With nothing left to play for, it didn’t make any sense for the Chiefs to keep Rice on the field to close out the year. His season is over. Rice missed the first six weeks of the year while serving a suspension for a hit-and-run incident that occurred in March of 2024. He returned to the lineup in Week 7 and never looked back. Rice dominated targets on a Chiefs offense that desperately needed a No. 1 receiver to step up. He amassed 53 catches for 571 yards and five touchdowns in just eight games. Rice even added five rush attempts for 20 yards and a score by seeing the occasional schemed carry, a handful of which came at the goal line. On a points-per-game basis, Rice finished the season as the WR5 in PPR formats. The Chiefs still need a true downfield threat to complement Rice, but his ability to generate easy completions for Patrick Mahomes and stack up YAC on those looks is almost unmatched in the NFL. Fantasy managers can pencil him in as a WR1 heading into early 2026 drafts.

Mason was carted to the locker room early in Week 16’s contest versus the Giants because of the ankle injury. He did not return and was not able to practice at all this week. With one meaningless game left to play, we suspect his season is over. Aaron Jones was cleared from the injury report and will handle the bulk of the carries for Minnesota this week.

Jackson has now missed the first two practices of the week because of the back contusion he suffered in Baltimore’s Week 16 loss to the Patriots. He is likely on the wrong side of questionable with one practice left to go. If he can’t suit up, Tyler Huntley will draw the start in a must-win game versus the Packers. Huntley would barely register as a fantasy QB2 for a road game versus a solid Green Bay defense.

Colts head coach Shane Steichen has said Rivers would draw his third straight start in Week 17, as the team still has an outside shot to sneak into the postseason if they win their final two games following a Week 16 blowout loss against the 49ers. Rivers displayed better arm strength and a willingness to throw it downfield on Monday night against the Niners, throwing for 277 yards and two touchdowns. If he remains aggressive this week, Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, Tyler Warren, and Alec Pierce could be viable in fantasy leagues.

The well-traveled journeyman quarterback will get the nod against Dallas after Marcus Mariota sustained quad and hand injuries in Week 16 against the Eagles. Johnson represents a big-time downgrade for Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, and the rest of the Washington pass catchers, even in a matchup against the burnable Cowboys secondary. Look for the Commanders to go run heavy in Week 17, making Chris Rodriguez viable as a flex option in 12-team formats.

Morris added that London’s practice participation would be modified in the coming days. London returned to action in Week 16 against the Cardinals and caught three of his eight targets for 27 yards. London was seen limping on the sideline in the second half, obviously in some discomfort. London should be in lineups in Week 17 against the Rams, whose secondary has shown signs of weakness over the past month.

Love remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol, however. He suffered the head injury last week against the Bears and did not return to the game. If he’s able to clear the protocol today, he could suit up on Saturday against the Ravens. Malik Willis, who is struggling with a shoulder injury he picked up against the Bears, would presumably get the starting nod if Love is out for Week 17. Willis said he believes he can play through the injury. He would make for an interesting superflex option if he starts against Baltimore.

It comes out of nowhere but makes sense considering Bowers has dealt with a knee injury all season and the Raiders were long ago eliminated from postseason contention. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said “the decision was made to get it taken care of now and focus on being 100% in 2026.” That could mean Bowers will undergo surgery in the offseason after playing through the knee ailment for four months. Bowers ends 2025 with 64 receptions for 680 yards and seven touchdowns on 84 targets over 12 games. All of his metrics remained similar to his outstanding rookie campaign in 2024. He’ll be an elite fantasy producer in 2026, hopefully with a different quarterback and coaching staff.

Richardson will remained sidelined with an eye injury he suffered in October in a freak pre-game warmup accident. Richardson was seen on the Colts sideline on Monday night against the 49ers wearing dark sunglasses. It’s possible he’s played his final snap with the Colts after a disastrous three-year run in which he had 11 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions over 17 regular season games. He could be a backup or third stringer for another team in 2026 if anyone is willing to take a chance on the 23-year-old QB.