January 2, 2026
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Mike Evans will need to be at his best for the must-win game against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday. Evans mostly struggled last week until he snagged a four-yard touchdown in the final moments of the loss to the Miami Dolphins. The veteran wideout will look to extend his two-game touchdown streak during this Week 18 contest. Since returning in Week 15 from a broken collarbone, Evans has seen 28 targets and has hauled in 14 of them for 194 yards. The expectation is that Evans will continue being a focal point in the passing game for this must-win contest. The 32-year-old has done enough to earn the respect as a WR2 in fantasy football for this Saturday afternoon contest.
--Andy WebbSource: Pro Football Reference
January 2, 2026
The Los Angeles Chargers could use some of their regular starters in a backup role in Week 18. This team isn't playing for much with a playoff spot locked up ahead of the regular-season finale against the Denver Broncos. Head coach Jim Harbaugh doesn't want to risk any injuries to his starters, so he's considering using them in a backup role. This strategy would decrease the workload on his starters, but would still give them some reps ahead of the postseason. Fantasy managers who have any Chargers' starters on their roster would be wise to leave them on their benches. Quarterback
Justin Herbert is expected to be active, but is not expected to play at all.
--Andy WebbSource: Daniel Popper
January 2, 2026
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Keenan Allen has recorded 74 catches for 741 yards and four touchdowns on 109 targets in 16 games in 2025 in his return to the team. The six-time Pro Bowler has been a trustworthy aerial weapon for quarterback
Justin Herbert, but the 33-year-old is limping to the finish line and had just one catch on three targets for 17 yards in last week's loss to the Houston Texans. It was the first time since the 2020 season that Allen was limited to just one catch. Allen has not found the end zone in a game since Oct. 19 and has cleared the 50-yard mark just once in the last nine contests. In the first seven games of the season, Allen went over 50 receiving yards five times while scoring all four of his TDs. The veteran pass-catcher has run out of momentum and makes for a poor fantasy lineup option in Week 18 against the Broncos with backup quarterback
Trey Lance running things.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 2, 2026
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver
Rashod Bateman (illness) is listed as questionable but is expected to suit up for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bateman is likely to play despite missing practice all week due to a lingering illness. The Ravens are likely going to wait and see how Bateman feels closer to game time before making a final decision. Even if he's active, Bateman isn't a reliable fantasy option. Since Week 11, Bateman has hauled in three receptions for 30 yards. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for help, even if Bateman is active. The absence of Bateman would mean slightly increased value for
DeAndre Hopkins and
Tylan Wallace in a must-win game that will decide the AFC North division.
--Andy WebbSource: Jamison Hensley
January 2, 2026
On paper, the Buffalo Bills Week 18 matchup against the division-rival New York Jets is an excellent one for wide receiver
Khalil Shakir and the rest of the offense. However, the Bills probably won't need to throw the ball all that much to get a victory and improve their seeding in the AFC playoff picture. Shakir is coming off a six-reception game in the Week 17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, but the 25-year-old pass-catcher went for just 35 yards. Quarterback
Josh Allen (foot) is expected to make the start in the regular-season finale against New York, but we wouldn't be surprised if Buffalo pulls him if the game is already in hand. It will make all of the Bills' offensive skill players somewhat riskier in fantasy lineups. Shakir has been more valuable in PPR formats in 2025, catching 72 passes on 95 targets. His fantasy value will take a hit if tight end
Dalton Kincaid (knee) makes his return.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 2, 2026
Buffalo Bills running back
Ty Johnson has operated as Buffalo's No. 2 back behind
James Cook for most of the year, but it hasn't translated to standalone fantasy value. The 28-year-old has a total of 37 carries for 164 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games this year, adding 22 receptions for 243 additional yards and a receiving touchdown on 31 targets. Johnson remains a deep-league handcuff heading into the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival New York Jets. He could see more work this weekend if the Bills don't let Cook play the entire game, but fantasy managers can't exactly bank on that. Johnson had a season-high eight touches for 48 scrimmage yards in last week's one-point loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. His five rushing attempts also represented a season high.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pro Football Reference
January 2, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt (lung) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's Week 18 matchup versus the Baltimore Ravens. Watt will return from a three-game absence due to a partially collapsed lung that required a procedure to repair. The return of Watt will come at a great time, with this being a must-win game for the Steelers. The two teams will fight for the AFC North division title and the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. Given the nature of the injury, it's unclear if Watt is going to have a full snap count this weekend. Through 13 games, Watt has recorded 53 tackles, seven sacks, and one interception this season. His presence on the field will be a significant boost for the Steelers' defense, even if he's limited.
--Andy WebbSource: Brooke Pryor
January 2, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (hip) injured his hip in Thursday's practice and has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Washington Commanders. The Eagles already have a playoff spot locked up, so they will rest Carter and hope that he'll be ready to return for the wild-card round of the postseason next week. With the 24-year-old interior defensive lineman out this weekend, expect Ty Robinson to play an increased role on Philly's defensive line in a plus matchup against Washington third-string quarterback
Josh Johnson. Even with Carter unable to play in Week 18, the Eagles' defense/special teams unit should be considered a top-10 fantasy unit in the final regular season game with the Commanders down to their third QB.
