NFL Player News

Michael Bennett (7-8-0, 1-10-0) didn’t fare much better. Smith is too much of a dancer, which isn’t a great fit for coordinator Mike Solari’s offense. He’ll need to get that corrected to pass Bennett during the season.

The Browns limp into Week 18 with a skeleton crew of personnel, with reports out of Cleveland indicating that both Bailey Zappe and Dorian Thompson-Robinson would see time under center. Offensive expectations should be tempered considering the team’s lowly 12.5-point Vegas implied team total.

Agholor shed his injury designation this week but will be held out as the Ravens look to clinch the AFC North against the Browns. Justice Hill joins him on the sidelines after suffering a brutal concussion two weeks ago. While less than likely, lead back Derrick Henry needs 217 rush yards to become the first player in NFL history with multiple 2,000-yard seasons.

Sanders makes his return to an active roster now without both Chuba Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks, likely leaving him in line to serve as the lead back in the team’s final game of the regular season against the Falcons. His ultimate workload likely depends on his level of health after working his way back from an ankle injury that forced a trip to injured reserve, but the Panthers should have every reason to continue with full effort as they work through the future of their franchise.

The Bills have nothing to play for in Week 18 and are likely to rest as many starters as possible considering they are locked into the No. 2 seed out of the AFC, so this is likely a non-issue in the team’s journey towards the Super Bowl. Assuming everything is okay on the home front for the veteran wide receiver, expect him to return to the team following the weekend as they prepare for a home game in the Wildcard Round.

Rapoport had previously reported that Brown “must improve greatly” to play this week. However, the 24-year-old running back participated in walkthrough Friday, which could be a good sign for his availability against the Steelers. Brown is still listed as questionable and will be a game-time decision. Even if he’s active, there’s the potential Brown won’t be able to make it through the game without re-injury, but he’s certainly going to try. Khalil Herbert would be the main beneficiary from Brown either being inactive or limited in Week 18.

New England’s head coaching position technically isn’t open at the moment and Russini has reported multiple times in the past that Jerod Mayo is expected to get a second season with the Patriots. Still, the timing of this report ahead of New England’s last game is enough to raise some eyebrows. The advantages to the Patriots job are obvious with the team in position for the No. 1 overall pick in the draft while having the most cap space in the league this offseason and a young quarterback already in place. The only question that remains is if the job will actually become available in the next week.

Rapoport specifically addressed the idea of the Cowboys offering McCarthy a one-year deal, indicating that McCarthy may be unwilling to sign a contract that lacks a multi-year commitment. Rapoport was also careful to note that he expects McCarthy to have other head coaching opportunities elsewhere in the NFL, if he hits free agency, as scheduled.

Rapoport adds that “Cooper Rush may still start” but that Lance will receive “some real reps... significant reps in this game.” Following the NFL Network segment, Rapoport captioned his post on X, saying, from “2022 through 17 weeks of 2024, Trey Lance has thrown a grand total of 20 passes. He may eclipse that total on Sunday.” Significant reps, indeed. Lance could scramble his way to back-end QB1 results if he is allowed to dropback 20-plus times. He is difficult to fully rely on though, particularly if he is not even guaranteed to be the starter.

Higgins remained limited in all three practices this week, indicating the talented wide receiver avoided suffering any setbacks. Rapoport’s report further indicates that Higgins should be good to go for his typical No. 2 wide receiver role against the division-rival Steelers.

Brown is still technically labeled as questionable to play but Rapoport’s Friday night report is disheartening. Fantasy managers should expect Khalil Herbert to get the Week 18 start against the Steelers. Brown would be an RB1, if active, though at risk for re-injury.