Los Angeles Chargers running back Gus Edwards (ankle) did not participate with the rest of the team in Wednesday's practice. Edwards didn't play in the Week 17 win over the New England Patriots last Saturday and is firmly in danger of missing a second straight game in the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. Depending on the outcome of the Bengals-Steelers game on Saturday, the Chargers could be locked into the No. 6 seed in the AFC for the playoffs. If the Bolts cannot move up to the No. 5 seed with a win over Vegas, they almost certainly would rest injured players like Edwards. Even if Edwards were to play this weekend, his fantasy value would take a hit now that J.K. Dobbins is back from Injured Reserve. There's a good chance that rookie Kimani Vidal could lead LA's backfield in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers acknowledged that the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Miami Dolphins -- his 241st career start -- could be his last. The 41-year-old future Hall of Famer said he'll decide before free agency in March whether to play another year in 2025. Rodgers is open to returning to the Jets next year if the new regime will have him, but that's unlikely to happen. He missed all of 2023 due to a torn Achilles and ranks 25th out of 33 qualified QBs in total QBR this year with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while leading the Jets to a 4-12 record. Rodgers needs one TD to become the fifth player in NFL history with 500 TD passes, and he needs only 115 passing yards to pass Matt Ryan for seventh on the career list. The four-time MVP will be going for those milestones this Sunday and will be in play as a midrange QB2 in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles wide receivers A.J. Brown (knee) and DeVonta Smith (wrist) were both held out of practice on Wednesday. Both Brown and Smith played in the Week 17 blowout win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys, and they combined for three touchdowns. Brown and Smith are both likely fine from a health perspective heading into the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. However, with the Eagles having already locked up the No. 2 seed in the NFC for the postseason, they are planning to rest key starters this weekend. If Brown and Smith are even active against New York, there's a good chance they won't see the field much, if at all. Fantasy managers would be wise to avoid Philly's offense altogether, but Jahan Dotson and rookies Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith should see much larger roles.

From RotoBaller

Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers Ladd McConkey (toe) and Joshua Palmer (foot) were both listed as non-participants in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. McConkey is dealing with a new injury, but he seemed fine in the Week 17 beatdown of the New England Patriots, when he had eight catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns. The 23-year-old second-rounder has been a must-start in fantasy all year in his first season in the NFL as quarterback Justin Herbert's favorite target. However, the Chargers could rest him and other key starters on offense in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. If the Steelers beat the Bengals on Saturday, the Bolts would be locked into the No. 6 seed in the AFC for the playoffs and wouldn't have much incentive to play their starters.

From RotoBaller

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Kenny Pickett (ribs) did not practice in the team's first session of the week on Wednesday. Pickett is dealing with broken ribs and was forced from the Week 17 blowout win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys in favor of third-stringer Tanner McKee. The Eagles are already locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC for the postseason, and head coach Nick Sirianni has confirmed that he plans to rest starts in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants, including running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion), who was inactive last week. The 26-year-old Pickett's availability is in question, but if we had to guess right now, we'd be surprised if Pickett plays. McKee did throw two touchdowns in mop-up duty last week, but fantasy managers should be looking to avoid Philly's offense in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie tight end Devin Culp (ribs) is on the team's Week 18 injury report and was listed as a limited participant in the first practice of the week on Wednesday. Culp has only appeared in four games his rookie season, but his status is more important heading into the regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival New Orleans Saints with both Cade Otton (knee) and Payne Durham (quadriceps) missing practice. The Bucs must win on Sunday to secure a playoff berth and the NFC South championship, so they won't be resting any players this weekend. Culp is probably only worth fantasy consideration as a DFS sleeper if both Otton and Durham are ruled out. The 24-year-old contributed for the first time all year in the Week 17 win over the division-rival Carolina Panthers, catching three of his four targets for 52 yards.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller

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.

From RotoBaller