In the Zone | RealTime Fantasy Sports

Guest of the League

In the Zone Est. 2023

Dynasty $125 - FFL: Offseason | NFL: Week 18

Vikings' J.J. McCarthy (hand) resumes full practice activity

Thu Jan 1 9:14pm ET
Field Level Media

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy was a full participant at practice on Thursday, giving him a strong chance of starting Sunday against the Green Bay Packers.

McCarthy began the week of practice limited thanks to a hairline fracture in his throwing hand he sustained in Week 16 against the New York Giants.

That injury kept him out of the Vikings' 23-10 Christmas Day win vs. the Detroit Lions. Max Brosmer got the start at quarterback and threw for 51 yards.

McCarthy's participation Sunday would be something of a surprise given the game's stakes. Minnesota has already been eliminated from the playoffs at 8-8, while Green Bay is locked into the NFC's No. 7 seed at 9-6-1.

Earlier in the week, Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell was non-committal about McCarthy's status, taking a wait-and-see approach, but he did express interest in having his starter back.

"I'd love to get him one more game, for sure," O'Connell said.

The second-year player who missed his entire rookie season due to injury has gone 5-4 in nine starts this season, throwing for 1,450 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Top Headlines

The Paur Report

Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 18

Player Notes

Devon Achane Jan 1 11:20pm ET

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (shoulder) missed a second straight practice on Thursday due to a shoulder injury, per the team's official website. Achane is firmly up in the air to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival New England Patriots, unless he can return to the practice field on Friday. Not having the 24-year-old available this weekend would be a huge blow to fantasy managers still competing for a championship, as Achane is the RB6 in half-PPR scoring this year, with 1,350 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns on 238 carries in 16 games. He's added 67 receptions for another 488 yards and four touchdowns through the air. If Achane is not cleared, Jaylen Wright would be a plug-and-play RB2 in fantasy football, with rookie Ollie Gordon II also seeing an increased role in Miami's backfield as the backup.

From RotoBaller

Mike Hughes Jan 1 9:33pm ET

Atlanta Falcons CB Mike Hughes (ankle) was placed on the Reserve/Injured list Thursday, Jan. 1, and in a corresponding move, DE Khalid Kareem was signed to the 53-man roster.

Keenan Allen Jan 1 9:13pm ET

Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert (hand, non-injury), RB Omarion Hampton (ankle), CB Nikko Reed (hamstring) and OG Jamaree Salyer (hamstring) did not practice Thursday, Jan. 1. S Derwin James (non-injury), LB Khalil Mack (non-injury), CB Elijah Molden (hamstring), C Bradley Bozeman (concussion), WR Derius Davis (ankle), RB Hassan Haskins (concussion), S R.J. Mickens (shoulder), CB Benjamin St-Juste (shoulder) and LB Tuli Tuipulotu (non-injury) were limited participants, and RB Kimani Vidal (neck) and WR Keenan Allen (non-injury) were full participants.

Keenan Allen Jan 1 9:13pm ET

Los Angeles Chargers WR Keenan Allen (non-injury) was a full participant in practice Thursday, Jan. 1.

Fantasy Spin: Allen was back on the practice field after his usual day off to start the week, but it remains to be seen if he will see any action in the finale. The Chargers are opting to rest Justin Herbert, so Allen and other starters could also sit out Week 18.

Tyler Higbee Jan 1 9:03pm ET

Los Angeles Rams RB Blake Corum (ankle), OG Kevin Dotson (ankle) and CB Josh Wallace (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 1. WR Davante Adams (hamstring), DE Braden Fiske (ankle), OT Alaric Jackson (knee), S Jaylen McCollough (hip), LB Omar Speights (ankle) and RB Kyren Williams (ankle) were limited during practice. WR Xavier Smith (chest), TE Tyler Higbee (ankle) and S Quentin Lake (elbow) fully participated in practice.

Kareem Hunt Jan 1 8:53pm ET

Kansas City Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt (illness), OG Trey Smith (ankle), WR Xavier Worthy (illness) and LS James Winchester (illness) did not practice Thursday, Jan. 1. DE George Karlaftis (non-injury), RB Isiah Pacheco (non-injury) and OT Jaylon Moore (knee) were limited participants, and TE Jake Briningstool (hamstring), CB Kristian Fulton (knee, wrist) and DT Derrick Nnadi (illness) practiced in full.

Davante Adams Jan 1 8:53pm ET

Los Angeles Rams WR Davante Adams (hamstring) was limited during practice Thursday, Jan. 1.

Fantasy Spin: Adams is making progress in his recovery but is still probably unlikely to play since the team will be playing next week in the Wild Card Round. Fantasy players can monitor the situation but will probably need other options to use in their lineups.

Kareem Hunt Jan 1 8:53pm ET

Kansas City Chiefs RB Kareem Hunt (illness) did not practice Thursday, Jan. 1.

Fantasy Spin: Hunt has now missed a pair of practices due to illness, and with the little to play for in the season finale, the Chiefs may just decide to rest Hunt. If he plays, he is a low-end, touchdown-dependent flex option.

Tyler Higbee Jan 1 8:53pm ET

Los Angeles Rams TE Tyler Higbee (ankle) fully participated in practice Thursday, Jan. 1.

Fantasy Spin: Higbee was cleared to return to practice this week, so it may be too early for him to return to the lineup. Fantasy players can keep an eye on the situation over the next few days to see if he is added to the 53-man roster before the game. He will see a few targets once he returns but can be avoided in most leagues.

