January 2, 2026
Dallas Cowboys running back
Javonte Williams (shoulder, neck) has officially been ruled out for Sunday's season finale against the New York Giants, per The Athletic's Jon Machota. Williams has been battling a neck/shoulder injury that he originally suffered in Week 15. He was a non-participant every day of practice this week and will miss his first game of the season in Week 18. The 25-year-old has been a workhorse for the Cowboys in his first season with the team, finishing with 252 carries for 1,201 yards and 11 touchdowns while adding 35 catches (51 targets) for 137 yards and two more scores as a receiver. The former Denver Bronco will end the season as the RB13 in PPR points per game (15.2), a major value for fantasy managers who spent a mid-to-late round pick on him in draft season.
Malik Davis (calf, eye) has also been ruled out after missing practice all week, setting up rookie
Jaydon Blue for the first meaningful action of his career in a favorable matchup against the Giants' 30th-ranked run defense.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Jon Machota
January 2, 2026
Chicago Bulls center
Zach Collins (toe) will not suit up against the Orlando Magic while he continues to deal with a toe sprain. The 28-year-old has already missed two consecutive games prior to Friday, and has only appeared in 10 games so far this season. While he's been out,
Jalen Smith has seen some added playing time and has joined the starting five alongside
Nikola Vucevic while the team experiments with lineups. Smith is widely available in most fantasy formats and averages 9.0 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.3 assists, and 1.4 threes per game in his 28 appearances.
--Alex FischbeinSource: NBA Injury Report
January 2, 2026
New Orleans Saints wide receiver
Mason Tipton (groin) has officially been ruled out for Week 18's game against the Atlanta Falcons and will be placed on Injured Reserve, Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reports. Tipton's season will officially come to an end after suffering a groin injury in Week 16 versus the New York Jets, causing him to miss last week's game. The 25-year-old wideout recorded 11 receptions for 76 yards on 17 targets in 14 games this season. He saw his opportunities increase later in the season, playing 66.4% of the offensive snaps in Weeks 12-16 and collected all of his production during that span after playing only 10.5% of the snaps over the first 10 weeks of the season. With top wideout
Chris Olave (illness) also ruled out, the available receivers for the Saints in Week 18 will be
Kevin Austin Jr.,
Dante Pettis,
Ronnie Bell, and
Samori Toure.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Nick Underhill
January 2, 2026
Brooklyn Nets forward
Michael Porter Jr. (illness) will remain on the bench for Friday's game against the Washington Wizards. Porter will miss both legs of the back-to-back set due to a lingering illness. This comes at a bad time with
Nicolas Claxton (personal) and
Cam Thomas (rest) both sidelined as well. The Nets will likely use a committee approach to fill the void at the forward spot. This should mean that
Ziaire Williams,
Jalen Wilson, and
Tyrese Martin should all get more playing time. Between the three, Williams offers the highest upside in terms of streaming value for Friday's slate.
Terance Mann (hip) is also worth a look, but is currently listed as questionable for this game.
--Andy WebbSource: Erik Slater
January 2, 2026
New York Giants tight end
Theo Johnson (illness) has officially been ruled out for the team's Week 18 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys due to an illness. The 24-year-old also missed New York's Week 17 win over the Las Vegas Raiders due to illness, so he's apparently dealing with a relatively serious ailment. The 3-13 Giants also have little reason to push Johnson before he's fully healthy, which could be a factor in his absence as well. Across 16 games played in 2025, Johnson recorded 45 receptions for 528 yards and five touchdowns on 74 targets. Giants tight end
Daniel Bellinger saw a significant increase in playing time in Johnson's absence in Week 17, lining up for 97% of New York's offensive snaps. However, Bellinger hauled in just two receptions for 11 yards on three targets and remains difficult for fantasy managers to trust in Week 18.
--Will BradySource: Giants.com - Dan Salomone
January 2, 2026
Brooklyn Nets guard
Cam Thomas (rest) won't be available for the upcoming game against the Washington Wizards on Friday. This is the second leg of a back-to-back set, so Thomas will head to the bench for rest purposes. This is bad timing for the Nets with
Michael Porter Jr. (illness) and
Nicolas Claxton (personal) also ruled out on Friday. When healthy, Thomas has been productive, so fantasy managers should hold him through injury maintenance days.
