The season is winding down, and it’s tough to keep track of the most important fantasy football news. NFL teams are jockeying for playoff position, while fantasy football managers are in crunch time, figuring out the best way to set their lineups for the playoffs. Let’s cover the biggest fantasy football news today, and find out what’s going on across the NFL for fantasy football, DFS, and betting purposes.
Best DFS Apps in All States
Fantasy Football News Today – Thursday, Dec. 18 NFL Updates
It’s been an absolutely wild couple of days in the fantasy football world heading into Week 16. We’ve got starting QBs getting benched, major injury situations developing for Thursday Night Football, and critical health updates that could decide your playoff matchups. Let me break down everything you need to know right now.
Thursday Night Football Injury Updates: Rams vs Seahawks
Davante Adams (Rams WR) — DOUBTFUL
Adams aggravated his hamstring injury late in Sunday’s game vs. Detroit and did not practice all week. Listed as DOUBTFUL for Thursday Night Football.
2025 stats (14 games): 60 receptions, 789 yards, 14 TDs on 114 targets — LEADS THE LEAGUE in receiving TDs.
Adams has been dealing with a left hamstring issue since Week 13 at Carolina. He played through it in Week 15 but pulled up lame running a route late in the game and immediately grabbed his hamstring. Rams HC Sean McVay said the injury “didn’t look good.”
Ian Rapoport’s update: Adams is considered “week-to-week” and is “almost certainly” going to miss Thursday’s game. It’s an aggravation of what he was dealing with, not a new injury.
Fantasy Football Impact
- Davante Adams: SIT IF YOU HAVE ALTERNATIVES — Even if he’s active, he’ll likely be limited or used only in red zone packages. Too risky to start with a doubtful tag.
- Puka Nacua: SMASH PLAY — With Adams likely out, Nacua becomes Stafford’s undisputed WR1. Expect 10+ targets and 100+ yards. High-end WR1 tonight.
- Colby Parkinson: High TD upside as major factor without Adams. Has seen seen massive red zone volume
Charles Cross (Seahawks LT) — OUT
Status: Seahawks starting left tackle Charles Cross is OUT with a hamstring injury for Thursday Night Football.
Fantasy Football Impact
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba: SLIGHT DOWNGRADE — Without Cross protecting Darnold’s blindside, the Seahawks’ pass protection is compromised. JSN is still a big-time WR1.
- Kenneth Walker III: SLIGHT DOWNGRADE — Left side run blocking takes a hit without Cross.
Bears Receivers Ruled Out
UPDATE (THURSDAY P.M.): Chicago ruled out Rome Odunze and Luther Burden for Saturday’s game against Green Bay.
Tua Tagovailoa Benched By Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have officially benched starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa ahead of Week 16, with rookie Quinn Ewers taking over as the starter against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday.
Why it happened: After Miami’s 28-15 loss to Pittsburgh on Monday Night Football officially eliminated them from playoff contention, head coach Mike McDaniel made the decision to shut down Tua for the remainder of 2025. Tagovailoa threw his NFL-worst 15th interception in that loss.
Tua’s 2025 numbers: 67.7% completion rate, 6.9 yards per attempt, 88.5 passer rating, 36.7 QBR (30th among 33 qualifying QBs).
The contract nightmare: Miami signed Tua to a 4-year, $212.4 million extension in July 2024 with $167.1 million guaranteed. He’s due $54 million in guarantees in 2026, making it nearly impossible to move on from him.
Fantasy Football Impact
- Tua Tagovailoa: He’s done for the season. Zero fantasy value rest of season.
- Quinn Ewers: AVOID — Late-round rookie making his first NFL start against a middle-of-the-pack Bengals defense. Massive downgrade from Tua.
- Jaylen Waddle: DOWNGRADE — Same situation as Hill. Rookie QB drastically limits his upside.
