Fantasy Football Players Not Playing in Week 18 and Some Fill-In Options: Saquon Barkley, Josh Allen, Kyren Williams, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and More
Taking a look at some offensive players who won't be playing in week 18 and some potential waiver wire additions.
Week 18 is always a wild one for those of you playing fantasy football matchups yet.
This year is no different, with a number of players already being ruled out. Let’s take a look at some of those players in this article and then identify some possible fill-in options in case you are down a big player or two.
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Brock Purdy Out with Injury
The Niners are out of the playoff picture, but quarterback Brock Purdy won’t play in week 18. He’s dealing with an elbow injury he suffered last week.
Joshua Dobbs will start in his place. San Francisco plays Arizona this week, who are a slightly below-average matchup for fantasy quarterbacks.
He played a little bit last week, completing three of his four passes for 35 yards. Dobbs also ran for a seven-yard touchdown.
Dobbs has starting experience in his five-year career, with the latest coming in 2023 with the Cardinals and Vikings. He went 3-9 in those starts, and threw for 2,464 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions across 13 games overall.
James Conner, Trey Benson Placed on IR
Arizona running backs James Conner and Trey Benson have been placed on injured reserve with the team out of the playoff picture.
Michael Carter and DeeJay Dallas are the only remaining running backs on the active roster. Hassan Hall and Tony Jones are options on the practice squad.
Carter has gotten 25 touches over the past couple weeks, so he’s the best bet to serve as the team’s RB1 this week. Dallas has just six touches over the past three games, while Hall and Jones haven’t played for Arizona.
The battle against the Niners is actually a very favorable one for a running back, so Carter might be a sneaky good fantasy option for week 18.
Saquon Barkley Resting in Week 18
The biggest name to be sitting out this week is Eagles’ running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley had a chance to break the single-season rushing record, but with the team locked into the No. 2 seed in the NFC, Philly isn’t going to risk losing their star back.
Kenneth Gainwell has served as the team’s backup all season, and should be the lead back in week 18 against the Giants. That’s a very favorable matchup for a running back, making Gainwell an intriguing starting option.
Will Shipley is likely to be the top backup, and could be a flex option in the favorable matchup, and with Philly maybe wanting to get an extended look at the rookie. Tyrion Davis-Price is on the practice squad, but would probably only factor in if Gainwell or Shipley go down with an injury during the game.
With Barkley out, it’s also likely that Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith won’t play much.
Kenny Pickett would start at QB if he’s cleared from his ribs injury. Otherwise, Tanner McKee is likely to get the starting nod. Jahan Dotson, Johnny Wilson and Ainias Smith are among the wideouts who could fill in for Brown and DeVonta Smith.
Anthony Richardson Maybe Out Again
Richardson missed week 17 with back spasms, and if he isn’t past the injury before Sunday, Joe Flacco would start again for the Colts.
Flacco was 26-of-38 passing for 330 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in his start last week. He’d face the Jaguars this week, who are a very favorable matchup.
Flacco started against Jacksonville back in early October. He was 33-of-44 passing for 359 yards, three touchdowns and no picks, so he’d be a great starting option for week 18 if you are scrambling for a fill-in starter.
Several Chiefs Out
With the Chiefs having already locked up the AFC’s top seed, several Kansas City players won’t play against the Broncos.
Patrick Mahomes is one of those, meaning Carson Wentz will be the team’s starter. It’s a pretty average matchup on paper for Wentz, but you also need to take into account that Denver is playing for their playoff lives, and that Kansas City will likely be down other offensive starters (Travis Kelce, Kareem Hunt, DeAndre Hopkins and others).
It’s not the best fantasy outlook for Wentz, but in a pinch, he might need to be added and started by a good amount of fantasy owners.
Some Kansas City players who might be more involved with starters out or not playing much are running back Carson Steele and receivers Justin Watson and Mecole Hardman.
Josh Allen to Play Sparingly
Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen will make the start, but probably be pulled from the game quickly. Matt Barkley is likely to play the rest of the way against the Patriots, who are another average matchup.
Allen isn’t likely to be the only Buffalo starter to play sparingly. James Cook, Khalil Shakir, Dalton Kincaid, Amari Cooper and others could sit for most of the game.
Expect running backs Ray Davis and Ty Johnson to carry the load in the backfield, while tight end Dawson Knox and receivers Mack Hollins and Curtis Samuel are the top pass catchers.
Rams’ Regulars Sitting
Los Angeles is likely to rest most of the regulars in week 18 against the Seahawks.
Jimmy Garoppolo is expected to start for Matthew Stafford. It’s a below-average matchup already, and without many playmakers around him, Garoppolo is not a very appealing starting option.
Running back Kyren Williams probably won’t play, which will allow Blake Corum to be the lead back. It’s a below-average test for Corum, but he might put up big fantasy numbers on volume alone.
Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua are also likely out this week. Demarcus Robinson, Jordan Whittington and Tutu Atwell are the most likely wide receivers to step up and be the best fantasy assets. It’s a pretty average matchup ahead for the wideouts.
Check back later in the week for more start/sit stories, which will definitely involve some top players resting, or sitting out with injuries.
