It’s times like these we need to be thankful for football. We get off work for a few days, are surrounded by family, get to enjoy some good food, and are rewarded with a FULL slate of football. We’ve got games on Thursday, Friday, Sunday, AND Monday to ring in the holiday. The only thing missing from this spread is you securing a fantasy football W. Let me help you with that. Welcome to the Week 12 Fantasy Football Injury Report!
Week 12 Bye Weeks: None
Injury news happens fast and can change quickly, so for the most up-to-date news and analysis, follow me on X @SGPNFootballDoc! Additionally, this article is updated daily until Monday Night Football, so check back in before setting your lineup!
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Week 12 Fantasy Football Injury Report
Week 12 Inactives
Michael Thomas (WR) New Orleans Saints
Salvon Ahmed (RB) Miami Dolphins
De’Von Achnae (RB) Miami Dolphins
Luke Musgrave (TE) Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones (RB) Green Bay Packers
Noah Brown (WR) Houston Texans
Treylon Burks (WR) Tennessee Titans
Hayden Hurst (TE) Carolina Panthers
Kendre Miller (RB) New Orleans Saints
Mack Hollins (WR) Atlanta Falcons
Tee Higgins (WR) Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow (QB) Cincinnati Bengals
Marquise Goodwin (WR) Cleveland Browns
Mecole Hardman (WR) Kansas City Chiefs
Jerrick McKinnon (RB) Kansas City Chiefs
Michael Wilson (WR) Arizona Cardinals
Dallas Goedert (TE) Philadelphia Eagles
Mark Andrews (TE) Baltimore Ravens
Joe Burrow (QB) Cincinnati Bengals
Injury: Wrist Ligament Tear
Injury Date: 11/16/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 4-6 months
Recovery Time to Week 12: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Jordan Love (QB) Green Bay Packers
The Bengals and your fantasy team’s season took a turn for the worse last Thursday. Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow kicks off the Week 12 Fantasy Football Injury Report on a sour note. His arm was hit on a play by a defender, and the next play, he was in serious pain after making a TD throw. Unfortunately, he tore a ligament in his wrist, which will require season-ending surgery. He should be on track to return by the start of next season.
Bengals QB Joe Burrow tore a ligament in the wrist of his throwing arm and is OUT for the season – DROP.
Mark Andrews (TE) Baltimore Ravens
Injury: High Ankle Sprain + Fibula Fracture
Injury Date: 11/16/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 8-12 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 12: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Isaiah Likely (TE) Baltimore Ravens
Ravens TE Mark Andrews is already the second player on the Week 12 Fantasy Football Injury Report injured on Thursday night. After a great start to the game, he was taken down by a controversial hip drop tackle and injured his ankle. His foot got caught underneath the defender, causing the leg to twist and damage to occur. In some cases, the force of the injury is so high it not only causes ligament damage but also a fibula fracture.
The star Baltimore TE is dealing with a grade 2 high ankle sprain as well as a slight fibula fracture. This is a serious injury that often requires surgery. Taking at least two months to heal, he will likely miss the rest of the NFL season. While there is some debate on whether he could return for the NFL playoffs, his fantasy football season is DEFINITELY over.
Ravens TE Mark Andrews is OUT indefinitely with a high ankle sprain and fibula fracture – DROP.
Cooper Kupp (WR) Los Angeles Rams
Injury: Low Ankle Sprain
Injury Date: 11/19/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 1-3 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 12: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Josh Downs (WR) Indianapolis Colts
Rams star WR Cooper Kupp is another player on this Week 12 Fantasy Football Injury Report who has difficulty staying healthy this season. After working his way back from a fairly severe hamstring injury, he unfortunately finds himself hurt again. In a bit of a freak accident, Kupp was blocking when a defender stepped on his heel, which led to his foot rolling inwards.
Thankfully, Kupp is only dealing with a low or lateral ankle sprain, and it is believed to be minor. He has a chance to play this week, but his practice participation will be key. If he plays, there is a risk of reinjury, and his cutting ability may be limited. There are plenty of players who have been able to the week following a low ankle sprain.
Rams WR Cooper Kupp is dealing with a minor low ankle sprain but will play as expected – START.
Justin Jefferson (WR) Minnesota Vikings
Injury: Hamstring Strain
Injury Date: 10/8/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 4-6 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 12: 7 weeks
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Josh Downs (WR) Indianapolis Colts
This is one of the most devastating injuries on this Week 12 Fantasy Football Injury Report. Not only did it happen to arguably the best WR in the NFL, but it’s a brutal in-season injury. Vikings WR Justin Jefferson injured his hamstring in Week 5 while running a route. He immediately took himself out of the game and did not return. After some speculation, we quickly learned the injury is pretty serious as he was quickly placed on the IR.
