J.J. Watt reports that the injury to his little brother's knee isn't as bad as originally feared. He says Steelers Edge T.J. Watt sustained a mere Grade 2 sprain to his left MCL. That could still knock the younger Watt out of Pittsburgh's playoff opener. But it gives him a better chance to play than previous reports or a tear or Grade 3 sprain. We'll see about Watt's status heading into Wild Card weekend.
Eagles RB D’Andre Swift (illness) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Giants. RBs Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Rashaad Penny are all active. We’re expecting Gainwell to lead the way – but that might depend on how motivated the Eagles are to win this one.
Packers TE Luke Musgrave (kidney) is active for today’s game vs. the Bears. It’ll be his first action since Week 11. It’s entirely unclear how snaps and routes will be divvied between Musgrave and TE Tucker Kraft, leaving both guys as shaky fantasy plays. If picking between the two, we’d use Kraft.
Packers WRs Jayden Reed (chest) and Dontayvion Wicks (chest) are active for today’s game vs. the Bears. WR Christian Watson (hamstring) is inactive. Reed, Wicks, and Romeo Doubs should operate as Green Bay’s top three WRs vs. a Chicago defense missing top CB Jaylon Johnson.
Bears TE Cole Kmet (knee) is active for today’s game vs. the Packers. Kmet went catch-less on just 13 snaps last week, but he should play something much closer to his usual role today after putting in a full practice on Friday.
Bears RB Khalil Herbert (back, personal) is active for today’s game vs. the Packers. He was added to the injury report on Thursday and then sidelined on Friday – although it’s unclear if the back or personal issue kept him out. RB D’Onta Foreman is a healthy scratch again today, suggesting little concern about Herbert’s status.
The Chiefs downgraded TE Travis Kelce to out for today's game vs. the Chargers. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported this morning that Kelce would play long enough to get the 16 yards he needs for 1,000, but HC Andy Reid evidently wised up since then and will hold Kelce out of this meaningless game. Noah Gray figures to operate as Kansas City's lead TE and is in play as a cheap DFS option.
Lions TE Sam LaPorta suffered an apparent left knee injury in the second quarter of Sunday's game vs. the Vikings. He eventually made his way off the field under his own power but headed straight into the blue medical tent. We'll update LaPorta's status when we know more.
Update: LaPorta is officially questionable to return.
Update: LaPorta has been downgraded to out.
Eagles RB D'Andre Swift is not expected to play today against the Giants because of illness, according to multiple reports. That would leave the backfield to Kenneth Gainwell and Boston Scott -- maybe Rashaad Penny. Over-trusting any remaining member of the Philly backfield will be risky in a game the Eagles likely figure won't matter. (They need Washington to beat Dallas to have a shot at improving their playoff position.) But there's also upside if you're selecting a DFS RB.
Saints TE Juwan Johnson (chest) is active for today’s game vs. the Falcons. He only got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday, but we never sensed any concern about his status for this one. Johnson has garnered 19 targets over the last two weeks and now gets Atlanta’s 24th-ranked TE defense.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara (ankle) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Falcons. RB Kendre Miller (ankle, illness) is active for the first time since Week 9. The rookie figures to mix in a bit, but we’re expecting RB Jamaal Williams to handle the majority of the backfield work.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield (ribs) is active for today’s game vs. the Panthers. He put in a full practice on Friday, and we’re not expecting the rib issue to be a major factor today.
Browns WRs Elijah Moore (concussion) is active for today’s game vs. the Bengals. He’s cleared concussion protocol but still might not play much with Cleveland having nothing to gain today. WR Marquise Goodwin (knee) is inactive, leaving the Browns with WRs Cedric Tillman, David Bell, and James Proche alongside Moore.
Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke (ankle) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Saints. That puts QB Desmond Ridder back under center for a game Atlanta needs to win to have a shot at a playoff berth. Ridder, of course, would be a weak fantasy play.
Jaguars WR Christian Kirk (groin) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Titans. He was seemingly close to making it back for this one and will likely be able to play next weekend if Jacksonville takes the AFC South with a win today.
Jaguars WR Zay Jones (knee, hamstring) is active for today’s game vs. the Titans. He was limited in practice all week and listed as questionable, so it’s fair to assume he’ll be playing at less than 100% in this one. Jones at least gets a potential target boost with WR Christian Kirk out.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (right shoulder, left finger) is active for today’s game vs. the Titans. He reportedly isn’t in danger of doing additional damage to that shoulder but will be playing through pain today. Lawrence obviously comes with a lot more risk than usual in Week 18 fantasy lineups.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) is inactive for today’s game vs. the Browns. He’ll be replaced by some combination of WRs Trenton Irwin and Andrei Iosivas. Neither is a reliable fantasy option.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara (ankle) will not play vs. the Falcons today, according to insider Nick Underhill. The team held out hope that Kamara would improve enough over the weekend but he's evidently not well enough to suit up. Underhill also reports that RB Kendre Miller (ankle, illness) will be active today for the first time since Week 9. The rookie figures to mix in a bit, but we’re expecting RB Jamaal Williams to handle the majority of the backfield work.
Bears RB Khalil Herbert (back, personal) is expected to play vs. the Packers today, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Herbert was added to the injury report on Thursday and then sidelined on Friday, so he comes with elevated risk in Week 18 fantasy lineups. We'll see whether RB D'Onta Foreman is active for this one after missing the last two games.
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