If you are playing for a fantasy football championship in Week 18, you are searching for any kind of edge you can find. That edge might be as simple as information regarding an injury and whether or not a player will take the field.
Jacksonville Jaguars WR Christian Kirk, New Orleans Saints WR Chris Olave, and Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith are all dealing with injuries, so what can fantasy managers expect from them in the season’s final week? What are the latest injury updates on these star receivers?
Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy
Christian Kirk, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
It has been a long time since fantasy managers have seen Kirk on the field. He started the 2023 season off with such promise, finishing as the WR25 or better in six out of the first seven weeks.
Then Kirk hit a little bit of a snag, and he failed to finish better than the WR27 in any of the following five weeks.
Then the injury bug bit. In Week 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Kirk sustained a core muscle injury after catching one pass for 26 yards. He played only 3% of snaps that day and left the field immediately.
Kirk was placed on injured reserve (IR) on Dec. 8. At that point, through the first 12 weeks of the season, Kirk led the Jags in targets and receiving yards.
The Jags have missed Kirk terribly, and they may get him back for the final game of the season and the playoffs … if the team gets that far.
On Wednesday, Jacksonville designated Kirk to return from IR, which opens a 21-day window when Kirk can practice without being on the active roster. It is clear the team hopes to have him back for Sunday’s game against the Tennessee Titans, but nothing is for certain.
Head coach Doug Pederson discussed Kirk and his possible return, saying, “It was definitely a bad injury for him and bad for our offense. He’s in a position right now to maybe help us this week, and we’ll see where he’s at if we go ahead and open his window on Wednesday and get him out there, see what he can do. You definitely want your best players on the field this time of year, and he’s one of those players for us.”
Kirk is the WR24 in PFN’s Consensus Ranking this week.
Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
It has been delightful to see Olave come into his own this season as a second-year receiver. He seemed to blossom with QB Derek Carr under center and is currently the WR21 — even after missing one game due to injury. Olave has over 1,000 yards receiving and four TDs.
The Saints are battling for a playoff spot, and New Orleans wants Olave on the field in Week 18, but he is dealing with an injury. He was limited in practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury, and it remains uncertain if he will suit up against the Atlanta Falcons.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
If Olave cannot play, WR Rashid Shaheed becomes a fantastic fantasy start. Carr seems to have a connection with Shaheed, and he is always a threat downfield.
Olave is the WR9 this week in PFN’s Consensus Rankings, and I expect him to push to play this week to help get his team into the playoffs.
DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Smith has been feast or famine for fantasy this season. Even though he is the WR18 on the season, there have been several weeks where he simply disappeared from fantasy lineups. He has 1,066 receiving yards and seven TDs this year.
Philadelphia has now lost four out of its last five games, and even though they have clinched a playoff spot, their Week 18 game against the New York Giants is important for seeding. They desperately want to have Smith available, but he is battling an ankle injury after rolling it on Sunday. After the loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Smith was seen with a walking boot on his right foot and using crutches to walk.
There was concern that this injury could be significant, but tests ultimately revealed that it looked to be a minor ankle sprain. Smith did not participate in Wednesday’s walk-through, which seems understandable, but if he hopes to play in the season finale, fantasy managers hope to see him log at least one practice session this week.
If Smith is out, expect A.J. Brown to be the main target again. TE Dallas Goedert will also see an uptick in targets, and the ground game could also be utilized more. Smith is the WR14 in PFN’s Consensus Rankings.
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