Fantasy Football Injury Report
Congratulations on navigating a turbulent 2023 campaign and advancing to the finals. In a season like this, it’s doubtful anyone avoided injuries. However, knowing how to overcome those obstacles is likely what led you this far. The FullTime Fantasy Football Injury Report will keep you up-to-date on the impactful injuries one final time in the 2023 season. Good luck in your fantasy finale!
Also, a great starting point for staying updated on the latest injuries is to bookmark our NFL Injury Report.
Finally, FullTime Fantasy Members will get the latest NFL injury news and advice live each Sunday and Thursday in the FullTime Fantasy Discord. Click below to join us today!
Isiah Pacheco (RB) Kansas City Chiefs – Pacheco lost his helmet and took a knee to the head, resulting in a concussion. Nearly two-thirds of players diagnosed with a concussion miss at least one game. Additionally, Jerick McKinnon (groin) is already on IR. That makes Clyde Edwards-Helaire the priority waiver wire add ahead of the title game.
C.J. Stroud (QB) Houston Texans – Speaking of concussions, Stroud missed his second consecutive game. However, he has reportedly made significant progress through the league’s protocol. Once he’s clear, Stroud immediately returns to QB1 status for a Texans’ squad still tied atop the AFC South.
T.J. Hockenson (TE) Detroit Lions – An MCL/ACL injury is expected to cost Hockenson multiple games. Hock took a helmet shot directly to his right knee and was ruled out rather quickly. Unfortunately, Hockenson will be placed on season-ending IR.
Jaylen Waddle (WR) Miami Dolphins – On Monday, Mike McDaniel revealed that Waddle’s shin injury was a high-ankle sprain. That will almost certainly sideline Waddle for at least one game. The timing is lousy, especially with the Dolphins traveling to Baltimore this week for AFC supremacy. Miami does not have an in-house replacement for fantasy managers to look to. Therefore, expect more opportunities for the running backs.
Michael Pittman (WR) Indianapolis Colts – Yet another head injury, Pittman cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol last week. However, he self-reported reoccurring symptoms on Saturday and re-entered the protocol. Pittman must go back through the steps before he can play again.
Josh Jacobs (RB) Las Vegas Raiders – The Raiders held out Jacobs from Monday’s game. Meanwhile, Zamir White had a fantastic performance. As a pending free agent, Jacbos may elect to protect himself from further injury. Also, the Raiders may be just fine with White and Ameer Abdullah. For now, we will keep an eye on Jacobs’s practice status all week and update accorindgly.
Courtland Sutton (WR) Denver Broncos – Sutton is also in the league’s protocol. With the rate mentioned above of players missing games after a concussion, Sutton should be considered very questionable for this week’s game. Brandon Johnson saw a noticeable increase in snaps after Sutton exited.
Jordan Addison (WR) Minnesota Vikings – A low-ankle sprain forced Addison from Minnesota’s Week 16 loss. In a Tuesday update, Kevin O’Connell said that Addison is day-to-day. Therefore, we will have to monitor and update Addison’s availability all week.
Brock Purdy (QB) San Francisco 49ers – Purdy was having a forgettable Week 16 outing before exiting in the second half with a shoulder injury. However, it doesn’t sound like Kyle Shanahan is too concerned about Purdy’s health moving forward.
49ers’ QB Brock Purdy suffered his second stinger in two games Monday night. “You know how stingers are and it could be worse (Tuesday),” said HC Kyle Shanahan. “But I think it’ll be alright.”
Additionally, LT Trent Williams suffered a groin injury, his backup Jaylon Moore got a… pic.twitter.com/7KYbqzoK1z
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2023
Kenny Pickett (QB) Pittsburgh Steelers – Mike Tomlin indicated that Pickett is getting closer to a return and will be given more reps this week. However, it is fully expected that Mason Rudolph will earn another start after his impressive showing against the Bengals.
D.J. Moore (WR) Chicago Bears – An ankle injury impacted Moore’s effectiveness on Sunday. We will have to monitor Moore’s practice availability throughout the week.
DJ Moore said that he aggravated the ankle injury he initially sustained 2 weeks ago vs. Detroit when he was tackled by Arizona CB Starling Thomas. He only missed a handful of plays after being designated questionable to return, and credits the Christmas spirit (and being given…
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) December 25, 2023
Cole Kmet (TE) Chicago Bears – Another big blow for the Bears, Kmet exited with a knee injury and was unable to return. If Kmet and Moore are unable to play in Week 17, Chicago would host a tough Atlanta defense without either of their top two pass-catching threats.
Kareem Hunt (RB) Cleveland Browns – Hunt was in on 38% of Cleveland’s snaps in Week 16, but managed to turn nine touches into just 13 yards. Additionally, Hunt is dealing with a groin injury and is at risk of missing Thursday’s short turnaround.
Michael Thomas (WR) New Orleans Saints – Thomas will not play this week. Fantasy managers who have been feudally holding onto Thomas can drop him from their IR slots.
Chris Rodgriguez (RB) Washington Commanders – Fresh off a 2-score game, rookie RB Chris Rodgriguez has an ankle injury that we will have to learn more about and update as the week progresses. Washington signed Jaret Patterson as depth.
RB Chris Rodriguez (ankle) to have an MRI today.
All injuries updated tomorrow.
— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) December 26, 2023
Zach Wilson (QB) New York Jets – Wilson is still in the NFL’s concussion protocol. Therefore, he won’t play in Thursday’s game.
Dustin Hopkins (PK) Cleveland Browns – The Browns ruled out Hopkins from Thursday’s game with a hamstring injury that occurred during Cleveland’s dismantling of the Texans on Sunday. Riley Patterson joined the practice squad. Meanwhile, the Jets also could have a new kicker as Greg Zuerlein has a quad injury.
Finally, thanks for reading the Fantasy Football Injury Report. The 2023 NFL season is underway but it’s not too late to get access to the best help out there! All FullTime Fantasy members get exclusive access to our 24/7 Chat Room on Discord!
All morning on Sunday, Senior Analyst Jody Smith will be standing by to answer all your crucial start/sit and keep you updated with all the latest news and injury updates.