Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill (concussion, illness) missed the team's final practice of the week on Thursday, meaning it's likely he'll be inactive for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Saturday against the division-rival Cleveland Browns, which would lead to a bigger role for Keaton Mitchell. Hill did not suit up for the Week 17 blowout win over the Houston Texans on Christmas Day last Wednesday. Head coach John Harbaugh said earlier this week that the team was expecting the 27-year-old pass-catching RB to return to action for the final regular season game, but after three missed practices, Baltimore will most likely list Hill as out on the final injury report on Thursday. Mitchell would see change-of-pace work behind starter Derrick Henry if Hill is out again on Saturday but would be a stretch as a starting lineup option in fantasy.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said that he would like another shot at a head-coaching gig "at some point" when asked about it during a press conference. The Commanders' season isn't over heading into the Week 18 regular-season finale this Sunday against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys after they clinched a playoff berth with a victory in overtime over the Atlanta Falcons in Week 17. However, with several head-coaching positions expected to become available on Black Monday, Kingsbury's name is already floating around as a candidate after the impressive work he's done with rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels in 2024. The Chicago Bears make the most sense because of the fact that Kingsbury worked with quarterback Caleb Williams in 2023 at USC. The Bears will surely be looking for an offensive mind who can get Williams right, but it's unclear if Kingsbury will be their guy.

From RotoBaller

ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Daniel Oyefusi write that the Cleveland Browns are expected to look at "any veteran quarterback with starter's talent" this offseason, including Falcons QB Kirk Cousins, according to a team source. Cutting Deshaun Watson (Achilles) now would cost the team $92 million in cash and $119 million in dead salary cap money if he was designated as a post-June 1 release. A recent restructure of his contract allows the Browns to push Watson's dead cap figure into 2030 and signals he'll likely be on the roster next year. With Watson having been available in just 19 regular-season games since 2021, it's clear Cleveland's goal will be to strengthen their QB room this offseason. The working leaguewide theory is that the Browns will keep Watson for one more year and have him battle it out for the starting job with a veteran and/or draft pick.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (ankle) will be a game-time decision for Saturday's Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers. Head coach Zac Taylor said, "We'll see," when asked about Brown's status this weekend. Brown will almost certainly be listed as questionable on Thursday's final injury report after he did not practice all week following a mild high-ankle sprain in the Week 17 victory over the Denver Broncos last Saturday. The 24-year-old has been a top-12 fantasy RB this year, but anyone still playing for something in redraft leagues might have to look elsewhere at the position this week. If active, Brown could cede more work to backup Khalil Herbert and could be less productive in a tough matchup on the road against one of the better defenses in the NFL. Herbert will have RB2 upside on volume alone if Brown is ruled out.

From RotoBaller

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett could be playing in his final game with Seattle in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Los Angeles Rams, but he plans to continue his career in 2025. The 32-year-old former third-round pick in 2015 out of Kansas State has seen his role shrink to WR3 for the Seahawks in 2024 due to the emergence of second-year wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba. After reaching the 1,000-yard milestone four straight years from 2019-2022, Lockett had 894 receiving yards last year and currently is sitting on 572 yards and only two touchdowns on 47 receptions in 16 games this year. Lockett is the franchise's second-leading receiver in catches, yards and touchdowns, but he has accepted his role as more of a facilitator for both JSN and DK Metcalf. With a salary cap hit of $30.8 million in 2025, it's unlikely Lockett will stick around in Seattle.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt announced on Thursday that rookie quarterback Drake Maye (hand) will start on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Van Pelt also said the intent is for Maye to play the entire game. The 22-year-old first-rounder was limited by a hand injury in practice on Wednesday, but he'll be good to go this weekend. The Patriots would secure the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL draft if they lose to a Bills team that is expected to play mostly backups, but New England wants to get Maye out there for one more game in what has mostly been a learning experience in his first year in the NFL. The third overall pick has completed 66.8% of his pass attempts for 2,276 yards, 15 TDs and 10 interceptions in 12 games (11 starts). He'll be a QB2 with upside in Year 2, but the Pats need to add more playmakers around him.

