We're now in the most crucial stages of the fantasy football regular season, just a couple of weeks before the playoffs. Week 13 was fairly standard, and we saw fewer injuries than the previous week.
Unfortunately, despite fewer injuries than usual, we still had some impactful injuries. Seeing which players are dealing with injuries and which ones aren't quite at 100% yet will go a long way if you're looking to win your fantasy leagues.
Without further ado, let's look at some injuries to watch and consider heading into Week 14. Don't forget to bookmark our fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts to stay notified.
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Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Last week, we talked about how the Super Bowl loser curse was affecting the 49ers. This week, things got even worse for Kyle Shanahan's squad. They were manhandled by the Buffalo Bills and lost Christian McCaffrey to injury once again.
Ed McCaffrey on his son Christian's injury:
"He has a PCL strain. He'll get an MRI today and hopefully it's not too serious."
Ed says Christian will continue to play regardless of the 49ers playoff chances:
"If he's ready to go, he'll go."
via: @UpAndAdamsShow | @heykayadams pic.twitter.com/gRc84V8g6u
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) December 2, 2024
The reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year spent the first half of the season on the sidelines due to an Achilles injury before returning in Week 10.
McCaffrey was finally starting to look like himself in Week 13 against the Bills but suffered a potentially season-ending injury during the game. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, McCaffrey's injury is a PCL issue and could take him out for the rest of the year.
McCaffrey's father, former Pro Bowl wideout Ed McCaffrey, told reporters that his son will play regardless of the 49ers' record if he can recover from the injury before the end of the year. McCaffrey was placed on Injured Reserve on Monday, and Isaac Guerendo will lead the Niners' rushing attack until CMC recovers.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Even if he does recover, McCaffrey should be cautious of coming back to play for a hapless team, especially considering what happened to Trevor Lawrence this week. Lawrence should have been shut down for the rest of the year after an AC joint sprain but decided to return after two games.
His return was short-lived, however. The former No. 1 overall pick suffered a concussion after a violent hit from Texans LB Azeez Al-Shaair. Lawrence then took to social media to announce he was doing better.
On Monday, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson spoke with the media and announced that Lawrence is currently in the league's concussion protocol. This usually takes a player out for a week, but Pederson said the team hasn't decided if its franchise QB will play again this season.
Romeo Doubs, WR, Green Bay Packers
Romeo Doubs suffered a concussion in Week 12 and entered the league's concussion protocol. The Packers played against the Dolphins on Thursday with virtually no chance of Doubs clearing the concussion protocol before the game, and he was subsequently ruled out.
Jaire Alexander and Romeo Doubs are practicing for the second day in a row ahead of Thursday night in Detroit.
Edgerrin Cooper and Corey Ballentine still not practicing. Elgton Jenkins isn’t practicing after doing so yesterday, but that may just be a rest day. pic.twitter.com/bo0UH2aGfg
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) December 2, 2024
However, Doubs is now back on the practice field. HC Matt LaFleur recently told reporters that Doubs was still in the league's concussion protocol, but has progressed to the point where he can practice with the team. If all goes well, he can return in Week 14 against the Lions.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Goedert's 2024 season has been a frustrating one. He suffered a hamstring injury in Week 6 and didn't return until Week 10. Just as he was starting to build some momentum after his return, he got hurt again in Week 13.
Luckily, Goedert's injury won't sideline him for long. Goedert has reportedly avoided a serious injury and the team is hoping his injury is just a knee sprain.
If he misses time, Grant Calcaterra will take his place. During Goedert's absence, Calcaterra caught all 13 of his targets for 160 yards from Week 6 to 9.
Jordan Mason, RB, San Francisco 49ers
Christian McCaffrey wasn't the only 49ers running back who suffered a potentially season-ending injury in Week 13. Jordan Mason–who was having a career year in McCaffrey's absence–got hurt against the Bills.
Mason suffered a high-ankle sprain and will be placed on Injured Reserve. Isaac Guerendo will easily be the team's RB1 and could be a huge fantasy asset during the playoffs.
Taysom Hill, TE, New Orleans Saints
Taysom Hill has featured on this series multiple times already, and the Saints offense has looked dead without him. They are 4-4 with and 0-4 without the versatile weapon, and they may not be able to use his help for the rest of the campaign.
Watching Taysom Hill has been, by far, the best part of being a Saints fan post-Brees. In spite of our abysmal results as a team, he has brought joy, excitement, & fun to each game. This may be the end of his season, but I pray it's not the end of his career. #Saints #TaysomHill pic.twitter.com/bayWzneZsX
— Ms. P.'s Reali-tea (@MsPerry103) December 2, 2024
Hill had struggled with hip and rib injuries for most of the year but tore his ACL in Week 13 against the Rams. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Hill will miss the rest of the season and also has additional damage to his knee. This injury could alter the rest of his career, given his age.
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs has been the Colts WR1 on a yards-per-game basis but has struggled with injuries throughout the season. He hurt his shoulder in Week 12, and while it was initially reported that he had avoided a major injury, his injury might have been worse than anticipated.
Downs missed Week 13, and despite the Colts currently getting some rest in their bye week, head coach Shane Steichen is unsure if Downs can play in Week 15 against the Broncos.
Michael Pittman Jr. led the team in receiving in Downs' absence last week and will be Anthony Richardson's main target alongside Alec Pierce.
Marquise Brown, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Marquise "Hollywood" Brown has missed 20 of his last 46 games, including all 12 of the Chiefs' games so far this season. It initially looked like he would miss the entire 2024 regular season after suffering a sternoclavicular injury during the preseason, but that no longer seems to be the case.
🚨 UPDATE
Kansas City Chiefs Marquise Hollywood Brown is expected to return in Week 17. Per Albert Breer pic.twitter.com/LlRFFFG6ub
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) November 29, 2024
Brown has made some good progress recently and will meet with his surgeon in Week 15 to get cleared to return to the field. If Brown returns in Week 16 or Week 17, he could become a key contributor during the fantasy football playoffs.
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