Jayden Daniels SHUT DOWN for Rest of Season
The Washington Commanders have shut down rookie QB Jayden Daniels for the remainder of 2025 due to a dislocated left elbow that he aggravated in Week 14 against Minnesota.
Daniels originally dislocated his elbow in Week 9 vs. Seattle and missed four weeks. He returned in Week 14 but re-aggravated the injury when he landed on it after a hit. He tried to play through it but reported concussion-like symptoms after the game and was shut down.
Daniels’ injury-plagued 2025: Missed 4 games with elbow dislocation, 2 games with knee sprain, 1 game with hamstring injury—7 total games missed. Only started 7 games total in 2025.
Marcus Mariota will start the rest of the season for Washington.
Fantasy Football Impact
- Jayden Daniels: DROP — Done for the season. The Commanders (4-10) have no reason to risk his health.
- Marcus Mariota: DEEP LEAGUE QB2 — Has starting experience and can provide spot QB2 value in superflex leagues, but Washington’s offense is compromised.
- Terry McLaurin: DOWNGRADE — Still the WR1 but loses significant upside with Mariota instead of Daniels. McLaurin also missed half the season with a quad injury.
Josh Jacobs Injury News
The Packers’ star running back isn’t practicing again on Thursday, according to reports. Emanuel Wilson has proven to be more than capable, and he could have a monster role against the Bears on Saturday if Jacobs is out.
Fantasy Impact: Emanuel Wilson, yes. That’s it.
Tee Higgins Injury Update
Bengals WR Tee Higgins remains in concussion protocol ahead of Week 16 after suffering two concussions in three weeks. However, he did return to practice on Wednesday.
2025 stats (12 games): 46 receptions, 667 yards, 9 TDs on 81 targets.
- Week 12 vs Patriots (Nov 23): First concussion, carted off field
- Week 13 vs Ravens: Missed game
- Week 14 vs Bills: Cleared protocol, played but took two more hard hits to the head. Passed in-game checks but reported concussion symptoms after the game
- Week 15 vs Ravens: Ruled out after not clearing protocol
- Week 16 vs Dolphins: RETURNED TO PRACTICE WEDNESDAY (LIMITED)
Zac Taylor’s update Monday: Higgins is still in protocol and will be monitored throughout the week. The team is taking extra caution, given the two concussions in such a short span.
Fantasy Football Impact
- Tee Higgins: MONITOR PRACTICE REPORTS — He practiced limited Wednesday, which is a good sign. If he logs a full practice and passes the independent neurologist exam, he could play Sunday.
- Risk factor: Two concussions in three weeks makes this a very risky situation. Even if he’s cleared, the Bengals may hold him out for his long-term health.
- Ja’Marr Chase: MASSIVE VOLUME PLAY — If Higgins sits again, Chase will see elite target share. Already a WR1, but becomes WR1 overall without Higgins.
Lamar Jackson Injury News
Ravens QB Lamar Jackson (illness) did not practice Wednesday ahead of Week 16’s matchup against the New England Patriots. Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said Jackson was kept home with a “flu deal” and described it as “kind of a rest thing.”
2025 stats (11 games): 174-of-274 passing (63.5%), 2,210 yards, 18 TDs, 6 INTs, 101.4 passer rating. 61 rushes for 333 yards and 2 TDs.
Status: Jackson is expected to play Sunday despite missing Wednesday’s practice. The Ravens are 7-7 and tied with the Bengals atop the AFC North.
Saquon Barkley Injury News
Eagles RB Saquon Barkley was initially reported to have a stinger on Tuesday’s estimated injury report ahead of Week 16’s matchup against Washington. However, he practiced fully Wednesday and is NOT on the injury report.
2025 stats (14 games): 240 rushes for 940 yards (3.9 YPC), 6 rushing TDs. 37 receptions for 273 yards and 2 receiving TDs.
Fantasy Football Impact
- Saquon Barkley: FULL GO — He’s a locked-in RB1 against Washington’s weak run defense. No concerns.
Looking for more content? We’ve got you covered all season:
