Big games from several wide receivers catapulted fantasy football managers into the playoffs. The Cincinnati Bengals WRs had big weeks, and the Chicago Bears stack no doubt won people several weeks. However, some talented pass catchers may not make it on the field in Week 18. Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and DJ Moore are all battling injuries. What are their latest injury updates?
Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Chase has not had the fantasy season we all anticipated. The loss of QB Joe Burrow, mixed with some injury concerns of his own, definitely lowered Chase’s production. Still, he is the WR10 on the season. Imagine what could have been.
Chase is dealing with a shoulder issue and was limited in practice on Wednesday, the injury that caused him to sit out in Week 16. He did return in Week 17, but he only managed three catches for 41 yards.
The Bengals have been eliminated from playoff contention, so it is tough to see Chase suiting up to play if there is any chance in his mind that he could injure himself further.
When asked about Chase’s status, head coach Zac Taylor responded, “We will take those guys day to day. I think Ja’Marr obviously came out with some soreness. He got through it.” Chase is the WR34 in PFN’s Consensus Rankings this week.
Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Higgins has made many fantasy managers’ years frustrating. Take several bad weeks, add in four stellar performances, and finally mix on four injury-ridden weeks, and you have Higgins’ 2023 season. If you held on to him long enough, you may have benefitted from his incredible finishes in Weeks 15 and 16, where he finished as the WR7 and WR9, respectively.
After a down week against Kansas City where he finished with only one catch on two targets, fantasy managers are now concerned if he will take the field in Week 18.
Higgins went down with a hamstring injury in the first quarter of last week’s game. He ended up putting himself back in the game, which was even news to Taylor at that point. “I had in my mind that he was probably out at one point in the game, and I look up, and he’s getting a DPI call,” Taylor said.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
This might have been to his detriment, as he missed practice on Wednesday and it is unclear if he will suit up this week.
The Bengals are essentially eliminated from the playoffs, and Higgins is in a contract season, so if he needlessly injures himself in a game with little to no relevance, he could greatly damage any future potential contracts.
Fantasy managers might see some different names on the field if Higgins is sidelined. Chase is also dealing with an injury, so we might see the likes of WRs Tyler Boyd and Trenton Irwin getting more targets. Higgins is the WR47 in PFN’s Consensus Rankings heading into Week 18.
DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears
Moore has had some ups and downs this season, but so have the Bears. Both Moore and the team have seemed to find their footing lately, as Moore has finished as a WR12 or better in four out of the last six games. Everything finally seemed to be clicking for Moore and QB Justin Fields.
Moore missed part of the game in Week 16 when a defender rolled up on his ankle. He returned to the game and did not seem too hindered, but he did not have a stellar fantasy week in that game against the Arizona Cardinals. However, he returned to the field in Week 17 looking like his old self, finishing with 159 receiving yards and one TD. He was the WR3 in Week 17.
The pass catcher was limited in practice on Wednesday due to his ankle, and it is uncertain whether he will play in Week 18. The Bears’ season is over as they have nothing to play for, but their opponent is the rival Green Bay Packers. This rivalry is a big one, and I could see Moore suiting up if he can twist the knife in Green Bay’s side and keep them out of the playoffs.
WR Darnell Mooney and TE Cole Kmet could see more targets if Moore is sidelined, but neither practiced today. Fantasy managers should monitor all practice reports this week coming out of the Windy City. Moore is WR11 in PFN’s Consensus Rankings.
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