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Injuries are a never-ending saga in the NFL, and fantasy managers have to be ready to pivot when key players get banged up. The fantasy football playoffs have moved to the second round, so it's time to pay extra attention to injury updates for Saturday, Sunday, and Monday games. Our injury updates and reports for Week 16 as of Friday, December 23rd will give you the latest scoop on key guys. As always, some players have more "real" risk to miss Week 16 than others, but things change quickly, so it's important to stay up to date.
Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Russell Wilson, Kenneth Walker, Nick Chubb, and more are all in real danger of missing Week 16. We have plenty of must-starts on this week's injury list, so fantasy managers 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 wide receivers and see whether they may play in Week 16.
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Jalen Hurts Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (shoulder) will miss the Week 16 game against the division-rival Dallas Cowboys on Saturday after he sprained his right shoulder in the Week 15 win over the Chicago Bears. The Eagles announced on Thursday that backup Gardner Minshew will make his first start of the year. If this was the postseason, Hurts would likely battle through it and play. But it's not and the Eagles want the MVP candidate to be healthy entering the playoffs, so there's a chance he could also miss Week 17 if they feel he's not ready.
It's terrible timing for those in the fantasy playoffs, but you'll have to pivot and look elsewhere at the QB position. Minshew fared well in his two starts for Philly in 2021 and has plenty of weapons to turn in a decent QB2 performance in superflex leagues in Week 16.
Lamar Jackson Injury Update
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (knee) has been ruled out in Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons for the third straight game. Tyler Huntley (shoulder) has been cleared to play and will make another start on Christmas Eve, according to head coach John Harbaugh. Jackson hasn't been able to practice since spraining his PCL in Week 13, and it remains to be seen if he'll be able to return next week.
Huntley is dealing with a right shoulder issue, but he's good to go and will once again lead Baltimore's offense. The weather won't be ideal for passing, and Huntley will also be without No. 1 wideout Devin Duvernay (foot), who was placed on Injured Reserve this week. Expect Baltimore to lean on running back J.K. Dobbins and the ground game against Atlanta, making Huntley a low-upside, low-end QB2 in fantasy.
Rhamondre Stevenson Injury Update
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) is listed as questionable to play in Week 16 against the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday on Christmas Eve. Stevenson was limited in practice all week after going for a season-high 172 rushing yards and a touchdown on 19 carries in last week's loss to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The second-year back was also questionable to play in Week 15, but we think he'll be just fine to play against the Bengals this weekend, and as New England's unquestioned lead back, he will once again have RB1 upside for fantasy managers. Damien Harris (thigh) is questionable to play as well, but he'll simply have a backup role behind Stevenson if he returns. Rookie Pierre Strong Jr. could also remain involved with limited touches.
Kenneth Walker Injury Update
Seattle Seahawks running backs Kenneth Walker III (ankle) and DeeJay Dallas (ankle) are expected to suit up for the Week 16 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs despite being listed as questionable on the final injury report. It sounds like head coach Pete Carroll plans on having both backs available this weekend.
The organization waived backup Tony Jones Jr. which shows they have faith in Walker and Dallas being healthy. Travis Homer has struggled as the No. 2 back, so Dallas should immediately return to the backup role. Neither player should be viewed as a reliable streaming choice this weekend. Walker will have RB2 value, assuming he's healthy enough to play this weekend.
Russell Wilson Injury Update
Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson (concussion) is no longer on the team's injury report and will play in Week 16 against the Los Angeles Rams on the road on Christmas Day this Sunday. Wilson missed the Week 15 win over the Arizona Cardinals due to a concussion he suffered the week prior, but he'll return to lead what has been an extremely disappointing Broncos offense in 2022.
The Broncos are averaging a league-low 15.6 points per game, and Wilson enters the week as the QB19 in fantasy points with 2,805 passing yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions in 12 games. He could be getting receiver Courtland Sutton (hamstring) back for this game, but he'll remain a lower-end QB2 in fantasy against a Rams defense that has been decent against opposing QBs in 2022.
Nick Chubb Injury Update
Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb (foot) is good to go for the Week 16 game against the New Orleans Saints on Saturday. Chubb missed the first two practice days of the week, but he was able to return to the field on Thursday, setting him up for his normal role as Cleveland's backfield leader on Christmas Eve. The RB6 in overall fantasy points in half-point PPR setups this year, Chubb is an absolute must-start in the fantasy playoffs as an RB1 at home in a game that could feature inclement weather.
The Saints defense has been right around the middle of the pack in terms of half-point PPR points allowed to the running back position per game in 2022 (20.1). Lock Chubb into your lineups with confidence this weekend.
Diontae Johnson Injury Update
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (toe) is listed as questionable for the Week 16 matchup against the Las Vegas Raiders. Head coach Mike Tomlin said that Johnson would be rested in practice this week. That being said, it makes sense why Johnson didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday.
It sounds like Johnson is planning on playing, but probably won't be 100 percent healthy. He should be in the WR3 conversation for the upcoming Saturday matchup with the Raiders.
Chris Olave and Jarvis Landry Injury Updates
New Orleans Saints wide receivers Chris Olave (hamstring) and Jarvis Landry (ankle) have both been ruled out for the Week 16 contest versus the Cleveland Browns on Saturday. Olave missed practice all week and Landry missed the last two days of practice after popping up on the injury report on Wednesday. Landry hasn't been much of a fantasy option at all this year, but Olave is the Saints' leading receiver and has been a top-25 wideout in half-point PPR setups in his first NFL season.
The 22-year-old has been a consistent weapon with 63 catches for 940 yards and three touchdowns on 102 targets in 13 games. With both Olave and Landry out, rookie Rashid Shaheed, Tre'Quan Smith and Marquez Callaway will be asked to step up, alongside breakout tight end Juwan Johnson. The Browns defense will be an interesting streaming unit this weekend.
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