• The big one: It's championship week, the one we all play for. If you’re fortunate enough to be competing this weekend, best of luck!
• Late-season losses: T.J. Hockenson, Keenan Allen, C.J. Stroud and Isiah Pacheco were likely large reasons for many managers’ fantasy successes this season but have forced pivots in recent weeks.
• Dominate your fantasy league in 2023: For up-to-date fantasy draft rankings and projections, check out PFF’s fantasy rankings tool!
Estimated reading time: 10 minutes
Welcome to championship week! What a season it has been, through all the quarterback tribulations faced and injuries to star players down the stretch testing the roster management of fantasy managers. Joe Flacco, Zack Moss and Isaiah Likely have taken advantage of these injuries, each lighting up the scoring sheets at various points in the season. Among players due to return, C.J. Stroud has cleared concussion protocol for this weekend and looks to have Nico Collins back in the lineup with him as well while Brian Robinson Jr. appears to be healing well from his hamstring issue and Ja’Marr Chase has a good shot at overcoming his shoulder injury.
With a loaded noon slate on Sunday, no Monday night game to worry about, and the marquee matchup of the weekend being played on Saturday, let's take one last look at the injury news from around the league for the 2023 season.
QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder), Jacksonville Jaguars
Knocked out of the Jaguars' Week 16 loss, Lawrence was held out of practice Wednesday but returned Thursday in a limited fashion, giving him a solid chance at playing this weekend. Head coach Doug Pederson has been non-committal thus far on naming a starting QB, leaving the door open for C.J. Beathard should the need arise, so this situation will need additional attention ahead of Sunday’s slate.
WR Ja’Marr Chase (shoulder), Cincinnati Bengals
The superstar was held out of the Bengals' Week 16 loss due to a shoulder injury picked up in Week 15, but he appears to be trending in the right direction after practicing in a limited fashion on Thursday. Another solid day of practice on Friday would bode well for his chances, but he will need to be monitored heading into Sunday.
RB Josh Jacobs (quad), Las Vegas Raiders
Injured in Week 14, Jacobs has missed the previous two contests due to a quad injury that is still nagging enough to keep from practicing on Wednesday and Thursday. Zamir White has been solid in his absence, topping 140 yards on the ground in the Raiders win on Christmas. Plan on being without Jacobs this weekend.
WR Jaylen Waddle (ankle) and WR Tyreek Hill (ankle), Miami Dolphins
After an ankle injury held him out of Week 15, Tyreek Hill returned to action last week but did not appear to be at 100%. Returning to practice on Thursday, and now two weeks removed from the initial injury, he draws a tough matchup on championship weekend. Notably, Hill will likely be featured heavily as the Dolphins will be without Jaylen Waddle this weekend as he manages a high ankle sprain despite initial reports sounding optimistic.
WR Michael Pittman Jr. (concussion/shoulder), Indianapolis Colts
Pittman was a limited participant Wednesday and fully practiced Thursday as he works through concussion protocol dating back to a brutal hit received in Week 15. There was optimism heading into last weekend that Pittman would be active against the Atlanta Falcons but another week removed from his issue gives him a better chance to return this weekend.
RB Isiah Pacheco (concussion), Kansas City Chiefs
Held out of Weeks 14 and 15 due to a shoulder injury, Pacheco returned to the lineup for Week 16 and found the end zone before getting knocked out again with a concussion. With him missing practice entirely on Wednesday and Thursday, hopes are not high that he will be available for Week 17’s matchup with Cincinnati. Former first-round pick Clyde Edwards-Helaire figures to receive the bulk of the backfield work if Pacheco is sidelined.
TE Cole Kmet (knee) and WR Darnell Mooney (concussion), Chicago Bears
After a blow-up in the first half of Week 16, Kmet was knocked out of the Bear's win due to a knee issue that held him out of practice Wednesday and Thursday. The extent of the injury is unknown but expect to be without him unless he puts in some practice on Friday. Mooney on the other hand self-reported concussion symptoms and is working through the protocol, likely knocking him out of their Week 16 matchup as well, opening the door for D.J. Moore to receive a bump in usage.
RB Zack Moss (forearm), Indianapolis Colts
Held out of Week 16 amidst the return of Jonathan Taylor, Moss practiced in a limited capacity this week and could be on track to return on Sunday. If he’s unable to get cleared, expect Taylor to command a massive share of the backfield work, but if Moss can return, Taylor’s ceiling on championship Sunday could be hampered.
RB De’Von Achane (toe) and RB Raheem Mostert (ankle), Miami Dolphins
Both backs missed Wednesday’s practice, and Mostert was held out Thursday as well as they continue to tend to their respective issues. Now a few weeks removed from the initial turf toe issue, Achane has not exactly lit the world on fire since his return from injured reserve, but remains a boom-bust play. Mostert did exit the game against the Cowboys, which introduces some skepticism, but it is noteworthy that Mostert and the Dolphins RB coach have stated the expectation is that he will play.
