Story byTim HeaneyWed, December 24, 2025 at 5:43 PM UTC·4 min readFantasy replacements for Brock Bowers, George Kittle? Best waiver wire adds for injured star tight ends during championship week originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. In the final gut punch to an up-and-down sophomore NFL season, Raiders tight end Brock Bowers was placed on injured reserve Wednesday to rest a knee injury that's lingered since Week 1. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementBowers landed on the list of greatest fantasy games ever with his gorgeous Week 9 stat line of 12 catches, 127 yards, and 3 touchdowns (43.3 PPR points), but he's also endured that knee issue, Chip Kelly's woes as an offensive coordinator, and the Raiders' general ineptitude. The Georgia alum was starting to find a groove again after Kelly was replaced as OC by TE-friendly Greg Olson, but that progess has now been cut short. Meanwhile, the 49ers' George Kittle (ankle sprain) is uncertain to play against the Bears. Kittle has a chance to suit up, because it isn't a high-ankle sprain, but fantasy players in their playoff finals who roster Bowers definitely must pivot. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementRead about which players have the best shot to cover for Bowers and possibly Kittle during fantasy football championship week. Replacing Brock Bowers, George Kittle: Fantasy TEs to add for Week 17 championship gamesCheck for these names first.