Placing Jefferson on the IR guarantees he will miss AT LEAST four games, and it tells me he suffered a grade 2 strain. This refers to a moderate hamstring strain where more damage is done to the muscle than in a mild case. A grade 2 hamstring strain typically takes 4-6 weeks to recover fully. Unfortunately, hamstring strains also carry a high reinjury rate, especially in the first two weeks of a player returning to play.
The hamstrings play a BIG role in generating a player’s speed and power. The injury negatively affects his acceleration and jumping ability until fully healed. Additionally, a reinjury or setback would lead to more time lost and could easily derail Jefferson’s season. Therefore, the Vikings will be cautious with Jefferson. He practiced on a limited basis last week and is expected to ramp up his workload for a chance to play this week.
#Skol Justin Jefferson Injury Thread 🤕
Medical Diagnosis: Hamstring strain
Laymen’s Terms: Damage to muscle in back of upper leg
Gameplay Affected:
1) Acceleration
2) Jumpball AbilityLevel of concern: HIGH
Takeaway: Quick IR decision tells me grade 2, poor ROS outlook 📉 pic.twitter.com/iMhxfV3MYM
— Sebastian Fearon PT, DPT, CSCS, TSAC-F, OCS (@SGPNFootballDoc) October 11, 2023
WR Justin Jefferson is back at practice and has a chance to play this week – MONITOR.
Geno Smith (QB) Seattle Seahawks
Injury: Elbow Injury
Injury Date: 11/19/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 1-3 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 12: 1 week
Seattle Seahawks fans had a few injury scares last week. One of these came in the second half when Aaron Donald laid a hard hit on Geno Smith while in his throwing motion. Smith was immediately in pain and had to leave the field, trying to shake out his arm. He picked up an elbow injury that thankfully did not prove to be too serious.
Geno was able to return to the game last week, which was a good sign. An even better sign is the MRI showed no structural damage in the elbow. Barring any setbacks, I am expecting Geno Smith to start this week. I also think the 49ers’ defense will have more of an effect on his productivity than his elbow this week.
Seahawks QB Geno Smith is dealing with a minor elbow injury that should not cause him to miss time – START.
Kenneth Walker III (RB) Seattle Seahawks
Injury: Oblique Strain
Injury Date: 11/19/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 12: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Ezekiel Elliot (RB) New England Patriots
As the second Seahawk on this Week 12 Fantasy Football Injury Report, Kenneth Walker III’s outlook is a bit more negative. In a play that looked pretty unassuming, the Seattle RB went down as he injured his oblique muscle. The obliques are core muscles that stretch from your ribs to your hips. Heavily involved in rotational movement, obliques make these movements painful to complete.
We still need some more information regarding the severity and nature of the injury. However, at this point, he has not practiced all week, and I fully expect him to be out on Thursday night. With the team not looking to put him on IR, the expectation is that he returns in 3-4 weeks. For this Thanksgiving matchup, it looks like RB Zach Charbonnet is ready to have his chance as RB1.
Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III is dealing with a moderate oblique injury and is unlikely to play this week – SIT.
Aaron Jones (RB) Green Bay Packers
Injury: MCL Sprain
Injury Date: 11/19/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 12: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Zach Charbonnet (RB) Seattle Seahawks
Aaron Jones is an absolute BUST this season. As a fellow Jones manager, it pains me to say that the struggle will continue. After dealing with a hamstring strain to start the season, he was again knocked out of a game due to injury. He injured his knee and is dealing with an MCL sprain. He is being called week to week, which tells me he likely has a grade 2 or moderate sprain.
The MCL is a stabilizing ligament located on the inside of your knee that is important in lateral stability. The good news for Jones is the MCL is the best healing major ligament in the knee due to its good blood supply. I do expect him OUT this week and limited for the next few weeks. However, Jones should return before the end of the fantasy football postseason. His cutting ability will be tested, but this injury carries a low reinjury risk.
Packers RB Aaron Jones has lived on the injury report this year, and this week is no different – SIT.
Kyren Williams (RB) Los Angeles Rams
Injury: High Ankle Sprain
Injury Date: 10/15/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 4-6 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 12: 6 weeks
Just as the Rams had the return of one of their offensive playmakers in, Cooper Kupp, another one exited. Los Angeles RB Kyren Williams found himself on the Week 7 Injury Report after a 150+ yard rushing performance. He unfortunately picked up an ankle injury late in the Week 6 game, which will likely sideline him for multiple weeks. An MRI showed that there was enough damage to the ankle that the Rams placed him on IR.