Ziaire Williams could be asked to play heavy minutes with
Terance Mann (hip) questionable for this game. Williams finished with 14 points, two rebounds, and five steals across 27 minutes on Thursday. He brings enough to the table to warrant streaming while the Nets are banged up.
--Andy WebbSource: Erik Slater
January 2, 2026
New York Giants wide receiver
Wan'Dale Robinson (ribs) has officially been ruled out for his team's Week 18 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys due to a rib injury. Robinson missed practice all week, and the 3-13 Giants have little reason to push him to play in a meaningless game against Dallas. The 24-year-old enjoyed the best season of his career to this point in 2025, recording 92 receptions for 1,014 yards and four touchdowns on 140 targets across 16 games played. He went from averaging 7.5 yards per reception in 2024 to a much more respectable 11.0 in 2025. Without Robinson, Giants wideouts
Darius Slayton and
Isaiah Hodgins could both see more targets in Week 18, while
Dalen Cambre,
Jalin Hyatt (illness), and Gunnar Olszewski are all candidates for increased playing time.
--Will BradySource: Giants.com - Dan Salomone
January 2, 2026
Brooklyn Nets center
Nicolas Claxton (personal) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Washington Wizards. Claxton is currently away from the team due to personal reasons, which will put the Nets in a tough spot. They'll look to
Day'Ron Sharpe and
Danny Wolf to take on larger roles in the rotation. Sharpe is the better all-around player, so he's the more trustworthy streaming choice between the two big men. Sharpe has mostly been playing minutes in the teens and has been able to produce at least low-end streaming value.
--Andy WebbSource: Erik Slater
January 2, 2026
New Orleans Saints running back
Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) has been ruled out for his team's Week 18 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons, per ESPN's Katherine Terrell. Kamara suffered a sprained MCL in Week 12 that will ultimately end up causing him to miss New Orleans' final six games of the season. Across 11 contests in 2025, the 30-year-old recorded 657 scrimmage yards and one touchdown on 164 touches. His 3.6 yards per carry and 4.0 yards per touch both represent career lows. With Kamara sidelined and Saints backs
Kendre Miller (knee) and
Devin Neal (hamstring) on Injured Reserve, New Orleans will likely split backfield work between
Audric Estime and
Evan Hull in Week 18, with tight end
Taysom Hill possibly mixing in as well. Estime functioned as the team's lead back in Week 17, recording 14 carries for 94 yards and a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Katherine Terrell
January 2, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans forward
Saddiq Bey (hip) is officially ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. He was listed as questionable coming into this contest due to right-hip soreness. The Pelicans will play it safe and hold out Bey for at least one game. The Pelicans are likely going to use a committee approach to fill the void left by Bey. This means that
Jordan Hawkins,
Bryce McGowens, and
Micah Peavy should all see increased run. There's no clear streaming option from Bey's absence, but Hawkins offers the most upside. Fantasy managers should view him as a low-end streaming choice with the team likely leaning on multiple players to fill the playing time.
--Andy WebbSource: New Orleans Pelicans
January 2, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) will be listed as questionable to play in his team's Week 18 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, per Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Adams has been sidelined since suffering a hamstring injury in Week 15, but he was able to return to practice in a limited capacity on Thursday. Los Angeles could be locked into the number six seed in the NFC by game time on Sunday, pending the result of Saturday night's NFC West showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. However, Rams head coach Sean McVay has said that he plans to play the team's starters no matter what. Across 14 games before getting injured, Adams recorded 60 receptions for 789 yards and 14 touchdowns on 114 targets. If active, he profiles as a must-start fantasy wide receiver. Should Adams remain sidelined, Rams wideout
Konata Mumpfield would likely continue to see increased usage.
--Will BradySource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
January 2, 2026
New Orleans Pelicans center
Derik Queen (quadriceps) is ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. He will sit this game out after suffering a quad injury during Wednesday's loss to the Chicago Bulls. He was questionable heading into this game, so this doesn't sound like something that will cause a lengthy absence. Without Queen, the Pelicans will likely lean on
Yves Missi and
Kevon Looney during Friday's game. Missi is the better streaming choice between the two players for Friday's slate. He should at least be able to offer low-end streaming value without Queen on the court.
