The final NFL Injury Report of the season has arrived with plenty of teams limping to the finish line. While some teams continue to fight for playoff positioning, others have made health a priority as they enter the postseason or offseason. As a result, expect plenty of players to sit out Week 18 with others playing in a reduced or limited role. Let's do an all-Turf Burns look around the league for the regular season finale.
Josh Allen: The Bills quarterback underwent additional testing on his ailing foot after Sunday's loss to the Eagles. X-rays were performed on the area, and fortunately nothing significant was found. The decision for extra images was likely precautionary but a good indicator they are worried about the integrity of the foot. The injury does appear to be limiting his mobility on the field but not substantial enough to keep him off it. The good news is Allen has not been seen wearing a protective boot, suggesting they are not concerned with him bearing weight on the ailing foot. While the Bills have secured a playoff spot and could improve their seeding with a win against the Jets, resting Allen in Week 18 could be more beneficial for their postseason aspirations. Look for this to situation to be reevaluated on a daily basis as the team weighs all their options and closely assesses Allen's sore foot. Mitchell Trubisky would start if Allen is held out.
George Kittle: The 49ers tight end continues to nurse a low-grade ankle sprain that kept him sidelined for Week 17. San Francisco remains in contention for the top seed in the NFC but has indicated it will prioritize health over everything. The Niners face the Seahawks on Saturday night, reducing Kittle's recovery time by a day. This isn't ideal for a situation that is likely to be handled conservatively. Tread cautiously here even if Kittle is cleared to return.
Amon-Ra St. Brown: The Lions are no longer in playoff contention and may opt to protect their star wideout. St. Brown has been slowed by an undisclosed knee injury over the past few weeks and appears to have aggravated the issue in Week 17. Detroit currently considers St. Brown "day-to-day," though those invested here should anticipate a carefully managed workload for him.
Cowboys Running Backs: Javonte Williams has been one of the better bounce-back stories in the NFL this season and serves as a good reminder about the difference between returning to play and returning to previous form. After tearing his ACL, PCL and LCL in Week 4 of 2022, Williams struggled in the two subsequent seasons but has looked sharp since signing a one-year deal with the Cowboys. Williams has thrived this season, rushing for more than 1,000 yards while finding the endzone 13 times. Sadly, he may not be able to build on those numbers in Week 18 after suffering an undisclosed shoulder injury against the Commanders.
Malik Davis excelled in Williams' absence, finishing with 103 yards on 20 carries. Davis suffered a right eye injury during the performance but doesn't believe it will stop him from suiting up against the Giants. It sounds like the injury is nothing more than a contusion with associated swelling. The swelling should improve throughout the week, making Davis a worthy waiver-wire option. Rookie Jaydon Blue has struggled to establish himself this season but could be active if Williams and/or Davis is limited or out.
Jake Ferguson: It's not just injured running backs in Dallas, as Jake Ferguson suffered a calf injury in the team's Christmas Day win over Washington. He luckily snagged a touchdown before the injury, salvaging the performance, but his availability for Week 18 remains in doubt. Calf injuries are the most commonly aggravated or reinjured strains among athletes, and Ferguson will carry an elevated degree of risk if he is able to suit up against the Giants. Consider healthier options to close out the season.
Marvin Harrison: Head coach Jonathan Gannon said his top receiver will suit up for the regular-season finale against the Rams, "if he is healthy enough to play." Harrison has been limited by injury since undergoing an appendectomy in the lead up to Week 11. He missed two games recovering before sustaining a heel injury that forced him out of two more games. Harrison appears to have aggravated the injury in Week 17's loss to the Bengals. Even if he is deemed "healthy enough to play," it is hard to trust a guy who is averaging just 27.7 snapes over his past three games played. By comparison, Harrison averaged 53.3 snaps through the first 10 weeks of the season prior to the surgery and heel injury. Look elsewhere to close out the season.
Josh Jacobs: The Packers are locked into the seventh seed in the NFC and could use Week 18 as extended rest for several key players. Jacobs should be at the top of the list, as he looks to overcome lingering knee and ankle injuries. He finished with just five total touches in the loss to the Ravens, and it wouldn't be surprising if Jacobs is simply inactive against the Vikings.
Cold and Flu Season: It seems a bit odd to make a note for a general illness, but it is important to remember that while NFL players are elite athletes, they are still vulnerable to the normal germs and pathogens faced by the general public. This is particularly true during the winter months when these illnesses peak due to colder temperatures and forced indoor interaction. Locker rooms can serve as breeding grounds for bacteria and viruses, making sickness easier to catch and spread. Athletes who contract a cold or influenza can see a drop in weight, energy and overall performance. In Week 17 multiple players including Washington's Chris Rodriguez and Carolina's Tetairoa McMillan were late additions to their team's injury reports due to illness. Rodriguez was ultimately held out, while McMillan finished with one reception for five yards and was visibly limited. Both players should see an improvement in health during the week ahead, but fantasy managers would be wise to keep a close eye on daily injury reports and hope their rostered players can avoid the various germs floating around at the moment.
