Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson returns to the WR1 tier for fantasy football after the team announced that quarterback Nick Mullens would return to the starting role against the Detroit Lions in Week 18. The 24-year-old looked solid in Mullens' previous two starts, totaling 13 catches, 225 yards, and one touchdown during that span. Mullens has the tendency to air the ball out and take risks, which bodes well for Jefferson's upside, even against a respected Lions defense. Fantasy managers should view the alpha wideout as a must-start option once against this week.

San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback Sam Darnold will draw his first start of the season in the team's final regular season game on Sunday at home versus the Los Angeles Rams. On Wednesday head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed that starter Brock Purdy would see no action in Week 18 but that's no guarantee that Darnold will get all the snaps. On Friday morning general manager John Lynch commented "...we'll see if (third-string quarterback) Brandon Allen gets in there." In 2022 with the Panthers, Darnold averaged 14.4 fantasy points per game in a six-game stretch to finish the year, including a three-touchdown performance in Week 17, immediately followed by a dismal Week 18 when he produced less than one fantasy point. The Rams' pass defense has been the sixth-most generous to fantasy quarterbacks, but it's probably unwise to heed season-long statistics in a meaningless game with important starters on both sides resting. Darnold is an extremely unpredictable QB2 play in Week 18.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (concussion) has been ruled out for the Week 18 matchup against the Detroit Lions. The young wideout will miss the last four games of the season due to a concussion. Nailor wasn't able to clear the league's concussion protocol ahead of the regular season finale. His absence won't be too significant considering Nailor has six targets and three receptions on the season. The 24-year-old is hopeful to have a bigger role on the team next season.

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones will face off against the Chicago Bears in Week 18. The veteran had been limited in practice this past week with finger and knee injuries but was left off of the final injury report and will be active for the regular season finale. Jones has been on an absolute tear the past two weeks, tallying 247 rushing yards and averaging six yards per carry. This week will be a tough test for the 29-year-old, as Chicago has given up the third-fewest yards to running backs all season. With that said, AJ Dillon (neck, thumb) will not play this weekend, leaving Jones with the bulk of touches to himself. Consider the long-time Packer a top 15 option in Week 18.

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (concussion) remained a non-participant at Thursday's practice. A concussion has forced Nailor to the sidelines for Minnesota's last three games, and there's no indication that he is making much progress in the league's five-step protocol to return to action. With that said, the 24-year-old deep threat should be considered doubtful at best for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Detroit Lions. Nailor has been buried in the Vikings' receiving corps, anyway, essentially serving as a depth piece with three receptions on six targets for 29 yards in six outings, and his likely absence won't free up any noticeable target volume for any of the Vikes' surrounding pass catchers in Week 18.