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The second round of the fantasy football playoffs begins in Week 16, and as always, there are plenty of key injuries that could affect start-or-sit decisions. Our fantasy football injury reports as of Tuesday, December 19 will give you the latest news on the top banged-up players heading into Week 16 including Ja'Marr Chase, Isiah Pacheco, Chris Olave, Keaton Mitchell, Zack Moss, and more. It's early in the week, so any of these players could have significant changes to their status later on.
Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football. It's early in the week, but there's never a wrong time to check in on key players on your fantasy rosters.
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.
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Ja'Marr Chase Injury Update
Cincinnati Bengals star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (shoulder) is likely to miss some time after undergoing an MRI exam on his separated shoulder on Monday, according to sources. Chase is expected to be sidelined for this Saturday's game against the division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16, and his absence could extend beyond that, too. It's pretty bad news for the Bengals as they chase a playoff spot in the AFC and Chase's fantasy managers with the semifinals and finals upcoming in most leagues.
The 23-year-old suffered an AC joint sprain in his right shoulder in Saturday's overtime win over the Minnesota Vikings. Fantasy managers should plan to be without him for at least this week. If Chase is ultimately ruled out, Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd will see more targets, while rookie running back Chase Brown should remain heavily involved in the short passing game.
Isiah Pacheco Injury Update
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) is expected to return to the lineup and face the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 16. Pacheco missed each of the last two games with a shoulder injury, propelling Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Jerick McKinnon into elevated roles.
Head coach Andy Reid said Pacheco should be back for Monday's Christmas Day game in Kansas City. He'll be good to go this week unless there's further setback,'' Reid said. "Right now, everything's positive for him to go and he really had a clearance last week from the fellow that did the surgery to go, so it was just a matter of being [cautious] on it."
The Raiders have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points per game to running backs this year, so despite the injury concerns, Pacheco sets up to be a must-start in the second round of the fantasy football playoffs. (ESPN.com)
Chris Olave Injury Update
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave (ankle) was listed as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report. Olave was unable to practice last week and was ruled out of the Week 15 win over the New York Giants. On a short week with the Saints playing on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 16, Olave could be on his way to missing a second straight game.
Check back on Tuesday to see if the 23-year-old can return to what will likely be a walkthrough, but fantasy managers shouldn't get their hopes up and expect the second-year wideout to play this week. With Olave out this past Sunday, running back Alvin Kamara led the team in receptions (five) and receiving yards (44), while tight ends Juwan Johnson and Jimmy Graham and receiver Keith Kirkwood all caught touchdown passes.
Keaton Mitchell Injury Update
Baltimore Ravens running back Keaton Mitchell (knee) suffered a full ACL tear in the Week 15 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday Night Football. According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, there is optimism for a full recovery.
However, he's obviously out for the remainder of the 2023 season and any playoff games the Ravens take part in. It's a disappointing end to a promising rookie season for the speedster, who produced 396 rushing yards on just 47 attempts (8.4 YPC) this season. In his absence, expect Justice Hill and Gus Edwards to split Baltimore's backfield duties.
Zack Moss Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss (shoulder) plans to try to play in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday despite the fact that he injured his shoulder in the Week 15 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday, according to a source. X-rays came back negative on Moss' shoulder, and he has to "see how he progresses through the week." It will all come down to how much the 26-year-old can do in practice leading up to next Sunday's game.
It's also possible that Jonathan Taylor (thumb) is able to return in Week 16 following three straight missed games after having thumb surgery. It's a good bet that one of Moss or Taylor will be available against the Falcons, but if not, the Colts will have to turn to a combination of Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson.
Will Levis Injury Update
Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis (ankle), who suffered a lower-body injury late in the Week 15 overtime loss to the Houston Texans on Sunday, is believed to have suffered a sprained right ankle, according to a source. He will undergo an MRI exam on Monday. "I'm all right. It could have been a lot worse," Levis said after the game. The 24-year-old was twisted up as he was tackled, but apparently, his injury isn't as bad as it looked, and he was able to leave the field under his own power.
Still, Levis could be in danger of sitting out in Week 16 against the Seattle Seahawks, depending on the results of his MRI and how much he can do in practice this week. If Levis cannot play this weekend, both Ryan Tannehill and Malik Willis would be candidates to start under center for the Titans.
Aaron Rodgers Injury Update
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (Achilles) is expected to gain medical clearance to play this week, but it remains unlikely that he will play in the final three games of the regular season with the Jets eliminated from playoff contention.
The Jets' front office doesn't want Rodgers risking the 2024 season by coming back this year with nothing on the line. Rodgers himself has also said that he will not make a return this year if the Jets don't have anything to play for by Week 16 on Christmas Eve against the Washington Commanders, which is now the case. With all that said, it will be a surprise if the Jets officially activate Rodgers from injured reserve by the deadline this Wednesday.
Zach Wilson is in the league's concussion protocol now, so not only is Rodgers unlikely to play this Sunday, but now it could be Trevor Siemian making the start.
Kenny Pickett Injury Update
The Pittsburgh Steelers plan to start quarterback Mason Rudolph on Saturday in Week 16 against the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals, but they are also leaving "the door ajar" for Kenny Pickett (ankle) in case he is able to return from his high-ankle sprain, according to head coach Mike Tomlin. The Steelers have lost both of Mitch Trubisky's starts and pulled him late in the fourth quarter of Saturday's loss against the Indianapolis Colts for Rudolph.
Pittsburgh has now lost three straight overall and is 7-7 and on the outside looking in on the current AFC playoff picture. Tomlin said Pickett would be limited in practice this week. The Steelers aren't ruling anything out just yet, but it's more likely that Pickett will return in Week 17 against the Seattle Seahawks on New Year's Eve. (ESPN.com)
Marquise Brown Injury Update
Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said that as of now, wide receiver Marquise Brown (heel) is unlikely to be placed on injured reserve. Gannon also said the team will know more about the status of tight end Geoff Swaim (calf) by Wednesday. Brown injured his heel in the Week 13 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers and then had the Week 14 bye to rest. However, he was still questionable for the Week 15 contest against the San Francisco 49ers.
Hollywood suited up on Sunday but aggravated his heel injury, leaving his status for Week 16 against the Chicago Bears on Christmas Eve up in the air. Amidst his heel injury, the 26-year-old hasn't caught a pass since Week 12. Expect Brown to miss practice time this week, making him a pretty volatile fantasy asset during the semifinals in most leagues this week.
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