December 31, 2025
New York Jets rookie tight end
Mason Taylor (neck) is not participating in Wednesday's practice, Zach Rosenblatt of The Athletic reports. Taylor has missed three consecutive games after suffering a neck injury in Week 14's loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars and is trending in the wrong direction to open the practice week ahead of the regular-season finale against the Buffalo Bills. The rookie second-rounder has had a solid first campaign, snagging 44 of his 65 targets for 369 yards and a touchdown in 13 games. The 21-year-old tight end is likely to be held out again with the Jets having nothing to play for this weekend, setting up
Jeremy Ruckert,
Jelani Woods, and
Stone Smartt to handle the tight end reps in Week 18. None of the three project to be relevant for fantasy purposes.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Zack Rosenblatt
December 31, 2025
Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said Wednesday that he hopes tight end
Sam LaPorta (back) will be ready by training camp next summer, according to Nolan Bianchi of the Detroit News. LaPorta wouldn't have been able to return for the playoffs if the Lions had made it, with Campbell adding, "he's improving, but yet he's not completely healed." The 24-year-old tight end underwent surgery after injuring his back in Detroit's Week 10 win over the Washington Commanders. The Iowa product was in the midst of another great season before going down, hauling in 40 of his 49 targets for 489 yards and three touchdowns. LaPorta should be close to fully recovered by training camp and will again profile as a borderline top-five tight end option in fantasy football for 2026.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Nolan Bianchi
December 31, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Kayshon Boutte (concussion) is back at practice in a non-contact jersey on Wednesday, according to Evan Lazar of Patriots.com. Boutte suffered a concussion during Week 16's win over the Baltimore Ravens and was held out of last week's game against the New York Jets. The 23-year-old's return to practice on Wednesday is a positive sign that he is making progress in his recovery and should give him a shot to return in Week 18 against the Miami Dolphins, though he will need to clear the league's concussion protocol first. The third-year wideout has been a valuable weapon in the Patriots' explosive passing attack, catching 31 of his 42 targets for 527 yards and six touchdowns in 13 games. With
Mack Hollins (abdomen) on Injured Reserve, Boutte could be in line for an increased role if he can play in the regular-season finale.
--Kyle McCarthySource: Evan Lazar
December 31, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback
Tanner McKee is expected to start under center in Sunday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Washington Commanders as the Eagles rest some of their starters, a source told Tim McManus of ESPN. McKee, a sixth-round pick out of Stanford in 2023, is expected to start in place of
Jalen Hurts, who will be rested in advance of the playoffs next week. In spot duty in Philadelphia, McKee has gone 33-for-48 for 356 yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions in two seasons. He's seen action in three games in 2025, going 3-for-3 for 33 yards. With the Eagles also likely resting other key skill players on offense against Washington, McKee could be hard-pressed to move the football consistently on Sunday, even against a poor Commanders defense.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Tim McManus
December 31, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said on Wednesday that he expects quarterback
Kenny Pickett to start at quarterback on Sunday against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in the Week 18 regular-season finale in place of the injured
Geno Smith (ankle), according to Levi Edwards of Raiders.com. However, Carroll also suggested that
Aidan O'Connell could split time with Pickett this weekend. The 27-year-old Pickett flopped in his lone start for the Raiders this year in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles, going 15-for-25 passing for 64 yards with no touchdowns and an interception. Even in a meaningless game in Week 18, the matchup against the Chiefs' defense won't be the best for fantasy purposes, especially if Pickett shares snaps with O'Connell. Fantasy managers should stay away from Pickett.
--Keith HernandezSource: Raiders.com - Levi Edwards
December 31, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said that quarterback
Geno Smith (ankle) will not play on Sunday against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs in the Week 18 regular-season finale, according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. "I hate closing the door on any opportunity, but it's going to be really hard for him," Carroll said. Smith suffered a serious ankle injury in the Week 17 loss to the New York Giants and won't suit up for a meaningless contest to close out the regular season. With the 35-year-old veteran wrapping up a brutal first year in the desert, backup
Kenny Pickett is expected to start this weekend.
