Amon-Ra St. Brown, Justin Herbert And More

For most fantasy football leagues, Week 14 is the final week of the regular season. Managers who have yet to lock up a playoff spot may have some last-minute scrambling to do in the wake of a few notable injuries from Thanksgiving weekend.

The good news is that reinforcements may be on the way. A handful of key starters could be making their return to their respective teams’ lineups in Week 14 just in the nick of time.

Let’s walk through all of the major injury news that fantasy football managers need to know heading into Week 14.

Notable Injuries

1. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions WR (ankle)

Amon-Ra St. Brown’s fantasy managers didn’t have much to be thankful for on Thanksgiving this year. He suffered an ankle injury midway through the first quarter of the Lions’ loss to the Green Bay Packers and did not return, which left him scoreless on the day.

After the game, Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters that he didn’t think St. Brown’s injury would be “long, long term,” but he might miss a week or two. The Lions play Thursday against this Dallas Cowboys this week, which gives St. Brown three fewer days to recover than he’d typically have.

If St. Brown sits Thursday, the Lions’ passing game figures to flow through Jameson Williams and Jahmyr Gibbs. Williams erupted with seven catches for a season-high 144 yards and a touchdown against the Packers in St. Brown’s absence and should be locked into fantasy lineups this week as well. Rookie wideout Isaac TeSlaa could be an intriguing flier for those in deep leagues, too.

2. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Clippers QB (hand)

Justin Herbert suffered a fractured bone in his left (non-throwing) hand early in the first quarter of the Chargers’ win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, although he was able to return to the game after getting fitted with a hard cast and glove. He underwent surgery Monday and is considered day-to-day, per ESPN’s Kris Rhim.

After the game Sunday, Herbert told reporters that he expected to be fine for the Chargers’ Week 14 game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football. However, he did say that he had trouble holding onto the ball after the injury, so Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh plans to prepare backup quarterback Trey Lance “for under-center goal-line scenarios” this week, according to Rhim.

Herbert hasn’t been putting up big numbers in recent weeks even prior to the injury, so fantasy managers might want to consider their alternatives even if he is able to suit up. Lance would be a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency starter only against the Eagles’ typically stout defense.

3. Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings RB (shoulder)

Aaron Jones has been nursing an AC joint sprain in his shoulder for the past month and aggravated it Sunday in the Vikings’ blowout loss to the Seattle Seahawks. He left midway through the third quarter and did not return.

On Monday, Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell told reporters that Jones did “not seem to have made it any worse for the wear, but he’ll be day-to-day.” It’s unclear if he’ll be able to suit up in the Vikings’ Week 14 game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

If Jones can’t go, Jordan Mason figures to lead the Vikings’ backfield committee once again. He had six carries for 47 yards against Seattle in Jones’ absence, although he’ll have a relatively low ceiling given the current state of the Vikings’ offense. He’s still worth picking up if he’s available anywhere on waivers, though.

4. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals WR (heel)

Marvin Harrison Jr. made his return Sunday after a two-game absence due to appendicitis, but he didn’t emerge from the game unscathed. He suffered a right heel injury against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second half and missed most of the fourth quarter.

On Monday, head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters that Harrison is continuing to be evaluated and that the Cardinals will have an update on his status later in the week. During a local radio appearance, he compared it to the heel injury that sidelined cornerback Max Melton this past week, which might not bode well for Harrison’s chances of suiting up Sunday against the Los Angeles Rams.

If Harrison can’t play in Week 14, Michael Wilson will go right back to being the Cardinals’ WR1. He caught 25 passes on 33 targets for 303 yards during the two weeks Harrison missed, so he should be locked into all fantasy lineups this week. Greg Dortch, who caught 12 passes on 15 targets for 119 yards and two touchdowns, is also worth a speculative pickup, particularly in deeper leagues.

5. Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants RB (hip)

In the fourth quarter of the Giants’ loss to the New England Patriots on Monday Night Football, Tyrone Tracy Jr. suffered a hip injury that required him to get carted off the field. In his absence, veteran tailback Devin Singletary stepped in as the Giants’ every-down running back.

