Chris Allen and Jorge Martin dig in on the Week 11 injury news that is impacting Fantasy Football.

So maybe the injury gods gave fantasy managers a reprieve heading into Week 11, but just because there were no season-ending injuries does not mean that we are unscathed as we face another week that has us closer to the fantasy playoffs. Time to go through these injuries to see if players can play or how long they will be out. We'll start out with a quarterback who is a repeat from last week. 

Quarterback

Trevor Lawrence (shoulder): He’s already been ruled OUT for his second straight game, and there is optimism that he could return after the Jaguars’ Week 12 bye. Mac Jones is set to start, and with the Lions at home and No. 7 in fantasy points allowed to quarterbacks, it doesn’t bode well for the Jaguars’ pass catchers. Evan Engram could be a target in short-and-intermediate routes, while BrIan Thomas’ deep routes may not be open that much against a good Lions pass rush. 

Running Back

Aaron Jones (ribs): With Jones having a solid Utilization Score of 7.9 that is 15th in the league, he is one of the more valuable players at the position. His limited practices the first two days of the week could be an indicator that he’s going to play. Keep an eye on his practice participation after Friday to see if there is a determination on his playing status on Sunday. The Vikings travel to Tennessee to face a defense that is No. 8 with 73.3 rushing yards allowed to RBs, so Jones may not have a lot of room to roam if he’s active. Cam Akers should be rostered, as he’s emerged as the RB2 in Minnesota. 

Christian McCaffrey (Achilles): Seeing CMC with a questionable tag with his Achilles injury after missing Wednesday’s practice may have made fantasy managers’ hearts sink. Upgrading to an LP designation on Thursday is important, and probably eased queasy stomachs. The matchup is advantageous against the Seahawks, who are allowing 123.4 rushing yards to RBs. CMC’s usage at 90% snap share and 68% rush attempts shows he’s back as the head of the snake of the 49ers offense. He’ll be at or near the top of weekly rankings rest of season as long as he’s active.

Tank Bigsby (ankle): Bigsby went DNP both practices at the outset, so the ankle injury that knocked him out of Week 10 with 2 carries for 4 yards is definitely lingering. Friday’s practice could determine his availability for the week ahead. The Lions have one of the toughest run defenses in the league—4th in rushing yards allowed to RBs at 69.1 per game—so even if Bigsby were able to go, his playing in a timeshare with Travis Etienne may be reason enough to keep him on the bench. The Jaguars are off in Week 12. 

Najee Harris (ankle): After looking like he was seriously hurt in the Week 10 victory over the Commanders, Harris missed practice Wednesday before getting in a full session on Thursday. As long as he didn’t suffer a setback, Harris is looking like he’s a go for a matchup with a Baltimore defense that is so tough against the run. The Ravens are No. 2 in the NFL, allowing just 56.8 rushing yards to RBs. Harris is the consensus RB24 in our rankings.
MarShawn Lloyd (ankle): Lloyd was activated off IR, where he has resided the since Week 2 with an ankle injury. The young runner has great speed and catching ability, all in a 5-foot-9, 220-pound package. He’s been limited in practice both days, and this being just a few days after his designation, it does not look like he’s playing this week. But Lloyd is a speculative pickup for a Packers offense that is fifth in total rushing yards. Lloyd could slot in behind Josh Jacobs in touches, and could eventually be the RB2 in Green Bay.  

Jaylen Warren (back): After not receiving an injury designation while not practicing on Wednesday, Warren was credited with a DNP after missing the field for the second day in a row. Friday’s practice report will give some clarity, especially since this game environment may be more conducive to his all-around skills rather than Harris’ early-down work. The Ravens are allowing the third-most receiving yards per game to RBs at 47.0, and just gave up 52 yards on 9 receptions to Chase Brown last week. 

Wide Receiver

Davante Adams (Illness): Adams leads off a star-studded group of wideouts battling injuries, as he’s come down with an illness that has kept him from practicing Wednesday and Thursday. The only hope is that he’s well enough to practice on Friday and is completely past being sick by Sunday. The Colts have allowed the fifth-most passing yards per game at 251 and opposing passers have thrown for 280 or more yards six time this season. 

Nico Collins (hamstring): Playing on Monday night, Collins and the Texans did not start their practice week until Thursday, when the standout WR got in a limited session. He finished Week 10 with a limited session as well, so the hope is that he’s progressing toward a full practice by Saturday. The Cowboys are an inviting matchup, giving up 131.2 receiving yards to WRs. A.J. Brown just stuck them for 109 yards on 5 receptions last week. 

Keon Coleman (wrist): The talented rookie has already been ruled out, the second straight game he’ll sit. With the Bills on a bye in Week 12, hopefully he can return to the field after the break. 

Amari Cooper (wrist): After sitting out last week, Cooper has logged limited practice sessions the first two days this week. It looks like the new Bill is trending toward playing against the unbeaten Chiefs in a battle of AFC titans. Since Week 7, only two receivers have surpassed 50 receiving yards against Kansas City. 

Tyreek Hill (wrist): After being a game-time decision against the Rams on Monday night, Hill practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday following a DNP the day prior. His situation may need to get monitored for the remainder of the season, as Hill acknowledged that surgery was discussed for his injured wrist. It sure looks like he’ll play, though, but how effective he’ll be is another question. Coming off a performance where he registered just 16 receiving yards, Hill has a tough game in front of him. The Raiders have allowed one WR to surpass 72 receiving yards since Week 2. Hill is still an every-week starter.

 

Tight End

Dalton Kincaid (knee): Dr. Edwin Porras compared Kincaid’s injured knee to that of Puka Nacua’s. The Rams second-year WR sat weeks 2-7, drawing 23 targets in the two full games he’s played since his return. Kincaid has drawn at least 6 targets in every full game since Week 3, so if he misses that could be a sizable part of the Bills’ passing game going against a Chiefs defense allowing a league-leading 69.8 receiving yards to TEs. Dawson Knox would be a good streamer. 

Sam LaPorta (shoulder): This week’s TE11 in our rankings, LaPorta has not practiced after injuring his shoulder in Week 10. Another situation to monitor that could result in a set going into a great matchup. The Jaguars are a great matchup, No. 2 in passing yards allowed and giving up the fourth-most yards to TEs at 60.9.

George Kittle (hamstring): Kittle has scored touchdowns in 7 of his last 8 games, so any potential missed time is a concern. He went DNP Wednesday, but returned to practice and is expected to play on Sunday. Keep watching the practice reports, but the TE1 in fantasy is starting on squads going against a Seattle defense allowing 233 yards passing per game (No. 7).

Isaiah Likely (hamstring): After sitting in Week 10, Likely returned to a full practice by Thursday. The Week 1 FAAB darling, Likely has yet to surpass 47 receiving yards since his 111-yard outburst in the opener. If he plays, the utilization and target volume for Mark Andrews must be checked. Andrews drew 7 targets last week and saw a fantastic route participation of 94%. Could his targets be limited against the Steelers? Brock Bowers went for 9-71 against the Steelers in Week 6. In a game with a 48.5-point over/under, this could be a contest where the Ravens need the former All-Pro to be a big part of the passing game.