December 31, 2025
Buffalo Bills tight end
Dalton Kincaid (knee) was listed as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice due to his knee injury. Kincaid was unable to play in Sunday's one-point loss to the visiting Philadelphia Eagles due to his knee injury, but it's a good sign that he's limited in the first practice of Week 18. However, the Bills may decide to rest key starters this weekend against the division-rival New York Jets, including quarterback
Josh Allen (foot), so Kincaid might not be all that attractive for fantasy managers if he's healthy enough to return to action this weekend. Fellow TE
Dawson Knox (knee) is also managing a knee injury and was limited in Wednesday's practice. Despite missing several games this year with knee and hamstring injuries, Kincaid is Buffalo's second leading receiver with 36 catches for 523 yards and a team-high five touchdowns.
--Keith HernandezSource: Buffalo Bills PR
December 31, 2025
New York Giants tight end
Theo Johnson (illness) was one of three Giants players either sent home or absent from Wednesday's practice with an illness. Johnson missed the team's Week 17 win over the Raiders after not practicing at all with what is presumed to be the same illness. Fantasy managers still playing for a Championship in Week 18 will need to monitor New York's injury report, as Johnson and the Giants face a Cowboys defense in the season finale that has allowed 34 or more points in three of the last four games. With New York still competing under interim head coach Mike Kafka, their offense could continue to provide fantasy relevance at a time when many other teams are resting starters.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Jordan Raanan
December 31, 2025
Miami Dolphins wide receiver
Jaylen Waddle (ribs) is not practicing on Wednesday due to a rib injury, according to Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald. Waddle is in danger of missing the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday against the division-rival New England Patriots after injuring his ribs in the Week 17 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The 27-year-old was able to return to Sunday's game, but he played only 26% of the offensive snaps and finished the day with zero catches on one target. However, Waddle is just 90 yards shy of his third career 1,000-yard season, so perhaps that will give him the motivation to play this weekend in New England. If Waddle does not play in Week 18,
Malik Washington and
Theo Wease Jr., who had a long touchdown last weekend, would be more involved in Miami's passing attack.
--Keith HernandezSource: Miami Herald - Omar Kelly
December 31, 2025
New York Giants wide receiver
Wan'Dale Robinson (ribs) was not present at Wednesday's practice after sustaining a rib injury in a Week 17 win over the Raiders in which he caught a season-high 11 passes for 113 yards. In Sunday's week-winning effort, Robinson also eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark for the first time in his career, and he now sits only eight receptions shy of 100. If he can clear the injury report to suit up against the Cowboys' worst pass defense in the league in Week 18, it seems likely the team will make every effort to get him to that milestone. Fantasy managers still playing for a Week 18 title will need to monitor the Giants' practice reports this week, but if Robinson plays on Sunday, he is a must-start.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Jordan Raanan
December 31, 2025
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee) did not take part in the team's practice on Wednesday, according to Eric Woodyard of ESPN. St. Brown played through knee irritation in the Christmas Day loss to the Minnesota Vikings, playing 83% of the snaps while catching eight of his 13 targets for 68 yards. The 26-year-old is as tough as they come, but with Detroit having nothing to play for in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Chicago Bears, St. Brown may be held out this weekend. If St. Brown has played his last game in 2025, he'll finish with a strong 106 catches, 1,262 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns in 16 games for his fantasy managers. If he doesn't play against Chicago, rookie
Isaac TeSlaa and
Kalif Raymond would see more targets alongside
Jameson Williams.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Eric Woodyard
December 31, 2025
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel told the media on Wednesday that his starters will play in Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the Dolphins. How long they will play remains unclear, having just witnessed quarterback
Drake Maye pulled from the game early in the third quarter of a Week 17 blowout win over the Jets. Though in that case, he had already tallied five touchdowns. With number one receiver
Stefon Diggs sitting eight receptions and 30 yards away from a pair of contract incentives, it would come as no surprise to see him featured early. With the number one seed in the AFC and a first-round bye still in play for the Patriots, there exists a possibility that New England's starters could play start to finish. However, securing the top spot requires help from the Chargers, who have already announced plans to rest
Justin Herbert and are currently 12.5-point underdogs to the Broncos.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Doug Kyed
December 31, 2025
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (hand) had a "really positive" throwing session on Tuesday with the team's medical staff and will take part in practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Kevin O'Connell. McCarthy will probably be limited on Wednesday, but he's making progress toward Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Green Bay Packers, according to Kevin Seifert of ESPN. The 22-year-old signal-caller suffered a hairline fracture in his right throwing hand in Week 16 against the New York Giants and did not play in the Christmas Day win over the Detroit Lions last week. Even though Minnesota has nothing left to play for in Week 18, it appears McCarthy is in play to return for the final game of the season if he looks good in practice this week. If he ultimately doesn't gain clearance,
Max Brosmer would make a second straight start for the Vikes.
