NFL Player News

Thompson was evaluated for a concussion in the first quarter but was held out with a back injury after he cleared protocol. James Robinson remains the only other available running back for Jacksonville Sunday.

As is right tackle Cornelius Lucas. Both linemen got in one limited practice this week. The team is likely ramping them up for a return in the Wild Card Round. Down multiple offensive linemen, the Commanders could take a conservative approach on offense this week. They are locked into a playoff spot regardless of the outcome of this game.

Ekeler was designated to return from injured reserve earlier this week. He got in three full practices before being listed as questionable. He should be good to go for Week 18, but the Commanders have little to play for on Sunday. They secure the No. 6 seed with a win or a Green Bay loss but are already locked into a bottom-two seed regardless of the outcomes. They could be extra cautious with Ekeler’s return and hold him out another week anyway. He will be a risky RB4 bet if activated from IR ahead of Sunday’s game.

Brown missed Week 17 with the hamstring issue but was back at practice on Thursday. He got in a full session on Friday before being cleared from the report. Olamide Zaccheus has taken over as the team’s No. 2 receiver over the past two weeks, totaling 155 yards and three touchdowns. The breakout likely pencils Brown in as the No. 3 receiver going forward.

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.

The Eagles cannot improve their status as the NFC’s No. 2 playoff seed so they have no real reason to keep their No. 2 WR active. Smith has battled hamstring and wrist injuries as a late and a week off could be significant dividends down the road. Fantasy managers should expect him to set this week.

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.

Barkley’s status should be ready as a formality. The team has already indicated that the star running back will not play this week, nor will any of the Eagles’ core players. Backup Kenneth Gainwell should get the start although rookie Will Shipley (concussion), who is currently listed as questionable, could get involved.

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.

Reynolds was added to the injury report on Friday after being held out of practice. It could have been precautionary, but the late-week DNP is typically a bad sign for a player’s odds of suiting up on Sunday. If Reynolds can’t play, Jermar Jefferson would take over the RB2 duties in Detroit’s duel for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.