Aidan O'Connell could also end up splitting time with Pickett against KC. Smith was one of the worst starting QBs in football in 2025, completing 67.4% of his 448 pass attempts for 3,205 yards, 19 touchdowns, and a league-leading 17 interceptions in 15 starts.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Ryan McFadden
December 31, 2025
Baltimore Ravens quarterback
Lamar Jackson (back) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice, and head coach John Harbaugh said "he looked good," according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Jackson suffered a back contusion in the Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots and didn't suit up for last Saturday's win over the Green Bay Packers. However, with the Ravens having a shot to win the AFC North this Sunday night by beating the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers, the team is now optimistic that Jackson can return in Week 18. The 28-year-old two-time MVP's status is worth monitoring the rest of the week, but as of now, it looks like he's angling to make his return. Jackson has not looked like his elite dual-threat self in 2025, though, while battling through multiple lower-body injuries. He enters Week 18 play tied for the QB16 ranking with 17.5 fantasy points per game.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Jamison Hensley
December 31, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers discussed his future with the media on Wednesday and left open the possibility that he could return for another year, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. "Listen, I'm thinking about this week. I'm 42 years old, and I'm on a one-year deal, so you know what the situation is. Whenever the season ends, I'll be a free agent. That will give me a lot of options if I still want to play... maybe one or two," Rodgers said. The future Hall of Famer said he's enjoyed his experience this year with Pittsburgh, but he will discuss his future with his wife in the offseason. Rodgers' decision about whether to continue playing into 2026 will likely depend on how this year ends with the Steelers. Rodgers will square off against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens this Sunday night to decide the AFC North winner. The loser's season will be over.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Mike DeFabo
December 31, 2025
Buffalo Bills kicker
Matt Prater (quadriceps) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. The Bills only held a walkthrough practice on Wednesday, but Prater's full participation is a sign that he could return to action as the team's placekicker for the Week 18 regular-season finale this weekend against the division-rival New York Jets. The 41-year-old veteran has missed the last two games with a right-quad injury. Prater has been solid for fantasy football managers in 2025 in his first year with the Bills when he's been healthy, making 90% of his 20 field-goal attempts while going 43-for-46 on his extra-point tries in 14 games. However, with the Bills potentially resting key pieces on offense this weekend, Prater won't come highly recommended for starting lineups in Week 18 if he makes his return.
--Keith HernandezSource: Buffalo Bills PR
December 31, 2025
Buffalo Bills tight end
Dawson Knox was limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Knox should be good for the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday against the division-rival New York Jets, but it's unclear if the Bills will rest some of their banged-up players as they get ready for the start of the postseason next week. With fellow TE
Dalton Kincaid (knee) sidelined in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Knox caught all five of his targets, but he was held to only 30 receiving yards and did not find the end zone. The 29-year-old has had a low fantasy ceiling again in 2025, with Kincaid serving as quarterback
Josh Allen's favorite pass-catching TE target. It's unclear what the Bills' plan is this weekend for their starters, making Knox a streaming TE option to avoid for now.
--Keith HernandezSource: Buffalo Bills PR
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
Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan (undisclosed) will miss a second straight game on Wednesday against the New Jersey Devils. He was an unexpected scratch on Monday against the Ottawa Senators and still appears to be dealing with a health issue that prevents him from playing. The veteran has been banged up all season, so it isn't surprising that he is taking some time off. Monahan's ongoing health issues have affected his performance, limiting him to just 19 points (five goals, 14 assists) in 37 games. On Monday, Cole Sillinger was promoted from the fourth line to the top six and contributed two assists in a 4-1 victory. Sillinger is projected to remain as the second-line center on Wednesday, enhancing his fantasy appeal.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (lower body) will remain out for a fourth consecutive game on Wednesday versus the New Jersey Devils. Werenski's big campaign has been disrupted by a lower-body injury. However, Blue Jackets head coach Dave Evason said Werenski could be ready to return on Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres. As a result of Werenski's absence, Dante Fabbro's playing time has significantly increased, as he has joined Ivan Provorov on the first defensive pairing. Meanwhile, Denton Mateychuk has taken Werenski's place on the top power-play unit, recording a goal and two assists in the last three games.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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 Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton (hand) is questionable to play on New Year's Eve against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He missed the end of Tuesday's 4-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs after being slashed on the hand in the final minute. Hamilton has been among the biggest fantasy disappointments in 2025-26, settling for eight points (four goals, four assists) in 35 appearances. Tuesday's game marked his 16th consecutive outing without any points. Dennis Cholowski is expected to step in for Hamilton on Wednesday if necessary, though he offers no fantasy value.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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
Free-agent right-hander
Tyler Mahle agreed to an undisclosed one-year deal with the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. Mahle will head to the National League West and an excellent pitcher's ballpark after spending the last two years with the Texas Rangers. The 31-year-old veteran only made 16 starts for the Rangers last year due to shoulder injuries, but when he was on the mound, he was great. Mahle went 6-4 with a career-best 2.18 ERA (3.37 FIP) and 1.13 WHIP with 66 strikeouts and 29 walks in 86 2/3 innings pitched. He had Tommy John surgery in 2023 and has had a strikeout rate under 20% in each of the last two years. That, along with his recent injury history, will limit Mahle's fantasy appeal. However, despite not missing many bats, Mahle could be a decent back-of-the-rotation arm for fantasy managers if he stays healthy in San Fran.
