Who Should I Start? DeVonta Smith or Rashee Rice

Friday, December 26, 11:19 PM

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (illness) does not carry an injury designation heading into the weekend. Smith snapped a five game scoreless streak last week against the Commanders, with his six receptions also being his most in an outing since Week 12. While the touchdown helped out his final stat line, the Philly wideout has still finished a game with more than 50 receiving yards just once in his last six performances. This Sunday, he'll line up against a tough Buffalo defense that has given up just 17 passing touchdowns this season-tied for fourth-fewest in the league. Smith does get a decent amount of looks though, averaging 7.4 targets per game in the last five weeks. Scoring in back-to-back weeks seems unlikely, so managers have to bank on Smith returning to mid-season form and upping his overall production. Consider him a low-end WR3/FLEX with an unfavorable matchup in Week 17.

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.