2025 NFL Week 18 Buzz: Colts, Bills, Chargers Make QB Decision

Published December 30, 2025

The holiday season is over, but the news around the NFL is the gift that keeps on giving.

With only one week of regular season games left, every bit of news is all the more consequential as we inch closer to the playoffs and Super Bowl LX.

Who's hurt? Who's practicing? Who's starting? And who's on the hot seat? Here's the latest on what's happening around the league entering Week 18:

Colts starting QB Riley Leonard

After starting 44-year-old Philip Rivers for three consecutive weeks in place of the injured Daniel Jones, Indianapolis, which is eliminated from playoff contention, will start the rookie Leonard at quarterback in its road tilt against the Houston Texans, per ESPN. Anthony Richardson remains on injured reserve. In the four appearances he has made this season, Leonard has thrown two interceptions, recorded a 40.6 passer rating and completed 54.5% of his passes, while rushing for one score. The Colts have lost six consecutive games after beginning the season 8-2.

Bills QB Josh Allen expected to sit out Week 18

A little battered and visibly frustrated, Allen can use a rest, and he's expected to get one Sunday in what’s essentially a meaningless regular-season finale against the Jets. Aside from taking the opening snap to extend his streak of consecutive regular-season starts to 122, the longest active run among NFL quarterbacks, Allen is expected to watch the rest of the game from the sideline.

It's likely to be Allen's final game at the Bills' 52-year-old stadium, affectionately called "The Ralph" in honor of the late franchise founder and Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson. Next season, the Bills are set to relocate across the street to a new $2.1 billion home, already dubbed "The Stadium Allen Built."

More important, Allen will get an opportunity to allow his sore right foot time to heal before Buffalo opens the playoffs on the road in two weeks. Allen also certainly could use a mental break during a season in which he’s been relied upon to carry the offensive load too often. Competitive and remarkable as he’s been in combining for 39 touchdowns (25 passing, 14 rushing) and engineering four fourth-quarter comebacks, even Allen has limitations, which became readily apparent in a 13-12 loss to the Eagles on Sunday.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert will miss regular-season finale

Head coach Jim Harbaugh announced Monday that Herbert will not start for the AFC's No. 6 seed in Week 18 against the Broncos. Barring an unforeseen change, Herbert will finish his sixth NFL season with 3,727 yards, 26 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Backup Trey Lance will take over for the finale, allowing Herbert to enjoy some additional rest (particularly for his broken left hand) heading into the postseason.

Lions WR Amon-Ra St. Brown considered day-to-day

The Lions may finish the 2025 season without their star receiver. Head coach Dan Campbell announced Monday that St. Brown is "day-to-day." He appeared to suffer the injury late in the Week 17 loss to the Vikings. With the Lions eliminated from playoff contention, it's possible St. Brown sits out of the season finale, ending his fourth straight Pro Bowl season with 106 receptions for 1,262 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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