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As we prepare for the Sunday slate of Week 14 of the NFL season, injuries continue to impact the upcoming schedule. These play a huge factor in start/sit decisions for fantasy managers. Our injury updates and reports for Week 14 as of Sunday, December 10, 2023, will give you the latest updates on key fantasy football assets and help you to make informed roster decisions.
The injury news for Week 14 of the NFL season has featured many notable fantasy football players such as Trevor Lawrence, Breece Hall, Geno Smith, and more.
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 key fantasy options and see whether they may play in Week 14.
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Trevor Lawrence Injury Update
The Jacksonville Jaguars are planning for quarterback Trevor Lawrence (ankle) to play versus the Cleveland Browns in Week 14, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Listed as questionable, it looks like he'll draw another start just six days after suffering a high-ankle sprain. With that said the Jaguars "need to work out the franchise quarterback in pregame warmups before making a final decision," according to Schefter. So while he's trending in the right direction, nothing is official.
ICYMI: Jaguars are planning for Trevor Lawrence to start vs. the Browns, but need to work out their star QB in pregame warmups before making a final decision, per sources. Lawrence never has missed a game in high school, college or the NFL due to injury.https://t.co/YlQM9BEu0J
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 10, 2023
Given that a high-ankle sprain is a multi-week injury, one would imagine that Lawrence's mobility and re-injury risk will be impacted on Sunday. Between the injury factor and a matchup against Cleveland's solid defense, Lawrence is nothing more than a low-end QB1 in fantasy football.
Taysom Hill Injury Update
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (foot, left hand) is expected to be inactive for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. He had been listed as questionable but was trending in the wrong direction after missing all three practices this past week.
Saints’ TE Taysom Hill, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a foot and left hand injury, is not expected to play vs. the Panthers, per source.
Saints’ TE Juwan Johnson, listed as questionable due to a quad injury, is expected to play vs. the Panthers, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 10, 2023
Hill has been a solid contributor on offense this season, totaling 226 rushing yards, 213 receiving yards, and five touchdowns over his last seven games. Juwan Johnson (quad) will operate as the Saints' No. 1 tight end but severely lacks Hill's versatility and playmaking style.
Chris Olave Injury Update
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (illness) is expected to play versus the Carolina Panthers on Sunday despite being "under the weather," according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The second-year wideout had been listed as questionable. While it appears he'll suit up, he may be less than 100 percent. Fantasy managers should view him as a mid-range WR2 option for the time being.
Geno Smith Injury Update
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Seahawks may not decide on quarterback Geno Smith's (groin) availability for Sunday's NFC West showdown with the 49ers until pregame warmups. The signal-caller, who remains questionable, is battling a groin issue, with Schefter adding that it's "considered a two-week injury."
Seahawks QB Geno Smith (groin) is still a true game-time decision for Sunday's game versus the 49ers, per @RapSheet https://t.co/vmMpkUHqwE pic.twitter.com/lKy0FhWI3F
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 10, 2023
Of course, he could always try to play through the ailment, considering the Seahawks are quickly fading out of the playoff picture. On the other hand, Seattle might keep Smith off the field for a game or two, especially if it gets him back to 100% for a potential postseason push.
At any rate, Drew Lock would likely be under center if Smith doesn't suit up on Sunday. But Lock hasn't been the most reliable quarterback over the years, so fantasy managers shouldn't consider him a viable replacement. Unfortunately, a possible Lock start wouldn't be an ideal scenario for D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and the rest of the Seattle pass catchers against a tough Niners defense.
Kenneth Walker III & Zach Charbonnet Injury Updates
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (oblique) is anticipated to return from a two-game absence for Sunday's matchup with the 49ers. The 23-year-old, who remains questionable with an oblique injury, amassed six rushing touchdowns in the first five games of the 2023-24 campaign.
Seahawks’ RBs Kenneth Walker III (oblique) and Zach Charbonnet (knee), both listed as questionable for Sunday, both are expected to play vs. the 49ers, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 10, 2023
Additionally, fellow Seattle running back Zach Charbonnet (knee), who has gotten more involved of late, is also expected to play in Week 14. If both backs do indeed suit up in Week 14 in a brutal matchup against the Niners, the fantasy potential of both would be severely restricted, landing both Walker and Charbonnet in the Flex category this week.
Breece Hall Injury Update
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (ankle) is expected to play on Sunday versus the Houston Texans. Head coach Robert Saleh hinted this would be the case, so Hall's likely availability isn't much of an update. That said, the 22-year-old hasn't met expectations during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring only four times (two rushing, two receiving). He's also surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark only twice and averaging 1.5 yards less per carry than last season.