--Andy WebbSource: New Orleans Pelicans
January 2, 2026
Los Angeles Rams running back
Blake Corum (ankle) will be listed as questionable to play in the team's Week 18 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, per Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Corum was forced to exit early from his team's Week 17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons after suffering an ankle injury, and missed practice on both Wednesday and Thursday as a result. Heading into Week 17, Corum had recorded a rushing touchdown in four straight games and double-digit touches in three straight contests. While Rams head coach Sean McVay has said the team plans to play its starters in Week 18, Los Angeles is locked into either the No. 5 or 6 seed in the NFC playoffs and may choose to be cautious with Corum. Fellow Rams back
Kyren Williams (ankle) is also questionable to play due to an ankle injury, so Los Angeles could be without its top two running backs on Sunday. If both Corum and Williams are sidelined,
Ronnie Rivers and
Jarquez Hunter would likely handle the team's backfield work in Week 18. McVay said Corum will return to practice on Friday, which will give the team a better indication of whether he'll be ready to play on Sunday.
--Will BradySource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
January 2, 2026
Atlanta Hawks guard
Trae Young (quadriceps) has been ruled out ahead of Friday's game against the New York Knicks. Young will now miss his third straight game due to a right-quad contusion. He was listed as questionable on the injury report, but Young isn't quite ready to play yet. His absence will mean increased roles for
Vit Krejci and
Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Between the two, Alexander-Walker is the better streaming option for Friday's slate. He dropped 30 points during Monday's game, and he should continue to see more usage while Young is sidelined.
--Andy WebbSource: Atlanta Hawks
January 2, 2026
Los Angeles Rams running back
Kyren Williams (ankle) is officially questionable to play in his team's Week 18 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, per Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Per head coach Sean McVay, Williams is likely to play on Sunday. Williams suffered an ankle injury during the Rams' Week 17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but he was able to return to the game. Los Angeles could be locked into the No. 6 seed in the NFC come game time on Sunday, but McVay said on Friday that he plans to play the team's starters regardless. Rams running back
Blake Corum (ankle) is also questionable to play in Week 18, so Williams could be in line to dominate backfield snaps against Arizona if Corum is sidelined. If both Williams and Corum are inactive, the team would likely split work between veteran back
Ronnie Rivers and rookie
Jarquez Hunter.
--Will BradySource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
January 2, 2026
Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay said he plans to play his starters in Week 18 regardless of the result of Saturday's NFC West showdown between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers, per ESPN's Sarah Barshop. If the 49ers win, the Rams would be locked into the number six seed in the NFC playoffs. Los Angeles has several key players, such as wide receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) and running backs
Kyren Williams (ankle) and
Blake Corum (ankle), who are questionable to play due to injury concerns. However, it appears that the team's fully healthy players, such as quarterback
Matthew Stafford and wide receiver
Puka Nacua, will be on the field on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. If Seattle beats San Francisco on Saturday night, Los Angeles would have a chance to move up to the number five seed in the NFC with a win over Arizona.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Sarah Barshop
January 2, 2026
Tennessee Titans rookie tight end
Gunnar Helm (toe) has been ruled out of Sunday's Week 18 divisional matchup with the Jaguars. Helm was unable to practice this week with the toe injury that he ultimately played through following a week of limited practice participation in Week 17. The fourth-round pick out of Texas finishes his rookie year with 44 receptions for 357 yards and two touchdowns, and is a potential dynasty target this offseason. With Helm sidelined, fourth-year tight end
Chig Okonkwo, fresh off back-to-back top-five finishes, becomes a must-start for fantasy managers still competing for a Week 18 championship.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Jim Wyatt
January 2, 2026
Atlanta Falcons tight end
Kyle Pitts Sr. (knee) is coming off a disappointing showing against the Rams, and he now carries a questionable designation into Sunday's season finale against the Saints. Pitts has been a limited practice participant all week, which has not been uncommon for him down the stretch, and head coach Raheem Morris is optimistic about his availability for Week 18. The Falcons have been eliminated from playoff contention, but they could indirectly determine the NFC South champion with a win, adding a level of motivation in a week when it can often be difficult to find. Fantasy managers still competing in Week 18 should feel comfortable starting Pitts against a Saints defense that has been middle-of-the-road at defending tight ends.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Josh Kendall
