Tag: nfl week 18

Fantasy football inactives, injuries and weather: Week 18 Saturday Slate

Week 18 weather, injury updates and gameday inactives for the Saturday Slate.

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

Afternoon game: WR Zay Flowers (inactive)
Night game:

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (4:30 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 36°F, 100% chance of rain, NE 15 mph

Steelers

Inactives: CB Darius Rush, DL DeMarvin Leal, LB Blake Martinez, OT Dylan Cook, S Minkah Fitzpatrick, QB Mitchell Trubisky and S Trenton Thompson

Lineup notes: QB Mason Rudolph once again starts. RB Najee Harris (knee) went limited-DNP-full and avoided an injury tag. FS Minkah Fitzpatrick (knee) is inactive, but LB Elandon Roberts (pec) will give it a go.

Ravens

Inactives: OG Kevin Zeitler, WR Odell Beckham Jr., S Kyle Hamilton, QB Lamar Jackson, LB Malik Harrison, WR Zay Flowers and CB Marlon Humphrey

Lineup notes: QB Lamar Jackson (coach’s decision), WR Odell Beckham Jr. (coach’s decision), CB Marlon Humphrey (calf), and RG Kevin Zeitler (knee, quad, coach’s decision) will not play. WR Zay Flowers (calf) is inactive, and S Kyle Hamilton (knee) joins him. QB Tyler Huntley starts in place of Jackson.

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (8:15 p.m. EST)

Kickoff Weather: 34°F, cloudy (retractable-roof dome)

Texans

Inactives: CB Kris Boyd, QB Case Keenum, LB Jonathan Greenard, OG Nick Broeker, WR Noah Brown and WR Robert Woods

Lineup notes: DE Will Anderson Jr. (ankle) is active after being deemed questionable. WR Noah Brown (back) will not play, and WR Robert Woods (hip) also will miss this one after sitting all week. He’s officially questionable. LT Laremy Tunsil (groin) will give it a whirl.

Colts

Inactives: DT Adetomiwa Adebawore, OG Jack Anderson, RB Trey Sermon, DB Chris Lammons and DB Henry Black

Lineup notes: LG Quenton Nelson (ankle), C Ryan Kelly (ankle), RT Braden Smith (knee) and RB Zack Moss (arm) are active.

How to Watch: Bucs vs. Panthers live stream, time, and viewing info for Week 18

Here’s how you can tune in to Tampa Bay’s game against the Panthers on Sunday:

Alright — let’s do this again, one last time.

The Bucs can win the NFC South and head to the playoffs should they beat the 2-14 Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Tampa Bay most recently dropped a chance to do this in Week 17 against the New Orleans Saints, so there will be plenty of motivation to get that done — on the other side of things, the Panthers would probably like ending their dreadful year on a high note and by playing spoiler to a division opponent. Here’s how you can check out the matchup on Sunday:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Jan. 7 (1 p.m. ET)

TV info: FOX

In-market live stream: fuboTV,  Hulu

Radio: Tampa Bay – WXTB 97.9 FM / Orlando – WYGM 96.6 FM

Location: Bank of America Stadium

Forecast: Sunny, 53 degrees

Opponent Wire site: Panthers Wire

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Browns to rest starters vs Bengals, Jeff Driskel returns to Cincinnati

Jeff Driskel returns to Cincinnati for a backup-led Browns team.

When the Cincinnati Bengals host the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, the Browns will be resting many of their starters since they are already locked into a playoff spot and can’t improve their standing.

Joe Flacco, who has had an impressive comeback season and led them to this position, won’t play in the game and will rest for the playoff game they will play the following week.

Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski wouldn’t specify any other starters that would be getting rested in the game, but it will likely be many of them.

In Flacco’s place will be a familiar face for the Bengals in former Cincinnati quarterback Jeff Driskel, who signed with the Browns last week. He will be the fifth starting quarterback Cleveland has sent out this year.

Driskel spent one year with the Bengals, playing in nine games and starting five of them. He had a 1-4 record in his starts while throwing for 1,003 yards six touchdowns and two interceptions in his time on the field in relief of Andy Dalton who was injured for the last five games of the year.

Since then Driskel has also played for the Detroit Lions, Denver Broncos and Houston Texans, but he has better numbers with the Bengals than he does with any other team.

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Bengals make roster moves before Week 18 vs. Browns

The Bengals make a pair of roster moves.

The Cincinnati Bengals made a pair of roster moves ahead of the team’s Week 18 game against the Cleveland Browns.

