NFL Player News

Murphy ran an explosive 4.53 40-yard dash in this year’s combine and boasts a 9.71 RAS. The former Clemson Tiger totaled 18.5 sacks and 36 TFLs for his career and was an early declare after three collegiate seasons. His arrival is a welcomed addition to a Bengals team that has steadily improved on the defensive side of the ball over the last two seasons but ranked 29th in total sacks last season. Murphy and EDGE Trey Hendrickson could quickly form one of the league’s more lethal pass-rushing duos this upcoming season.

Robinson enters free agency off his first career 1,000-yard season, shedding his label as a quick-game only option by setting a career-high with 11.0 yards per reception. He turns 25 in a few days and will be one of the premiere free agents at wideout to hit the market if the Giants don’t tag him or otherwise extend him. The final seasonal line will be 92/1014/4 for Robinson, and his absence leaves Darius Slayton as a fine FLEX play in Week 18.

We do not expect Odunze to play. He aggravated the stress fracture in his foot during pre-game warmups in Week 15, after logging three limited sessions during the week. Odunze has been sidelined ever since and only resumed practicing, in a limited capacity, today. He would be a very risky FLEX option if the Bears allow him to take the field.

Burden’s injury caused a scare last week, but the exciting rookie missed only half a practice on Wednesday. He practiced full on Thursday and Friday and should be ready to roll against the Lions. The Bears (11-5) currently hold the NFC’s No. 2 playoff seed. They can secure their position with a win. Should they lose, and the Eagles (11-5) beat the Commanders (4-12), the Bears would slip to the No. 3 seed. Burden is a top-25 wide receiver for Week 18.

With Jordan Addison taking a major leap in 2024, Hockenson has slid into an uninteresting low-end TE1 stab over the past two years, generating 41/455/0 in 2024 and 51/438/3 in 2025. Cutting Hockenson would free up over $8.9 million in cap space for a team that’s currently up against it to get cap-compliant and The Athletic’s Alec Lewis pointed to Hockenson as one contract that could be reworked this offseason. His future with the Vikings is in some question entering 2026.

Jones finishes the year with a 548/2 rushing line on 132 carries, adding 28/199/1 through the air in 12 starts. Jones plays hurt often, and with Jordan Mason in tow this year, the Vikings were more proactive about sending him to IR. Jones enters his age-32 season on the final year of a two-year, $20 million deal with a $14 million cap figure. He figures to either be asked to restructure that deal or be released with the Vikings currently $36.4 million over the cap for 2026 per Over The Cap.

McCarthy has been practicing in full since Thursday, so he should be full-strength for this one. The rookie quarterback is probably only a QB2 in superflex leagues even with the Packers resting starters and down Micah Parsons. Still, there’s a chance he can close out the year on a high note and give Vikings brass something to think about as they try to figure out how — if at all — to address the position in the offseason.

The Saints added Tipton to the squad in 2024 as an undrafted free agent. Injuries and a trade allowed him to work his way into the wide receiver rotation late in the year, though he caught just 11-of-17 targets for 76 yards and rushed four times for 18 yards. He also returned 12 kicks for 378 yards and will likely chip in as a returner again next season. He has one year remaining on his contract. He is highly unlikely to be a fantasy contributor in 2026.

Smith suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of Weeks 13-15, coinciding with the Chiefs losing their grip on a wild card spot. He had the worst season of his career per PFF grading, making it to just a 68.5 overall grade. He did notably play worse with the ankle injury in Weeks 12, 16, and 17. Smith remains a long-term building block for Kansas City’s line, but this ends a rough season for him.

Nobody in this passing game needs to be played given the Chris Olodokun of it all. Yes, even against the Raiders. Worthy is probably more of a WR4 or WR5 if active for Week 18.

It’s an aggressive listing considering he just started practicing on Thursday. We’d be surprised if Adams was active, but we suppose we can’t rule out Sean McVay giving him a little open run and seeing where he’s at against the Cardinals. We’ll get better reports closer to the pre-game, but we would break ties against Adams if at all possible even if he’s available against Arizona.