We are now entering the final week of the NFL‘s regular season, and many teams have already clinched a spot in the playoffs. This means that several players will sit out this week as they make sure they are healthy for the start of the postseason.
However, some quarterbacks are facing huge games on Sunday, while other young QBs still want to get reps.
Let’s take a look at the latest injury updates for Tua Tagovailoa, Trevor Lawrence, and Will Levis as we enter Week 18 (for those brave souls in their fantasy football championships).
Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
Week 17 wasn’t good for Miami Dolphins fans. First, the Dolphins lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 56-19. That loss eliminated Miami from contending for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Additionally, they are now playing the Buffalo Bills in Week 18 to decide who wins the AFC East.
In last week’s game against the Ravens, Tagovailoa injured his shoulder. While he has had to deal with many injuries in his career, this doesn’t seem to be one that should hold him out of the game.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
When asked about Tagovailoa’s status for next Sunday, coach Mike McDaniel wasn’t worried that his starter would miss time.
“I’m not really worried about it,” McDaniel told reporters. “Just where he’s at in the season and how crazy competitive he is. You know, it’s not something that’s a huge blip on my radar right now.”
With a win against the Bills next week, the Dolphins would end up as the No. 2 seed in the AFC. However, if they lose, they’ll wind up as the No. 6 seed. It would take a lot for Tagovailoa to miss this game, so expect him to be ready to go barring any major setback.
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
Another quarterback that means a lot to fantasy managers is dealing with his own injuries. Jacksonville Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence missed the game against the Carolina Panthers due to a sprained right AC joint. That was the first game that he had missed in his career, but the Jaguars were able to get the win to move to 9-7.
Now, they host the Tennessee Titans in a game Jacksonville has to win. If they come out on top, they win the AFC South and are the No. 4 seed in the AFC playoffs. Lose, and the Jaguars could be eliminated from the playoffs.
MORE: Fantasy News Tracker
Lawrence’s injury is a little more serious than Tua’s, and coach Doug Pederson said while he is improving, the team doesn’t know if he’ll be able to go yet.
“It [Lawrence’s shoulder] is definitely improving,” Pederson said. “I would expect him to potentially get more practice time this week, and hopefully, he’s in a position to play in this game.”
If Lawrence is unable to go, then it looks like C.J. Beathard will get a second consecutive start. We’ll continue to keep you updated as we move throughout the week.
Will Levis, Tennessee Titans
The rookie quarterback out of Kentucky has shown a lot of promise in his rookie year, but Levis has been battling some injuries the past few weeks. He left the game against the Houston Texans last Sunday, as he had his foot stepped on while he was being sacked.
He didn’t go back in the game, but afterward, Titans coach Mike Vrabel said that he didn’t think it was anything too serious.
“I don’t think it’s anything that’s going to be too, too serious,” head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters after the game. “Couldn’t finish the game, so we’ll see where things are tomorrow.”
The Titans are just trying to play spoiler against the Jaguars, but if Levis isn’t 100% healthy, the team will likely hold him out. He has shown enough this year, and he will go into next season as Tennessee’s starting QB, barring something unforeseen taking place.
Looking to make a trade in your fantasy league? Having trouble deciding who to start and who to sit? Setting DFS lineups? Check out PFN’s Free Fantasy Football Trade Analyzer, Start/Sit Optimizer, and DFS Lineup Optimizer to help you make the right decision!