Injury Report Week 14
The first half-slate for this week features a lot of interesting games with possible playoff scenarios on the line. There are plenty of notable names in the first half of this injury report. Pay close attention to adjust fantasy lineups and bets accordingly. Today’s injury report is split into two parts. The second part will be released tomorrow.
Rams @ Ravens Injury Report
Los Angeles Rams
Tyler Higbee: A neck injury has LA’s starting tight end listed as doubtful. If he isn’t able to play, expect Hunter Long to start in his place. Since he has yet to record a catch this year, I wouldn’t expect him to do much. Instead, expect a larger target share for Cooper Kupp, Puka Nakua and Kyren Williams if Higbee can’t suit up.
Baltimore Ravens
No notable injuries.
Panthers @ Saints Injury Report
Carolina Panthers
Hayden Hurst: A concussion will continue to hold the Panthers’ tight end out. As was the case for the weeks prior, expect a slightly larger level of targets for Adam Thielen and Tommy Tremble.
DeShawn Williams: Williams will miss this week due to a knee injury. He’s been a decent player on their not-so-good defensive line. Without him, expect terrible overall run-stuffing from Carolina. Alvin Kamara should total around 150 scrimmage yards.
New Orleans Saints
No notable injuries.
Colts @ Bengals Injury Report
Indianapolis Colts
Braden Smith: A knee injury will ensure the Colts’ best left tackle doesn’t play this week. Blake Freeland will once again step in, although he’s an obvious downgrade. The Bengals and Sam Hubbard specifically should be able to take full advantage of Freeland. I’d expect at least 4-5 quarterback pressures from Hubbard.
Jonathan Taylor: A thumb injury will keep the Colts’ star running back sidelined this week. Zach Moss will start instead. The Bengals’ run defense is graded 29th, although they did a fairly decent job against Travis Etienne Jr. last week. Expect an average game from Moss. He should run for around 3.5 yards a carry.
Cincinnati Bengals
No notable injuries. Injury report.
Texans @ Jets Injury Report
Houston Texans
Dalton Shultz: Houston will miss their tight end for a 2nd straight week while he recovers from a hamstring injury. Backup Brevin Jordan will continue to be a good red zone threat. Expect a much larger target share for Nico Collins and Noah Brown this week.
New York Jets
Wes Schweitzer: A calf injury will be the reason New York’s starting right guard doesn’t play this week. Schweitzer has failed to even be an average blocker this year. You can say the same for backup Max Mitchell. Expect the Jets to struggle to establish the run this week even against an average-at-best Houston run defense.
Buccaneers @ Falcons Injury Report
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jamel Dean: Ankle and foot injuries will once again sideline Tampa Bay’s best outside corner this week. Thankfully they have one of the better No. 2 corners in the league, Carlton Davis III. Davis should match up well against opposing No. 1 receiver Drake London. Although Tampa doesn’t have great corner depth, Atlanta has arguably worse receiver depth so it should cancel out.
Devin White: A foot injury will also keep one of Tampa Bay’s starting linebackers sidelined. Although he’s had a down year, he’s still one of the better and most athletic cover linebackers in the league. With his absence expect generally worse tackling, especially when facing Bijan Robinson in the hole.
Atlanta Falcons
Kaleb McGary: McGary has turned into one of the better right tackles in the league. Unfortunately, he’ll be out this week due to a knee injury. Storm Norton will start instead. Norton has played well in limited snaps but will be facing a tough challenge in the Bucs’ pass rushers. Expect Norton to get outplayed for the most part by Calijah Kancey and Yaya Diaby.
David Onyemata: An ankle injury will ensure that Atlanta’s best defensive lineman stays off the field. Onyemata has been the key piece on the best run-stuffing defensive line in the league. With Ta’Quon Graham starting instead, expect a quality game from Rachaad White. He should have around 100 scrimmage yards on about four yards per carry this week.
Jaguars @ Browns Injury Report
Jacksonville Jaguars
Walker Little: The Jaguars will be without their starting left tackle while he recovers from a heel injury. It’s unclear who the backup left tackle will be, but signs likely point to Tyler Shatley being that man. Shatley has been a great blocker at times but has shown real weaknesses at others. With Myles Garrett facing Shatley, whoever’s playing quarterback for the Jags will have a long day. Expect at least 2.5 sacks for Garrett.
Trevor Lawrence: While currently questionable, it’s unclear whether Jacksonville’s starting quarterback will suit up. If not, it’ll be C.J. Beathard who looked decent in relief duty last week. If Beathard does start, expect a tough defensive battle with Cleveland likely to come out on top.
Christian Kirk: A groin injury will keep Kirk out this week and likely the season. He’s been one of the best slot receivers in the league this year and losing him is terrible. Thankfully Parker Washington showed some life in the slot after Kirk got hurt last week. He should be able to replicate some of Kirk’s production, but not nearly all of it.
Tre Herndon: Another concussion will hold out Jacksonville’s starting slot corner. He’s been quality in coverage this year, much better than the backup Gregory Junior who’s only played 33 snaps in the slot this year. This presents a sizable advantage for Elijah Moore, who should have one of the best games of his season.
Cleveland Browns
Amari Cooper: While listed as questionable, the Browns’ starting receiver is currently in concussion protocol and did not participate in practice. Whether the Browns’ starting quarterback is Joe Flacco or Dorian Thompson-Robinson, Cooper will be an integral piece to the offense. If he doesn’t play, expect the offense to be mainly run-based with an increased share of targets to Elijah Moore and David Njoku.
Make sure to click this link to see the second half of this week’s injury report.