First TD Bets — Wild Card Monday Slate
Alex Christenson
We’re almost to the end of the fantasy football season in the NFL, but a couple of crucial weeks remain. There are games for the next three days and plenty of injuries to deal with, so let’s get rolling.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: Week 16
Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens can put the pressure on the Steelers this week in the AFC North with a win, but they may be doing it without receiver Rashod Bateman. He hasn’t practiced all week and was reportedly wearing a boot on his foot. He’s being listed as questionable, but there aren’t a lot of positive signs for him playing Saturday. Mark Andrews, Zay Flowers and perhaps Isaiah Likely would need to pick up the slack Bateman would leave behind.
David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions
David Montgomery might be able to make it back into the lineup for the Lions in the playoffs, but that won’t matter for the next couple of games. Jahmyr Gibbs is going to carry the bulk of the load, spelled by Craig Reynolds. Any fantasy manager who is playing and has Gibbs got a gift. He’s already a top-10 running back and that was with splitting the work with Montgomery.
Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans
This situation is hard to read. Tony Pollard has been battling injuries all year but has played every game. He’s gone weeks without practice, just like this week. Yet, he hasn’t missed a game, so it’s near impossible to know if he’s in danger of missing the game or not. If he does miss, Tyjae Spears is going to vault into RB2 status or very close to it for this week.
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fortunately for Tampa, receiver Mike Evans is off of the injury report and ready to go for Sunday. The same can’t be said for Bucky Irving, who still has the questionable tag hanging on him. He wasn’t able to practice all week and he had to leave Week 14 against the Raiders early with an injury. Rachaad White has experience leading a backfield so he’s likely to get the bulk of the touches with Sean Tucker chipping in if Irving is out.
George Pickens, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh is once again without George Pickens, and the opponent doesn’t get much easier than last week. They face the Ravens in Baltimore this week and the passing game is likely going to suffer. The combo of Calvin Austin III, Mike Williams and Pat Freiermuth hasn’t shown a ton of promise without Pickens quite yet.
Isaac Guerendo, RB, San Francisco 49ers
The running back room for the 49ers might be actually cursed. They are going to be down to their fifth and sixth-string running back in Patrick Taylor and then we’re not absolutely sure. Israel Abanikanda could be in the running, but there has to be concern about which back will get the bulk of the carries. It’s one thing to take some shots in DFS but using anyone in season-long is not likely to be the best idea.
Alec Pierce, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Alec Pierce may not be the most complete receiver in the league, but he does play a big role for the Colts. He’s the field-stretching deep threat but the Colts will be without him this week. Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs will be the main receiving options for the matchup against the Titans.
Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers
We could see Jalen Coker have a bigger role in the Carolina offense for the second week in a row. Xavier Legette is going to miss this game against the Cardinals, so while Adam Thielen will maintain his sizable role in the offense, Coker should get his chance to shine as well.
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
The receiving room for the Dolphins could be thin — Jaylen Waddle is listed as doubtful. Tyreek Hill is banged up a little bit but he’s expected to play while the largest opportunity is going to land at the feet of Malik Washington. We know that when Miami is playing well, there are a lot of big play opportunities but that hasn’t been the case every week. Still, the second receiver role is an important one.
Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa offense will take a hit as Cade Otton is listed as doubtful. Payne Durham and Ko Kieft are the backup options as far as tight ends go, but Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan are going to get plenty of targets. It’s not likely to be a good idea to go to the backup tight ends this week.
Original Monday Injury Report
Week 16 turned into a major week for injuries, with plenty on the defensive side of the ball. The Lions especially have been wrecked by injuries to the defense, but they also didn’t escape on offense either.
David Montgomery, RB, Detroit Lions
It came out on Monday that David Montgomery tore his MCL, which is going to force him out of action for the next couple of weeks at a minimum. It could stretch beyond that depending on the testing, but either way, Jahmyr Gibbs is going to be one of the best backs for fantasy down the stretch. He was already a top-10 option mostly every week, but now he’s going to have additional touches vacated by Montgomery. Craig Reynolds and Sione Vaki will take whatever touches are left, but there is little reason to think they’ll be usable for fantasy.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs keep on winning games, but the high-ankle sprain for Patrick Mahomes could wind up being a significant issue. He’s being listed week-to-week, and normally there wouldn’t be any huge worry that he’d miss time. However, the Chiefs are in a stretch where they play three times in 11 days, so that adds an element of question. We’ll have to see how things unfold, and there are plenty of fantasy managers who are hoping to not see Carson Wentz under center for Kansas City.
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
It was a tough day at the office for the Dolphins, who lost to the Texans, and Jaylen Waddle suffered a leg injury. He got his leg rolled on during a play, which means it could be a knee issue. The severity is not yet known, but if Waddle misses time, Malik Washington would likely take on a larger role in the Miami offense. The rookie receiver made an impact Sunday and would have plenty of opportunities in the last couple of weeks.
Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints
The Saints might be down to almost their entire second-string offense by next week, at least as it pertains to the skill positions. They’re missing receivers, quarterbacks, their tight end/running back in Taysom Hill, and now Alvin Kamara could miss Week 16. He’s dealing with a groin injury that knocked him out of the game on Sunday. Kendre Miller out-snapped Jamaal Williams 26-6 after that point, so if you’re still alive, Miller is likely going to be the prize of the waiver wire.
Tommy DeVito, QB, New York Giants
The Giants are likely not upset about losing games, so they can have a strong draft position in the 2025 NFL Draft. They were down to Tim Boyle at quarterback in the game against the Ravens on Sunday after Tommy DeVito suffered a concussion and Drew Lock was already hurt. Oddly, Malik Nabers still found success for fantasy, but it’s going to be more difficult with a revolving door at quarterback in the next couple of weeks.
Xavier Legette, WR, Carolina Panthers
Sunday was a disappointing day for the Panthers. It’s one thing to lose since they have the same organizational goal of draft position. However, the offense took a step backward after a few weeks of playing better. Xavier Legette getting injured didn’t help. He’s dealing with a groin issue, which should open up more chances for Jalen Coker.
Zach Ertz, TE, Washington Commanders
Ertz is in concussion protocol, and is status remains up in the air for the Commanders. Ben Sinnott and John Bates each caught one pass apiece with Ertz out of the picture, but neither are fantasy options moving forward.
