Whom should you start? Whom should you sit? To help you set your fantasy football lineups and avoid starting an offensive player who won’t be in the game, we will provide fantasy-related updates and analysis as NFL teams release their official inactives lists. Any rankings mentioned in this column are from the ESPN Fantasy staff ranks.
Official Sunday inactives should begin coming in about 90 minutes before the scheduled game times: around 11:30 a.m. ET for the early games and 2:30 p.m. ET for the late-afternoon games.
Make sure to refresh often for the latest updates.
4 p.m. ET games
Matt Prater, K, ARI: Knee — OUT
Impact: Chad Ryland will replace the veteran kicker again.
Michael Wilson, WR, ARI: Hamstring — Inactive
Impact: He was added to the injury report late in the week. This boosts Greg Dortch’s fantasy value for Week 18.
Tyler Badie, RB, DEN: Back — OUT
Impact: If he had returned from IR, it would have added to the confusion in Denver’s backfield. It’s best to avoid this situation entirely.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, KC: Team decision — Inactive
Impact: Carson Wentz will start in this Week 18 game where the Chiefs are clearing out their bench.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, KC: Ribs — OUT
Impact: The Chiefs are not risking further injury, so Pacheco will rest and heal.
Kareem Hunt, RB, KC: Team decision — Active
Impact: He might be rested despite being active. Samaje Perine and Carson Steele should handle most of the carries.
Travis Kelce, TE, KC: Team decision — Inactive
Impact: Peyton Hendershot could take on a bigger role with Kelce out.
Mecole Hardman, WR, KC: Knee — OUT
Impact: Hardman is designated to return from IR but won’t play. For other KC wideouts, Xavier Worthy and Hollywood Brown are unlikely to play much. DeAndre Hopkins might play for incentives.
Gus Edwards, RB, LAC: Ankle — OUT
Impact: J.K. Dobbins will likely take on the majority of running back touches for the Ravens.
Joshua Palmer, WR, LAC: Foot — OUT
Impact: Ladd McConkey (toe) was removed from the injury report and is expected to play.
Matthew Stafford, QB, LAR: Team decision — Inactive
Impact: Jimmy Garoppolo will start this Week 18 game for the Rams.
Kyren Williams, RB, LAR: Team decision — Inactive
Impact: Blake Corum and Ronnie Rivers will be the primary running backs.
Cooper Kupp, WR, LAR: Team decision — Inactive
Impact: Demarcus Robinson and Tutu Atwell will likely get more targets.
Puka Nacua, WR, LAR: Team decision — Inactive
Impact: Jordan Whittington (ankle) could also see some snaps at wide receiver.
Ameer Abdullah, RB, LV: Foot — OUT
Impact: Alexander Mattison should get most of the carries, with rookie Dylan Laube possibly getting a few touches.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, MIA: Hip — Inactive
Impact: Tyler Huntley will start in his place, trying to lead Miami to the playoffs.
Tyreek Hill, WR, MIA: Wrist — Active
Impact: Both Hill and Waddle will play, as the Dolphins are still in the playoff race. Malik Washington could also be involved in the passing game.
Jaylen Waddle, WR, MIA: Knee — Active
Impact: Waddle will play alongside Hill, with Malik Washington also getting some targets.
Tyler Conklin, TE, NYJ: Calf — Active
Impact: Conklin is a risky fantasy option, especially since he was a late-game-time call.
Brock Purdy, QB, SF: Elbow — OUT
Impact: Since this game doesn’t matter for the 49ers, Joshua Dobbs will take over as quarterback.
George Kittle, TE, SF: Ankle — Active
Impact: Kittle was a game-time decision and is active, but there’s little reason to play him. Eric Saubert might get some tight end targets.
Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, SF: Ribs — OUT
Impact: Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall will start at wide receiver for the 49ers.
