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While the NFL's regular season is now in the books, many fantasy football diehards are set to participate in playoff fantasy leagues and NFL DFS contests. As we head into the NFL playoffs and Wild Card Weekend, it's been a week with significant injury news and constantly changing situations. These are the latest notable injury updates as of Thursday, January 12.
Fantasy football stalwarts such as Tua Tagovailoa, Lamar Jackson, Raheem Mostert, and many more have been dealing with injuries ahead of Wild Card Weekend. We have plenty of must-starts on this week's injury list, so fantasy managers should be ready to pivot should things go south.
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Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley Injury Updates
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (knee) missed another practice on Thursday, while backup Tyler Huntley (shoulder, wrist) was seen throwing in the portion of practice open to the media. Huntley was listed as limited on Wednesday but didn't throw at all, so this represents progress for him ahead of the wild-card matchup on Sunday night against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Jackson hasn't practiced or played since suffering a PCL sprain on Dec. 4, so he's a long shot to play this weekend. Huntley was rested in the Week 18 regular-season finale, but the Ravens are hoping he can start under center against Cincy. If Huntley cannot go, rookie Anthony Brown would be forced into another start, which isn't ideal for Baltimore's already struggling offense.
Tua Tagovailoa Injury Update
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's wild-card playoff game against the Buffalo Bills. Head coach Mike McDaniel said that as of Wednesday, Tagovailoa still hasn't been cleared to resume football activities with the team after suffering his second concussion of the season on Christmas Day.
Teddy Bridgewater is also dealing with a dislocated pinkie finger on his throwing hand that he suffered in Week 17, so the Dolphins are currently preparing to start rookie Skylar Thompson this weekend.
The 24-year-old Tagovailoa played in only 13 games in his third NFL season but still had a career year thanks to the addition of All-Pro wideout Tyreek Hill. Injuries have been a problem for Tua early in his career, and it's fair to wonder if his head injuries will continue to be an issue heading into 2023.
Tee Higgins Injury Update
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (illness) returned to practice on Thursday after he was out sick on Wednesday. Higgins shouldn't be in any danger of missing Sunday's wild-card game against the Baltimore Ravens.
The 23-year-old pass-catcher was injured in the first meeting against Baltimore in Week 5 and caught just one pass for seven yards in the Week 18 regular-season finale against them. While his numbers look bad against Baltimore in 2022, fantasy managers shouldn't avoid him in playoff leagues just because of that.
During the regular season, Higgins was the WR17 in half-point PPR scoring with 74 catches on 110 targets for 1,029 yards and seven touchdowns. He should be heavily involved on Sunday night.
Raheem Mostert Injury Update
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (thumb) was not present at practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. Mostert is dealing with a significant fractured thumb, and his availability for this weekend's wild-card game against the Buffalo Bills is in serious jeopardy.
Jeff Wilson Jr. is also dealing with an illness this week, so Miami's backfield is pretty banged up heading into the postseason. With quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (concussion) ruled out and rookie Skylar Thompson in line to get the start, fantasy managers are going to want to downgrade all of Miami's offensive skill players in fantasy leagues, including wideouts Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
Isaiah McKenzie Injury Update
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (hamstring) was not seen on the practice field on Thursday after he was limited in Wednesday's session. With McKenzie's status up in the air for Sunday's wild-card game against the Miami Dolphins, the Bills signed veteran Cole Beasley to the active roster from the practice squad.
If needed, Buffalo can also call up veteran John Brown for Sunday's game to give them more depth at the position if McKenzie is ruled out. Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis will be the team's top two receivers regardless of whether McKenzie plays this weekend, but if he's unable to suit up, it would open up more snaps out of the slot for rookie Khalil Shakir and Beasley.
Christian McCaffrey Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday. McCaffrey has been dealing with a knee issue for several weeks and has been limited at practice in back-to-back weeks.
The 26-year-old hasn't missed anytime and is expected to be available for Saturday's wild-card game against the Seattle Seahawks. CMC rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown while catching six passes for 30 yards in his previous game in Week 15 against Seattle.
McCaffrey is an expensive but elite DFS option against the Seahawks defense that allowed the league's third most rushing yards (2,554) in 2022.
Mike Williams Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams (back) did not participate in the team's practice on Wednesday. Williams suffered a back injury during the Chargers' Week 18 contest and should be considered questionable to suit up against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the Wild Card round of the playoffs.
Head coach Brandon Staley expressed on Monday that he expects the 28-year-old to practice at some point ahead of Saturday's matchup, so Williams' activity will be worth monitoring throughout the rest of the week.
Trevor Lawrence Injury Update
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (toe) was limited in the team's practice on Wednesday. Lawrence has been battling a toe injury for multiple weeks and has been consistently limited in practice sessions because of it, but he has not missed any game action.
The 23-year-old should be expected to suit up for Jacksonville's Wild Card playoff matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers on Saturday.
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