Amon-Ra

St. Brown

St. Brown made good on a lofty draft ADP entering the 2025 regular season, finishing as the overall WR4 in both total PPR points and points per game, behind only Puka Nacua, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and Ja’Marr Chase. He brought one of the most consistent weekly floors while also contributing three games of 29.9 PPR points or more, peaking with a 41.4-point eruption in the first week of fantasy playoffs in Week 15. St. Brown amassed a sparkling 1,401 yards on 117 receptions while adding 11 touchdowns, marking the third consecutive season with at least 1,263 yards and 10 scores. Continue treating St. Brown as a locked-in WR1 ahead of his sixth professional season.

Dan Campbell said that St. Brown is trending towards playing earlier today. He should be considered on the optimistic side of questionable. He’s on the WR1 line in fantasy leagues that are still going in Week 18, but could be at risk of sitting later in the game if things get out of hand in one way or the other as the Lions have nothing to play for.

St. Brown was limited in Thursday’s practice and figures to be out there on the practice field again Friday given Campbell’s comments. The 26-year-old wide receiver is as tough as they come, which he showed earlier in the season as he played through an ankle sprain against the Cowboys. While the game against the Bears means nothing for the Lions, who’ve already been eliminated from the playoffs, St. Brown is hyper-aware of what his statistics mean in the grand scheme of things. While St. Brown has already secured a Pro Bowl nod this year, surely he wants to have a big game in hopes of making the All-Pro team as well. While it’s possible the Lions shut him down in the second half, expect St. Brown to be involved heavily early in this one.

It’s an upgrade from a Wednesday DNP. St. Brown will have some re-injury/blowout risk on Sunday if he just isn’t able to gut it out in a meaningless game against the Bears, but he appears to be trending towards playing. He likely belongs on the WR1 line if he is able to play, though perhaps as more of a mid-range option given the potential of a mid-game shutdown.

St. Brown has already played without practicing this season, so sitting out on Wednesday should not induce panic. That said, Lions head coach Dan Campbell did say that they would shut down St. Brown if they believe he is setting himself up for “long-term risk” by playing through his current injuries. He should be considered truly questionable to play at this time, though St. Brown does tend to play through injuries. Stay tuned.

Campbell said that St. Brown should be good “long term” and that the wideout wants to play against the Bears. But Campbell also noted “If we’re sitting there borderline and...it could be hard or we think they’re setting themselves up for long-term risk, then no, it’s not worth it” when asked about playing injured players. It’s hard to read between the lines there, but we think St. Brown has a chance to play in Week 18 based on how minor this feels.

St. Brown left the contest late with an apparent injury, to add to the offensive insult for Detroit. The 26-year-old was able to make the most of an atrocious afternoon from Jared Goff/impressive showing again from Brian Flores and the Vikings’ defense. The Lions are eliminated from playoff contention, so don’t be surprised if Detroit is extra cautious with St. Brown in Week 18 against Chicago.

Montgomery was added to the injury report early Thursday morning with an illness but is apparently well enough to play against the Vikings. There is the potential for Jahmyr Gibbs to see a slight uptick in snaps and usage considering the illness. St. Brown saw his practice involvement monitored on the short week but is also active. Inactive for the Lions are OL Trystan Colon, OL Taylor Decker, DL Tyler Lacy, WR Dominic Lovett, S Avonte Maddox, OL Michael Niese, and DL Mekhi Wingo.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported earlier today that St. Brown is expected to play through what has been described as “a little irritation” in his knee. We believe him. The Lions’ No. 1 wide receiver regularly plays through ailments. He remains a fantasy football WR1 for Week 17 against the Vikings.

Lions head coach Dan Campbell described St. Brown’s injury as “a little irritation” that should not sideline him for Christmas Day against the Vikings. St. Brown, who plays through all manner of injuries, should be a full go against Minnesota. He had nine catches for 97 yards on 13 targets the last time the Lions played the Vikings.