With two weeks left in the fantasy football season for many, a lot of eyes are on the latest IR injury updates for several key names. Will we see any of the remaining options that could return make it back on the field, or should fantasy managers be prepared that their seasons are over? Let’s take a look at the latest injury updates for the likes of Khalil Herbert, Dallas Goedert, Mecole Hardman, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and others.
Latest Injury IR Updates: Khalil Herbert Set To Return in Week 16
Chicago Bears head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters on Monday that Khalil Herbert will be designated to return from IR and will practice this week. This is the first week that Herbert is eligible to return after missing the last four games. We still need to see if Herbert will be active this week, as the Bears have 21 days from his return to practice in which to add him to the 53-man roster.
In his absence, David Montgomery has found the end zone four times, with 260 yards on 57 attempts at an average of 4.56 yards per attempt. Montgomery has also averaged 34 receiving yards per game while seeing four targets and 3.33 receptions per game.
It will be intriguing to see how Herbert and Montgomery fit together after the former returns. Herbert had been playing the secondary role for the most part before his injury, but it had become more a 1B to Montgomery’s 1A.
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It’s tough to know how much value Herbert will have on his return. The Bears have been eliminated from the NFL playoffs, and Montgomery is a pending free agent, so the Bears may want to investigate what they have in Herbert. However, they may already know and could, therefore, ride Montgomery down the stretch, limiting Herbert’s value.
If anything, Herbert’s return is more likely to cloud Montgomery’s value than provide additional fantasy value. This situation could just cloud things in Chicago for the next couple of weeks at the worst possible time.
Herbert could make for an intriguing late-round selection in Underdog Fantasy Best Ball drafts, but he will be tough to trust in standard fantasy formats.
Dallas Goedert Injury Update
The Philadelphia Eagles chose not to activate Dallas Goedert last week, despite the tight end being eligible. It makes sense for the Eagles to slow-play Goedert’s return, especially now that they have virtually locked up the division and a first-round bye. Ensuring they have Goedert fully fit and firing for the playoffs is the key for the Eagles.
While we would expect to see Goedert activated this week, that doesn’t mean he’ll have immediate fantasy value. The Eagles may well limit Goedert’s snaps initially, hurting both his floor and ceiling outlook for this week. If Goedert is active, it will be hard not to start him, but there should be a little trepidation for fantasy managers.
Mecole Hardman Injury Update
Another player who was not activated last week when first eligible was Mecole Hardman. The Kansas City Chiefs WR has been dealing with an abdominal for the last six weeks but is expected to return in Week 16. Before his injury, Hardman was on a fantastic run, having scored five touchdowns in his previous three games.
Much like with Goedert, the Chiefs have some tough decisions to make with Hardman. While they’ve clinched the division, the Chiefs are on the outside looking in when it comes to the first-round bye as it stands. Therefore, we’re not sure if Kansas City will just throw Hardman back into a similar role he had before the injury or lightly ease him back in.
Hardman is an electric playmaker but has historically been tough to trust in his career. He was on a good run before the injury, and fantasy managers would love for him to provide an immediate boost to their lineup at this crucial point of the season. Ideally, you would want to give him one week to work his way back in before starting him, but that luxury does not exist right now.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire Injury Update
Another player who is eligible to return this week is Clyde Edwards-Helaire after missing the last four games. The Chiefs’ RB has a high ankle sprain, which usually keeps players out between two to six weeks. We’re now heading into the fifth week of his recovery, so CEH should be getting close to a return.
However, with Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon doing well, there’s no rush to bring Edwards-Helaire back. Even if he did return, it would likely be in a reduced role at first.
Edwards-Helaire would likely be the No. 3 back, which would have limited fantasy value. If he were activated, it would be tough to start CEH without seeing how this situation plays out.
Chase Edmonds Injury Update
We haven’t really had any recent updates on Chase Edmonds, despite him being eligible to return this week. At the time he was diagnosed with the injury, head coach Nathaniel Hackett said Edmonds was”going to miss a lot of time with a high ankle.” However, high ankle injuries usually have around a four-week absence, so he should be in line to return soon.
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The Broncos have received good play out of Latavius Murray and Marlon Mack in recent weeks. With Edmonds under contract for 2023 with a base salary of $5.7 million, it will be intriguing to see if the Broncos want to give him a run down the stretch. With his role uncertain, Edmonds won’t initially have much fantasy value when he returns.
Cooper Kupp Injury Update
We got the clarity this week that Cooper Kupp likely will not be back this season. When speaking to reporters last week, head coach Sean McVay said he would be “hard-pressed to see any scenario that he would play again this year.” If you had been holding onto Kupp in redraft leagues, then you can likely move on safely at this point.
Michael Thomas Injury Update
There still hasn’t been much update on Michael Thomas, which would suggest he’s not likely to return this year. Thomas would be tough to trust immediately after his return, especially with the Saints’ offense struggling.
If you’ve been stashing Thomas on a bench spot in redraft leagues, now is the time to move on and add a player who could help you win in the playoffs.