Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight ends Cade Otton (knee) and Payne Durham (quadriceps) both missed practice on Wednesday. Otton has missed the last two games due to a left-knee injury and is fully in danger of missing a third straight game in the Week 18 regular-season contest versus the division-rival New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Now that Durham is also on the injury report, the Bucs' TE room could be down to Devin Culp (ribs) this weekend. In a game that the Bucs need to win in order to clinch the NFC South and a playoff berth, their TE situation is worth monitoring for fantasy purposes. The 25-year-old Otton is the team's unquestioned top TE when he's healthy, but Culp could be an attractive low-cost DFS option if both Otton and Durham are ruled out. In the Week 17 win over the division-rival Carolina Panthers, Culp contributed for the first time all year, catching three of four targets for 52 yards.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Sterling Shepard (hamstring) was listed as limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Shepard did not play in the Week 17 win over the division-rival Carolina Panthers due to foot and hamstring injuries, but a limited session on Wednesday means he could be on track to return in Week 18 in a must-win game against the division-rival New Orleans Saints this Sunday. The 31-year-old could be removed from the final injury report entirely by Friday if he's able to upgrade to a full practice. If Shepard returns to face the Saints, he'll be a touchdown-dependent WR4/5, at best, for fantasy managers. Due to the recent resurgence of rookie wideout Jalen McMillan, Shepard is Tampa's clear WR3 behind McMillan and veteran Mike Evans when he's healthy. Shepard has been outside the top-50 receivers in half-PPR points per game in 2024.

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In the team's first practice of Week 18 preparation, Miami Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill (wrist) and Jaylen Waddle (knee) were both listed as limited participants. Hill has been on the injury report for most of the year while managing a wrist injury, but it hasn't caused him to miss any games and he should be ready to go for a must-win Week 18 game on Sunday against the division-rival New York Jets in the regular-season finale. Waddle, meanwhile, has missed the last two games with a knee injury and is much more up in the air. Of the two, Hill is the much better fantasy option with WR1 upside in Week 18. With quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip) sitting out the Week 17 win over the Cleveland Browns, Tyler Huntley and Hill connected nine times on nine targets for 105 yards. If Waddle is able to return this weekend, he should be considered a risky, low-floor WR4/flex in fantasy lineups.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie running back Bucky Irving (shin, shoulder) was listed as limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Although Irving is dealing with two injuries leading up to the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints, he should be fine to play this weekend. The 22-year-old has been playing through injuries all year and has been the team's most productive back, posting 1,033 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 188 carries while also adding 45 receptions and 397 yards through the air in his first 16 NFL games. The Buccaneers need to win to secure the NFC South title and a playoff berth, so none of their starters will be rested. Irving continues to split backfield touches with Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, but he will be a high-end RB1 for fantasy managers in Week 18.

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Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (knee) was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice session. Watson suffered a bruised left knee in the Week 16 win over the New Orleans Saints and didn't practice or play in last week's loss to the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. The fact that the 25-year-old still isn't practicing isn't a good sign for his availability in the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday against the division-rival Chicago Bears, but Watson does still have two more days to return to the field. Watson's injury isn't considered very serious, but given his injury history, the Packers are more likely to err on the side of caution again this week to make sure he's ready to go for the playoffs. If Watson returns to practice in the next two days and plays, he'll be a shaky WR4/flex in fantasy lineups. Watson has averaged only 5.9 half-PPR points this year and has only scored twice.

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Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said the team doesn't plan on playing backup quarterback Sam Howell in their Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams. The Seahawks were eliminated from postseason contention in Week 17, but it sounds as though they plan to play all of their starters this weekend to close out the season. Howell has played only 25 offensive snaps in his first year in Seattle and didn't look particularly confident in the rare instances he got into a game this year. Despite dealing with a nagging knee injury of late, the 34-year-old Geno Smith should start and play all of the Week 18 game, lining him up as a QB1 option this week with so many starters across the league being rested in the season finale. Smith enters Week 18 as the QB13 in overall fantasy points with 4,097 passing yards, 17 TDs and 15 interceptions in 16 games.

