Who Should I Start? Adam Thielen or Rashee Rice

Monday, December 29, 10:11 PM

Across four games since signing with the Pittsburgh Steelers, veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen has recorded eight receptions for 74 yards on 11 targets. While the 35-year-old's overall numbers are modest, he has seen an uptick in usage lately. With Steelers wideouts DK Metcalf (suspension) and Calvin Austin III (hamstring) sidelined in Week 17, Thielen earned five targets in the team's 13-6 loss to the Cleveland Browns. Thielen also played 86% of Pittsburgh's offensive snaps, most among Pittsburgh wide receivers. Austin III has a chance to return for the team's Week 18 showdown against the Baltimore Ravens, but Metcalf will remain on the shelf. In PPR fantasy leagues with 12 or more teams, Thielen could be worth targeting on the waiver wire heading into Week 18.

Wednesday, December 24, 3:35 PM

The Kansas City Chiefs placed wide receiver Rashee Rice (concussion) on Injured Reserve on Wednesday, ending his 2025 season, according to Ari Meirov of The 33rd Team. Fellow wideout Tyquan Thornton (concussion) also landed on IR. Both receivers will miss the final two games of the regular season with the Chiefs already eliminated from postseason contention. The 25-year-old Rice got a late start to the year after serving a suspension, but once he returned, he had a high weekly floor for fantasy managers with 53 receptions, 571 yards, and five touchdowns in eight games played. When healthy, it's clear that Rice has become quarterback Patrick Mahomes' (knee) favorite weapon through the air. With both Rice and Thornton out for the last two games, Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown will have more opportunities, but third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun will be running the offense with Mahomes and Gardner Minshew (knee) dealing with torn ACLs.