Seeking depth at key spots for the season finale, the team elevated cornerback Sidney Jones IV and wide receiver Stanley Morgan from the practice squad to the active roster.

As standard elevations, both players will return to the practice squad on the Monday after the game.

Cornerbacks Chidobe Awuzie and Jalen Davis are questionable on the final injury report, so Jones reinforces that area.

More significant is the fact wideout Tee Higgins carries a “doubtful” tag into the game, so Morgan is important depth behind the likes of rookie Andrei Iosivas.

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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.

Fantasy football injury report: Week 18

Latest status of fantasy football weapons who are on the mend entering Week 18.

This is a team-by-team review of any key fantasy football player injury news after this week’s practice activity and team statements. Only those players listed on the team’s official injury report will be addressed, unless the situation warrants further attention.

PLEASE NOTE: The NFL releases its final official injury report each Friday (approximately 5:30 p.m. ET). West Coast teams often report their injuries late and may not be included in the initial publication.

Week 18 fantasy football injury report

This week’s key game-time decisions: RB Alvin Kamara, RB Kendre Miller, WR Jaylen Waddle, RB Raheem Mostert, WR Christian Watson, WR Jayden Reed, WR Tee Higgins, QB Trevor Lawrence, WR Christian Kirk, RB Isiah Pacheco, RB D’Andre Swift

ARIZONA CARDINALS
WR Marquise Brown (heel) went on IR and is out for the season. WR Zach Pascal (hamstring) was limited Friday and is questionable.

ATLANTA FALCONS 
QB Taylor Heinicke (ankle) is questionable after limited work all week.

BALTIMORE RAVENS – Saturday night
QB Lamar Jackson, (rest) WR Odell Beckham Jr., (rest) and OG Kevin Zeitler (knee, quadriceps) are out.  WR Zay Flowers (calf) is doubtful.

BUFFALO BILLS 
C Mitch Morse (illness) is questionable after he sat out of practice Friday. QB Josh Allen (neck, finger) practiced all week and is good to go.

CAROLINA PANTHERS 
WR Jonathan Mingo (foot) was placed on IR. PK Eddy Pineiro (hamstring) is doubtful. 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.

CHICAGO BEARS 
WR Darnell Mooney (concussion) is out again. TE Cole Kmet (knee), RB Khalil Herbert (back) and C Lucas Patrick (knee) are questionable. Kmet was a full-go Friday, Patrick was limited and Herbert sat out. WR D.J. Moore (ankle) practiced Friday and will play.

CINCINNATI BENGALS
WR Tee Higgins (hamstring) is doubtful and didn’t practice all week. WR Ja’Marr Chase (shoulder), RB Joe Mixon (ankle) and QB Jake Browning (foot) practiced Friday and will play.

CLEVELAND BROWNS 
WR Amari Cooper (heel) and PK Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) are out. WR Elijah Moore (concussion) is questionable after limited work all week. 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.

DALLAS COWBOYS 
RB Deuce Vaughn (ankle) landed on IR. RB Rico Dowdle (ankle) is set to return after practicing Thursday and Friday. LG Tyler Smith (foot) and C Tyler Biadasz (illness) are questionable.

DENVER BRONCOS 
WR Courtland Sutton (concussion) and WR Marvin Mims (hamstring) practiced Friday and are good to go.

DETROIT LIONS 
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.

GREEN BAY PACKERS 
RB AJ Dillon (thumb, neck) is out. TE Luke Musgrave (kidney), WR Christian Watson (hamstring), WR Dontayvion Wicks (chest), WR Jayden Reed (chest) and LG Elgton Jenkins (knee, ankle) are questionable. Watson didn’t practice Friday, but the rest were limited. RB Aaron Jones (knee, finger) was limited all week but doesn’t have an injury tag.

HOUSTON TEXANS – Saturday night
WR Noah Brown (knee) is out. LT Laremy Tunsil (knee) and WR Robert Woods (hip) are questionable. Tunsil was limited Thursday, but Woods didn’t practice.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS – Saturday night
RB Zack Moss (forearm), RT Braden Smith (knee), LG Quenton Nelson (ankle) and C Ryan Kelly (ankle) are all questionable. Moss and Smith had full sessions Thursday, and Kelly and Nelson were limited.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS 
QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder), WR Zay Jones (knee, hamstring) and WR Christian Kirk (groin) are questionable after limited practices all week. 

