Bucs HC Todd Bowles plans to play his starters, including QB Tom Brady, in Sunday's regular-season finale vs. the Falcons, despite the Bucs being locked into the NFC's #4 seed. "We can get better at a lot of things, so right now, we plan on playing [Brady]," Bowles said Monday. "We'll see how the week goes going forward, but we can get better at a lot of things that we need to work on, and we don't need our foot off the gas." Bowles added that he'll consider pulling starters in the 2nd half. We'd be surprised if Brady played more than a half and don't expect RB Leonard Fournette or WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin to play the entire game, either.
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the Commanders are expected to start QB Taylor Heinicke against Dallas in the season finale. But he adds that rookie QB Sam Howell "is also slated to play." Take this news as an admission from HC Ron Rivera that he was wrong to start Carson Wentz in the Week 17 loss to Cleveland. With Washington now eliminated from playoff contention, though, it would seem to make more sense to just play the rookie the whole way. The reported plan, of course, makes both QBs unusable in fantasy football lineups. And the whole situation adds risk to Washington pass-catchers. We're not changing our outlook for RB Brian Robinson Jr., though. Check out the adjusted Week 18 fantasy football rankings.
Vikings HC Kevin O'Connell said Monday that he won't sit his starters in Sunday's regular-season finale vs. the Bears -- although he added that he could make "more subtle" adjustments to playing time. The Vikings can't get the NFC's #1 seed but are still alive for the #2 seed with a win plus a loss by the 49ers. Minnesota kicks off at 1 pm ET, while 49ers-Cardinals doesn't start until 4:25 pm ET, so there won't be any scoreboard watching going on. It's possible that the Vikings pull guys like QB Kirk Cousins, RB Dalvin Cook, WR Justin Jefferson and TE T.J. Hockenson if they build a big lead, but we're currently projecting full playing time for all of them.
Titans RB Derrick Henry (hip) was a full participant in Tuesday's practice. It's confirmation that he'll be ready for roll for Saturday's must-win game vs. the Jaguars.
Raiders QB Jarrett Stidham (right elbow) was limited in Tuesday's practice. That throwing arm must be a little sore after chucking 34 passes in last week's overtime loss to the 49ers. Stidham should be under center for Saturday's finale vs. the Chiefs, but we'll keep an eye on him over the next few days.
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs (hip, oblique) was limited in Tuesday's practice. The hip and oblique are new issues for Jacobs, who briefly left last week's loss to the 49ers. But the fact that he was out there at all on Tuesday puts him on track to play in Saturday's finale vs. the Chiefs.
Chiefs WR Skyy Moore (hand) did not practice on Tuesday. We don't have any details on his injury, but the rookie is seemingly in danger of missing Saturday's regular-season finale vs. the Raiders. Moore's absence could mean more snaps for WR Kadarius Toney.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence (toe) did not practice on Tuesday. He, of course, has been playing through this injury since Week 13 and will be out there for Saturday's game vs. the Titans for the AFC South title.
The NFL announced Tuesday that it won't resume the Bills-Bengals game -- halted by S Damar Hamlin's collapse -- this week. The league added that it will keep the Week 18 schedule intact and that no decision has yet been made on how to treat Monday night's game going forward. That means fantasy football leagues and contest providers will either have to wait for further word on the resumption of that contest or figure out alternate solutions. We'll certainly be watching for updates on that front -- as well as, of course, any updates on Hamlin's condition.
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.
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