January 1, 2026
Detroit Lions wide receiver
Amon-Ra St. Brown (knee, ankle) appears to be trending towards playing in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival Chicago Bears, according to Jeremy Reisman of Pride of Detroit. St. Brown said that outside of every-game injury risk, "there's no concern of exacerbating his current injuries." The 26-year-old wideout didn't practice on Wednesday, but his return to the field on Thursday suggests he'll be active this weekend for fantasy managers still playing for a title. He played through knee irritation in the Christmas Day loss to the Minnesota Vikings last Thursday and caught eight of 13 targets for 68 yards as one of the lone bright spots for the team's offense. As St. Brown looks to finish his 2025 season strong, fantasy managers should consider him a must-start WR1 against Chicago if he's active on Sunday.
--Keith HernandezSource: Pride of Detroit - Jeremy Reisman
January 1, 2026
Los Angeles Rams running back
Blake Corum (ankle) was seen working off to the side during the portion of practice open to the media on Thursday, according to Sarah Barshop of ESPN. Corum sprained his ankle in the second quarter of Monday night's loss to the Atlanta Falcons and never returned. The 25-year-old did not practice on Wednesday, putting his availability in question for the Week 18 regular-season finale this weekend against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals. Backfield mate
Kyren Williams is also dealing with an ankle injury, but he was limited in Wednesday's practice. The Rams are already locked into either the No. 5 or No. 6 playoff spot in the NFC, so they won't push Corum to play against Arizona if he's not ready. If he's active, he could see a smaller share of the backfield touches in Week 18, making him a shaky RB3/flex option in fantasy right now.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Sarah Barshop
January 1, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles tight end
Dallas Goedert (knee) was listed as a non-participant in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Goedert still has another day to get back on the practice field, but things aren't looking good for his availability on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Washington Commanders. In addition to the 30-year-old's injury, the Eagles are leaning towards resting key starters this weekend, which means there is a good chance that Goedert won't be active. It was already announced that quarterback
Jalen Hurts will sit out in favor of
Tanner McKee. Fantasy managers need to prepare to go in another direction at the tight end position in Week 18. If Goedert is ruled out on Friday,
Grant Calcaterra and
Kylen Granson will battle for targets from backup QB Tanner McKee.
--Keith HernandezSource: Philadelphia Eagles
January 1, 2026
Dallas Cowboys quarterback
Dak Prescott will start Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival New York Giants, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. However, Prescott is not sure if he will play the whole game, with the expectation being that
Joe Milton III will get some action to close out the year. The Cowboys plan to play their starters this weekend, but it looks like they might not play a full game, which obviously now makes Prescott a shaky QB1 option for anyone still playing for a fantasy championship in Week 18. Prescott is having one of the best seasons of his career, and he's been especially efficient of late. The 32-year-old veteran currently leads the league in completions (397), passing attempts (589), passing yards (4,482), and yards per game (280.1) in 16 starts. This news makes Prescott much more risky in the season finale.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
January 1, 2026
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Davante Adams (hamstring) resumed practicing on Thursday for the first time since Week 15, according to Adam Grosbard of the Los Angeles Daily News. Adams is still unlikely to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Arizona Cardinals this weekend, but this is a sign that the 33-year-old Pro Bowler is ready to make his return for the wild-card round of the playoffs next week. Adams aggravated an ongoing hamstring injury in Week 15 and has missed the last two games, resulting in more work behind
Puka Nacua for receivers
Xavier Smith (chest) and
Konata Mumpfield, as well as tight ends
Colby Parkinson and
Terrance Ferguson. Adams is on track to return to become a serious touchdown threat for quarterback
Matthew Stafford next weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: Los Angeles Daily News - Adam Grosbard
January 1, 2026
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Tanner McKee will be his team's starter under center in Week 18 against the Washington Commanders, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. The Eagles are locked into either the number two or number three seed in the NFC playoffs, so it appears the team is opting to rest starting quarterback
Jalen Hurts and potentially several other starters against Washington. A sixth-round pick out of Stanford in the 2023 NFL draft, McKee has appeared in three career NFL games, all with the Eagles. His last start came in Philadelphia's final game of the 2024 season against the New York Giants, and McKee completed 27 of 41 pass attempts for 269 yards and two touchdowns. However, he could struggle in Week 18 if he's mostly surrounded by other backups on offense for the Eagles.
--Will BradySource: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Jeff McLane
January 1, 2026
New Orleans Saints running back
Alvin Kamara (knee, ankle) remained sidelined from his team's practice on Thursday, per ESPN's Katherine Terrell. Kamara has missed five consecutive games after suffering a sprained MCL in Week 12 and appears unlikely to return for the team's Week 18 finale against the Atlanta Falcons. Across 11 games before getting injured, the 30-year-old recorded 657 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown on 164 touches. Fellow Saints running backs
Kendre Miller (knee) and
Devin Neal (hamstring) are both on Injured Reserve, so the team is currently quite shorthanded at the position. Second-year back
Audric Estime functioned as New Orleans' lead back in Week 17, with running back
Evan Hull and tight end
Taysom Hill mixing in as well. Assuming Kamara remains sidelined, Estime profiles as a high-end flex option for fantasy managers in Week 18.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Katherine Terrell
January 1, 2026
Buffalo Bills quarterback
Josh Allen (foot) has yet to practice this week, and ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that "it is now setting up for (Allen) to rest" during Buffalo's Week 18 matchup against the New York Jets. Allen has been playing through a lingering foot injury, and would almost certainly be suiting up if the game had more serious playoff implications, but Buffalo is locked into an AFC Wild Card spot and can only impact its seeding with a win over the Jets. Across 16 games this season, Allen has completed 69.3% of his pass attempts for 3,668 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He's also been a force with his legs, rushing for 579 yards and 14 touchdowns on 112 attempts. If Allen does indeed sit out in Week 18, veteran quarterback
Mitchell Trubisky would be in line to make the start for the Bills. Trubisky has appeared in 12 games over the last two seasons for Buffalo, but has not started a game since the 2023 season, when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
January 1, 2026
Washington Commanders rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (illness) was able to practice in full on Thursday after he was held out due to illness on Wednesday. Croskey-Merritt had his second 100-yard game and two rushing touchdowns in last week's Christmas Day loss to the Dallas Cowboys, with
Chris Rodriguez Jr. out due to illness. Rodriguez is back in the fold for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Philadelphia Eagles this weekend, though, so fantasy managers will want to lower expectations for Croskey-Merritt in the final game of his rookie season. The 24-year-old JCM could be Washington's lead back against the Eagles, but Rodriguez's presence will definitely cap the rookie's upside this weekend.
