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
January 2, 2026
Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback
Riley Leonard will start under center in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Houston Texans, according to James Boyd of The Athletic.
Seth Henigan will be the No. 2 QB.
Philip Rivers, who started the team's last three games, is TBD as far as being active. The 44-year-old came out of retirement to help replace
Daniel Jones (Achilles), but now that the Colts are out of the playoff picture, they'll take a look at Leonard in Week 18 with an eye toward the future. Rivers already announced that he will retire for a second time following the conclusion of this weekend's games. Arm strength was certainly an issue for Rivers in his return to football in 2025, although he managed to stay healthy and keep the Colts competitive. The eight-time Pro Bowler completed 63% of his pass attempts for 544 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions in three games.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - James Boyd
January 2, 2026
New England Patriots tight end
Hunter Henry (knee) doesn't carry an injury designation into Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Henry missed practice on Wednesday and was able to suit up for limited sessions on back-to-back days to finish out the week. The expectation is that the Patriots will play their starters with there still being a chance of them clinching the top seed in the AFC. Henry has been one of the more reliable pass-catchers on the roster this season. He's scored a touchdown in back-to-back games, while hauling in nine receptions for 84 yards. Fantasy managers should consider Henry a TE1 for the upcoming matchup versus the Dolphins.
--Andy WebbSource: patriots.com
January 2, 2026
Dallas Cowboys tight end
Jake Ferguson (calf) has been removed from the Week 18 injury report and will play in Sunday's regular-season finale against the division-rival New York Giants. Ferguson didn't practice on Wednesday, was limited on Thursday, and upgraded to a full practice on Friday. The 26-year-old will be active this weekend, but after not finishing last week's Christmas Day win over the Washington Commanders, the Cowboys probably are in no hurry to play Ferguson the same as they normally would in a meaningless game. Fantasy managers should consider him to be a very volatile streaming option at the position, especially since quarterback
Dak Prescott might not play a full game. Ferguson was a big part of Dallas' high-scoring offense in 2025, setting career-highs in catches (81) and touchdown receptions (eight) while racking up 595 receiving yards in 16 games.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Jon Machota
January 2, 2026
Green Bay Packers wide receiver
Dontayvion Wicks (concussion) did not practice all week and is doubtful to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings, according to Wes Hodkiewicz of Packers.com. Wicks suffered a concussion in last Saturday night's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, and now he'll sit out the season finale after not being cleared from the league's concussion protocol. The 24-year-old will be trying to return to practice so that he'll have a chance to suit up for the wild-card round of the playoffs next week. Wicks will miss his third game of the season in Week 18 and will finish with a career-low 30 catches (46 targets) for 332 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games in 2025. He had nine touchdown catches in his first two years in the league, but a crowded WR corps made it difficult for Wicks to stand out in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: Packers.com - Wes Hodkiewicz
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