29 December 2025
McDaniel stressed that Fitzpatrick doesn’t want to be shut down. The 29-year-old safety didn’t play against the Buccaneers in Week 18, and with Miami eliminated from playof contention there isn’t a great reason outside of pride for the safety to play. He still might.29 December 2025
Not exactly a ringing endorsement for Jackson to play in Week 18, but Harbaugh will leave the door open and we’re sure we’ll get at least one Jackson practice appearance given the stakes. It does feel like Jackson has simply given all he has physically and hasn’t been able to play at full strength since Week 3 or 4. Jackson’s practice status will be one of the hottest topics of Week 18, we’d put him on the pessimistic side of questionable to open the week based on this quote. Harbaugh ...29 December 2025
It’s a little weird that the Cowboys have to keep telling people the starting quarterback is going to start, but, here ya go. Prescott will get the start in the finale against the Giants with a chance to add to his numbers in a game that means nothing outside of where the teams will draft come April.29 December 2025
Campbell said that St. Brown should be good “long term” and that the wideout wants to play against the Bears. But Campbell also noted “If we’re sitting there borderline and...it could be hard or we think they’re setting themselves up for long-term risk, then no, it’s not worth it” when asked about playing injured players. It’s hard to read between the lines there, but we think St. Brown has a chance to play in Week 18 based on how minor this feels.
29 December 2025
Steichen said in his Monday press conference that the team was still “having discussions” on who will start the finale against Houston, and that the team would announce a decision Wednesday. It’s possible that 44-year-old Philip Rivers could get one more chance at a win, but the Colts may want to see what they have in the (much) younger Riley Leonard. Anthony Richardson could also potentially get the nod for the meaningless finale, but with the signal-caller still dealing with vision limit ...29 December 2025
It sounds like most of Detroit’s regulars will be going against the Bears in Week 18, though perhaps if there’s any long-term concern about a particular injury, a player or two could sit. Detroit has nothing to play for but can still spoil Chicago’s bid to be the No. 2 seed.29 December 2025
Badgley had a PAT blocked after being elevated from the practice squad in the one-point loss to the Eagles in Week 17. Matt Prater (quad) is expected to be ready to kick in Week 18 as well as the playoffs.29 December 2025
For those of you keeping up-to-the-minute updates on the end of the Raiders season — there’s a few of you, right? — Carroll said yesterday that Smith had a high-ankle sprain. He apparently does not have that, after all. But what he does have remains significant. The end result is probably still Kenny Pickett starting in Week 18 against the Chiefs in a game that the Raiders clearly want to lose. Pickett does, admittedly, give them a leg up in that competition. We’ll see if he can match Ch ...29 December 2025
The Vikings will see how McCarthy’s grip strength is at the end of the week. It still feels like it’s more likely that McCarthy sits if they’re only really going to check him at week’s end, but the door is at least cracked a little for a Week 18 return against Green Bay. If McCarthy sits again, Max Brosmer will likely get to close out the season with his unique sack-taking stylings. O’Connell did notably say that he wants all quarterbacks (including John Wolford and Brett Rypien) to be ...29 December 2025
29 December 2025
He had been a rumored target for NFL teams in the coaching carousel this year and drew interest from the Bears last offseason. The Giants, in particular, had been linked to Freeman. Still just 39, Freeman probably will have more NFL interviews in the future. For now, it seems like Freeman got a nice raise out of being linked around the coaching cycle, so that’s just good business by him.29 December 2025
“Never say never but not an ideal timeline to be fully cleared,” the source added. PFT also adds that Mike Tomlin told CBS’ Tracy Wolfson that Watt won’t play until he has a “week of practice as a full participant,” meaning the tea leaves could reveal themselves rather quickly on Wednesday. Watt got in three limited practices last week.29 December 2025
His lingering litigation against the NFL for discriminatory hiring practices has not stopped teams from realizing he runs a great defense. Flores interviewed for the Bears head-coaching job last year, and was also requested to interview by the Jets and Jaguars in the carousel. Despite several injuries and a (quarterback-driven) bad offense, Flores’ Vikings enter the final week of the regular season fourth in defensive DVOA.29 December 2025
Taylor said that Burrow gives them the best chance to win, which is both true and not really the point anymore given the Bengals were officially eliminated from playoff contention weeks ago. Burrow is wrapping up his second season in the last three years in which he appeared in 10 games or less due to injury. A significant injury against the Browns in Week 18 would be absolutely devastating for the Bengals and Burrow, who carries a nearly $48 million cap hit in 2026. Maybe Taylor comes to his se ...29 December 2025
Sewell had appeared in 13 games this year, starting nine of them. The 23-year-old linebacker had 59 tackles including three tackles for loss and one forced fumble. His 41.5 overall PFF grade ranked 81st out of 86 linebackers. Sewell was carted off the field after suffering an injury in the third quarter of the Bears’ Week 17 loss to the 49ers. He’ll miss the rest of the season with a torn Achilles.29 December 2025
Campbell was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn MCL in Week 12 against the Bengals. The 21-year-old left tackle will have his 21-day practice window opened this week. He’s eligible to return from injured reserve for Week 18’s matchup with the Dolphins, though the Patriots will have to see him practice first. If all goes well, it looks like the Patriots will be getting a big piece of their offensive line back ahead of a potentially deep playoff run.29 December 2025
Dart bounced back from a 33-yard performance in the Week 16 loss to the Vikings to throw for 207 yards in the win over the Raiders Sunday. The 22-year-old signal caller’s future with the organization is a topic for discussion with the Giants currently in control of the No. 2 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and the team’s coaching situation in flux. While Kafka could remain the head coach next year, the Giants are said to be interested in speaking with a list of candidates that could inclu ...29 December 2025
He played just one snap. Austen Pleasants replaced him. Williams being ruled out and seen hobbling on the sideline with what The Athletic’s Matt Barrows called a hamstring strain does not bode well for his availability for Week 18.29 December 2025
Juice scored on an unreal play from quarterback Brock Purdy in which the former Mr. Irrelevant evaded two would-be sacks to deliver the football to the left corner of the end zone and into the waiting hands of Juszczyk. The veteran fullback remains unlikely to see meaningful volume on a weekly basis but his moderate snap rates keep a sporadic touchdown within his range of outcomes.29 December 2025
Burden was one of two Bears receivers in the area of Caleb Williams’ target on the final play of the Bears’ Week 17 loss to the 49ers. The 22-year-old receiver remained down following the play and was subsequently carted to the locker room. It’s certainly encouraging news that Schefter reports the injury isn’t serious, though he also passes along that Burden will undergo additional testing. Following a breakout game with eight catches, 138 yards and a touchdown, Burden could be the Bears ...
