According to Nicki Jhabvala of the Washington Post, Washington Commanders running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. Ekeler has been on the injured reserve since suffering a concussion during their Week 12 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. However, Ekeler has been able to practice in full all week which suggests he has a good chance to return on Sunday. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status leading up to kickoff as his return could shape up the Washington backfield. While sidelined, Brian Robinson Jr. has seen a significant uptick in work on passing downs. However, when Ekeler returns, fantasy managers should expect him to reclaim his third-down role. If Ekeler does play this weekend, Robinson should be downgraded to a low-end RB2.

From RotoBaller

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks could see an increased workload for the Packers' Week 18 contest against the Chicago Bears. Wicks played a bit more with Christian Watson (knee) out for Week 17's game and with Watson questionable in Week 18, Wicks could continue to see plenty of work if Watson is out. Earning the second-most targets (5) on the Packers in Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings, Wicks caught 4-of-5 passes for 43 yards. The Packers' passing game has been de-emphasized since the team's Week 10 bye week in favor of a strong running game where Josh Jacobs has flourished. Wicks is more of a low-end flex for fantasy purposes in the team's final regular season game before the playoffs.

From RotoBaller

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is primed for a massive outing this Sunday in his team's road matchup with the Detroit Lions. The LSU product reached 1,400 receiving yards for the fourth time in five years in last weekend's win over the Green Bay Packers. He's now tied for the third-most 1,400-yard seasons in NFL history -; trailing only Jerry Rice (6) and Julio Jones (5). Jefferson has notched ten touchdowns in 2024, tying his career-best set in 2021. He'll stand an excellent chance to break that in Week 18 against a Lions defense that's been abysmal on the back end this season. Detroit's allowed the second-most passing yards per game in the NFL (250.4) and the second-largest fantasy points per game figure to WRs (40.3). With a battle for the NFC North and the conference's No. 1 seed on tap, the superstar wideout ranks as RotoBaller's PPR WR1 ahead of the season's final slate of action.

From RotoBaller

Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jayden Reed has been on a steep backslide in the second half but looks to right the ship against the Chicago Bears in Week 18. Over the last seven games, Reed has been a top-30 fantasy wide receiver just once. In Week 17 against the Minnesota Vikings, Reed caught 1-of-4 targets for seven yards in a disappointing performance. The Packers' passing game has taken a backseat to the run game since Green Bay's Week 10 bye week. With a strong running game featuring a flourishing Josh Jacobs, quarterback Jordan Love hasn't needed to pass as much as when they do, targets are usually spread out amongst multiple weapons. For Week 18, Reed is more of a risky low-end flex for fantasy knowing how low the floor is with the Packers' wide receivers.

From RotoBaller

Green Bay Packers tight end Tucker Kraft (non-injury related) put in a full practice after two limited sessions this week and he looks to end his regular season on a high note as the Packers host the Chicago Bears in Week 18. While Kraft was second on the team in receiving yards (53) in Week 17, he only caught 2-of-3 passes. Kraft has been a top-12 tight end in just two of the last seven weeks with just one game where he amassed over five targets. With the Packers utilizing the run much more than the pass since Green Bay's Week 10 bye, it's hampered the Packers' passing game and the pass-catchers' fantasy value with the lack of consistent passing volume. In Week 18 against the Bears, Kraft is a low-end TE1 but with a much lower floor than a typical TE1.

From RotoBaller

According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (coach's decision) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. With the Chiefs already in sole possession of the top seed in the AFC, they will opt to rest some of their starters to ensure they are fully healthy when they attempt to win their third straight Super Bowl. Kelce was a full participant in practice this week, which suggests this move is to rest him and that he is not dealing with any injury. Since Week 12, Kelce has seen a hefty 8.8 targets per game. During this span, he has tallied 52.7 yards per game with one touchdown. As a result of Kelce likely sitting out on Sunday, Noah Gray should be expected to operate as the top tight end, making him a solid play in deeper formats this week and an intriguing value play in DFS.

