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Championship $300 - FFL: Offseason | NFL: Week 18

Chiefs opening window for CB Jaylen Watson

Fri Jan 3 2:27pm ET
Field Level Media

The Kansas City Chiefs are opening the 21-day practice window for starting cornerback Jaylen Watson, ESPN reported Friday.

Watson, 26, has been on injured reserve since Oct. 22 with a broken ankle that required surgery. He sustained the injury in Kansas City's Week 7 win at San Francisco.

The Chiefs were optimistic at the time that Watson could return for the playoffs. The Chiefs (15-1) are the No. 1 seed in the AFC and will have a bye week after finishing the regular season Sunday at Denver.

Watson started the first six games this season and recorded 32 tackles and six passes defensed.

The two-time Super Bowl champion has played in 38 games (14 starts) since being selected in the seventh round of the 2022 draft. He returned a pick 99 yards for a touchdown in his second career game, which remains his only interception. Watson also has 114 tackles, two sacks and 18 pass breakups.

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Bender's Starts/Sits: Week 17

Player Notes
Ameer Abdullah Jan 3 1:50pm CT
Ameer Abdullah

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ameer Abdullah (foot) is listed as doubtful for the Week 18 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Abdullah has been absent in practice this week after apparently picking up a foot injury during last week's win over the New Orleans Saints. The 31-year-old rushed 20 times for 115 yards and hauled in three of his four targets for 32 yards during last week's game. The absence of Abdullah would probably mean that Alexander Mattison would serve as the lead back on Sunday. Mattison has been held to 36 rushing yards or less in each of his last six games. Fantasy managers should be able to find a better streaming option for Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Malik Nabers Jan 3 1:40pm CT
Malik Nabers

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers (toe) has been removed from the injury report ahead of the Week 18 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles. The rookie wideout was a limited participant in practice each of the last two days. This was likely just the Giants monitoring Nabers' reps, so fantasy managers can expect him to be out there this weekend. He hauled in seven of his eight targets for 171 yards and two touchdowns during last week's win over the Indianapolis Colts. Fantasy managers can plug Nabers in as a WR1 against an Eagles defense that is resting most of their starters.

From RotoBaller

Nick Folk Jan 3 1:30pm CT
Nick Folk

Tennessee Titans kicker Nick Folk (abdomen) has been ruled out for the Week 18 matchup against the Houston Texans. Folk will now miss his third game in a row due to an abdominal issue. He'll finish the season nearly perfect on his kicks. Folk made 25-of-25 extra point attempts and 21-of-22 field goal attempts during his 14 games with the Titans this season. The 40-year-old will be a free agent this offseason, but he shouldn't have any issues finding another opportunity, assuming he wants to continue his career. Matthew Wright will kick for the Titans for the regular season finale. He made all three of his kicks during last week's game.

From RotoBaller

Tyler Boyd Jan 3 1:30pm CT
Tyler Boyd

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd (foot) has been ruled out for Sunday's Week 18 contest against the Houston Texans. The 30-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Titans during the offseason in hopes of giving his offense a lift. Instead, Boyd had a down year with only 39 receptions for 390 yards and finished with zero touchdowns in 16 games. The expectation is that the rebuilding Titans will go in a different direction and let Boyd walk into free agency. The Titans will have Calvin Ridley and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine serve as their primary receiving options during Sunday's regular season finale.

From RotoBaller

Tyjae Spears Jan 3 1:20pm CT
Tyjae Spears

Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears (concussion) has been ruled out for the Week 18 matchup against the Houston Texans. Spears will sit out the regular season finale after suffering a concussion during last week's game. Before that, Spears rushed for 95 yards on 20 carries, which was his best running performance of the season. Lead back Tony Pollard (ankle) is considered a game-time decision, so the Titans could be in a bad spot if he's unable to play. Julius Chestnut and Joshua Kelley could end up having bigger roles for Sunday's game. However, neither back is considered a viable streaming option for Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Brandin Echols Jan 3 1:00pm CT
Brandin Echols

According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, New York Jets defensive back Sauce Gardner (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins. The defensive back initially suffered this hamstring injury during Week 16 and reaggravated last weekend during their loss to the Buffalo Bills. During the week, Gardner was unable to practice in any capacity. As a result, fantasy managers in IDP formats should expect Brandin Echols and Michael Carter to see an increase in playing time on Sunday. Gardner will end his 2024 campaign with 49 tackles (36 solo), one sack, nine pass deflections, and one interception across 15 games.

From RotoBaller

Tony Pollard Jan 3 12:50pm CT
Tony Pollard

According to Paul Kuharsky, Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (ankle) is considered a game-time decision for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. Pollard could not suit up last weekend due to an illness and this same ankle injury. During the week, Pollard was only able to practice in a limited capacity. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status throughout the weekend in case he faces a setback. With Tyjae Spears (concussion) not practicing with a concussion, Julius Chestnut could be the lone option in the backfield if Pollard can not turn the corner. Last weekend, Chestnut tallied 17 yards on three attempts. If Pollard can play, he should be viewed as a low-end RB2 in all formats, facing a Texans defense that has allowed the sixth-fewest PPR points to opposing running backs this season.

