NFL Player News

Rudolph got another start for the Titans, playing another conservative game en route to loss No. 13 for the season. He threw an interception in the second quarter, though it was tipped before getting picked off in the middle of the field. His sole touchdown pass was an eight-yard pass to a wide open Nick Vannett in the second half. Rudolph had a chance to tie the game on the Titans’ final drive, but missed several receivers, including Chig Okonkwo for an open sideline touchdown and Nick Westrbook-Ikhine for the last play off the game. The Titans get swept by the Jaguars for the season series and will likely have a higher draft pick. Rudolph should remain off fantasy radars for any Week 18 considerations.

Pearsall is on track to play this week and the 49ers would surely like to get another look at him despite the lost 6-10 season. George Kittle (ankle/hamstring) and Deebo Samuel Sr. (ribs/wrist) are both banged up right now so Pearsall could operate as the passing game’s focal point.

Samuel was listed with both of these injuries earlier this year and the team has been fairly unreliable with their injury listings so it is possible neither issue is new. The 6-10 49ers have little to play for at this time. Fantasy managers should consider Samuel truly questionable for Week 18.

Abdullah was a non-participant with a foot injury he picked up in the Raiders’ Week 17 win against the Saints. He has been a league-winner for fantasy managers, becoming the team’s lead back late in the season. If Abdullah cannot go, Alexander Mattison will be the lead back, though he would be a shaky play for fantasy purposes.

Kittle evidently exited his team’s Week 17 game against the Lions very banged up. He may push to play but with Brock Purdy (elbow) already ruled out, it stands to reason that the 6-10 49ers will likely choose to rest their stud tight end.

Bosa has evidently swapped out a hip injury and bilateral oblique strains for a knee injury and the 6-10 49ers have nothing to play for this week. It is difficult to predict whether or not Bosa will push to play but he appears to be on the wrong side of questionable at this time.

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.