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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 deeper into the NFL playoffs and its Divisional Round, it's been a week with notable injury news and constantly changing situations. These are the latest player injury updates as of Thursday, January 19.
Fantasy football stalwarts such as Trevor Lawrence, Mecole Hardman, Jalen Hurts, and many more have been dealing with injuries ahead of the Divisional Round. 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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Clyde Edwards-Helaire Injury Update
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said that running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) is "probably not" going to be activated from Injured Reserve in order to play in Saturday's Divisional Round game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Edwards-Helaire was designated to return to practice this week, but he won't be playing for the team this weekend. The 23-year-old Edwards-Helaire has been out since suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 11, so even if the Chiefs advance in the playoffs and he returns, he'll likely be working behind both Jerick McKinnon, rookie Isaiah Pacheco and possibly even Ronald Jones.
Jalen Hurts Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (shoulder), who has been dealing with a sprained right shoulder for around a month, is not listed on this week's injury report and was a full participant in Tuesday's practice.
Hurts was a bit rusty in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the New York Giants, but the good news is his shoulder is improving and he will play in the Divisional Round this Saturday against the same Giants. The 24-year-old dual-threat QB was the most valuable fantasy signal-caller in 2022 before injuring his right shoulder in Week 15.
Hurts finished with a career-high 66.5% completion percentage, 3,701 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions while also gaining 760 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on 165 carries. He still has more upside than most QBs available this weekend, but he'll also carry more risk.
Isaiah McKenzie Injury Update
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (hamstring), who missed the wild-card win over the Miami Dolphins, took part in a full practice on Wednesday and is on track to play in this Sunday's Divisional Round matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The 27-year-old should return to the majority of the team's slot-receiver duties this weekend, which will make it tougher for rookie Khalil Shakir and veteran Cole Beasley to make an impact as deep DFS sleepers. Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis will remain the Bills' top two wideouts.
McKenzie will be a boom-or-bust option for fantasy managers competing in playoff leagues in what could be a high-scoring game against the Bengals. He caught 42 of his 65 targets for 423 yards and four touchdowns in 15 regular season contests (eight starts).
Trevor Lawrence Injury Update
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (toe) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. He has now logged back-to-back limited sessions. The former No.1 overall pick initially sustained the toe injury on December 4th but has yet to miss a game.
Lawrence is expected to be available for Saturday's Divisional Round matchup against the Chiefs. After struggling out of the game with four first-half interceptions in last Saturday's wild-card game versus the Chargers, he was efficient in the second half and led the Jaguars to a 31-30 come-from-behind victory.
The 23-year-old threw 288 yards and four touchdowns in the comeback win over Los Angeles. Lawrence should be under center Saturday and is an intriguing DFS option in this weekend's main slate.
Jauan Jennings Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. He initially injured his ankle in the wild-card win over the Seattle Seahawks.
The 25-year-old will have two more chances to log an entire session to increase his chances of suiting up in the Divisional Round matchup against the Cowboys. In last Saturday's victory, he caught two of four targets for 41 yards. If active, Jennings is a boom-or-bust option for this weekend's main DFS slate.
Isaiah Hodgins Injury Update
New York Giants wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (ankle) was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Hodgins was also limited during Tuesday's walkthrough. The 24-year-old has been battling an ankle injury over the last week but did suit up in the wild-card win over Minnesota.
He has been one of Giants quarterback Daniel Jones' top targets and racked up eight catches on nine targets for 105 yards in last Sunday's win over the Vikings. Hodgins is expected to be available for the Divisional Round matchup against the Eagles and is considered a solid DFS option for this weekend's main slate.
Mecole Hardman Injury Update
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Mecole Hardman (pelvis) did not practice on Wednesday. Hardman, who was also sidelined for Tuesday's practice, has not played since Week 9 and is in danger of missing the team's Divisional Round playoff matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
If he is able to practice later in the week and is subsequently active for Saturday's contest, he would likely take some snaps away from Skyy Moore and Kadarius Toney, but Hardman should not be considered an intriguing DFS option regardless.
Skyy Moore Injury Update
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Skyy Moore (hand) was able to practice in full during Tuesday's practice. It appears the young wideout is on track to play after missing the final two weeks of the regular season.
He has been dealing with a lacerated hand, but it shouldn't impact him during the upcoming playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Moore could be worth a dart throw in DFS contests, assuming Mecole Hardman (pelvis) is unable to play.
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