Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell announced that Nick Mullens will start for the team in the season finale against the Detroit Lions on Sunday. Mullens started in Week 15 and 16 in losses to the Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions, but rookie Jaren Hall was named QB1 for the Sunday Night Football loss to the Green Bay Packers in Week 17. Hall started the game five-for-ten for 67 yards, an interception, and a lost fumble, leading to O'Connell going back to Mullens. The veteran journeyman averaged over 20 fantasy points per game in his first two starts, so he'll have DFS intrigue in the 2023 season finale.

With the San Francisco 49ers potentially resting starters in a meaningless Week 18 game against the Los Angeles Rams, quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Jordan Mason could see heavier workloads this Sunday. Darnold could get the start so that the team can rest Brock Purdy heading into the postseason while also giving Darnold an opportunity to showcase his stuff before he heads to free agency in 2024. Brandon Allen could also see reps under center. Running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) has already been ruled out, and given Elijah Mitchell's injury history, Mason could be in line for lead-back duties against the Rams, with fellow 2022 rookie Tyrion Davis-Price also seeing a heavier workload. The Niners would have to elevate Davis-Price from their practice squad to the 53-man active roster.

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones took 20 carries for 120 yards and caught his lone target for a 10-yard gain during the team's 33-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings. The veteran exited the game briefly Sunday night but returned the next drive. Jones gained at least 120 yards on the ground for the second straight week but was barely involved in the passing game. However, the Packers, who have been cautious with Jones due to multiple lower body injuries, seem to have unleashed the 29-year-old at just the right time. The Packers playoff hopes are alive and well heading into the final game of the regular season. Next week, those playing in their title games can count on Jones as a borderline RB1 against a stiff Chicago run defense.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) fought through an ankle injury for three catches on five targets and 28 yards in Sunday night's rough 33-10 defeat to the Green Bay Packers. Addison was limited in practice late in the week due to a sprained ankle that he suffered last Sunday, and he simply didn't do much in Week 17. It was tough night all around for the Vikings, though, watching their defense get torched and their offense voluntarily switch quarterbacks midgame. The 2023 first-rounder helped plug the hole left behind by Justin Jefferson's seven-game absence in the middle of the year, but he may have hit the proverbial rookie wall with only 30 catches for 372 yards and two touchdowns in his latest eight outings. Addison will get another shot at the Detroit Lions in Week 18 after catching just one pass before exiting against them in Week 16.

Minnesota Vikings running back Ty Chandler fell out of the game plan in Week 17's 33-10 blowout loss to the Green Bay Packers, rushing 10 times for 40 yards and catching each of his three targets for 24 yards. The Vikings didn't stay competitive for particularly long on Sunday night, exiting the first half with a quarterback change and a 23-3 deficit. Chandler still out-touched a healthy Alexander Mattison 13-5 despite getting phased out in the second half, which is something that fantasy managers can at least consider a moral victory. Chandler's rise to the top of Minnesota's depth chart seemed to come at the right time for those who scooped him up off waiver wires for the fantasy playoffs, but his 157-yard, one-touchdown Week 15 ended up being his only difference-making effort since taking over the backfield. The speedy 25-year-old hopes his team can avoid operating in catch-up mode for Week 18 versus the Detroit Lions.