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While regular season fantasy football league championships have already been decided, injuries continue to impact grinders who are still battling it out in playoff leagues and challenges, as well as those participating in NFL DFS contests or prop betting. Our injury updates and reports for Wild Card Weekend as of Sunday, January 14, 2024, will give you the latest updates on key fantasy football assets and help you to make informed roster decisions.
The injury news for Wild Card Weekend has featured many notable fantasy football players such as Sam LaPorta, Christian Watson, A.J. Brown, 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 during the Wild Card round of the NFL Playoffs.
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Christian Watson Injury Update
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring), who is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys after logging three consecutive limited practices, will work out pregame to determine whether he can play, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.
Watson has been sidelined since early December, but "there is some optimism that he can go" this week, Rapoport notes. If active, Watson and Jayden Reed would operate as the Packers' top wide receivers. In such a scenario, expect Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, and Bo Melton to also get involved.
#Packers WR Christian Watson, out since Dec. 3, will work out pregame to test his hamstring and determine if he can play today, source said. For the first time in a month, there is some optimism that he can go. But the workout is key.
Star CB Jaire Alexander is viewed as 50/50.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2024
A.J. Dillon Injury Update
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that running back AJ Dillon (neck, thumb) is doubtful to play in Sunday's wild-card playoff contest against the Dallas Cowboys. Dillon missed practices on Wednesday and Thursday after missing the Week 18 win over the Chicago Bears due to a stinger he suffered in Week 17. He's also recovering from a fractured thumb, but the stinger is the more serious injury and the one that will likely cause him to miss a second straight game.
Game statuses for Sunday's game at Dallas:
DOUBTFUL: AJ Dillon.
QUESTIONABLE: Jaire Alexander, Christian Watson.
Romeo Doubs is good to go.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) January 12, 2024
With Dillon likely out this weekend, it will make Aaron Jones more attractive in DFS lineups at a reasonable price against a Dallas defense that has been soft against the run at times this year. Patrick Taylor will most likely operate as Jones' backup in Dallas on Sunday.
Sam LaPorta Injury Update
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) is trending toward being active for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Rams, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. As it stands, LaPorta is currently listed as questionable. He injured himself in last Sunday's regular-season finale and missed two consecutive practices before returning in a full capacity on Friday.
#Lions Pro Bowl rookie TE Sam LaPorta, who suffered a bone bruise and hyperextended knee, is trending in the right direction to play vs the #Rams, per me and @TomPelissero. Very limited in practice, LaPorta will likely wear a brace. But he intends to be out there with his team.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2024
Rapoport notes that the breakout rookie will likely wear a brace versus the Rams, but he wants to be on the field and help his team extend its playoff run. The former Iowa Hawkeye is a very intriguing option in DFS contests and the props market given his huge year and the Rams' struggles to defend tight ends.
Tyler Higbee Injury Update
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (shoulder) is listed as questionable for the team's wild-card contest on Sunday night versus the Detroit Lions, according to head coach Sean McVay. Despite dislocating his left shoulder in Week 17 and sitting out the meaningless Week 18 regular-season finale against the San Francisco 49ers, Higbee should be fine to suit up on Sunday night after putting in limited practices this week.
Jordan Fuller, Joe Noteboom, Troy Reeder, Kevin Dotson and Tyler Higbee will all be questionable for Rams' playoff game at Detroit, Sean McVay says.
Fuller is still a true game-time decision with his ankle injury: "We’ll use every day with him."
Doston, Higbee should be fine.
— Greg Beacham (@gregbeacham) January 12, 2024
Still, the 31-year-old could be limited in what he can do if he's indeed active on wild-card weekend, making him a risky lower-priced DFS option for the weekend slate of six games. If Higbee is limited at all, rookie Davis Allen and Brycen Hopkins could see more snaps on offense. Higbee was a touchdown-dependent, low-end TE1, at best, during the regular season and finished with 47 catches, 495 yards, and just two touchdowns on 70 targets.
