McConkey was held out of Wednesday’s practice but returned to the field on Thursday. He was also out there on Friday before being cleared. With Josh Palmer out this week, the Chargers will funnel even more target McConkey’s way. Still playing for seeding purposes in the AFC, the Chargers should handle business against the Raiders, putting McConkey on the WR1/2 border for Week 18.

Kittle did not practice on Wednesday but was back on the practice field for the next two sessions. He is a true game-time call for Week 18. With nothing left to play for, the 49ers could hold him out even if he is healthy enough to play. Eric Saubert would likely draw the start if he is held out. With Josh Dobbs under center, there isn’t much fantasy value to be had here.

Samuel only missed one game before Week 18, a Week 3 loss to the Rams, because of an injury but was seemingly hampered by various issues for most of the year. He was listed with a wrist issue that never went away as early as Week 7. Samuel came down with pneumonia ahead of that game, played four snaps, and was hospitalized on Monday. Rib and oblique injuries were later added to the growing list of ailments and he appeared entirely out of gas midway through the season. Deebo topped 100 receiving yards twice in his first five games and failed to hit triple digits ever again. He ended the year with 51 grabs for 673 yards and three scores. Samuel also underwhelmed on the ground, adding just 136 yards and one score at a dismal 3.2 yards per carry. The 49ers can cut him as a post-June 1st release in the offseason for roughly $5 million in cap savings. However, the move would saddle San Francisco with over $30 million in dead cap, making an extension or restructure more likely. It’s possible Samuel just needs a healthy offseason to get back to form ahead of 2025. On the other hand, at 28 years old with declining numbers across the board, it’s more than possible that Samuel’s best days are behind him.

All signs point toward Tagovailoa sitting this week but remained involved as a limited practice participant all week and the Dolphins still have a chance to make the playoffs. Fantasy managers should expect to be without him. He is a highly volatile starting option if active though. The Jets’ flailing defense could facilitate an efficient outing.

Kelce will get the week off as the Chiefs prepare for the playoffs. They have already secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Other notable names listed as doubtful include Chris Jones, Patrick Mahomes, George Karlaftis, and Trent McDuffie, just to name a few. Kelce ends the regular season with 97 receptions for 823 yards and three touchdowns.

Goedert is in the process of returning from injured reserve and the Eagles are listing all skill position starters as either out or doubtful. Goedert, however, carries no injury designation into a meaningless Week 18 game against the Giants. It is possible that the Eagles allow him to play as a sort of ramp-up period but it seems more likely that they allow him to rest. He has no real fantasy floor, if active.

The wrist issue is new for Jacobs this week. It held him to two limited sessions, but the veteran back got in a full practice on Friday before being cleared from the injury report entirely. With little to play for in Week 18, Jacobs could be on a short leash versus the Bears. It makes him a slightly more risky fantasy bet, though he may not need a full four quarters to pay off against a run-funnel Chicago defense. Backup running back Chris Brooks (ankle) was also removed from the injury report.

Watson was listed as a DNP for the first two practices of the week before being upgraded to a limited session on Friday. The Packers can only move up from the No. 7 seed to the No. 6 seed in Week 18 but are locked into a playoff berth already. With extremely little to play for, Watson isn’t likely to suit up on Sunday. Dontayvion Wicks is in line for another game as Jordan Love’s WR3.

The Eagles cannot alter their status as the NFC’s No. 2 playoff seed so it seems highly unlikely that the team would allow Brown to play this week. Fantasy managers should expect him to rest unless the team explicitly tells the public that Brown will play and have an active role.

The Eagles are locked into the NFC’s No. 2 playoff seed so Hurts was allowed to rest all week. The star quarterback is reportedly progressing through the NFL’s concussion protocol, though details on the matter are difficult to come by. As for his finger injury, fortunately for Hurts, it is on his left (non-throwing) hand so he should not be overly impacted by it during the playoffs. Hurts’ backup, Kenny Pickett (ribs) is questionable to play this week which could mean Tanner McKee gets the start.