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With the fantasy playoffs now in full swing, Week 16 of the NFL season gets underway with a Thursday night matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints. With league championships on the line, fantasy managers are busy tracking injuries to their key fantasy studs. We have the latest notable injury updates as of Thursday, December 21, 2023.
Fantasy football assets such as Josh Jacobs, Tyreek Hill, Isiah Pacheco, Jonathan Taylor, Michael Pittman Jr., and more have been dealing with injuries ahead of Week 16. 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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Josh Jacobs Injury Update
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (quadriceps) was held out of the team's first practice of the week on Thursday. The Raiders are optimistic that Jacobs will be able to return in Week 16 for a Christmas Day game against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs on Monday, but it's not a great sign that Jacobs wasn't on the field on Thursday.
LT Kolton Miller back at practice for #Raiders. Josh Jacobs still missing pic.twitter.com/TDtXfJZSEW
— Levi Damien (@LeviDamien) December 21, 2023
The 25-year-old does have two more days to get back on the practice field, though. However, if he's a game-time decision, it will make things even more difficult for fantasy managers in Week 16 with the game being on Monday. Jacobs is a must-start fantasy back if he's active. If he misses a second straight game, Zamir White would be entrusted with early down work yet again for the Raiders.
Tyreek Hill Injury Update
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (ankle) returned to the practice field on Thursday after sitting out Wednesday's session in what the Dolphins have deemed limited fashion. Hill tweaked his ankle in Week 14 and sat out of last week's blowout win over the New York Jets. Now that he's back at practice this week, he should have a good chance to return to action in Week 16 for a showdown against the Dallas Cowboys this Sunday at home.
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill (ankle) returns to practice on a limited basishttps://t.co/PSkituUWKG pic.twitter.com/qqpJhTFE2f
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 21, 2023
It's great news for all fantasy managers who have had the pleasure of rostering the top receiver in the game in 2023. If Hill is officially active on Sunday, he needs to be locked into all starting fantasy lineups in a game that should feature plenty of points. If Hill returns, Jaylen Waddle will lose a lot of fantasy upside but should still be in all lineups as well.
Keenan Allen Injury Update
The Los Angeles Chargers have ruled out wide receiver Keenan Allen (heel) for the Week 16 contest versus the Buffalo Bills on Saturday evening. The Chargers have seemingly thrown in the towel on their 2023 season as they sit in last place in the AFC West after already losing quarterback Justin Herbert (finger) for the year.
#Chargers say WR Keenan Allen (heel) is out for Saturday night vs. Buffalo.
— Jeff Miller (@JeffMillerLAT) December 21, 2023
The 31-year-old Allen will miss his second straight game, which comes at the worst possible time for fantasy managers as they head into a semifinal matchup in Week 16 in most leagues. Joshua Palmer and rookie first-rounder Quentin Johnston both scored touchdowns in last Thursday's blowout loss to the Las Vegas Raiders and should continue to be backup quarterback Easton Stick's top targets in the passing game in a tough matchup against Buffalo.
Zack Moss Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss (forearm) missed his second straight day of practice this week on Thursday. Moss injured his forearm in the Week 15 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers last Saturday and is trending towards missing this Sunday's contest on the road in Atlanta against the Falcons. He has one more day on Friday to get back on the practice field.
Colts RB Zack Moss (forearm) was a DNP, RB Jonathan Taylor (thumb) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice estimation https://t.co/POA1Hq3pVG pic.twitter.com/3PH6LGcUc5
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 20, 2023
Even if Moss practices on Friday and has a chance to suit up on Sunday, though, he'd be headed for more of a complementary role in Indy's backfield with Jonathan Taylor (thumb) trending toward returning following three-game absence due to thumb surgery. Fantasy managers should consider the 26-year-old RB to be an RB3/flex, at best, in Week 16 if he and Taylor are both active. If Moss sits, Trey Sermon would likely back up Taylor.
Jonathan Taylor Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (thumb) practiced for the second straight day Thursday. Taylor's status for Week 16 against the Atlanta Falcons appears to be trending in the right direction. Taylor said he'll wear some sort of brace/wrap. He had his surgically repaired right thumb wrapped up in a T-shirt when he spoke to reporters.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor (thumb) listed as a full practice participant on Thursdayhttps://t.co/PSkituVuAe pic.twitter.com/2BCRlgVlWx
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 21, 2023
The Colts listed the 24-year-old as a full practice participant on their estimated report on Wednesday, signaling he has a pretty good chance to return from a three-game absence following thumb surgery. Zack Moss (shoulder) is also questionable after getting hurt in Week 15, so Taylor could have a pretty big role this Sunday against Atlanta if he gets through Friday's practice unscathed.
Isiah Pacheco Injury Update
Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) returned to a full practice on Thursday. Pacheco didn't practice or play at all the last two weeks, but the Chiefs expect him to return for the Christmas Day battle on Monday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. Fantasy managers should have already thrown Pacheco back into their starting fantasy lineups for a semifinal matchup this week.
