NFL Week 17 injuries and fantasy tips: Who starts from Cardinals' banged-up backfield?

Welcome to the Week 17 NFL fantasy and betting cheat sheet, a one-stop shop for The Athletic’s game previews, injury and weather updates, and expert analysis. Bookmark this page and check back often, as we offer regular updates to assist with fantasy lineups and betting decisions.

Player rankings referenced in this article are current as of Dec. 27. For updated rankings, see the “Fantasy football player rankings” section.

The latest NFL news and headlines

Last updated: 11 a.m. ET, Dec. 27

Injury news | Weather report
Featured games | Matchup rankings
Best bets | Fantasy football player rankings

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Injury news

Updated through 11 a.m. ET, Dec. 27

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, and as of Friday he remains questionable to play Week 17. Edwards has already been ruled out, 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 is questionable for Week 17. If Dobbins and Edwards sit, Kimani 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 this week. 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 work too, and Emari Demercado is on injured reserve.

Matt Prater, K, ARI (knee) — Out
Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reported Thursday that Prater was ruled out for Week 17, so expect Chad Ryland to kick again. Ryland has made 86.2 percent of his field goals and is 3-for-3 on attempts of 50-plus yards. He’s also made all extra-point attempts.

Sunday 1 p.m.

Xavier Legette, WR, CAR (hip) — 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, and was downgraded to questionable Thursday. Without Legette last week, Adam Thielen 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.

CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL (shoulder) — Out
Lamb was shutdown for the season by the Cowboys Thursday, eliminating one of fantasy’s top receivers during most leagues’ championship week. Dipping into the next tiers of the Cowboys’ receiver corps is … unadvisable. Look elsewhere for help.

Anthony Richardson, QB, IND (back/foot) — Questionable
Richardson didn’t participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday, meaning Friday will prove crucial to see if he or Joe Flacco will start against the fantasy-friendly Giants defense. 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. If he does play — and the Colts go up big early — it wouldn’t be stunning for the Colts to sit him with the goal of preserving their oft-injured young QB. This could be one of the bigger risk-reward decisions for managers in Week 17.

Alec Pierce, WR, IND (concussion) — Questionable
Pierce missed last week due to a concussion but was a full participant during Thursday’s practice. Pierce is the third-most targeted receiver in Indy 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, so this decision will likely be made well before game time. 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 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 for fantasy managers is to avoid Saints pass catchers.

Malik Nabers, WR, NYG (ankle)  — Questionable
Nabers told ESPN’s Jordan Raanan Thursday he views himself as a game-time decision for Week 17. Nabers is averaging 16.93 PPR points per game, despite playing with three different (all struggling) quarterbacks this season. He only had 13.8 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
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
Hurts left Week 16 with a concussion and was replaced by Kenny Pickett during the Eagles’ three-point loss to the Commanders. Hurts is in concussion protocol and hasn’t practiced through Thursday, while Pickett is off the injury report after injuring his ribs in Week 16.  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 Thursday, 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 Thursday’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. He was also not seen at practice Thursday. 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 at 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, but he hasn’t practiced as of Friday morning. 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. 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 (limited participants Thursday) likely play this week. Waddle missed Week 16 but returned to practice in limited fashion Thursday.

Tucker Kraft, TE, GB (hip) — Questionable
Luke Musgrave, TE, GB (ankle) — Questionable
Kraft and Musgrave were limited at Thursday’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 was a limited participant 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 only reliable receiver in the Commanders’ offense.

Monday Night Football

Isaac Guerendo, RB, SF (foot/hamstring) — Questionable
In Guerendo’s Week 16 absence, Patrick Taylor had eight carries for 24 yards, while WR Deebo Samuel had five carries for 25 yards.

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Weather report

Outdoor games only

According to Rotowire’s aggregated NFL-related forecasts, several matchups this week could be affected by rain, including Jets–Bills, Colts-Giants, Cowboys-Eagles, Dolphins-Browns and Falcons-Commanders. Rainy weather doesn’t have much impact on the running game, as game scripts typically favor the run in the rain, so I’ll focus on the passing game in the breakouts below.

New York Jets (4-11) vs. Buffalo Bills (12-3)

54 degrees, 83 percent chance of rain

Deploy Breece Hall as a RB2 and James Cook as a RB1 as is typical. Aaron Rodgers is a veteran in his 20th season, so he has played in many games affected by precipitation. According to TruMedia, he has a career Comp% of 63.1 percent in the rain and a 101.3 passer rating. When it’s not raining, his Comp% increases to 65.3 percent, though his passer rating is similar at 102.8. Rodgers’ experience means Davante Adams should be a safe start despite the rain. But he’s questionable heading into Week 17, and Garrett Wilson could see more targets if Adams sits.

