Fantasy football inactives, injuries and weather: Week 18

Week 18 weather, injury updates and gameday inactives for the fantasy football lineup decisions.

Sunday updates will begin when teams start releasing official pregame inactives and starter information to the league. This is typically around 60-90 minutes prior to the kickoff of their game.

Weather forecasts are courtesy of The Football Database.

Week 18 gameday inactives, weather and notes

KEY GAME-TIME DECISIONS

Early games: RB Alvin Kamara (inactive), RB Kendre Miller (active), WR Tee Higgins (inactive), QB Trevor Lawrence (active), WR Christian Kirk (inactive)
Afternoon games: WR Christian Watson (inactive), WR Jayden Reed (active), RB Isiah Pacheco (active), RB D’Andre Swift (inactive)
Sunday night: WR Jaylen Waddle (inactive), RB Raheem Mostert (inactive)


Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 37°F, cloudy, W 12 mph

Browns

Inactives: WR Amari Cooper, WR Marquise Goodwin, PK Dustin Hopkins, CB Mike Ford, CB Greg Newsome, DE Myles Garrett and S Juan Thornhill

Lineup notes: LB Anthony Walker Jr. (knee) was placed on IR. WR Amari Cooper (heel) and PK Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) are out. QB Joe Flacco (calf) and RB Kareem Hunt (groin) all practiced Friday. Flacco will sit out, and it will be surprising if we see much of Hunt. WR Elijah Moore (concussion) is active following a questionable tag. PK Riley Patterson was elevated to the active roster, and PK Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) was ruled out. DE Myles Garrett (shoulder), CB Greg Newsome (knee), and S Juan Thornhill (calf) will not play.

Bengals

Inactives: OT D’Ante Smith, TE Irv Smith, WR Tee Higgins, DT Travis Bell, C Trey Hill, CB Chidobe Awuzie and RB Chris Evans

Lineup notes: WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) will miss another contest after a brief return to the field. WR Ja’Marr Chase (shoulder), RB Joe Mixon (ankle) and QB Jake Browning (foot) practiced Friday and will play.


Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Vikings

Inactives: DT Jaquelin Roy, QB Jaren Hall, OG Ed Ingram, CB Theo Jackson, CB Mekhi Blackmon, OT Brian O’Neill and CB Byron Murphy

Lineup notes: TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) went on IR and is out for the season. RT Brian O’Neill (ankle) is out, and LT Christian Darrisaw (illness) is active after being questionable.

Lions

Inactives: WR Jameson Williams, CB Steven Gilmore, TE Brock Wright, DL John Cominsky, DL Brodric Martin, QB Hendon Hooker and DE Charles Harris

Lineup notes: WR Jameson Williams (ankle) is out. LT Taylor Decker (groin), C Frank Ragnow (knee, back, toe) and TE Sam LaPorta (ankle) are good to go after a full practice Friday. DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (pectoral) was activated from IR and is not on the injury report.


Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 40°F, cloudy

Jaguars

Inactives: WR Christian Kirk, DT Angelo Blackson, OG Cole Van Lanen, QB Matt Barkley and LB Yasir Abdullah

Lineup notes: QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) will gut it out. WR Zay Jones (knee, hamstring) also will give it a whirl, though WR Christian Kirk (groin) isn’t quite ready yet, despite being activated from IR on Saturday.

Titans

Inactives: CB Anthony Kendall, DL TK McClendon Jr., DL Caleb Murphy, LB Trevis Gipson, OT Jaelyn Duncan, QB Will Levis and OT Daniel Brunskill

Lineup notes: QB Will Levis (foot) is inactive after being questionable, but QB Ryan Tannehill was named the starter anyway. CB Caleb Farley (back) has been ruled out.


New York Jets at New England Patriots (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 32°F, 95% chance of snow, NNE 15 mph

Jets

Inactives: QB Aaron Rodgers, LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball, DE Carl Lawson, WR Allen Lazard, PK Austin Seibert, OT Austin Deculus and CB Bryce Hall

Lineup notes: QB Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) is out, and QB Zach Wilson (concussion) went on IR.

Patriots

Inactives: QB Mac Jones, DT Sam Roberts, RB JaMycal Hasty, S Joshuah Bledsoe, OT Trent Brown, WR Tyquan Thornton and TE La’Michael Pettway

Lineup notes: WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) went on IR, ending his season. TE Hunter Henry (knee) also went on IR. LT Trent Brown (illness) is out. WR DeVante Parker (ribs) is active, but WR Tyquan Thornton (ankle) won’t go.


Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Falcons

Inactives: QB Taylor Heinicke, S DeMarcco Hellams, DT Tommy Togiai, C Drew Dalman, DB Natrone Brooks and DE Zach Harrison

Lineup notes: QB Taylor Heinicke (ankle) will not be available, so look for QB Desmond Ridder to start the finale.

Saints

Inactives: RB Alvin Kamara, WR Keith Kirkwood, LB Monty Rice, QB Jake Haener, DL Kyle Phillips, OT Landon Young and CB Lonnie Johnson

Lineup notes: RT Ryan Ramczyk (knee) went on IR. RB Alvin Kamara (ankle) won’t play, but RB Kendre Miller (ankle, illness) and TE Juwan Johnson (chest) are active despite being questionable.WR Chris Olave (ankle) was limited early in the week, but he had a full session Friday and will go. RB Jordan Mims was elevated from the practice squad.


Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers (1:00 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 48°F, cloudy, W 12 mph

Buccaneers

Inactives: QB John Wolford, LB K.J. Britt, OT Brandon Walton, WR Rakim Jarrett and LB Markees Watts

Lineup notes: QB Baker Mayfield (ribs), WR Trey Palmer (hip), and CB Carlton Davis (concussion) are active, despite being listed as questionable.

Panthers

Inactives: CB Shaquill Griffin, OT Ilm Manning, DE Marquis Haynes, OG Cade Mays, WR Mike Strachan, PK Eddy Pineiro and OT Ricky Lee

Lineup notes: WR Jonathan Mingo (foot) was placed on IR. PK Eddy Pineiro (hamstring) is inactive. QB Bryce Young (back) and RT Taylor Moton (knee) practiced all week and will play. WR DJ Chark Jr. (foot) had full sessions Thursday and Friday and will go. CB Jaycee Horn (toe) is active after being questionable.


Late afternoon games

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 34°F, cloudy, WNW 10 mph

Bears

Inactives: CB Jaylon Johnson, S Quindell Johnson, QB Tyson Bagent, RB D’Onta Foreman, CB Greg Stroman, OT Ja’Tyre Carter and WR Darnell Mooney

Lineup notes: WR Darnell Mooney (concussion) is out again. TE Cole Kmet (knee) and RB Khalil Herbert (back) are active. RB D’Onta Foreman is a healthy scratch once again. C Lucas Patrick (knee) was placed on IR. WR DJ Moore (ankle) practiced Friday and will play.

Packers

Inactives: LB Isaiah McDuffie, RB AJ Dillon, DL Brenton Cox, OT Caleb Jones, WR Christian Watson and WR Grant DuBose

Lineup notes: RB AJ Dillon (thumb, neck) is out. TE Luke Musgrave (kidney) was activated from IR. WR Christian Watson (hamstring) won’t go, but WR Dontayvion Wicks (chest), WR Jayden Reed (chest) and LG Elgton Jenkins (knee, ankle) are active. RB Aaron Jones (knee, finger) was limited all week but doesn’t have an injury tag.


Denver Broncos at Las Vegas Raiders (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: Dome stadium

Broncos

Inactives: C Alex Forsyth, CB Art Green, WR Michael Bandy, DL Thomas Incoom, DT Elijah Garcia and TE Chris Manhertz

Lineup notes: WR Courtland Sutton (concussion) and WR Marvin Mims (hamstring) practiced Friday and are good to go. RT Mike McGlinchey (ribs) has been placed on IR.

Raiders

Inactives: RB Josh Jacobs, OT Thayer Munford, WR Keelan Cole, DB Tyler Hall, DB Jaydon Grant, QB Brian Hoyer and DL Byron X. Young

Lineup notes: RB Josh Jacobs (quadriceps) and TE Michael Mayer (toe) are out.


Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 37°F, cloudy

Eagles

Inactives: WR DeVonta Smith, DL Fletcher Cox, QB Tanner McKee, OT Tyler Steen, RB D’Andre Swift and CB Darius Slay

Lineup notes: WR DeVonta Smith (ankle) and CB Darius Slay (knee) are out. RB D’Andre Swift (illness) also is inactive.

Giants

Inactives: DL Timmy Horne, QB Jacob Eason, LB Benton Whitley, TE Tyree Jackson, CB Deonte Banks, WR Parris Campbell and C John Michael Schmitz

Lineup notes: C John Michael Schmitz (shin) is inactive. QB Tyrod Taylor (back) was limited all week but will play.


Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 50°F, clear, W 14 mph (retractable-roof dome)

SEahawks

Inactives: OT Abraham Lucas, OT Raiqwon O’Neal, RB Kenny McIntosh, DL Jarran Reed, OT Jason Peters, DL Mario Edwards Jr. and LB Patrick O’Connell

Lineup notes: RT Abraham Lucas (knee) is out. RB Kenneth Walker III (shoulder) and WR Tyler Lockett (toe) practiced Friday and will go. LB Jordyn Brooks (ankle) is active.

