Welcome to Week 18, the fantasy football equivalent of a hangover cure that doesn’t quite work with plenty of injuries that could affect the playoffs. It’s messy, confusing, and honestly, if you’re still playing in a league that counts this week, you need to have a serious talk with your commissioner. Injuries here shouldn’t define the championship.
But here we are. You’re desperate, I’m tired, and half the NFL is already booking flights to Cabo. Navigating 2025 Week 18 fantasy football injuries is less about talent evaluation and more about guessing which coach hates us the least. Let’s sift through the wreckage of “rest days” and “business decisions” to see who might actually touch a football this Sunday.
Quarterbacks’ Injuries: The “Next Man Up” Is Probably a Guy You Forgot Existed
Let’s start with the most important position, which this week features a cast of characters usually reserved for the XFL.
Lamar Jackson (Ravens): Looks like he’s playing. He practiced fully, and the Ravens need to beat the Steelers to clinch the division. But let’s be real, knowing the Ravens vs. Steelers history, this game will finish 13-10, and Lamar will run for 40 yards and get sacked six times.
Jordan Love (Packers): He’s cleared concussion protocol, but Green Bay is locked into the 7-seed. Starting him would be coaching malpractice. Expect Clayton Tune to lead the charge, which is a sentence that should terrify Packers fans and delight Vikings defenses.
Geno Smith (Raiders): Out. Done. The Pete Carroll era in Vegas is ending with a whimper, not a bang. We’re looking at a Kenny Pickett vs. Aidan O’Connell coin flip. If you are starting a Raiders QB in your championship, just donate your entry fee to charity next year.
Justin Herbert (Chargers): Out. Jim Harbaugh isn’t risking his golden boy in a meaningless game. Trey Lance gets the start against Denver. Remember when Trey Lance was the future? Now he’s just a Week 18 curiosity.
Running Backs Injuries: The Graveyard of Your Championship Dreams
This is where the pain really sets in. The “questionable” tag here really means “questionable why we are even playing this week.”
Christian McCaffrey (49ers): It’s a back injury, but the Niners are fighting for the 1-seed. Lynch says he’s trending toward playing. It’s CMC, so he’ll either score 30 points or play two series and break your heart. There is no in-between.
Alvin Kamara (Saints): Out. He hasn’t played since Week 12. If you’ve been holding onto him, hoping for a Week 18 miracle, I admire your optimism, but I question your grip on reality.
Kyren Williams & Blake Corum (Rams): This is tricky. The Rams are locked into a wildcard spot. Corum is hurt (ankle), and Kyren is “questionable” but likely to play limited snaps. McVay says he’ll play, but trusting Sean McVay in Week 18 is like trusting a gas station sushi roll. Proceed with extreme caution.
Aaron Jones (Vikings): Out. The hip issue is real. Jordan Mason’s time? Maybe. Ty Chandler’s time? Probably. A headache for you? Definitely.
Javonte Williams (Cowboys): Out. Shouldered his way right onto IR. It’s the Jaydon Blue show now, folks. Rookie fever in Dallas for a game that matters to absolutely no one.
Wide Receivers’ Injuries: Who Wants to Catch a Pass from a Backup?
The receiver landscape is a minefield of “business decisions” and legitimate injuries.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (Lions): The Sun God is questionable with a knee issue. Dan Campbell says he’s trending the right way, and Campbell is the kind of guy who would play his starters in a game of checkers. But be warned: if the Lions get up early, St. Brown might be wearing a baseball cap by halftime.
Davante Adams (Rams): Questionable, but don’t hold your breath. The Rams have zero incentive to trot him out there with a hamstring issue. If he plays, it’s a cameo.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (Cardinals): Out. Heel injury. It’s been a rough end to the year for the rookie. Michael Wilson gets to audition for the WR1 role next year, assuming Kyler Murray doesn’t just run around in circles for three hours.
Rome Odunze (Bears): Dealing with a foot fracture and likely out. The Bears’ offense has been fun lately, but without Odunze, it loses a gear. DJ Moore is safe, but the rest is a gamble.
Chris Olave (Saints): Out with a blood clot. Scary stuff, and bigger than football. Wishing him the best, obviously. From a fantasy perspective, the Saints’ passing game is now just throwing prayers to Juwan Johnson.
Tight Ends Injuries: The Wasteland
George Kittle (49ers): Questionable, but says he plans to play. With the 1-seed on the line, Kittle is the kind of maniac who will play on one leg. Start him if you have him, but keep a backup ready just in case Shanahan gets cautious.
T.J. Hockenson (Vikings): Out. Shoulder. It’s over. Go find a waiver wire dart throw.
David Njoku (Browns): Out. Knee. The Browns’ season needs to be taken out behind the shed and put out of its misery.
The Verdict
Look, 2025 Week 18 fantasy football injuries are a mess. If you’re lucky enough to have starters on teams fighting for seeding (Bills, Ravens, 49ers), ride them until the wheels fall off. If your roster is full of Rams, Chiefs, or Packers, you’re in trouble.
Good luck. You’re going to need it. And seriously, fix your league settings for next year.
