Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that quarterback Bryce Young and the team's other starters will play in Week 18 against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. "We have one more week to finish strong," Canales said. The Panthers were eliminated from postseason contention a while back, but their regular-season finale isn't without playoff implications. If the Panthers knock off the Falcons, they will eliminate them from a chance to win the NFC South. Aside from playing spoiler, the Panthers would also like to finish strong after a nice second-year bounce-back season from Young and the offense under a new coaching staff. The 23-year-old former first overall pick got off to a horrendous start and was benched for Andy Dalton after two games. But since returning, Young has been serviceable and a top-10 fantasy QB. Carolina will look for more growth in Year 3 in 2025.

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Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders (ankle) was cleared to play last week, and head coach Dave Canales said he's looking forward to getting Sanders onto the practice field this week. Sanders is not being ruled out from playing in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons on Sunday. The 27-year-old is still on Injured Reserve, so if he is going to return to play in the last game of the year, Carolina will need to officially activate him by Saturday. Chuba Hubbard (calf, knee) and Jonathon Brooks (knee) are both done for the year, but even if Sanders is able to play on Sunday, he'd likely be sharing backfield touches with both Raheem Blackshear and Mike Boone and wouldn't be a viable fantasy option. Sanders hasn't played since Week 10 and was averaging a mere 3.7 yards per carry in a limited role before hurting his ankle.

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Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales said on Monday that running back Chuba Hubbard (calf) will not require surgery for his strained calf. Hubbard was placed on season-ending Injured Reserve last week and will miss the final two games of the 2024 regular season. It's a downer to end what was a brilliant campaign for the 25-year-old in his fourth year in the NFL. He set career-highs in rushing attempts (250), rushing yards (1,195), rushing touchdowns (10) and receptions (43) while recording 171 receiving yards and an additional touchdown in his 15 starts. In terms of half-PPR points per game (14.9), Hubbard was the RB12 in fantasy. Although the Panthers have another promising back they drafted in 2024 in Jonathon Brooks, he has yet to be healthy, and Carolina also signed Hubbard to a four-year extension last month. Hubbard should enter 2025 as the team's unquestioned RB1.

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Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott said on Monday that the team will play "some starters" in what will be a meaningless Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New England Patriots. McDermott also said that quarterback Josh Allen, the front-runner to win the MVP award, will start the game, but his appearance will be a "very, very short-lived amount of time." The Bills are already locked into the No. 2 seed in the AFC for the postseason and have nothing to gain by beating the Patriots in the final week of the regular season. It means that Buffalo will treat this more like a preseason game. If any starters, including Allen, actually play, they might only see a series or two on offense before they are pulled for the day. With that in mind, fantasy managers still playing for a title will want to avoid the overall QB3 in points. Expect to see a lot of backup Mitchell Trubisky.

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Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said on Monday that running back Justice Hill (concussion, illness)is just sick and will be available to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Saturday against the division-rival Cleveland Browns. Hill did not play on Christmas Day last Wednesday in the blowout win over the Houston Texans due to a concussion, but he's apparently cleared the league's protocol and will play in a game that the Ravens must win to clinch the AFC North division title. The 27-year-old could have his practice repetitions limited this week, and as long as he doesn't suffer a setback, he should return to his role as the change-of-pace, pass-catching option behind starter Derrick Henry in Baltimore's backfield. In half-PPR scoring, Hill has averaged 7.1 points in 15 games in 2024 with 47 carries for 228 yards and a TD while adding 42 catches for 383 yards and another three touchdowns.

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According to head coach Shane Steichen, the Indianapolis Colts are still unsure if quarterback Anthony Richardson (back, foot) will start in Week 18 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Kevin Bowen of 107.5 The Fan reported the news. Steichen also noted that the 22-year-old is feeling better on Monday and will start this weekend if he's healthy enough to do so. The second-year pro had been dealing with a foot issue he picked up in Week 16 but has also reportedly been battling back spasms -- the actual reason for his inactive designation versus the Giants. With the entire week to rest before the season's final slate of contests, Richardson will still have a shot at playing. However, his progress over the next few days will be telling of his availability. With Indy officially eliminated from playoff contention, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Florida alum miss another outing.

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Per Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, quarterback C.J. Stroud and the rest of the team's starters will play in this weekend's divisional clash with the Tennessee Titans. "Everybody has to be ready to go, and that's where we are," said Ryan. "Everyone will be out there playing." Ok then. Evidently, the Texans will be out in full force for the season's final week. Despite locking up the AFC's fourth seed, the second-year coach will run out his first-string unit in Week 18 after an embarrassing 31-2 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Christmas Day. With the game holding no meaning for either team, it's possible that the starting squad could get a little rest anyway. Still, seeing the team's best product on the field for at least some of the action will be nice. The Texans will travel to Nashville to take on their division foes.