From RotoBaller

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love looks to put forth a momentum-building effort heading into the playoffs as the Packers host the Chicago Bears in Week 18's regular season finale. Love has been non-startable in fantasy for the most part since Green Bay's Week 10 bye week with just two top 12 fantasy finishes in seven games. He has gone over 250 yards just twice in that span along with only three multi-touchdown games. The passing game has been a secondary focus for the Packers as they have been fueled by the run game and Josh Jacobs. Despite a hugely successful season by the offense, it hasn't manifested into fantasy scoring for Love or his wide receivers for the most part. With the Bears coming up north to Green Bay, consider Love a low-end starter, but probably more of a streaming candidate.

From RotoBaller

Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (quad) is without designation for Sunday night's divisional clash with the Detroit Lions. The eighth-year pro picked up a quad injury in last weekend's bout against his former team -; kicking the week off with back-to-back limited sessions. However, on Friday, he was a full participant and enters the road tilt all systems go. Jones is the RB14 on the season -; averaging 14.3 fantasy points per game. Although Detroit's D has been friendly through the air, they've been staunch against opposing rushing attacks. The Lions are letting up just 97 yards per game on the ground (third-fewest) and the fifth-least fantasy points per game to RBs (19.1). Still, in a game with the highest over/under of the week (57) -; there should be plenty of offense to go around. The 30-year-old ranks as RotoBaller's PPR RB13 in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (wrist) practiced in full on Friday after two limited practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday and will be good to go for Sunday's season finale when the Packers host the Chicago Bears. Jacobs has been fantastic since the team's Week 10 bye with a rushing touchdown in seven consecutive games and a top-12 fantasy finish in six of the last seven games. He's been the engine that powers this Green Bay offense as of late and as Jacobs goes, so do the Packers. Quietly, Jacobs has also put up at least four targets in four of the last seven games as well. With the Packers facing division-rival Chicago in Week 18, Jacobs is a solid RB1 for the team's regular season finale.

From RotoBaller

According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. Mahomes suffered this ankle injury during their Week 15 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Mahomes has yet to miss time due to the injury but is expected to take a seat on Sunday with the Chiefs already locked into the top seed in the conference. As a result, Carson Wentz is expected to get the starting nod. This ankle injury has not seemed to bother Mahomes as he has averaged a strong 27.8 PPR points per game over the past two weeks. During this span he has scored five total touchdowns. Wentz should be viewed as a risky QB2 facing the Denver Broncos who need a victory to clinch a playoff spot. Wentz will be without Isiah Pacheco (ribs) and is also expected to not have Kareem Hunt and Travis Kelce who are both listed as doubtful.UPDATE: Per A to Z Sports' Charles Goldman, head coach Andy Reid said that Mahomes will not play in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold is an excellent play in Sunday night's meeting with their division-rival Detroit Lions. The former first-round pick has been a revelation in 2024, working his way to 4,153 yards and 35 passing scores -; obliterating his previous career bests. Those numbers are good enough for fourth and fifth amongst league leaders, respectively, while his 68.1% completion percentage is a hair better than Lamar Jackson's 67.9. Darnold has undoubtedly played himself into another year of starting and will get a chance to put the cherry on top of his sensational season on Sunday Night Football against a vulnerable Detroit Lions pass defense. The Lions have allowed their opponents the second-most passing yards per game (250.4) and have afforded fantasy QBs 20.1 fantasy points per contest -; the eighth-highest in the league. The 27-year-old comes in at RotoBaller's QB5 ahead of this weekend's slate.

From RotoBaller

According to the team, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Denver Broncos. Running back Kareem Hunt (coaching) is also listed as doubtful for this weekend. Pacheco has been unable to practice all week with a rib injury he suffered during their Week 17 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pacheco missed time earlier this season with a fractured fibula but should be expected to operate as the top running back when healthy. While he was sidelined, Kareem Hunt took over the starting role. With the Chiefs already having sole possession of the top seed in the AFC, they will opt to ensure both of their top running backs are fully healthy for the postseason. As a result, fantasy managers should expect rookie Carson Steele to receive a heavy workload in this game alongside Samaje Perine. Steele should be viewed as a viable RB2 option this weekend and a great value play in DFS.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud is a fringe QB2 in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans due to the unusual circumstances of the matchup. The Titans are an average defense against fantasy quarterbacks, but the real mystery is how long the sophomore quarterback will play. Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans has committed to playing starters, but with Houston already set as the AFC's No. 4 seed no matter what happens Sunday, the Texans don't have any incentive to go all-out against the Titans with Wild Card Weekend looming. As a result, Stroud's value in leagues that play Week 18 or DFS formats must be tied to the possibility he is pulled from the game at some point.

