Week 18 NFL Capsules

Fri Jan 2 11:18am ET
Field Level Media

Week 18 NFL preview capsules

Carolina Panthers (8-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)

Saturday, 4:30 p.m. ET (ABC/ESPN)

FanDuel odds: Buccaneers -3, Total 43.5

Series Rewind: Tampa has won five of the past six meetings but Carolina claimed the victory in a potential turning-point game two weeks ago, 23-20.

It's not exactly a winner-takes-all situation when the NFC South rivals meet for the second time in three weeks. The Panthers can dictate their fate when it comes to qualifying for the postseason. Carolina clinches the division with a win or a tie against the Buccaneers, plus the Panthers have a bit of a safety net. If the Atlanta Falcons defeat the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, that result would also shove the Panthers into the playoffs. QB Bryce Young, whose team has alternated wins and losses over the past 10 games, led the Panthers to a win over Tampa Bay in Charlotte on Dec. 21 to give Carolina the slight upper hand. The Buccaneers have lost four consecutive games -- all by four or fewer points -- and have dropped seven of their past eight outings. Tampa Bay is truly in a must-win situation. Six of Carolina's victories this season have come by three-point margins. It definitely feels different for the Panthers as the regular season comes to an end with an important game ahead. In recent years, they played just for pride to finish the schedule.

Seattle Seahawks (13-3) at San Francisco 49ers (12-4)

Saturday, 8 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)

FanDuel odds: Seahawks -1.5, Total 47.5

Series Rewind: The second meeting of these teams follows a 17-13 victory in Week 1 for the 49ers, San Francisco's seventh win in the past eight meetings in the series.

With the No. 1 seed and NFC West title on the line, the Seahawks are hoping to snap the 49ers' six-game winning streak and stay home for the playoffs after a bye on wild-card weekend. The 49ers are riding the hot hand of QB Brock Purdy, who has posted back-to-back games with five offensive TDs. Purdy had two TD passes and 277 yards through the air in the opener at Seattle and rushed for two touchdowns with three TD tosses in a shootout that tilted San Francisco's way against the Bears last week. The Seahawks have also won six straight and have only lost once since Oct. 5. The 49ers have overcome season-ending injuries to defensive stalwarts Nick Bosa and Fred Warner to move into position to earn home-field advantage through the Super Bowl, which is scheduled for Feb. 8 in Santa Clara, with a victory. The Seahawks' big concern is at left tackle. Charles Cross will miss his third straight game due to a hamstring injury. His backup, Josh Jones (ankle/knee), is listed as questionable after missing two practices and returning Thursday in a limited capacity. While Seahawks QB Sam Darnold has been productive, his history of his road-game challenges became relevant again last week with a shaky showing at Carolina. Seattle ran the ball effectively with a heavier dose of Zach Charbonnet (11 rushing TDs this season) tallying a season-high 110 rushing yards.

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The Paur Report

Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 5

Player Notes
Marvin Harrison Jr. Oct 7 4:00pm ET
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. finally scored in Week 4, but it did little to change what has been a brutal start. He caught one of four targets for 12 yards against the Giants and now has only five receptions for 85 yards on 13 targets through four games. Harrison has one catch or fewer in three of those games and has yet to reach 50 receiving yards. Meanwhile, Trey McBride and Michael Wilson have become much bigger parts of Arizona's passing game, with 33 and 25 receptions, respectively. At this point, Harrison's name and draft pedigree are doing more work for his fantasy value than his actual role. RotoBaller lists him among the receivers to consider cutting for Week 5, ranks him WR41 this week, and has him 142nd overall in its rest-of-season rankings. Managers in standard leagues can move on if there is a clearly better option available. He is easier to hold in deeper formats where the waiver wire offers less.

From RotoBaller

Ladd McConkey Oct 7 3:50pm ET
Ladd McConkey

Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (foot) will be at Wednesday's practice, head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters. That's a positive development after McConkey lasted only 24 offensive snaps in Sunday's loss to Seattle before leaving with the same foot injury he had carried into the game. He had been limited Wednesday, sat out Thursday, and returned on a limited basis Friday last week before being cleared to play. McConkey didn't catch either of his two targets against the Seahawks, leaving him with 12 receptions for 183 yards and one touchdown through four games. How much work he actually handles Wednesday will be more telling than simply being back on the field. The Chargers host Denver in Week 5, and McConkey's participation over the next few practices should give fantasy managers a better idea of whether he's trending toward playing.

