January 1, 2026
New Orleans Saints running back
Audric Estime carried 14 times for 94 yards and a touchdown in Week 17's 34-26 victory over the Tennessee Titans. After a confusing Week 16, where tight end Taysom took most of the rushing attempts, Estime took over and had the best game of his young NFL career. With
Alvin Kamara (knee/ankle),
Kendre Miller (ACL), and
Devin Neal (hamstring) all missing significant time, Estime stepped up, playing 80% of the snaps. In comparison, backup
Evan Hull played 18%, and Hill played only 14%. They face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18, who rank middle-of-the-pack against running backs this season. However, this could be Hill's final game as a Saint, and his usage on the goal line and in other key situations could cap Estime's ceiling in Week 18. In a meaningless game for the Saints, look for Hill to have a proper send-off against the Falcons, whom he has dominated in his NFL career.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
January 1, 2026
Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback
Riley Leonard will make his first career start in Week 18 against the Houston Texans. With the Colts officially eliminated from playoff contention,
Philip Rivers has stepped aside to give the rookie quarterback much-needed reps in Week 18. Leonard played in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars after starter
Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles tendon. In that game, he completed 18 of 29 passes for 145 yards and one interception. While his passing statistics weren't indicative of a future starting quarterback, his ability to make plays with his legs makes him an intriguing fantasy option. Leonard scored on a six-yard rushing touchdown against the Jaguars, and in his final college season at Notre Dame, he scored 17 rushing touchdowns in 16 games. While the Houston Texans' defense is one of the best in the NFL and has no plans to rest their starters as they chase an AFC South title, Leonard will need to rely on his running ability in Week 18.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
January 1, 2026
Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver
Konata Mumpfield has stepped up as the team's second option in the Rams' receiver room. In his last two games, Mumpfield has seen 13 targets, ranking second on the team during this span, but has yet to have a solid connection with quarterback
Matthew Stafford. Veteran receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) has missed the previous two games and is unlikely to play in Week 18. The Saturday game between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers could be a factor as well. If the 49ers win, the Rams would be locked into the sixth seed and could very well rest their starters, including Stafford and potentially star receiver
Puka Nacua. Fantasy managers still playing in Week 18 will need to assess this Rams situation, as Mumpfield could be a streaming option if Nacua sits against the Arizona Cardinals.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
January 1, 2026
Las Vegas Raiders tight end
Michael Mayer had the most productive game of his NFL career in Week 17, hauling in nine of 10 targets for 89 yards in the 34-10 loss to the New York Giants. With star tight end
Brock Bowers (knee) on injured reserve, Mayer will have a full workload for the remainder of the 2025 season. Mayer played 93% of the snaps in Week 17, had a 36% target share, and accounted for over 50% of the team's passing yards. Quarterback
Geno Smith threw for only 176 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions against the Giants, which will cap the tight end's upside if his struggles continue. With a tough matchup upcoming against the Kansas City Chiefs, who rank eighth in the NFL in fantasy points allowed to tight ends, Mayer will be a safe, high-volume option at the position in Week 18.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
December 31, 2025
Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Philip Rivers retired for the second time on the Up & Adams Show on Wednesday. The 44-year-old veteran signal-caller came out of retirement to play for the Colts again this year after
Daniel Jones suffered a torn Achilles in Week 14. The eight-time Pro Bowler was immediately thrust into the starting role for Indy after having last played a game in the NFL in 2020. Rivers ended up starting three games for the Colts in his return, going 58-for-92 (63%) for 544 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions in losses to the Seahawks, 49ers, and Jaguars. He held his own, but there understandably wasn't much left on his passes after five years away from the game. With the Colts eliminated from the playoffs, they'll give rookie
Riley Leonard a chance in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Houston Texans, and Rivers will return to his big family.
--Keith HernandezSource: Up & Adams
December 31, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) is not expected to play on Sunday against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals in the Week 18 regular-season finale, but head coach Sean McVay said he expects Adams to be ready for the playoffs next week. Adams aggravated a hamstring injury in Week 15 and will miss a third straight game this weekend. However, the 33-year-old veteran was seen running close to full speed before Monday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, and he should be good to play in the wild-card round of the postseason next week, barring a setback. The six-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro brings another dimension to an already strong Rams offense, primarily in the red zone. Despite missing the last two games, Adams still leads the league with his 14 touchdown receptions in 14 games played. He hasn't been as prolific as
Puka Nacua in yardage, but he still has a healthy 60 catches for 789 yards on the year for the Rams.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
December 31, 2025
New Orleans Saints running back
Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) was not present for Wednesday's practice, according to Ross Jackson. Kamara is highly unlikely to return for the team's Week 18 regular-season finale this weekend against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons after missing the last five games with a sprained MCL in his knee that he suffered in Week 12. Rookie
Devin Neal (hamstring) is also on Injured Reserve, which has opened up lead-back duties for
Audric Estime to close out the season. In last week's win over the Tennessee Titans, Estime carried the ball 14 times for 94 yards and a touchdown. Now 30 years old, Kamara had the worst season of his NFL career in 2025, recording only 471 rushing yards and one touchdown on 131 rushing attempts in 11 games played. He added 33 receptions for 186 yards and no TDs through the air.
--Keith HernandezSource: Ross Jackson
December 31, 2025
Minnesota Vikings tight end
T.J. Hockenson (shoulder) was held out of the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Hockenson didn't practice at all last week and was held out of the Christmas Day win over the Detroit Lions last Thursday. The Vikings have nothing left to play for but pride in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Green Bay Packers, so it seems likely that Hockenson will miss a second straight game to close out the 2025 season. The 28-year-old has had a second straight disappointing season in Minnesota, catching 51 of 66 targets for 438 yards and only three touchdowns while working with inconsistent young quarterback
J.J. McCarthy. If Hockenson misses another contest,
Josh Oliver will once again be in line for top pass-catching duties at TE for the Vikings with McCarthy potentially returning from a hand fracture.
