Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance will start against the Washington Commanders in Week 18, according to insider Patrik Walker. Cooper Rush, who tallied 1,844 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions while filling in for Dak Prescott (hamstring), heads to the bench for Sunday's season finale. This move is not a reflection of Rush's performance but rather gives the Cowboys an opportunity to get extra game film on Lance as they continue to evaluate the quarterback position going forward. Both Rush and Lance are free agents in March, and it's likely that Dallas will only keep one (or zero) of them as Prescott's backup in 2025. In the short-term, Lance, a former No. 3 overall pick, gets a chance to showcase his talents against a Commanders team that intends to play all of its starters. The ex-49er has just 22 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception through limited action in 2024. He ranks as a mid-to-high QB3 in Week 18 with some extra upside thanks to his rushing ability.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley (coach's decision) is officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants. He had been listed as doubtful, so his absence this weekend was widely expected. After all, the Eagles' plan to rest many key starters has been well-documented. The 27-year-old finishes his first season with the Eagles just 100 rushing yards shy of Erick Dickerson's single-season record. Although he didn't break the record, Barkley still had a phenomenal season with 2,005 rushing yards, 278 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns, making him the clear RB1 in fantasy football. Kenneth Gainwell will lead Philadelphia's backfield in Week 18.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers A.J. Brown (coach's decision) and DeVonta Smith (coach's decision) are officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants. Both players had been listed as doubtful, so their absence this weekend was widely expected. After all, the Eagles' plan to rest many key starters has been well-documented. Brown's season ends with 67 catches, 1,079 yards, and seven touchdowns through 13 games. His WR17 finish (PPR) represents his worst ranking since 2021, but he certainly would have ranked higher if he had not missed four contests. The same could be said of Brown, who was the WR24 this year with 687 catches, 833 yards, and eight touchdowns through 13 games. Jahan Dotson and Johnny Wilson will operate as the Eagles' top wide receivers on Sunday afternoon.

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Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (coach's decision) and linebacker Zack Baun (coach's decision) are officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants. Both players had been listed as doubtful, so their absence this weekend was widely expected. After all, the Eagles' plan to rest many key starters has been well-documented. Carter finishes the regular season with 42 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles through 16 games. Meanwhile, Baun was one of the NFL's top tacklers and premier IDP weapons with 150 tackles, 3.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and one interception. ThomasBooker IV and Oren Burks are candidates to replace Carter and Baun, respectively.

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Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Darius Slay (coach's decision) and linebacker Nakobe Dean (coach's decision) are officially inactive for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants. Both players had been listed as doubtful, so their absence this weekend was widely expected. After all, the Eagles' plan to rest many key starters has been well-documented. Slay finishes the 2024 season with 49 tackles, one forced fumble, and one recovery. However, he will end the year with zero interceptions for the first time since his rookie campaign in 2013. Meanwhile, Dean was a key IDP weapon this year, amassing 128 tackles, three sacks, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries, and one interception through 15 games. Isaiah Rodgers is a likely candidate to replace Slay on defense, while Oren Burks and Jeremiah Trotter are expected to fill in for Dean and Zack Baun (coach's decision).

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip) is unlikely to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival New York Jets on Sunday due to a unique hip injury that affects the surrounding muscles and leaves him vulnerable to further injury, according to sources. Tagovailoa has pushed to play when his team needs him the most, but it's not a guarantee that he'll be available if the Dolphins win in Week 18 and advance to wild-card weekend. Tagovailoa said his general feeling is worse than how he felt a week after he had ankle surgery during his final season in college in 2019. Head coach Mike McDaniel said it's the same hip that Tagovailoa had surgically repaired, but it's a different injury. While Tua does have a career-high 72.9 completion percentage, 19 TDs and seven interceptions, he's played in only 11 games after a stint on Injured Reserve due to another concussion.

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Detroit Lions LB Alex Anzalone (forearm) will play in Week 18 versus the Minnesota Vikings, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It will be his first game action since Week 11, when he fractured his forearm. Anzalone will wear a special pad on his forearm for protection and is expected to have his number of defensive snaps monitored.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (ankle) said on Saturday that he has been playing through a left high-ankle sprain and will continue to do so if the Bengals make the playoffs. "I have no choice," Higgins said. The 25-year-old pass-catcher was forced to leave in the second half of Saturday night's win over the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers with his ankle issue and never returned. The Bengals need both the Broncos and Dolphins to lose on Sunday to get into the postseason, but if it all comes to fruition, Higgins will try to continue playing through his injury. Higgins has 11 catches for 131 yards and three touchdowns in the Week 17 win over the Broncos but only had four catches for 53 yards on Saturday before leaving early. If the Bengals advance, Higgins could carry a questionable tag into wild-card weekend.

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Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) was not able to practice this week and will sit out the Week 18 matchup against the New York Giants. Hurts has now missed back-to-back games due to a concussion, but he appears to be making progress. The superstar quarterback is on track to practice this upcoming week. That is great news as the Eagles desperately need Hurts back on the field before the Wild-Card Round next weekend. Backup quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) is currently injured and out for Week 18. That could leave Tanner McKee to start a playoff game, so hopefully Hurts is able to practice this week and suit up next weekend. The Eagles injury report is going to be something to monitor throughout the week.

