The Rams re-signed K Brett Maher. He spent the first seven games of the season with Los Angeles, making 17 of 23 FGs (74%) and 12 of 13 XPs (92%). Maher will kick in Sunday's regular-season finale vs. the 49ers -- and presumably in the playoffs if he doesn't blow this opportunity.
49ers RB Christian McCaffrey (calf) will not play vs. the Rams this weekend, HC Kyle Shanahan confirmed Monday. Shanahan called McCaffrey's injury a "mild calf strain." It's unclear if CMC would be able to play if this game meant something to San Francisco, but he was never going to suit up with the NFC's No. 1 seed clinched. He'll get three total weeks to heal up before the 49ers' playoff opener. We'll see about the team's backfield plans this weekend. RBs Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason are on the active roster, with RB Ty Davis-Price on the practice squad.
Lions HC Dan Campbell said Monday that he plans to play his starters in this weekend's regular-season finale vs. the Vikings. Detroit has won the NFC North, can't drop lower than the No. 3 seed in the NFC, and can only climb to No. 2 with a win plus a Cowboys loss to the Commanders and an Eagles loss to the Giants. "We want to use this as fuel," Campbell said. "I’ve got pure octane right now. I woke up and I’m ready, so we’re moving forward.” There's still some risk that the Lions pull key starters at some point during this game, especially if Dallas and Philadelphia have big leads. But we'll be projecting the starters for at least close to normal workloads in the Week 18 Rankings.
Jaguars HC Doug Pederson said Monday that QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) is "progressing well" and "definitely improving." Pederson labeled Lawrence "day-to-day" and said they'll see how he's feeling on Wednesday. With their season on the line against the Titans on Sunday, the Jags will do everything possible to have Lawrence on the field.
Saints HC Dennis Allen said Monday that RB Alvin Kamara is dealing with an ankle sprain. He wouldn't say whether he expects Kamara to be available for this weekend's game vs. the Falcons. "We’ll see how he responds throughout the week," Allen said. We'll keep tabs on Kamara's progress. His absence would leave Jamaal Williams as New Orleans' lead back against a tough Atlanta run dfense.
Dolphins Edge Bradley Chubb tore his right ACL in Sunday's loss to the Ravens. That's the second such injury of his NFL career. Chubb tore his left ACL in Week 4 of 2019. His pass-rushing production dipped the following season. Chubb then struggled through 2021 as well, but the main issue there was an ankle injury that originated in summer and got aggravated in Week 2. The timing of this injury figures to challenge the 27-year-old's (28 in June) readiness for the 2024 season. Chubb's contract should lock him in with the Dolphins for at least one more season, but there's potential for him to be a cap casualty ahead of the 2025 campaign. We'll watch for updates on his return throughout the offseason. For Week 18 (and the playoffs) of this season, Melvin Ingram figures to see the biggest playing-time boost in Chubb's absence. He's not a high-level IDP option for Sunday night's regular-season finale against the Bills.
The Eagles believe WR DeVonta Smith has just a "mild" ankle sprain, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. "He’ll have more tests today, but not considered a major injury," Rapoport adds. It's relatively good news, although Smith's availability for this weekend's regular-season finale vs. the Giants remains uncertain. We'll keep you updated on his status.
Falcons QB Taylor Heinicke hurt his left ankle in the Week 17 loss to the Bears and is uncertain for this weekend's game vs. the Saints, HC Arthur Smith said Monday. The team hopes to know whether Heinicke can play by Friday. If not, it'll be back to QB Desmond Ridder. This is not a situation you should be messing with in Week 18 fantasy lioneups.
The Rams released K Lucas Havrisik. He missed five FGs and three XPs over the last nine games. We'll see who the Rams sign to replace Havrisik.
Packers WR Jayden Reed's availability for Sunday's game vs. the Bears is "in doubt," according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. X-rays on Reed's ribs came back clean, per Rapoport, but Reed is "pretty sore" and is scheduled for additional testing on Monday. We'll keep you updated on the rookie's status. Packers WRs Christian Watson (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (chest, ankle) missed Week 17 and are uncertain for Week 18.
Ravens S Kyle Hamilton (knee) and CB Brandon Stephens (ankle) went inactive for Sunday's win over the Dolphins. CB Marlon Humphrey left the game with a calf injury. Baltimore clinched the AFC's top playoff seed anyway. Given that, it's hard to imagine the Ravens playing any of those defenders for the Week 18 matchup with Pittsburgh. We'll see whether the team reveals any specific plans for who else will play no or limited snaps. Geno Stone and Marcus Williams played full time at safety vs. Miami. Stone figures to play in Week 18. (He's the third safety.) Williams, however, could be another candidate to sit. He has dealt with multiple injuries throughout the season. Ronald Darby (100%) and Rock Ya-Sin (81%) led CBs in playing time vs. the Dolphins.
Packers LB Isaiah McDuffie left Sunday night's win over the Vikings with a concussion. He was filling in for LB De'Vondre Campbell (neck), so we'll see about the status of both players for a Week 18 matchup with the Bears. Green Bay holds the No. 7 position in NFC playoff seeding right now but could still be passed with a loss to Chicago.
