Fantasy Football Injury Reports (Tuesday Updates): Trevor Lawrence, Anthony Richardson, Justin Fields, Jahmyr Gibbs, more

October 17, 2023

Fantasy football injury updates and injury reports for QBs, RBs, WR, TEs as of 10/17/2023, including Trevor Lawrence, Anthony Richardson, Justin Fields, Jahmyr Gibbs, and more.

The NFL injury headlines have been heating up in recent weeks, leaving a ton of players questionable or ruled out for Week 7. With bye weeks becoming a factor as well, fantasy managers will have to make tough start-or-sit decisions moving forward. Our fantasy football injury reports as of Tuesday, October 17 will give you the latest news on the top banged-up players heading into Week 7 including Trevor Lawrence, Anthony Richardson, Justin Fields, Jahmyr Gibbs, and more.

Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football. It's early in the week, but there's never a wrong time to check in on key players on your fantasy rosters.

To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news.

Trevor Lawrence Injury Update

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (knee) has what a league source described as a knee "sprain" that "is not a significant thing." Lawrence is considered day-to-day, but it's unclear if he can play on a short week this Thursday night against the New Orleans Saints. The Jaguars will determine his availability as the week progresses, but Lawrence was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report.

If the Jags play it safe and hold Lawrence out in Week 7, C.J. Beathard would make the start for Jacksonville, which would mean a downgrade for all of the team's offensive skill players in terms of their fantasy upside. The Jaguars are officially labeling Lawrence day-to-day as of Monday. Fantasy managers that have been rolling with the 24-year-old through the first six weeks are going to need an insurance plan this week.

Anthony Richardson Injury Update

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (shoulder) looks to be trending toward missing the rest of the regular season. Colts owner Jim Irsay said that the rookie will "probably" miss the rest of the regular season and "could" undergo shoulder surgery in the next week or so.

There's no definite word just yet, but the direction that the situation is headed isn't great. If Richardson does, in fact, miss the rest of the season, then Gardner Minshew will be a hotter commodity moving forward. Fantasy managers will want to stay tuned to hear if the surgery will be definite.

Justin Fields Injury Update

Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (thumb) suffered a dislocated thumb during the Week 6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. On Monday, head coach Matt Eberflus labeled Fields as doubtful to play against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 7. "It's really going to come down to grip strength," Eberflus said.

Rookie quarterback Tyson Bagent took over for the injured third-year QB on Sunday, passing for 83 yards and one interception. If Fields can't go, Bagent will presumably start for Chicago. He has limited fantasy value and would likely hurt the fantasy outlooks of DJ Moore and Cole Kmet.

Kyren Williams Injury Update

Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (ankle) is expected to miss the Week 7 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers after an MRI revealed he has a sprained ankle. The good news is that it's not viewed as a long-term injury, but fantasy managers will likely have to find a replacement for Williams in the meantime.

The Notre Dame product has been an early-season breakout fantasy running back, posting 561 total yards and seven touchdowns on 110 touches through six weeks. Backup running back Ronnie Rivers (knee) suffered a knee injury that will cost him at least a few games of action, so Royce Freeman and rookie Zach Evans could be leading the Rams' backfield in Week 7.

Jahmyr Gibbs Injury Update

Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell said that rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) is trending in the right direction to play in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens. Meanwhile, David Montgomery (ribs) will be out for "a little bit" after suffering a cartilage issue in his ribs in the Week 6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gibbs has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury he suffered in practice before Week 5.

When Montgomery was injured on Sunday, Craig Reynolds became Detroit's lead back, but he gained just 15 yards on 10 rushing attempts. The 21-year-old Gibbs has been a fantasy bust so far early in his NFL career, but he should see a heavy workload in the backfield if he returns to face Baltimore this Sunday. If Gibbs is a full-go this weekend with Monty out, he will basically be a must-start in fantasy lineups.

