NFL Player News

Nailor did not catch his only target in Thursday's 23-10 win over Detroit.

Minnesota went with a run-heavy approach on offense, and QB Max Brosmer threw for only 51 yards, so Nailor's goose egg wasn't entirely of his doing. In fact, the only Vikings wideout who caught a pass in the contest was Justin Jefferson, who put up a 4-30-0 receiving line. With that said, Nailor now has gone without a reception in two straight games, so he's a very unreliable fantasy target. That figures to remain the case regardless of whether Brosmer or J.J. McCarthy (hand) is Minnesota's starting QB in the season finale Week 18 versus Green Bay.

Burks secured one of two targets for one yard during Thursday's 30-23 loss to the Cowboys.

Burks also attempted one pass on a trick play near the end of the third quarter, but he was sacked. Though Burks has found limited success as a deep threat in Washington, he was unable to get anything going with No. 3 quarterback Josh Johnson under center on Christmas Day. It will be beneficial to Burks' limited fantasy appeal if Marcus Mariota (hand) manages to return in time for Washington's regular-season finale against the Eagles in Week 18.

McNichols carried the ball once for minus-2 yards and secured all three of his targets for 12 yards during Thursday's 30-23 loss to the Cowboys.

McNichols saw little involvement on offense even with Chris Rodriguez (illness) a late scratch for Thursday's divisional contest. Instead, Jacory Croskey-Merritt dominated backfield opportunities, rushing 11 times for 105 yards and two touchdowns. If Rodriguez is able to retake the field Week 18 against Philadelphia, expect McNichols to revert to his usual No. 3 role.

Butker converted both of his field-goal attempts and his lone extra-point try Thursday in a Christmas Day loss to Denver.

Butker's lone kick in the first half was a successful PAT. He then booted a 53-yard field goal in the third quarter and a 47-yarder in the fourth. Despite the Chiefs' recent struggles, Butker has remained a fairly steady fantasy kicker with multiple field goals in three straight games. He's 29-for-34 on FG attempts and 31-of-35 on point-after tries this season.

Lutz made both of his field-goal attempts and both extra-point tries Thursday in a 20-13 win over Kansas City.

The game was close throughout, so Lutz's leg was crucial in Denver's victory. He began the scoring with a 27-yard FG midway through the first quarter and added a 30-yard boot in the second. The Broncos scored two touchdowns in the second half, and Lutz was good on both PATs. He's been steadily accurate this season, making 24 of 28 field-goal attempts and all 38 of his point-after tries through 16 games.

Njoku (knee) wasn't spotted at practice Friday, Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN.com reports.

Njoku -- who also logged 'DNP' listings Wednesday and Thursday -- thus appears to be trending toward being sidelined Sunday against the Steelers. If that ends up being the case, Harold Fannin would continue to lead the Browns' TE corps Week 17, with Blake Whiteheart and Brenden Bates (ankle) also in the mix.

Brown (teeth) is participating in the early portion of Friday's practice open to the media, Dave Zangaro of NBC Sports Philadelphia reports.

Brown was listed as a non-participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday, so it's encouraging to now see him back on the field in at least a limited capacity. The star wideout is recovering from a dental procedure undergone earlier this week, but he seems to be trending in the right direction for Sunday's showdown against the Bills. The release of Friday's official practice report will reveal whether Brown is assigned an injury designation for Week 17.

Boutte (concussion) wasn't spotted at practice Friday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

Boutte also was listed as a 'DNP' Wednesday and Thursday, and it looks like the Patriots could be without him and Mack Hollins (abdomen), who also absent from Friday's session, this weekend against the Jets. The team's upcoming injury report will reveal whether either player has a chance to be active Week 17.

Hollins (abdomen) wasn't spotted at practice Friday, Evan Lazar of the Patriots' official site reports.

The same applies to fellow WR Kayshon Boutte (concussion), with both players trending toward logging three straight 'DNPs' ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets. The Patriots' upcoming injury report is slated to reveal whether either player has a chance of playing this weekend, with Kyle Williams a candidate to log added Week 17 snaps if Hollins and/or Boutte are sidelined.

San Francisco general manager John Lynch said Friday that the status of Kittle (ankle) for Sunday night's game against the Bears will likely be a game-dime decision, Cam Inman of The San Jose Mercury News reports.

Kittle was listed as a non-participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday, and Friday's injury report will both reveal whether he was able to get on the field as at least a limited participant, and his official injury diagnosis for Week 17. That said, it seems likely that Kittle will garner a 'questionable' designation for Sunday Night Football. The star tight end's status will be made official, one way or another, no later than 90 minutes before Sunday's 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff. Jake Tonges will stand to operate as San Francisco's top pass-catching tight end in the event that Kittle is ruled out, presenting fantasy managers with a potential pivot option.