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The 2023 NFL continues racing along with Week 14 ready to get underway with the Patriots vs. Steelers on Thursday Night Football, fantasy managers are busy tracking injuries to their key fantasy studs. We have the latest notable injury updates as of Thursday, December 7, 2023.
Fantasy football assets such as Aaron Jones, Isiah Pacheco, Trevor Lawrence, and more have been dealing with injuries ahead of Week 14, while Lamar Jackson was a surprise add to the injury report on Thursday. We have plenty of must-starts on this week's injury list with cloudy outlooks, so fantasy managers should be ready to pivot should things go south.
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Rhamondre Stevenson Injury Update
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) has officially been ruled out for the Week 14 contest against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday night. Stevenson suffered the dreaded high-ankle sprain in Sunday's Week 13 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Not only will the 25-year-old sit out this week, but he's expected to miss more time as well.
Patriots ruled out for Thursday night's game vs. the Steelers: RB Rhamondre Stevenson, WR Demario Douglas, WR Kayshon Boutte and OL Riley Reiff.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 6, 2023
It's bad news for fantasy managers counting on New England's lead back to help them get into the playoffs in their leagues. An already terrible offense that was shut out last week will now turn to veteran Ezekiel Elliott as their backfield leader, with Ty Montgomery and JaMycal Hasty chipping in as backups. In this low-scoring offense, Zeke will be a touchdown-dependent RB3/flex in a bad matchup against Pittsburgh.
Demario Douglas Injury Update
New England Patriots rookie wide receiver Demario Douglas (concussion) has been ruled out for the Thursday night contest versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. Douglas suffered a concussion in Week 12 and will now miss his second straight game.
In Douglas' absence, the worst offense in football will be extremely thin at the receiver position on the road in a tough matchup against the Steelers. DeVante Parker led the Patriots in receiving last week with Douglas out and he should once again have a substantial role Thursday. However, all of New England's pass-catchers have a scary low fantasy ceiling and floor.
Najee Harris Injury Update
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris (knee) appears to be ready to play against the New England Patriots on Thursday Night Football, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. The leader of the Pittsburgh backfield did not practice during the short week and is officially listed as questionable. Pelissero added that this is not a new injury for Harris, but one that the team has been managing in recent weeks.
#Steelers RB Najee Harris (knee) is expected to play tonight vs. the #Patriots, plus other updates from @gmfb @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/igYM0VpaWn
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 7, 2023
The Patriots' run defense has been stingy as of late, holding Brian Robinson Jr., Jonathan Taylor, Saquon Barkley, and Austin Ekeler to under 70 rushing yards. Harris is in the RB3 range for Week 14 due to the tough matchup, a backup quarterback under center, and a split workload with Jaylen Warren,
Aaron Jones Injury Update
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (knee) was back at practice on Thursday for the first time since spraining his MCL almost three weeks ago. The Packers have an extra day in Week 14 before facing the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Jones looked to be moving around pretty well during individual drills, but it remains to be seen if he was a full participant in team drills. Either way, it's good progress and could put him on track to play this week.
#Packers RB Aaron Jones (knee) was limited at practice this afternoon, but it’s a positive sign after a scary Week 11 injury.
WR Christian Watson (hamstring) did not practice, but Matt LaFleur hopes his return will be “sooner rather than later.” pic.twitter.com/2cM4nKfS6V
— Ashley Washburn (@ashleyjwashburn) December 7, 2023
Fantasy managers could have a difficult decision on the 29-year-old this week if he's listed as questionable for the Monday night game. AJ Dillon has grinded out yards as Green Bay's lead back the last two games with Jones sideline, but he hasn't found the end zone. We should have a better idea on Jones' Week 14 status by Saturday.
Christian Watson Injury Update
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) said he doesn't think the right-hamstring injury he suffered on Sunday night in the win over the Kansas City Chiefs is as severe as the one that kept him out for the first three games of this season. However, he does not know if he'll be able to play on Monday night against the New York Giants in Week 14.