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS 
WR Rashee Rice (hamstring), LT Donovan Smith (neck) and WR Kadarius Toney (hip, ankle) are out. QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle) is doubtful, but head coach Andy Reid already said Mahomes wouldn’t play. RB Isiah Pacheco (concussion, shoulder) is questionable after limited work Thursday and Friday. TE Travis Kelce (neck) was limited all week and carries no injury designation, but it’s hard to imagine him playing much because the team is locked in their playoff position. TE Noah Gray (ribs) is good to go after practicing all week.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
RB Josh Jacobs (quadriceps) and TE Michael Mayer (toe) are out.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
EDGE Joey Bosa (foot) and WR Keenan Allen (heel) are out. WR Joshua Palmer (concussion) practiced fully Friday and will go.

LOS ANGELES RAMS
WR Cooper Kupp (rest), RB Kyren Williams (rest) DT Aaron Donald (rest) and TE Tyler Higbee (shoulder) officially are doubtful, but Sean McVay already said none of them will play.

MIAMI DOLPHINS 
WR Jaylen Waddle (ankle) and RB Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) are questionable after upgrading to limited work Friday. 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.

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MINNESOTA VIKINGS
TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) went on IR and is out for the season. WR Jalen Nailor (concussion) and RT Brian O’Neill (ankle) are out, and LT Christian Darrisaw (illness) is questionable.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) went on IR, ending his season. TE Hunter Henry (knee) and LT Trent Brown (illness) are out. WR DeVante Parker (ribs) and WR Tyquan Thornton (ankle) are questionable after limited work Friday.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
RT Ryan Ramczyk (knee) went on IR. RB Alvin Kamara (ankle), RB Kendre Miller (ankle, illness) and TE Juwan Johnson (chest) are questionable. Kamara didn’t practice at all this week, and Miller was limited until he missed practice Friday. Johnson was limited Thursday and Friday. WR Chris Olave (ankle) was limited early in the week, but he had a full session Friday and will go.

NEW YORK GIANTS 
C John Michael Schmitz (shin) is questionable after limited work Thursday and Friday. QB Tyrod Taylor (back) was limited all week but will play.

NEW YORK JETS 
QB Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) and QB Zach Wilson (concussion) remain out.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 
WR DeVonta Smith (ankle) is out. RB D’Andre Swift (illness) is questionable after limited work Friday.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS – Saturday night
QB Kenny Pickett (ankle) and RB Najee Harris (knee) practiced fully Thursday and are good to go. Pickett was benched in favor of Mason Rudolph, though. 

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS 
RB Christian McCaffrey (calf) is out. RB Elijah Mitchell (illness) is set to play after a full session Friday.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS 
RT Abraham Lucas (knee) is out. RB Kenneth Walker III (shoulder) and WR Tyler Lockett (toe) practiced Friday and will go.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
QB Baker Mayfield (ribs) is questionable but practiced fully Friday. WR Trey Palmer (hip) also is questionable but was limited all week.

TENNESSEE TITANS
QB Will Levis (foot) is questionable after a limited practice Friday, but QB Ryan Tannehill was named the starter.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS
RT Andrew Wylie (elbow) is questionable. QB Jacoby Brissett (hamstring) and WR Curtis Samuel (hamstring) practiced fully Friday and are good to go. QB Sam Howell will start over Brissett, however.

Patriots Week 18 injury report: Two players ruled out vs Jets

The Patriots ruled two players out for Sunday’s game against the Jets

The New England Patriots completed their final practice of the 2023 season on Friday. Offensive tackle Trent Brown and tight end Hunter Henry were the only two players listed as non-participants.

Both have been ruled out for Sunday’s game against the New York Jets.

Henry and Brown are playing on expiring contracts, which means we might have seen them play their final snaps for the Patriots. There are a bunch of uncertainties for New England in the offseason, most notably at the head coaching position with Bill Belichick currently on the hot seat.

