31 December 2025
Tuten has been making quick progress in his recovery from the finger injury he suffered in Week 15. The rookie had to undergo surgery and was initially expected to be out until the playoffs. He now appears to be on track for a Week 18 return. Tuten will likely be eased back into the lineup if he is active this week, keeping him off the fantasy radar for the Jags’ regular season finale.31 December 2025
Jones played through an ankle injury last week despite the Vikings having nothing left to play for. He could do so again in week 18, though it’s just as likely that he finally takes a week off. In addition to the ankle and hip injuries, Jones has been on the practice report with shoulder, toe, and hamstring issues this year. He has more than earned a week of rest to close the season. If that does happen, Jordan Mason would be in line for a larger role.31 December 2025
Aaron Jones was held out with a hip injury. Mason missed Week 17 because of his ankle injury but has a shot at returning for Week 18. He would likely split work with Zavier Scott if active. Jones would handle the carries with Scott pitching in on passing downs. Mason would be in the RB3 mix if Jones is out.31 December 2025
Hockenson missed Week 17 with the shoulder issue and looks likely to sit out of Minnesota’s season finale. Josh Oliver and Ben Sims each caught exactly one pass in his absence last week. There isn’t a fantasy tight end of note on the team if Hockenson is out for Week 18.
31 December 2025
The 31-year-old tight end is the TE9 in half-PPR scoring and ranks second on the team with 78 targets. The Patriots currently hold the AFC’s No. 2 playoff seed and are expected to play their starters for as long as necessary, as the Nos. 1-3 seeds are finalized this week. We tentatively expect Henry to suit up, but this is worth checking on.31 December 2025
Bryant suffered a scary concussion in the Broncos’ Week 16 loss to the Jaguars. He missed last week’s game but has a shot at returning for Week 18 against the Chargers. Denver needs a win to secure the No. 1 seed. Bryant would be a deep cut DFS option if he clears concussion protocol in time.31 December 2025
Jacobs has been playing through the knee and ankle issues for a while. If Week 18 meant anything to Green Bay, he would be playing. The Packers, however, are locked in as the No. 7 seed already. With nothing to play for, they are expected to rest some starters ahead of the Wild Card Round. We suspect Jacobs will get the week off.31 December 2025
Good news. Boutte resumed practicing in a limited capacity, while wearing a red non-contact jersey on Wednesday. He still has a few hurdles to clear before being cleared for game-day action, but this is a step in the right direction. The Patriots face the Dolphins in Week 18.31 December 2025
Wicks suffered the concussion in Week 17 and did not return. With nothing to play for in Week 18, the Packers are expected to rest some starters. If even Wicks clears concussion protocol before Sunday, he will likely get the week off.31 December 2025
31 December 2025
The Buccaneers’ No. 1 cornerback is now on the wrong side of questionable for his team’s Week 18 game against the Panthers. The Buccaneers (7-9) and Panthers (8-8) are playing for the NFC South title and a postseason appearance.31 December 2025
31 December 2025
This would normally be a non-story, but the Rams have almost nothing to play for in Week 18. They are locked into either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed for the playoffs. Even a minor ankle issue for Williams could be enough to get him a week of rest. Backup Blake Corum is also dealing with an ankle injury, meaning we could see a lot of third-string running back Ronnie Rivers on Sunday.31 December 2025
Corum left Week 17 with an ankle issue just before halftime and did not return. The Rams are stuck with a road game for the Wild Card Round no matter what happens on Sunday, meaning they can rest their starters without losing much. Sean McVay has said his starters will play, though we doubt any of the Rams’ injured players will push through their issues this week with nothing on the line. With Corum out, Ronnie Rivers could see a lot of work if the backups take over at some point in Week 18.31 December 2025
Mayfield is dealing with an injury in his throwing shoulder. The Buccaneers’ quarterback regularly plays through injuries, though. We expect him to be on the field when his team takes on the Panthers in Week 18, though he can only be viewed as a borderline QB1/2.31 December 2025
Adams hasn’t played since re-aggravating his hamstring injury in Week 15. With little to play for this week, he won’t be active versus the Cardinals on Sunday. Xavier Smith led the Rams with 67 yards on four catches last week. Even if Matthew Stafford and Puka Nacua start in Week 18, we suspect they could leave the game early, teeing Smith up for another high-volume day.31 December 2025
Wirfs has a chance to face the Panthers on Saturday. The winner takes the NFC South’s crown and punches a ticket to the postseason. Wirfs’ return to practice is very encouraging. His presence makes a difference for QB Baker Mayfield, who is currently dealing with injuries in both his knee and throwing shoulder.31 December 2025
Richardson remains on injured reserve but is eligible to be activated at any time. Having missed multiple months because of a fractured orbital bone, Richardson might not be ready to start this week, even if he is physically able to play. Riley Leonard will likely draw the start in a meaningless Week 18 game, though head coach Shane Steichen hasn’t made that decision yet.31 December 2025
London continues to practice and play as he rehabs the PCL sprain he suffered in Week 11 against the Panthers. Since returning, he has caught 4-of-10 targets for 31 yards. He earned eight targets in his first game back, which was encouraging, but his overall performance lowers his outlook in Week 18. London still has access to a high-volume workload, but is perhaps best viewed as a boom-bust WR2.31 December 2025
A DNP because of an illness early in the week is usually nothing, though there is slightly more risk of JCM missing Sunday’s game this time around. The Commanders have nothing to play for in Week 18 and are already down to their third-string quarterback. If JCM is still under the weather on Sunday, he could get the week off. He will likely split reps with Chris Rodriguez if he suits up.
