New England Patriots tight end Austin Hooper has fallen off the fantasy radar ahead of Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Buffalo Bills. Hooper enjoyed an impressive stretch of games from Week 10 through Week 13 during which he was the overall TE10 in PPR leagues, but he has just 10 catches for 112 yards in three games since then. Equally noteworthy is the fact that his snap share dropped to 45 percent last Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers, which is the lowest it has been since Week 12. It's possible that this was an anomaly based on scheme and game plan, as fellow tight end Hunter Henry also played reduced snaps. However, it's still a sign that Hooper's role in the offense may be declining. As long as he remains behind Henry, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and perhaps Kendrick Bourne in the pecking order, he can be avoided in fantasy football. Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for production at the tight end position in Week 18.

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Seattle Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh remains the backup to Zach Charbonnet heading into Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Los Angeles Rams. McIntosh played just 25 percent of the offensive snaps last week, rushing seven times for 46 yards on the ground. He was highly efficient but took a backseat to Charbonnet, as expected. McIntosh's efficiency could earn him some extra snaps against the Rams, but he's still expected to be the clear No. 2 option behind Charbonnet. The 24-year-old ranks as a low-end RB4 ahead of his matchup against a Rams defense allowing the 11th-most rushing yards to opposing running backs in 2024.

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New England Patriots wide receiver Kendrick Bourne continues to trend in the wrong direction ahead of Sunday's Week 18 matchup against the Buffalo Bills. The 29-year-old has seen his role decline over the last two weeks, during which he has been less productive than both DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte. Bourne played just 72 percent of the offensive snaps against the Los Angeles Chargers, and his two receptions tied his lowest mark since Week 8. The Bills have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to perimeter receivers, but that's less appealing when you consider that Boutte continues to handle more snaps than Bourne. Despite the favorable matchup, Bourne's reduced volume keeps him outside the top 50 fantasy receivers for Week 18. He ranks as a mid-to-low WR5.

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The Detroit Lions activated wide receiver Kalif Raymond (foot) and linebacker Alex Anzalone (forearm) from injured reserve on Saturday. Raymond had been sidelined ever since Week 12, and he's expected to remain behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Tim Patrick in the pecking order upon his return this weekend. He caught just 16 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns through the 11 games for which he was healthy this season, and he remains off the fantasy radar in all leagues. Meanwhile, Anzalone is back from a six-week absence. He contributed 56 tackles and one sack when healthy, and his return provides a major boost to a Lions defense that has been decimated by injuries in 2024.

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Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) has been activated from injured reserve. He will play in Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Dallas Cowboys. The 29-year-old missed the minimum of four games after suffering a serious concussion on a special teams play back in Week 12. He looked solid in a backup role when healthy, totaling 355 rushing yards, 346 receiving yards, and four touchdowns while operating as the Commanders' No. 2 running back behind Brian Robinson Jr. Ekeler remains a low-end RB3/FLEX play in his return to the field on Sunday.

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Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) has officially been activated from injured reserve ahead of Sunday's Week 18 contest against the New York Giants. Goedert missed the minimum of four games, putting a pause on what has been one of the worst seasons of his career. Through just nine games, he has 38 catches, 441 yards, and a career-low two touchdowns. He ranks 29th among tight ends in fantasy points this season, and he'll be a mid-range TE2 option for Sunday's divisional contest. Unfortunately for Goedert, the Giants have allowed the fewest fantasy points to opposing tight ends in 2024.

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According to Katherine Terrell of ESPN, the New Orleans Saints have ruled out wide receiver Chris Olave (concussion) for Sunday's regular season finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The star wideout has been sidelined since suffering his second concussion of the season during their Week 9 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Even though Olave has been able to participate in practice as a full participant over the past two weeks, Olave has not been able to pass the league's protocol to officially suit up. The 24-year-old has only been able to participate in just six full games this season. Across this small sample size, Olave tallied at least 80 receiving yards in four of them and found the end zone once. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Kevin Austin to lead the passing attack on Sunday.

