The NFL’s Week 17 delivered significant performances that could impact fantasy football leagues as the playoffs approach. Notable among these was Parker Washington, the slot receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars, who achieved over 100 receiving yards for the second consecutive week. Meanwhile, Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints continued his standout season, accumulating over 20 points in PPR scoring for three straight games during the fantasy playoffs.
Player Highlights and Injuries
In the matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Commanders, Cowboys running back Javonte Williams faced difficulties, being limited in practice due to a neck injury and later exiting the game early with a shoulder issue. This allowed Malik Davis to step up as the primary running back for the remainder of the game. The Cowboys also saw tight end Jake Ferguson leave early with a calf injury, paving the way for Brevyn Spann-Ford to take on more responsibility.
On the Commanders’ side, starting running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. was ruled inactive due to an illness. Jacory Croskey-Merritt capitalized on this opportunity, playing a staggering 89.3% of the early-down snaps, the highest rate among Commanders running backs this season.
In the Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings matchup, backup running back Ty Chandler was activated from injured reserve and resumed play for the first time since Week 1. His return saw him supplant Zavier Scott as the primary backup, although he played fewer snaps than usual. The Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs experienced a slight drop in snap percentage, participating in 68.8% of the offensive plays, better than his season average.
Key Player Performances Across the League
The Denver Broncos faced the Kansas City Chiefs, where wide receiver Troy Franklin logged a season-low 41% of the 11-personnel snaps. In contrast, tight end Travis Kelce was prominent, participating in 97.7% of the Chiefs’ offensive snaps—his second-highest snap rate this season.
In the Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers game, Texans running back Woody Marks returned from injury, playing 67% of the offensive snaps. For the Chargers, backup running back Kimani Vidal was inactive due to a neck injury, leading Omarion Hampton to play 81% of the snaps, marking his second-best rate of the season.
The Baltimore Ravens saw running back Derrick Henry return to form, playing 63.2% of offensive snaps, while rookie Matthew Golden played over 50% of the snaps for the first time since Week 8.
In the Seattle Seahawks game against the Carolina Panthers, Panthers running back Rico Dowdle participated in 82.8% of the early-down snaps, while Seahawks wide receiver Rashid Shaheed exited with a concussion, allowing Jake Bobo to step in.
As the season progresses, these player performances and injury updates will be critical for fantasy football managers strategizing for the playoffs. The insights from Week 17 highlight the ever-changing landscape of player usage and opportunity, emphasizing the importance of staying informed as teams head into the final weeks of the regular season.
