The concluding week of the 2025 NFL regular season has arrived, and while many teams are out of contention, several crucial games remain with playoff berths, seeding, and divisional championships at stake.
Proceedings commence on Saturday with the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers contending for the NFC South title. Multiple scenarios must unfold for both teams as they pursue the divisional crown.
The Saturday evening contest features a battle for the NFC West title between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers.
A victory or draw for the Seahawks secures them the NFC West and the top seed. Conversely, if the 49ers emerge victorious, they will claim the NFC West and the premier seed.
For the 49ers, concerns include tight end George Kittle (ankle), wideout Ricky Pearsall (knee, ankle), and offensive tackle Trent Williams (hamstring), all of whom are categorized as questionable.
The eighteenth week concludes with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens clashing for the AFC North championship.
This particular game carries immense significance: if the Ravens triumph, they become the AFC North champions and secure the fourth seed. A defeat or tie for them means elimination from playoff contention. Should the Steelers achieve a win or draw, they will be the AFC North champions and claim the fourth seed. A loss for them ends their playoff aspirations.
Positive news emerged for the Ravens on Thursday, as quarterback Lamar Jackson assured reporters he is “absolutely” playing after sitting out Week 17 with a back contusion. Meanwhile, Steelers linebacker T.J. Watt remains restricted in practice, recovering from an operation to mend a partially collapsed lung, making his availability a probable game-time call.
Stay updated with all the recent NFL news and injury reports leading up to Week 18.
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The Las Vegas Raiders have designated quarterback Geno Smith as unavailable for the Week 18 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Smith sustained a severe high ankle sprain during the Week 17 34-10 defeat to the New York Giants. The Raiders are reportedly set to utilize both Kenny Pickett and Aidan O’Connell.
Smith faced challenges this season before his injury, accumulating 3,025 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and leading the NFL with 17 interceptions.
The 2-14 Raiders will secure the top draft pick if they lose to the Giants on Sunday.
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According to their injury report, the Philadelphia Eagles have declared defensive tackle Jalen Carter, linebacker Nakobe Dean, tight end Dallas Goedert, and offensive tackle Lane Johnson out for their game against the Washington Commanders.
Carter is dealing with a hip injury, having previously contended with a shoulder ailment this season. Dean is recovering from a hamstring issue.
Goedert is nursing a knee injury. Johnson has been sidelined since Week 11 with a foot injury. Eagles edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and safety Marcus Epps are also inactive.
With an 11-5 record, the Eagles have already clinched the NFC East.
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The Los Angeles Chargers have indicated that running back Omarion Hampton will not play in Sunday’s contest against the Denver Broncos, as per the team’s injury update. Hampton missed practice sessions this week due to an ankle injury.
Running backs Hassan Haskins and Kimani Vidal are also listed as questionable after being partially limited in practice throughout the week.
Benjamin St-Juste, RJ Mickens, and Bradley Bozeman are questionable, while Jamaree Salyer and Elijah Molden are doubtful. Chargers cornerback Nikko Reed has been sidelined with a hamstring injury.
With an 11-5 record, the Chargers have secured a wild-card berth.
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The New York Giants have announced that wide receiver Wan’dale Robinson, cornerback Cor’Dale Flott, and tight end Theo Johnson are unavailable, according to the team’s injury summary.
Robinson is contending with a rib injury. He concluded the season with 92 receptions for a career-best 1,014 yards and four touchdowns.
Flott and safety Jevon Holland are both suffering from knee injuries. Flott registered 38 tackles, 11 pass deflections, and one interception this season. Holland recorded 63 tackles, 5 pass breakups, and one interception.
The Giants also listed Rakeem Nunez-Roche as out with ankle and toe issues.
Giants linebacker Abdul Carter, wide receiver Jalin Hyatt, and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence received no injury designation for Sunday’s game.
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The Dallas Cowboys will compete without their primary two running backs against the New York Giants. The Cowboys have ruled out running backs Javonte Williams and Malik Davis, based on the team’s injury reports.
Williams has been managing a shoulder and neck injury, while Davis has been affected by calf and eye injuries.
Rookie running back Jaydon Blue and fullback Hunter Luepke are anticipated to take on increased carrying duties.
With a 7-8-1 record, the Cowboys are out of playoff contention.
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Marvin Harrison Jr. has recorded only a single reception since the beginning of December. His second campaign with the Arizona Cardinals has been plagued by obstacles, most recently a heel injury on one leg and a foot problem on the other.
The Cardinals placed Harrison on injured reserve on Friday, meaning he will not participate in their regular-season finale on Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.
Harrison, the fourth overall selection in the 2024 draft, will conclude his second year with just 608 receiving yards.
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The Los Angeles Rams have categorized running back Kyren Williams as questionable, though he is anticipated to play, according to head coach Sean McVay.
The Rams are also planning to activate tight end Tyler Higbee from injured reserve before Sunday’s matchup against the Cardinals.
Williams has been limited this week due to an ankle injury. Higbee has been on injured reserve since Week 11 with an ankle injury. The Rams have secured a wild-card berth heading into their final regular-season contest.
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Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze is listed as questionable, according to their injury report. Odunze has missed the last four games due to a foot injury.
Odunze reportedly felt well at Friday’s practice but did not specify his return date. He also mentioned that he doesn’t anticipate needing foot surgery.