Cardinals

Inactives: OT Dennis Daley, LB Trevor Nowaske, CB Divaad Wilson, TE Blake Whiteheart, CB Garrett Williams, DE Cameron Thomas and OT Carter O’Donnell

Lineup notes: LT D.J. Humphries (knee) was placed on IR with a torn ACL. WR Marquise Brown (heel) went on IR and is out for the season. WR Zach Pascal (hamstring) is active.


Kansas City Chiefs at Los Angeles Chargers (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 55°F, clear N 17 mph (open-air dome)

Chiefs

Inactives: QB Patrick Mahomes, OT Donovan Smith, WR Rashee Rice, DE Mike Danna, TE Travis Kelce, WR Kadarius Toney and CB L’Jarius Sneed

Lineup notes: WR Rashee Rice (hamstring), LT Donovan Smith (neck) and WR Kadarius Toney (hip, ankle) are out. QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is out. RB Isiah Pacheco (concussion, shoulder) is active but probably won’t see much, if any, action. TE Travis Kelce (neck) and DE Michael Danna (coaching decision) also will be rested. TE Noah Gray (ribs) is good to go after practicing all week. LB Nick Bolton (wrist, abdomen), DE George Karlaftis (coaching decision), and CB Trent McDuffie (shoulder) are active, but it will be surprising of they play much. CB L’Jarius Sneed is out.

Chargers

Inactives: WR Keenan Allen, RB Isaiah Spiller, LB Kenneth Murray, WR Jalen Guyton, DL Nick Williams, OG Zion Johnson and S JT Woods

Lineup notes: EDGE Joey Bosa (foot) and WR Keenan Allen (heel) are out. LB Kenneth Murray (shoulder) joins them after being deemed doubtful. WR Joshua Palmer (concussion) practiced fully Friday and will go. LG Zion Johnson (neck) also is out.


Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 49°F, mostly clear

Rams

Inactives: DL Aaron Donald, QB Matthew Stafford, WR Cooper Kupp, OT Joe Noteboom, TE Tyler Higbee, RB Kyren Williams and LB Ernest Jones

Lineup notes: WR Cooper Kupp (rest), RB Kyren Williams (rest), DT Aaron Donald (rest), QB Matthew Stafford (rest) and TE Tyler Higbee (shoulder) are inactive. QB Carson Wentz will start. Don’t expect to see much, if anything, from WR Puka Nacua.

49ers

Inactives: CB Ambry Thomas, DL Arik Armstead, S Tashaun Gipson, WR Jauan Jennings, QB Brock Purdy, S Ji’Ayir Brown and RB Christian McCaffrey

Lineup notes: RB Christian McCaffrey (calf) is out. RB Elijah Mitchell (illness) is set to play after a full session Friday. DT Arik Armstead (foot/knee) was ruled out. QB Brock Purdy (coach’s decision) will sit in favor of QB Sam Darnold.


Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders (4:25 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 44°F, cloudy, W 13 mph

Cowboys

Inactives: CB Noah Igbinoghene, QB Trey Lance, OG Tyler Smith, CB Eric Scott Jr., DL Viliami Fehoko Jr., OG Zack Martin and S Sheldrick Redwine

Lineup notes: RB Deuce Vaughn (ankle) landed on IR. RB Rico Dowdle (ankle) will return after practicing Thursday and Friday. LG Tyler Smith (foot) and RG Zack Martin (illness) are inactive, but C Tyler Biadasz (illness) will go.

Commanders

Inactives: DE Jonathan Allen, TE Cole Turner, LB Andre Jones Jr., OG Andrew Wylie, QB Jacoby Brissett, S Kamren Curl and LB Casey Toohill

Lineup notes: RT Andrew Wylie (elbow) and QB Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) are inactive. WR Curtis Samuel (hamstring) practiced fully Friday and is good to go. QB Sam Howell will start. DE Jonathan Allen (knee) and S Kam Curl (quad) will not be available.


Sunday Night Football

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins (8:20 p.m. ET)

Kickoff Weather: 60°F, mostly cloudy, 80% humidity

Bills

Inactives: OG Alec Anderson, CB Kaiir Elam, DL Kingsley Jonathan, RB Latavius Murray, S Damar Hamlin and DL Linval Joseph

Lineup notes: C Mitch Morse (illness) was questionable after he sat out of practice Friday but has been since removed from the report. QB Josh Allen (neck, finger) practiced all week and is good to go. RB Leonard Fournette was elevated from the practice squad.