There were 13 total players that were limited participants at the final practice. Each of those players are listed as questionable to play in Week 18. Here are the full injury reports from both teams on Friday:

New England Patriots

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status
OL Trent Brown Illness DNP DNP DNP Out
DB Myles Bryant Illness DNP LP LP Questionable
DL Christian Barmore Knee LP LP LP Questionable
TE Pharaoh Brown Ribs LP LP LP Questionable
TE Hunter Henry Knee LP LP DNP Out
LB Anfernee Jennings Knee LP LP LP Questionable
CB Jonathan Jones Knee LP LP LP Questionable
WR DeVante Parker Ribs LP LP LP Questionable
S Jabrill Peppers Hamstring LP LP LP Questionable
ST Matthew Slater Hamstring LP LP LP Questionable
LB Jahlani Tavai Tooth LP LP LP Questionable
CB Shaun Wade Hip LP LP LP Questionable
S Jalen Mills Ankle LP Questionable
WR Tyquan Thornton Ankle LP Questionable

DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation ; FP: Full participation

New York Jets

Player Injury Wednesday Thursday Friday Game Status
OL Jacob Hansen Concussion DNP DNP DNP Out
TE Jeremy Ruckert Concussion DNP DNP DNP Out
QB Zach Wilson Concussion DNP DNP DNP Out
QB Aaron Rodgers Achilles LP LP LP Out
OL Wes Schweitzer Calf LP LP LP Doubtful
RB Israel Abanikanda Ankle FP FP Active
DL John Franklin-Myers Ankle FP FP Active
WR Allen Lazard Illness FP FP Active

DNP: Did not practice; LP: Limited participation ; FP: Full participation

The Jets have their own problems with multiple players being ruled out, but they’re clearly a healthier football team than the Patriots in this matchup. However, the Patriots have won the last 15 straight games against the Jets.

It’ll take a herculean effort to end that streak regardless of who is on the field for New England.

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Tee Higgins headlines final injury report of the season for Bengals

The final injury report of the season has arrived for the Bengals.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon was one of the biggest names on the injury report before the team’s season finale against the Cleveland Browns.

But it’s Tee Higgins, not Mixon, who headlines the actual final injury report.

Here’s the full list the Bengals issued on Friday:

  • WR Tee Higgins (Doubtful)
  • CB Chidobe Awuzie (Questionable)
  • CB Jalen Davis (Questionable)

Mixon initially joined the list on the second edition due to illness.

Onlookers will notice that star wideout Ja’Marr Chase isn’t on the list. He got upgraded to a full practice on Thursday, with him revealing in interviews that he’ll play through the injury.

Of note, Chase also talked about a possible extension for Tee Higgins and whether or not the injured shoulder will require surgery.

As for Higgins, he’s slated for free agency this summer, so there’s a slim chance he’s played his last snap with the Bengals, barring a surprising turnaround this weekend.

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Bucs HC Todd Bowles gives extremely high praise for Panthers QB Bryce Young

Bowles made a very big prediction for how Young’s career will turn out ahead of his matchup against the Panthers Sunday.

It’s safe to say that Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach [autotag]Todd Bowles [/autotag] thinks very highly of his opposing signal caller on Sunday when he takes on the Carolina Panthers.

Bowles was asked what he thinks about the progression of Panthers QB Bryce Young, who is in his first year in the NFL after being taken with the No. 1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Bowles didn’t just compliment Young — he gave him a heap of praise typically only reserved for few.

“A lot of poise. One of the best scramblers I’ve seen this year,” Bowles said. “He’s going to be one of the best to ever do it once he’s done playing. I believe he’s a very good quarterback.”

While Young has shown some potential in his first stint with the Panthers, it’s been few and far between. Many would argue Young is a victim of circumstance, but his numbers aren’t great. As it stands, he’s thrown for 2,783 yards, 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 59.7% completion percentage.

Regardless of how lofty expectations are, Bowles clearly takes the Young quarterback seriously, as he should — a win over him and the Panthers would ensue an NFC South division title and playoff berth, while a loss would almost certainly remove them from playoff contention entirely.

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Joe Mixon added to Browns vs. Bengals injury report for Week 18

A new face on the Week 18 Browns vs. Bengals injury report.

Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon joined the injury report ahead of the season finale against the Cleveland Browns.

Citing an illness, Mixon joined wideout Tee Higgins as the only DNP statuses:

  • RB Joe Mixon (DNP)
  • WR Tee Higgins (DNP)
  • WR Ja’Marr Chase (FP)
  • QB Jake Browning (FP)
  • CB Chidobe Awuzie (LP)
  • CB Jalen Davis (LP)

Of note, Ja’Marr Chase got upgraded to a full practice on Thursday, which coincided with him telling reporters that he’ll play no matter what.

Quarterback Jake Browning is a new arrival to the injury report with a foot issue, too, though he went in full.

With Higgins missing another day, it’s safe to think he’ll miss the finale, barring a massive turnaround on Friday.

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