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.
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.
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