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Green Bay Packers running backs Josh Jacobs (wrist) and Chris Brooks (ankle) were both listed as limited in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Jacobs is dealing with what appears to be a minor wrist injury heading into the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival Chicago Bears at Lambeau Field. The Packers have a shot to move up to the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoff picture with a win this weekend and a Washington Commanders loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and from all indications, the Packers don't have any plans to rest starters, including Jacobs. Keep an eye on the 26-year-old's practice status the rest of the week, but barring a setback, Jacobs should play on Sunday and should be treated as a strong RB1 option in fantasy when considering that many other starting RBs will be rested this weekend.

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According to the team, New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) logged a full practice on Wednesday. Olave was a full participant in practice last week but was unable to pass concussion protocol in time to suit up in Week 17. The wideout has been sidelined since suffering his second concussion of the season during Week 9 against the Carolina Panthers. Even though Olave has been limited by injuries all season, he has continued to showcase his high upside when on the field. During four of the six full games he played in, Olave tallied at least 80 yards in each contest. If Olave can return for the final game of the season, he should be viewed as a solid WR2 in all formats despite the poor QB play New Orleans has had with Derek Carr (hand) sidelined.

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According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. (rib/knee) did not practice on Wednesday. Samuel saw his typical snap count during Monday's loss to the Detroit Lions. Fantasy managers should continue to keep a close eye on his status throughout the week, as he may be in danger of missing Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. Samuel has found the end zone in each of his past two games but has had an overall disappointing season. Since Week 10, he has just averaged a mere 9.0 PPR points per game. During this span he has seen just 5.3 targets per game. If Samuel is unable to play on Sunday, Jauan Jennings will operate as the top wideout in the offense and rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall would slot in as the No.2 option.

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According to the team, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jaylen Warren (ribs) upgraded to full participation during Wednesday's practice session. This is a great sign, as Warren was listed as limited participation during Tuesday's initial session. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status on Thursday in case he faces a setback. Over the past two weeks, Warren has logged more offensive snaps than the presumed No.1 option in the backfield, Najee Harris. Warren has averaged 11.5 attempts and 5.5 targets per game during this two-game stretch. If Warren is off the injury report on Thursday, he should be viewed as a solid RB2 in PPR formats facing the Cincinnati Bengals, given his elite receiving ability.

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According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (hand) did not practice on Wednesday. Carr has been sidelined since suffering this injury during their Week 14 victory over the New York Giants. While sidelined, Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler have each been given starting opportunities. While Carr has expressed interest in returning this season, seeing him open the week as a non-participant is not a positive sign. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the week. If Carr cannot play, Spencer Rattler will likely get his third-straight start. Last weekend, during his loss to the Raiders, he threw for 218 yards, one score, and two interceptions. He would be viewed as a risky QB2 facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (groin) did not practice on Wednesday. The star running back has been sidelined over the past two games and could be in danger of missing the final game of the season. While he has been sidelined, Kendre Miller has taken over starting duties. However, he was also a non-participant due to a concussion on Wednesday. During the first 14 games of the season, Kamara has averaged a strong 18.9 PPR points per game. He has averaged over 100 all-purpose yards per game, tallying 16.3 attempts and seeing 6.4 targets per game. If Kamara cannot return to action Miller would likely reclaim starting duties. If Miller is also unable to play, then Jamaal Williams, Jordan Mims, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire would share the backfield against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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According to the team, the Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (knee) was placed on injured reserve, which will keep him sidelined for the remainder of the 2024 season. In a corresponding move, Michael Carter was promoted to the active roster. Conner suffered a knee injury during their Week 16 loss to the Carolina Panthers and was listed as questionable leading up to their Week 17 tilt against the Rams. Conner was able to suit up in this contest but exited the game after just 12 offensive snaps. In this game, Conner ran the ball just four times for four yards and brought in two receptions for four yards. Rookie Trey Benson (ankle) is also on injured reserve, which will leave DeeJay Dallas and now Michael Carter as the lone backs for their final game. Carter saw the most work when Conner exited both games, which suggests he will be the lead option on Sunday afternoon.

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According to Nick Wagoner of ESPN, San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (ankle/hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to their final game of the season against the Arizona Cardinals. With the 49ers out of playoff contention, Kittle may face an uphill battle to clear protocol in order to suit up. On Monday evening, during their loss to the Detroit Lions, Kittle brought in all eight of his targets for 112 yards. This was his second-straight contest tallying at least 100 yards and the fourth time this season he has accomplished this feat. Since Week 12, he has averaged a strong 15.2 PPR points per game. Even though Joshua Dobbs will be under center on Sunday, Kittle remains a must-start tight end if he is cleared to play.