--Keith HernandezSource: Minnesota Vikings
December 31, 2025
Minnesota Vikings running back
Aaron Jones Sr. (hip) was a non-participant at Wednesday's practice due to a hip injury. Meanwhile, fellow RB
Jordan Mason (ankle) returned to a limited session after missing the Week 17 Christmas Day win over the Detroit Lions. With Mason injured the last two weeks, Jones has handled 44 touches for 156 scrimmage yards and a rushing touchdown. But now the 31-year-old is dealing with an injury of his own, putting his status up in the air for the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday against the division-rival Green Bay Packers. With Mason trending towards a return to close out the year, Jones figures to be spelled more often by Mason if both RBs are active this weekend. In the first meeting with Green Bay back on Nov. 23, Jones carried the ball nine times for 41 yards and caught three passes for 16 yards.
--Keith HernandezSource: Minnesota Vikings
December 31, 2025
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Rome Odunze (foot) was listed as a non-participant for the team's walkthrough practice on Wednesday. All signs are pointing to Odunze missing a fifth straight game for this weekend's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Detroit Lions. The 23-year-old second-year wideout hasn't practiced or played since Dec. 12 due to a stress fracture in his foot. The Bears want to hold Odunze out through the end of the regular season in hopes that he'll be closer to full health for a playoff run. After a career day in Sunday night's loss to the San Francisco 49ers, rookie
Luther Burden III came down with a quad injury, but he was limited on Wednesday.
Olamide Zaccheaus also returned after missing Week 17 with an illness. With Odunze fully expected to sit out against Detroit in Week 18, Burden will be a popular DFS selection if he's active after he caught eight of nine targets for 138 yards and a touchdown against San Fran.
--Keith HernandezSource: Bears Communications
December 31, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back
Omarion Hampton (ankle) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice due to an ankle injury. Hampton played 83% of the offensive snaps in last Saturday's loss to the Houston Texans, touching the ball 22 times for 60 scrimmage yards and a touchdown. The 22-year-old first-rounder didn't appear to be injured at all in Week 17. However, with the Chargers already expected to rest quarterback
Justin Herbert in the Week 18 regular-season finale on the road in Denver against the division-rival Broncos, fantasy managers should expect a smaller workload from Hampton if he's active this weekend. All of L.A.'s offensive skill players will be much harder to trust in starting fantasy lineups if they are active with backup QB
Trey Lance running the offense. It's hard to gauge the Bolts' backfield for this weekend with
Kimani Vidal (neck) and
Hassan Haskins (head) also banged up.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Chargers
December 31, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles tight end
Dallas Goedert (knee) is on the Week 18 injury report and was unable to practice on Wednesday due to a knee injury. Goedert could return to the practice field in the next two days, but with the Eagles already expected to be resting some starters in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Washington Commanders, fantasy managers shouldn't be banking on having Goedert available this weekend. At the very least, the Eagles are expected to sit starting quarterback
Jalen Hurts, so if Goedert were to play, he'd be working with backup
Tanner McKee, who has attempted all of three passes in 2025. If the Eagles hold Goedert out in Week 18, both
Grant Calcaterra and
Kylen Granson would see elevated roles on offense. Goedert has been outstanding for fantasy purposes in 2025, catching 60 of 82 targets for 591 yards. His 11 touchdowns are tied for the most at the position with Arizona's
Trey McBride.
--Keith HernandezSource: Philadelphia Eagles
December 31, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Kyren Williams (ankle) was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report, according to Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Williams suffered a minor ankle injury in Monday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons and was able to return to the game. Meanwhile, fellow RB
Blake Corum sprained his ankle in the second quarter and never returned. With Corum out in the second half, Williams saw more work out of the backfield for the Rams as they attempted a comeback. If Corum is unable to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals this Sunday, the 25-year-old Williams could see a bigger workload again, although
Ronnie Rivers would also be mixed in. The Rams are fully expected to play their starters in Week 18 to keep them fresh going into the postseason.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
December 31, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Blake Corum (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's estimated injury report, per the Los Angeles Daily News' Adam Grosbard. Corum sprained his ankle in the second quarter of Monday night's upset loss to the Atlanta Falcons and never returned. On a short turnaround going into the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, the 25-year-old's status is firmly up in the air. The Rams will only be playing for seeding purposes this weekend, although they plan to play their starters. Still, with Corum not 100%, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him held out. Backfield mate
Kyren Williams (ankle) is also banged up with an ankle injury and was listed as limited on Wednesday. If Corum doesn't make much progress and is ruled out for Week 18,
Ronnie Rivers would take over as the RB2 in L.A.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
December 31, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) was listed as a non-participant on the team's estimated injury report on Wednesday, according to Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. All signs are pointing to Adams missing a third straight game for the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals due to a nagging hamstring injury. The 33-year-old All-Pro wideout was seen running at close to full speed before Monday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons, but the Rams are going to err on the side of caution and hold him out so that he's closer to 100% for the start of the playoffs next week.
Xavier Smith (chest), who has taken on a bigger role in the passing game with Adams out for the last two games, is also on the injury report and was listed as limited on Wednesday. If Adams is inactive for a third straight game, as expected, both Smith and
Konata Mumpfield will have more chances yet again against Arizona behind star wideout
Puka Nacua.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
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