January 2, 2026
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Darnell Mooney (knee) was able to log limited practices on Thursday and Friday, and he carries a questionable designation into the team's Week 18 season finale against the Saints. Head coach Raheem Morris is optimistic about his availability for Sunday, but even if Mooney can play, he represents a high-risk, low-reward option for any fantasy managers still competing in Week 18. He has topped 35 receiving yards only once in his last 10 outings, and his Week 12 touchdown grab against the Saints remains his lone score on the year. The bull case for Mooney is that his best game of the season came in that Week 12 win in New Orleans, though it should be noted that the Saints have won four of five games since, including their last four.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Josh Kendall
January 2, 2026
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Drake London (knee) has been listed as questionable for Sunday's divisional matchup with the Saints. London carried the same designation into the past two games and was ultimately able to suit up, and head coach Raheem Morris is optimistic about his availability for Week 18. The fourth-year pro was a non-factor in either of those games, as he is clearly still limited by the knee injury that kept him sidelined for a month. In a game that could indirectly determine the playoff fate of the Panthers and Buccaneers, there is at least some divisional pride on the line. However, given London's recent struggles and a slate of games with clearer stakes, he should be viewed as a desperation play at best by any fantasy managers with a Week 18 title on the line.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Josh Kendall
January 2, 2026
Buffalo Bills tight end
Dalton Kincaid (knee) will take a questionable designation into Week 18 after a week of limited practices, according to head coach Sean McDermott. Kincaid missed the team's Week 17 loss to the Eagles after taking only 19 offensive snaps in Week 16. With the Bills locked in to play a road game during Wildcard Weekend, only seeding and potential opponent are at stake when they host the Jets on Sunday. It remains unclear how much run Buffalo will give their starters in a game in which they are favored by more than a touchdown, and given Kincaid's recent struggles, he is best left on the bench by any fantasy managers still competing for a Week 18 championship.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Maddy Glab
January 2, 2026
Dallas running back
Malik Davis (calf, eye) has yet to practice this week and could be a game-time decision for the Cowboys' Week 18 matchup with the Giants. With the status of
Javonte Williams (shoulder, neck) also up in the air, Davis would be in line for an expanded workload if he's able to work through his separate calf and eye injuries to suit up on Sunday. With little at stake beyond divisional pride, the more likely path is that Dallas will take extra precautions with their veterans and turn the backfield over to rookie
Phil Mafah (shoulder), who has also been limited with a shoulder concern of his own. The Giants have been the second most generous defense to opposing running backs, making the Cowboys' injury report an important one to monitor for any fantasy managers still competing in Week 18.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Nicole Hutchison
January 2, 2026
It will be a close call for whether Dallas Cowboys running back
Javonte Williams (neck, shoulder) plays in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Williams is battling a neck/shoulder injury that he originally injured back in Week 15, and the Cowboys may play it safe and hold him out this weekend in a meaningless game. Meanwhile, backfield mate
Malik Davis (calf, eye) is in the same boat, which could open up a big role for rookie
Jaydon Blue, who hasn't played since Week 8. The 25-year-old Williams has been Dallas' unquestioned lead back all year and has been a tremendous value pick in fantasy, but he has become a very shaky Week 18 asset. Even if Williams is active on Sunday, he figures to take on a much smaller role against the G-Men.
--Keith HernandezSource: DallasCowboys.com - Nicole Hutchison
January 2, 2026
Cleveland Browns tight end
David Njoku (knee) has officially been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, according to Browns Zone's Scott Petrak. Njoku has not practiced or played since injuring his knee on a touchdown reception back in Week 14. The 29-year-old will finish his ninth year in the NFL with a disappointing 33 receptions for 293 yards and four touchdowns on 48 targets. Njoku just was unable to become fantasy relevant in most leagues due to the presence of rookie
Harold Fannin Jr. (groin), who ended up being the team's leading receiver in 2025. Fannin will also sit out the season finale, leaving the Browns to mix and match at tight end this weekend with
Blake Whiteheart,
Brenden Bates, and
Sal Cannella.
