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With the fantasy football playoff championship finals underway in most leagues for Week 17 of the NFL season, injuries continue to impact the upcoming schedule. These play a huge factor in start/sit decisions for fantasy managers and can impact league titles. Our injury updates and reports for Week 17 as of Sunday, December 31, 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 17 of the NFL season has featured many notable fantasy football players such as Raheem Mostert, Isiah Pacheco, Ja'Marr Chase, Josh Jacobs, 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 17.
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Raheem Mostert Injury Update
According to NFL Media's Tom Pelissero, Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) isn't expected to suit up on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. It's a tough blow for the Dolphins. It's also not an ideal scenario for fantasy managers, considering Mostert has 21 touchdowns this season.
#Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert, who is tied for the NFL lead with 21 TDs, is expected to be inactive Sunday against the #Ravens, sources tell me and @RapSheet.
Mostert barely practiced this week because of knee and ankle injuries. Big loss for Miami, and fantasy teams everywhere … pic.twitter.com/NI9Mdy4ndL
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 31, 2023
With Miami and Buffalo potentially battling for the AFC East in Week 18, the team will likely do whatever is necessary to get Mostert back on the field. At any rate, De'Von Achane (toe) will be the featured back on Sunday, making him a must-start in all formats. There's also room for Jeff Wilson Jr. to get somewhat involved for those looking for a streaming option.
Ja'Marr Chase Injury Update
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (shoulder) has been listed as questionable but is "likely" to play against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday afternoon, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. If confirmed as active pregame, the star pass-catcher will have missed just one game due to the injury he suffered in Week 15 versus Minnesota.
#Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase (shoulder) participated in Saturday's walk-through and is likely to play today after missing just one game, source said. He talked this week like a player making his return.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 31, 2023
Chase has survived the Bengals' quarterback change from Joe Burrow (wrist) to Jake Browning, ultimately catching 93 passes for 1,156 yards and seven touchdowns over the course of 14 games. He remains a strong WR1 option in fantasy football.
Michael Pittman Jr. Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (concussion, shoulder) is expected to suit up for Sunday's game versus the Raiders. Pittman didn't play in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons, allowing Josh Downs, Kylen Granson, and Alec Pierce to combine for 23 targets from Gardner Minshew. All three players should continue to be involved on Sunday. However, Pittman has the best chance to lead the way on the receiving end, with everyone else fighting for the remaining scraps.
Isiah Pacheco Injury Update
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (concussion) has cleared the league's concussion protocol. That being said, Pacheco is expected to suit up for the Week 17 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Chiefs could certainly use his help as they find themselves in danger of losing the divisional title. The expectation is that Pacheco will resume his role as the workhorse back in the offense. Fantasy managers should wait until the official word, but they should be able to plug Pacheco back into their lineups on Sunday.
#Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco has cleared the NFL’s concussion protocol and is expected to play, source said. He was listed as questionable with a concussion and also a shoulder injury.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 30, 2023
Josh Jacobs Injury Update
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (quad) did not practice this week and is officially doubtful to play against the Indianapolis Colts. At this rate, it appears that he will miss his third consecutive game. Fantasy managers can expect Zamir White to operate as the Raiders' top running back with Jacobs sidelined. The 24-year-old has been quite productive over his two starts, registering 214 rushing yards, 16 receiving yards, and one touchdown. He should be treated as a mid-to-low RB2 in most fantasy leagues this week.
Kenneth Walker III and DK Metcalf Injury Updates
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (shoulder, illness) is expected to play in Sunday's game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Walker's status had been a major point of discussion ever since the Seahawks listed him as questionable on Friday. Assuming he's around 100 percent on Sunday, fantasy managers can trust him to earn solid volume. He has 39 touches over his last two games and should continue to be viewed as an RB2 option in most leagues.
#Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III (shoulder, illness) and WR DK Metcalf (back) are both listed as questionable and both are in a good place to play, sources said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 31, 2023
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (back) is expected to play in Sunday's game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers despite being listed as questionable, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Metcalf missed practice on Thursday and Friday, but it appears that he has made enough progress over the last 48 hours to suit up for the Seahawks' penultimate regular-season game. He should continue to be deployed as a mid-range WR2 option in most leagues.
