Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (concussion) did not practice on Wednesday as his team began preparing to face off against the Detroit Lions in Week 18. The wideout has missed the past three games with a concussion and is apparently still in the league's concussion protocol as the Vikings prepare for their regular-season finale. Nailor will need to get onto the field in at least a limited capacity by Friday in order to have a shot at playing in Week 18.

Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (finger, knee) was listed as a limited participant for Wednesday's walkthrough practice estimation. Jones continues to be limited in practice early in the week, but he isn't in danger of sitting out in a must-win Week 18 regular season matchup against the visiting Chicago Bears this weekend. The 29-year-old could have a bigger workload, too, if AJ Dillon (neck, thumb) is forced to sit out after suffering a stinger in Sunday night's win over the Minnesota Vikings. Regardless of whether Dillon is active or not in Week 18, Jones will have RB2 appeal for fantasy managers still playing for something. In his last two games, Jones has looked better, carrying the ball 41 times for 247 yards while catching two of his four targets for 18 yards through the air.

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that quarterback Brock Purdy will not play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. As a result, Sam Darnold will make his first start of the season in a meaningless game for the Niners, as they are already locked into the top seed in the NFC and will have a first-round bye in the playoffs. In addition to Purdy, the Niners ruled out star running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) already after he strained his calf in the Week 17 win over the Washington Commanders. San Francisco could choose to limit other key offensive weapons this weekend, making all Niners players risky in fantasy lineups in Week 18. Darnold will be in play as a low-end QB2 option for fantasy managers in leagues that start two QBs.

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.