Everything that happens in the NFL has some additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.
Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the NFL.
Key links: Fantasy depth charts | Scoring Leaders | Weekly Rankings
Jan. 1: Barkley, Hurts among Eagles starters set to sit out Week 18
Head coach Nick Sirianni said Wednesday he plans to sit the Philadelphia Eagles' starters for Week 18 against the New York Giants, including running back Saquon Barkley and quarterback Jalen Hurts. Barkley is just 101 yards away from breaking Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing yardage record of 2,105 yards in 1984, but with the Eagles locked in as the No. 2 seed in the NFC, the team appears to be prioritizing his health over making history on the final Sunday of the regular season. This means Kenneth Gainwell and Will Shipley (questionable) will take over Barkley's work in the backfield. Barkley will still likely finish as the RB1 in terms of fantasy points, barring an otherworldly performance from Bijan Robinson.
Below are other fantasy-relevant players expected to sit, or received limited playing time, in Week 18. Stay tuned as this list grows in the next couple days:
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs: Carson Wentz will start.
Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers: Joshua Dobbs will start.
Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams: Jimmy Garoppolo will start.
Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Dolphins: Tyler Huntley is expected to start.
James Conner, RB, Cardinals: Michael Carter is expected to get the majority of backfield touches.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans: Tony Pollard could return this week and would lead the backfield. If not, the team would use a committee approach in the backfield.
Kyren Williams, RB, Rams: Blake Corum is expected to get the majority of backfield touches.
Derek Carr, QB, Saints: Spencer Rattler will start.
Will Levis, QB, Titans: Levis will start, bur Mason Rudolph also will play, according to coach Brian Callahan.
Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints: Kamara is doubtful, Kendre Miller won't play.
Ameer Abdullah, RB, Raiders: Abdullah is doubtful, Alexander Mattison expected to start.
Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams: As with Stafford and Williams, the Rams' WR duo is expected to rest. Targets are expected to be distributed among Jordan Whittington, Tyler Johnson, Xavier Smith, and Tutu Atwell.
Nick Folk, K, Titans: Out, Matthew Wright expected to kick.
Anthony Richardson, QB, Colts: Richardson will miss his second straight game, Joe Flacco will start.
Brock Purdy, QB, 49ers: Purdy will miss Week 18 with an elbow injury, Josh Dobbs will start.
George Kittle, TE, 49ers: Kittle has been limited in practice and is currently questionable. The 49ers will be without Brock Purdy, dropping Kittle's outlook anyway even if we were to play in a meaningless Week 18 game.
C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans: Stroud will rest for the playoff-bound Texans, Davis Mills will start.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Falcons: Mooney is a game-time decision for the Falcons, who must win to have a chance to make the playoffs.