Gabe Davis Injury Update
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott has ruled out wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) and safety Taylor Rapp (calf) for Monday's wild-card playoff game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Davis suffered a knee injury in the Week 18 win over the Miami Dolphins and is now being forced to sit out of the first playoff game in Buffalo.
#Bills WR Gabe Davis has been ruled out with his PCL sprain, a big loss for Buffalo. S Taylor Rapp, who made the game's biggest play last week, also ruled out.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2024
It remains to be seen if the 24-year-old would be available next week if the Bills advance to the Divisional Round. In Davis' absence, it will mean more work for Stefon Diggs and Khalil Shakir, while Trent Sherfield should also see an increase in role as Buffalo's No. 3. Tight ends Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox (illness) could see more targets in the passing game, too, albeit in a game that is expected to have inclement weather conditions.
A.J. Brown Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee) has been ruled out for his team's wild-card matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday night. Brown injured his knee during a Week 18 loss to the New York Giants and will not be able to suit up in his team's playoff game, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. According to Schefter, Brown worked hard in his rehab to get on the field vs. Tampa Bay but he will be held out of the contest.
Eagles’ WR A.J. Brown, who worked hard in his rehab to try to make it back this week, is out for Monday night’s wild-card matchup vs. the Bucs due to his sprained knee, per sources. Brown has made enough progress that, if the Eagles advance, he could return for the divisional… pic.twitter.com/CsOBMWgE1q
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 13, 2024
Brown has reportedly progressed enough in his rehab that if the Eagles can beat the Buccaneers and advance to the next round of the playoffs, he could return to action. With Brown out, DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert become high-end plays in DFS contests while Quez Watkins becomes a name worth sprinkling into tournament lineups.
Jalen Hurts Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (finger) doesn't have an injury designation ahead of Monday's Wild-Card contest against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The star signal-caller exited early during the regular season finale due to dislocated middle finger. He was limited in practice to start the week, but was able to get in back-to-back full practice sessions to close out the practice week.
Saturday injury report#PHIvsTB pic.twitter.com/uffyuzjPW1
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 13, 2024
It doesn't sound like Hurts is going to be limited at all during Monday's contest. He'll be without star wideout A.J. Brown (knee) for this game. That means, DeVonta Smith, Julio Jones, and Dallas Goedert will need to step up in the receiving game. Hurts will be a high-priced, but solid DFS option for this weekend's slate.
DeVonta Smith Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (ankle) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Monday's playoff matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Smith sat out of the Week 18 loss to the New York Giants due to mild ankle sprain. Luckily, Smith was able to get through full practice sessions this week. He appears to be a full-go for this game, which is great news for the Eagles offense that is without A.J. Brown (knee) for Monday's game. That being said, Smith will be the No. 1 wideout for this game and a strong DFS option.
D'Andre Swift Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift (illness) has been removed from the injury report ahead of Monday's Wild-Card game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Swift sat out of the regular season finale due to an illness. It's likely that Swift would've played if it was playoff game, but team didn't want to risk anything. The expectation is that Swift would be back to his normal role. In fact, Swift could have an increased role as a pass-catcher with wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee) ruled out for this game.
Baker Mayfield Injury Update
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (ankle, ribs) is currently listed as questionable ahead of Monday's playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Mayfield has been dealing with a ribs issue for some time now, but recently picked up an ankle injury. He was able to hobble his way through the regular season finale but didn't look like himself.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield, who is listed as questionable with ankle and ribs injuries, is expected to play Monday against the Eagles, per source.
— Jeff Howe (@jeffphowe) January 13, 2024
Mayfield was a limited participant during Friday's practice but is still expected to suit up for this game. However, it's unknown what version of Mayfield we're going to get in this game. He probably won't be fully healthy, which means he'll be a risky DFS option. Although, even a banged-up Mayfield is still a better option than having Kyle Trask under center.
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