Who should you start with? Who should you sit next to? To help you set your fantasy football lineups and avoid starting an offensive player who won’t be in the lineup, we’ll post relevant fantasy updates and analysis here as NFL teams release their official inactive lists. Any rankings cited in this column come from the ranks of our ESPN Fantasy staff.
Sunday’s official idlers should begin arriving approximately 90 minutes before scheduled start times: around 11:30 a.m. ET for early games and 2:30 p.m. ET for afternoon games.
Please update frequently for the latest information.
Games at 1 p.m. Eastern Time
Taylor Heinicke, quarterback, ATL — Questionable
Impact: Desmond Ridder could be forced to return to QB duties if Heinicke’s ankle proves too bothersome. Consider this both a game-time decision and a situation to avoid.
Eddy Piñeiro, K, CAR — Doubtful
Impact: Matthew Wright was called up from the practice squad to handle Week 18 kicking duties.
Tee Higgins, WR, CIN — Doubtful
Impact: He didn’t practice all week and is unlikely to suit up for a meaningless adventure. Trenton Irwin gets a boost in fantasy value.
Joe Flacco, quarterback, CLE — did not play
Impact: Jeff Driskel will start at quarterback as the Browns rest several of their regular starters.
Amari Cooper, WR, CLE — OUTSIDE
Impact: Expect him to return for the NFL playoffs next weekend.
Marchioness Goodwin, WR, CLE — Questionable
Impact: He is dealing with a knee injury and could very well be sidelined. Cedric Tillman and James Proche II could see bigger targets.
Elijah Moore, WR, CLE — Questionable
Impact: Even if he clears the league’s concussion protocol, there’s little reason for him to suit up. David Bell can get some goals.
Jameson Williams, WR, DET — OUTSIDE
Impact: Could return for the playoffs next week. Kalif Raymond may see some additional looks this week.
Christian Kirk, WR, JAX — Questionable
Impact: He has been activated from IR and will likely play as the Jaguars face a must-win scenario in Week 18. However, it is not a guarantee.
Trevor Lawrence, quarterback, JAX — Questionable
Impact: This will be a playing time decision, but you have to believe that Lawrence will start if possible, given what is at stake. If not, CJ Beathard would handle the meeting.
Zay Jones, WR, JAX — Questionable
Impact: Despite multiple injuries, Jones is expected to give it a try, given the importance of this week’s contest.
Hunter Henry, TE, NE — OUTSIDE
Impact: Mike Gesicki will handle the majority of the TE targets here as Henry prepares to enter free agency.
DeVante Parker, W.R., NE — Questionable
Impact: A rib injury limited his practice time, but there’s no reason for him not to suit up in what could be his last game with the Patriots.
Juwan Johnson, TE, NO — Questionable
Impact: With a couple of practices under his belt to close out the week, Johnson should be able to play.
Alvin Kamara, RB, NO — Questionable
Impact: Ankle issues make him an option for playing time. Jamaal Williams would start if he can’t play with Kendre Miller (ankle, questionable) potentially serving as his backup.
zack wilsonQuarterbackNY — OUTSIDE
Impact: Wilson remains in the league’s concussion protocol. Trevor Siemian will start at quarterback.
Will Levis, QB, TEN — OUTSIDE
Impact: Veteran quarterback Ryan Tannehill will try to ruin the Jaguars’ playoff hopes.
Baker Mayfield, quarterback, TB — Questionable
Impact: After a full practice on Friday, and with a must-win game, Mayfield is expected to start on Sunday.
Trey Palmer, WR, TB — Questionable
Impact: Signs are that he will be able to play in Week 18. He has had four receptions in consecutive games before the finals.
4 pm Eastern Time Games
Darnell Mooney, WR, CHI — OUTSIDE
Impact: DJ Moore (ankle), on the other hand, has been removed from the injury report and will play.
Khalil Herbert, RB, CHI — Questionable
Impact: You have been having some back problems. Roschon Johnson might be the safest play in the Bears backfield.
Cole Kmet, TE, CHI — Questionable
Impact: Kmet practiced on Friday, which bodes well for him being able to play on Sunday.
Luke Musgrave, TE, GB — Questionable
Impact: With his window to return from IR dwindling, the team activated him on Saturday. Still, it remains to be seen if he is truly ready to return to action.
AJ Dillon, RB, GB — OUTSIDE
Impact: Aaron Jones will handle the bulk of the RB touches in this one. Dillon could return next week if the Packers make the playoffs.
Christian Watson, WR, GB — Questionable
Impact: Watson, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks are question marks for this one. It seems likely that at least two of this trio will suit up alongside Romeo Doubs on Sunday, but we may not know which ones until the last minute.
Patrick Mahomes, quarterback, Kansas City — did not play
Impact: With nothing at stake, the Chiefs are expected to be careful with their key players. Blaine Gabbert will start at quarterback.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, KC — Questionable
Impact: Andy Reid has said Pacheco will play, but the game doesn’t make sense for Kansas City, so this is probably just some sort of smokescreen. Expect Clyde Edwards-Helaire and La’Mical Perine to be busy.
Kadarius Toney, WR, Kansas — OUTSIDE
Impact: He won’t be reunited with Justin Watson and Márquez Valdés-Scantling at the Chiefs meeting this week, but maybe next week.
Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas — OUTSIDE
Impact: There is no reason to rush the rookie back to the field. Mecole Hardman Jr. could see some additional targets.
Keenan Allen, WR, LAC — OUTSIDE
Impact: However, Joshua Palmer has cleared the league’s concussion protocol and will play.
Kyren Williams, RB, LAR — did not play
Impact: A committee consisting of Ronnie Rivers, Royce Freeman and Zach Evans will handle trades while the Rams rest their starters.
Matthew Stafford, quarterback, LAR — did not play
Impact: Carson Wentz has a chance to return to an NFL field as the Rams rest their starters.
Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR — did not play
Impact: Ben Skowronek gets some additional action as the Rams rest their starters. Puka Nacua will likely only play long enough to set some rookie receiving records.
Tyler Higbee, TE, LAR — did not play
Impact: Davis Allen will start at tight end as the Rams rest their starters.
Josh Jacobs, RB, LV — OUTSIDE
Impact: Zamir White gets a chance to shine once again in the season finale.
Michael Mayer, TE, LV — OUTSIDE
Impact: Austin Hooper starts as the rookie sits out for the third straight game.
D’Andre Swift, RB, PHI — Questionable
Impact: Swift has been dealing with an illness, but there’s a good chance she’ll feel well enough to play.
DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI — OUTSIDE
Impact: Julio Jones will join AJ Brown in the Eagles’ reunion.
Brock Purdy, QB, SF — did not play
Impact: Sam Darnold will start for Purdy as the 49ers sit their stars in a meaningless Week 18 game.
Jauan Jennings, WR, SF — Questionable
Impact: He appears ready to return from his concussion and may need some light work to return to the WR mix before the postseason.
Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco — did not play
Impact: Elijah Mitchell and Jordan Mason will split carries as McCaffrey sits out a game that means nothing to the 49ers.
sunday night game
Jaylen Waddle, WR, MIA — Questionable
Impact: Waddle missed some practices this week and is not expected to be ready for the finals. On the bright side of things, Tyreek Hill is no longer listed on the injury report.
Raheem Mostert, RB, MIA — Questionable
Impact: Practiced some on Friday, but is not expected to play this week. De’Von Achane is sure to get plenty of touches.
