January 3, 2025

Fantasy football injury updates and injury reports for RB, WR, TE for Week 18 (2025), as of 1/3, including Tee Higgins, Chase Brown, George Kittle, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, David Njoku, Jerome Ford, Brock Purdy, and Deebo Samuel Sr.

The 2024 NFL season is in its last week, which means most fantasy leagues have concluded. However, some leagues do play on to Week 18, so for those still playing, this week is extremely important to keep tabs on given all the players sitting. Of all weeks, this week is the worst week to get complacent as it is extremely easy to miss out on news for key players on your team.

In the final week of fantasy seasons, multiple impactful injuries remain to keep an eye on heading into the weekend. Seeing which players are dealing with injuries and which ones aren't quite at 100% yet will go a long way if you're looking to win the all-important final game of the fantasy season.

Without further ado, let's look at some injuries to watch and consider heading into Week 18. Any top players previously questionable not discussed in this article have been removed from the Friday injury report and are good to go. Don't forget to bookmark our fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts to stay notified.

Key Players Ruled Out/Sitting This Week

The Buffalo Bills starters may play a little bit against the New England Patriots, but will reportedly sit for most of the game. That means Josh Allen, James Cook, and Dalton Kincaid should be sat on fantasy benches.

The Houston Texans may also play their starters a bit, but not much against the Tennessee Titans. That fantasy managers should sit Nico Collins, Joe Mixon, or C.J. Stroud.

The Philadelphia Eagles are resting their starters against the New York Giants. That means no Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, Jalen Hurts, and DeVonta Smith among others.

The Kansas City Chiefs are sitting their starters against the Denver Broncos, meaning no Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, or Xavier Worthy among others.

Finally, the Los Angeles Rams are sitting their starters against the Seattle Seahawks. That means no Puka Nacua, Kyren Williams, Cooper Kupp, or Matthew Stafford for fantasy managers.

For the Cleveland Browns, tight end David Njoku (knee) and running back Jerome Ford (ankle) were eacg placed on injured reserve, making them out for Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens.

For the San Francisco 49ers, quarterback Brock Purdy (right elbow) and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (rib, wrist) have been ruled for Week 18 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Key Players With Uncertain Statuses

Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (ankle/knee) is officially questionable for Saturday's matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He practiced in a limited fashion all week.

After a huge fantasy day last week, which included a walk-off overtime touchdown, that likely won many championships for his fantasy owners, Higgins is banged up heading into Week 18. Given the combination of his practice participation and the must-win nature of the game for the Bengals however, it seems likely Higgins will play on paper. If he were to miss out, Ja'Marr Chase would likely be even more involved than normal, while Mike Gesicki would become an interesting option at tight end.

Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (ankle) is listed as questionable for Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Unlike his teammate above, Brown did not practice all week, meaning his status is much murkier for this important game. Brown hurt himself going down at the one yard line to try and run clock last week, which unfortunately turned into a wasted effort when the game went to overtime after Bengals decided to score a touchdown soon after.

Chase Brown #bengals

Lands on a hyper flexed right knee with the tibia striking the ground first, defender falling somewhat on him. Common mechanism for a PCL, or bone bruise. Hope it’s the latter pic.twitter.com/7ukXzPf8k9

— Tom Christ, PT, DPT, OCS, FAAOMPT (@FantasyInjuryT) December 29, 2024

If Brown does miss out, the next man up would be Khalil Herbert, who given his acquisition earlier this season, may be difficult to trust given his lack of play time during his tenure with the Bengals so far.

George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ankle, hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. After not practicing Wednesday, he was limited at practice Thursday and Friday, a good sign for his status.

While the game doesn't mean anything for the 49ers and they already have Brock Purdy and Deebo Samuel Sr. out, Kittle is known for his toughness and love of the game. I wouldn't be surprised if he played, especially since Kyle Shanahan hasn't indicated he will be sitting his starters. Even with backup quarterback Joshua Dobbs under center, Kittle could be in line for a big day.

Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, WRs, Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill (wrist/illness) and Jaylen Waddle (knee) are each questionable for Sunday against the New York Jets. With quarterback Tua Tagovailoa listed as doubtful with a hip injury, Week 18 could look similar to Week 17 with a banged up Dolphins offense.

The Dolphins can make the playoffs with a win and a Broncos loss to the Carson Wentz-led Chiefs. That means this game does matter a lot, so if there is any chance either receiver can play, they most likely will. Waddle missed last week's game, while Hill had one of his best games of the season, putting up nine receptions for 105 yards against the Cleveland Browns.

Happy new year especially to the chiefs

— Ty Hill (@cheetah) January 1, 2025

Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, RBs, Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans running backs Tony Pollard (ankle) and Tyjae Spears (concussion) have differing statuses for Week 18 against the Houston Texans. Spears has already been ruled out after not practicing all week, while Pollard seems to have a chance to play at least given his questionable tag and two limited practices.

However, Pollard didn't practice Friday, which could either mean his status is dwindling or he is just resting before the game on Sunday. In a game the Titans would rather lose than win, it seems more logical for Pollard to sit, but the former Cowboy has been playing through injury in meaningless games lately, so you never know.

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