Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel conceded Monday that QB Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) is not in the team's Week 18 plans. QB Teddy Bridgewater dislocated his right pinkie in the loss to the Patriots, which seemingly makes QB Skylar Thompson the favorite to start Sunday's must-win game vs. the Jets.
Cardinals HC Kliff Kingsbury said Monday that X-rays on RB James Conner's shin came back clean and that the injury is "nothing major." It sounds like Conner has a shot to play in this weekend's finale vs. the 49ers -- although it's certainly possible that he's held out of a game that means nothing to Arizona. Conner's absence would leave the Cardinals' backfield to Corey Clement and Keaontay Ingram.
Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (thigh) is expected back at practice on Wednesday, HC Mike McCarthy said. That should put Pollard on track to return for this weekend's regular-season finale vs. the Commanders. Dallas is still alive for the NFC East title, needing a win and an Eagles loss to the Giants.
Cowboys WR T.Y. Hilton went from 1 catch on 12 snaps in his team debut in Week 16 to 4 catches on 22 snaps this past week. “I could see him getting even more this week," HC Mike McCarthy said Monday. "It’s a steady incline." Hilton was still 4th among Dallas WRs in route rate (33%) last week, but it's possible that he passes up Noah Brown for the #3 role by playoff time. Something to keep in mind for your playoff fantasy drafts.
Broncos RB Marlon Mack will miss Sunday's finale vs. the Chargers with the hamstring injury he suffered in Week 17, according to insider Mike Klis. That'll leave Denver's backfield to Latavius Murray and Chase Edmonds. Murray tallied 12 carries and 6 targets to Edmonds' 7 carries and 3 targets in last week's loss to the Chiefs.
49ers HC Kyle Shanahan said Monday that RB Christian McCaffrey is "day to day" with an ankle sprain suffered in the win over the Raiders. The ankle didn't seem to be much of an issue in that one, with McCaffrey going for 193 total yards and a score. We'll keep an eye on him this week, but he should be fine for Sunday's regular-season finale vs. the Cardinals. San Francisco is still alive for the NFC's #1 seed, needing a win plus an Eagles loss to the Giants.
Eagles EDGE Josh Sweat went to the hospital after leaving Sunday's loss to the Saints on a stretcher with a neck injury. He was treated and released by the end of the night, though. He said afterward via Twitter that he expects to return this season. HC Nick Sirianni didn't offer details at his Monday press conference, saying the team is taking it day-by-day with Sweat's injury. We wouldn't bet on him making it back for the Week 18 game against the Giants, which Philly still needs to land the top playoff seed and a Round 1 bye.
Bills S Jordan Poyer (knee) is active for tonight's game against the Bengals. He was questionable after getting in just 1 limited practice. On the Cincinnati side, DE Sam Hubbard (calf) is inactive.
Ravens HC John Harbaugh said Monday that he's still not sure if QB Lamar Jackson (knee) will be ready to play vs. the Bengals this weekend. "I don’t have an expectation until I hear more today,” Harbaugh said. "I’m just going to listen to the doctors and to Lamar and we’re prepared." The Ravens have clinched a playoff spot, but the Bengals would lock up the AFC North title with a win over the Bills tonight. That might ultimately impact whether Jackson plays this weekend. Stay tuned.
Niners LB Dre Greenlaw left Sunday's win over the Raiders with a back injury. HC Kyle Shanahan said Greenlaw would have a Monday MRI to determine the extent.
Giants DL Leonard Williams left Sunday's win over the Colts with a neck injury. He missed time earlier this season with a neck issue. We'll keep an eye on this one to see his Week 18 status. Don't be surprised if he sits, though, with a playoff berth sewed up.
Chiefs CB L'Jarius Sneed suffered a hip pointer in Sunday's win over the Broncos, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Sneed is considered day-to-day. We'll watch his status heading into Saturday's game against the Raiders.
