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Injuries always play a key factor in fantasy football, but that's especially been the case in 2023, as the season seems to be filled with a higher-than-usual assortment of injuries to notable fantasy football players. As we head into Week 7 of the NFL season, which begins with a Thursday night game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Sanits, the amount of injury news has remained significant. These are the latest notable injury updates as of Thursday, October 19, 2023.
Fantasy football stalwarts such as Trevor Lawrence, Christian McCaffrey, David Montgomery, and many more have been dealing with injuries ahead of Week 7. 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 head coach Doug Pederson said that quarterback Trevor Lawrence (knee) will start on Thursday night against the New Orleans Saints. Lawrence just finished a 20-minute pregame workout, where he showed good lateral movement while making cuts and throwing on the run.
The 24-year-old suffered a minor left-knee sprain in the Week 6 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, but he had been trending toward playing on a short week all along despite picking up a questionable tag. Lawrence should be considered more of a high-end QB2 option in fantasy at likely less than 100 percent while going up against a strong Saints defense on the road.
Jamaal Williams Injury Update
New Orleans Saints running back Jamaal Williams (hamstring) is expected to be activated off of injured reserve in time to suit up for Thursday Night Football against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The veteran has spent the last four games on the shelf with the hamstring issue. He picked up three straight limited practices this week.
Williams will slide into a backup role behind starter Alvin Kamara. Rookie Kendre Miller may mix in as well. Williams is worthy of a spot on fantasy football rosters but does not need to be in any starting lineups.
This will help: #Saints starting RB Jamaal Williams, still on Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury, is expected to be activated and will play tonight vs. the #Jaguars, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 19, 2023
David Montgomery & Jahmyr Gibbs Injury Updates
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (ribs) will not play in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. It's not a surprise, as coach Dan Campbell noted earlier this week that Montgomery would miss some time with a rib cartilage issue.
He suffered the injury in the second quarter of the Lions' matchup against Tampa Bay. His timeline for a return is still unclear. The Lions could get back running back Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring), who is trending in the right direction. The rookie missed the last two contests but put in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday.
From @GMFB: #Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence confident he’ll play tonight vs #Saints; #Bills QB Josh Allen’s shoulder should be fine; #Lions RB Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring) and TE Sam LaPorta (calf) getting healthier. pic.twitter.com/A9Iz2MM4qZ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 19, 2023
Christian McCaffrey Injury Update
San Francisco running back Christian McCaffrey stands as the overall fantasy RB1 through the first six weeks of the season. However, the prolific fantasy producer suffered an oblique injury in the Niners' Week 6 loss to the Cleveland Browns that has his Week 7 availability in serious doubt.
#49ers coach Kyle Shanahan tells reporters that RB Christian McCaffrey had an MRI that was "encouraging" and he considers CMC day-to-day with his oblique injury.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 19, 2023
When speaking to the media on Thursday, Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan was coy about his star back's availability for the team's upcoming tilt with the Minnesota Vikings on Monday Night Football. While he didn't go into detail, Shanahan characterized McCaffrey's MRI results as "encouraging" and shared that the Niners consider him "day-to-day" with the oblique injury.
With the outlook on his Week 7 availability still very cloudy, sharp fantasy managers can hedge their bets by picking up Elijah Mitchell or Jordan Mason on the waiver wire where available.
Jimmy Garoppolo Injury Update
Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (back) has been ruled out for the Las Vegas Raiders' Week 7 game against the Chicago Bears. Garoppolo was injured on a play in Week 6 and was removed from the game and later taken to a local medical facility. With Garoppolo out, the Raiders are left to decide between Brian Hoyer and Aidan O'Connell for Sunday's start.
Hoyer took the reins in Week 6 and went 6-for-10 for 102 yards. O'Connell covered Week 4 against the Los Angeles Chargers when Garoppolo was dealing with a concussion and went 24-for-39 for 238 passing yards with an interception and three fumbles. If their recent performances in Garoppolo's stead indicate future decisions it will likely be Hoyer getting the nod, but fantasy managers should watch for more news until the Raiders make it official.
𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: #Raiders QB Jimmy Garoppolo (back) is ruled OUT for this week, per @AdamSchefter pic.twitter.com/xzBDWbL4QQ
— JPAFootball (@jasrifootball) October 19, 2023
Justin Fields Injury Update
Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (thumb) received another DNP at Thursday's practice. Fields has missed two practices this week and was already considered doubtful to play in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders after dislocating his right thumb in the Week 6 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Fantasy managers should move the 24-year-old to their benches for the week.
The Bears haven't officially named who will start under center -- rookie Tyson Bagent or Nathan Peterman -- if Fields doesn't play, but it's likely to be Bagent after he came in to replace Fields in last Sunday's loss. Bagent will be a desperation Superflex play if he makes his first career start. The 23-year-old threw an interception and lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown against Minnesota.
Bears Thursday injury report
DNP: Davis (ankle), Feeny (knee- downgraded), Fields (thumb), Jackson (foot - downgraded), R. Johnson (concussion), Lewis (rest), Smith (illness), Wright (downgraded - shoulder)
Homer (hamstring) was upgraded to full, as was Ngakoue (back). Kramer…
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) October 19, 2023
Roschon Johnson Injury Update
Chicago Bears rookie running back Roschon Johnson (concussion) missed practice for the second day in a row on Thursday as he is still managing a concussion. The rookie has not practiced since the injury in Week 5 against the Washington Commanders and remains in the league's concussion protocol.
The consecutive absences invite concern that Johnson will miss his second consecutive game. If that is the case then D'Onta Foreman will likely function once again as the Bears' lead back in Week 7 against the Las Vegas Raiders with Travis Homer (hamstring) and Darrynton Evans next in line for snaps.
Daniel Jones Injury Update
New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll said that quarterback Daniel Jones (neck) still isn't cleared for contact. Jones will be limited in practice for the second straight day on Thursday and will only do some throwing. It's not an ideal update for his chances of playing in Week 7 against the Washington Commanders.
Giants QB Daniel Jones (neck) limited at practice againhttps://t.co/dGry55xW2K pic.twitter.com/Xf0qW3a6wO
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) October 19, 2023
The 26-year-old signal-caller has taken a beating behind a porous and injured offensive line this year. He suffered a neck injury in Week 5 and was held out of the Week 6 loss to the Buffalo Bills. The Giants are optimistic this isn't a long-term injury, but it sounds like Jones is very up in the air to play this weekend.
If Jones misses a second straight game, backup Tyrod Taylor would make his second start of the season after almost leading the team to an improbable upset over the Bills last Sunday night.
Aaron Jones Injury Update
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) was seen taking part in practice on Thursday for the second straight day. Jones was listed as limited on Wednesday and hasn't put in a full practice since injuring his left hamstring in the season opener, so he'll likely be listed as limited again on Thursday.
🕺🏻 RB Aaron Jones continued to practice - and dance - on Thursday.
✅ LB Quay Walker and CB Eric Stokes also participated.
Only DNP was De’Vondre Campbell, who worked with trainers off to the side. pic.twitter.com/8hvjjXKrPC
— Wes Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) October 19, 2023
Still, it's good to see the 28-year-old getting in reps coming off the bye week after being inactive in Week 5. Jones could still be questionable on Friday's final injury report, but he appears to be trending in the right direction to play in Week 7 in a great matchup against the Denver Broncos, who give up the most fantasy points per game to the RB position. If Jones is active this Sunday, beware that he could be eased into backfield work alongside AJ Dillon.
Kyler Murray Injury Update
For the second straight day, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (knee) was seen throwing at practice on Thursday. The Cardinals opened Murray's 21-day practice window on Wednesday for him to be activated from the Physically Unable to Perform list. He was limited on Wednesday and will likely be tagged the same on Thursday.
From The Insiders on #NFLPlus: #AZCardinals QB Kyler Murray is expected to play for them this season, and one of the reasons is... they want to see him. pic.twitter.com/FNBK2NcZbr
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 19, 2023
The Cardinals' plan is to have Murray practice the next two weeks before potentially being activated to make his season debut in Week 9 on the road in Cleveland against the Browns. The 26-year-old has been rehabbing from a torn right ACL he suffered in December of 2022.
Fantasy managers looking for an upgrade at the QB position should consider stashing Murray now. Joshua Dobbs, who has competed admirably in Murray's absence, will continue to start for the Cards until Murray is deemed ready to return.
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