#Chiefs Isiah Pacheco (shoulder) returns to practice Thursday after two-game absence @KSHB41 pic.twitter.com/VRahSS14F9
— Aaron Ladd (@aaronladdtv) December 21, 2023
When healthy, Pacheco has been a top-15 back for fantasy managers in 2023 with 176 carries for 779 yards (4.43 yards per carry) and six rushing scores. He's added 33 receptions for 209 yards and another TD. In the first meeting with Vegas in Week 12, Pacheco had 15 carries for 55 yards and two rushing scores, adding five receptions for 34 additional yards. With Pacheco on track to return in Week 16, it will send Clyde Edwards-Helaire back to a complementary role in KC's backfield.
Michael Pittman Jr. Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (concussion, shoulder) was able to put in a full practice on Thursday following a limited session he had on Wednesday. Pittman is in the league's concussion protocol after taking a hard hit in last Saturday's win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it looks like he's on his way to being cleared to play this Sunday versus the Atlanta Falcons.
Michael Pittman Jr at practice and *NOT* in a red jersey today. Great sign as he progresses through concussion protocol. #Colts
— Brett Bensley (@brettbensley) December 21, 2023
He's not out of the woods yet, but he should have a pretty good chance of being active in Week 16 if he's able to practice in full again on Friday. Pittman is the WR12 in half-PPR scoring in 2023 and needs to be left in all starting fantasy lineups for semifinal matchups if he gains clearance to play on Sunday.
DeVonta Smith Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (knee) did not practice on Thursday due to a knee issue. He was spotted on the sideline in street clothes and was held out of Thursday's practice. According to Jeff McLane of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Smith hadn't been practicing in full due to a knee injury and suffered a new injury in last Monday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
Thursday injury report #NYGvsPHI pic.twitter.com/dWY0hnMc10
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 21, 2023
The 26-year-old is considered day-to-day. It's unclear if Smith is in jeopardy of missing Monday's contest versus the New York Giants, but it's a situation fantasy managers should continue to monitor throughout the weekend. The former first-round pick has been solid this season, racking up 74 catches for 957 yards and six touchdowns over 14 games.
Cole Kmet Injury Update
Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (quadriceps) was added to the Week 16 injury report on Thursday after he put in a limited practice. Kmet must have injured himself in practice on Thursday, so his status on Friday will be of added significance as the team gets ready to face the visiting Arizona Cardinals this Sunday.
Bears TE Cole Kmet (quad) returned to practice on a limited basishttps://t.co/PSkituUWKG pic.twitter.com/kRkVIzuSLb
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 21, 2023
His fantasy stock has been on the rise of late as a low-end TE1 after catching five passes for 23 yards and his sixth touchdown of the year in last week's loss to the Cleveland Browns. However, his availability for Week 16 is now somewhat in question. If Kmet's injury is serious enough to keep him sidelined this weekend, Marcedes Lewis and Robert Tonyan would see more playing time for the Bears offense.
Travis Kelce Injury Update
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (neck) is dealing with a neck injury following the Week 15 win over the New England Patriots, although he was able to practice in full on Thursday. Kelce looked to be in some pain late in Sunday's win over the Pats, but the injury doesn't appear to be very serious and he should have no problem playing on Christmas Day on Monday against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders.
Chiefs TE Travis Kelce on injury report as full participant with neck injury https://t.co/PSkituVuAe pic.twitter.com/etaemofJjK
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 21, 2023
The 34-year-old had one of his worst games of the year last weekend, catching five passes for a measly 28 yards with the Patriots defense focusing on stopping him. A bounce-back is likely in the cards in Week 16, though, after Kelce put up a 6-91-0 line in the first meeting against the Raiders back in Week 12. Kelce is a must-start, high-end TE1 in fantasy lineups, as always.
Christian Watson and Jayden Reed Injury Updates
Green Bay Packers wide receivers Christian Watson (hamstring) and Jayden Reed (toe, chest) both missed a second straight day of practice on Thursday. Watson injured his hamstring in Week 13 and hasn't played the last two weeks. It doesn't appear he's close to returning for Week 16 on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
WRs Jayden Reed and Christian Watson did not practice again today.
Same with Darnell Savage and De’Vondre Campbell.
Elgton Jenkins back after a day off yesterday. pic.twitter.com/tGLXoAII5X
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) December 21, 2023
Reed, meanwhile, has played through some nagging injuries in recent weeks. But he, too, could be in danger of sitting out this weekend, which would leave the Packers with Romeo Doubs and rookie Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) as their top two wideouts. Reed has become somewhat of a must-start after scoring five touchdowns in the last six games for the Packers.
C.J. Stroud Injury Update
Houston Texans rookie first-round quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion) remains in the league's concussion protocol and missed his second straight practice this week on Thursday. Stroud is trending toward missing his second straight game this weekend when the team takes on the Cleveland Browns on Sunday. Fantasy managers are going to have to leave the 22-year-old on their bench for the semifinal matchup in most leagues in Week 16.
Texans OL Shaq Mason and Laremy Tunsil are both back at practice today.
Still no C.J. Stroud, who is in concussion protocol and is trending toward missing his second consecutive game Sunday when the Texans face the Browns.
— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) December 21, 2023
If the young QB is officially ruled out on Friday, the Texans will stick with veteran Case Keenum under center for the second straight game. Keenum threw for over 200 yards with a touchdown and interception in an overtime win over the Tennessee Titans last Sunday, but things are going to be tougher this weekend against a strong Browns defense.
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