From RotoBaller

Darnell Mooney Jan 3 12:50pm CT
Darnell Mooney

According to Will McFadden of AtlantaFalcons.com, wide receiver Darnell Mooney (shoulder) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. Mooney popped up on the injury report on Thursday as a limited participant but was then downgraded to a non-participant on Friday. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status over the weekend. However, seeing him downgrade throughout the week is not a positive sign. If Mooney were to sit out on Sunday, Drake London would see further increase in targets and Ray-Ray McCloud would move up to the No.2 spot on the depth chart. Rookie Michael Penix Jr. has looked London's way 21 times over his first two starts and would be viewed as a high-end WR2 if Mooney cannot play.

From RotoBaller

Will Levis Jan 3 12:40pm CT
Will Levis

According to Turron Davenport of ESPN, Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis will start in Week 18 against the Houston Texans. While Levis will start the game, it was reported earlier this week that the Titans would give both him and Mason Rudolph snaps in this contest. As a result, this makes them difficult to project from a fantasy standpoint. However, seeing Levis get the start may suggest he sees a slight edge in opportunities. Over the past two weeks, the team has given starting duties to Mason Rudolph. Over Levis' past four complete games, he averaged 225.6 passing yards per contest with a 7:2 TD:INT ratio. Fantasy managers should look for an alternative option this weekend, as both will carry a limited ceiling given their unknown snap count on Sunday.

From RotoBaller

Pierre Strong Jr. Jan 3 12:30pm CT
Pierre Strong Jr.

According to Adam Schefter of ESPN, the Cleveland Browns are placing running backs Jerome Ford (ankle) and Pierre Strong Jr. (concussion) and tight end David Njoku (knee) on Injured Reserve, ending their season. All three players were previously ruled out for Sunday's game, and this move opens up additional roster spots for the Browns on Saturday. As a result, fantasy managers should expect D'Onta Foreman and John Kelly to see most of the snaps in the backfield on Saturday afternoon against the Baltimore Ravens. Jordan Akins will likely get the start at tight end. Ford opened the season as the starter with Nick Chubb sidelined and reclaimed that role for the past few weeks when Chubb's season ended due to a foot fracture. Njoku also batted injuries throughout the season but began to find his footing over his past five contests, averaging 15.4 PPR points. Foreman and Akins are viable plays in deeper formats this weekend and are high-floor options in DFS.

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Jan 3 12:20pm CT
Anthony Richardson

According to Mike Chappell of FOX 59, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Shane Steichen said Richardson "didn't make enough progress this week." The former fourth-overall selection sat out last weekend with this same injury and could not practice all week. Through his sophomore campaign, the Florida product appeared in 11 games and missed time with other injuries and due to being benched. Across this span, he averaged an underwhelming 164.9 passing yards per game with 45.4 rushing yards per game. He tallied 14 total touchdowns while averaging 19.0 PPR points per game. As a result, veteran Joe Flacco will be given the starting nod in the final game of the regular season. He is a viable high-end QB2 facing a Jaguars defense that has allowed the fourth-most PPR points to opposing QBs this season.

From RotoBaller

Xavier Legette Jan 3 12:10pm CT
Xavier Legette

According to the team, Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette (hip/wrist) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons. The rookie wideout opened the week as a full participant on Wednesday but was downgraded to a limited participant on Thursday and Friday, which caused him to carry a questionable tag. The 23-year-old missed their Week 16 contest with these same injuries but was able to suit up last weekend. In Week 17, the South Carolina Product caught five of his nine targets for just 28 yards. If Legette can turn the corner in time for Sunday, he would slot in as the No.2 WR on the team, behind Adam Thielen. Fantasy managers should view him as a risky flex option, as he has not scored double-digit PPR points over his past five games despite seeing 6.8 targets per game.

From RotoBaller

Josh Hayes Jan 3 12:00pm CT
Josh Hayes

Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee) and cornerback Jamel Dean (knee) will not play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday versus the division-rival New Orleans Saints. Winfield injured his knee in the Week 14 win against the Las Vegas Raiders and hasn't played since, but he did return to practice on Thursday, which is a good sign for his availability if the Bucs win on Sunday and lock up the NFC South division title and a playoff berth. Dean aggravated a knee injury in the Week 17 win over the division-rival Carolina Panthers. It's unclear as to whether the 28-year-old will be available next week if the Buccaneers qualify for the playoffs. With Dean out this weekend, Josh Hayes will be asked to step up as the team's second cornerback. When healthy, Winfield is one of the best safeties in football, so it will be important for Tampa to get him back if they continue playing past Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Cade Otton Jan 3 11:50am CT
Cade Otton

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) will be a game-time decision for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints, according to head coach Todd Bowles. Otton has missed the last two games but returned to a limited practice on Thursday for the first time since Dec. 20, giving him a chance to suit up for a must-win game this weekend. Payne Durham (quadriceps) is also iffy for the regular-season finale for the Bucs, so in the event that both Otton and Durham are held out against the Saints, rookie Devin Culp would be in line for an elevated role for the second straight week after catching three of four targets for 52 yards in the Week 17 win over the division-rival Carolina Panthers. Otton went off for several weeks when receiver Mike Evans was injured, but he's since fallen to a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE1 when healthy.

