NFL Player News

Garoppolo (thumb) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams, after making it through three limited practices without any setbacks this week, Matt Barrows of The Athletic reports.

Reports from San Francisco beat writers have been positive across the board, with Garoppolo seemingly trending toward a return after missing the Week 17 win over Houston. The 49ers have a ton on the line this weekend, as a loss combined with a Saints win over the Falcons would leave San Francisco out of the playoffs. Per Nick Wagoner of ESPN.com, Kyle Shanahan acknowledged Friday afternoon that Garoppolo had a good week of practice, but the 49ers coach stopped short of saying the veteran QB would play, declining to name his starter for Week 18. Should they ultimately determine Garoppolo isn't healthy enough to start, the 49ers will turn to rookie QB Trey Lance ahead of Sunday's 4:25 p.m. ET kickoff.

Watson (not injury-related) has been ruled out for Sunday's game versus the Titans.

As has been the case all season for Watson. Davis Mills again will direct the Texans offense Week 18, while Tyrod Taylor is around to serve as his backup.

Coach Dan Campbell considers Jared Goff (knee) "probable" to return for Week 18 and replace Boyle as the starting quarterback for Sunday's game against the Packers, Kyle Meinke of MLive.com reports.

Boyle started the past two games, with Goff first on the reserve/COVID-19 list and then out with a knee injury. With Goff now listed as questionable but expected to play, Boyle figures to return to his backup role for the season finale.

Burrow (knee/rest) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns, Jay Morrison of The Athletic reports.

Ben Baby of ESPN.com relays that the QB was listed as a full practice participant Friday, but the plan this weekend is to rest Burrow with the postseason in mind, which sets the stage for Brandon Allen to start Sunday. It remains to be seen, however, if Burrow is in uniform versus Cleveland, as Jake Browning could be promoted from the practice squad to back up Allen in Week 18.

Rodgers (toe) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game against the Lions, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Rodgers has played some of the best football of his career while dealing with the toe injury, and he wants to continue in Week 18 even with the Packers locked in for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. Coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Friday that Rodgers will start Sunday, though LaFleur wasn't much help in terms of expectations for playing time, merely saying it would be based on how the game goes. Anything from a couple drives to a full game is thus in play, making Rodgers a high-risk, high-reward fantasy play for Week 18.

Goff (knee) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers, after Lions coach Dan Campbell said Friday he considers the quarterback "probable" to play.

Campbell expects Goff to play, which isn't necessarily the same as saying he'd have the 'probable' designation if it still existed. Regardless it's best to treat the QB as questionable entering the weekend, considering he didn't play last week and remained limited at practice Wednesday through Friday this week. If he does start, Goff will face a Packers defense that may or may not pull key players at some point. If Goff is out, Tim Boyle will make his fourth and final start of the year, with the Lions and Packers kicking off at 1:00 p.m. ET this Sunday.

Coach Matt LaFleur confirmed Rodgers will start Sunday's game against the Lions, Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com reports.

Playing a full game is another matter, with the Packers locked in for the NFC's No. 1 seed. LaFleur didn't provide much in terms of hints, simply saying he'll see how the game goes before making any decisions on pulling starters. That leaves Rodgers as a risky Week 18 fantasy option, albeit with huge upside in a dome game against a bad defense.

Jackson (ankle) has been ruled out for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Steelers.

With Jackson still unavailable due to his ankle injury, Tyler Huntley has been confirmed as the Ravens' Week 18 starting QB, while Josh Johnson is set to serve as the team's No. 2 signal-caller Sunday.

Dalton will start Sunday's game in Minnesota, Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic reports.

Coach Matt Nagy suggested as much earlier in the week and confirmed it Friday afternoon. Justin Fields was on track to return from an ankle injury for the season finale, only to land on the reserve/COVID-19 list and give Dalton another start in what could be his final appearance for the Bears. The Chicago offense is in good health apart from Fields, with no other starters on the final injury report, COVID list or injured reserve.

Coach John Harbaugh announced Friday that Tyler Huntley will start Sunday's regular-season finale against the Steelers. Jackson (ankle) hasn't played since Week 14.

Per Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun, Harbaugh didn't update Jackson's injury status, but given that the QB won't start Sunday's contest, it looks like the Ravens are likely to officially rule Jackson out once the team's final Week 18 injury report is posted.