From RotoBaller

According to Ben Baby of ESPN, Cincinnati Bengals rookie wide receiver Jermaine Burton will not travel to Pittsburgh with the team due to a coach's decision. The rookie has had struggles finding playing time during his rookie campaign and will now not even be with the team during their must-win game on Saturday evening. This is a telling sign and could suggest the he is beginning to fall out of favor with the coaching staff. He has not logged at least ten offensive snaps in each of his past five games. Throughout the season, Burton has only caught four of his 14 targets for 107 yards. Fantasy managers should expect Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins (ankle) and Andrei Iosivas to lead the passing attack once again in the regular season finale.

From RotoBaller

Wide receiver Nico Collins of the Houston Texans is slated to remain his team's top target in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, but he comes with an asterisk. Tennessee is a top-five defense against fantasy receivers, though the Michigan product logged 92 receiving yards and a touchdown in the first meeting. The elephant in the room is how long Houston will play its starters. The Texans have committed to playing their regulars, but they're already locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs and have nothing to gain by beating Tennessee. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans surely will be looking ahead to Wild Card Weekend at some point, which DFS players have to consider when evaluating Collins' Week 18 value.

From RotoBaller

The Pittsburgh Steelers have struggled defensively over the past three weeks and will hope to get back on track in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals. While the Bengals have been scoring plenty of points, Pittsburgh managed to have a productive fantasy showing against them in Week 13. Additionally, the Steelers will have starting cornerback Joey Porter Jr. back in the lineup after missing last week's contest due to a knee injury. Pittsburgh has proven that it can generate turnovers and sacks at a high level against any opponent, making its DST worthy of fantasy consideration this week, but safer options in more favorable matchups may be available in some formats.

From RotoBaller

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon has a decent matchup in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, but the opponent is only part of the picture for Houston this week. The former Cincinnati Bengal takes on the 21st-ranked defense against fantasy running backs, but the real question surrounds Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans. Houston already has clinched the AFC South, but cannot improve its seeding on Sunday no matter what happens. Ryans committed to playing starters, but for how long? Mixon certainly has a matchup worth exploring, but the risk that he could be on the sidelines for a decent portion of the game has to be baked into his fantasy value for Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton (knee) is now being considered doubtful to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New Orleans Saints after it was reported earlier on Friday that he would be a game-time decision. Otton has already missed the last two games with a knee injury and is now likely to miss a third straight as the team looks to punch their ticket to the postseason with a win over the Saints. Both Payne Durham (quadriceps) and rookie Devin Culp (ribs) were listed on the Week 18 injury report as well, but both have been cleared to play this weekend after practicing in full on Friday. With Otton unlikely to play, expect both Durham and Culp to share the tight end duties for the Bucs in a must-win game at home. For fantasy purposes, managers should be able to find better TE options.

From RotoBaller

The Houston Texans defense/special teams is a worthwhile option in Week 18 against the Tennessee Titans, albeit with a qualifier. The Texans plan to start their regulars, but Houston is already locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs regardless of what happens Sunday. For its part, Tennessee plans to play both Will Levis and Mason Rudolph at quarterback, per Titans head coach Brian Callahan. The pair has thrown a combined 21 interceptions this season and Houston sacked Levis eight times in the first meeting earlier this season, so the matchup is there for Houston. It's certainly possible the Texans pull their starters at some point, but with the Titans in range of a top-three pick in the NFL Draft and set to juggle quarterbacks, the Texans are a solid play.

From RotoBaller

Though Houston Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn has been a top-tier fantasy option this season, he should be avoided in a dodgy Week 18 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The veteran has an OK matchup against a Titans team that ranks right in the middle against fantasy kickers, but he comes with risk due to Houston's playoff positioning. The Texans already have locked down the AFC South and the No. 4 seed, so Sunday's results have no effect on them. Houston head coach DeMeco Ryans said he intends to start the team's regulars, but with much bigger fish to fry next week and nothing to gain Sunday, he certainly will be thinking ahead. As a result, Fairbairn's DFS value in Week 18 has to be tied to the likelihood he will be attached to a second-string offense at some point in the game.

From RotoBaller