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Heading into the semifinal round of the fantasy football playoffs, there is no shortage of star players in the injury headlines. Our injury updates and reports for Week 16 as of Friday, December 22, 2023, will give you the latest updates on key guys.
As always, some players have more "real" risk of missing Week 16 than others, but things change quickly, so it's important to stay up to date. Tyreek Hill, Jonathan Taylor, Ja'Marr Chase, Brian Robinson Jr., C.J. Stroud, Aaron Jones, Trevor Lawrence, and more are in danger of missing Week 16. Fantasy managers should be ready to pivot should things go south.
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. Let's look at the updates for some top fantasy assets at all positions and see whether they may play in Week 16.
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Tyreek Hill Injury Update
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (ankle) is currently listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. The speedy wideout has a good chance of playing after getting in two limited practice sessions to end the week.
Last week, fantasy managers had to wait until pregame warmups before Hill was declared inactive. Hopefully, the Dolphins won't wait that long to decide this week. It sounds like Hill is trending in the right direction, but fantasy managers will have to check back for another update this weekend.
Jonathan Taylor Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (thumb) is expected to play on Sunday versus the Atlanta Falcons. Head coach Shane Steichen said the 24-year-old "looks good" and expressed optimism about his availability for Week 16. If confirmed as active, Taylor will return to the low-end RB1 tier after missing three weeks.
During the five games prior to his absence, Taylor was averaging 75.4 rushing yards, 15 receiving yards, and 0.8 touchdowns. Managers should have full confidence in Indianapolis' lead back as the fantasy football playoffs continue.
Ja'Marr Chase Injury Update
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (shoulder) will not play in Week 16 on Saturday against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers, according to a source. Chase suffered an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder in Saturday's overtime win over the Minnesota Vikings, although the Bengals are optimistic about his prognosis moving forward. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is calling Chase more "week-to-week" than anything, so there's a chance he also has to miss the Week 17 showdown in Kansas City against the Chiefs.
The 23-year-old did not practice on Tuesday and probably won't practice the rest of the week. It's a tough break for fantasy managers still competing for a championship this week. With Chase out this weekend, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd will see more targets, but Chase's absence is bad news for the upside of quarterback Jake Browning as a streamer.
Brian Robinson Jr. Injury Update
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) has been ruled out for Week 16 versus the New York Jets. For the second week in a row, he'll be sidelined, leaving many managers without a reliable RB2 option for the fantasy playoffs.
Presumably, Antonio Gibson will start in Robinson's place this week, ranking as a modest RB3. During last Sunday's tough loss to the Los Angeles Rams, Gibson rushed just four times but played a key passing-game role with five receptions. The Commanders should also get contributions from Chris Rodriguez Jr., who amassed 35 yards on 10 carries in Week 15.
C.J. Stroud Injury Update
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) missed another practice on Friday and will not play against the Cleveland Browns in Week 16, according to Aaron Wilson of KPRC. The rookie will ultimately miss his second consecutive game, leaving veteran Case Keenum in line to start at quarterback.
During his appearance last week, Keenum completed 23 passes for 229 yards, one touchdown, and one interception while leading the Texans to a victory. Based on the typical concussion recovery timeline, Stroud has a decent chance to return in Week 17 rather than miss a third week.
Trevor Lawrence Injury Update
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (concussion) is listed as questionable on the final injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Recently, head coach Doug Pederson said that Lawrence's availability is a coin flip right now.
That means the star quarterback has about a 50 percent chance of playing this weekend. If he can't, C.J. Beathard would draw the start under center. Beathard has shown the ability to hold his own at times but is still a downgrade from Lawrence. The Jaguars' offensive players would take a major hit in value if Lawrence is unable to play.
Aaron Jones Injury Update
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (knee, finger) has been removed from the injury report and will play against the Carolina Panthers in Week 16. This week was similar to previous weeks in the sense that Jones had been limited in practice but will play, presumably at around 100 percent strength.
The 29-year-old had Green Bay's backfield all to himself last Sunday and produced 69 scrimmage yards against a respectable Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense. While he gets a much softer matchup this week, Jones will also face competition from AJ Dillon (thumb, questionable). Therefore, the veteran ranks as a low-end RB2 in fantasy football.
Jayden Reed, Dontayvion Wicks Injury Update
Green Bay Packers wide receivers Jayden Reed (toe, chest) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) are officially questionable to play against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Reed had been absent from practice earlier this week while Wicks was a limited participant. Both players have an opportunity to see increased opportunities in Week 16 with Christian Watson (hamstring) not expected to play.
Fantasy managers should view Reed, who has 14 catches and one touchdown over his last two games, as a solid WR3 option on Sunday, but only if he has a near-full workload. Meanwhile, Wicks finds himself in the low-end WR4 tier.
Geno Smith Injury Update
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (groin) was removed from the injury report on Friday. That means Smith should be back for this weekend's matchup versus the Tennessee Titans. This is a welcoming sight for the Seahawks, who have been without Smith for the last two games.
Drew Lock has played surprisingly better than expected, but having Smith back is a boost for the Seahawks' offense. Assuming Smith isn't limited, fantasy managers should be able to stream him as a QB2 this weekend.
Alexander Mattison Injury Update
Minnesota Vikings running back Alexander Mattison (ankle) returned to practice on Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Week 16 versus the Detroit Lions. While Mattison doesn't appear to be 100 percent quite yet, it's a good sign that the Vikings are leaving the door open for him to play.
The bad news, though, is that Ty Chandler will earn a heavy dose of touches out of the backfield this Sunday after he exploded for 157 scrimmage yards in Week 15. It's not clear exactly what this backfield split will look like, but fantasy managers should prepare for Mattison dropping to the low-end RB3 tier if active.
Will Levis Injury Update
Tennessee Titans quarterback Will Levis (ankle) is questionable to play against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. He was trending in the wrong direction after missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, so it's somewhat promising to learn that the Titans have left the door open for him to play.
With that said, the rookie's relatively mediocre stats this season make it difficult to trust him in fantasy football. The same goes for Ryan Tannehill, who would draw the start if Levis is unable to suit up.
Marquise Brown Injury Update
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (heel) has been ruled out for Week 16 versus the Chicago Bears, head coach Jonathan Gannon announced. The injury limited Brown to just 32 percent of the Cardinals' offensive snaps last weekend, and he also missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
It's been a frustrating year for the 26-year-old, who has just 51 catches, 574 yards, and four touchdowns through parts of 14 games. Rondale Moore, Greg Dortch, and Michael Wilson will all see increased opportunities with Brown sidelined this weekend, as will breakout tight end Trey McBride.
Christian Watson Injury Update
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) is officially doubtful to play against the Carolina Panthers in Week 16. This was widely expected after he missed back-to-back practices. The 24-year-old has struggled to stay healthy and is trending towards missing his sixth game this season, assuming he's confirmed as inactive on Sunday.
The Packers are fortunate enough to have a solid wide receiver corps that can catch passes from Jordan Love with Watson sidelined. Jayden Reed (toe, chest) is a strong WR3 option while Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) will also warrant some low-end fantasy consideration.
D'Onta Foreman, Cole Kmet Injury Update
Chicago Bears running back D'Onta Foreman (personal) and tight end Cole Kmet (quad) are officially questionable to play against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 16. Both players practiced in a limited capacity on Friday. Foreman has produced mixed results over the last two weeks, ultimately totaling just 44 yards on 17 carries during that span.
Even if active this week, it would be tough to trust him in fantasy lineups. Kmet, on the other hand, is a fringe TE1 option in most leagues. He has double-digit fantasy points in three consecutive games and found the end zone last weekend.
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