Although initially thought to not be serious, Williams finds himself on the IR with his ankle injury. With the Rams making this decision, it likely means that Kyren Williams picked up a high ankle sprain last week. A high ankle sprain refers to damage to the ligaments above the ankle connecting your lower leg bones. This is a much more serious injury than a low ankle sprain and typically comes with a 4-6 week recovery period.
After spending six weeks on the sideline, Williams is set to return to the field. The Rams even proved their confidence in Williams’ health as they waived RB Darrell Henderson. This matches the expected recovery timeline as the Rams RB expects to be activated off IR this week. His ankle stability will be tested, and the hope is he can progress quickly in practice. With a full six weeks of recovery, I do have some confidence in Williams this week.
Rams RB Kyren Williams is activated off the IR and set to return to the field – START.
Tee Higgins (WR) Cincinnati Bengals
Injury: Hamstring Strain
Injury Date: 11/8/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 12: 2 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Jayden Reed (WR) Green Bay Packers
The Cincinnati Bengals took two L’s a few weeks ago. One at the hands of the Texans, and one by having their stud WR Tee Higgins end up on the Week 12 Fantasy Football Injury Report. Higgins has struggled this season, dealing with some drops and a rib injury. Unfortunately, it is not getting any easier as he picked up a new hamstring injury during practice. This is an awful injury to have midseason, with the majority causing missed game time.
Higgins has already missed the last two weeks, and his availability is in question for this week. Hamstring injuries refer to damage to your hamstring muscle, which plays a big role in generating power in your lower body. Furthermore, these injuries also carry a high reinjury rate, especially in the first two weeks after injury. Higgins’ practice participation will be key in monitoring his ability to return to the field.
Bengals WR Tee Higgins suffered a hamstring strain in practice that will cause him to miss multiple games – SIT.
Dallas Goedert (TE) Philadelphia Eagles
Injury: Forearm Fracture
Injury Date: 11/1/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 4-6 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 12: 3 weeks
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Isaiah Likely (TE) Baltimore Ravens
The Philadelphia Eagles pulled off a big divisional rivalry win a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, it came at a price. Starting TE Dallas Goedert was taken awkwardly by his arm by a Cowboys defender. He immediately left the field and walked off to the locker room to get X-rays. The X-rays found a fracture in his forearm, and he is expected to have surgery and miss around four games.
Bones need TIME to heal, and surgery can help this process for stability, but it doesn’t speed up healing. With Goedert being a pass catcher, it’s also not a situation where he can play through this with a cast. There is a chance he ends up on the IR, but with the Eagles on bye, they may see if he can return within four weeks. I would not expect to see Goedert back this week or next, at least.
The Eagles TE is dealing with a broken bone in his forearm and will miss several weeks – IR.
Top Waiver Wire Targets
Noah Brown (WR) Houston Texans
Josh Downs (WR) Indianapolis Colts
Zach Charbonnet (RB) Seattle Seahawks
Ty Chandler (RB) Minnesota Vikings
Ezekiel Elliot (RB) New England Patriots
Isaiah Likely (TE) Baltimore Ravens
Jalen Guyton (WR) Los Angeles Chargers
Jordan Love (QB) Green Bay Packers
Jayden Reed (WR) Green Bay Packers
Short-Term Injured Reserve
These players will miss a minimum of 4 games.
Justin Jefferson (WR) Minnesota Vikings
Josh Palmer (WR) Los Angeles Chargers
Darren Waller (TE) New York Giants
Luke Musgrave (TE) Green Bay Packers
Michael Thomas (WR) New Orleans Saints
Salvon Ahmed (RB) Miami Dolphins
Zach Ertz (TE) Arizona Cardinals
Evan Hull (RB) Indianapolis Colts
Kenny McIntosh (RB) Seattle Seahawks
Justin Shorter (WR) Buffalo Bills
Jelani Woods (TE) Indianapolis Colts
Season Ending Injured Reserve
These players will miss the entire season.
Anthony Richardson (QB) Indianapolis Colts
Mike Williams (WR) Los Angeles Chargers
Kirk Cousins (QB) Minnesota Vikings
Kendrick Bourne (WR) New England Patriots
Daniel Jones (QB) New York Giants
Cam Akers (RB) Minnesota Vikings
Nick Chubb (RB) Cleveland Browns
JK Dobbins (RB) Baltimore Ravens
Aaron Rodgers (QB) New York Jets
Commissioner Exempt List
Players are unable to play or practice until allowed off the list.
Hassan Haskins (RB) Tennessee Titans – Aggravated Assault Charges-
