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The final week of the fantasy football season continues this weekend, and as always, there are plenty of key injuries to monitor ahead of Sunday's kickoff. Our injury updates and reports for Week 17 as of Friday, December 29, 2023, will give you the latest updates on key guys.
As always, some players have more "real" risk of missing Week 17 than others, but things change quickly, so it's important to stay up to date. Ja'Marr Chase, Alvin Kamara, Jaylen Waddle, Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel, Puka Nacua, Josh Jacobs, and more are in danger of missing Week 17. Fantasy managers should be ready to pivot should things go south.
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 top fantasy assets at all positions and see whether they may play in Week 17.
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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (shoulder) was limited in practice on Friday for the second straight day and is now questionable to play in Week 17 against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Chase separated his right shoulder and sprained his AC joint in Week 15 and did not play in last week's loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The 23-year-old is fighting to return this weekend and will be a must-start option for fantasy managers trying to win a championship this week.
However, the fact that the Bengals play in the later slate of games on Sunday will put fantasy managers in a difficult position if they bank on him playing and then he turns out to be inactive. Hopefully we'll have a better idea of whether he'll actually play in Week 17 by Saturday evening/Sunday morning. Chase's return would be good news for quarterback Jake Browning and bad news for receivers Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd.
Alvin Kamara Injury Update
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (illness) was added to the Week 17 injury report on Friday when he missed practice, and he's now officially questionable to play on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a big divisional clash. Kamara is under the weather heading into the weekend, although he still has a couple days to rest up and hopefully feel better enough to suit up on Sunday.
If the 28-year-old bell-cow back still isn't feeling better by Sunday and doesn't play, Jamaal Williams will enter the fantasy picture as an RB3/flex in deeper leagues. Rookie Kendre Miller (ankle) could return for the first time since spraining his ankle in Week 9, but he'd likely have a limited role. Tight end/QB hybrid Taysom Hill would likely be much more involved on the ground if Kamara is out or limited in Week 17. Kamara is a must-start if he's active on Sunday.
Jaylen Waddle Injury Update
The Miami Dolphins have ruled out wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (ankle) from the Week 17 game on Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens. Waddle suffered a high right-ankle sprain in the Week 16 win over the Dallas Cowboys and was trending toward missing this weekend's game all along. The 25-year-old's ankle sprain is believed to be on the less serious side, but it's an injury that could also keep him out for the Week 18 regular season finale against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers.
With Waddle officially out this Sunday, expect Tyreek Hill to be peppered with targets, while Cedrick Wilson Jr. and Braxton Berrios should also see more opportunities to catch passes against a tough defense on the road. Rookie running back De'Von Achane (toe) could be busy in the short passing attack. Make sure you move Waddle to your bench for Week 17.
Brock Purdy, Deebo Samuel Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) and wide receiver Deebo Samuel (neck) have been removed from the final injury report and will play against the Washington Commanders in Week 17. This development does not come as a surprise given that both players were able to practice this week.
With a very favorable matchup on tap, look for Purdy to rank as a QB1 and Samuel as a WR1 in fantasy football. George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, and Brandon Aiyuk are all must-starts, too.
Puka Nacua Injury Update
Los Angeles Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua (hip) will not practice on Friday and will be listed as questionable for Week 17 against the New York Giants on Sunday, according to head coach Sean McVay. However, Nacua is expected to play, per McVay.
It's not what fantasy managers want to hear heading into their championship matchups, especially after the impressive 23-year-old rookie had nine catches on 11 targets for a season-high 164 receiving yards while scoring a touchdown in last Thursday night's win over the New Orleans Saints. He has another nice matchup in Week 17 and should be in all starting fantasy lineups if he's active. Make sure to check back 90 minutes before the Rams kick off on Sunday morning to see that Nacua is officially active.
Josh Jacobs Injury Update
Las Vegas Raiders interim head coach Antonio Pierce said that running back Josh Jacobs (quadriceps) will be a game-time decision on Sunday for the Week 17 contest against the Indianapolis Colts. Jacobs missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday and is trying to avoid sitting out a third straight game with his quad injury.
The 25-year-old could have a shot to play on Sunday if he practices on Friday, but he could have his snaps limited if he returns this weekend as well, making him a volatile fantasy option in championship matchups. If Jacobs does sit out a third straight game, Zamir White will be on the RB3/flex radar as Vegas' primary running back. The good news for those that have to make a decision on Jacobs is that the Raiders play early on Sunday. UPDATE: Jacobs is officially listed as doubtful.
Trevor Lawrence Injury Update
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (right shoulder) did not practice this week and has officially been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers. The 24-year-old has completed 65.5 percent of his passes for 3,736 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions.
He has also added 329 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. Lawrence hadn't previously missed a game in his three-year career, but that streak will end this week. In his absence, C.J. Beathard is expected to draw the start. The veteran should be avoided in most fantasy leagues this week.