--Keith HernandezSource: MLB.com - Mark Feinsand
December 31, 2025
Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas (illness) is expected to sit out a second consecutive game on Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The punishing blue-liner is battling an illness and missed Tuesday's practice. Gudas averages close to 3.5 hits per game and has produced eight points (one goal, seven assists) in 27 outings this season. With Gudas out, Pavel Mintyukov made a scoring return to the lineup on Monday night versus the San Jose Sharks. Compared to Gudas, Mintyukov has more offensive upside and has lit the lamp three times in his past seven appearances. Anaheim is also expected to remain without forward Frank Vatrano (upper body) on Wednesday.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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.
--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 Stars defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin (illness) will play on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. He has shaken off an illness to return from a one-game absence. Kyle Capobianco played instead of Lyubushkin in Saturday's shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks and will not dress against Buffalo. Lyubushkin has tallied five points (one goal, four assists) across his last 12 appearances. However, his offensive improvement is unlikely to last for long, as the Russian rearguard has never posted more than 15 points in a single NHL campaign. During the 2025-26 season, he has notched seven points (one goal, six assists) in 27 outings, while blocking 52 shots and delivering 43 hits.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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
Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon (lower body) will sit out Wednesday's contest against the Dallas Stars. On Wednesday morning, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff said Lyon will miss "a bit of time" with a lower-body injury, so his absence may not be limited to one game. The in-form goalie, who has recorded seven straight victories, was hurt late against the St. Louis Blues on Monday. Colten Ellis (concussion) was activated from Injured Reserve and will dress as Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen's backup on Wednesday. While Luukkonen has lost his starting job to Lyon, he has recorded back-to-back wins, allowing only one goal in each contest.
--Taavi PailkSource: Sportsnet
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
Free-agent outfielder
Jarred Kelenic is signing a non-roster deal with the Chicago White Sox, according to Jesse Rogers of ESPN. The 26-year-old spent the last couple of years with the Atlanta Braves after originally being a first-round pick by the New York Mets back in 2018. Kelenic was once one of the Seattle Mariners' top prospects, but he has never been able to put it all together at the plate and has a career .658 OPS in five big-league seasons. He'll have a better shot to make the big-league roster in Chicago, but Kelenic is coming off his worst season as a pro, slashing .167/.231/.300 with a .531 OPS, two home runs, two RBI, and 23 strikeouts in 65 plate appearances in 24 games for Atlanta. He wasn't much better at Triple-A Gwinnett, hitting .213/.286/.309 in 95 games. At best, Kelenic will probably be hoping for a platoon role with the White Sox in 2026.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Chicago - Jesse Rogers
December 31, 2025
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak (hand) was activated from long-term Injured Reserve and is set to return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The Slovakian blue-liner has been out since Nov. 22 due to a hand injury. Cernak might take Max Crozier's spot in the lineup. Across 19 appearances, Cernak has racked up 43 blocks and 40 hits. After a career-high 21 points a season ago, he has been limited to four assists on the offensive end. Still, Cernak could tally points in three straight appearances for the first time since April 2022.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
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