Josh Allen is another veteran QB with rainy-day experience. According to TruMedia, since 2021, Allen has averaged 230.29 passing yards per game in the rain to go with a 62.8 percent Comp%; he’s also thrown nine TDs and eight interceptions in those contests. In that same span without rain, his Comp% increases to 64.4 percent with 117 passing TDs to only 45 interceptions and an average of 257.47 passing yards. While Allen’s numbers in the rain don’t sound alarm bells, starting a Buffalo WR in the playoffs may. In Week 16, TE Dalton Kincaid was the most targeted pass catcher (seven), followed by Khalil Shakir (six). No Bills receiver had over 30 yards receiving. In Week 15, Keon Coleman was the only wide receiver to have more than 50 yards receiving, which he accomplished on a lone reception.

Other potential weather-impacted matchups

Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Giants (56 degrees; 54 percent chance of rain): Anthony Richardson and Drew Lock are two quarterbacks you may not want to depend on, especially in the rain. Keep an eye on the forecast and start receivers from other teams if possible. The Giants are a good matchup for Richardson, but his inconsistency (47.7 percent Comp%, 12 interceptions, eight TDs) could get worse with precipitation at play.

Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles (63 degrees, 52 percent chance of rain): It’s looking more and more like Jalen Hurts won’t play Sunday, meaning Kenny Pickett (ribs) will start if healthy; if Pickett is also out, Tanner McKee should get the start. A.J. Brown is hard to sit, but if the forecast doesn’t change, DeVonta Smith is benchable. On the plus side, Saquon Barkley could see incredibly high usage. For the Cowboys, Rico Dowdle is a good flex option with a run-heavy game script.

Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns (54 degrees, 90 percent chance of rain): Dorian Thompson-Robinson and Jameis Winston are on the injury report this week, but offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey said the team is preparing as if DTR will start — bad news for fantasy. With or without rain, Browns pass catchers outside of TE David Njoku can be benched with DTR under center. Jerome Ford, on the other hand, is in RB2 territory this week. Tua Tagovailoa’s Comp% drops from 68.2 percent without rain to 61.8 percent with rain. Additionally in bad weather, he averages under 200 yards passing. Tyreek Hill remains a fantasy starter, as does TE Jonnu Smith, and De’Von Achane could see a lot of carries. But Jaylen Waddle and everyone else should remain on the bench with such a high chance of rain and Tagovailoa’s history in it.

Atlanta Falcons vs. Washington Commanders (59 degrees, 97 percent chance of rain): Two rookie quarterbacks in the rain. One of whom, Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr., will start for only the second time. In Penix’s first start, WRs Drake London and Darnell Mooney were his top targets with eight and six looks, respectively. But Penix had zero passing TDs and finished with a 73.4 passer rating … against the Giants. Penix has tons of potential, but with such a high chance of rain and a QB in his second start ever, Bijan Robinson may be the Falcon to start this week. Rookie of the Year candidate Jayden Daniels is only slightly more seasoned and hasn’t played an NFL game in the rain, according to TruMedia. Though he had a tough time running last week, Brian Robinson Jr. is primed for a bounce-back game with the prospect of high usage. Terry McLaurin has been averaging 22.95 PPR points per game since Week 12 and is a fringe WR1/WR2 this week. But this is a tough spot for both young quarterbacks.

For more information on how weather affects gameplay, read Jake Ciely’s fantasy football strategy guide to weather.

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Featured games

Game-specific previews and live updates are available on the day of the game.

Saturday

Denver Broncos (9-6) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)

• Venue: Paycor Stadium — Cincinnati, Ohio
• Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
• TV: NFL Network

Denver has the better record, but Cincinnati has Joe Burrow, and the Bengals are favored at home over the Broncos. Fighting for a playoff spot, the Broncos will hope to take advantage of an accommodating Bengals defense that is giving up over 26 points per game this season. Bo Nix has been something of a fantasy surprise and ranked as Jake Ciely’s QB10 as of Friday morning.

With Tee Higgins questionable, Burrow could look to Ja’Marr Chase often. That said, the uber-talented wide receiver will have to deal with Broncos corner Pat Surtain II, who limited Chase to just three yards on one catch when the two squared off in their rookie season.

Read the full preview.

Sunday afternoon

Green Bay Packers (11-4) vs. Minnesota Vikings (13-2)

• Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium — Minneapolis, Minn.
• Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
• TV: Fox

Winners in five of their past six games, the Packers head to Minnesota as slight favorites against the Vikings. The Packers have leaned on Josh Jacobs in the latter half of this season, but the Vikings’ run defense is one of the league’s best (as opposed to their vulnerable secondary). Green Bay largely abandoned the run in their Week 4 clash against Minnesota, when Jacobs only received a season-low nine carries.

