Injuries are an unfortunate reality of every NFL season. For worried fantasy managers or opportunistic DFS players, they can make or break your entire lineup. What could have been a relaxing weekend can suddenly turn into hours of scrolling social media for any breaking news.
Luckily, DraftKings Network has you covered. Tune in to DraftKings Sportsbook analyst Steve Buchanan (@SBuchanan24) and NFL guru Meghan Townsley (@mtownsleyy) on Injury Report Live, streaming every Friday at 3 p.m. ET on DKN X and DK Instagram!
The pair will react to the latest injury updates, analyze the juiciest matchups of the week, and discuss their favorite DFS and season-long fantasy plays before Sunday’s NFL action kicks off.
If you missed Friday’s full show, no worries! Here’s what you need to know before setting your lineups:
New Orleans Saints at New York Giants – 1:00 PM EST
NYG WR Malik Nabers (hip flexor)
The Giants started Drew Lock ($4,700) on Thanksgiving, their third quarterback in three games, but the result was the same: another loss. Still, Malik Nabers ($6,900) continued to produce, hauling in eight catches for 69 yards against the Cowboys. Unfortunately, the rookie could be out of action this week after missing Friday’s practice due to a hip flexor injury. Should New York’s top wideout miss Sunday’s matchup with the Saints, it’s difficult to determine which player would see a boost in production.
- Steve doesn’t think Nabers is in danger of missing Sunday’s game, but it might not matter given how New York’s offense has played lately.
- As bad as Lock looked last Thursday, Tommy DeVito ($4,200) starting would effectively ruin the fantasy value of all Giants pass catchers, Nabers included.
See their full analysis here:
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans – 1:00 PM EST
JAX QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder)
Trevor Lawrence’s bad luck continued after suffering a nasty, game-ending hit last Sunday against the Texans. The quarterback was placed on injured reserve this week due to a shoulder injury, ruling out any possibility of him returning this season. It’s a crushing blow for the 2-10 Jaguars, who have struggled to score even when their franchise passer was playing. Now, with the team once again turning to backup Mac Jones ($5,000), the fantasy outlook for Jacksonville’s offensive weapons looks bleak.
- Considering the Jaguars have nothing to play for, it would be a shock to see Lawrence play again this season.
- At just $5,000 against a middling defense, Jones is a tempting DFS pick. The former Patriots quarterback looked good against Houston last week, throwing for 235 yards and two touchdowns.
- In addition to Jones, Will Levis ($5,000) and Calvin Ridley ($5,700) are an interesting pairing for those in search of a QB-WR stack this weekend.
See their full analysis here:
Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles – 1:00 PM EST
PHI WR DeVonta Smith (hamstring)
In Week 13, the Eagles took care of business against one of the AFC’s best, handling the Ravens by a score of 24-19. The road victory was made even more impressive by the absence of DeVonta Smith ($5,800) due to a hamstring injury, his second straight missed game. That won’t be the case this Sunday, as Philadelphia will welcome back their Pro Bowl wide receiver against the cellar-dwelling Panthers. On such a loaded offense, can fantasy managers count on Smith to shake off the rust in his return to action?
- Despite their lackluster 3-9 record, the Panthers have lost one-score games to the Chiefs and Buccaneers over the past two weeks. A close game could force the Eagles to leave their best players on the field longer than expected.
- While Carolina’s defense isn’t very good, opposing teams have had trouble beating them from the slot. That could be bad news for Smith, but his price is so low that it might not matter.
- Jalen Hurts ($7,800) has been throwing the ball downfield frequently, which could make A.J. Brown ($8,100) a wideout to pay up for this week.
See their full analysis here:
Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers – 1:00 PM EST
PIT WR George Pickens (hamstring)
In somewhat of a surprise, George Pickens ($6,800) was a late addition to Friday’s injury report. The Steelers are currently listing the wideout as questionable due to an issue with his hamstring. Should the former second-round pick miss any time, it would be a huge blow to an improving Pittsburgh offense. Last week against the Bengals, quarterback Russell Wilson ($5,900) threw for 414 yards, with Pickens snagging 74 of them in addition to a touchdown. Should the team be without its best receiver, head coach Mike Tomlin might favor a run-first approach against a Browns defense giving up the tenth-most rush yards in football (128.6 YPG).