Isiah Pacheco Injury Update
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (concussion, shoulder) is officially listed as questionable to play in Week 17 on Sunday versus the visiting Cincinnati Bengals. Pacheco missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday but was able to return to the practice field on Friday. A shoulder injury kept the 24-year-old second-year back out of action in Weeks 14 and 15, but he returned on Christmas Day against the Las Vegas Raiders, only to be kneed in the head after his helmet came off.
It remains to be seen if Pacheco can clear the league's concussion protocol before Sunday and play. If he cannot, the Chiefs backfield could be in dire straights with La'Mical Perine as the starter since Clyde Edwards-Helaire is also questionable to play on Sunday due to an illness. Whoever does get the starting nod at RB for the Chiefs will have a great matchup.
Michael Pittman Jr. Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (concussion) has cleared the league's concussion protocol and is on track to return and play in Week 17 this Sunday against the Las Vegas Raiders. The writing was on the wall for Pittman to return this weekend following a one-game absence after he was cleared for contact and was a full-go in Thursday's practice session. The 26-year-old now needs to be reinserted into all starting fantasy lineups with championship trophies on the line in most leagues this week.
Pittman ranks 17th among wideouts with 12.8 half-PPR fantasy points per game in 2023 and has a total of 99 receptions for 1,062 yards and four touchdowns this season in 14 games played. He's quarterback Gardner Minshew's top target and should be busy in Week 17 in his return to action.
Keenan Allen, Joshua Palmer Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers Keenan Allen (heel) and Joshua Palmer (concussion) have been ruled out for the Week 17 contest versus the Broncos in Denver on Sunday. Allen will be missed his third straight game and can now be dropped by any fantasy managers in leagues that end in Week 17. There's a good chance neither wideout will play in the Week 18 regular season finale against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs, either.
With both Allen and Palmer out against Denver, rookie first-rounder Quentin Johnston will get another chance to prove himself, with Jalen Guyton, Alex Erickson and Derius Davis also having expanded roles as pass-catchers for quarterback Easton Stick. Tight end Gerald Everett becomes a more enticing low-end TE1 for fantasy managers as well.
DK Metcalf Injury Update
Seattle Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (back) is officially questionable to play against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. The injury popped up during practice this week, creating real uncertainty about his status for this weekend's contest.
The Seahawks have not yet disclosed whether he practiced Friday, but it certainly appears that the star wideout is trending in the wrong direction. Metcalf could be a true game-time decision, in which case his status would be in limbo until the official list of inactives is released 90 minutes prior to kickoff. If Metcalf is inactive, Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba would both have larger roles, bumping them into the WR3 tier for fantasy football.
Brian Robinson Jr. Injury Update
Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. (hamstring) doesn't have an injury designation for Week 17 and has been cleared to return this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. The 24-year-old was injured in Week 13, had the Week 14 bye to rest and then missed Weeks 15 and 16. In his absence, rookie Chris Rodriguez Jr. (ankle) and pass-catching specialist Antonio Gibson split Washington's backfield.
Rodriguez is now on Injured Reserve and will miss the final two regular season games, allowing Robinson to return to his early-down role for the Commanders. However, Robinson has a terrible matchup in his return against San Francisco's defense and could be eased back into a full-time role this weekend. B-Rob will be more of a volatile RB3/flex for fantasy managers in championship week.
Jordan Addison Injury Update
Minnesota Vikings rookie wide receiver Jordan Addison (ankle) is officially listed as questionable to play on Sunday Night Football in Week 17 against the Green Bay Packers. Addison returned to a limited practice on Thursday after sitting out on Wednesday, which gives him a chance to play this weekend following an ankle injury that he suffered in the Week 16 loss to the Detroit Lions.
The 21-year-old first-rounder will be an extremely risky fantasy commodity during championship week because of his questionable tag and the fact that the Vikings play in the final game of the week. Minnesota is also moving to rookie quarterback Jaren Hall for this one, so it makes sense to play it safe and avoid Addison in Week 17. If he's inactive, K.J. Osborn, who had a big game in Week 16 after Addison got hurt, would serve as the No. 2 behind All-Pro Justin Jefferson.
Marquise Brown Injury Update
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (heel) has been placed on Injured Reserve, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. It means that Brown will miss the final two games of the 2023 season after aggravating a heel injury in Week 15. Injuries were obviously partly to blame, but the 26-year-old had the worst season of his career in 2023, finishing with 51 catches for 574 yards and four touchdowns on 101 targets in 14 games.
He ended up playing only three full games with quarterback Kyler Murray this year and only had one notable performance while working with Murray. There will be a lot of changes coming for the Cardinals franchise this offseason, and Brown could very well find himself playing somewhere else in 2024, especially since he'll be an unrestricted free agent in March.
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