From RotoBaller

Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown (ankle) is not practicing with the rest of the team on Thursday, but he was seen working out with trainers on the side. Brown suffered a mild high-ankle sprain in last Saturday's overtime win over the Denver Broncos and hasn't been able to practice with the rest of the team all week. It remains to be seen how he'll be listed on the team's final Week 18 injury report on Thursday, but at the very least, Brown will likely be questionable to play on Saturday in a must-win divisional clash in Pittsburgh against the Steelers. Coming into Week 18 action, the 24-year-old has been a must-start fantasy RB as Cincy's backfield workhorse -- he's the RB11 in half-PPR scoring -- but he could be limited or out this weekend. If Brown cannot go against Pittsburgh, Khalil Herbert would be the Bengals' RB1 in a tough matchup.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers acknowledged he could be playing his last game for the Jets in Week 18 and said he would decide before free agency begins in March if he'll play in 2025. 'I'm just more resigned to the reality of the situation,' Rodgers said. 'I think there's going to be change here, and if I'm a part of the change, then I just want to make sure everybody knows I have nothing but gratitude for my time here.'

Fantasy Spin: Rodgers' mobility has really hindered him this year, and while he showed signs of fantasy merit, he really is an afterthought except in two-QB leagues.

From TheHuddle

Washington Commanders wide receiver Dyami Brown (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday ahead of the regular-season finale against Dallas. The fourth-year receiver doesn't have a top-25 finish in PPR formats this year, but has an enticing matchup against a bad Dallas pass defense. Washington has committed to playing its starters, but certainly will be thinking about next week with a berth in the NFC playoffs already clinched. Brown's practice status will be worth watching as the Commanders progress through the week.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets tight end Tyler Conklin (calf) did not practice with the rest of the team on Wednesday. Conklin apparently picked up a calf injury in the Week 17 loss to the division-rival Buffalo Bills in which he had one of his best showings of the season. The 29-year-old caught all eight of his targets for 57 yards and a touchdown, but now his availability will be in question heading into the regular-season finale in Week 18 versus the division-rival Miami Dolphins. If Conklin is unable to get back on the practice field this week, the Jets would have more playing time available for tight ends Jeremy Ruckert and Kenny Yeboah, although neither player would excite fantasy managers setting DFS lineups. In his third year with the Jets in 2024, Conklin has barely moved the fantasy needle, catching 49 passes for 433 yards and three touchdowns on 69 targets in 15 games.

From RotoBaller

New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (hamstring) was not able to practice with the rest of the team on Wednesday as they prepare for the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Miami Dolphins on Sunday. Gardner injured his hamstring in the Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Rams but played in the blowout loss to the division-rival Buffalo Bills last weekend, although he aggravated his hamstring in the third quarter and never returned. The Jets have nothing left to play for but pride in the final game of the regular season, so there's a good chance the Jets will hold the 24-year-old out this weekend. If Gardner doesn't get the green light to play in Week 18, Brandin Echols should fill in for him in the secondary. Gardner, the former fourth overall pick in 2022 out of Cincinnati, hasn't been quite as good as he was in his first two NFL season and has 49 combined tackles and one pick in 15 starts.