--Keith HernandezSource: Browns Zone - Scott Petrak
January 2, 2026
Cleveland Browns rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) has officially been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone. Fannin injured his groin on a touchdown reception in last week's upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 21-year-old was unable to practice all week and will miss the final game of what has been an exceptional first year in the NFL. Despite the presence of
David Njoku (knee), who will also miss Week 18, Fannin led the Browns in catches (72), targets (107), receiving yards (731), and touchdowns (six). Fannin has a bright future ahead of him as a pass-catching TE, and he'll be on the TE1 radar in fantasy drafts in the fall.
Blake Whiteheart,
Brenden Bates, and
Sal Cannella will form a TE committee for the Browns in Week 18.
--Keith HernandezSource: Browns Zone - Scott Petrak
January 2, 2026
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn announced on Friday that running back
Isaiah Davis (concussion) will not play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival Buffalo Bills.
Breece Hall (knee) is trending towards being a game-time decision this weekend, so the Jets could be down to
Kene Nwangwu and
Khalil Herbert in their backfield against the Bills. The 23-year-old Davis took on a bigger role behind Hall this year with
Braelon Allen (knee) landing on Injured Reserve. He'll finish his second year in the NFL with 43 rushing attempts for 236 yards and a touchdown while adding 21 receptions on 28 targets for 186 yards through the air in 16 games played. Davis could have an even bigger role for the Jets in 2026, depending on where Hall ends up in free agency.
--Keith HernandezSource: New York Jets
January 2, 2026
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Chase Brown (illness) returned to practice on Friday and will play on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Cleveland Browns, according to Ben Baby of ESPN. Brown's availability for this weekend was in question after he missed the first two practices of the week due to illness. The 25-year-old will be ready to roll on Sunday, though, as he seeks the first 1,000-yard rushing season of his career. He heads into the final weekend of the regular season with 219 carries for 947 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground, adding a career-high 65 catches on 82 targets for 419 yards and four more touchdowns. Brown has been money for fantasy managers down the stretch and needs to remain in all starting lineups against Cleveland. In the season opener against the Browns, Brown had 21 carries for 43 yards and a touchdown.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Ben Baby
January 2, 2026
Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn officially named
Josh Johnson as the team's starting quarterback for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles, according to Tashan Reed of The Washington Post. Veteran
Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) will miss a second straight game to close out the year. Even though the Eagles will be resting key starters this weekend, Johnson will be hard-pressed to help fantasy managers without left tackle Laremy Tunsil (oblique) available. The 39-year-old signal-caller made his first start of the year in last week's Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys and went 15-for-23 passing for 198 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. Even in two-QB leagues this weekend, fantasy managers should have better options to choose from than Johnson.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Washington Post - Tashan Reed
January 2, 2026
Cleveland Browns tight end
David Njoku (knee) is not practicing on Friday and is unlikely to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, according to Browns Zone's Scott Petrak. Rookie
Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) also isn't expected to play this weekend, so the Browns will be down to
Blake Whiteheart,
Brenden Bates, and
Sal Cannella at the tight end position. The 29-year-old Njoku's 2025 season will end on a low note after not practicing or playing since injuring his knee in Week 14. He became a lower-floor TE2 streamer in fantasy football this year thanks to the quick emergence of Fannin in his first year in the NFL. Njoku took a back seat to Fannin and will end up finishing his ninth year in the NFL with 33 catches (48 targets) for 293 yards and four touchdowns in 12 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: Browns Zone - Scott Petrak
January 2, 2026
Cleveland Browns rookie tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) is not practicing on Friday and is unlikely to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, according to Scott Petrak of Browns Zone.
David Njoku (knee, personal) is also not expected to play this weekend for the Browns, leaving
Blake Whiteheart, Brendan Bates, and
Sal Cannella to fight for targets at the tight end position. Surprisingly, Fannin has been a top-five fantasy TE in his first year in the NFL with the Browns despite sharing the field with Njoku for most of the season. The third-rounder out of Bowling Green has a bright future in the NFL and will finish his first year with 72 receptions on 107 targets for 731 yards and six touchdowns in 16 games. Fannin goes into Week 18 leading the Browns in all major receiving categories.
--Keith HernandezSource: Browns Zone - Scott Petrak
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