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The fantasy championship round is set to begin, and there are a ton of quarterbacks in the injury headlines. Especially in two-QB and Superflex leagues, these ailments could complicate start-or-sit decisions. Our fantasy football injury reports for quarterbacks as of Thursday, December 28 will give you the latest news on the statuses of banged-up signal-callers, including Tua Tagovailoa, Trevor Lawrence, Brock Purdy, C.J. Stroud, Will Levis, Kyler Murray, Kenny Pickett, and more.
Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football. Fantasy managers should stay locked into the latest injury headlines.
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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Tua Tagovailoa Injury Update
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (quadriceps, thumb) is listed on the Week 17 injury report with multiple injuries and was limited in the team's practice on Wednesday. Tagovailoa isn't 100 percent healthy heading into a big-time matchup against the Baltimore Ravens this Sunday, but his two injuries also don't appear to be serious enough to keep him from playing this weekend.
However, the 25-year-old left-handed QB could be without No. 2 wideout Jaylen Waddle (ankle) in a tough matchup on the road in Baltimore. Tagovailoa has been the QB11 in total fantasy points in 2023 and will be a low-end QB1 for fantasy managers during championship week in the tough matchup against the Ravens' defense.
Trevor Lawrence Injury Update
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) said his right shoulder is feeling better but he's not going to do much throwing this week as he tries to play in Week 17 against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. Lawrence was listed as a non-participant in Wednesday's practice. He suffered a sprained AC joint in the third quarter of Sunday's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
If Lawrence doesn't get cleared to play this weekend, C.J. Beathard would make his first start since the 2020 regular season finale with the San Francisco 49ers. Lawrence has yet to miss a game in his career, though, starting 49 consecutive games in the regular season and two in the playoffs since being drafted first overall in 2021. The 24-year-old can't seem to stay healthy in the second half of this year, as he's also dealt with ankle and concussion issues in recent weeks. (ESPN.com)
Brock Purdy Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (shoulder) was a full participant in the team's first practice of the week on Wednesday. Purdy has suffered stingers in his left (non-throwing) shoulder in each of the last two games, so he's definitely hurting, but it's not going to keep the MVP candidate from playing in Week 17 against the Commanders in Washington D.C.
The 24-year-old had a rough go of it in Monday night's loss to the Baltimore Ravens, throwing for 255 yards, no touchdowns, and four interceptions on 32 attempts. Although Purdy didn't return to Monday night's game, all signs are pointing toward him playing this weekend in what is as good of a bounce-back matchup as he can get. Consider him a strong midrange QB1 in fantasy in Week 17.
C.J. Stroud Injury Update
Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion), who remains in the league's concussion protocol, practiced in limited fashion on Wednesday. Head coach DeMeco Ryans said on Sunday that Stroud had been in team meetings on Friday. "He's definitely making progress," Ryans said.
The 22-year-old second overall pick has not played since suffering a concussion in the Week 14 loss to the New York Jets, but he will have a shot at returning in Week 17 this Sunday against the Tennessee Titans if he's able to clear the NFL's concussion protocol and practice this week. Veteran Case Keenum fell apart in Sunday's loss to the Cleveland Browns and was replaced by Davis Mills. If Stroud is forced to miss a third straight game, we'd expect the Texans to give Mills his first start of 2023.
Will Levis Injury Update
Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Will Levis (ankle) was a full participant in practice on Wednesday. Levis isn't pain-free after spraining his ankle in Week 15, but he's feeling much better and is on track to make another start in Week 17 versus the Houston Texans on Sunday. Veteran Ryan Tannehill threw for over 200 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions in the Week 16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, but he's set to go back to holding a clipboard on the sidelines if Levis is cleared to play this weekend.
Since making his NFL debut in Week 8, Levis has gone 147-for-249 for 1,792 yards, eight touchdowns, and four interceptions in eight games started. He's shown flashes of being the team's franchise QB but needs to get more consistent. Levis will be a low-end QB2 option in Superflex leagues against Houston if he plays on Sunday.
Kyler Murray Injury Update
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (illness) has a "holiday bug" and won't practice on Wednesday, according to head coach Jonathan Gannon. However, there isn't any concern about Murray's availability the rest of the week or for the Week 17 game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 26-year-old signal-caller has enough time to rest up and get his energy back up for Sunday's contest.
Murray threw for 230 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the Week 16 loss to the Chicago Bears without his top receiver in Marquise Brown (heel) in a tough matchup. He got a late start to the 2023 season while recovering from a torn ACL in his knee, but since making his season debut in Week 10, Murray is averaging 18.2 fantasy points per game, which is tied for 12th at the position this year.
Kenny Pickett Injury Update
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Kenny Pickett (ankle) got in a limited session on Wednesday ahead of a Week 17 matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Pickett has missed the past three games following ankle surgery and is looking unlikely to take the field for the Steelers this weekend.
That being said, his ability to practice on a limited basis means that he could be back in uniform for Pittsburgh before the end of the regular season. If Pickett ultimately ends up getting ruled out for Week 17, look for Mason Rudolph to make a second straight start.
Taylor Heinicke Injury Update
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Taylor Heinicke (ankle) was limited in Wednesday's practice. Heinicke came away from last Sunday's win over the Indianapolis Colts nursing an ankle injury but his ability to practice on a limited basis is a positive sign as the Falcons gear up to face off against the Chicago Bears in Week 17.
Keep an eye on Thursday and Friday's practice reports to see if Heinicke gets upgraded to "full" on either day. If he ultimately ends up not being able to play on Sunday, it would be Desmond Ridder back under center in Week 17.
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