur as long as games are played. At this crucial juncture, if a starter on your team is injured, the best course of action is to meticulously assess all available choices and diligently search the waiver wire. Week 16 proved to be another challenging period with several critical player injuries. We will now review all key developments from Week 16 and preview Week 17 — likely your final fantasy showdown.
Recent developments and ongoing reports
Brock Bowers, Tight End, Raiders (knee): In an unexpected announcement on Christmas Eve, the Raiders placed Bowers on injured reserve, thus concluding his season two games ahead of schedule. This second-year tight end had a less impactful season, despite entering 2025 with considerable promise. Bowers participated in only 12 contests, recording 64 receptions for 680 yards and seven touchdowns. Optimistically, Las Vegas will resolve its quarterback situation by 2026, enabling Bowers to re-establish himself as a premier fantasy tight end. In the immediate future, Michael Mayer is expected to handle most of the tight end snaps and is a respectable streaming option for Week 17 against the Giants, especially if you are in urgent need of a championship replacement.
George Kittle, Tight End, 49ers (ankle): Kittle suffered an ankle injury during the second quarter of Monday evening’s victory over the Colts. Last night, head coach Kyle Shanahan stated it is too soon to determine the full extent of the injury and Kittle’s availability for Week 17 versus the Bears. Kittle concluded the game with seven catches on eight targets for 115 yards and a touchdown, securing the TE1 position for Week 16 with 21 fantasy points. Fantasy managers will be closely monitoring his status to see if Kittle is cleared for the championship round. If Kittle is sidelined, an obvious direct substitute is not apparent, although Jake Tonges did show some capability during Kittle’s earlier absence. Additionally, Kendrick Bourne could again see an expanded role in the passing game.
Lamar Jackson, Quarterback, Ravens (back): Jackson was unable to participate in the second half of Sunday night’s defeat to the Patriots. He is currently listed as day-to-day with a back contusion but is hopeful to play on Saturday against the Packers, according to NFL Network. This situation carries significant weight heading into the fantasy championship. Jackson would be up against a formidable Green Bay defense and is quite banged up. Moreover, he has not instilled much confidence in fantasy managers lately, scoring fewer than 20 fantasy points in five of the past six games. Keep an eye on his practice participation this week, but understand that Jackson is a risky choice at quarterback. Should he be unable to play, Tyler Huntley would start.
Josh Allen, Quarterback, Bills (foot): Allen’s condition is considered day-to-day, as per head coach Sean McDermott. It does not appear Allen is at risk of missing Week 17 against the Eagles on Sunday, but this development merits ongoing observation. Buffalo still holds an outside chance of securing the AFC East title, and playoff seeding implications are present. Allen is coming off his lowest fantasy output since his rookie season in 2018, having scored just 6.9 fantasy points against the Browns in Week 16.
TreVeyon Henderson, Running Back, Patriots (head): Henderson sustained a head injury early in Sunday night’s triumph over the Ravens. Consequently, Rhamondre Stevenson received 10 touches, accumulating 78 yards and a touchdown. This presents a difficult situation for managers relying on Henderson, who was just beginning to display his capabilities in the latter half of the season. Should Henderson be sidelined for Week 17, Stevenson emerges as an attractive RB2 option in a favorable matchup against the Jets. Bear in mind, the Patriots are still competing with the Bills for the AFC East championship and are also focused on improving their playoff seeding within the conference.
Quinshon Judkins, Running Back, Browns (leg/knee): The rookie running back for the Browns endured a devastating injury that no one should experience. Judkins not only fractured his leg but also suffered a dislocated ankle. With his season concluded, you might find yourself without a key starting running back for your championship contest. Raheim Sanders managed 11 rushes for 42 yards, while Trayveon Williams caught four passes for 38 yards in Sunday’s game against the Bills. Should Dylan Sampson (hand/calf) recover in time for Week 17, he might spearhead the backfield against the Steelers. Relying on any of these running backs during a championship-deciding game will likely prove challenging.
Jordan Love, Quarterback, Packers (concussion): Love departed from the Week 16 game against the Bears prematurely due to a concussion. He will now enter concussion protocol, and his readiness for Week 17’s Saturday night matchup against the Ravens is uncertain. Malik Willis, who played in relief, recorded 121 passing yards, a touchdown, and 44 rushing yards, but he is also contending with a shoulder issue, potentially sidelining him for the Baltimore game. Coach Matt LaFleur informed the media on Sunday that Josh Jacobs and Jayden Reed are designated as emergency quarterbacks. It is probable that a player will be elevated from the practice squad or acquired; Clayton Tune appears to be the most probable choice. We will meticulously track this developing situation throughout the week.