From RotoBaller

Tua Tagovailoa Jan 3 11:40am CT
Tua Tagovailoa

According to Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, the Dolphins are preparing to start quarterback Tyler Huntley on Sunday against the New York Jets as Tua Tagovailoa (hip) is "unlikely to play." This situation frustrates fantasy managers because Tagovailoa logged a few limited practices to start the week. Huntley played admirably in Tagovailoa's absence last week and threw for 225 yards through the air, with a majority (105 yards) going to Tyreek Hill. The Dolphins still have a chance to sneak into the AFC playoffs, but they will need to win on Sunday over the Jets and the Chiefs, who are expected to play backups mostly, to beat the Broncos. If Tagovailoa does not suit up, Huntley will be a low-end QB2 option for fantasy managers in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Anthony Richardson Jan 3 11:30am CT
Anthony Richardson

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (back) is still not practicing on Friday and has now missed six days overall (four straight practices and two more estimated practices) due to pretty serious back spasms that kept him sidelined for the Week 17 loss to the New York Giants. Richardson said he was feeling much better this week, but with the Colts being eliminated from the playoffs with their loss last week, it's unlikely that the team would throw Richardson out there in Sunday's regular-season finale against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars if he's not 100 percent. If he's ruled out on Friday, veteran Joe Flacco would make a second straight start in a friendly matchup for fantasy purposes. Richardson, the fourth overall pick last year, continues to be injury-prone early in his career and did not have the second-year breakout that many were predicting in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Jalen Hurts Jan 3 11:30am CT
Jalen Hurts

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said on Friday that quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) is "progressing through the protocol" when asked about Hurts' status heading into the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. Sirianni didn't offer any additional details. Hurts suffered a concussion in the Week 16 loss to the division-rival Washington Commanders and was inactive for last week's blowout win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. With the Eagles locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC for the postseason, they will rest key starters on both sides of the ball this weekend, including Hurts. Hopefully, he will make enough progress through the concussion protocol in order to be cleared to play in the wild-card round of the playoffs next weekend. If Kenny Pickett (ribs) doesn't play in Week 18, third-stringer Tanner McKee will get the start against New York.

From RotoBaller

Curtis Samuel Jan 3 11:20am CT
Curtis Samuel

Buffalo Bills wide receiver Curtis Samuel (rib) has been inactive for the last two weeks with a rib injury. Bills head coach Sean McDermott indicated that Samuel is the only player likely to be questionable for this Sunday's game against the New England Patriots. The Bills have already secured the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff picture, so the main reason to consider playing Samuel this week would be to give him some game reps before their playoff matchup next weekend. Samuel has had a disappointing season, recording only 24 receptions for 201 yards and one touchdown. Fantasy managers should look for alternative wide receiver options for production in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Matt Prater Jan 3 11:20am CT
Matt Prater

Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that veteran kicker Matt Prater (knee) "will not go" in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers. Prater suffered a meniscus injury in his knee earlier this year and missed the last three months as a result. The 40-year-old kicker only ended up playing in four games in 2024 before injuring his knee in his fourth year with Arizona and 18th year in the NFL. In the four games he was active, Prater made all six of his field-goal attempts (one from 50-plus yards) and was successful on all 10 of his extra-point tries as well. Prater will be a free agent heading into his age-41 season in 2025. Chad Ryland will close out the year this weekend as Arizona's kicker. He's bounced back from a tough rookie season with the Pats to go 26-for-30 on field goals and 21-for-22 on extra points in his 12 games with the Cardinals.

From RotoBaller

Terrel Bernard Jan 3 11:20am CT
Terrel Bernard

Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on WGR550 radio that linebacker Terrel Bernard (quadriceps) will not play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New England Patriots, but he "feels good" about his availability for next week's wild-card playoff game. Bernard suffered a quad injury in the Week 17 blowout win over the division-rival New York Jets and will now rest up so that he can be available for the Bills defense to kick off the postseason. The 25-year-old linebacker enters Week 18 action as the No. 34 linebacker in IDP fantasy formats with 104 tackles (55 solo), one sack, five tackles for loss, two interceptions, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery in his 13 starts this year. Getting him back for the playoffs will be important for a Bills defense that hasn't been as dominant as in year's past.

From RotoBaller