Though quiet from a fantasy perspective from October to November — and with just one TD over that span — Vikings WR Justin Jefferson is peaking during the fantasy playoffs. Over the past three weeks he’s posted just shy of 350 receiving yards with five touchdowns. Jordan Addison has been a strong contributor at cost as well, with 20 receptions and four touchdowns on 29 targets since Dec. 8.

Read the full preview (coming Sunday).

Sunday night

Atlanta Falcons (8-7) vs. Washington Commanders (10-5)

• Venue: Northwest Stadium — Landover, Md.
• Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
• TV: NBC, Peacock

Michael Penix Jr. gets his second start for the Falcons but will face a much stiffer test from the Commanders’ defense than he received from the woebegone New York Giants. Penix was … fine against the Giants, completing 66% of his 27 passes, but getting picked off once in the process. As noted above, it could be a slop fest in the rain at Northwest Stadium Sunday night, a field not known for its high quality turf.

A rain game raises some questions for the Commanders’ backfield, which saw Brian Robinson Jr. carry the ball 10 times for just 24 yards and fumble twice against the Eagles. Robinson still saw the majority of the work in the running game (Chris Rodriguez Jr. and Jeremy McNichols combined for eight yards on five total carries) and figures to again be the workhorse out of the backfield in Week 17. Ciely has him slotted at RB20 this week.

Read the full preview (coming Sunday).

Monday night

Detroit Lions (13-2) vs. San Francisco 49ers (6-9)

• Venue: Levi’s Stadium — Santa Clara, Calif.
• Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
• TV: ESPN, ABC

Sportsbooks are expecting a shootout, with the highest total for the remaining games this week. That’s likely due to the many, many (many) injuries depleting the Lions defense and Detroit’s high-powered offense that has put up 110 points over the past three games. Meanwhile, the Niners’ offense (similarly injury-plagued) has mustered just 29 over its past two games. What’s left of the Lions secondary (27th in the league on passing yards allowed per game) could help Brock Purdy and Co. put a few more points on the scoreboard though.

As expected, following the loss of RB David Montgomery, it’s been the Jahmyr Gibbs show in the Lions’ backfield. He posted 109 yards rushing and a touchdown on 23 carries, with another 45 yards on 4 receptions against the Bears in Week 16. He is Ciely’s top running back this week.

Read the full preview (coming Monday).

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Week 17 best bets

Austin Mock scours his weekly projections to spot the top values on the board.

Arizona Cardinals +7 (-110) at Los Angeles Rams

Yes, I know that the Cardinals are eliminated from the playoffs, and I know that the Rams can lock up the NFC West with a win, but this is a crazy price for these two teams. The only reason I think this number is at a touchdown and extra point [at the time of writing] is because of the market believing that Arizona won’t be motivated to play. I would have to adjust my number significantly to get even close to this price which I’m not going to do as I believe the motivation angle is a bit overblown here.

• Worst price to bet: Cardinals +7 (-110)

— Mock

See all of Mock’s best bets for Week 17.

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Fantasy football matchup rankings

Jake Ciely’s Week 17 fantasy football matchup rankings.

This is the weekly fantasy football strength of schedule, or fantasy football matchup rankings, piece. The word of the day is “APA,” which might make you say, “DAMN!” but it’s really for Adjusted Points Allowed. Essentially, it’s the “true” measure of the strength of schedule because it breaks matchups down by strength of opponent (positionally) faced each week.

The difference in a defense facing an elite player versus a basement talent will skew the fantasy points allowed for a team. APA adjusts for the previous opponents and gives us an “expected fantasy points allowed” to find the best and worst matchups. This is a truer and more accurate “strength of schedule.”

Quarterback matchups

1. Tennessee Titans (at JAX), APA: 25.5, +5.5
2. Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ), APA: 24.8, +4.9
3. Philadelphia Eagles (vs. DAL), APA: 23.6, +3.6

Running back matchups

1. Tampa Bay Buccanneers (vs. CAR), APA: 26.3, +6.9
2. Tennessee Titans (at JAX), APA: 23.7, +4.3
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. TEN), APA: 23.4, +4.0

Wide receiver matchups

1. New York Jets (at BUF), APA: 39.3, +7.4
2. Tennessee Titans (at JAX), APA: 36.4, +4.6
3. Buffalo Bills (vs. NYJ), APA: 36.2, +4.4

Tight end matchups

1. Denver Broncos (at CIN), APA: 17.2, +4.8
2. New Orleans Saints (vs. LV), APA: 16.1, +3.7
3. Carolina Panthers (at TB), APA: 15.8, +3.4

— Ciely

See all Week 17 matchup rankings.

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Jake Ciely’s Week 10 fantasy football player 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.

(Photo of James Conner: Steph Chambers/Getty Images)