While rankings and projections are beneficial, few things are more important in fantasy football than following injury updates. Injuries not only impact the player in question but the teammates and the offenses around them. Here’s an update on some critical injury reports to watch and their fantasy football impact.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: QB update
Let’s go through the injuries currently impacting quarterbacks. What are their situations heading into game time?
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson is over his illness and does not carry an injury designation. He’s back.
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
Baker Mayfield is dealing with too many injuries to count. All fantasy managers need to know is he’s not even carrying an injury designation.
Mayfield practiced fully on Thursday and Friday. He will start Sunday night against the Ravens.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers did not practice at all this week as he rests his broken big toe. Rodgers insists he won’t miss any time, and I believe him.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: RB update
Fantasy managers can expect some running backs to make a return in Week 12. However, at least one is headed to the IR.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Saquon Barkley was limited all week at practice as the team continues to protect his ankle. He’s listed as questionable, but barring an unexpected setback, he will play.
Michael Carter, New York Jets
The Jets placed Michael Carter on injured reserve. He will miss at least the next three games with his sprained ankle. Ty Johnson and Tevin Coleman will split touches.
Jeremy McNichols, Tennessee Titans
Jeremy McNichols will miss another week due to a concussion. D’Onta Foreman will be the primary runner while Dontrell Hilliard is the passing-down back.
Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team
The Football Team’s main two running backs, Antonio Gibson and J.D. McKissic, were both limited at Friday’s practice with shin and ankle issues, respectively. Both will play Monday.
Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Both Patriots running backs are listed as questionable. Damien Harris is dealing with a neck issue. Rhamondre Stevenson is dealing with a knee issue. Both are expected to play.
Jordan Howard, Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Howard is out this week with a knee injury.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
The Browns activated Kareem Hunt from injured reserve Saturday. He will make his return Sunday night.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones got in three limited practices this week. That bodes extremely well for his long-term prognosis, but I’m still highly skeptical he plays after missing just one week with a sprained MCL.
The Packers listed him as questionable, but I’m guessing they hold him out through the bye. I have the utmost confidence he returns in Week 14, though.
Update: Jones is active.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers listed Elijah Mitchell as questionable. However, head coach Kyle Shanahan said Mitchell was “able to do everything” despite his surgically repaired finger. It sounds like Mitchell is poised to return this week.
Update: Mitchell is active.
Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons
Cordarrelle Patterson got in limited practices all week and is questionable for Sunday with a sprained ankle. My guess is he plays.
Update: Patterson is active.
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars removed James Robinson from the injury report. He’s good to go.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: WR update
How are the fantasy-relevant wide receivers dealing with injuries? Let’s see which pass catchers may require a Plan B for Week 12’s action.
A.J. Brown, Tennessee Titans
The Titans placed A.J. Brown on injured reserve Saturday due to a chest injury, sidelining him for at least the next three weeks. Brown will join Julio Jones and Marcus Johnson on the inactive list, leaving Ryan Tannehill with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Chester Rogers as his top two wide receivers.
Antonio Brown/Mike Evans/Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin (foot) is good to go. Antonio Brown (heel) is out, as we’ve known for a while. Mike Evans only got in a limited practice on Friday, but his back injury appears minor, as he’s not even listed on the final injury report. He will play.
Marquise Brown, Baltimore Ravens
Marquise Brown got in limited practices all three days this week. He’s questionable for Sunday night’s game with a thigh injury. Signs point toward him playing, though.
Corey Davis, New York Jets
Corey Davis tweaked his groin at Wednesday’s practice and did not practice Thursday. He returned to a limited practice Friday and was initially listed as questionable. Unfortunately, the Jets downgraded him to doubtful on Saturday, which means he’s out.
Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns
Despite reports of Jarvis Landry aggravating his knee injury last week, it was the same DNP-Limited-Limited practice routine this week. Landry is good to go Sunday night against the Ravens, but probably shouldn’t be in fantasy lineups for reasons that have nothing to do with his knee.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Football Team
Curtis Samuel got in limited practices all week. He is trending toward returning Monday night from a never-ending groin injury, but he will be on a pitch count. Samuel cannot be trusted until he proves he can make it through a game.
Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney, New York Giants
Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney did not practice all week with thigh and quad injuries, respectively. They are out this week. It’s worth noting that Toney has been in the NFL for less than one full season, yet has now missed time with three separate injuries.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: TE update
Are there any tight end injuries we need to be concerned about? The TE market is already thin, so if you have a TE on this injury report, your alternatives will, in all likelihood, be grim.
Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, New England Patriots
Much like the team’s running back duo, Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith are both questionable after limited practices Friday. Henry has a neck injury while Smith has a shoulder issue. Both are expected to play.
Logan Thomas, Washington Football Team
Logan Thomas practiced all week as he works his way back from a hamstring strain. He’s expected to be activated from injured reserve and play Monday night. Eventually, he will return to his every-down role, but he’s likely going to be on a pitch count. With Ricky Seals-Jones not close to returning, rookie John Bates will mix in to keep Thomas fresh.