Cleveland Browns

Cleveland Browns running back Pierre Strong Jr. has seen just 49 carries for 226 yards as the team's No. 3 RB this season. He could be in store for an increased role in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals, however. The Browns have already locked up the No. 5 seed in the AFC and don't have much to play for in the regular-season finale. The team hasn't ruled Jerome Ford or Kareem Hunt out yet but it wouldn't be a surprise if both running backs sat out of Week 18. If that happens, Strong would operate as the team's lead back against a Cincinnati defense that is allowing the 14th-most fantasy points per game to running backs this season. Strong sets up as a solid flex option in season-long formats and an interesting RB2 in DFS contests this weekend.

Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford has rolled up nine all-purpose touchdowns as the lead back for his team in 2023. The second-year back may not get a chance to add to his TD total in Week 18 against the Cincinnati Bengals, however. The Browns are already locked into the No. 5 seed in the AFC and are planning on resting some of their key starters in what is a meaningless game for them. Ford would certainly fit into that criteria as he and Kareem Hunt have been Cleveland's two primary ball carriers since Nick Chubb (knee) was lost for the season back in Week 2. The Browns haven't made any official announcements pertaining to their running back room for Sunday but Pierre Strong Jr. would operate as the team's No. 1 back if Hunt and Ford ultimately don't play. That would put Strong on the radar as a high-end RB3 and a cheap dart-throw option in DFS tournaments this weekend. Stay tuned.

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (rest/knee/illness) missed practice on Wednesday but got in limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. The star tight end is listed without an injury designation heading into a Week 18 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Browns already have the No. 5 seed in the AFC locked up and are planning to rest several starters in a meaningless game against Cincinnati. Njoku has not been ruled out of action as of Saturday morning but there is a strong chance he is not active in Week 18 as Cleveland looks toward the first round of the playoffs next week. If Njoku ultimately doesn't play, Harrison Bryant would see starter's snaps and settle in as a TE2 for the final week of the regular season. Stay tuned.

The Kansas City Chiefs have ruled out wide receivers Rashee Rice (hamstring) and Kadarius Toney (hip) for the Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers. With the No. 3 seed in the AFC already locked up, the Chiefs will also be resting quarterback Patrick Mahomes and offensive tackle Donovan Smith (neck). It means that a Chiefs offense that has been less than stellar this year is going to be even weaker for a meaningless contest this weekend against the Bolts. The 23-year-old Rice should be good to go for the wild-card round next week. Toney, meanwhile, will miss his third straight game, although he, too, should be ready to roll next week for the start of the postseason. With Rice and Toney out on Sunday, Justin Watson, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Mecole Hardman Jr, Justyn Ross and Richie James should all be more involved.

Cleveland Browns kicker Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) has officially been ruled out for the Week 18 regular season finale against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. It will be the second straight missed game for the 33-year-old booter. Cleveland will be hoping Hopkins will be ready to roll for the wild-card round of the postseason next week. When healthy, Hopkins has been a fantasy relevant kicker this year, especially since quarterback Joe Flacco arrived and jumpstarted this offense. In 15 games in his first year with the Browns, Hopkins has gone 33-for-36 on field-goal attempts and 24-for-26 on extra points. With Hopkins being held out again this weekend, Riley Patterson will do the kicking for Cleveland and should be avoided in fantasy lineups with the Browns resting some of their key starters, including Flacco.