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:
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens – 4:30 PM EST (Sat.)
PIT WR George Pickens (hamstring)
Ahead of a pivotal AFC North clash, the Steelers will be without their most explosive player. Wide receiver George Pickens has been ruled out of Saturday’s matchup in Baltimore due to a hamstring injury, his third straight absence. Last week against the Eagles, Pittsburgh only managed to score 14 points, with quarterback Russell Wilson ($5,700) throwing for just 128 passing yards. The team will look to put together a better offensive performance against a Ravens squad giving up 23.7 points per game, 11th-most in the NFL.
- Calvin Austin ($3,800) had a solid game last Sunday, catching five passes for 65 yards. He’s in line for similar production this week against a Baltimore secondary giving up the second-most DK fantasy points to wide receivers this season.
- Steve and Meghan are both in on Pat Freiermuth ($3,900). Despite a poor showing vs. Philadelphia (three catches for 22 yards), he still led Pittsburgh in targets. The tight end should get plenty of work against vulnerable Ravens pass defense.
See their full analysis here:
Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears – 1:00 PM EST
DET RB David Montgomery (knee)
Despite their stellar 12-2 record, the Lions have not been the healthiest team in recent weeks. The latest Detroit star to get hurt is David Montgomery, who suffered an MCL injury last Sunday against the Bills. Despite fears that he would miss the rest of the season, recent comments from head coach Dan Campbell suggest that the running back might return for the postseason. Still, the next few weeks should see a healthy dose of Jahmyr Gibbs ($7,500) out of the backfield. The second-year back has produced a team-leading 1,442 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns this season.
- Now that Montgomery is sidelined through the remainder of the regular season, Gibbs has a real claim as the fantasy RB1 going forward.
- Despite the high price tag, Steve is all over Gibbs this week. Detroit’s young star gets to face a Bears defense giving up the fifth-most DK fantasy points to opposing running backs.
- In DFS formats, Meghan is considering paying up for Gibbs and going cheap at another position such as quarterback.
See their full analysis here:
Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks – 4:05 PM EST
SEA RB Kenneth Walker (calf)
The Seahawks have had to get creative at running back this month with starter Kenneth Walker ($6,300) missing the past two weeks with a calf injury. That’s meant plenty of carries for backup Zach Charbonnet ($6,000), who gained a combined 259 yards and 3 touchdowns from scrimmage against the Cardinals and Packers. Luckily for Seattle, Walker was not placed on this week’s injury report, setting him up for a return on Sunday vs. the Vikings.
- This is a tough game for Walker, as the Vikings are giving up the third-fewest DK fantasy points against opposing running backs.
- Walker has been given plenty of touches this season, but he hasn’t delivered much value. The Michigan State alum has gained just 3.2 yards per carry over his previous four outings.
- As a similarly-priced alternative, Meghan is targeting Minnesota’s Aaron Jones ($6,400).
See their full analysis here:
San Francisco 49ers at Miami Dolphins – 4:25 PM EST
SF RB Isaac Guerendo (hamstring)
The hits keep coming for the 49ers backfield. Weeks after losing both Christian McCaffrey and backup Jordan Mason, San Francisco might be without another rusher. Third-stringer Isaac Guerendo suffered a hamstring injury last Thursday against the Rams, casting doubt over his status for Sunday’s game vs. the Dolphins. Although the rookie wasn’t a household name entering this season, he’s rushed for an impressive 5.2 yards per carry through 14 games. Now, it remains to be seen who head coach Kyle Shanahan will start this weekend at running back.
- The presumptive starter for San Francisco this week is Patrick Taylor ($5,200). The former Packers running back had seven carries for 25 yards and a touchdown in Week 14 vs. the Bears.
- Since so many fantasy managers will target a cheap starter like Taylor, Steve would rather look elsewhere when filling out his DFS lineups.
- If everyone is choosing to save money at running back, it might make sense to pay less for a quarterback instead.
See their full analysis here:
New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers – 8:20 PM (Mon.)
NO RB Alvin Kamara (groin/adductor)
After sitting out of Friday’s practice, it’s not looking good for Alvin Kamara ahead of Monday’s game vs. the Packers. The five-time Pro Bowler left last Sunday’s outing vs. the Commanders due to a groin injury. Should the veteran sit out on Monday night, Kendre Miller ($5,300) would be next in line at running back. The second-year pro has been solid over the past two weeks, rushing for 78 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. On a 5-9 Saints squad with nothing left to play for, the 22-year-old is a good bet to command double-digit carries against Green Bay.
- Steve views Miller as a value play, as his price tag isn’t very costly for someone that appears to be a clear-cut RB1. The Packers aren’t pushovers on defense, but they are giving up the 14th-most DK fantasy points to opposing running backs.
- However, Meghan thinks Miller might be a fade this week. Green Bay has given up just 3.6 yards per carry over its last three games, third-best in the NFL. Mix in the uncertainty of Spencer Rattler ($4,600) starting at quarterback, and it’s tough to trust any member of New Orleans’ offense in this potential blowout.
See their full analysis here:
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.