Seahawks LB Jordyn Brooks tore his right ACL in Sunday's win over the Jets, HC Pete Carroll announced Monday. The late-season timing could threaten the start of Brooks' 2023 season. It might also affect the team's offseason decision on the 5th-year option for the former 1st-round picks. We'll keep an eye on all of that for a guy who has turned into 1 of fantasy's top-scoring LBs over the past 2 years. For Week 18, Tanner Muse is the next man up at LB. Expect Seattle to play more extra-DB alignments, though. Brooks and Muse combined to play just 66% of the snaps against the Jets.
Responding to a question about RB Gus Edwards playing 9 snaps on Sunday night, Ravens HC John Harbaugh expressed regret. “I wasn't happy about that, Harbaugh said. “Gus should have played more.” J.K. Dobbins out-carried Edwards 17-3, a week after Dobbins held a narrow edge (12-11). Edwards won’t be a recommended Week 18 fantasy play against Cincinnati.
Titans HC Mike Vrabel named QB Joshua Dobbs his starter for this weekend's must-win game vs. the Jaguars. It was the only logical move after Dobbs looked like a functional NFL QB in Thursday night's loss to the Cowboys -- something that hasn't been said about QB Malik Willis this season. Of course, the Titans will ride RB Derrick Henry as far as he can take them this Sunday.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport confirms that the Eagles expect QB Jalen Hurts (shoulder) to play vs. the Giants this weekend. After losing the last 2 weeks, the Eagles still need to win that one to clinch the NFC's #1 seed. Hurts got in limited practices last Thursday and Friday and reportedly threw it well. But Rapoport suggests that he wasn't able to gain full medical clearance to play. We'll continue to keep a close eye on his progress but will be projecting Hurts in our initial Week 18 Rankings.
Steelers TE Pat Freiermuth logged 3 receptions on 6 targets for 36 yards, leading all pass-catchers in Week 17 vs. the Ravens. WR Diontae Johnson wasn't too far behind with 35 yards and 2 catches on 7 targets. Sunday's win came mainly through the efforts of the Steelers' rushing attack and defensive contributions. This game wasn't a banner day for anyone whose primary responsibility is catching the ball. Week 18 will give this group an opportunity to bounce back in a fairly neutral matchup vs. the Browns.
Steelers RB Najee Harris totaled 111 rushing yards on 22 carries in Sunday's win vs. the Ravens. Harris also contributed a pair of catches for 12 yards and 1 TD as a receiver in Week 17. Rookie RB Jaylen Warren was effective in spelling Harris, logging an additional 76 yards on 12 carries on the ground and 3 receptions for 22 yards through the air. Fantasy managers playing into Week 18 will be thrilled to start Harris in a plus matchup vs. the Browns next Sunday. The Browns' defense ranked 30th in Football Outsiders' run defense DVOA entering Week 17 and didn't do much to stop Commanders RB Brian Robinson on Sunday.
Steelers QB Kenny Pickett completed 15 of 27 passes for 168 yards and 1 TD in Week 17's win vs. the Ravens. The rookie hasn't been much of a fantasy factor this season and his performance on Sunday night is more impressive in real life than anything else. Pickett has yet to throw for multiple TD passes in a game through 11 NFL starts and only has 4 games with over 200 passing yards. Still, he's shown flashes of promise at times and will be a fun name to watch in 2023 and beyond as he continues to learn and improve.
Ravens TE Mark Andrews roped in all 9 of his targets for 100 yards in Week 17's loss vs. the Steelers. The veteran hadn't recorded a game of 10+ PPR points since Week 12 vs. the Jaguars prior to Sunday. Fantasy managers who found their way to the championship round despite Andrews' lack of production were certainly happy to see this resurgence. Fellow TE Isaiah Likely is the only other Ravens' pass-catcher who recorded multiple receptions, hauling 3 of 5 targets for 13 yards and 1 TD. Week 17 is a reminder that despite a shoulder injury and QB Lamar Jackson missing time this season, Andrews remains a top-flight fantasy asset.
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