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With the fantasy championship finals taking place in most leagues, Week 17 of the NFL season gets underway with a Thursday night matchup between the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. With league championships on the line, fantasy managers are busy tracking injuries to their key fantasy studs. We have the latest notable injury updates as of Thursday, December 28, 2023.
Fantasy football assets such as Amari Cooper, Josh Jacobs, C.J. Stroud, and more have been dealing with injuries ahead of Week 17. We have plenty of must-starts on this week's injury list with cloudy outlooks, so fantasy managers should be ready to pivot should things go south.
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Amari Cooper Injury Update
Updating a previous report that Amari Cooper would be active barring a setback in pregame warm-ups, ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Cooper will be inactive for tonight's game against the New York Jets.
Browns’ WR Amari Cooper is inactive tonight vs. the Jets.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2023
This comes as a huge setback for a trending Browns passing attack, as well as Cooper's fantasy managers who might be fighting for a league championship this week. Those with the veteran star in lineups should find another option for Thursday night's kickoff.
Josh Jacobs Injury Update
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (quadriceps) missed another day of practice on Thursday. Jacobs injured his quadriceps muscle in Week 14 and has missed each of the last two games. He's not on the right track toward returning to play this Sunday on the road in Indianapolis against the Colts, either. The Raiders believe that the 25-year-old has a chance to play in Week 17, but Jacobs is probably going to have to step foot on the practice field on Friday for that to be realistic.
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs, who's missed the last two games with a quad injury, did not participate in Thursday's practicehttps://t.co/goN2R7tNQv pic.twitter.com/5lilQH5ZNA
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 28, 2023
When healthy, he's a must-start RB1 for fantasy managers for the volume he receives alone. Zamir White has been productive as the Raiders' lead back the last two games with Jacobs sidelined, so he'll have at least RB3/flex appeal for those hurting at the position if he gets a third straight start.
Jaylen Waddle Injury Update
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who is dealing with a high-ankle sprain, is not expected to play in Week 17 on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens, according to a source. Waddle suffered the injury in the Week 16 win over the Dallas Cowboys and has missed two practices already this week. He also dealt with an eye injury and was limited to 28 offensive snaps.
The Fins will likely be without Jaylen Waddle as they take on the Ravens. 🤕 https://t.co/BOLAuEJJ2S pic.twitter.com/YOlCSG4jNg
— theScore (@theScore) December 28, 2023
Waddle is over 1,000 receiving yards this year, his third straight 1,000-yard season to begin his career. The 25-year-old is the first player in franchise history to have three straight seasons of 1,000 receiving yards, but fantasy managers are unlikely to have him available in the their championship matchups.
Raheem Mostert Injury Update
UPDATE: As of Saturday night, Raheem Mostert is not expected to play in Week 17:
De'Von Achane and Jeff Wilson Jr. will be the lead running backs for the Dolphins. Given the tough matchup and his relative lack of production lately, Achane's fantasy rank is lower than usual. Be sure to check in with our updated Week 17 fantasy football RB rankings.
Isiah Pacheco and Clyde Edwards-Helaire Injury Updates
Kansas City Chiefs running backs Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness) and Isiah Pacheco (concussion, shoulder) were both missing from Thursday's practice. Pacheco returned from a two-game absence due to a shoulder injury on Christmas Day, only to suffer a concussion when he was kneed in the head after losing his helmet. The 24-year-old is now in danger of missing another game this Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The #Chiefs say that RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness), CB L'Jarius Sneed (calf), RB Isiah Pacheco (concussion), LT Donovan Smith (neck) and WR Kadarius Toney (hip) won't practice on Thursday.
CB Jaylen Watson (illness) returns on Thursday. Sneed, Pacheco, Smith and Toney have…
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) December 28, 2023
With Jerick McKinnon (groin) on Injured Reserve, KC's backfield has gotten dangerously thin with two games remaining before the postseason. Edwards-Helaire should be fine to play in Week 17, and he could be a sneaky fantasy option as the Chiefs' primary back in an excellent matchup this weekend if Pacheco is unable to gain clearance to play. La'Mical Perine would back up CEH in the event Pacheco is inactive on Sunday.
Zay Flowers Injury Update
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (calf) did not practice on Thursday, making it the second consecutive practice missed due to his calf injury. In Week 16, the rookie had an impressive showing, catching nine of 13 targets for 72 yards and a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers.
Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton (knee) was present for Thursday’s practice but did very little during media viewing portion of practice. He did not move around well.
WR Zay Flowers (calf) and CB Brandon Stephens did not practice.
G Kevin Zeitler (knee/quad) returned to practice. pic.twitter.com/xewhop7EDI
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) December 28, 2023
Flowers has emerged as Lamar Jackson's preferred target at wide receiver, leading the team with a 24.6% target share and 752 receiving yards on the season. The Ravens have one more practice this week to gauge Flowers' readiness for a critical Week 17 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. If he can't go then Odell Beckham Jr. and Rashod Bateman will see more targets than usual.
Michael Pittman Jr. Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (concussion, shoulder) practiced again on Thursday, this time in a regular blue jersey, meaning he's been cleared for full contact. However, that doesn't mean that Pittman has cleared the league's concussion protocol and is a lock to play in Week 17 against the Las Vegas Raiders.
