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With fantasy football playoff leagues and DFS contests nearing, it's time to check in on key players in the injury headlines. Not having star players available during the NFL playoffs is unfortunate, and a few teams could be dealing with that at the start of Wild Card Weekend. Our injury updates and reports for Wild Card Weekend as of Friday, January 12, 2024, will give you the latest updates on key guys.
As always, some players have more "real" risk of missing this week's game than others, but things change quickly, so it's important to stay up to date. A.J. Brown, Jalen Hurts, Sam LaPorta, Gabe Davis, and more are in danger of missing the first round of the NFL playoffs. Fantasy managers and DFSers 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 this weekend.
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A.J. Brown Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (knee) was not seen at practice on Friday for the second straight day this week. Brown injured his knee in the Week 18 loss to the New York Giants on Sunday, and although it's not believed to be a serious injury, he has yet to practice this week and is a big question mark for Monday's wild-card playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Given his high DFS salary and the fact that quarterback Jalen Hurts (finger) dislocated the middle finger on his right throwing hand last week, Brown has become an extremely risky fantasy lineup option for the first round of the playoffs. DeVonta Smith (ankle), who missed Week 18, and tight end Dallas Goedert could be heavily involved in the passing attack if Brown is out or limited against Tampa Bay.
Jalen Hurts Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (finger) did not throw the ball much at all, if at all, during the team's practice on Thursday, according to a source. It's a tough injury for Hurts, who dislocated the middle finger on his right throwing hand in the Week 18 loss to the New York Giants. Hopefully, he will be able to throw more before heading to Tampa on Sunday to prepare to face the Buccaneers in the wild-card playoff game on Monday night.
The 25-year-old was the QB2 in overall fantasy points during the regular season, behind only Josh Allen, but he's trending toward being a pretty shaky DFS play during wild-card weekend, especially at such a high price point. On top of Hurts' own injury, his top two wideouts -- A.J. Brown (knee) and DeVonta Smith (ankle) -- are also beat up and could be playing at less than 100 percent.
Sam LaPorta Injury Update
Detroit Lions rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) is officially listed as questionable to play in Sunday night's wild-card playoff game against the Los Angeles Rams. After missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, LaPorta went through a full practice on Friday for the first time this week, giving him a chance to suit up this weekend. In other Lions tight end news, James Mitchell (hand) was ruled out, so if LaPorta doesn't get the green light, Brock Wright (hip) should serve as the Lions' primary pass-catching tight end.
Wright missed the final three games of the regular season but has been cleared to play against LA. The 23-year-old LaPorta was the top-scoring TE in fantasy leagues in his first year in the NFL, but he's trending as a high-priced DFS risk/reward for this weekend if he's able to play through a bone bruise and a hyperextended knee that he suffered in Week 18.
Gabe Davis Injury Update
Buffalo Bills head coach Sean McDermott has ruled out wide receiver Gabe Davis (knee) and safety Taylor Rapp (calf) for Sunday'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. 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.
D'Andre Swift Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles running back D'Andre Swift (illness) is apparently feeling much better this week and was a full participant in the team's first practice of the week on Thursday. Swift was questionable for the Week 18 regular season finale against the New York Giants last Sunday and was eventually held out as a precaution. The 24-year-old should be ready to rock as Philly's lead back in Monday night's wild-card playoff matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the road.
The Eagles could choose to lean more on their ground game on Monday with quarterback Jalen Hurts (finger) and receivers A.J. Brown (knee) and DeVonta Smith (ankle) ailing, but the matchup against Tampa also isn't great for Philly's backfield. The Buccaneers defense allowed the third-fewest half-PPR points per game (15.4) to opposing RBs all year.
Christian Watson Injury Update
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said that wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) is questionable to face the Dallas Cowboys on the road on Sunday in the wild-card playoff contest. It looked like Watson was close to playing in Week 18 against the Chicago Bears for the first time since straining his right hamstring in Week 13, but the Packers chose to play it safe and hold him out for a fifth straight game.
The 24-year-old put in more limited practices this week and is trending toward a return, but it's hard to recommend him for DFS lineups as anything more than a boom/bust player because of his extended absence. Watson is an even more risky lineup option, considering the fact that rookies Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks and Romeo Doubs (chest) will all be active against Dallas.
Jameson Williams Injury Update
Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (ankle) practiced in full all week and was removed from the final injury report on Friday for wild-card weekend. The second-year pass-catcher will be active on Sunday night to face the visiting Los Angeles Rams, and he's expected to serve as the No. 3 receiver behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and Josh Reynolds with Kalif Raymond (knee) having been ruled out.
There's a chance rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) won't play either, so Williams could end up being a deep DFS sleeper that ends up paying off if he can make a big play or two down the field. In addition to more opportunities in the passing game for Detroit this weekend, the Rams defense was a top-10 matchup for opposing receivers during the regular season.
AJ 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. 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.
Tyler Higbee Injury Update
Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee (shoulder) will be 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.
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.
Kalif Raymond Injury Update
Detroit Lions wide receiver Kalif Raymond (knee) did not practice all week and has officially been ruled out for the wild-card playoff game on Sunday night versus the Los Angeles Rams. Raymond injured his knee in the Week 18 win over the Chicago Bears and isn't ready to play in the first round of the playoffs. It remains to be seen if the 29-year-old will be ready to roll if Detroit advances to the Divisional Round next weekend.
In his absence, Josh Reynolds and second-year man Jameson Williams (ankle) will take on bigger roles behind No. 1 wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. Rookie tight end Sam LaPorta (knee) is questionable as well, so if he doesn't suit up, there will be even more targets to go around for Detroit's pass-catchers in a game that has plenty of high-scoring potential. The Lions will also need a new punt returner this weekend with Raymond sidelined.
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