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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Mack Hollins brought in both of his targets for 33 yards in his team's 40-14 drubbing of the New York Jets. The 31-year-old commanded just two looks on a day when quarterback Josh Allen's pass attempts were down again -- tossing 27 during an outing in which they controlled from start to finish. Despite participating in every game this season, Hollins has registered 50 or more yards just twice all year. It hasn't been all bad in 2024, as the veteran has hauled in a career-high five TDs. Still, he's otherwise compiled 28 receptions and 353 yards while leading the Bills' WR corps in snaps. With Buffalo's playoff spot all locked up, their meeting with the New England Patriots in Week 18 is but a formality. It wouldn't be surprising at all to see the squad sit their starters for at least some of the contest.

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Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Boyd caught 2-of-4 targets in Sunday's 20-13 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 30-year-old was a non-factor in Week 17, notching his fourteenth outing in 2024 with three or fewer receptions. It's unlikely that the veteran fell off so drastically; instead, questionable quarterback play is the cause of his subpar season. Unless he puts together a monster performance in Week 18 to close out the year, Boyd will finish under 600 receiving yards for the first time since his sophomore season in 2017, when he played just ten games (22/225/2). With Rudolph and teammate Will Levis slated to split QB reps next weekend, it doesn't look like his situation will improve to close out the season. Tennessee will host the Houston Texans in the season's final week.

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Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said on Monday that he will probably hold running back Isiah Pacheco (ribs) back in practice this week, but he expects the RB to be ready to go for the playoffs. Reid said that Pacheco "dinged his ribs" in the Week 17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day. The 25-year-old finished with only six carries for 18 yards last Wednesday before departing in the fourth quarter. With the Chiefs locked into the AFC's top seed for the playoffs, they will most likely rest most of their starters, including Pacheco, in Week 18 against the division-rival Denver Broncos. Fellow RB Kareem Hunt might also see minimal run, if any at all, this weekend with KC having nothing to play for. If both Pacheco and Hunt are rested completely, look for Samaje Perine and rookie Carson Steele to share backfield touches for an offense that will be run by backup QB Carson Wentz.

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Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said that both quarterbacks Mason Rudolph and Will Levis will play in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Houston Texans this coming Sunday. It means that fantasy managers still playing for something in two-QB superflex leagues should ignore both Rudolph and Levis this weekend. Tennessee chose to bench Levis after their Week 15 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals in favor of Levis, who hasn't been a noticeable upgrade. Rudolph has completed 64.62% of his 65 pass attempts with 445 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions in two losses to the Colts and Jaguars. Levis, the team's second-round pick in 2023, has been too inconsistent in his second NFL season, tossing 12 TDs and 12 interceptions while also being sacked 40 times in 11 starts. There will obviously be very little upside for both QBs to close out the year.

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New Orleans Saints rookie wide receiver Kevin Austin Jr. was minimally involved in the team's 25-10 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday in Week 17. Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler continued to struggle and completed only 20 of his 36 pass attempts. He targeted Austin only twice in the game, with Austin coming down with one catch for a gain of 23 yards on the day. Fellow wideout Marquez Valdes-Scantling aggravated his back injury and was forced to leave the contest, but it didn't lead to Austin being more involved. The 24-year-old has played at least 70 percent of the offensive snaps the last three weeks, but it has led to only three catches on nine targets for 48 yards and no touchdowns over that span. In New Orleans' depleted offense that is being run by Rattler, Austin cannot be trusted in fantasy in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

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Philadelphia Eagles running back Kenneth Gainwell had only four touches (three carries, one reception) in the 41-7 blowout win over the division-rival Dallas Cowboys in Week 17 on Sunday. Given the score and the fact that the Eagles pulled star running back Saquon Barkley in the fourth quarter after he reached the elite milestone of 2,000 rushing yards in a single season, Gainwell's minimal involvement was a bit of a disappointment. He gained only four yards on his three rushing attempts and picked up five yards on his lone catch. The good news, though, is that with Philly locked into the No. 2 seed and with nothing to play for in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival New York Giants, Gainwell could easily operate as the team's lead back. However, that could also come with third-string QB Tanner McKee under center with both Jalen Hurts (concussion, finger) and Kenny Pickett (ribs) hurt.

