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Successful fantasy managers are battling it out in their league playoffs, which makes staying on top of injuries especially important. As we head into Week 16 of the NFL season, it's been a week with significant injury news. These are the latest notable injury updates as of Thursday, December 22.
Fantasy football stalwarts such as Jalen Hurts, Ryan Tannehill, Chris Olave, and many more have been dealing with injuries ahead of Week 16. 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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Trevor Lawrence Injury Update
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (toe), who is listed as questionable for the Thursday night game against the New York Jets, will play, according to a source.
Lawrence has been dealing with a nagging toe injury since Week 13 but has battled through it and is playing the best football of his career, so his status for Week 16 wasn't really in question despite the questionable tag on the final injury report.
Corey Davis Injury Update
New York Jets wide receiver Corey Davis (concussion) practiced in full the last two days and has been removed from the Week 16 injury report. He will play on Thursday night against the Jacksonville Jaguars after a one-game absence.
Meanwhile, receivers Denzel Mims (concussion) and Jeff Smith (knee) were unable to practice all week and have been ruled out. Davis should be on the field a lot alongside first-rounder Garrett Wilson and Elijah Moore with both Mims and Smith sidelined, but he's not a recommended flex play for fantasy managers in his first game back with quarterback Zach Wilson making his second straight start.
Jalen Hurts Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (shoulder) will miss the Week 16 game against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Saturday after he sprained his right shoulder in the Week 15 win over the Chicago Bears.
The Eagles announced on Thursday that backup Gardner Minshew will make his first start of the year. If this was the postseason, Hurts would likely battle through it and play. But it's not and the Eagles want the MVP candidate to be healthy entering the playoffs, so there's a chance he could also miss Week 17 if they feel he's not ready.
It's terrible timing for those in the fantasy playoffs, but you'll have to pivot and look elsewhere at the QB position.
Nick Chubb Injury Update
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (foot) is good to go for the Week 16 game against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday. Chubb missed the first two practice days of the week, but he was able to return to the field on Thursday, setting him up for his normal role as Cleveland's backfield leader on Christmas Eve.
The RB6 in overall fantasy points in half-point PPR setups this year, Chubb is an absolute must-start in the fantasy playoffs as an RB1 at home in a game that could feature inclement weather. The Saints' defense has been right around the middle of the pack in terms of half-point PPR points allowed to the running back position per game in 2022 (20.1).
Chris Olave Injury Update
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (hamstring) has been ruled out for a Week 16 contest versus the Cleveland Browns on Saturday.
Olave missed practice all week. He is the Saints' leading receiver and has been a top-25 wideout in half-point PPR setups in his first NFL season. The 22-year-old has been a consistent weapon with 63 catches for 940 yards and three touchdowns on 102 targets in 13 games.
Ryan Tannehill Injury Update
The Tennessee Titans have ruled out quarterback Ryan Tannehill (ankle) for the Week 16 game against the Houston Texans on Saturday. Rookie Malik Willis will make the third start of his career on Christmas Eve.
Tannehill was facing an uphill battle to play after re-injuring his right ankle in the Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, and there's a chance he could need surgery, which would end his season.
Willis, 23, went a combined 11-for-26 for 135 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception while being sacked six times in his two starts in 2022 against the Texans and Chiefs in Weeks 8 and 9.
Lamar Jackson Injury Update
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (knee) has been ruled out in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons for the third straight game. Tyler Huntley (shoulder) has been cleared to play and will make another start on Christmas Eve, according to head coach John Harbaugh.
Jackson hasn't been able to practice since spraining his PCL in Week 13, and it remains to be seen if he'll be able to return next week. Huntley is dealing with a right shoulder issue, but he's good to go and will once again lead Baltimore's offense.
Tyler Lockett Injury Update
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett (hand) missed practice for the second straight day this week on Wednesday. Lockett had surgery to fix a broken index finger on Monday and will not play this Saturday against the Kansas City Chiefs, but there's a chance he could return in Week 17 to face the New York Jets, so fantasy managers shouldn't outright drop him in their leagues.
Marquise Goodwin will serve as the No. 2 wideout on Christmas Eve and will have some flex appeal in what could turn into a shootout.
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