The Bears have also declared defensive end Joe Tryon-Shoyinka out and listed defensive backs Jaquan Brisker and Nick McCloud as questionable.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy has no injury status reported and will be starting on Sunday against the Packers, as confirmed by head coach Kevin O’Connell.
McCarthy has been absent for the past two games due to a hairline fracture in his right hand. Max Brosmer served as the starting quarterback for the Vikings in those two games.
After suffering an ankle injury and a concussion, McCarthy has only participated in nine games this season. He missed his entire rookie year with a torn meniscus.
With an 8-8 record, the Vikings are out of playoff contention.
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The Cleveland Browns will be missing two of their standout rookies in the regular season’s final game.
Browns tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and linebacker Carson Schwesinger have been ruled out for Sunday’s contest against the Cincinnati Bengals, as reported by ESPN’s Daniel Oyefusi.
Fannin concluded with 72 receptions, 731 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns. Schwesinger amassed 157 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. Both were named Pro Bowl alternates.
Browns tight end D.avid Njoku has also been ruled out; he finished with 33 catches for 293 yards and 4 touchdowns in 12 games.
Browns defensive end Myles Garrett and quarterback Dillon Gabriel were additionally removed from the injury report. Garrett is one sack away from setting a new NFL single-season record.
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The Indianapolis Colts have declared cornerback Sauce Gardner and tight end Will Mallory unavailable for Sunday’s game against the Houston Texans.
Gardner has been managing a calf injury and has only appeared in four games for the Colts since being acquired from the Jets at the trade deadline.
Gardner was traded for two first-round picks and second-year wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. Mallory is dealing with a lung injury, having played in two games this season and recording one catch for 16 yards.
The Colts were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 17, losing their last six games after an 8-2 start to the season.
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Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown is anticipated to participate, while offensive tackle Penei Sewell has been declared out for the regular season finale against the Chicago Bears, according to the team’s injury update.
Sewell’s absence will not affect quarterback Jared Goff’s playing status, as confirmed by head coach Dan Campbell.
Sewell has missed practice this week due to an ankle injury, marking the first game he will miss in his NFL career.
St. Brown did not practice on Wednesday and was limited on Thursday because of knee and ankle issues. The Lions were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 17.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen was restricted in practice on Friday but is projected to play against the New York Jets on Sunday, according to ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg
Allen missed practice earlier this week with a foot injury. With the Bills having secured a wildcard spot, the duration of Allen’s play is uncertain.
If Allen does take the field, his active streak of starting 121 consecutive games—134 if including playoffs—will continue. This represents the longest current active streak and the eighth longest of all time.
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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson participated fully in practice all week, which continues to indicate his readiness for Sunday’s AFC North championship game.
Despite a severe back contusion, this is the first time in two months that Jackson has completed a full week of practice. He has also been coping with ankle, toe, and knee injuries, which have led him to miss games and limited his mobility in others.
Jackson was absent from the Ravens’ 41-24 victory over the Green Bay Packers in Week 17. Tyler “Snoop” Huntley stepped in for him, completing 16 of 20 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown.
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The Washington Commanders will once again be without quarterback Marcus Mariota against the Philadelphia Eagles, as reported by The Washington Post’s Tashan Reed.
Josh Johnson will make his second consecutive start for the team. Johnson completed 15 of 23 passes for 198 yards in Week 17 against the Dallas Cowboys.
Mariota has been managing hand and quad injuries. He was filling in for Jayden Daniels, who was shut down for the season with an elbow injury.
Commanders offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil has also been declared out for the game.
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The Miami Dolphins have moved tight end Darren Waller to injured reserve, according to their roster changes.
Waller was dealing with a groin injury. The 33-year-old concluded the season with 24 receptions, 283 yards, and 6 touchdowns. Waller had retired in 2024 before returning for this season.
Running back Donovan Edwards was added to the active roster from Washington’s practice squad.
The undrafted rookie running back from Michigan previously spent time with the New York Jets during the offseason before signing with the Commanders’ practice squad.
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Watt has not yet participated fully in practice with the Steelers since undergoing surgery to correct a partial collapsed lung.
Steelers defensive coordinator Teryl Austin stated on Wednesday that the team likely won’t know if Watt will play until Sunday, just before their AFC North title showdown with the Ravens.
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San Francisco 49ers offensive tackle Trent Williams, tight end George Kittle, and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall are listed as questionable for Saturday Night’s game against the Seattle Seahawks.
Williams is dealing with a hamstring injury that he sustained in Week 17’s matchup against the Chicago Bears, leaving the game after the first drive.
Kittle missed the Bears game due to an ankle injury and also sat out multiple games earlier this season with a hamstring issue.
Pearsall has been absent from several games this season due to knee and ankle injuries, though he managed to play through the injury last week, catching five passes for 85 yards.
The victor of Saturday’s game will claim the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
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Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who missed three games last month while recovering from procedures on both shoulders, has reappeared on the injury report, this time with a hip problem.
The Eagles have already clinched the NFC East and are reportedly prioritizing rest this week for their game against the Washington Commanders.
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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is still coping with a right foot injury that he initially sustained during a Week 16 win over the Cleveland Browns and then exacerbated last week in a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Allen’s X-rays remained negative after the Eagles game on Sunday, which marked his second consecutive game without a passing touchdown.
Since then, Allen has been absent from the first two practices this week. With the Bills already guaranteed a wild-card spot, it’s conceivable that Buffalo may rest the reigning NFL MVP this week against the New York Jets.