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New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard never had much of a chance to stand out on offense in the team's 40-14 blowout loss to the division-rival Buffalo Bills on Sunday in Week 17. That was especially true with quarterback Aaron Rodgers only attempting 18 passes on the day. Lazard was targeted just three times and caught one pass for a pickup of nine yards. Meanwhile, receivers Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson and tight end Tyler Conklin were all targeted eight times. The 29-year-old Lazard was the target on one of Rodgers' two interceptions on the day. He has not scored a touchdown since Week 6 and has caught only 34 of his 57 targets on the season for 459 yards and five touchdowns in 11 games in his second year in New York. Rodgers has good chemistry with Lazard, but the opportunities just aren't there behind Adams and Wilson. Lazard is off the fantasy radar for Week 18.

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Carolina Panthers rookie tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders earned one target in Week 17 and turned that into a five-yard reception in Sunday's 48-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In this one, Sanders took a clear backseat to the Panthers' receivers, Adam Thielen and Xavier Legette. In addition, the Buccaneers dictated game flow in this one, as they dominated the game and time of possession with 41 minutes compared to the Panthers' 19, making it difficult for Carolina's playmakers to make a difference in this contest. Sanders became fantasy-relevant in the middle of the season with 18 catches for 212 yards and a touchdown from Week 6 through Week 10. However, since Week 14, he has only earned three total targets, making him nothing more than a dynasty stash for fantasy managers. The Panthers will travel to Atlanta this week to take on the Falcons, and Sanders should be on your bench.

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Indianapolis Colts veteran quarterback Joe Flacco wasn't able to really boost rookie wide receiver Adonai Mitchell's output in the Week 17 upset loss to the New York Giants on the road on Sunday. With Anthony Richardson (back) out, Mitchell only hooked up with Flacco two times on four targets for 22 yards. Flacco being under center has helped boost Indy's pass-catchers in fantasy in the games he's started, but it was Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce who benefitted the most on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in the 45-33 loss, combining for 15 receptions, 231 yards and two touchdowns. The 22-year-old Mitchell has an intriguing skill set for the long term, but he just hasn't had enough opportunities in the Colts' low-volume passing attack with Richardson, who has had his issues with accuracy early in his career. Despite a good matchup in Week 18 against the Jags, Mitchell will be hard to trust in fantasy.

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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (calf) was reportedly dealing with very serious back spasms leading up to the Week 17 contest against the New York Giants on Sunday, which is why he was deemed inactive. However, there were also reports coming from the team that Richardson was just dealing with "soreness," which ESPN's Stephen Holder says was ridiculous. Richardson was not permitted to speak to reporters after Sunday's loss, which eliminated Indy from postseason contention. With the Colts now eliminated from the playoffs, it seems likely that Richardson will miss a second straight game due to his back spasms, so fantasy managers still playing for a championship in Week 18 shouldn't expect to have the second-year signal-caller's services against the Jaguars. Veteran Joe Flacco went 26-for-38 for 330 yards, two TDs and two picks in his fifth start of the year against New York.

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Buffalo Bills running back Ray Davis earned six carries and turned that into just nine yards in Sunday's 40-17 win over the New York Jets. He added one reception for four yards as well. As expected, Davis took a clear back seat over James Cook; however, Ty Johnson was also involved and was more effective than Davis on the ground, totaling 25 yards on his five total opportunities. With the Bills' victory in Week 17, they are locked into the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoff picture, making it possible for Davis to get started in Week 18. If that's the case, and based on Johnson's involvement, fantasy managers can expect them to split the backfield if the Bills decide to rest Cook against the New England Patriots for the regular season finale.

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New York Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich reiterated on Monday what he said following the blowout loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday in Week 17: That the team plans to start quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Miami Dolphins. The Jets' season was over a while ago, but the Dolphins playoffs hopes are still alive heading into the final week of the regular season. The wheels fell off for Rodgers and the 4-12 Jets on Sunday against the Bills, with the 41-year-old future Hall of Famer looking checked out while going just 12-for-18 for 112 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions in the 40-14 loss. He was pulled late in favor of journeyman Tyrod Taylor, but it looks like Rodgers will get one more start in what is expected to be his final game with Gang Green. From a big-picture perspective, Rodgers needs one more TD for 500 in his illustrious career.

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Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that running back Aaron Jones (quadriceps) isn't dealing with a major injury after being pulled late in the Week 17 win over the division-rival Green Bay Packers on Sunday with a quadriceps contusion. Jones tried to get his quad worked on over on the sideline late in the fourth quarter, but out of an abundance of caution, he did not return against Green Bay. While Jones' status will be somewhat in question for the huge Week 18 showdown against the Detroit Lions, which will decide the top seed in the NFC playoff picture, he should be able to play. If Jones is limited at all because of the injury, Cam Akers would benefit from more touches out of the backfield in a tough matchup. The 30-year-old Jones finished Sunday's game with 12 carries for 47 yards while catching four of his five targets for an additional 30 yards.

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