WR Marquise Brown (heel), Arizona Cardinals
Brown was unable to gut out the heel injury that has plagued him for several weeks and has not practiced this week ahead of the Cardinals' matchup with the Philadelphia Eagles. With his recent trends, and the Cardinals only playing for pride at this point, it’s a safe assumption he will be sidelined for Week 17.
WR Zay Flowers (calf), Baltimore Ravens
The rookie did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a calf injury that popped up this week. With a high-leverage matchup on the docket this weekend, it would have to be a serious issue to sideline him, but the practice trend is certainly worrying. Keep an eye out for any status updates on Friday or Saturday.
RB Kenneth Walker III (shoulder), Seattle Seahawks
Banged up for a few weeks due to a shoulder issue, Kenneth Walker has not appeared too hampered in the past two games. Also battling an illness, he has not practiced at all this week, which does not spark much optimism for his availability this weekend. With a return to practice on Friday, it would be easier to feel better about his status for Sunday, but having an alternative option seems like a solid plan at the moment.
WR Courtland Sutton (concussion), Denver Broncos
Knocked out after just nine offensive snaps against the New England Patriots, Sutton missed practice Wednesday and Thursday as he works through concussion protocol. If he’s unable to practice in some capacity Thursday or Friday, look for new Broncos’ starting QB Jarrett Stidham to feature Jerry Jeudy and Brandon Johnson among others.
WR Christian Watson (hamstring), WR Jayden Reed (toe) and WR Dontayvion Wicks (ankle), Green Bay Packers
Watson continues to struggle due to a tweaked hamstring dating back several weeks, and with no practice Wednesday, he is certainly in danger of missing another week as he recovers. The rookie duo of Jayden Reed (who missed Week 16 due to his toe injury) and Dontayvion Wicks have been admirable in their debut seasons, but have been battling injury issues of their own over the last few weeks. Reed has practiced in some capacity this week, but Wicks was downgraded to a “DNP” on Thursday, potentially opening the door for Reed, Romeo Doubs and TE Tucker Kraft to dominate the Packers' target share this weekend.
WR Keenan Allen (heel) and WR Joshua Palmer (concussion), Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers WR duo has not practiced this week due to their respective injuries, and both appear doubtful for this weekend. Allen has not played the last two games while Palmer’s injury was sustained this past weekend. The Chargers have been optimistic about Allen returning this season, but if both are sidelined, the Chargers offense will be hamstrung even further against the Broncos this weekend.
WR Jordan Addison (ankle) and TE T.J. Hockenson (knee) (IR), Minnesota Vikings
After missing practice Wednesday and putting in limited work Thursday, Addison does not sound like a sure thing to play at this point, but a good day of practice Friday and an extra day of rest could provide optimism for fantasy managers and the Vikings alike as they look to keep their playoff hopes alive. With T.J. Hockenson being placed on injured reserve with a torn ACL and MCL, Minnesota will rely heavily on Justin Jefferson and K.J. Osborn against on Monday if Addison is unable to go.
Others to monitor
QB Tua Tagovailoa (thumb), Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins signal caller suffered an injury to his thumb on his throwing hand but has not appeared to be restricted by the issue in practice. While it doesn’t sound like this is a major concern at the moment, it is certainly worth paying attention to moving forward.
RB Aaron Jones (knee) and RB AJ Dillon (thumb), Green Bay Packers
The Packers RB duo has been featured on this list for several weeks running now. Jones missed time a couple of weeks ago due to an MCL issue while Dillon has been hampered by a thumb injury that held him out of Week 15 and limited him to just 12 offensive snaps in Week 16. With both practicing in a limited capacity Wednesday, both appear on track to be in the lineup Sunday.
WR Nico Collins (calf), Houston Texans
Collins has been battling a calf issue for a few weeks dating back to Week 14 and was not particularly effective in his return with Case Keenum and Davis Mills under center. With C.J. Stroud back in the saddle this weekend, Collins could be a potential championship decider if his status continues to trend in the right direction.
RB Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring), Washington Commanders
Limited in practice this week, Robinson has not played in a few weeks due to a hamstring issue but appears set to return this week barring any setbacks. Rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. has flashed in his absence but sadly suffered an ankle injury in Week 16 that will sideline him for the remainder of the season, allowing Robinson and Antonio Gibson to slot back into their typical one-two punch.
WR Deebo Samuel (neck), San Francisco 49ers
Despite sounding like it could be a significant issue, Deebo Samuel’s neck sprain has not held him fully out of practice this week, and indications are positive that he should be good to go barring any setbacks. With his style of play, however, this is certainly something to keep an eye on moving forward.
WR Chris Olave (ankle), New Orleans Saints
Limited this week in practice, Chris Olave continues to manage an ankle injury that has been nagging for a couple of weeks. He didn’t seem too hampered by it last Thursday, and some extra time to rest should have him good to go for Sunday.
RB Chuba Hubbard (hamstring), Carolina Panthers
Limited due to a hamstring issue in practice Wednesday, it doesn’t sound as if Hubbard is in danger of missing the weekend’s contest, but this is a situation that is worth monitoring if you’re relying on him in dynasty or a deeper league.
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