Aaron Jones Jan 1 8:43pm ET

Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson (shoulder), RB Aaron Jones (hip) and WR Myles Price (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 1. OT Brian O'Neill (heel) was limited during practice. LB Blake Cashman (elbow), RB Jordan Mason (ankle), QB J.J. McCarthy (hand), DT Levi Drake Rodriguez (rib) and TE Gavin Bartholomew (back) fully participated in practice.

Kimani Vidal Jan 1 8:40pm ET

Los Angeles Chargers running back Kimani Vidal (neck) upgraded to a full practice session on Thursday. Vidal started the week with a limited showing in practice on Wednesday. A full session on Thursday suggests that he's ready to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday in Denver against the division-rival Broncos. Meanwhile, rookie Omarion Hampton (ankle) has yet to practice this week, and Hassan Haskins has been limited as he works his way through the NFL's concussion protocol. L.A.'s backfield is in flux entering the weekend, but if Hampton is held out, Vidal figures to be the team's lead back in Week 18. The 24-year-old would receive a volume boost, but expectations would need to be tempered in an offense led by backup quarterback Trey Lance against a stout Denver defense. Fantasy managers need to check back on Friday for more clarity on this backfield.

From RotoBaller

Myles Garrett Jan 1 8:33pm ET

Cleveland Browns TE Harold Fannin Jr. (groin), TE David Njoku (knee, non-injury) and LB Carson Schwesinger (quadriceps, ankle) did not practice Thursday, Jan. 1. DE Myles Garrett (hip), DT Michael Hall Jr. (knee), OG Teven Jenkins (concussion), C Kingsley Eguakun (knee, shoulder), OG Joel Bitonio (wrist), S Grant Delpit (Achilles), CB Myles Harden (shoulder), DT Shelby Harris (toe) and LB Winston Reid (back) were limited participants, and RB Dylan Sampson (hand), QB Shedeur Sanders (back, finger), TE Brenden Bates (shoulder), CB Tyson Campbell (shoulder), QB Dillon Gabriel (shoulder), DT Mason Graham (rib) and OT KT Leveston (shoulder) fully participated.

Alvin Kamara Jan 1 8:33pm ET

New Orleans Saints DT Bryan Bresee (knee), CB Michael Davis (shoulder), RB Alvin Kamara (ankle, knee), TE Zaire Mitchell-Paden (knee), WR Chris Olave (illness), QB Spencer Rattler (finger), DT Nathan Shepherd (ankle, knee), TE Jack Stoll (knee), WR Mason Tipton (groin) and DT Davon Godchaux (non-injury) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 1. OG Dillon Radunz (knee) and LB Demario Davis (calf) were limited during practice. OG Cesar Ruiz (ankle) and QB Tyler Shough (hip) fully participated in practice.

Aaron Jones Jan 1 8:33pm ET

Minnesota Vikings RB Aaron Jones (hip) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 1.

Fantasy Spin: Jones' availability for Week 18 is uncertain at this point since he has not practice at this point this week. He is usually at least a flex option when healthy, but fantasy players may need other options ready in case he is ruled out.

Omarion Hampton Jan 1 8:30pm ET

Los Angeles Chargers rookie first-round running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) missed a second straight day of practice this week on Thursday. Hampton spent time on Injured Reserve earlier this year after fracturing his ankle. The 22-year-old hasn't had a setback that we know of, so this could just be the Chargers being cautious as they look to get their players healthy going into the playoffs next week. The Chargers already announced that they will sit quarterback Justin Herbert for the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the division-rival Denver Broncos, and Hampton could join him on the sidelines. Meanwhile, Kimani Vidal (neck) upgraded to a full practice on Thursday. The Bolts' backfield is in flux, to say the least, with Hassan Haskins working his way through the concussion protocol. Check back on Friday, but all signs are pointing to Hampton being held out in Week 18.

From RotoBaller

Alvin Kamara Jan 1 8:23pm ET

New Orleans Saints RB Alvin Kamara (ankle, knee) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 1.

Fantasy Spin: It seems like Kamara will miss another game unless he makes significant progress in the next day or two. Audric Estime probably will see a majority of the work in the running game if Kamara is ruled out and can be at least a flex option in leagues.

Mike Hughes Jan 1 8:13pm ET

Atlanta Falcons CB Mike Hughes (ankle), CB Clark Phillips III (illness, triceps) and DT Brandon Dorlus (hamstring) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 1. WR Drake London (knee), WR Darnell Mooney (knee), TE Kyle Pitts (knee), S DeMarcco Hellams (hamstring) and DT Sam Roberts (ankle, knee) were limited during the session.

DeAndre Hopkins Jan 1 7:53pm ET

Baltimore Ravens WR Rashod Bateman (illness) and LB Kyle Van Noy (quadriceps) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 1. WR DeAndre Hopkins (non-injury) and LB Roquan Smith (hamstring) were limited during practice. DT Taven Bryan (knee), QB Lamar Jackson (back), TE Charlie Kolar (nose), FB Patrick Ricard (ankle), OT Ronnie Stanley (knee) and OG Andrew Vorhees (foot) fully participated in practice.

Tyler Lockett Jan 1 7:43pm ET

Las Vegas Raiders WR Tyler Lockett (shoulder) fully participated in practice Thursday, Jan. 1.

Fantasy Spin: Lockett was added to the injury report during the week but seems to be dealing with a minor injury. He will likely see a few targets in the passing game this week but can be avoided in fantasy leagues.

Geno Smith Jan 1 7:43pm ET

Las Vegas Raiders DT Adam Butler (biceps), RB Raheem Mostert (ankle, knee), OG Dylan Parham (illness) and QB Geno Smith (ankle) did not participate in practice Thursday, Jan. 1. WR Jack Bech (back) and WR Tyler Lockett (shoulder) fully participated in practice.