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Whether your fantasy league extends to Week 18 or you're locked in for one final full slate of DFS contests, injuries continue to be a factor in start-or-sit decisions. This is the final week of the regular season, so some teams are more motivated to play banged-up players than others. Our injury updates and reports for Week 18 as of Friday, January 6th will give you the latest scoop on key guys. As always, some players have more "real" risk to miss Week 18 than others, but things change quickly, so it's important to stay up to date.
Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Christian McCaffrey, Josh Jacobs, and more are all in real danger of missing Week 18. 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 18.
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Jalen Hurts Injury Update
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said quarterback Jalen Hurts (shoulder) is "trending in the right direction" towards starting versus the New York Giants. He was a limited participant in practice this week and is on track to start Sunday's game against the Giants. The 24-year-old has missed the last two games due to a right shoulder sprain.
He has been terrific this season, throwing for 3,472 yards, 22 touchdowns, and five interceptions while rushing for 747 yards and 13 scores over 14 games in 2022. Hurts remains an elite option for the regular season finale against a Giants team that will most likely rest some of their key defensive starters.
Lamar Jackson Injury Update
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (knee) is slated to miss his fifth straight game as he's officially been ruled out for the contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Ravens have already clinched a playoff berth, so they're likely just resting Jackson one more week to be ready for the postseason.
Tyler Huntley will draw his fifth start of the season if he can play (didn't throw in practice this week), but he's a weak quarterback DFS play against a strong Bengals defense. Huntley has posted just three touchdowns in five games he's appeared in, so there are simply better DFS bargains this week.
Christian McCaffrey Injury Update
The San Francisco 49ers will play it safe with running back Christian McCaffrey (ankle, knee) in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. "If he's not right we won't have him out there. Want him right for playoffs. But if healthy he'll play," general manager John Lynch said. McCaffrey missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday and will most likely be listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report if he's able to practice on Friday.
The Niners still need to win this weekend and are still in play for the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC, but they won't ride CMC hard if they don't have to. Their priority will be to come out of this game without any injuries to key players like McCaffrey. There's an inherent risk in the regular season finale, but if McCaffrey is active, he needs to be in all season-long lineups.
Josh Jacobs Injury Update
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (hip, oblique) is officially listed as questionable for the Week 18 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 24-year-old missed two practices this week due to personal reasons.
It's also worth noting that Jacobs is a little banged up heading into this game. The Raiders don't have anything to play for in this game but do expect the NFL's leading rusher to be on the field. The expectation is that he'll have his normal workload on Sunday. He's a must-start fantasy player, assuming he suits up for this game.
Deebo Samuel Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch said that wide receiver Deebo Samuel (ankle, knee) is expected to play in the Week 18 regular-season finale on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. Samuel practiced in full on Wednesday but was limited on Thursday, but he's still expected to make his first appearance since getting injured in Week 14. The 26-year-old is returning from a sprained left MCL and a sprained left ankle, so fantasy managers shouldn't necessarily expect a full workload in his first game back.
The Niners will prioritize Samuel's health for the postseason first and foremost. There's a good chance he'll be listed as questionable on Friday's final injury report, but Samuel is expected to be active Sunday. He'll be a risky fantasy play.
James Conner Injury Update
Arizona Cardinals running back James Conner (knee/shin) did not practice this week and has officially been ruled out for Week 18 against the San Francisco 49ers. Conner is a veteran back, so there's no real reason to put him out there in a meaningless game since the Cardinals have already been eliminated from playoff contention. That said, Keaontay Ingram will draw the start for Arizona.
However, he has a low floor and low ceiling against one of the elite defenses in the NFL. The Niners have allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs this season, and David Blough at quarterback doesn't set up well for Ingram's touchdown upside.
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