From RotoBaller

Zay Flowers Oct 7 3:30pm ET
Zay Flowers

Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (hamstring) was officially limited in Wednesday's practice, even though he wasn't on the field during the portion open to reporters, according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley. Flowers said last week that he felt the hamstring issue was behind him, then went out and caught eight of 10 targets for 118 yards and a touchdown against Tennessee. The injury has already cost him time this season, though. Flowers aggravated the hamstring in the opener, missed Week 2, and was on a reduced snap count when he returned against Dallas. He has 18 catches for 352 yards and two touchdowns in three games. There is another concern for fantasy managers this week, with Lamar Jackson (ankle) looking unlikely to face Atlanta. Flowers caught only two passes for minus-1 yard after Jackson left Sunday's win over Tennessee. Wednesday's limited tag alone does not put Flowers' Week 5 availability in serious doubt, but his practice participation over the next two days will be worth watching.

From RotoBaller

Michael Pittman Jr. Oct 7 3:20pm ET
Michael Pittman Jr.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. was seen moving through the team's locker room on a scooter Wednesday with his foot elevated, according to Nick Farabaugh of PennLive. The sight is notable after a foot injury already cost Pittman Pittsburgh's Week 2 loss to New England. He returned the following week, but hasn't been very involved since, catching four passes for 31 yards on nine targets over his last two games. Pittman has seven receptions for 89 yards through three appearances this season. His status now bears watching ahead of Sunday's matchup with his former team, the Indianapolis Colts. Rookie Germie Bernard saw his biggest workload of the season when Pittman sat in Week 2, playing 55 snaps and drawing eight targets, while Roman Wilson had six targets of his own. Neither becomes an automatic fantasy starter if Pittman misses time, but both would have a clearer path to opportunities behind DK Metcalf.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Goedert Oct 7 3:10pm ET
Dallas Goedert

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) is back at practice on Wednesday, according to Jeff McLane of The Philadelphia Inquirer. From what McLane understands, Goedert "should be able to play on Sunday" in the Week 5 clash in London with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Eagles will see how the week goes before clearing Goedert to return this weekend, but fantasy managers have to be happy with the news. The 31-year-old veteran is recovering from a sprained right MCL in his knee that he suffered in the Week 2 win over the Tennessee Titans. Goedert only had one catch for four yards in that game, but he caught four of five targets for 77 yards and two touchdowns in the season-opening win over the division-rival Washington Commanders and could be one of quarterback Jalen Hurts' top targets this weekend if he returns to face the Jaguars. Receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) could miss Sunday's game, and running backs Saquon Barkley (hamstring) and Tank Bigsby (abdomen) are both injured. Goedert should be in play as a TE1 in fantasy if he makes his return in Week 5.

From RotoBaller

DeVonta Smith Oct 7 3:10pm ET
DeVonta Smith

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (hamstring) will not practice again on Wednesday due to a hamstring injury, according to Brooks Kubena of The Athletic. Smith left the Week 3 loss to the Chicago Bears with a hamstring injury, and he did not practice all of last week before being inactive in Sunday's loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The 27-year-old is not off to a good start this week and could miss a second straight game when the Eagles travel to London to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fantasy managers should consider him very questionable to play this weekend, but he still has two more days to return to the practice field on Thursday and Friday. Now the Eagles' WR1, Smith has 19 catches on 27 targets for 235 yards and a touchdown in three games to begin his sixth year in the league, and he remains a must-start WR1 in fantasy when he is active. If Smith misses another game this weekend, Dontayvion Wicks and rookie Makai Lemon will be intriguing flex plays. Tight end Dallas Goedert (knee) could also have high target volume if he makes his return against Jacksonville.

