NFL Player News

He’s lining up as a starter, but that just isn’t likely to last. Chris Hannon, Jeff Webb, and Dwayne Bowe (once he signs) should make Parker more of a special teams player and situational slot receiver. He’s no longer a fantasy option, but the younger guys haven’t stepped up.

Head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters on Monday he does not believe the foot issue will land Palmer on injured reserve. The fact that it is even an option suggests Palmer won’t play this week. His availability for LA’s Wild Card game is also in question. Quentin Johnson should see an uptick in targets with less competition for the WR2 role in Week 18.

Edwards looks likely to miss another game with the ankle issue. J.K. Dobbins returned from injured reserve last week and picked up 76 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. With Dobbins cementing his role as the team’s top back once again, Edwards is not on the fantasy radar, healthy or not.

The Chargers have been generous with their maintenance this year, but a DNP to open the week still has our eyebrows raised. The Chargers can move up the seeding order with a win and a Pittsburgh loss on Sunday, though they have long since been eliminated from hosting a game in the Wild Card Round. That could be enough of a reason for them to sit McConkey this week. With Josh Palmer also on the injury report, this is a situation to monitor throughout the week.

Per head coach Kevin O’Connell, Jones suffered a quad contusion in Week 17 against the Packers. He spent some time on the sidelines while Cam Akers took over but was never officially given an injury designation. Wednesday’s practice was only a walkthrough, so we’ll learn more about Jones’s ability on Thursday. For now, fantasy managers can assume he will play through the issue in a battle with Detroit for the NFC North crown on Sunday.

The Eagles have made clear that most skill position players will be given ample rest this week, and core players like Smith are even unlikely to play on game day. We will see how the week progresses but fantasy managers should expect Smith to be ruled out for Week 18.

The Eagles are taking a conservative approach to Week 18. All potential starting skill position players took the day off on Wednesday, though the team has also made clear that many will not suit up at all this week, even on game day. Fantasy managers should make backup plans.

With just one practice left in the week, it certainly looks like Njoku has played his last snap of the season. He has dealt with several injuries this year and the ankle issue has already cost him one game. Jordan Akins will be a punt TE2 option once Njoku is ruled out.

Pickett is certainly questionable to play this week, after being forced from Week 17 action when he aggravated his preexisting ribs issue. The Eagles largely gave skill position players the day off today though so his Wednesday absence leaves room for improvement. Tomorrow’s injury report will be far more telling.

Backup Pierre Strong remains sidelined with a concussion. That leaves just D’Onta Foreman to man the backfield if neither is able to practice on Friday. Foreman would be a volume-based RB3 if neither back plays in Week 18 versus the Ravens.

Gardner aggravated his preexisting hamstring strain last week and the 4-12 Jets have no real reason to rush him back into action. He is highly unlikely to suit up against the Dolphins in a meaningless Week 18 game.