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Washington Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) will be active for Week 18's game versus the Dallas Cowboys.

Fantasy Spin: Ekeler was a full participant in all three of Washington's practice sessions during the week and was activated from the Reserve/Injured list Saturday, Jan. 4. He will be seeing his first game action since Week 12, which also happened to be against the Cowboys, but should not be viewed as a viable fantasy lineup option playing behind Brian Robinson Jr. this afternoon.

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Updating a previous report, Tampa Bay Buccaneers SS Jordan Whitehead (neck) will miss the remainder of the season due to a neck injury sustained in a recent car crash, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. However, he is expected to be fine in the long run.

From TheHuddle

Detroit Lions linebacker Alex Anzalone (forearm) will suit up for the Week 18 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Anzalone is back in action after being activated from the injured reserve over the weekend. He has been sidelined since suffering a fractured forearm in Week 11. Anzalone will be on the field but he'll have his snaps monitored during this game. His return to the field is a welcoming sight for this banged up defensive unit. This season, Anzalone has 56 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and four passes defended in nine games. The veteran linebacker will give a boost to this defense even if he's only playing in a limited role.

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Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch has struggled to make a significant impact on the field throughout the season. Dortch has been mostly quiet outside of a 60-yard performance in Week 16. Since then, Dortch has four receptions for 37 yards over the last two games. Last week, Dortch hauled in three receptions, but it didn't add up to much yardage. He's currently the third wideout on the roster, but is probably the fourth passing option with tight end Trey McBride ahead of him. That being said, Dortch isn't a trustworthy option for the Week 18 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

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Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer has decent upside, but has been stuck as the primary backup to Brock Bowers this season. That being said, Mayer hasn't done much this season outside of a seven-catch performance in Week 14. Since then, Mayer has two receptions for 25 yards over the last three games. The 23-year-old has played over 60 percent of the offensive snaps over the last five games. However, he's unlikely to be a viable fantasy option with Bowers healthy. Mayer might be worth holding in dynasty leagues, but isn't someone worth streaming for the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers.

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Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely moved into a bigger role partway through the game against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday after Zay Flowers (knee) left the game. The 24-year-old finished with three catches for 38 yards on five targets but wasn't able to find the end zone. In his third season, Likely set career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. He has shown flashes of starting tight end abilities as he finished in the top 20 for fantasy points per game at the position, but remains behind Mark Andrews. He'll likely see some more opportunities during their first playoff game though with Flowers probably sidelined.

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Ainias Smith is expected to see more of the field during the Week 18 matchup against the New York Giants. The Eagles are playing a majority of their backups during the regular season finale. That means, Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson, and Smith should all see increased playing time this weekend. Also, third string quarterback Tanner McKee is under center, so none of these wideouts are going to have great value here. The increased reps will be nice for Smith, but he isn't someone worth streaming for Week 18.

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Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews ended the season on a six-game run with at least one touchdown in each matchup, including one against the Cleveland Browns on Saturday to help win the division. He registered four catches for 54 yards and a touchdown on eight targets which pushed him into fourth for the most receiving touchdowns in the NFL. The only three currently ahead of him are Ja'Maar Chase, Terry McLaurin, and Amon-Ra St. Brown. Despite his small rough patch this season, he'll likely finish as a top-five fantasy tight end again and awaits a big role in their first-round playoff matchup since Zay Flowers (knee) is likely out.

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Detroit Lions running back Craig Reynolds (back) is currently listed as questionable ahead of Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Reynolds seemed fine all week until popping up on the injury report on Friday. As a result, Reynolds gets tagged as questionable for this game with could leave the Lions shorthanded with David Montgomery (knee) already ruled out. That means, Jermar Jefferson would likely serve as the primary backup if Reynolds is unable to play. Last week, Reynolds rushed seven times for 31 yards while hauling in both his targets for 35 yards in the win. Reynolds could be a possible deep league option for fantasy managers still in championship games this weekend. Otherwise, Reynolds can be avoided for this big Sunday night matchup.

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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. has seen increased playing time over the last few weeks. Austin has seen 70 percent of the offensive snaps or more during each of the last three games. Sadly, Austin hasn't been able to do much with the extra snaps. The 24-year-old has three receptions for 48 yards over the span. The expectation is Austin will continue seeing plenty of the field during Sunday's regular season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. However, Austin hasn't done enough on the field lately to be considered a viable fantasy option.

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Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman finished off the best season of his career with another touchdown as the team wrapped up the division with a win over the Cleveland Browns. The Minnesota product finished with five receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown on eight targets. After four touchdowns combined in his first three seasons, Bateman registered nine scores this season to go along with 756 yards and 45 receptions on 72 targets. Before the rest of the Week 18 games kickoff, Bateman is tied for the ninth-most receiving touchdowns in the NFL.

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