NFL Player News

Bell, per Auman, profiles as the team’s best pass-catching back for Week 18. That could mean Vaughn and Bell will split early-down duties and Bell will take on the third-down role against Carolina. Bell would be the superior PPR option in such a scenario. Neither Tampa back would have much upside if they share backfield responsibilities against the Panthers’ exploitable rush defense. Ronald Jones (ankle) likely won’t play in Week 18.

Nacua’s 79-990-3 line from this season looks like a decline from his 2023 campaign. Then, you remember he played in just 11-of-17 games and averaged more receptions per game (7.2) and receiving yards per game (90.0) than he did as a rookie and that he was on pace for a 1,500-yard season. Knee injuries followed Nacua for much of the year. A bursted bursa sac in his right knee in training camp led to Nacua missing most of camp. Then, in Week 1, Nacua suffered a sprained PCL and immediately landed on injured reserve, which resulted in him missing five games. Nacua’s 30 percent target share on the season tied him with Justin Jefferson for the second-highest target share in the league among receivers. His fantasy impact in 2025 could be somewhat affected by what Matthew Stafford decides to do in the offseason, but as long as Sean McVay return to coach another year, the targets should continue to be there for Nacua, who will profile as a WR1 barring any major changes.

Williams also caught one pass that went for a one-yard loss. The Ram’s bell cow back from 2023 reprised his role in 2024, handling 38 percent of the team’s opportunities while posting a regular season line of 316-1299-14 on the ground while adding another 34-182-2 through the air. Far from the league’s most efficient back (50.9 percent rushing success rate, ranked 30th) William’s high-volume role continues to make him a stud for his fantasy managers. The 356 opportunities he saw this season set a new career-high, as the oft-injured back seemingly kicked the injury bug in 2024. The only game he “missed” was a meaningless Week 18 contest against the Seahawks after the Rams already had the division title secured. The Rams drafted Blake Corum in the third round of this year’s draft, but the rookie out of Michigan was a non-factor in his first year in the league. Whether or not he sees an increased role next season is anybody’s guess, but Williams should continue to see enough volume to make for a solid top-12 fantasy option.

Stafford and the Rams nearly pulled off a late fourth-quarter comeback, but their two turnovers proved to be too much in the Divisional Round defeat. Stafford and the Rams entered 2024 with a mixed bag of expectations following the retirement of Aaron Donald and the offseason and an unproven defense that featured two rookie starers on the defensive side of the ball. Despite those questions, the Rams rallied from a 1-4 start to the year to go 9-3 in their final 12 games and win the NFC West. Stafford threw for 3762-20-8 on the year while completing 65.8 percent of his passes. While he continues to look like a shell of his former self, Stafford still proved capable of pulling off the big plays when needed — which was on display late in Sunday’s loss to the Eagles. He turns 37 next month and is under contract through 2026, but Stafford has mulled retirement in the past. However, last offseason Stafford said that he thought he had “three or four” seasons left in him, so we’ll see how things play out in the coming months.

Goedert’s longest play of the game came on a 31-yard reception in the third quarter, as the Eagles’ passing game was held in check by a physical Rams pass rush and snowy conditions. His 56 receiving yards accounted for nearly half of the Eagles’ 128 total passing yards on the day. Assuming better conditions in next week’s NFC Championship Game against the Commanders, Goedert and the Eagles’ passing game should find it much easier to operate through the air.

It was “business as usual” for Barkley, who was leaned on heavily in a game that featured snow conditions for most of the afternoon. Barkley broke off one of two signature long touchdown runs in the first quarter when he ran nearly untouched for a 62-yard score to give the Eagles a 13-7 lead. Barkley seemingly put the game on ice — no pun intended — late in the fourth quarter when his second long run went for a 78-yard score to put the Eagles up 28-15 with less than five minutes to play. The Rams would rally late, but Philly’s defense held firm to prevent the near comeback attempt. Barkley and the Eagles now prepare to play host to the Commanders in the NFC Championship game next Sunday. In two games against the Commanders, Barkley has totaled 348 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 57 touches.

Hurts got the scoring started early for the Eagles when he broke off a 44-yard touchdown run on their sixth play of the game. Snow set in early in this one, which likely played a role in Hurts having just 128 yards through the air, but the Eagles’ QB1 also suffered a knee injury in the third quarter that visibly slowed him for the remainder of the game. Hurts took a pivotal safety on his first drive after returning from the medical tent and was under pressure all day as he absorbed seven sacks. Despite this, the Eagles’ outscored the Rams 12-7 in the fourth quarter and will now advanced to the NFC Championship Game where they will host the Commanders for the rights to go to the Super Bowl. Hurts will play through his knee injury next week, but how it affects his play will be something to monitor.

The Bills will have their three-deep backfield fully available for this one. Elusive starter James Cook and passing-game specialist Ty Johnson are rightfully locked into their respective roles but the 5-foot-8, 220-pound Davis provides an important physical element to the group. The Bills fortuitously face the Ravens with a largely healthy roster, declaring only QB Mike White (3rd QB), WR Jalen Virgil, OL Ryan Van Demark, OL Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, DT DeWayne Carter, CB Kaiir Elam and KR/PR Brandon Codrington inactive. Codrington is the team’s most notable absence, helpfully averaging 11.6 yards per punt return. Khalil Shakir is expected to fill in for Codrington in that regard.

Flowers went through a short pregame workout before the Ravens made his status official but his inability to practice all week made him a long shot to play. Rashod Bateman gets another shot at playing the Ravens’ No. 1 wide receiver role but tight ends Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely will assuredly challenge him for the team lead in targets. The Ravens also declared RB Rasheen Ali, C Nick Samac, OLB Adisa Isaac, DT Josh Tupou, S Marcus Williams and S Beau Brade inactive.

According to NBC’s Melissa Stark, Hurts was being evaluated for a knee injury after his leg was rolled up on following a sack late in the third quarter. He could be seen limping and sporting a brace, but after a brief evaluation, Hurts will attempt to play through the injury.

Hurts left leg got stuck under Kobie Turner after Turner sacked the Eagles’ QB1 late in the third quarter. Hurts was visibly limping after the play and made his way to the sideline one play later to be evaluated by trainers. Kenny Pickett was seen warming up on the sideline following a 44-yard field goal by Jake Elliott. We’ll have more on this injury soon.