Texans WR Noah Brown (back) is out for Saturday night's game vs. the Colts. WR Robert Woods (hip) is listed as questionable but didn't practice all week. WRs Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie might be forced into significant roles in this must-win game.
Ravens WR Zay Flowers (calf) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game vs. the Steelers. He played through this injury last week, so this is very likely a case of Flowers getting some rest in a meaningless finale. He should be ready for Baltimore's playoff opener in a couple of weeks. WR Odell Beckham (rest) has been ruled out for Week 18. The Ravens will trot out some combination of WRs Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor, Laquon Treadwell, and Tylan Wallace with QB Tyler Huntley.
Ex-Jets RB Dalvin Cook is expected to sign with the Ravens ahead of the playoffs, according to multiple reports. That's a sensible addition for a Baltimore backfield down to Gus Edwards and Justice Hill as meaningful contributors. We'll see how Cook fits in. But unless Ravens coaches say so, there's no reason to expect Cook to leap ahead of either Edwards or Hill in role. Cook averaged just 4.5 carries and 1.0 receptions per game across 15 appearances this year with a Jets offense that hasn't been good. His 3.2 yards per rush and 5.2 yards per catch both sit well below his career marks in those categories. If you're playing playoff fantasy football, you can stash Cook late. We like the Ravens' chances of making a deep run. Just don't expect big things from Cook.
Browns WR Amari Cooper (heel) said Thursday that he's feeling better every day and expects to be ready for the Wild Card playoff game next weekend, according to insider Scott Petrak. Cooper won't play in Sunday's meaningless finale vs. the Bengals, but it sounds like he's ok to draft in your playoff fantasy contests.
Colts CB Kenny Moore II (back) graduated to a full practice Wednesday. He started the week with a limited Tuesday workout after missing last Sunday's win over the Raiders. It looks like Moore should return for this Saturday's clash with the Texans. He made a decent 6 tackles (including 5 solos and 1 tackle for loss) against Houston back in Week 2. You can find Moore in our Week 18 DB rankings.
Texans Edge Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) and Edge Jonathan Greenard (ankle) missed practice Tuesday and Wednesday, ahead of Saturday's game against the Colts. Anderson missed the first two practices last week but then played and produced in the win over the Titans. We'd bet he'll be ready for Week 18. Greenard missed last week. We'll see what the week's final injury report (Thursday afternoon) says for each player.
Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) and LB Elandon Roberts (pec) put in limited practices Wednesday. It marked the first workout for Fitzpatrick since he left Week 15 with the injury. Roberts also practiced for the first time since leaving Week 16 early. We'll see whether the defensive starters are ready to play Saturday against the Ravens.
Rams HC Sean McVay announced Wednesday that certain starters won't play at all in the regular-season finale. He did not include WR Puka Nacua in that group. So what's the plan? Nacua sits 3 receptions and 28 yards shy of NFL rookie records in both categories. And it sounds like McVay wants to get him there. "I think you'd like to be able to see him get an opportunity to do something special and then be smart with him," the coach told reporters Wednesday. What's that mean? Expect Nacua to get early opportunities to reach those marks. And as soon as that happens, expect the team's leader in targets, catches, and receiving yards (by wide margins) to hit the bench. A 3-30 receiving line doesn't offer much fantasy help, so we'd lean away from playing Nacua in Week 18 lineups if you can help it. WRs Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell and TE Davis Allen look like the best receiving bets for the Rams this week -- though we're all basically guessing at exactly how the Carson Wentz-led offense will look.
Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa (shoulder, quad) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice. It's confirmation that he'll be ready to go for Sunday night's showdown vs. the Bills.
Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. He stretched with the team before practice but then headed off to rehab with trainers, according to NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe. HC Mike McDaniel wouldn't rule Waddle out for Sunday night's game vs. the Bills, but we're tentatively expecting him to miss that one.
Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. On the injury report for most of the season, Mostert missed his first game last week. We'll see if he can make it back for Sunday night's game vs. the Bills for the AFC East crown.
Rams TE Tyler Higbee (shoulder) is out for Sunday's game vs. the 49ers. Los Angeles is holding some starters out of this game, but HC Sean McVay that Higbee is out due to the dislocated shoulder he suffered last week. We'll see if he can make it back for the playoffs. Davis Allen figures to serve as the Rams' lead TE this weekend.
Eagles WR DeVonta Smith (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport said earlier this week that Smith's ankle sprain is not serious, but he's certainly not a lock to be ready for Sunday's game vs. the Giants. We'll update Smith's status again tomorrow.
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (quad) remained sidelined on Wednesday. Interim HC Antonio Pierce said that Jacobs will be a game-time decision for Sunday's finale vs. the Broncos, but we'd be surprised if he played. Look for Zamir White to get another game as Vegas' feature back.
Broncos WR Courtland Sutton (concussion) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. He has a good chance to be cleared for this weekend's game vs. the Raiders, but we'll keep you updated on Sutton's progress through the protocol.
Chargers WR Keenan Allen (heel) remained sidelined on Wednesday. Interim HC Giff Smith said chances are “slim” that Allen will play in this weekend's meaningless finale vs. the Chiefs. Allen will finish the season with a career-high 108 catches for 1,243 yards and seven TDs in 13 games.
Seahawks LB Bobby Wagner said Wednesday he's "100%" playing in 2024, according to ESPN's Brady Henderson. Wagner added that he hasn't even thought about not playing into his age-34 season. Wagner returned to Seattle on a one-year deal after spending 2022 with the Rams. He has played all but 19 snaps through the team's first 16 games, having what HC Pete Carroll calls a "fantastic season." We'll see where Wagner lands in 2024, but we'd bet on him getting a job somewhere. Seattle's probably the best bet at this point. Expect Wagner to land inside the top 15 of our 2024 LB rankings. Keep him around on IDP dynasty rosters where you can.
Packers WR Christian Watson (hamstring) was limited in Wednesday's practice. It was his first official practice since going down back in Week 13. "My passion is playing football and now it’s looking a lot like I’m going to be able to play some football this Sunday," Watson said. "I’m in a really good spot." We'll keep tabs on Watson's progress over the next few days. He was rolling before this hamstring injury but would be tough to trust in Week 18 fantasy lineups coming off a lengthy absence.
Packers WR Jayden Reed (chest) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. "I feel pretty good," he said afterward. The fact that he was out there at all bodes well for his chances of playing vs. the Bears this weekend. We'll track Reed's progress over the next few days.
Bears TE Cole Kmet (knee) did not practice on Wednesday. He battled through this injury last week but finished catch-less on just 13 snaps. Unless he gets in a full practice on Thursday or Friday, Kmet won't be a trustable Week 18 fantasy play.
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