--Keith HernandezSource: Philadelphia Eagles
January 2, 2026
New England Patriots wide receiver
Kayshon Boutte (concussion) has cleared the league's concussion protocol and will play in Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Miami Dolphins. Boutte was limited in Wednesday's practice before he was a full-go each of the last two days. The matchup against the Dolphins' defense is plus, especially with the Patriots still alive for the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff picture. The 23-year-old pass-catcher will be hard to trust in fantasy lineups, even in deeper leagues, after he missed the Week 17 win over the New York Jets. Boutte had only one reception for 16 yards in his last game in the Week 16 win over the Baltimore Ravens. In the first meeting against Miami, Boutte caught his only target for 16 yards and a touchdown. Boutte will be more of a long shot for production as a deep-league flex this weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: New England Patriots
January 2, 2026
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Tyler Higbee (ankle) is currently listed as questionable ahead of the Week 18 matchup versus the Arizona Cardinals. Higbee remains on Injured Reserve, but he had his 21-day practice window opened on Wednesday. He has been a full participant in practice and appears to be ready to play, barring any setbacks. It's unclear how much Higbee will actually play, as the Rams might be trying to save him for the postseason. The 33-year-old might see limited reps to shake off some of the rust before the playoffs begin if he's active. If Higbee returns, it'll impact the playing time of
Colby Parkinson,
Terrance Ferguson, and
Davis Allen for Sunday's game. Even if Higbee is active, fantasy managers should be looking to avoid him.
--Andy WebbSource: Adam Grosbard
January 2, 2026
Buffalo Bills tight end
Dawson Knox (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's Week 18 matchup versus the New York Jets. Knox was limited during the first two days of practice, but he was a full-go during Friday's session. He's ready to go and could see an increased role in the offense with
Dalton Kincaid (knee) currently listed as questionable to suit up. Knox hauled in all five of his targets for 30 yards with Kincaid on the sideline last week in the loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Fantasy managers should expect a similar target share for Knox this weekend, assuming Kincaid is unable to go. His value might actually increase given how bad the Jets' defense has been this season. Knox remains in the TE2 conversation for this Week 18 contest.
--Andy WebbSource: Buffalo Bills PR
January 2, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Calvin Austin III (hamstring) upgraded to a full participant in practice on Friday and was removed from the final injury report, per ESPN's Brooke Pryor. Austin will be active on Sunday night against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens in Week 18 as the Steelers look to win the AFC North. He did not play in last week's loss to the Cleveland Browns and was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Although the 26-year-old will return with
DK Metcalf suspended for another game, Austin will still be extremely hard to trust after doing little all year. Austin hasn't really shown much chemistry with quarterback
Aaron Rodgers all season, catching 28 of his 48 targets for 317 yards and just two touchdowns. The good news is that the Ravens have allowed the fourth-most half-PPR fantasy points to opposing WRs in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
January 2, 2026
Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver
Pat Bryant (concussion) has been cleared to play ahead of the Week 18 matchup versus the Los Angeles Chargers. Bryant will make his return after being forced to exit during the end of the Week 16 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The third-round rookie has been seeing increased reps down the stretch of the season. Over his last four games, Bryant has 17 receptions on 25 targets for 198 receiving yards. The target share has been there, but Bryant isn't doing much in terms of yardage. He figures to continue seeing a significant snap count with the Broncos needing to win this game to lock up the No. 1 seed. The Broncos have a crowded wide receiver group, though, so Bryant can't be trusted as anything more than a touchdown-dependent, WR4/flex.
--Andy WebbSource: Denver Broncos
January 2, 2026
Washington Commanders wide receiver
Treylon Burks (illness) was able to practice in full on Friday and was removed from the Week 18 injury report. Burks will play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles figure to be resting key starters on both sides of the ball with a playoff spot already locked up, but that still won't be enough to make Burks a fantasy recommendation for Week 18 lineups. Quarterback
Marcus Mariota (hand, quadriceps) will miss a second straight game due to multiple injuries, leaving journeyman signal-caller
Josh Johnson to run the offense in just his second start all year. In last week's Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys, Burks caught just one of two targets from Johnson for 11 yards. There should be much better receiving options for fantasy managers still competing for a title.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Nicki Jhabvala
January 2, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back
Bhayshul Tuten (finger) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Tuten has missed back-to-back games because of his finger injury, but he is ready to return this weekend. The rookie back figures to resume his role as the primary backup to
Travis Etienne Jr. in the backfield. The Jaguars can clinch the AFC South title with a win over the Titans this weekend or a loss by the Houston Texans. That means the Jags should play their starters during this regular-season finale. Tuten should see a handful of carries as he returns from injury, but it's unlikely to be enough to warrant streaming him.
--Andy WebbSource: Mia O'Brien
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