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Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert has had a disappointing 2024 campaign. The 2023 rushing touchdown leader has only scored two all year, and his carries have taken a drastic hit due to some fumble troubles in the middle of the season. Overall, the Miami offense has found running the football challenging this year, ranking 24th in rushing yards per game. Week 18 presents a matchup with the New York Jets, who have been solid at defending opposing running backs. They rank 12th in fantasy points allowed to running backs. That, combined with the run-blocking inconsistencies of the Miami offensive line, makes Mostert a sit for Week 18.

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Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce should not be started in any format on Sunday afternoon facing the Tennessee Titans. Last weekend, Pierce logged 14 offensive snaps, which was his second-highest total of the season. In this game, he ran the ball five times for 13 yards. He also ran six routes but was not targeted. While he did see a slightly increased role and logged more touches, Dare Ogunbowale has continued to see more offensive snaps over the past month. However, both running backs are being deployed as clear depth options as Joe Mixon is the lead workhorse in Houston. As a result, Pierce should not be started in any formats this weekend despite a favorable matchup against the Titans who have allowed the 12th-most PPR points to opposing running backs this season.

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Washington Commanders running back Jeremy McNichols is not a viable play in all format on Sunday when the Commanders face the Dallas Cowboys. Last weekend in their overtime victory over the Atlanta Falcons, McNichols saw just one rushing attempt. During Weeks 15 and 16, McNichols saw two attempts in each contest. With Austin Ekeler (concussion) sidelined, McNichols has struggled to continue to remain in the No.2 role, as Chris Rodriguez Jr. has begun to carve out a larger role behind Brian Robinson Jr. However, McNichols may be in danger of even losing the No.3 spot as Ekeler is listed as questionable for this game after logging three consecutive full practices and is nearing a return. Even if Ekeler does not return to action, McNichols remains a high-risk desperation play in this contest.

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According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Green Bay Packers are placing defensive back Jaire Alexander (knee) was placed on the injured reserve on Saturday. As a result, Alexander will miss the next four contests, leaving the door open for a return in the Super Bowl, if the Packers were to reach that game. For the time being, fantasy managers should expect Carrington Valentine to continue to have an increased role in the Green Bay secondary. Alexander logged only six full games during the regular season. Across this stint, he tallied 16 tackles (15 solo) with seven pass deflections and two interceptions.

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According to Kelsey Russo, Cleveland Browns defensive back Cameron Mitchell (knee) and defensive end Ogbo Okoronkwo (knee) are both active for Saturday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. Both players carried a questionable tag into the weekend after logging limited practice sessions throughout the week. Fantasy managers should expect Mitchell to have an increased role in this game with No.1 defensive back Denzel Ward (shoulder) inactive. Okoronkwo should continue to be deployed as rotational piece on the defensive line subbing in for Myles Garrett.

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According to Kelsey Russo of the Browns, quarterback Jameis Winston (shoulder) is inactive for Saturday's game against the Baltimore Ravens. He will operate as the No.3, emergency quarterback. Winston came into this game logging three limited practice sessions and carrying a questionable tag. Winston has not been on the field since their Week 15 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs. Over his past seven games, Winston posted a 12:12 TD:INT ratio while averaging 291.1 passing yards per game. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Bailey Zappe to get the starting nod but No.2 option Dorian Thompson-Robinson should be in line to see some opportunities. Both quarterbacks should be faded in all fantasy competitions.

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According to the team, the Jacksonville Jaguars have ruled out defensive end Josh Hines-Allen (personal) for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Indianapolis Colts. In a corresponding move, the Jaguars have elevated defensive end Joe Gaziano from the practice squad. Hines-Allen has not missed a game all season. Through 16 contests, the former first round selection tallied 45 tackles (26 solo), 19 assists, eight sacks, two pass deflections, with a forced fumble. Fantasy managers should expect Myles Cole to have increased role in Sunday's contest.

