Detroit Lions

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (ankle, illness) is dealing with an illness on top of his ankle injury this week and missed a second straight day of practice on Thursday. Williams suffered an ankle injury in last Saturday's loss to the Dallas Cowboys, but the Lions aren't considering it very serious. Still, the 22-year-old second-year player will surely need to get back on the practice field on Friday if he wants to play in the Week 18 regular season finale on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. Even if Williams practices on Friday and ultimately plays this Sunday, he'll be a dart throw for DFS gamers this weekend. Williams hasn't really been a big part of Detroit's offense all year and has only 24 receptions on 42 targets for 354 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games played.

Detroit Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (ankle) was once again a limited participant during practice on Thursday. The rookie tight end has now been limited through the first two practices of the week. Despite that, fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried heading into Week 18. The limited sessions are likely just the Lions being cautious with their big tight end. The expectation is that LaPorta will be completely fine in time for the regular season finale against the Minnesota Vikings. LaPorta is coming off an 84-yard performance and he'll look to build on that this weekend.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond will likely see more snaps in two or three wide receiver sets if Jameson Williams (ankle) cannot suit up in Week 18. Williams has been earning more targets and snaps as of late, but he's dealing with an ankle injury. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds have operated as starters all season, so Raymond has the potential to be the biggest beneficiary of Williams' absence. That said, Raymond is unlikely to see heavy target volume either way against the Minnesota Vikings, so he'd become a mere touchdown-or-bust play in deep leagues if Williams can't go.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown has been on fire over the last three weeks, securing 25 of his 31 targets for 308 yards and three touchdowns. He was an incredible producer for fantasy managers in the fantasy football playoffs, and he's in for another big week against a lackluster Minnesota Vikings defense. The Vikings have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers in 2023. Fantasy managers or DFS gamers with something on the line in Week 18 should have zero concerns about St. Brown's ability to keep things rolling in the season finale on Sunday.

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs is looking to bounce back from a rough Week 17 performance on Sunday. The rookie posted just 43 rushing yards and did not catch a pass in the loss to the Dallas Cowboys. He scored at least 20 PPR fantasy points in six of his last nine games prior to the down week, so he remains a high-upside fantasy and DFS play in Week 18. He'll face a Minnesota Vikings defense that has been stingy against running backs this year, but his pass-catching role and explosive skill set make him a must-start in all matchups. Once again, he and David Montgomery have plenty of upside behind the league's best offensive line.