- Steve is adamant that Pickens will play this week, primarily due to his weeks-long feud with Browns cornerback Greg Newsome.
- When these two teams last met in Week 12, Pickens tallied just four catches for 48 yards. However, that game was played in the brutal Cleveland snow, so this Sunday should see more offense on both sides.
See their full analysis here:
Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals – 4:05 PM
SEA WR DK Metcalf (shoulder)
The Seahawks have surged to the top of the NFC West, thanks in large part to an improved defense. On the other side of the ball, quarterback Geno Smith ($5,800) has developed some chemistry with second-year wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba ($6,300), at the expense of DK Metcalf ($6,200). The two-time Pro Bowler has had a good, not great, year, snagging 50 catches for 763 yards and three touchdowns. Now, with the 6’4″ receiver suffering a shoulder injury, his status is in doubt for this weekend’s crucial game against the Cardinals.
- Smith-Njigba is the only Seattle wideout that Steve and Meghan feel comfortable playing this week. Tyler Lockett ($4,300) is being phased out of the offense and Metcalf has been inconsistent this season.
- Arizona has done a good job defending perimeter wide receivers, which hurts Metcalf. The deep threat had just four catches for 59 yards when these teams last met two weeks ago.
- Smith-Njigba’s current price tag doesn’t reflect an increase in production since Week 8 (averaging 21.86 DK fantasy points).
See their full analysis here:
Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers – 4:25 PM
CHI WR D.J. Moore (quad)
The Bears may have lost in heartbreaking fashion last Thursday, but fans at least got to see Caleb Williams ($5,600) put together an impressive second-half comeback. Much of the credit for the sudden turnaround can be given to D.J. Moore ($6,100). The seven-year veteran served as the top option in the passing game, putting up an impressive eight-catch, 97-yard stat line against the Lions. Unfortunately, a quad injury has kept the receiver out of practice for most of the week. Although Moore told reporters on Friday that he was feeling “optimistic” about playing, there’s no guarantee the team will risk his health now that Chicago’s season is all but finished.
- Keenan Allen’s ($5,600) volume has gone up significantly lately. Over the past two weeks, the veteran has grabbed 14 catches, 159 receiving yards and three touchdowns off of a team-high 23 targets. His price is worth monitoring this weekend.
- Although the Bears will likely find themselves playing from behind, San Francisco’s defense has been tough on opposing quarterbacks (fourth-fewest passing yards allowed this season).
- It might be tough for some managers to swallow, but a Williams-Allen stack could make a ton of sense if Moore is out.
See their full analysis here:
SF RB Christian McCaffrey (knee)
A tumultuous 2024 for Christian McCaffrey finally came to a close last Sunday in Buffalo. San Francisco’s superstar running back left the game early due to a non-contact, torn PCL injury. Just a day later, the team announced that CMC would be placed on injured reserve, ending his season after just four games played. That’s not the only notable absence for the 49ers, as they’re expected to be without fellow running back Jordan Mason going forward following a high ankle sprain. With such limited options remaining, third-stringer Isaac Guerendo ($5,400) appears poised to take control of the backfield, although head coach Kyle Shanahan has been known to mix-and-match at the position.
- Based off of how the offense has looked lately (37 total points over the past three weeks), Meghan isn’t trusting anyone on the 49ers.
- As an alternative to Guerendo, consider Tyrone Tracy ($5,800). The rookie running back has averaged 14.6 DK fantasy points over the past three weeks with the Giants.
- Steve worries that the ownership on Guerendo in DFS contests will be sky-high. In most season-long fantasy leagues, he’s already been taken off of the waiver wire.
See their full analysis here:
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
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