Titans QB Will Levis (foot) did not practice on Wednesday. He admitted that he's still dealing with soreness in that foot and seems unlikely to play in Sunday's meaningless finale vs. the Jaguars. We're projecting QB Ryan Tannehill to start that one.
Jaguars WRs Christian Kirk (groin) and Zay Jones (knee, hamstring) were limited in Wednesday's practice. Kirk was just designated to return from IR after early-December core-muscle surgery; Jones missed last week's game with his injuries. We'll keep tabs on these two leading up to Sunday's must-win game vs. the Titans.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (right shoulder, left finger) got in a limited practice on Wednesday. It's an upgrade over last week, when he was sidelined all week. We're tentatively expecting Lawrence to play in Sunday's must-win game vs. the Titans, but we'll continue to track his progress.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara (ankle) did not practice on Wednesday. His injury doesn't seem overly serious, but Kamara is certainly in danger of missing this weekend's game vs. the Falcons. His absence would leave Jamaal Williams as New Orleans' lead back.
Saints TE Juwan Johnson (chest) did not practice on Wednesday. He's coming off a season-best 8-90-1 line in last week's win over the Bucs and seemed to come out of that game ok. We'll see if Johnson gets back on the practice field tomorrow
Bengals WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. He returned to last week's game after hurting the hammy, but it's no lock that he plays against the Browns this weekend with Cincinnati eliminated from playoff contention. Stay tuned.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield (ribs) did not practice on Wednesday. "Just one of those things that's tender," Mayfield said." I've dealt with rib injuries before. Rest and just as the week goes on otherwise helps. ... I'll do everything I can to be out there. That's for sure. Division on the line, playoff hopes on the line. Going back to Carolina. Yeah, I'll do everything I can." We'll keep you updated on Mayfield's status over the next few days. QB Kyle Trask would get the start in a must-win game if Mayfield is out.
Texans WRs Noah Brown (back) and Robert Woods (hip) did not practice on Wednesday. Both guys were knocked out of last week's win and are in danger of missing Saturday night's game against the Colts. Their absences would leave Xavier Hutchinson and John Metchie as Houston' No. 2 and 3 WRs behind Nico Collins. We'll see how Brown and Woods are listed on the final injury report tomorrow.
Ravens QB Tyler Huntley will start Saturday's regular-season finale vs. the Steelers, HC John Harbaugh said Wednesday. QB Lamar Jackson will get the day off after Baltimore clinched the AFC's No. 1 seed last week. We'll see whether Baltimore plans to play other key regulars like RB Gus Edwards, WRs Zay Flowers and Odell Beckham, and TE Isaiah Likely. They'd all make for risky Week 18 fantasy starts.
49ers QB Sam Darnold will start Sunday's regular-season finale vs. the Rams, HC Kyle Shanahan announced Wednesday. QB Brock Purdy will join RB Christian McCaffrey on the sidelines for that one after San Francisco locked up the NFC's No. 1 seed. WR Deebo Samuel, WR Brandon Aiyuk, and TE George Kittle are unlikely to play much, if at all, against the Rams.
Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell announced Wednesday that QB Nick Mullens will start this weekend's finale vs. the Lions. "To me, Nick has been very effective moving the team," O'Connell said. "We've been very explosive as an offense when he's been in there. Nick knows the one area that we must focus on is possession of the football, not giving the football away." Mullens has tossed six INTs over the past four games but otherwise completed 67% of his passes at 8.8 yards per attempt with five TDs. He threw for 411 yards, two TDs, and four INTs against the Lions a couple of weeks ago and is at least an intriguing DFS tournament play this week.
Per ESPN's Adam Schefter, Rams HC Sean McVay has ruled out RB Kyren Williams, WR Cooper Kupp, and DT Aaron Donald for Week 18's contest vs. the 49ers. Once the decision was made that backup QB Carson Wentz would be the Rams' starter on Sunday, it was reasonable to expect we'd see more of these big-name players sit out. Los Angeles gains nothing from playing all their starters in a game that doesn't alter their playoff hopes. This news leaves rookie WR Puka Nacua as the active playmaker of note for season-long managers who play into Week 18 -- although we are not expecting Nacua to play a full slate of snaps. Veteran Demarcus Robinson sits highest among Rams in the Week 18 WR Rankings.
The Rams will start QB Carson Wentz in Sunday's game against the 49ers, according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo. They'll be resting Matthew Stafford in a game they don't need for playoff positioning. That revelation likely confirms that WRs Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua and RB Kyren Williams will also sit. Beyond that, we'll see. We'd be surprised if Demarcus Robinson has elevated to the point of being rested in this game, but we'll be watching for specific reports ahead of Sunday's kick.
Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes won't play vs. the Chargers this weekend, HC Andy Reid said Wednesday. QB Blaine Gabbert will start in a meaningless game for the Chiefs, who are locked in as the AFC's No. 3 seed. Reid also said that "some" other starters will not play on Sunday. We imagine that'll include TE Travis Kelce, RB Isiah Pacheco, and potentially WR Rashee Rice. This is an offense to avoid in Week 18 fantasy lineups.
The Commanders will start QB Sam Howell in Week 18. While he’s faced a tough stretch of defenses – Cowboys, Dolphins, Rams, Jets, 49ers – Howell’s play has fallen off over the second half of the season. Week 18 turns up a rematch with a Dallas team that defeated Washington 45-10 on Thanksgiving. Howell posted 300 yards, 0 TDs, and 1 INT in that one. The 23-year-old will remain a superflex-only option.
Jets QB Zach Wilson (concussion) is out for Sunday's game vs. the Patriots. QB Trevor Siemian will presumably close out this Jets season that was doomed when QB Aaron Rodgers went down in the opener. Siemian isn't a fantasy option but has at least been peppering RB Breece Hall and WR Garrett Wilson with targets.
Bengals OC Brian Callahan said he believes RB Chase Brown “has a chance to be a heavy contributor” in 2024. Callahan praised Brown’s hard running and explosiveness. Despite only 46 touches, the rookie’s tallied a pair of 30+ yard gains. Joe Mixon isn’t a lock to return in 2024, so Brown's a candidate to play a rotaitonal role next fall. He sits at RB47 in our current RB dynasty rankings.
The Browns will start QB Jeff Driskel in Week 18. Cleveland’s guaranteed the No. 5 seed, so they’ll rest Joe Flacco for a fairly meaningless matchup at Cincinnati. Driskel owns a 59.2% completion rate and 6.1 yards per attempt across 23 career appearances (11 starts). He’s not someone we’d rush to play in Week 18 DFS contests.
Jaguars WR Christian Kirk has been designated to return from IR. He's missed the past four games after undergoing core-muscle surgery. Kirk is eligible to play vs. the Titans this weekend, although it's still unclear if he'll be ready. Kirk averaged 7.6 targets, 5.1 catches, 69 yards, and 0.3 TDs over the first 11 games of the season. Per the NFL Media Research Department, QB Trevor Lawrence has completed 68% of his passes with 14 TDs vs. seven INTs in games with Kirk this year vs. a 57% completion rate, five TDs, and five INTs without Kirk.
Panthers WR Jonathan Mingo has been placed on IR with a foot injury. We'll look for more details on the injury and whether it'll impact Mingo's offseason. But his rookie campaign was alarmingly bad. Mingo caught just 50.6% of his targets and averaged 9.7 yards per catch. He ranks 88th among 88 qualifying WRs in yards per target and 84th in yards per route. Mingo will be no more than a late-round flier in 2024 redrafts and is closer to a sell-low than a buy in dynasty.
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