Dolphins

Inactives: RB Raheem Mostert, DB Ethan Bonner, OT Kion Smith, QB Skylar Thompson, WR Jaylen Waddle, TE Tyler Kroft and CB Xavien Howard

Lineup notes: WR Jaylen Waddle (ankle) and RB Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) will miss this game. WR Tyreek Hill (ankle), QB Tua Tagovailoa (shoulder, quadriceps), RB De’Von Achane (toe, ribs), LT Terron Armstead (knee, ankle, back), RG Robert Hunt (hamstring) and RT Austin Jackson (oblique) practiced Friday and will play. CB Xavien Howard (foot) has been ruled out. S Jevon Holland (knees) was added Saturday as questionable but is active.

Fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em: Week 18

Start ’em, Sit ’em for fantasy football in Week 18.

Though most fantasy football championships have already been concluded, there’s a faction of leagues holding the crucial, final matchup in Week 18.

Though that’s not recommended considering the implications of fantasy studs sitting out the final week of the regular season, we’re still here to help with those lineup decisions.

The best fantasy football gamble of Week 18

A season of ups and downs has made this Cowboy a wild ride in fantasy.

Every week, at least one player becomes my fascination of whether he’s worthy of a fantasy football start as a streamer. The decision can be a mental wrestling match, but for the purpose of brevity, only one player can be chosen as my favorite fantasy football gamble of the week.

The players chosen in this series are meant to be fliers for fantasy owners in desperate situations or those willing to take an intentional risk. No player is intended to be a lineup lock for guaranteed results, hence the name of the series.

The best fantasy football gamble for Week 18

Tracking my 2023 predictions: 8-10-0
All-time record: 27-41-3 (40.1%)

Win: Player produces ≥ 75% of projected fantasy points
Loss: Player produces >75% of projected fantasy points
Tie: Player is ejected, leaves with an injury, or is ruled out after publishing

This year, we’ll also track the accuracy on a percentage basis to show relative results, since sometimes calling a player a loss doesn’t actually hurt gamers. An example would be if a projection narrowly falls short of the 75 percent threshold, the player is still of use in a lineup.

Wk 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18
% 55 74 41 20 150 66 16 25 88 121 138 80 87 64 48 95 35 77
Grade E C F- F- A+ D F- F- B+ A+ A+ B- B+ D F A F- C+

Week 18 final update: Pollard finished just barely in the winning column, bringing my season-long prediction result to 8-10. Meh. I was close to breaking even but had several disastrous flops, too. Lessons learned for next season!


Last week, Washington Commanders wide receiver Curtis Samuel was the choice, and I stand by my initial decision to promote him. However, in hindsight, it’s easy to say I should have pivoted to a different player once the news broke that Jacoby Brissett wouldn’t be on the field. I stuck with Samuel mainly because he had been successful in recent weeks with Sam Howell. My only regret is not choosing the other player I had strongly debated before settling on Samuel … Juwan Johnson. Oof.

Dallas Cowboys RB Tony Pollard at Washington Commanders

So, while name-brand players don’t normally find their way into this space, Pollard’s season has been a disappointment in relation to his fantasy draft expectations. He has been streaky, but even when Pollard has stepped up his game, the results haven’t been a display of week-winning dominance.

Pollard hasn’t scored in four straight contests and posted more than 7.7 points in only one of those games. On the year, this Memphis product has averaged nearly three fewer fantasy points per game than last year despite seeing 3.5 more weekly touches, which suggests maybe less is more for his big-play profile. Through the first six games, Pollard mostly lived up to borderline RB1 status but was a better No. 2. Since, he has failed to reach double figures 60% of the time in PPR scoring. His early-season role as a receiver was much more stable than in the second half of 2023.

To his credit, Pollard has not gone more than three consecutive outings without a breaking into double digits, and he has four 16-plus-pointers in a row (Weeks 11-14) when he has been at his best this season. He had a fine game in Week 12 vs. the Commanders, generating 22.3 points, which was his best fantasy day of the year.

Since that game, Washington has ceded the most rushing yards, fantasy points, and total yards per game, and no defense has permitted rushing TDs at a higher frequency in that time. Throughout 2023, versatile backs have thumped the Commanders, and 18 total scores have come in the 16 games played. Only three defenses have allowed more receptions and aerial touchdowns. The matchup rating is 22.3% better than average on the year and an absurd 65.6% softer over the duration of the season.

Pollard will be the 18th back to get into double figures vs. this feeble unit.

My projection: 14 carries, 68 rushing yards, 1 TD, 5 targets, 5 receptions, 36 yards (21.4 PPR points)