From RotoBaller

Keenan Allen Oct 7 3:00pm ET
Keenan Allen

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen (groin) is participating in practice on Wednesday, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Allen was not cleared to play in London in Sunday's win over the Washington Commanders due to a groin injury, but the 34-year-old veteran's return to practice on Wednesday suggests he is tracking towards a return in Week 5 to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road. It is good news for a Colts offense that still has top receiver Alec Pierce (heel) on Injured Reserve. If Allen is cleared to play this Sunday in the Steel City, he should be quarterback Daniel Jones' WR2 behind Josh Downs. Allen caught only seven passes for 37 yards in the first two games of the 2026 season in his first year with the team, but he picked things up in the Week 3 win over the division-rival Houston Texans by catching six of nine targets for 63 yards and his first touchdown of the year. If Allen is active this weekend against the Steelers, he will be in play as a WR4/flex in deeper fantasy leagues.

From RotoBaller

Dont'e Thornton Jr. Oct 7 2:50pm ET
Dont'e Thornton Jr.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (hamstring), who is on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury, said he feels great and is "ready to play," according to Ryan McFadden of ESPN. Thornton said he suffered the hamstring injury at the start of training camp in the summer and thought he could play through it. He feels "overly confident" in his hamstring ahead of his return to practice on Wednesday. The 23-year-old will give the Raiders more WR depth with Jalen Nailor in the league's concussion protocol and Jack Bech (forearm) on IR. Thornton is returning to the practice field this week, but that does not necessarily mean the Raiders will officially activate him so that he can play this weekend on the road against the New England Patriots. Thornton could be eased back in, and it is unclear what kind of role he will have, but a big opportunity could await in an improved Raiders offense, making him a deep-league stash candidate. The former fourth-rounder from Tennessee last year caught only 10 of his 30 targets for 135 yards and no scores in 15 games (eight starts) as a rookie in Vegas.

From RotoBaller

Tank Dell Oct 7 2:50pm ET
Tank Dell

The Houston Texans officially designated wide receiver Tank Dell (knee) to return from Injured Reserve on Wednesday, and he is practicing, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. Dell is still on IR, but his 21-day window to be activated is officially open. The 26-year-old technically could return to make his 2026 debut this weekend against the division-rival Tennessee Titans, but that probably will not happen. Dell missed all of the 2025 campaign for Houston due to a gruesome knee injury that was initially feared to be career-threatening. The former third-rounder from Houston caught 98 of his 156 targets for 1,376 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first two seasons in the NFL with the Texans before his injury in 2024, making him an intriguing injured receiver to stash. The Texans could really use another wideout to step up alongside Nico Collins, and Dell could be that guy, even if he is not the same speedy wideout he was before his serious knee injury. Right now, Dell is only rostered in 16% of Yahoo leagues, so he is widely available for those looking for WR depth.

From RotoBaller

Cam Skattebo Oct 7 2:40pm ET
Cam Skattebo

New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo (undisclosed) was participating in a red non-contact jersey during practice on Wednesday, according to Art Stapleton of The North Jersey Bergen Record. It is unclear what injury Skattebo is dealing with, but we will pass along any details when they become available. Because he appears to at least be practicing on a limited basis in the team's first practice of the week, Skattebo should be available this weekend with the Giants traveling to Washington to face the division-rival Commanders on Sunday. The 24-year-old former fourth-rounder from Arizona State had 18 carries in Sunday's Week 4 win over the Arizona Cardinals, but it led to just 58 rushing yards. He added one catch for eight yards. Skattebo is averaging an underwhelming 3.5 yards per carry and has just one touchdown through four games in his sophomore season, but he has had at least 18 carries in three of the four games, with his volume as New York's RB1 giving him RB2 value in fantasy football leagues. He already has eight catches for 67 yards as well.

From RotoBaller

Jayden Daniels Oct 7 2:30pm ET
Jayden Daniels

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (elbow) is throwing again on Wednesday and is expected to be a full participant in practice, according to John Keim of ESPN. It is great timing for the Commanders, as veteran Marcus Mariota (knee) is expected to miss two to three weeks after spraining his MCL in Sunday's loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London. Daniels has been out the last two weeks after dislocating his left (non-throwing) elbow in the Week 2 loss to the division-rival Dallas Cowboys, but he was limited all of last week in practice and now appears to be a full-go. Unless the former first-rounder suffers a setback with his left elbow in practice this week, he should be expected to make his return and start this Sunday against the division-rival New York Giants. Despite developing an injury-prone label early in his career, the 25-year-old Daniels still has QB1 upside for his ability to rack up points with his arm and legs. He should at least be considered a low-end QB1 option again this weekend if he is cleared to face the Giants.