Tracy told reporters Tuesday that he suffered a hip contusion/stinger and he’s fine, according to Dan Duggan of The Athletic. The Giants are on bye in Week 14, but it sounds as though he should be back in action in Week 15.

With that said, fantasy managers who have already locked up a playoff spot or those with an open spot on their bench should consider scooping up Singletary in leagues where he’s available. With Cam Skattebo done for the year, Singletary is the only other running back on the Giants’ roster who’s had a single carry this year.

Quick Hits

1. Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns RB (calf)

Dylan Sampson left Sunday’s loss to the San Francisco 49ers with a calf injury, although head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Monday that he’s day-to-day. If he can’t suit up for the Browns’ game against the Tennessee Titans in Week 14, Jerome Ford figures to back up starting running back Quinshon Judkins, but he wouldn’t be worth starting in any leagues.

2. Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars WR (hip)

Parker Washington suffered a hip injury in the first half of Sunday’s blowout win over the Titans and could not return. In his absence, Jakobi Meyers hauled in a team-high six catches for 90 yards and a touchdown, while Brian Thomas Jr. mustered only two catches for 28 yards. Meyers would be a must-start, but Thomas would only be a desperation play. Tight end Brenton Strange (three catches for 45 yards and a touchdown) could be worth a flier for managers looking to replace George Kittle (bye) this week.

3. Kyle Juszczyk, San Francisco 49ers FB (ribs)

Kyle Juszczyk isn’t a fantasy factor whatsoever, but he’s key to the Niners’ running game. He suffered a rib fracture in their win over the Browns and is set to be re-evaluated after their Week 14 bye. If he’s forced to miss time, it could further decrease Christian McCaffrey’s effectiveness on the ground, although he’s still a locked-in starter due to his robust work as a pass-catcher.

Potential Returns

1. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals WR (concussion)

Tee Higgins missed the Bengals’ blowout win over the Baltimore Ravens due to a concussion, and head coach Zac Taylor told reporters Monday that he’s still in the NFL’s concussion protocol. However, he was in uniform Monday for the Bengals’ walkthrough, so there’s a decent chance he’ll be cleared before Sunday’s pivotal game against the Buffalo Bills.

2. Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers RB (ankle)

Omarion Hampton was a limited participant in practice last week before he got ruled out for the Chargers’ win over the Raiders. On Monday, CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz reported that “there’s optimism entering the week” that Hampton will return from his seven-game absence to face the Eagles on Monday. With Herbert banged up, the Chargers may look to lean on their running game with Hampton and Kimani Vidal.

3. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders QB (elbow)

Jayden Daniels was also a limited participant in practice last week before he was ruled out against the Denver Broncos on Sunday due to the elbow injury that has sidelined him since Week 9. Head coach Dan Quinn told reporters Monday that Daniels still has yet to be cleared for contact, although there’s a chance he returns for Sunday’s game against the Vikings. Why the Commanders would risk their franchise quarterback in a year where they’re effectively eliminated from the playoffs is anyone’s guess, but make sure Daniels isn’t available on your waivers just in case.

4. J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings QB (concussion)

J.J. McCarthy missed the Vikings’ blowout loss to the Seahawks with a concussion, but O’Connell told reporters after the game that he could be cleared from the league’s concussion protocol as soon as Monday. The Vikings will go back to him as their starter if he does clear the protocol, although given his ineffectiveness in recent weeks, it’ll be hard to start any Vikings skill-position player with confidence either way.

5. Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers WRs (foot/collarbone, wrist)

The Packers’ receiving corps might get even more unpredictable this week, as head coach Matt LaFleur told reporters Monday that both Jayden Reed and Matthew Golden could return. Dontayvion Wicks erupted with six catches for 94 yards and two touchdowns in their absence against the Lions on Sunday, but Christian Watson might be the Packers receiver with the best combination of floor and ceiling.

6. Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals RB (knee)

Trey Benson underwent arthroscopic surgery on his meniscus in early October and was expected to miss only 4-6 weeks, but he still has yet to return. After practicing in a limited capacity Wednesday, he missed practice Thursday and Friday and didn’t’ play in Sunday’s loss to Tampa Bay. If the Cardinals don’t activate him by the end of this week, he’ll be done for the season.