Neither 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey nor HC Kyle Shanahan sounded concerned about the calf injury that knocked McCaffrey from Sunday's win over the Commanders. “I’m not sure what happened,” McCaffrey said. “It was pretty minor. I was having a hard time pushing off. And just for precautionary reasons, it’d be better to just rest it." Shanahan said, "We think he’ll be all right. He was moving around all right on the sideline. We’re hoping it’s not too bad, but we’ll know more tomorrow.” McCaffrey won't play in Sunday's meaningless regular-season finale and will then get a first-round playoff bye. It sounds like he'll be ready when the 49ers return for the Divisional Round. We'll keep you updated on McCaffrey's status.
Steelers RB Najee Harris eclipsed the 100-yard mark for the first time in 2023 on Sunday vs. the Seahawks. He accumulated 122 rushing yards with 2 TDs on 27 carries. With one more regular-season game remaining, Harris is set to put forth his third-consecutive season of at least 1,000 rushing yards and 7 rushing TDs. But he has also continued to see a dropoff in fantasy output (10.4 PPR points per game in 2023 vs. 13.1 in 2022, 17.7 in 2021), which directly correlates to a decrease in his role. Teammate Jaylen Warren has turned the Steelers’ backfield into a near-50/50 split, and Harris went from an average of 5.5 targets per game as a rookie to just 2.1 this season. He’ll enter his age-26 season in 2024, the final year of his rookie contract. We'll find out this spring whether Pittsburgh will exercise Harris' fifth-year option. We'd bet against the team guaranteeing $8.5 million in 2025 salary to do so ($10 million if Harris makes the Pro Bowl this year). For 2024, expect a continued timeshare and RB3-level status in dynasty formats.
Steelers WR George Pickens paid off again, hauling in 7 catches on 9 targets for 131 receiving yards and a TD in Week 17 vs. the Seahawks. The second-year wideout’s efforts mark the fifth time this season that he’s surpassed the 100-yard mark and the fourth instance in which Pickens totaled 20+ PPR points per game. His big-play upside has been clear. But the QB play has been poor, and Pickens has struggled to find regularly strong target shares. A QB change could boost Pickens' dynasty value. For now, it’s appropriate to treat him as a low-end WR3.
Saints RB Alvin Kamara struggled against the Buccaneers on Sunday, ending Week 17 with 49 scrimmage yards on 12 touches. He may not have delivered for many managers’ title games, but Kamara remained a workhorse. He averaged 19.6 touches per game through 13 contests after returning from a three-game suspension to open the year and posted his second-highest PPR points per game (17.9) since 2019. There is, however, a snag in projecting his future outlook for dynasty purposes. The Saints are projected to enter 2024 at $89 million over the salary cap. No single move will dig them out of that, but getting rid of Kamara (post-June 1 designation) could save them approximately $5 million. They already have third-round rookie Kendre Miller lined up as a long-term replacement, too. It’ll be vital to pay close attention to New Orleans’ moves throughout the course of the offseason. Value Kamara as an aging RB2 for now. Getting dumped by the Saints, however, would muddy his outlook.
Buccaneers RB Rachaad White went quiet in Week 17 vs. the Saints. The second-year back ended Sunday with 42 rushing yards on 11 carries with 4 receptions for 24 yards. Despite the disappointing finish, White has enjoyed a breakout season. Through Week 17, he sits fifth among RBs in total PPR points and ninth in points per game. White has already nearly doubled his carries (253) and rushing yards (915) vs. last year, while averagingof 3.8 receptions per game. This usage is encouraging as we look ahead to his age-25 season. Treat White as a borderline RB1 in dynasty formats.
Eagles RB D’Andre Swift put forth respectable production in Week 17 vs. the Cardinals, ending the game with 13 carries for 61 yards. Even with one more regular season game, he’s already set career highs in carries (229) and scrimmage yards (1,263). However, Swift is also pacing for a career-low 52 targets. He’s set to hit the free agent market in 2024 at 25 years old. Staying with the Eagles’ high-powered offense would likely be good for his rushing volume but would also likely limit his target outlook. Beware of valuing Swift too highly in dynasty at the moment, and don't be afraid to consider "sell" opportunities.
Eagles QB Jalen Hurts completed 18 of 23 passes for 167 yards and 3 TDs with 1 INT in Week 17 vs. the Cardinals. He added 25 yards on 8 carries. Hurts has posted multiple TDs in 15 of 16 games this season. His rushing yards per game have dipped from 37.6 to 50.6, but Hurts has also already increased his rushing TDs for the third straight year. Ignore any fears of the NFL outlawing Philly's "Tush Push," and continue valuing Hurts as a top-shelf dynasty QB. If you don't have Hurts on your roster already and the league does outlaw some aspect of the "Tush Push," consider making an offer for the Eagles QB. His rushing upside isn't going anywhere.
Cardinals QB Kyler Murray completed 25 of 31 passes for 232 yards with 3 TDs and 1 INT in Week 17 vs. the Eagles. He added 24 yards on 5 carries. Murray ranks 12th in fantasy points per game among QBs through Week 17, a solid-to-strong level for a mobile QB coming off an ACL tear. His connection with TE Trey McBride proved stellar and presents a solid building block for the Cardinals moving into 2024. HC Jonathan Gannon has since said Murray will "no doubt" remain Arizona's starter. With $53.1 million in projected cap space and three of the top-35 picks in the NFL Draft (as of now), the Cardinals could rebuild the offense quickly around their QB.
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