New England Patriots

According to the team, New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (foot) remained a limited participant during Thursday's practice. Fantasy managers should keep a close eye on his status during Friday's practice as he could carry a questionable tag if he cannot upgrade to full participation. Last weekend, the veteran tight end had a disappointing showing as he could not bring in any of his two targets. This was the first time all season he was held without a reception. However, during Weeks 11 through 16, Henry caught 5.2 passes per game while tallying 49.2 yards per game. If Henry can turn the corner in time for Sunday's game, he should be viewed as a low-end TE1 in PPR formats facing a Buffalo Bills defense that has allowed the 16th-most PPR points to opposing tight ends.

New England Patriots wide receiver Kayshon Boutte (illness) returned to practice on Thursday, but rookie wideout Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) is still not on the practice field as the team continues preparing to face the division-rival Buffalo Bills in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday. None of New England's receivers have been reliable fantasy contributors in one of the league's lowest-scoring offenses in 2024. The Patriots can secure the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft if they lose on Sunday, so they probably won't rush any injured skill players onto the field this weekend. In his second year in the NFL, Boutte has improved with a 36-472-2 line on 61 targets over 14 games (12 starts). Polk, meanwhile, has been much less involved as a rookie, catching 12 of 33 targets for only 87 yards and two TDs in 15 games (seven starts).

New England Patriots offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt announced on Thursday that rookie quarterback Drake Maye (hand) will start on Sunday in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the division-rival Buffalo Bills. Van Pelt also said the intent is for Maye to play the entire game. The 22-year-old first-rounder was limited by a hand injury in practice on Wednesday, but he'll be good to go this weekend. The Patriots would secure the No. 1 overall pick in this year's NFL draft if they lose to a Bills team that is expected to play mostly backups, but New England wants to get Maye out there for one more game in what has mostly been a learning experience in his first year in the NFL. The third overall pick has completed 66.8% of his pass attempts for 2,276 yards, 15 TDs and 10 interceptions in 12 games (11 starts). He'll be a QB2 with upside in Year 2, but the Pats need to add more playmakers around him.

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (right hand) was limited during Wednesday's practice. The rookie reportedly injured one of his fingers during last Saturday's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Maye is expected to recover in time for Week 18 against the Buffalo Bills, and he's in line to start after head coach Jerod Mayo indicated all of New England's healthy starters would play. Nevertheless, it's an interesting story to monitor given that the Patriots would clinch the No. 1 draft pick with a loss on Sunday but could drop as low as No. 5 if they win. There has been ongoing speculation that the Patriots could rest Maye to preserve his health and secure the top pick, but as of now, it sounds like Mayo is going to roll out his starters in hopes of a Week 18 victory.

New England Patriots wide receivers Kayshon Boutte (illness) and Ja'Lynn Polk (shoulder) did not participate in practice on Wednesday. Boutte has been heavily involved lately, commanding 23 targets over his last four games. His absence from practice is concerning, but the good news is that players are typically able to recover from illnesses within a few days, so Boutte has a real chance to recover in time for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills. Polk's status is a little more murky after he injured his shoulder in the middle of last week's loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The rookie has been quite underwhelming, catching just 12 passes for 87 yards and two touchdowns while struggling with drops. Fantasy managers invested in the statuses of either Boutte or Polk should check back Thursday to see if either receiver can improve to limited or full.