January 1, 2026
Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback
Quinn Ewers completed 14 of 22 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns in his first career win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After struggling in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Ewers led the Dolphins to victory, averaging 7.8 yards per attempt and throwing a touchdown on 9% of his pass attempts. With the team deciding to bench quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa, all signs point to a new quarterback taking over for the 2026 season, and the 2025 seventh-round pick is making his case. He faces a New England Patriots defense that has ranked among the top five in 2025. While the Dolphins are playing a "meaningless" game this week, this one is anything but for the rookie quarterback, who is currently contending to be the 2026 starter.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
January 1, 2026
New Orleans Saints wide receiver
Chris Olave (illness) has been ruled out for Week 18's matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. According to Saints reporter Nick Underhill, Olave had a blood clot detected in his lung and is currently at the hospital, where he is doing well. Olave's career season ends with 100 receptions on 156 targets for 1163 yards and nine touchdowns, ranking him WR6 in PPR formats. With Olave out, look for Kevin Austin and
Mason Tipton to step up, while tight ends
Juwan Johnson and
Taysom Hill will have big roles as well. While the Saints eye their fifth straight win against the Falcons in Week 18, they'll have to do it without their best offensive weapon.
--Nathan HarveySource: Nick Underhill
January 1, 2026
Chicago Bears rookie tight end
Colston Loveland hauled in six of 10 targets for 94 yards and a touchdown in the 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. After a slow start to his rookie season, Loveland has put together a fantastic second half, averaging 13.0 PPR fantasy points per game, which ranks him TE5 during that span, trailing only
Trey McBride,
Brock Bowers,
George Kittle, and
Kyle Pitts. He also led the Bears' tight ends in snaps last week, playing 81% while veteran
Cole Kmet played 61% (his lowest since Week 9). With receiver
Rome Odunze (foot) not practicing ahead of their Week 18 matchup against the Detroit Lions, targets will be vacated, giving Loveland another opportunity to establish himself as a starting tight end option in fantasy this week.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
January 1, 2026
Chicago Bears rookie wide receiver
Luther Burden III exploded in Week 17, hauling in eight of nine targets for 138 yards and a touchdown in the 42-38 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. After missing a game due to an ankle sprain that he suffered in Week 15, Burden had his breakout game with
Rome Odunze (foot) inactive again. With Odunze listed as a DNP on Wednesday, the rookie receiver could be in line for another big day against the Detroit Lions. The Lions' secondary ranks as the second-worst against wide receivers this season, and with the Bears planning to play their starters and potentially quarterback
Caleb Williams targeting a 4,000-yard season (which would be the first in Bears franchise history), Burden is a must-start in Week 18.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
January 1, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles running back
Tank Bigsby could be the starter in Week 18 against the Washington Commanders. Bigsby was traded from the Jaguars to the Eagles after Week 1 and has served as a handcuff to star running back
Saquon Barkley this season. However, with the Eagles planning to rest their starters in Week 18, Bigsby could have a clear path to the RB1 role this week. Bigsby has averaged 6.4 yards per carry with the Eagles this season and has played slightly more snaps than
Will Shipley behind Barkley. The Commanders have given up the fourth-most fantasy points to running backs this season and, just two weeks ago, allowed Barkley to rush for over 130 yards and a touchdown. Bigsby will be a name to monitor on waivers or as a DFS play if the Eagles decide to rest Barkley and the starters.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
January 1, 2026
New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback
Tyler Shough has proven he is the quarterback of the future during their four-game win streak. During the streak, Shough has completed 91 of 128 passes (72%) for 1,057 yards and four touchdowns, with one interception. He has also added 70 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, making him a dual threat as well. While most didn't expect Shough to be a key piece for fantasy managers in his rookie season, he has delivered, averaging 17.0 fantasy points per game since becoming the starter, which places him as QB11 during that span. In Week 18, Shough faces the Atlanta Falcons, who rank 15th against quarterbacks this season and have caused the sixth-most interceptions as well. While the matchup is relatively difficult, Shough will hope to lead the Saints to their fifth straight win and potentially take control of the offensive rookie of the year race.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
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
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