First practice of the #Colts week:
-Michael Pittman Jr. was FULL. So a good chance to progress through the protocol for Sunday.
-Braden Smith was FULL. First practice work for him since 12/1
Great news on arguably the Colts two most indispensable players.
— Kevin Bowen (@KBowen1070) December 28, 2023
The 26-year-old suffered a concussion in Week 15 and sat out of the Week 16 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Still, the fact he's practicing in full before Friday is a good sign that he'll eventually gain clearance to play this weekend. Pittman is Indy's clear top target when healthy and has 99 receptions for 1,062 yards and four touchdowns on 143 targets so far this year. If he's officially active in Week 17, he needs to be put back into all starting fantasy lineups with championship titles on the line.
C.J. Stroud Injury Update
Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) has cleared the league's concussion protocol and will speak with the media on Thursday after practicing for the second straight day. Stroud suffered a concussion in Week 14 and has missed the last two games, but he's primed to return as the starter under center in Week 17 against the Tennessee Titans.
Texans’ QB C.J. Stroud officially has cleared concussion protocols and is on track to start Sunday vs. Tennessee.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2023
Veteran Case Keenum made a second straight start in the Week 16 loss to the Cleveland Browns last Sunday but played poorly and was benched in favor of Davis Mills in the second half. Stroud has been fantastic in his first NFL season in his first 13 games, completing 62.4% of his 441 pass attempts for 3,631 yards, 20 touchdowns and only five interceptions. The first-rounder will be back in play as a low-end QB1 for fantasy managers during championship week.
Trevor Lawrence Injury Update
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) was listed as a non-participant on Thursday for the second straight day. A previous report suggested that he put in a limited practice session. The 24-year-old signal-caller is dealing with a sprained AC joint in his right throwing shoulder and is up in the air to suit up in Week 17 against the Carolina Panthers. Lawrence said earlier this week he was feeling better, but he's not going to throw much this week, regardless of whether he ends up playing.
#Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence was not present during the media viewing portion of practice today.
CJ Beathard, Matt Barkley & EJ Perry were the only QBs here. pic.twitter.com/lghizWEcdE
— Juston W. Lewis (@JustonLewis_) December 28, 2023
The young QB hasn't been the same the last several weeks while playing through an ankle sprain and also dealing with a concussion, and now he's got a shoulder injury to worry about. If he gets the green light, fantasy managers should consider him more of a low-end QB2 against a Carolina defense that hasn't been very friendly to opposing QBs in 2023.
Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks Injury Updates
Green Bay Packers wide receivers Christian Watson (hamstring) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle, chest) were both absent from practice on Thursday for the second straight day this week. Watson strained his right hamstring in Week 13 and hasn't practiced or played since, so fantasy managers should expect him to miss yet another contest in Week 17 on Sunday night against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings.
Christian Watson, Dontayvion Wicks and De’Vondre Campbell aren’t practicing. Elgton Jenkins returned after a day off yesterday.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) December 28, 2023
The rookie Wicks had been seeing more involvement in the offense with Watson sidelined, but he suffered a chest injury in the Week 16 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is now in jeopardy of missing this weekend's game. Jayden Reed (chest, toe) also missed last week's game, but he is back at practice this week and could return on Sunday evening. Reed has been a touchdown machine of late and would be an enticing option for fantasy lineups in Week 17 if he's active and both Watson and Wicks are out.
Ezekiel Elliott Injury Update
New England Patriots running back Ezekiel Elliott (illness) was out sick at practice on Thursday. Elliott's status now bears watching for Week 17 against the Buffalo Bills this Sunday, but he should be fine to suit up. Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) is now on Injured Reserve, ensuring that Zeke will finish out the 2023 season as New England's workhorse back.
RB Ezekiel Elliott didn't participate in practice today due to an illness, and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster didn't practice due to his ankle.
Meanwhile, while OT Trent Brown (illness) was present for the media-access portion of practice, he was listed as a non-participant.
— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) December 28, 2023
The 28-year-old veteran has looked better this year for the Patriots, but he hasn't been very efficient on the ground in recent weeks. He's salvaged his fantasy lines the last three games by catching 21 of 25 targets for 126 yards and two touchdowns. As long as Elliott plays this weekend, which he should, he will remain in play as a low-end RB2 in a weak offense against a rising defense. In Week 7 against Buffalo, Elliott had 11 carries for 31 yards rushing and his second rushing touchdown of the year.
Keenan Allen and Joshua Palmer Injury Updates
Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers Keenan Allen (heel) and Joshua Palmer (concussion) both missed a second straight day of practice on Thursday, although they were seen doing agility work and running off to the side with trainers. Neither player is likely to face off against the Denver Broncos this weekend if they don't return to some form of practice on Friday. Allen has missed the last two games, while Palmer suffered his concussion in the Week 16 loss to the Buffalo Bills last Saturday.
Keenan Allen (heel) and Joshua Palmer (concussion) not practicing today. Both doing some agility work and running off to the side with trainers.
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) December 28, 2023
If both pass-catchers are unable to play this Sunday, the Bolts would be down to rookie first-rounder Quentin Johnston, Jalen Guyton and Alex Erickson as their three starting receivers. Tight end Gerald Everett would have an expanded role as well. Palmer has caught nine of 12 targets for 160 yards and one touchdown the last two games with Allen sidelined.
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