According to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett (thigh) remained sidelined during Wednesday's practice. Garrett was also listed as a non-participant during Tuesday's estimated session. Fantasy managers should closely monitor his status on Thursday's injury report, as he may be in danger of missing Saturday's divisional tilt against the Baltimore Ravens. Garrett has yet to miss a game this season. Across 16 contests, the former No.1 overall selection has tallied 45 total tackles (38 solo) with 14 sacks, one pass deflection, and three forced fumbles. If Garrett were to miss Saturday's game, James Houston and Cameron Thomas should see an uptick in playing time.

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According to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (knee) will not practice again on Wednesday. Njoku was also listed as a non-participant during Tuesday's estimated report. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status during Thursday's practice as he could be in danger of sitting on Saturday. Over his past five contests, Njoku has averaged a strong 15.4 PPR points per game. During this stretch, he has tallied 50.0 yards per game while seeing 10.8 targets per game. If Njoku were to miss his second-straight contest, Jordan Akins would get the starting nod once again. Akins would be viewed as a desperation TE2 and a high-risk play in DFS, as he has only seen more than four targets in one game this season.

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According to Daniel Oyefusi of ESPN, Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (ankle) will not practice again on Wednesday. Ford will now miss his second-straight practice and could be in danger of missing Saturday's contest against the Baltimore Ravens. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to his status during Thursday's session. Ford left last weekend's game early due to an ankle injury. Over his past three contests, Ford has tallied 198 total rushing yards while posting a strong 8.3 YPC. No.2 running back Pierre Strong (concussion) will also not practice on Wednesday. This could leave D'Onta Foreman and John Kelly as the lone running backs during their final game of the season. Foreman would be a viable low-end RB2 if given the start.

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According to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star, the Kansas City Chiefs are opening wide receiver Mecole Hardman's (knee) practice window on Wednesday. Hardman was placed on the injured reserve during the first week of December with a knee injury but will have a good opportunity to return in the postseason. Before the injury, Hardman caught just 12 of his 14 targets for 90 yards and no scores. He added 62 rushing yards and a touchdown on five rushing attempts. When Hardman does return, fantasy managers should expect him to operate as a depth option in the passing attack. However, with Marquise Brown back in action, Hardman will only see occasional snaps and should not be targeted in any playoff competitions.

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According to Nate Taylor of The Athletic, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Carson Wentz will start under center in Week 18 against the Denver Broncos. With the Chiefs clinching the No.1 seed in the AFC, they will opt to rest Patrick Mahomes in their final game of the regular season. The 32-year-old has logged just eight offensive snaps all season and has gone 2-for-2 with 20 yards. Last season, the former No.2 overall selection went 17-for-24 with 163 yards, two scores, and an interception in his lone game for the Los Angeles Rams. The Chiefs may opt to rest other key starters, including Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, and DeAndre Hopkins, which could significantly limit his ceiling on Sunday afternoon. He should be viewed as a risky QB2 play in all formats.

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According to Sam McDowell of The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) will not practice on Wednesday. Earlier this week, head coach Andy Reid noted that the running back will be available for the playoffs but will be held out of practice this week. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress during the week but should not expect him to suit up in Week 18, as the Chiefs are already locked into the No.1 seed in the AFC. This means that Pacheco will have another week off before they return to action in the Divisional Round. Since returning in Week 13 from a fractured fibula that kept him sidelined through most of the season, he averaged just over ten total touches per game, operating as the "1A" in the backfield alongside Kareem Hunt. Given his injury history this season, Hunt will likely continue to limit his overall ceiling.

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According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, the Philadelphia Eagles are planning on resting key starters, including running back Saquon Barkley, during their Week 18 tilt against the New York Giants. Barkley will finish just 100 yards away from Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record. Starting quarterback Jalen Hurts (concussion) is still in the league's protocol and would have faced an uphill battle to suit up anyway. In addition, top wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith will likely also sit out in this contest. This would pave the way for either Kenny Pickett (ribs) or Tanner McKee to get the start under center, with Kenneth Gainwell and Will Shipley sharing the backfield. Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson, and Ainias Smith will likely be top pass catchers. Fantasy managers should consider targeting Gainwell on the waiver wire as he would likely get the start at running back and would be a viable RB2 in all formats.