Zay Flowers Injury Update
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (calf) is currently listed as questionable for Sunday's Week 17 matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Despite the questionable tag, Flowers is expected to suit up for this game. The young wideout missed the first two practices of the week before returning to the field on Friday.
Sources: #Ravens standout rookie WR Zay Flowers is expected to play Sunday vs the #Dolphins. @BleacherReport
Baltimore can clinch the AFC’s No. 1 with a victory. pic.twitter.com/j5fiT3DwmP
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) December 31, 2023
It doesn't sound like Flowers is going to be 100 percent healthy, but he should still be able to contribute. Fantasy managers will have to check back ahead of game time for another update on his status. Barring any setbacks, Flowers should be out there this weekend.
Kyler Murray Injury Update
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (illness) is expected to play in Week 17 despite being listed as questionable, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Murray had missed back-to-back practices before returning in a limited capacity on Friday, though head coach Jonathan Gannon was clearly optimistic about his quarterback's availability for the Cardinals' penultimate regular-season contest. He'll rank as a fringe QB1 in most fantasy leagues this week.
Cole Kmet Injury Update
Updating his previous report, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport is reporting that Bears tight end Cole Kmet is considered a true game-time decision against the Atlanta Falcons. Kmet was able to get in a practice session on Friday after missing practice throughout the week, but he's dealing with soreness that will be tested out in pre-game workouts. Kmet's fantasy managers should keep a close eye on this situation and be prepared to be without him in Week 17.
Updating this: Cole Kmet is now considered to be a game-time decision, wanting to test out his knee before a decision is made. This is based on overall soreness today. https://t.co/K78ea2tCcY
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 31, 2023
Puka Nacua Injury Update
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (hip) had been listed as questionable but is expected to play in Week 17 versus the New York Giants, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The rookie sensation was added to the injury report after missing practice on Friday, but it appears he has made enough progress over the last 36 hours to play in the Rams' penultimate regular-season game.
#Rams WR Puka Nacua, who has a hip injury and is questionable, is expected to play toady, per me and @MikeGarafolo.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 31, 2023
Through 15 contests this season, Nacua has 96 catches, 1,327 yards, and five touchdowns. He ranks seventh among wide receivers in fantasy points and will continue to rank as a solid WR2 option in Week 17.
Jordan Addison Injury Update
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) had been listed as questionable but is expected to play in Week 17 versus the Green Bay Packers, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The rookie has produced inconsistent results this season; he has delivered single-digit fantasy points in four of his last five games, but the one exception was an incredible Week 15 outing in which he caught six passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
#Vikings WR Jordan Addison (ankle) is listed as questionable and is playing today, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 31, 2023
While he will continue to operate as the Vikings' No. 2 receiver behind Justin Jefferson, he should earn increased opportunities with T.J. Hockenson (knee) done for the season. Look for Addison to rank as a WR3/FLEX option in fantasy football this week.
C.J. Stroud Injury Update
Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) was able to get through his second straight full practice session on Friday. The rookie quarterback cleared the league's concussion protocol on Thursday. Fantasy managers should expect Stroud to be out there for the Week 17 matchup against the Tennessee Titans. The Texans still have a chance at the postseason, so the expectation is that they will continue to start Stroud. The Texans are finally getting healthy at wide receiver, so Stroud should be able to hold low-end QB1 value for this weekend.
Jacoby Brissett Injury Update
After being named the Commanders' starting QB earlier in the week, Jacoby Brissett now looks very doubtful to take the field in Week 17. The veteran is dealing with a hamstring injury that will likely keep him out of the team's Week 17 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.
Commanders’ QB Jacoby Brissett, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a hamstring injury, is unlikely to play but the team wants to see how he feels in pre-game warmups before making any decisions, per source. If Brissett can’t start, Sam Howell will.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 31, 2023
With Brissett not likely to suit up against the Niners, Washington will turn back to Sam Howell under center in Week 17. Howell has played the entire season and his presence shouldn't drastically change the outlook for any Washington pass catchers in this tough matchup.
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