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Combined summaries and individual breaking-news reports, all in one recency-first feed.
Jets RB Breece Hall did not practice Wednesday due to a knee injury suffered in Week 17, making him unlikely to play in Sunday's season finale against the Bills. Hall had initially downplayed the injury. With Isaiah Davis (concussion) also sidelined, the Jets' backfield options include Khalil Herbert, Kene Nwangwu, and practice squad member Raheem Blackshear. Hall is noted as a player leveraging his contract year performance.
Dallas Cowboys TE Luke Schoonmaker is expected to see an increased role in Week 18. With starting tight end Jake Ferguson (calf) missing Wednesday's practice and likely to miss the season finale against the Giants, Schoonmaker, alongside Brevyn Spann-Ford, will handle the tight end duties for the Cowboys.
Dallas Cowboys TE Brevyn Spann-Ford is in line for potential playing time in Week 18. With starting tight end Jake Ferguson (calf) missing Wednesday's practice and appearing likely to miss the season finale against the Giants, Spann-Ford and Luke Schoonmaker would handle the tight end duties for the Cowboys.
Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson (calf) did not practice Wednesday and is considered more likely than not to miss Sunday's meaningless season finale against the Giants. He exited last Thursday's Week 17 win early due to the injury after recording one catch for six yards and a touchdown. For the season, Ferguson has 81 receptions for 595 yards and eight touchdowns. His absence would elevate Luke Schoonmaker and Brevyn Spann-Ford into primary tight end roles.
Veteran QB Philip Rivers, 44, has officially declared his second retirement from professional football, stating he's "back to the sideline" after a "fun, three-week blur" with the Colts. He expressed no regrets about his recent comeback attempt, which saw him return to Indianapolis after initially retiring in 2021. Rivers started three games, keeping the Colts competitive, and became one of the season's stories, drawing admiration for his play and approach. He confirmed he wouldn't be interested in playing for a new team.
Dallas Cowboys rookie RB Jaydon Blue is expected to see increased involvement in Week 18 against the Giants. With both Javonte Williams (shoulder) and Malik Davis (calf, eye) missing Wednesday's practice and their availability uncertain, Blue, along with Hunter Luepke and Phil Mafah, could handle significant backfield duties for the season finale.
Dallas Cowboys RB Hunter Luepke is poised for a significant workload in Week 18 against the Giants. With both Javonte Williams (shoulder) and Malik Davis (calf, eye) missing Wednesday's practice and their availability uncertain, Luepke, along with Phil Mafah and Jaydon Blue, are expected to handle the majority of the backfield duties for the season finale.
Cowboys RB Javonte Williams (shoulder) missed Wednesday's practice, casting doubt on his availability for Sunday's game against the Giants. He did not return to last week's win after a second-quarter touchdown run, finishing with 13 carries for 54 yards and a score. With Malik Davis (calf, eye) also out, Dallas' backfield could be handled by Hunter Luepke, Phil Mafah, and Jaydon Blue if Williams remains sidelined.
Cowboys RB Malik Davis (calf, eye) missed Wednesday's practice, casting doubt on his availability for Sunday's game against the Giants. He finished last week's game as the lead back, recording 103 rushing yards on 20 carries after Javonte Williams exited. With Williams (shoulder) also out, Davis's absence would leave Dallas' backfield duties to Hunter Luepke, Phil Mafah, and Jaydon Blue.
Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy (right hand) returned to limited practice Wednesday, his first session since a Week 16 hairline fracture. He remains day-to-day after missing Week 17 but has had positive throwing sessions. His availability for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Packers is uncertain, with Max Brosmer ready to start if needed. McCarthy has completed 57.3% of passes for 1,450 yards, 11 TDs, and 12 INTs in nine games this season. He would be in play for superflex leagues if he starts.
Vikings RB Aaron Jones did not practice Wednesday due to a new hip injury, casting doubt on his availability for Sunday's finale against the Packers. He previously played through an ankle issue in Week 16, accumulating 44 touches for 156 yards and a rushing touchdown over the last two contests. With Jordan Mason (ankle) also limited, Minnesota's backfield is in flux. If both Jones and Mason are sidelined, Ty Chandler is expected to handle lead duties.
Vikings RB Jordan Mason (ankle) was limited in practice Wednesday, marking his first notable on-field work since suffering an ankle injury early in Week 16. With Aaron Jones (hip) also a non-participant, Mason's activity level is crucial for the Vikings' backfield ahead of Sunday's game versus the Packers. If both Jones and Mason miss the finale, Ty Chandler would be the favorite to handle lead duties.
Rams QB Matthew Stafford, despite having the second-best odds to win NFL MVP, stated Wednesday he's "not too worried about it," focusing instead on the season finale. This comes as he was ranked below Drake Maye in the Week 18 NFL QB Power Rankings, an evaluation of the league's 32 starting signal-callers as the 2025 regular season concludes.
Cleveland Browns TE David Njoku (knee) remained sidelined from practice on Wednesday. With fellow tight end Harold Fannin (groin) also out and unlikely to play, the Browns are expected to rely on Sal Cannella, Blake Whiteheart, and Brenden Bates to handle tight end duties for their Week 18 matchup against the Bengals.
Cleveland Browns TE Brenden Bates is expected to be active in Week 18 against the Bengals. With Harold Fannin (groin) and David Njoku (knee) both missing Wednesday's practice and unlikely to suit up, Bates, alongside Sal Cannella and Blake Whiteheart, will likely step into the tight end roles for the season finale.
Cleveland Browns TE Blake Whiteheart is expected to handle increased duties in Week 18 against the Bengals. With Harold Fannin (groin) and David Njoku (knee) both sidelined from Wednesday's practice and unlikely to play, Whiteheart, along with Sal Cannella and Brenden Bates, will likely comprise the team's tight end group for the season finale.
Cleveland Browns TE Harold Fannin did not practice Wednesday and is unlikely to play in Sunday's season finale against the Bengals. He aggravated a groin injury during the Week 17 win over the Steelers, an issue that initially surfaced last Friday. With David Njoku (knee) also sidelined, the Browns are expected to rely on TEs Sal Cannella, Blake Whiteheart, and Brenden Bates for their Week 18 matchup.
NFL legend Tom Brady recently shared his insights on the strategic decision of whether star players should rest during Week 18 ahead of the playoffs. Brady also reflected on the New England Patriots' approach in Week 17 of their historic 2007 season, when the team was pushing for a perfect record. His comments offer a unique perspective on balancing player health with competitive drive as teams prepare for the postseason.
Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers, 42, is non-committal about playing in 2026 and will decide on his future after the Week 18 game against Baltimore. Despite coach Mike Tomlin's hope for his return, Rodgers, who signed a one-year deal, expects interest from "one or two" teams but is unsure if he wants to continue his 21-season career. He must first decide whether or not to retire. This season, he has completed 65.6% of passes for 3,028 yards, 23 TDs, and 7 INTs in 15 games, with the Steelers in a win-and-in playoff scenario.
Buccaneers TE Payne Durham, along with Devin Culp, went "full Hallmark mode" for their Christmas card photos. Unfortunately, it appears their festive cards might have been delivered to the wrong address, leading to a holiday mishap for the Tampa Bay tight ends.