From RotoBaller

Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (ankle, rest) did not practice on Wednesday prior to the regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys. Washington rested a number of its major players and will be an interesting case in Week 18. The Commanders have clinched a berth in the playoffs, but are locked into a Wild Card road game with the NFC East having already gone to Philadelphia. Commanders head coach Dan Quinn has said he intends to play starters, which would make McLaurin a WR1 option against a bad Dallas secondary if he plays. But it's worth watching throughout the week.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling (chest) logged a limited practiced on Wednesday ahead of the Week 18 game against Tampa Bay. The veteran receiver has been an extreme boom-or-bust option who surprised with a WR2 finish in Week 10 and caught touchdowns in three straight weeks earlier in the season, but bottomed out with no catches on two targets last week. With the Saints likely to play out the string without quarterback Derek Carr (left hand) and running back Alvin Kamara (groin), MVS is a low-end WR5 option on an offense that isn't worth trusting.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday prior to the Week 18 finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. If Miller can't clear concussion protocol by Sunday, newly acquired back Clyde Edwards-Helaire seems likely to lead the backfield again, though he drew only five carries last week against Las Vegas. With the Saints way out of the playoff picture and quarterback Derek Carr (left hand) and running back Alvin Kamara (groin) still not practicing, the entire offense looks to be avoidable in any format that still plays Week 18.

From RotoBaller

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (knee) practiced in a limited capacity on Wednesday prior to the Week 18 finale against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The veteran tight end is coming off his best game of the year and led the team in receiving, but times are bleak for the Saints. Johnson has a nice matchup against a Tampa Bay defense that ranks in the bottom 10 against fantasy tight ends, but with Derek Carr (left hand), Alvin Kamara (groin), and Chris Olave (head) all dealing with injuries and the Saints having little incentive to go all out, Johnson should be viewed as a TE2 option if he plays.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) did not practice on Wednesday ahead of Week 18's finale against the Arizona Cardinals. The Ohio State product has been an injury report regular this year, but the knee injury was a new designation after oblique and hip issues earlier in the season. With San Francisco already eliminated from playoff contention, there won't be much reason to push the envelope with the star defensive end, so missing the game certainly seems in play for Bosa. For IDP formats still going in Week 18, managers should have a backup plan at the ready.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (illness, chest) was limited in Wednesday's practice, according to Nick Wagoner of ESPN. The 49ers will conclude the season at Arizona in Week 18 in a meeting of two teams that have been eliminated from playoff contention. The rookie receiver is coming off his career-best game on Monday against Detroit, going for eight catches, 141 yards, and a touchdown, but the 49ers may be without quarterback Brock Purdy (elbow) and a host of other players, too. Against a solid Cards pass defense, Pearsall is a major risk in DFS or fantasy formats that play Week 18.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (right hand) was limited during Wednesday's practice. The rookie reportedly injured one of his fingers during last Saturday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Maye is expected to recover in time for Week 18 against the Buffalo Bills, and he's in line to start after head coach Jerod Mayo indicated all of New England's healthy starters would play. Nevertheless, it's an interesting story to monitor given that the Patriots would clinch the No. 1 draft pick with a loss on Sunday but could drop as low as No. 5 if they win. There has been ongoing speculation that the Patriots could rest Maye to preserve his health and secure the top pick, but as of now, it sounds like Mayo is going to roll out his starters in hopes of a Week 18 victory.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (back) was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday's practice estimation. The second-year quarterback noted that his back injury limited him physically last week, and there were times when he couldn't even walk or stand up. He feels better now, though, and said that he'll do everything in his power to play on Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Shane Steichen echoed this sentiment, saying, "We're hopeful [that Richardson plays]. He's working through his rehab and his treatment right now, so we'll see how the week progresses with that." Richardson should rank as a low-end QB1 facing off against a subpar Jaguars defense.

From RotoBaller

New England Patriots wide receivers Kayshon Boutte (illness) and Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) did not participate in practice on Wednesday. Boutte has been heavily involved lately, commanding 23 targets over his last four games. His absence from practice is concerning, but the good news is that players are typically able to recover from illnesses within a few days, so Boutte has a real chance to recover in time for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Polk's status is a little more murky after he injured his shoulder in the middle of last week's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The rookie has been quite underwhelming, catching just 12 passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns while struggling with drops. Fantasy managers invested in the statuses of either Boutte or Polk should check back Thursday to see if either receiver can improve to limited or full.

From RotoBaller