Entering Week 14, the fantasy football injury report has some intriguing names on it. With the playoffs now looming and six NFL teams on a bye this week, all eyes will be on the status of those playing in Week 14.
Let’s take a look at the latest on the various injuries and the fantasy football impact of those situations. With the likes of Kenneth Walker III, Lamar Jackson, Aaron Jones, and Courtland Sutton dealing with injuries, there’s a lot of potential value sitting on the trainers’ tables entering this week.
Fantasy Football Injury Report Week 14
Kenneth Walker III, SEA | Ankle
We saw Walker leave the game early in the second quarter with an ankle injury. The initial impression from injury analysts is that Walker is dealing with a low ankle sprain rather than a high ankle sprain. That would be good news, as low ankle sprains can often result in a player not missing a single game.
However, when head coach Pete Carroll spoke to the media, he said the ankle was “jammed” and not sprained. We should get more information early in Week 14 following further tests. When he spoke to the media, Carroll said it was too early for a prognosis at this stage.
If Walker does end up missing time, this backfield is tough to call. Travis Homer, DeeJay Dallas, and Tony Jones Jr. have all been in the mix in recent weeks. Homer was absent this week due to injury and illness, so Dallas and Jones picked up the slack.
However, Dallas also picked up an ankle injury during this game. While he was able to return, he did not play much after that point.
Homer and Dallas in a committee of sorts could be a likely way forward, but both have a fight to get healthy this week. All three of Homer, Dallas, and Jones have waiver wire value, but it’s tough to know which one is best placed to be the lead back next week.
The Seahawks RBs have a decent matchup against the Carolina Panthers in Week 14. Therefore, this is a backfield to watch not only in season-long fantasy but also when it comes to Underdog Fantasy contests this coming weekend.
Aaron Jones, GB | Shin
Toward the end of the first half, Aaron Jones left the game and was listed as questionable to return with a shin injury. While Jones did return to the game, he was extremely limited in the second half.
After the game, Jones told reporters that he “could have definitely played,” but the team made the choice to be careful ahead of the bye in Week 14. Entering Monday morning, this doesn’t seem like a major injury, but Jones has been on the injury report with a shin issue over the last two weeks.
Therefore, this is seemingly something that is nagging at him. If that continues after the bye, there will be a slightly increased risk of Jones missing more time on a weekly basis if he aggravates the issue during a game.
Lamar Jackson, BAL | Knee
Jackson left the Baltimore Ravens game in the first quarter with a knee issue following a sack. After the game, head coach John Harbaugh told reporters that Jackson’s season is not over, but that the exact severity is not known at this stage.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport tweeted that the initial tests indicate Jackson has a knee sprain, with further tests to determine whether he will be out for days or weeks. Now, all eyes will be on the Ravens in the next few days to see how much time Jackson may miss.
In his Monday media availability, Harbaugh described the injury as “week to week” and said it is “less likely” that Jackson will be available this week. However, Harbaugh went on to add that it is not impossible that Jackson could play this week.
MORE: Lamar Jackson Knee Injury Update
If Jackson can play in Week 14, he very well may be limited, which is not ideal for his fantasy value. Yet, it could somewhat boost the other Ravens players around him simply because they’ll need to lean more on the passing game and the other running backs.
Overall, there will likely be a drop in fantasy value for the offense, but the distribution could see slight bumps for those around Jackson.
Tyler Huntley could be an intriguing addition off the waiver wire if Jackson misses time. In Week 13, he rushed for 41 yards and a touchdown while completing nearly 85% of his passes for 187 yards. His ability to run the ball will mean he has a reasonably solid floor, but he’ll lack the consistency to be an every-week 12 or 14-team starting option.
Courtland Sutton, DEN | Hamstring
The Denver Broncos lost Sutton to a hamstring issue on Sunday, but the severity is not yet known. We’ve seen hamstring issues this season have a wide range of outcomes, from not missing a game to missing a month or more.
Further testing on Monday will likely reveal the full extent, and Sutton’s practice status to open the week will tell us a lot.
The problem is that there is not much fantasy value to be had right now in this Broncos passing game. So even if Sutton doesn’t miss time, it’s tough to trust him in lineups.
If he does miss time, there is limited fantasy value to be found here. Trusting anyone in this offense is tough. Jerry Jeudy and Greg Dulcich should see an increase in targets, but beyond that, there’s not a clear waiver wire target to be found.
Tua Tagovailoa, MIA | Ankle
Late in the Miami Dolphins’ Week 14 loss, Tua Tagovailoa left the game with an ankle injury. Tua did not return to the game, but at that point, the result was seemingly no longer in doubt. Therefore, it would not have made sense to push him back out onto the field.
After the game, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero confirmed that Tua could have come back into the game if required. It doesn’t seem like this will be a major issue, but we’ll need to wait for further tests Monday to be sure.
If Tua misses time, it would have a detrimental effect on the entire passing game. Whether it’s Skylar Thompson or Teddy Bridgewater in the game, the dynamism of the passing game would be reduced. Electric playmakers like Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle would still have nice week-to-week potential, but both their floors and ceilings would be impacted.
Treylon Burks, TEN | Concussion
We did not see Treylon Burks return after he took a nasty hit to the head on his touchdown catch. Concussions are all different in terms of how long they take to recover from. Some players have been able to return in a week, while others have missed multiple games.
Burks’ status is one to monitor in the week ahead, but we really need to see him limited at the very least by Wednesday if he is to be on the field in Week 14. Initially, fantasy managers should proceed with the expectation that they won’t have Burks this week.
Burks’ role in the offense had largely been as the third receiver in 11 personnel. That role has limited fantasy value and relies on a playmaker like Burks to produce for managers. Robert Woods and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine remain the main fantasy-relevant options in this passing offense.
Jaylen Waddle, MIA | Leg
We saw Waddle leave the game against the San Francisco 49ers with a leg injury. While he was able to return, he was extremely limited from that point on. Waddle appeared to be moving gingerly, and further tests early in Week 14 will be key when it comes to determining the nature and severity of the injury.
MORE: Buy Low, Sell High Week 14
If Waddle ends up missing time, then there are a few options that could benefit. Trent Sherfield and River Cracraft both had three targets in Week 13. Additionally, Cedrick Wilson Jr. could take on a bigger role in Waddle’s absence. Still, it’s tough to know whether any of them would have significant enough individual value to be worth adding on waivers this week.
Jimmy Garoppolo, SF | Foot
Jimmy Garoppolo was removed from the 49ers’ Week 13 game with a foot injury early in the first half. Garoppolo did not return after being carted off the field, and after the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan announced that the QB is done for the season.
The 49ers are now down to their third-string QB, Brock Purdy. While he had a solid showing in Week 13, there are concerns going forward. The main weapons in the offense — Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel — should still get their touches, but this could be a slight downgrade for Brandon Aiyuk. Meanwhile, Kittle has been a hit-or-miss fantasy option this season and will continue to be so going forward.