Banged Up: Week 18

Lee Andrews examines the offensive and defensive players on Friday's injury reports.

Hello and welcome to Week 18! Congrats to those who have made it to their fantasy championships — hope you have depth.

IR UPDATE

• Bradley Chubb, Dolphins, EDGE, ACL Tear in Garbage Time

  • 9-month average return to sport for ACL tears — looking at a return at the beginning of October at the earliest.

• Kendall Fuller, Commanders, CB, Knee

OUT

OFFENSE:

• Joe Flacco, Browns, QB, Rest

• Lamar Jackson, Ravens, QB, Rest

• Matthew Stafford, Rams, QB, Rest

• Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs, QB, Ankle/Rest

• AJ Dillon, Packers, RB, Neck/Thumb

• Josh Jacobs, Raiders, RB, Quad

• Kyren Williams, Rams, RB, Rest

• Christian McCaffrey, 49ers, RB, Calf

• Odell Beckham Jr, Ravens, WR, Rest

• Amari Cooper, Browns, WR, Heel

• Noah Brown, Texans, WR, Back

• Rashee Rice, Chiefs, WR, Hamstring

• Keenan Allen, Chargers, WR, Heel

• Cooper Kupp, Rams, WR, Rest

• DeVonta Smith, Eagles, WR, Ankle

• Michael Mayer, Raiders, TE, Toe

• Tyler Higbee, Rams, TE, Rest

DEFENSE:

• Aaron Donald, Rams, DT, Rest

• Jonathan Allen, Commanders, DT, Knee

• Myles Garrett, Browns, DE, Shoulder/Hamstring

• Joey Bosa, Chargers, DE, Foot

• Arik Armstead, 49ers, DE, Foot

• Ernest Jones Jr, Rams, LB, Rest

• Juan Thornhill, Browns, S, Calf

• Jason Pinnock, Giants, S, Toe

• Marlon Humphrey, Ravens, CB, Calf

• L'Jarius Sneed, Chiefs, CB, Calf

• Xavien Howard, Dolphins, CB, Foot

• Byron Murphy Jr., Vikings, CB, Knee

• Darius Slay, Eagles, CB, Knee

DOUBTFUL (<5% chance to play — plan on being without them)

OFFENSE:

• Zay Flowers, Ravens, WR, Calf

• Tee Higgins, Bengals, WR, Hamstring

DEFENSE:

• Kenneth Murray Jr, Chargers, LB, Shoulder

• Jaylon Johnson, Bears, CB, Shoulder

QUESTIONABLE

OFFENSE:

• Trevor Lawrence, Jags, QB, Shoulder/Finger

  • Jags need a win to stay alive in the playoff race. Was limited in practice all week, Pederson said he’s a true game-time decision. I think he’ll play given the circumstances, but production could take a significant hit.

• Baker Mayfield, Bucs, QB, Ribs

  • Bowles said Baker gon’ ball. He’ll play.

• Khalil Herbert, Bears, RB, Back/Personal

  • Back kept him limited Thursday, personal matter kept him out of practice on Friday. He’s been balling the last two weeks- right now there’s nothing to suggest the back injury keeps him out against the Packers, but as far as the personal matter, that’s tough to tell. Healthwise if he plays, he’ll be productive.

• Zack Moss, Colts, RB, Forearm

  • Should play tonight but has been rather disappointing for a while now.

• Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs, RB, Quad/Shoulder

  • Picked up his biggest workload of the season last week. Sat out of practice to being the week but came back limited to end the last two days of the week. Chiefs are locked into their playoff spot, and plan to rest players. If Pacheco isn’t inactive, my guess is that he won’t see a full workload this week. Start with caution.

• Raheem Mostert, Dolphins, RB, Ankle/Knee

  • Surprised a lot of us by not being active last week. Didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, but came back limited on Friday. I’m concerned about his production and workload if he does end up playing.

• Alvin Kamara, Saints, RB, Ankle

  • Left last week and did not return in the second half due to a sprained ankle. Hasn’t practiced yet this week. I would avoid.

• D'Andre Swift, Eagles, RB, Illness

  • We all know the deal with illnesses- pay attention to pregame reports.

• Elijah Moore, Browns, WR, Concussion

  • Still in concussion protocol, and Browns are locked into their spot, so I’m not expecting Moore to play this week.

• Dontayvion Wicks, Packers, WR, Chest

  • Ended the week with two full practices- looks like he’ll be fully healthy going into a crucial game.

• Jayden Reed, Packers, WR, Chest

  • Limited in practice all week but is looking likely to play this week.

• Christian Watson, Packers, WR, Hamstring

  • Didn’t practice on Friday- not looking likely he’ll play Sunday.

• Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins, WR, Ankle

  • SNF, coming off a high ankle sprain, didn’t play last week, all a recipe for disaster if he’s active and you start him. I would avoid this week.

• Cole Kmet, Bears, TE, Knee

  • Following the same routine as he has the last few weeks. Should play this week and expect usual production

• Juwan Johnson, Saints, TE, Chest

  • Didn’t practice to start the week, but ended limited. Should play as he’s been a big part of the offense as of recent.

DEFENSE:

• Christian Barmore, Patriots, DT, Knee

  • More of the same for Barmore as he’s been on the injury reports quite a bit the last few weeks. Should play, expect usual production.

• Will Anderson Jr, Texans, DE, Ankle

  • Was questionable last week with the same ankle issue and ended up playing- should be the same situation this week. Likely to play, expect same production capability as last week.

• George Karlaftis, Chiefs, DE, Rest

  • Full Friday after the rest, will play, but potentially could see limited snaps due to Chiefs playoff situation.

• Nick Bolton, Chiefs, LB, Wrist/Abdomen

  • Full in practice all week- will play, but unsure of how much time he will see just like Karlaftis.

• Jordyn Brooks, Seahawks, LB, Ankle

  • Sat out last week due to the same ankle issue, likely to sit out this week- I would avoid if active.

• Kyle Hamilton, Ravens, S, Knee

  • Should no play tonight given that the Ravens are locked into the #1 seed.

• Malik Hooker, Cowboys, S, Ankle

  • Looks to be trending in the direction of playing as he ended the last few days of practice in full. No concerns.

• Jabrill Peppers, Patriots, S, Hamstring

  • Limited all week, hasn’t played the last couple weeks, I would avoid if he returns.

• Minkah Fitzpatrick, Steelers, S, Knee

  • Limited to round out the week after missing the first practice. Still wouldn’t play him given he’s missed the last two weeks.

• Kam Curl, Commanders, S, Quad

  • Missed practice on Thursday due to a quad injury after practicing in full on Wednesday. Reports don’t make it sound very serious, and Washington is already down 3 DBs for Sunday so it could be precautionary.

• Jaycee Horn, Panthers, CB, Toe

  • Full practice on Friday, should be available if you need him.

• Kyler Gordon, Bears, CB, Calf

  • “Tweaked” his calf on Thursday in practice, but came back limited on Friday. Should be available.

That’s all she wrote for this week, and for this season. Thank you to everyone who stuck around and listened this year. I’m grateful for all of you. It’s been a fun season, and no matter how this year turned out for you, I wish you the best and look forward to seeing you again next season.

Go, fight, win.