J.J. McCarthy, Quarterback, Vikings (hand): McCarthy had to leave Sunday’s victory against the Giants because of a hand injury, with Max Brosmer stepping in. X-rays indicated that McCarthy sustained a hairline fracture in his hand, meaning he will be inactive for Thursday’s game against the Lions. Consequently, Brosmer will take on the starting role, marking his second start of the current season. In his earlier start, Brosmer completed 19 of 30 attempts for 126 yards and threw four interceptions. This clearly represents a negative impact for the Vikings’ receiving corps, especially Justin Jefferson, during a crucial Week 17 encounter.
Davante Adams, Wide Receiver, Rams (hamstring): Adams was absent from the Thursday Night Football game against the Seahawks in Week 16. However, he will have an opportunity to return to play with extended recovery time, as the Rams are scheduled to compete against the Falcons on Monday Night Football in Week 17. In Adams’s absence, Puka Nacua delivered an exceptional performance, recording 12 receptions for 225 yards and two touchdowns, with Los Angeles’s three tight ends also significantly contributing. Should Adams be cleared to play, this presents an excellent scenario for the fantasy championship. If Adams continues to be sidelined, Nacua might receive another 15 or more targets.
Rashee Rice, Wide Receiver, Chiefs (concussion): Rice was a last-minute inclusion on the injury report before Week 16 and did not participate. The Chiefs are currently missing both Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew at quarterback (both seemingly due to torn ACLs). It appears Kansas City intends to have Chris Oladokun start at quarterback for the remainder of the season, which casts a negative light on their aerial offense. Even if Rice manages to return, relying on him in a championship match against the Broncos will be quite difficult.
Jordan Mason, Running Back, Vikings (ankle): Mason exited early from the Week 16 game against the Giants, leading to Aaron Jones Sr. assuming control of the backfield. Mason concluded with three touches, while Jones received 23 touches, accumulating 93 yards. The team has declared Mason unavailable for Thursday’s game against Detroit. With Mason sidelined, Jones’s fantasy value for the concluding round is significantly enhanced.
NFL Injury Status for Week 17
Signal-Callers
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Jordan Love, Green Bay (concussion)
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Malik Willis, Green Bay (shoulder)
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Lamar Jackson, Baltimore (back)
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J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota (hand) — Unavailable
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Gardner Minshew, Kansas City (knee) — Injured Reserve
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Marcus Mariota, Washington (hand/quadriceps) — Unavailable
Ball Carriers
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Josh Jacobs, Green Bay (knee)
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TreVeyon Henderson, New England (concussion)
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Alvin Kamara, New Orleans (knee)
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Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland (leg/ankle) — Season Concluded
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Woody Marks, Houston (ankle)
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Kimani Vidal, Los Angeles Chargers (neck)
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Jordan Mason, Minnesota (ankle) — Unavailable
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Dylan Sampson, Cleveland (hand/calf)
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Javonte Williams, Dallas (neck)
Pass Catchers
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Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams (hamstring)
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Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit (knee)
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Rashee Rice, Kansas City (concussion) — Injured Reserve
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Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco (knee)
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Rome Odunze, Chicago (foot)
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Luther Burden III, Chicago (ankle)
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Romeo Doubs, Green Bay (wrist)
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DeMario Douglas, New England (hamstring)
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Kayshon Boutte, New England (head)
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DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh (suspension)
Slot Receivers
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Brock Bowers, Las Vegas (knee) — Injured Reserve
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George Kittle, San Francisco (ankle)
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David Njoku, Cleveland (knee)
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Mason Taylor, New York Jets (neck)
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TJ Hockenson, Minnesota (shoulder)
Season-Ending Absences
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Malik Nabers, New York Giants (knee)
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Tyreek Hill, Miami (knee)
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Najee Harris, Los Angeles Chargers (Achilles)
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Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders (Achilles)
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James Conner, Arizona (foot)
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Antonio Gibson, New England (knee)
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Miles Sanders, Dallas (knee)
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Cam Skattebo, New York Giants (ankle)
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Tucker Kraft, Green Bay (knee)
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Travis Hunter, Jacksonville (knee)
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JK Dobbins, Denver (foot)
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Calvin Ridley, Tennessee (fibula)
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Joe Mixon, Houston (foot/ankle)
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Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta (knee)
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Kyler Murray, Arizona (foot)
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Daniel Jones, Indianapolis (Achilles)
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Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (knee)
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Trey Benson, Arizona (knee)
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Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco (knee)
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Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City (torn ACL)
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Gardner Minshew, Kansas City (knee)
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Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland (fractured leg)
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Sam LaPorta, Detroit (back)
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Brock Bowers, Las Vegas (knee)
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Rashee Rice, Kansas City (concussion)