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The Philadelphia Eagles announced on Wednesday that they have opened the 21-day practice window for tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) to return from Injured Reserve. Goedert can now return to practice with the team and has a shot to be officially activated from IR in order to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. The 29-year-old isn't guaranteed to be activated by Saturday, though, and if he is activated, there's a good chance he'll see limited snaps in what would be his first game since Dec. 1. In nine games before injuring his knee, Goedert had a 38-441-2 line as a low-end TE1 option for fantasy managers in an offense with many mouths to feed. His backup, Grant Calcaterra, has been a touchdown-dependent TE2 in Goedert's absence, catching only five of six targets for 72 yards and one touchdown in four games.

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The Washington Commanders announced on Wednesday that they have opened the 21-day practice window for running back Austin Ekeler (concussion) to return from Injured Reserve. It means that Ekeler can resume practicing with the team on Wednesday and will be eligible to come off IR and play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys. If the 29-year-old pass-catching back is going to play this weekend, he'll need to come off IR by Saturday. It's good news for Washington's backfield, which has seen Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez Jr. get more run alongside starter Brian Robinson Jr. since Ekeler landed on IR on Nov. 30. Ekeler had been a solid RB3/flex option in PPR leagues when healthy, but he'll be a much more shaky fantasy play in Week 18 if he returns due to a potential limited workload if the team eases him back in.

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Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said on Wednesday that he's hopeful that quarterback Anthony Richardson (back) will get back from his back spasms in order to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Jacksonville Jaguars. However, the Colts will see how the second-year signal-caller progresses in practice this week. The Colts are only holding a light walkthrough practice on Wednesday, so the real test will come for Richardson on Thursday. The 22-year-old was held out of the Week 17 loss to the New York Giants due to pretty serious back spasms, but apparently he's feeling better this week and has a shot to play in a meaningless game. If Richardson is active this weekend, he'll have clear QB1 upside in fantasy against Jacksonville's bad defense, but he'll also be at risk of re-injury with his back.

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Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said that wide receiver Curtis Samuel (rib) will be limited in his return to the team's walkthrough practice on Wednesday. Samuel has missed each of the team's last two games with his rib injury, but the 28-year-old veteran has a shot to play this weekend in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival New England Patriots on Sunday. The Bills have already locked up the No. 2 seed for the playoffs in the AFC, so they don't have anything to play for this weekend. However, with many of the team's starters likely being rested for most of Sunday's game, it's possible Samuel gets some decent run on offense in order to get his legs back under him for the playoffs. Still, with backup quarterback Mitchell Trubisky likely to play most of the snaps, fantasy managers should consider Samuel a desperation dart throw in DFS.

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The Carolina Panthers announced on Wednesday that they opened the 21-day practice window for running back Miles Sanders (ankle) to return from Injured Reserve, meaning he can be activated to the 53-man active roster ahead of the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. With Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) going on season-ending IR last week, the Panthers could get Sanders back this weekend for additional RB depth alongside Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone and Velus Jones Jr. The 27-year-old Sanders isn't guaranteed to be active to close out the season, though, and he'll need to show enough in practice this week to get the green light. And even if Sanders is active against Atlanta, there's no guarantee he'll see enough snaps after being sidelined since Nov. 10. Sanders has averaged only 3.7 yards per carry on his 38 rushing attempts in 2024 in his second year in Carolina.

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Although Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud said he's banged up after the Week 17 blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day last Wednesday, he was able to practice on Monday and appears ready to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Tennessee Titans on Sunday. The Texans are already locked into the No. 4 seed in the AFC for the postseason, but head coach DeMeco Ryans plans to play his healthy starters after the team got embarrassed last week. However, how long Stroud and other key starters such as wide receiver Nico Collins and running back Joe Mixon stay in the game on Sunday remains to be seen. Stroud, who was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, has been sacked 52 times (second-most in the NFL) and has had a rocky sophomore season. He won't be a recommended starting DFS QB in Week 18 with the potential to be pulled early on.