From RotoBaller

Jaylen Wright Oct 7 2:30pm ET
Jaylen Wright

Miami Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley said that running back Jaylen Wright is going to get more opportunities going forward, according to Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald. Wright returned from multiple injuries in Sunday's loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday and played 31% of the offensive snaps, compared to a team-high 56% from Ollie Gordon II in the team's first game without star running back De'Von Achane (knee), who is out for the season. DJ Herman also saw 51% of the offensive snaps in Week 4. The 23-year-old Wright had five carries for seven yards (1.4 yards per carry) and was not targeted in the passing game. The former fourth-rounder from Tennessee has only 17 rushing attempts through three games this year for 17 yards and has yet to be targeted as a receiver. He has likely been dropped in plenty of fantasy leagues after his quiet performance against the Bears, but Wright's fantasy case should not be closed completely with Achane missing the rest of the year. Wright is rostered in only 23% of Yahoo leagues but is a sneaky pickup for RB depth with a larger role still possible.

From RotoBaller

Tee Higgins Oct 7 2:20pm ET
Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (groin) will be limited in the team's practice on Wednesday, head coach Zac Taylor told The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. Higgins suffered an adductor injury in Sunday's Week 4 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but that did not stop him from having a big game, catching 11 of his 16 targets for 157 yards. It helped that star wideout Ja'Marr Chase left the game with a concussion, and with Chase up in the air to clear the league's concussion protocol this week, Higgins could have another monster game for fantasy managers in Week 5 on the road against the winless Miami Dolphins this Sunday if he gains clearance to play this weekend. With a limited showing on Wednesday, Higgins is in a good spot to be active against the Dolphins. Through four games to begin his seventh year in the NFL, Higgins has 25 catches on 39 targets for 401 yards and one touchdown. It has made him the WR8 in half-PPR formats, so Higgins should be locked into starting lineups this weekend, even if Chase clears the concussion protocol and plays.

From RotoBaller

Kyle Monangai Oct 7 2:10pm ET
Kyle Monangai

Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (thumb) ran for 146 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's win over the Jets, racking up a career-high 29.5 fantasy points, but he was kept off the field late in the game after injuring his right thumb. On Wednesday, head coach Ben Johnson plainly told the assembled media that the "thumb is not an issue," according to team reporter Brad Biggs. Instead, Johnson suggested that Monangai's heavy workload on Sunday could lead to reduced practice reps. With D'Andre Swift losing a fumble midway through the third quarter, Monangai saw most of the action from then on, topping 30 carries for the first time in his career. The division of labor will be one to watch moving forward, but both Monangai and Swift can be started in a Week 5 matchup against the Packers.

From RotoBaller

Ja'Marr Chase Oct 7 2:10pm ET
Ja'Marr Chase

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor said that star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (head) is working through the league's concussion protocol, according to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic. It is unclear what that means as far as Chase's practice status on Wednesday, but he is still in play to potentially suit up in Week 5 on Sunday at the Miami Dolphins. Fellow wideout Tee Higgins (groin) is also dealing with an injury, but he was limited on Wednesday and should have a pretty good chance of playing this weekend. We will continue to keep a close eye on Chase's participation throughout the week, but for now, fantasy managers should consider him very questionable to face Miami in South Beach on Sunday. With Cincy's bye coming in Week 6, it is very possible that the Bengals play it safe and give Chase two full weeks to heal up. If he does not play against the Dolphins, then receiver Dohnte Meyers and tight end Mike Gesicki will become very interesting fantasy options this week in an excellent matchup against the winless Dolphins. Chase is a must-start in fantasy anytime he is active. He has 21 catches for 212 yards and three touchdowns through four games in 2026.