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Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Wednesday that wide receiver Diontae Johnson will make his team debut in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Tennessee Titans on Sunday. "He's picking it up pretty fast. We'll try to put him in situations to utilize his strengths," Ryans said. After a disastrous short tenure with the Baltimore Ravens in which he caught one of his five targets for six yards in four games and was also suspended for conduct detrimental to the team after being frustrated with his lack of a role, Johnson will attempt to carve out a role in Houston alongside Nico Collins with both Tank Dell (knee) and Stefon Diggs (knee) out for the year. The 28-year-old caught 30 passes for 357 yards and three TDs in seven games with the Panthers before being traded to Baltimore. He'll be a true wild card during the postseason, and it remains to be seen how much he'll be involved this Sunday in a meaningless game.

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Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (concussion) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Wednesday. Strong suffered a concussion in the Week 17 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday and is now in the league's concussion protocol. With two straight DNPs this week and a meaningless Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Baltimore Ravens on a short week on Saturday, it's looking unlikely that the 26-year-old will suit up for the last game of the season. In addition to Strong, Jerome Ford (ankle) has yet to practice this week and could also be out this weekend. If both Ford and Strong are unavailable for the Browns, D'Onta Foreman would most likely see the lion's share of work in the backfield in a bad Browns offense, with John Kelly in line for backup duties for Cleveland.

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For the second straight day this week, Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (ankle) was not seen at practice on Wednesday. Brown also missed the team's walkthrough session on Tuesday, although his DNP on Wednesday is more important. The 24-year-old reportedly suffered a mild high-ankle sprain late in the overtime win over the Denver Broncos on Saturday in Week 17. The Bengals are hoping that he will be available for a must-win divisional clash in Week 18 against the Pittsburgh Steelers this Saturday, Brown's availability is very much up in the air after two DNPs so far this week. He's probably going to need to practice on Thursday to avoid being ruled out entirely. Brown has been a do-it-all workhorse in Cincy's high-octane offense in 2024 and has been a must-start in fantasy lineups. However, backup Khalil Herbert could be forced into starting duties against the Steelers on Saturday.

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Kansas City Chiefs rookie running back Carson Steele has been told that he'll see extra work in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Denver Broncos. The specifics of Steele's role are unclear, but it's likely that the Chiefs will be resting Isiah Pacheco (ribs) with the team having nothing to play for with the No. 1 seed already locked up in the AFC for the postseason. Kareem Hunt could be active this weekend, but he might not see the field much before being pulled. So if fantasy managers playing DFS contests want any exposure to KC's backfield with backup quarterback Carson Wentz leading the offense, they'll want to look to the 22-year-old Steele as their man. Still, Steele will have limited upside against a top-five defense on the road in Denver. Steele has averaged a dismal 3.3 yards per carry on his 48 rushing attempts and hasn't found the end zone in 16 games in 2024.

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Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo will make the start in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Seattle Seahawks, according to head coach Sean McVay. McVay acknowledged earlier this week that he would most likely rest his starts in the regular-season finale despite the fact that the Rams could fall from the No. 3 seed to the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoff picture if they lose to Seattle on Sunday and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the New Orleans Saints. In addition to quarterback Matthew Stafford sitting this weekend, the Rams will also likely rest other key offensive starters such as running back Kyren Williams and receivers Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. Garoppolo has started 63 games in his NFL career, but the 33-year-old hasn't started at all in 2024 and will most likely be working with mostly backups, making him an unappealing QB2 for fantasy purposes.

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Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said if running back Tony Pollard (ankle, illness) cannot play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Houston Texans, the team will likely go with a committee backfield of Julius Chestnut, Joshua Kelley and Jabari Small, who would be called up from the practice squad to the active 53-man roster for the final game of the year. Tyjae Spears suffered a concussion in last week's loss to the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars and will almost certainly be ruled out by Friday. The 27-year-old Pollard remains up in the air to play this weekend, but with the Titans having nothing left to play for but pride, it's unlikely he'll have much of a role if he is active. Chestnut would probably be the best sleeper DFS dart throw in Week 18 if Pollard is declared out on Sunday.

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