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Week 12 of the NFL's 2024 slate is coming up, and as the fantasy football playoffs draw closer, it's becoming more important than ever to stay ahead of injury news for key players. Leaving a hurt player in your lineup can result in disaster.
The author of this article missed out on the fantasy playoffs in 2022 because New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara ended up being inactive for an early morning game overseas and lost his matchup that week by 0.7 points, so yes, sometimes the worst can truly happen.
With that in mind, let's go through the biggest injury news of the week. Make sure to keep an eye on these players in your leagues, so you can sub them out of your lineups if they're inactive or make better start/sit decisions.
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Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist) revealed earlier in the season that he's dealing with a torn ligament in his wrist. It's safe to assume that this will bother him all season. To what degree it's affecting his play isn't known, but he's part of a load-management regimen issued to him by the team.
🎥 Tyreek Hill reveals he has opted out of wrist surgery and he will play through the injury: "I just got to suck it up and just deal with the pain... it's my call at the end of the day and my call is to stay out on the field." (@MiamiDolphins) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/bXparkw89Z
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) November 14, 2024
He'll likely be dealing with the pain all season. It could obviously affect his ability to catch passes, but he hasn't had issues with that so far this year. It's unlikely this will hold him out of Week 12, but this kind of injury can be re-aggravated, so fantasy managers should keep a close eye on any future updates.
Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
In a similar manner to Hill, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (ankle) will likely be managing his practice workloads and using the week to rest due to an ankle issue. He may pop up on the injury report listed with other ailments moving forward, but unless indicated otherwise, they may just be non-issues for fantasy purposes.
The #Eagles listed QB Jalen Hurts as limited in practice with an ankle injury.
Hurts told reporters it's part of a "mini-program" to be healthy for the stretch run and he'll fully practice the next two days.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) November 20, 2024
It can be frustrating to have players who are listed as "Questionable" at some point nearly every week before their games, but fantasy managers should at least be glad that the team is focused on keeping their star QB healthy. Hurts uses his legs to gain yards and power in for "Tush Push" touchdowns often, so extra rest is warranted.
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (hamstring) appears to be set to return to play in Week 12, which is fantastic news! He's planning to suit up for the first time since picking up his injury in Week 7 against the Baltimore Ravens and being forced to exit the game.
Mike Evans is planning to play this Sunday vs. the Giants 🙌 pic.twitter.com/G6JHToBdbF
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) November 20, 2024
It's unknown whether he'll be at 100%, but considering his Week 7 injury was a re-aggravation of an existing issue, it's hard to imagine that the Bucs would rush him back. He should surely be started in all fantasy leagues, as his upside is tremendous. He'll be the clear primary target for quarterback Baker Mayfield due to the absence of WR Chris Godwin (ankle).
George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (hamstring) is known as one of the NFL's "Iron Men" for battling through a multitude of injuries every season and still taking the field. Unfortunately, he missed his second contest of the year in Week 11. Hammies don't play around, and they're muscles you can't mess with health-wise.
Niners TE George Kittle says he'll play vs. Packers after missing Seahawks game with hamstring injuryhttps://t.co/w50eErcE7Y pic.twitter.com/mZwre7LTSf
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) November 20, 2024
Fortunately (the opposite of unfortunately!), Kittle himself told reporters he would play in Week 12. Apparently he "can't miss" a game against the Packers. He may not be playing at 100%, though, given his penchant for playing through tough bodily issues. Fantasy managers will start him anyway because he's elite.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (back/foot) was limited at practice on Wednesday with back and foot injuries, but there haven't been any indications that they're serious. He could be dealing with soreness or something else minor, and it's reported that he's expected to play in Week 12 regardless.
After dealing with a shoulder injury, #Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb popped up on injury report with a back injury this weekend and was listed as questionable. A team source tells me “everything right now is pointing for him to play” I’ll have more from AT&T stadium later today
— Jane Slater (@SlaterNFL) November 18, 2024
These issues should be of minimal concern to fantasy managers. We don't have specific details about the issues, so we can't speculate on exactly what they are, but Jane Slater is a trustworthy NFL Insider with credible sources. Lamb should be fine, come game time.
Isiah Pacheco, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (fibula, ankle) had his practice window opened and returned to practice last Wednesday. It's not known whether he'll play in Week 12, but it seems like he could miss another week while he recovers from the injury that knocked him out after Week 2.
Isiah Pacheco has officially returned to practice 📈
(via @KSHB41)pic.twitter.com/N9RnepSxLl
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) November 13, 2024
He's officially listed on the injury report with an ankle injury, and while the details of that aren't known, there could be some soreness that's built up due to his return after so much time with little activity. Fantasy managers should expect him to be limited, and it's likely he'll be in a committee with RB Kareem Hunt when he returns, at least initially.
After such an injury, it makes sense for the team to bring him back to play but limit his workload at first. Over time, he should ramp back up to his original workload, but that will take at least a few games.
UPDATE: Pacheco has officially been ruled out. He will not play in Week 12.
Darnell Mooney, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (hamstring) is dealing with dreaded hamstring issues. While even hearing the word can strike fear into the hearts of fantasy managers, and rightfully so, it's reported that initial indications are that it's not a serious issue.
Early prognosis is #Falcons WR Darnell Mooney's hamstring injury from Sunday is not serious, per source.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) November 18, 2024
It's unknown at this time whether Mooney will be able to take the field in Week 13 (luckily, the Falcons have a bye week in Week 12), but it'll be important to keep an eye on this one. Hammy issues can knock players out of action for long stretches, though they can also take a week or less to heal.
Calvin Ridley, WR, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley (illness) is dealing with an illness and was listed on his team's injury report as such on Wednesday. He was held out of practice on Wednesday due to his medical issue.
No new injury news to report for the Titans. Calvin Ridley is sick and will not practice today. @WKRN pic.twitter.com/Yr9GBM8WOJ
— Julian Mininsohn (@JMininsohn) November 20, 2024
It's not known exactly what he has, but there hasn't been any news indicating that he won't play. Typically, NFL athletes play through illnesses but see significant drop-offs in production if they're sick during the game. Which is reasonable. Playing a sport at the highest level sounds like misery with a bad cold or flu.
Expect him to play, but there's added risk in starting him in fantasy lineups.
Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (quad/calf) is currently listed on the injury report with quadricep and calf injuries. He's been on the injury report for quad issues earlier this season, so they're nothing new. He typically plays through a number of injuries.
INJURY REPORT: Josh Jacobs (quad/calf) limited on Wednesday
Jaire Alexander (knee) did not practice
— The Fantasy Source (@FantasySource_) November 20, 2024
Right now, there isn't much concern for Jacobs' availability in Week 12. He'll likely take the field. He's endured five seasons of 250 or more touches. The workhorse running back role is incredibly hard on the human body, but he's incredibly durable and generally plays most games of every season. He should be fine when game time rolls up.
Sam Darnold, QB, Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold (foot) was limited at practice on Wednesday. It's not known if this foot issue is related to anything he's dealt with earlier in the season or just part of a rest regimen. According to ESPN reporter for the Vikings Kevin Seifert, though, it's not thought of as a major concern.
Sam Darnold (foot) added to the injury report but no reason to think it will affect his availability. https://t.co/Eeuupv6J3U
— Kevin Seifert (@SeifertESPN) November 20, 2024
Like many others on this list, Darnold is expected to take the field Sunday. Quarterback is the most important position in the league, and there's no reason to think Minnesota's excellent head coach, Kevin O'Connell, would rush out Darnold and have him play through a serious injury. He should be fine.
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