Jets Injury Tracker: Breece Hall expected to play Sunday against Texans https://t.co/2HPItEC9e4 pic.twitter.com/ztnCY0Dlxm
— SNY (@SNYtv) December 10, 2023
With this in mind, fantasy managers may want to consider other options, especially since the Jets offense is a mess. However, there's no denying Hall's talent, so he still deserves flex consideration, especially in PPR formats, due to his pass-catching prowess.
Noah Brown Injury Update
Houston Texans wide receiver Noah Brown (knee) is expected to suit up for the Week 14 matchup against the New York Jets. Brown returned from a two-game absence during last week's win. However, he was held in check and didn't record a reception on two targets.
Brown was unable to practice on Friday, but it appears he's still likely to take the field on Sunday. The Texans are without multiple weapons on offense, so Brown could be a decent streaming choice if he plays.
Dawson Knox Injury Update
Buffalo Bills tight end Dawson Knox (wrist) was activated from the injured reserve on Saturday. This was expected after Knox was a full participant in practice all week. Knox is expected to make his return to the field for the Week 14 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. He has missed the last five games after having wrist surgery.
We’ve activated TE Dawson Knox from Injured Reserve and released LB A.J. Klein.@Ticketmaster | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/i82YRBuvPp
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) December 9, 2023
Knox has 15 receptions for 102 yards and one touchdown this season. It'll be interesting to see how the Bills mix him into the offense alongside Dalton Kincaid. The rookie tight end has been playing above expectations in the absence of Knox. The Bills will likely continue to get the rookie tight end involved, which makes Knox a shaky streaming option right now.
Aaron Jones Injury Update
Green Bay Packers running Aaron Jones (knee) is listed as questionable ahead of Monday Night Football against the New York Giants in Week 14. Jones got in a pair of limited practices on Thursday and Friday, which indicates that he should be good to go for MNF. Jones has missed the last two games with his knee issue but he has a plus matchup against the Giants if he can play.
Aaron Jones’ first practice since MCL strain. Good sign he’s getting closer to returning. pic.twitter.com/WMESsFGyRT
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) December 7, 2023
He appears to be on the right side of questionable and should be started in all fantasy formats if he suits up on Monday, although he could cede more work to teammate AJ Dillon if the Packers choose to ease him back in.
Amari Cooper Injury Update
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (ribs, concussion) was cleared from the league's concussion protocol on Saturday and will play in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Cooper suffered a concussion in a Week 13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams but was able to pass through the steps to return to the field in short order, putting him in line to take advantage of a plus matchup against a Jacksonville defense that is allowing the seventh-most fantasy points per game to opposing wide receivers. Cooper sets up as a solid WR3 in Week 14.
It was announced WR Amari Cooper will play tomorrow
Despite tweeking his groin, injuring his ribs, & having a concussion hes yet to miss a game this season
On pace for a 1,000yd season and T-9th in the NFL in contested catches(10)
Talk about a true WARRIOR#DawgPound pic.twitter.com/zHPUJQH2YO
— Mac🦬 (@tha_buffalo) December 9, 2023
Justin Jefferson Injury Update
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (hamstring) has been removed from the final Week 14 injury report and will make his return on Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Vikings officially activated Jefferson from Injured Reserve last week. Sunday's game will be the 24-year-old All-Pro's first action since injuring his hamstring in Week 5.
Good morning and happy Justin Jefferson is back day!#SKOL #Vikings pic.twitter.com/ZRW2FikuPm
— The Viking Age (@TheVikingAge) December 10, 2023
Despite the long layoff, fantasy managers need to get him back into their starting lineups this weekend as Minnesota's unquestioned No. 1 receiver when healthy. There is inherent risk in his first game back while working with quarterback Joshua Dobbs for the first time, but Jefferson is just too big of a game-changer to bench when he's active. Jefferson's return will inevitably mean fewer looks for rookie first-rounder Jordan Addison and tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Derek Carr Injury Update
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (concussion, ribs, shoulder) has cleared the league's concussion protocol and will start in Week 14 against the visiting Carolina Panthers on Sunday, according to a source. Carr was a full participant in practice on Friday and was cleared by an independent neurologist following practice.
Derek Carr has cleared concussion protocol, per source. He will start this week
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) December 8, 2023
Seemingly getting hurt almost every week, the 32-year-old veteran signal-caller will be a shaky low-end QB2 in superflex leagues in a bad matchup if he is indeed active on Sunday morning. Not only are the Panthers tough against opposing QBs fantasy-wise, but most of the Saints' starting offensive skill players are listed as questionable on the final Week 14 injury report. There's also the risk of an in-game setback for Carr, who has already been in the concussion protocol twice in 2023.
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