Sunday night game
David Montgomery, RB, DET: Knee — OUT
Impact: Montgomery could return for the playoffs, but he won’t play in Week 18. If he doesn’t play, Jahmyr Gibbs will have little backup, as Craig Reynolds (back) is also questionable.
Kalif Raymond, WR, DET: Foot — Questionable
Impact: Raymond could return from IR and contribute to the Lions’ return game if active.
1 p.m. ET games
Darnell Mooney, WR, ATL: Shoulder — Inactive
Impact: Mooney missed practice on Friday, and with a playoff spot on the line, he will sit out.
Amari Cooper, WR, BUF: Personal — OUT
Impact: Even if Cooper had played, he wouldn’t have been used much. QB Josh Allen will start to keep his streak going, but many of the regular players will only see limited action.
Curtis Samuel, WR, BUF: Ribs — Active
Impact: With starters being rested, Samuel could see more playing time than usual.
Miles Sanders, RB, CAR: Ankle — Active
Impact: Sanders is back from IR for Week 18, but it’s unclear how much he’ll play.
Xavier Legette, WR, CAR: Hip — Active
Impact: There’s no reason for the team to risk him, but he will play.
Christian Watson, WR, GB: Knee — Active
Impact: Dontayvion Wicks could get more work since Romeo Doubs (illness) is inactive.
Anthony Richardson, QB, IND: Back — OUT
Impact: Joe Flacco is in line for some action as Richardson sits out.
Drake Maye, QB, NE: Hand — Active
Impact: Jacoby Brissett may still play if Maye can’t complete the game.
Hunter Henry, TE, NE: Foot — Inactive
Impact: Austin Hooper will get more targets with Henry out for the season.
Ja’Lynn Polk, WR, NE: Shoulder — OUT
Impact: Kayshon Boutte (illness) has been removed from the injury report and will play.
Derek Carr, QB, NO: Hand — OUT
Impact: Spencer Rattler will start another game for the Saints.
Alvin Kamara, RB, NO: Groin — Inactive
Impact: Kamara didn’t practice this week. Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jamaal Williams should split carries.
Kendre Miller, RB, NO: Concussion — OUT
Impact: Jordan Mims might also see some snaps on offense.
Juwan Johnson, TE, NO: Knee — Active
Impact: Foster Moreau could still be a last-minute, low-risk option at tight end, even with Johnson active.
Chris Olave, WR, NO: Head — OUT
Impact: Despite practicing, Olave won’t play. Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Kevin Austin Jr. are expected to take on most of the wide receiver work.
Jalen Hurts, QB, PHI: Concussion — OUT
Impact: Hurts is still in concussion protocol, but he should be ready for the playoffs.
Kenny Pickett, QB, PHI: Ribs — Active
Impact: Pickett is unlikely to play since the team is prioritizing his health for the postseason. Tanner McKee will start instead.
Saquon Barkley, RB, PHI: Team decision — Inactive
Impact: Barkley won’t play in a meaningless Week 18 game, so he won’t risk injury.
Will Shipley, RB, PHI: Concussion — Active
Impact: Kenneth Gainwell is expected to start, but Shipley could get a good number of touches if he plays.
A.J. Brown, WR, PHI: Team decision — Inactive
Impact: Jahan Dotson will likely get more targets in Brown’s absence.
DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI: Team decision — Inactive
Impact: Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith could see more action in the receiving game.
Cade Otton, TE, TB: Knee — Inactive
Impact: Payne Durham will fill in at tight end, having scored a touchdown last week when Otton was inactive.
Sterling Shepard, WR, TB: Hamstring — Active
Impact: Look for Jalen McMillan and Mike Evans to be the main wide receivers from Tampa Bay.
Nick Folk, K, TEN: Abdomen — OUT
Impact: Matthew Wright will handle the kicking duties.
Tony Pollard, RB, TEN: Ankle — Active
Impact: Pollard is active, but Julius Chestnut may still get a lot of the work.
**Tyjae Spears, RB