Packers WR Christian Watson said he does not believe this hamstring injury is as severe as the one that kept him out of the first 3 games of the season. But he doesn’t know if playing Monday night against the Giants is doable.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) December 7, 2023
The 24-year-old was unable to practice on Thursday, too, so he's off to a bad start in the first practice of the week. It's bad timing, as Watson was just starting to get into a groove with quarterback Jordan Love in recent weeks. Fantasy managers that have been using Watson in their starting lineups should be planning to be without him in Week 14, especially with the game being on Monday night. Romeo Doubs and rookies Jayden Reed (chest) and Dontayvion Wicks would be looking at bigger roles in an excellent matchup if Watson is ruled out.
Isiah Pacheco Injury Update
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) will miss a second straight practice this week on Thursday. Pacheco is dealing with a shoulder contusion, so it's a bit odd to see him out for a second straight day. The 24-year-old back could easily return to practice and play in a big Sunday contest against the Buffalo Bills, but fantasy managers should be a little more concerned after two missed practices to start the week.
#Chiefs injury update: Isiah Pacheco (shoulder), Drue Tranquill (concussion), Donovan Smith (neck) and Bryan Cook (ankle) will not practice Thursday
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladdtv) December 7, 2023
Jerick McKinnon (groin) has also missed the last two games, so KC's backfield is suddenly thin heading into Week 14. If Pacheco and McKinnon were to be inactive this weekend, the backfield would be led by Clyde Edwards-Helaire. Pacheco is having a fantastic second season in the NFL and has been a must-start in all fantasy lineups, but he could be in danger of sitting out or being limited against Buffalo.
Lamar Jackson Injury Update
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (illness) missed practice on Thursday due to an illness. Jackson has popped up on the Week 14 injury coming off the team's bye, but he still has two full days to recover before having to suit up on Sunday to take on the Los Angeles Rams. We'll continue to keep a close eye on the 26-year-old signal-caller, but we'd expect him to be feeling better by Sunday and to play this weekend.
#Ravens QB Lamar Jackson, who was not spotted during the media portion of practice, is dealing with an illness.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 7, 2023
Fantasy managers shouldn't be too worried right now and need to keep him locked in as a high-end QB1 in all lineups. If Jackson misses another practice on Friday and is questionable on the final injury report, there will be some more cause for concern.
Trevor Lawrence Injury Update
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (ankle) was seen at the team's practice on Thursday. After logging a DNP on Wednesday, the signal-caller was participating in some warm-ups and throwing exercises but sat out most drills. The injury came in Week 13's Monday night matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, when one of his own linemen accidentally stepped on his ankle.
Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence back at practice. Didn’t do every drill but did warm up and do some throwing. pic.twitter.com/N657dndYk1
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) December 7, 2023
Lawrence has not been ruled out for the Jaguars' Week 14 game against the Cleveland Browns, but it would be surprising if he played. Assuming Lawrence sits, C.J. Beathard would be next in line for the start, devaluing the projections for Calvin Ridley, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram. UPDATE: Lawrence was limited on Thursday.
Breece Hall Injury Update
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (ankle) said he expects to play in Week 14 on Sunday against the Houston Texans despite missing the first two days of practice this week on Wednesday and Thursday with an ankle injury. If the 22-year-old second-year back practices on Friday, he'll certainly have a chance to play this weekend.
Breece Hall (ankle) said he expects to play on Sunday. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) December 7, 2023
There is some optimism that quarterback Zach Wilson returning to the starting role on Sunday will give the Jets offense a bit more upside, but fantasy managers haven't gotten much from Hall since a 177-yard effort in Week 5 against the Denver Broncos. He's only scored twice on the ground in 12 games all year and not since Week 6. If Hall does practice on Friday and play on Sunday, he should be considered a low-end RB2 in fantasy lineups.
Amari Cooper Injury Update
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper (concussion) is missing from practice for the second straight day this week on Thursday. Cooper suffered a concussion in the Week 13 loss to the Los Angeles Rams and is highly questionable to play this Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
No Amari Cooper at practice again today.
Flacco was again first in the early practice lines we are able to see. https://t.co/6VYw3OiVQ7
— Zac Jackson (@AkronJackson) December 7, 2023
The Browns are saying Cooper has some more boxes to check to gain clearance from the league's concussion protocol, but that may not happen until next week. If the 29-year-old can't play this weekend, Elijah Moore, rookie Cedric Tillman, David Bell and tight end David Njoku would step into bigger roles. Moore has plenty of chemistry with quarterback Joe Flacco from their two years together for the New York Jets, and Flacco targeted Moore a season-high 12 times last Sunday.
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