Deebo Samuel Injury Update

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel (shoulder) is considered day-to-day by head coach Kyle Shanahan. Samuel injured his shoulder after just nine offensive snaps in the Week 6 upset loss to the Cleveland Browns on Sunday and never returned. He had two carries for 11 yards and failed to haul in his only target on the day before getting injured, so it was another devastating performance for his fantasy managers.

The good news is that the 27-year-old's tests have come back negative, so he could have a chance to play next Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings in Week 7. Keep a close eye on his practice status later this week and have a backup plan in place in case Samuel doesn't get the green light to play. If Samuel misses Week 7, Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings figure to be San Fran's top two pass-catchers, while tight end George Kittle would also see a steady increase in targets.

Chris Olave Injury Update

New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (toe) was listed as a limited participant on the team's estimated practice report on Monday. Olave has been dealing with a toe injury in recent weeks, but he practiced in full last week and hasn't missed any games. The first-round wideout caught only three passes on 11 targets for 16 yards and a touchdown in Weeks 4 and 5 combined, but he bounced back in Sunday's Week 6 loss to the Houston Texans with seven receptions (10 targets) for 96 yards.

The 23-year-old second-year pass-catcher could be limited on a short week, but he should be active for Thursday night's tilt against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where he'll be a must-start receiver in all fantasy lineups.

Diontae Johnson Injury Update

The Pittsburgh Steelers opened the 21-day practice window for wide receiver Diontae Johnson (hamstring) and running back Anthony McFarland Jr. (knee) on Monday to return from Injured Reserve. The Steelers are coming off their bye and head into a Week 7 game against the Los Angeles Rams, but they could have both Johnson and McFarland active if they look good in practice this week. The Steelers will have to officially activate them both from IR before that happens, though.

Johnson is the more appealing fantasy commodity. The 27-year-old injured his right hamstring in Week 1 and hasn't played since. When healthy, he will return to being one of quarterback Kenny Pickett's top aerial targets alongside George Pickens. Pick Johnson up off the waiver wire if he's available in your league and you could use another wideout.

Jamaal Williams Injury Update

The New Orleans Saints listed running back Jamaal Williams (hamstring) as limited on Monday's estimated practice report heading into the team's Week 7 contest on Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Saints didn't actually practice on Monday, but the fact that Williams was listed as limited suggests that the team could open his 21-day window to be activated from Injured Reserve this week. Williams has missed the last four games while on IR with a hamstring strain.

In the 28-year-old's absence, Alvin Kamara has played three games as the unquestioned bell-cow back after serving a three-game suspension. Kamara has a whopping 52 carries for 199 yards and a touchdown while catching 23 of 25 targets for 86 yards, so there may not be much for Williams when he does eventually come off IR.

Ryan Tannehill Injury Update

Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill (ankle) suffered a high right-ankle sprain in the Week 6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in London, according to sources. The Titans have a bye in Week 7, which helps, but he could miss some time regardless and his availability is going to be in question for Week 8 against the Atlanta Falcons.

High-ankle sprains typically cause players to miss multiple weeks, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect Tannehill to be ready to roll coming out of this week's bye. Malik Willis took over for the hobbled Tannehill on Sunday in London, but the Titans could elect to give rookie Will Levis the first start of his NFL career if Tannehill isn't ready in Week 8.

Pat Freiermuth Injury Update

Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) said he will play in Week 7 against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday. Freiermuth is apparently feeling much better after having the Week 6 bye to rest up. The 24-year-old wasn't active in the Week 5 win over the division-rival Baltimore Ravens, but he should be back in the fold for the Steelers offense this weekend. We'll have a better idea if he actually has a shot to play in Week 7 once the Steelers begin practice preparations on Wednesday.

When healthy, Freiermuth is Pittsburgh's primary pass-catching tight end. However, he's underwhelmed in his first four games of the 2023 campaign, catching just eight passes (13 targets) for 53 yards. He has found the end zone twice, though.

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