It is a minefield out there if you are playing fantasy football in Week 18. With some teams resting starters, some playing with playoff implications, and injuries to navigate, the most up-to-date information is crucial in making the best start/sit decisions. What is the latest injury information regarding D’Andre Swift, Isiah Pacheco, and Khalil Herbert heading into the season’s final week?
Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy
D’Andre Swift, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles have fallen from grace lately, losing four out of their last five games. They do have something to play for in Week 18; if they beat the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys lose to the Washington Commanders, they can retake the No. 2 seed in the NFC. Stranger things have happened.
The Giants’ defense gives up the eighth-most fantasy points per game to RBs, which makes the Eagles’ RBs great starts for fantasy. However, Philadelphia might not have its full roster of RBs available to take advantage of. D’Andre Swift, currently the RB17 on the season, is officially listed as questionable for Sunday’s game.
Swift is battling an illness that puts his status for Week 18 in jeopardy. He was able to practice in a limited fashion on Friday, but it is difficult to anticipate how he will be feeling as the weekend draws closer. Philadelphia is not expected to rest its starters with playoff seeding and a possible home game on the line, so if Swift can play, I anticipate him suiting up.
If he cannot make it on the field, the Eagles will have to look deeper into their backfield, which gives Kenneth Gainwell and even Boston Scott a chance to shine. Gainwell has been averaging over seven carries a game, so the Eagles are already trying to work him into their game plan. He has over 300 yards on the ground and two TDs so far in 2023 and has shown the ability to step up if and when called upon.
Swift is RB10 in PFN’s Consensus Rankings for this week.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
As the Kansas City Chiefs barrelled toward Week 17 and a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, they were uncertain whether they would have their RB1 Isiah Pacheco healthy and available to play.
Pacheco had been dealing with a concussion, but he ultimately suited up. The Chiefs were ecstatic to have him as he high-kneed his way to an RB2 finish on the week. He had 130 yards rushing and 35 receiving yards. He also had one TD.
The Chiefs head to Los Angeles this week to play the Chargers, and they have already locked up the number three seed in the AFC. Head coach Andy Reid has a history of resting his starters, and it seems likely that he will do the same thing this week — he has already announced that backup QB Blaine Gabbert will start in place of Patrick Mahomes.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
The rest could be welcomed for Pacheco, who is dealing with both quad and shoulder issues. He is officially questionable for Sunday’s game after not practicing on Wednesday.
Even if he is fit enough to take the field on Sunday, I anticipate Reid giving him additional rest, and that will potentially allow some unlikely RB heroes to emerge.
When Pacheco misses time, Clyde Edwards-Helaire usually has the opportunity to step up, but he could also get limited playing time this week. The Chargers give up the 11th-most fantasy points to opposing RBs, and the next man up would be La’Mical Perine. Perine would be a scary fantasy start, but if he is the only guy out there for Kansas City, it could be worth it on volume alone.
Khalil Herbert, RB, Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have nothing to play for in Week 18 except pride, but pride is a strong motivator, especially when you are playing the Green Bay Packers. The Bears can play spoiler and keep the Packers out of the playoffs, but they might have to do it without RB Khalil Herbert. Herbert has been good for Chicago as of late, with 20 or more carries in the last two games, and Chicago has looked much better overall as the season has progressed.
Herbert is officially questionable for Sunday’s game against the Packers due to a back injury and a personal matter. On Thursday, Herbert was limited in practice due to his back issue but then missed practice on Friday, possibly due to a personal issue.
If Herbert is unable to play this week, the backfield will be made up of Roschon Johnson and D’Onta Foreman. Foreman was a healthy scratch in Week 17, and I would anticipate Johnson handling the bulk of the work. Herbert is RB25 in PFN’s Consensus Rankings. The Packers have allowed the fifth most rushing yards in the league this season, so it is a good matchup for whichever Bears RB takes the field.
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