UPDATE: McCarthy was officially limited on Wednesday and is considered day-to-day.--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Kevin Seifert
December 31, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Stefon Diggs is expected to play in a Week 18 game against the Dolphins, days after being charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery. The Patriots released a statement on Tuesday, showing support for their 32-year-old receiver, and with Diggs' arraignment not scheduled until January 23rd, it does not appear that any punishment or suspension is imminent. Diggs enters the week with 82 receptions and 970 yards, and with contract incentives for both 90 receptions and 1,000 yards, it would come as no surprise if he is heavily involved on Sunday. The number one seed in the AFC is still in play for the Patriots, and they are expected to play their starters, so their final game against Miami is one to be looked at by any fantasy managers still playing for a Week 18 championship.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Alex Barth
December 31, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Malik Davis (eye) is expected to be limited in the first practice of the week on Wednesday, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer. Starting RB
Javonte Williams (shoulder) will also be limited. With both Davis and Williams dealing with injuries going into the final week of the regular season in a meaningless game on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants, rookie
Jaydon Blue could be active and see playing time for the first time since Week 8. It's unclear if Davis or Williams will be held out entirely in Week 18, but the bottom line is that Dallas' backfield carries a lot of uncertainty going into Sunday's game. With Williams injuring his shoulder in the first half of the Christmas Day win over the Washington Commanders, Davis had 20 carries for 103 yards. If Williams is inactive against New York, Davis could be in line for another big workload if he's active on Sunday.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Dallas Morning News - Joseph Hoyt
December 31, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Javonte Williams (shoulder) is expected to be limited in practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
Malik Davis (eye) is also expected to be limited for what is a banged-up Cowboys backfield heading into their Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. With nothing to play for but pride, Williams could be rested this weekend. Owner Jerry Jones hinted that rookie RB
Jaydon Blue could get some playing time on Sunday for the first time since Week 8. The 25-year-old Williams has been an excellent value play for fantasy managers who drafted him in his first year in Dallas, but he'll be a pretty risky starting lineup option in Week 18. After finding the end zone in last Thursday's Christmas Day win over the Commanders, Williams didn't return due to a shoulder injury that he's been battling in recent weeks.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Dallas Morning News - Joseph Hoyt
December 31, 2025
New York Jets undrafted rookie quarterback
Brady Cook will make his fourth straight start in a Week 18 divisional matchup with the Bills. Dating back to Week 14, when he took over early for an injured
Tyrod Taylor, Cook has completed less than 60% of his passes for 679 yards, while throwing one touchdown to seven interceptions. He has also been sacked a league-leading 18 times in that span, making the Bills DST an obvious unit to target in any leagues still playing for a Week 18 fantasy championship. Even with questions surrounding the availability of
Josh Allen (foot) and the rest of the Bills' starters, Buffalo is a seven-point favorite at home in a game that will help to determine seeding in the AFC.
--Patrick McGrathSource: Rich Cimini
December 31, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Xavier Worthy (illness) will miss his team's practice on Wednesday, per Pete Sweeney of The Kansas City Star. The 22-year-old has had a disappointing 2025 season overall, recording 42 receptions for 532 yards and a touchdown on 73 targets across 14 games. However, he profiles as the Chiefs' WR1 with Kansas City wideouts
Rashee Rice (concussion) and
Tyquan Thornton (concussion) both on Injured Reserve. Worthy failed to take advantage of his first opportunity without Rice and Thornton in Week 17, recording zero catches on three targets against the Denver Broncos. The Chiefs have an easier matchup in Week 18 against the Las Vegas Raiders. Still, the Kansas City passing game is difficult to trust with third-string quarterback
Chris Oladokun in line to make his second straight start under center. If active, Worthy profiles as a deep-league flex option at best in Week 18.
--Will BradySource: The Kansas City Star - Pete Sweeney
December 31, 2025
Carolina Panthers running back
Rico Dowdle (toe) is back at practice on Wednesday after missing Tuesday's session with a toe injury, per Joseph Person of The Athletic. Carolina plays the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday in a game that will determine the NFC South champion and the number four seed in the NFC playoffs. Across 16 games this season, Dowdle has recorded 1,343 yards from scrimmage and seven touchdowns on 266 touches. However, his production has tailed off a bit in recent weeks, as he's failed to record more than 59 rushing yards in a game since Week 9. If Dowdle is sidelined or limited against Tampa Bay, Panthers back
Chuba Hubbard would be in line for a significant increase in role. Assuming Dowdle is active, he profiles as a high-end flex option for fantasy managers in Week 18.
UPDATE: Dowdle practiced in full on Wednesday.--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Joseph Person
December 31, 2025
Cleveland Browns tight end
David Njoku (knee, personal) is not expected to practice on Wednesday, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. Njoku has not played since suffering a knee injury in Week 14, and he appears to be at risk of missing his fourth straight game in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Across 12 games in 2025, the 29-year-old has hauled in 33 catches for 293 yards and four touchdowns on 48 targets. Browns tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) is also expected to miss practice on Wednesday, so the team could be without its top two tight ends in Week 18. If both Njoku and Fannin Jr. are inactive, the Browns will likely split tight end snaps against Cincinnati between
Blake Whiteheart,
Brenden Bates, and
Sal Cannella. Canella earned four targets in Cleveland's Week 17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, while Whiteheart and Bates were each targeted once.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Daniel Oyefusi
December 31, 2025
Cleveland Browns tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) is not expected to practice on Wednesday, per Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN. Fannin Jr. was forced to exit early from Cleveland's Week 17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers after re-aggravating an existing groin injury. The 21-year-old rookie has recorded 72 catches for 731 yards and six touchdowns on 107 targets across 16 games this season. He's displayed growing chemistry with Browns quarterback
Shedeur Sanders, recording four touchdown catches across six games since Sanders took over as Cleveland's starter in Week 12. Fellow Browns tight end
David Njoku (knee) has not played since Week 14 due to a knee injury and will also miss the team's practice on Wednesday, so Cleveland could be shorthanded at the position in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals. If both Fannin Jr. and Njoku are unable to go, the Browns will likely split tight end reps between
Blake Whiteheart,
Brenden Bates, and
Sal Cannella in Week 18.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Daniel Oyefusi
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