From RotoBaller

Rachaad White Oct 7 1:50pm ET
Rachaad White

Washington Commanders running back Rachaad White (shoulder) missed Sunday's international loss to the Colts with a shoulder injury, but he was back at practice on Wednesday, sporting a black non-contact jersey, according to team reporter Tashan Reed. In what ultimately became a pass-heavy contest, Jacory Croskey-Merritt remained the team's most involved running back, but it was veteran Austin Ekeler, playing in his first game of the year after signing with the team less than a week earlier, who led the position group with 29 rushing yards on four carries. Through three games, White had averaged only 8.5 fantasy points per contest, and should he find himself splitting third-down reps with Ekeler upon his return, he will become all the more difficult to keep rostered outside of the deepest leagues.

From RotoBaller

Lamar Jackson Oct 7 1:40pm ET
Lamar Jackson

There was no sign of Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (ankle) at the period of practice open to the media on Wednesday, according to Jamison Hensley of ESPN. Tyler Huntley and Joe Fagnanon were the two QBs warming up before the start of practice. Although Jackson has a chance to suit up in Week 5 against the Atlanta Falcons, the expectation is that he will miss at least one week after spraining his ankle in Sunday's victory over the Tennessee Titans. Fantasy managers should already be making plans to be without the All-Pro QB this weekend, and his ankle injury could limit his rushing ability for the rest of the season, which would obviously lower the dual threat's fantasy ceiling. Through the first four weeks of the 2026 season, Jackson is the QB9 in fantasy football with 967 passing yards, six touchdowns, and one interception. He has added 144 rushing yards and one score on the ground on 19 rushing attempts. If Huntley makes his first start of the year under center for Baltimore this weekend, he will merely be a low-end QB2 streaming option in superflex fantasy leagues against Atlanta.

From RotoBaller

Mack Hollins Oct 7 1:40pm ET
Mack Hollins

New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins (calf) exited early from the team's Week 4 win over the Bills, leaving the field in obvious discomfort after sustaining a non-contact injury, and head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters on Wednesday that he is not expected to practice with the calf injury. Hollins has been the team's leading receiver through four weeks, and in his absence, Romeo Doubs, fresh off a two-touchdown performance, becomes close to a must-start player as the de facto number one receiver in an offense looking to sustain momentum. Second-year wideout Efton Chism III could also have some flex value in deeper leagues after finishing Sunday's contest with 42 yards and the game-winning touchdown grab, an early candidate for catch of the year.

From RotoBaller

Caleb Douglas Oct 7 1:30pm ET
Caleb Douglas

Miami Dolphins rookie wide receiver Caleb Douglas (ankle) will not practice on Wednesday, head coach Jeff Hafley told Marcel Louis-Jacques of ESPN. Douglas is "doing better," but not enough to get back on the field yet. Douglas has missed each of the last two games and could be headed for a third straight absence in Week 5 when the Dolphins take on the Cincinnati Bengals at home this Sunday. The Dolphins are taking Douglas' injury day by day, but as of right now, he is on the wrong side of questionable for Week 5 action. With Douglas sidelined the last two weeks, Malik Washington, rookie Chris Bell, and Kevin Coleman have been Miami's top three receivers for quarterback Malik Willis. The 23-year-old Douglas, a third-rounder from Texas Tech in April, caught seven of his 10 targets for 113 yards in his first two NFL games before injuring his ankle. He is mostly just a bench stash in dynasty/keeper leagues, but fantasy managers in deep single-league formats should not ignore the opportunity that he will have once he returns from his ankle injury.

From RotoBaller

Rhamondre Stevenson Oct 7 1:30pm ET
Rhamondre Stevenson

New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (leg) found the end zone for the first time this season in the team's Week 4 win over the Bills, helping him to finish as the RB13 on the week, but he is not expected to practice on Wednesday after limping off the field late in the game. Stevenson appeared to check on his knee after a run for no gain on the final drive of the game, but he was later seen moving without any visible discomfort. Fantasy managers will need to monitor the team's injury report for an official designation ahead of a Week 5 matchup with the Raiders, and should Stevenson miss time, TreVeyon Henderson becomes a must-start player.

From RotoBaller