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According to the team, Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Nelson Agholor (concussion) will not suit up on Saturday afternoon against the Cleveland Browns. Agholor missed the previous two games with a concussion but was able to avoid an injury designation on Thursday's final injury report. However, the team will opt to keep him sidelined in the regular season finale as the Ravens have already clinched a playoff spot. Over his past six games, he saw only seven targets and was only able to bring in three of them for 61 yards and a score. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman to see most of the passing work with Tylan Wallace moving up to the No.3 spot on the depth chart.

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According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins hope to play together for "years to come." Rapoport noted that sources say that the three players have made it "their goal." Burrow has expressed heavy interest in keeping Tee Higgins under team control before he enters free agency this offseason. Chase has one more year left on his rookie contract but attempted to negotiate a long-term contract this past offseason. Discussions were eventually put on hold shortly before Week 1. However, their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday evening could be their last game together if Higgins is unable to agree to a contract to remain in Cincinnati this offseason. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor this situation throughout the offseason as Burrow would see his fantasy ceiling drop if he were to lose one of his star wideouts. Burrow has already set a career-high in touchdown passes and yards this season.

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Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier should be viewed as a risky RB3 heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Last weekend Allgeier saw just three attempts during their overtime loss to the Washington Commanders. However, during Weeks 13 through 16, Allgeier ran the ball an average of ten times per game. While Allgeier may see a similar workload as he did during that stretch this Sunday, he only averaged 6.0 PPR points per game over this previous span which suggests he has a limited ceiling playing behind Bijan Robinson. Despite facing a weak Carolina Panthers defense that has allowed the most PPR points to opposing running backs, the BYU product projects to be a risky RB3 given his minimal role in the Atlanta offense as the clear No.2 option in the backfield.

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Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III projects to be a risky flex option in a Week 18 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. Last weekend against the Baltimore Ravens, Metchie saw a team-high eight targets and was able to bring in five of them for 48 yards. With Tank Dell (knee) out for the season, fantasy managers should continue to expect Metchie to operate as a starting option in the Houston passing attack. While he has only caught three or more passes in four games this season, fantasy managers should expect him to have an increased role going forward. Even though the Texans are locked into the No.4 seed in the AFC, they do not appear to be resting any players in this game against the Titans. Therefore, Metchie has a path to being a viable flex option despite facing a tougher Tennessee secondary that has allowed the third-fewest PPR points to opposing wideouts this season.

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According to Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead (undisclosed) was placed on the non-football injury list after being involved in an automobile accident earlier on Saturday. Stroud noted that Whitehead is not expected to return this season given the extent of the injuries. As a result fantasy managers should expect Kaevon Merriweather to see an uptick in playing time for the remainder of the season. Whitehead will finish the season with 79 tackles (49 solo), 30 assists, and three pass deflections across 12 contests. This is another tough blow to the Tampa Bay secondary that will already be without Jamel Dean (knee), Antoine Winfield (knee), and Christian Izien (pectoral) on Sunday afternoon. Fantasy managers in playoff competitions should continue to monitor the health of the Tampa Bay secondary as they could face a difficult task in the Wild Card round with a depleted secondary.

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According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Amari Cooper (personal) has been downgraded to out for Sunday's game against the New England Patriots due to a personal issue. Fantasy managers in playoff competitions should continue to monitor his status before the Wild Card round in case Cooper needs more time to attend to his situation. The veteran wideout has had trouble finding consistent targets in the Buffalo passing attack. Over his previous six games, Cooper has seen an average of just 4.2 targets per game and tallied a mere 38.0 yards per game. Fantasy managers should expect Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman to play in Sunday's game but not for long as this game does not have any playoff implications for the Bills. Instead, DFS players should pivot to Mack Hollins who could have an increased role in this contest.

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