For the past two Tuesdays, I have been able to create a somewhat abbreviated column, thanks to fantasy managers mainly being spared from league-altering injuries that will have long-term repercussions on their upcoming playoff runs.
That streak ends today.
As if Week 14 wasn’t already difficult enough to deal with thanks to a six-team bye-apocalypse (Baltimore, Denver, Houston, Indianapolis, New England Washington), several key starting options will be sidelined and unavailable — some for the short term, others for the rest of the season.
- Waiver Wire Advice
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
I sincerely hope you stashed away some extra FAAB money or a high waiver wire priority in your stocking because you’ll need it.
Which situations warrant your attention? Which are best avoided? Here is a quick rundown of the injuries you need to know about before making claims.
10 Fantasy Football Injuries to Know: Week 14 Waiver Wire
Quarterbacks
During the second quarter against the Houston Texans, Trevor Lawrence scrambled to pick up some yards on the ground when all his receivers were covered. Sliding after a few yards, Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair dove headfirst directly into Lawrence’s shoulder/neck area on a foul, cheap hit.
Immediately concussed and displaying the “fencing position,” Lawrence lay motionless on the field. Around him, benches cleared and fights broke out. Al-Shaair was later thrown out of the game and suspended for three games due to his dirty hit. Lawrence was able to get to his feet and ride on the passenger’s side of the medical cart, but he didn’t return to the game.
Already dealing with an AC joint sprain in his non-throwing shoulder, one must wonder if Lawrence will try to return this season, given the Jaguars’ 2-10 record. Backup Mac Jones played admirably enough to keep the team in contention until the closing minutes before the Texans ultimately pulled away. Jones’ presence is a definite downgrade to Evan Engram and Brian Thomas Jr., but not enough to warrant benching them for alternative options.
Running Backs
Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF)/Jordan Mason (RB – SF)
In a snowy contest against Buffalo on Sunday evening, when players had a hard time maintaining their footing, Christian McCaffrey finally looked poised to have his big breakout game of the season. Accumulating 53 carries on seven rush attempts, he left the field after he injured his right knee on an awkward tackle where he landed directly on the kneecap and could not return.
Diagnosed with a PCL injury shortly after the game, head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed McCaffrey will be out at least six weeks and miss the remainder of the season.
To complicate matters even further, his backup and direct replacement earlier this year, Jordan Mason, suffered a high-ankle sprain in the final minutes of the game. He will also be placed on season-ending IR.
These two injuries immediately vault Isaac Guerendo to the top of the priority list at the position this week, and he is undoubtedly a “spend every dollar you have left to acquire him” type of player. His one-cut running style and track-star speed perfectly combine for this offensive scheme. Patrick Taylor will be promoted from the practice squad to serve as his backup for the next month.
Wide Receivers
Questionable entering Week 13 with a shoulder injury, Ladd McConkey put on a show for a hometown crowd in Atlanta on Sunday, securing nine catches on 12 targets for 117 yards in one of his biggest games of the season. Just before the game ended, he was removed from the contest with a knee injury. Head coach Jim Harbaugh said he was uncertain if the talented rookie could practice this upcoming week.
Since Harbaugh didn’t outline a particular timetable to reference (either day-to-day or week-to-week), fantasy managers should treat this as a fluid situation. Already absent J.K. Dobbins in the backfield, Los Angeles will need to rely upon Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston to move the ball against a stout Kansas City Chiefs defense in Week 14. McConkey is currently the WR13 in PPR formats this year, averaging over 14 points per contest. His absence would be notable.
Rashod Bateman was a bitter disappointment for managers this past weekend, as he put up a donut in what was supposed to be one of the week’s most competitive contests with Philadelphia. Ruled out for the remainder of the game in the third quarter with a knee injury, Bateman is currently receiving treatment and will benefit from the Ravens’ bye this week.
John Harbaugh stated he hoped the injury wasn’t a long-term issue, per Jeff Zrebiec of The Athletic. Should Bateman miss any time, Lamar Jackson would continue to rely upon Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers in the passing game. Trade acquisition Diontae Johnson played zero offensive snaps this past week. Harbaugh was somewhat cryptic about why he isn’t being utilized.
Before exiting Sunday’s game with a rib injury, Noah Brown caught three passes on four targets for 27 yards from Jayden Daniels. The clear “1C” option in this offense behind Terry McLaurin and Zach Ertz in the passing game, Brown has provided managers with Flex-level relevance since Week 8 against Chicago.
No updates were provided regarding Brown’s status, but similar to Bateman above, he will benefit from his team being on bye this week. Hopefully, the extended rest period will allow him to come back healthy in Week 15. Should the team opt to take a cautious approach, or Brown suffer any setback, Luke McCaffrey and Dyami Brown would look to fill the void. Washington remains a run-heavy team, so making waiver wire moves here isn’t advised.
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt rocked Calvin Austin during the second quarter and was later evaluated for a concussion. Now in the league’s protocol, it is likely Austin will miss Week 14 against Cleveland.
Austin’s role as a gadget player and downfield threat will be spread amongst several alternatives, but none are worth claiming. Pittsburgh’s passing game will continue to heavily feature George Pickens, Pat Freiermuth and little else.
Demarcus Robinson entered Sunday’s game against New Orleans on shaky ground after being arrested the prior Monday morning on suspicion of driving under the influence at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour (MPH).
The third-fiddle option in the Los Angeles passing attack behind Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp, Robinson suffered a hand injury in the middle of the fourth quarter. Thankfully for anyone who used him as a streaming option, he was able to secure two receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown before his exit.
If Robinson misses Week 14 (either because of suspension or injury), Tutu Atwell and Tyler Johnson would form a committee approach to fill the snap gap.
Tight Ends
I’m listing Taysom Hill under the tight end section, but I know that different platforms allow him to start in alternative positions. Heavily featured early on in Sunday’s game against Los Angeles, Hill suffered a season-ending torn ACL (as well as possible other damage) during a tackle when several players converged around his knee.
His absence will be heavily felt, as New Orleans was already playing without both starting wideouts Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed. Hill’s versatility was a significant bonus for fantasy managers, and the Saints’ decision to make him the offense’s focal point didn’t go unnoticed. Turning 35 years old in August, one has to wonder if this will be his ride into the sunset.
At tight end, Juwan Johnson and Foster Moreau will be prominently featured in the passing game. Johnson is worth spending a few dollars on as a streaming start moving forward. The New Orleans defense bleeds points constantly, forcing Derek Carr to become pass-happy in the second half of contests.
Dallas Goedert left Sunday’s game against Baltimore in the fourth quarter with a knee injury. This could sideline him for the near future. The team confirmed he will undergo further testing early this week to determine the severity and see if he needs to be placed on injured reserve (IR).
Constantly banged up throughout his seven-year tenure with Philadelphia, Goedert is a frustrating fantasy asset to roster. Until further information is released, we’d consider him to be doubtful for Week 14. Managers with shares of Goedert should seek alternative options.
Direct backup Grant Calcaterra filled in admirably earlier this year when Goedert was dealing with a hamstring injury, but he isn’t worth breaking the bank for as anything other than a touchdown-or-bust option.
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