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New England Patriots rookie quarterback Drake Maye is expected to make the start in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. "Drake is the starting quarterback. If he's healthy and ready to go, he'll play," head coach Jerod Mayo said. There has been speculation going around that the Pats will hold Maye out of the meaningless regular-season finale with the Bills likely resting most of their starters. The 22-year-old third overall pick out of North Carolina this year has certainly given Patriots fans enough to look forward to in the coming years as their franchise signal-caller, but he mostly struggled in 2024 with a terrible supporting cast around him on offense. Going into Week 18, Maye has completed 66.8% of his passes for 2,276 yards, 15 TDs and 10 interceptions while also scoring two TDs on the ground. He'll be a QB2 with upside in 2025.

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Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (knee) has been ruled out for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival San Francisco 49ers, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. Conner injured his knee in the Week 17 loss to the division-rival Los Angeles Rams last Saturday and never returned, and the 29-year-old's 2024 season will come to an end a week early. With rookie Trey Benson (ankle) going on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, the Cardinals backfield will now consist of some sort of timeshare between DeeJay Dallas and Michael Carter in a meaningless Week 18 contest against San Francisco in which both teams could be sitting some banged-up starters. Despite Arizona not making the playoffs, Conner was the RB10 in half-PPR scoring through 17 weeks in 2024, recording 1,094 rushing yards and eight TDs on 236 carries while adding 47 catches for 414 yards and one TD.

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Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. (concussion) is in the concussion protocol, according to head coach Kevin Stefanski. The 26-year-old rushed five times for 33 yards and caught three of his five targets for 15 yards in the Week 17 loss to the Miami Dolphins. Running back Jerome Ford (ankle) was banged up in Week 17, and his status for Week 18 against the Baltimore Ravens is to be determined. Cleveland signed John Kelly to the active roster from the Chargers' practice squad, so it could be D'Onta Foreman and Kelly leading the backfield this weekend.

According to the team, the New York Jets placed safety Chuck Clark (undisclosed) on the injured reserve, which will end his 2024 season. Clark missed four games earlier this season due to an ankle injury, but it is unknown if Clark suffered a new injury or reaggravated this previous one. During the past four weeks, Chuck has tallied at least seven tackles in each contest. When on the field, the 29-year-old has been a clear starter in the New York secondary. During the final game, fantasy managers in IDP formats should expect Ashtyn Davis and Isaiah Oliver to have an increase in playing time.

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According to Brooke Pryor of ESPN, Pittsburgh Steelers defensive back Joey Porter Jr. (knee) was a full participant during Tuesday's initial practice session. Even though Porter sat out last week during their matchup against the Chiefs, head coach Mike Tomlin noted that Porter is expected to return on Saturday. Fantasy managers in IDP formats should continue to monitor his progress throughout the week. However, seeing him log a full practice on Tuesday is a positive sign. Through his first 15 games of the season, Porter tallied 64 tackles (47 solo) with six deflections and one interception. When he returns he will slot in as the No.1 corner back on the depth chart.

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According to the team, the New Orleans Saints have placed rookie linebacker Jaylan Ford (fibula) on the injured reserve. In a corresponding move, the Saints promoted Josh Ball to the active roster. Ford suffered a fractured fibula during Sunday's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. Throughout his rookie campaign, the former fifth-round selection only saw time on special teams. He tallied four tackles, with two of them being solo. Fantasy managers in IDP formats should expect Demario Davis and Pete Werner to continue to see most of the linebacker snaps during the final game of the regular season, with Willie Gay operating as the No.3 option on the depth chart.

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Dynasty | The Dallas Cowboys have cut running back Ezekiel Elliott. Dynasty Analysis: Once thought of as the lead back this season, Elliott just didn't show he had enough left in the tank to produce for the Cowboys and was eventually replaced by Rico Dowdle. On the year, he posted just 226 rushing yards and three touchdowns on a career low 3.1 yards per carry. Elliott is just 870 yards short of 10,000 for his career (a feat only 32 running backs have ever achieved), but it's fair to wonder if he has enough left in the tank to get there. He may have a line on joining a contender, but he's someone to let go of in dynasty leagues at this point.

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