--Keith HernandezSource: Commanders.com
January 1, 2026
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Rome Odunze (foot) remained sidelined from his team's practice on Thursday as he battles a stress fracture in his foot. The 23-year-old has not played since Week 13, and it appears he could be trending towards missing a fifth straight game in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions. Across 12 games before getting injured, Odunze had recorded 44 catches for 661 yards and six touchdowns on 90 targets. In his absence, Bears rookie wideout
Luther Burden III (quad) has emerged as a key contributor in the Chicago passing game. Veteran wide receiver
DJ Moore has also seen his role increase, recording three of his six touchdown receptions this season in the last three weeks. The Bears have already locked up the NFC North crown and will be either the number two or number three seed in the NFC playoffs, so the team has little incentive to rush Odunze back for its regular-season finale.
--Will BradySource: Chicago Bears
January 1, 2026
Minnesota Vikings quarterback
J.J. McCarthy (hand) upgraded to a full practice on Thursday after being limited on Wednesday. McCarthy did not play in the Christmas Day win over the Detroit Lions in Week 17 due to a hairline fracture in his right hand. However, after putting in a full practice on Thursday, the second-year signal-caller is trending towards returning to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Green Bay Packers on Sunday. McCarthy's return would send
Max Brosmer back to the bench. If McCarthy is active this weekend, he'll try to end his 2025 season on a strong note after plenty of ups and downs in what was essentially his rookie campaign. At best, McCarthy should be considered a low-end QB2 option in superflex fantasy leagues if he suits up against the Packers.
--Keith HernandezSource: Minnesota Vikings
January 1, 2026
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Luther Burden III (quad) was listed as a full practice participant on Thursday's injury report after being limited in practice on Wednesday due to a quad injury. Barring a setback, the 22-year-old appears to be trending towards playing in Week 18 against the Detroit Lions. With Bears wideout
Rome Odunze (foot) sidelined by a foot injury in recent weeks, Burden III has emerged as a breakout player in his team's offense. Across three games played without Odunze since Week 14, Burden III has recorded 18 catches for 289 yards and a touchdown on 22 targets. Odunze has yet to practice this week, so he could be trending towards missing his fifth straight contest in Week 18. If active, Burden III profiles as a high-end fantasy WR2 in a favorable matchup against Detroit on Sunday.
--Will BradySource: Chicago Bears
January 1, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver
Calvin Austin III (hamstring) was listed as a limited participant in practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday, according to Brooke Pryor of ESPN. Austin is trying to work his way back after being held out of the Week 17 loss to the Cleveland Browns. The 26-year-old might need to upgrade to a full practice session on Friday to avoid taking a questionable tag into Sunday night's big divisional game to decide the AFC North against the Baltimore Ravens.
DK Metcalf will be suspended again in Week 18, so Austin will have the opportunity for an expanded role in Pittsburgh's passing attack if he's active. Still, even if Austin plays on Sunday evening, fantasy managers probably won't consider him a very attractive WR4/flex in his return from injury. Austin has caught 28 passes for just 317 yards and two scores on 48 targets in 13 games in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Brooke Pryor
January 1, 2026
Cleveland Browns tight end
David Njoku (knee) remained sidelined from his team's practice on Thursday, per ESPN's Daniel Oyefusi. Njoku has not played since suffering a knee injury in Week 14 and may be at risk of missing his fourth straight game in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals. Across 12 games this season, the 29-year-old has recorded 33 catches for 293 yards and four touchdowns on 48 targets. Fellow Browns tight end
Harold Fannin Jr. (groin) has also yet to practice this week as he battles a groin injury, so Cleveland could be without its top two players at the position on Sunday. If both Njoku and Fannin Jr. are unable to go, Browns tight ends
Blake Whiteheart,
Brenden Bates, and
Sal Cannella would likely share playing time in Week 18 against the Bengals.
--Will BradySource: ESPN - Daniel Oyefusi
January 1, 2026
Tennessee Titans rookie tight end
Gunnar Helm (toe) missed his second straight practice this week on Thursday with a toe injury, according to Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. Helm has yet to practice this week and was seen with a boot on his right foot. The 23-year-old is trending in the wrong direction to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday versus the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. If Helm were held out this weekend, it would open the door for tight end
Chig Okonkwo to have clear TE1 fantasy value in Week 18. Helm has had a bigger role in Tennessee's offense in the second half of the season, but he still hasn't been much more than a low-upside, touchdown-dependent TE2 streamer in deeper fantasy leagues in the Titans' inconsistent offense. If he doesn't play on Sunday, Helm will finish his first year in the NFL with a 44-357-2 line in 16 games played.
--Keith HernandezSource: TennesseeTitans.com - Jim Wyatt
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