Week 18 of the NFL regular season is always a unique beast. As the calendar flips to January 4, 2026, teams across the league are making strategic decisions about who takes the field and who gets a well-earned rest. With playoff spots clinched or hopes dashed, the stakes for many franchises are either sky-high or virtually nonexistent. This year, several big-name stars are notably absent from their teams' lineups, with coaches opting to prioritize health and postseason readiness over a final regular-season win.
The Los Angeles Chargers, who have already punched their ticket to the playoffs, headline the list of teams choosing to rest key contributors. Quarterback Justin Herbert, who wrapped up the regular season with an impressive 3,727 yards and 26 touchdowns, is officially inactive for the Chargers' matchup against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Head coach Jim Harbaugh had made it clear earlier in the week that Herbert would sit out the regular-season finale, emphasizing the importance of keeping his franchise quarterback fresh for the wild-card round. "It's about being smart and giving our guys the best shot in the postseason," Harbaugh said, according to team sources.
With Herbert on the sidelines, the starting quarterback duties fall to Trey Lance, who is set to make his first start of the season. Lance, a former first-round pick, has spent most of the year backing up Herbert but now gets an opportunity to showcase his skills in a live game setting. The Chargers also elevated DJ Uiagalelei from the practice squad to serve as Lance's backup, ensuring depth at the most critical position. Fans eager to see how Lance performs can tune in to CBS or stream the game on Paramount Plus, with kickoff scheduled for 1:25 p.m. PT.
The Chargers aren't the only team making headlines with their inactive list. Running back Omarion Hampton, who battled an ankle injury for much of his rookie season, is also sidelined. Despite only playing in nine games, Hampton managed to rush for 545 yards and four touchdowns, showing flashes of the talent that made him a promising draft pick. His absence in Week 18 comes as little surprise, given his injury status and the team's postseason priorities.
Other Chargers resting up include defensive backs Elijah Molden (hamstring) and Derwin James Jr., outside linebacker Tuli Tuipulotu, offensive tackle Jamaree Salyer (hamstring), and center Bradley Bozeman (concussion). It's clear that Los Angeles is taking no chances with player health as January football approaches.
Across the league, similar stories are unfolding. The Houston Texans, securely in the playoff mix but with seeding still in flux, have decided to rest star wide receiver Nico Collins. Collins, a healthy scratch for the Texans' clash with the Indianapolis Colts, is coming off a stellar campaign that saw him snag 71 receptions for 1,117 yards and six touchdowns. His efforts earned him a second consecutive Pro Bowl selection, and after staying healthy for most of the season, the Texans are keen to keep him that way for the postseason grind.
"Nico's been a warrior for us all year. We want him at his best when it matters most," said a Texans team official, highlighting the delicate balance teams must strike between momentum and health. With Collins out, Houston's betting line moved only slightly, shifting from -10 to -10.5, a testament to the team's depth and the confidence oddsmakers have in their playoff readiness.
In Green Bay, the Packers find themselves locked into the No. 7 seed in the NFC. Despite being cleared from a concussion, starting quarterback Jordan Love is inactive for Week 18, a decision made well in advance. With backup Malik Willis also unavailable due to injury, Clayton Tune gets the nod as the starter against the Minnesota Vikings. Love will serve as the backup, ensuring the team has a safety net if needed. The Packers are clearly looking ahead, focusing on postseason preparation rather than jockeying for a meaningless regular-season win. Running back Josh Jacobs is also among the Packers' inactives, further signaling the team's intent to rest key contributors.
Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins, sitting at 7-9 and out of playoff contention, have little incentive to risk their top offensive weapons. Both running back De'Von Achane and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle are sitting out the final game against the New England Patriots. Achane, who rushed for a career-high 1,350 yards and eight touchdowns while leading the league in yards per attempt (5.7), earned his first Pro Bowl nod this season. He also contributed 488 receiving yards and four touchdowns through the air. Waddle, finishing his fifth NFL season with 910 receiving yards and six touchdowns, could become even more central to Miami's offense next year, especially if rumors about Tyreek Hill's future prove true.
"There's no reason to risk our top guys in a game that doesn't change our outlook," a Dolphins staffer noted. With the team potentially facing significant changes in the offseason—including speculation about head coach Mike McDaniel's job security and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's future—resting core players like Achane and Waddle makes strategic sense. Unsurprisingly, the Dolphins' betting line shifted from +11.5 to +13 with both stars out.
The Los Angeles Rams are also playing it safe, holding out wide receiver Davante Adams as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Adams, who led the NFL with 14 touchdown receptions in 2025, pushed to play but was ultimately overruled by head coach Sean McVay. "We need Davante at 100 percent for the playoffs," McVay emphasized. Adams' competitive fire is well known, but with the postseason looming, caution prevailed.
On the Denver Broncos' side, several key players are also inactive for the Week 18 showdown with the Chargers. Cornerback Reese Taylor, outside linebacker Que Robinson, linebacker Dre Greenlaw, offensive tackle Geron Christian, tight end Marcedes Lewis, and defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers will all watch from the sidelines. For Denver, the game is more about evaluating depth and planning for the future than about playoff implications.
Elsewhere, teams like the New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, and Cincinnati Bengals are managing their rosters with similar care. Notable absences include Saints running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Chris Olave, Browns tight end David Njoku, and Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (emergency third QB). Each of these moves reflects a league-wide understanding: in Week 18, discretion is often the better part of valor.
As fans tune in for the final regular-season games, the focus is as much on who isn't playing as on who is. With the postseason on the horizon, coaches are making calculated decisions to protect their stars and give backups valuable reps. For some, it's a preview of the future; for others, it's all about staying healthy for the games that matter most.
With playoff brackets nearly set and the NFL's best preparing for the spotlight, all eyes now turn to the postseason. Week 18 may lack some of the usual drama, but the strategic chess moves unfolding across the league are setting the stage for an electrifying playoff run.