Injury Status: Week 13

Thu Dec 2 8:39am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Well, last week was another rough one on the injury front. Three of the best fantasy running backs in the game went down. Ouch. It was not a good week. Let’s hope we don’t see a repeat of that anytime soon. Here is the latest from around the league. . . . .

Dalvin Cook, RB, Vikings. Cook suffered a shoulder dislocation and torn left labrum in the Week 12. He is expected to miss at least two games because of the injury. There is hope he returns before the season is out, though. He could be back for the fantasy playoffs. Alexander Mattison will handle the starting duties for the Vikings while Cook is out.

Daniel Jones, QB, Giants. Jones suffered a strained neck last week and is considered week-to-week. He is expected to miss the game this week, giving Mike Glennon the start at quarterback for the Giants.

Taysom Hill, QB, Saints. Hill has been practicing all week and seems set to return to the starting lineup even though the Saints haven’t made it official yet. Hill’s foot injury is finally doing better. He should be the starter in Week 13 and is not a bad fantasy option because of his ability to make plays with his legs.

Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles. Hurts hurt his ankle last week and is iffy to play this week. He is not being ruled out just yet but it isn’t looking great right now. And if he plays, Hurts will be less than 100 percent for the game. We should know more later in the week but get other options ready for now. 

Sterling Shepard, WR, Giants. Shepard still isn’t practicing because of a quad injury. He has missed the last several weeks of action and isn’t looking to play again unless he gets in some work before the week is out. We would get other options ready to play.

Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals. Murray finally returned to practice, getting in limited work on Wednesday. He is finally trending the right way but isn't a sure thing go return just yet. He might need to ramp up his play in practice if he hopes to finally return to play in Week 13. Keep an eye on the practice notes for the latest. 

DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Cardinals. Just like Murray, Hopkins finally got in a limited practice Wednesday. His hamstring injury is progressing, and he has a shot to return this week. We should know more later in the week, but it seems Hopkins has a decent chance for a return to the starting lineup.   

J.D. McKissic, RB, Washington. McKissic was knocked from last week’s game because of a neck injury. He is not practicing to start the week but is not being ruled out at this moment. He is looking iffy to play. If he gets in some practice in the next day or two, McKissic will have a chance to play Week 13.

Antonio Brown, WR, Bucs. Brown remains out of action because of a sprained ankle. He still isn’t practicing and expected to miss a few more weeks of action. Tyler Johnson will continue to have a bigger role in the offense while Brown is out.

CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys. Lamb is set to return from a concussion. He was close to playing last week and has been practicing in full this week. He has been cleared from the concussion protocol and should have his normal starting role in Week 13.

Corey Davis, WR, Jets. Davis missed the game last week because of a groin injury he suffered in practice. He remains out of practice. Things are not looking good for him to play. We would expect him to miss the game. Elijah Moore should serve as the top target at receiver for the Jets this week.

Amari Cooper, WR, Cowboys. Cooper has been battling COVID-19 the last few weeks. He still isn’t 100 percent but expected to play this week. He might get a little lesser workload in the game, though, because of the impact of the illness. He is a little big of a scary play because you just aren’t sure how much he will play. 

D'Andre Swift, RB, Lions. Swift hurt his shoulder last week and is expected to miss multiple weeks with the injury. Jamaal Williams will start while Swift is out of action.

Justin Fields, QB, Bears. Fields returned to the practice field Wednesday. He has a shot to play Week 13 as long as he doesn’t have a setback from practicing. We should know for sure before the week is out.

Darren Waller, TE, Raiders. Waller suffered a knee injury last week and is being called week-to-week. He is not practicing to start the week but has not been ruled out. He still has a chance to play this week, but it would not surprise if he misses the game, especially if you consider his injury history. Foster Moreau starts the game for the Raiders if Waller is out.

Mark Ingram, RB, Saints. Ingram missed the game last week because of a knee injury. He has been practicing in full this week, though, and is not even listed on the Injury Report this week. Ingram should play and could even start if Alvin Kamara has to miss another game.

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints. Kamara has been practicing on a limited basis this week and is questionable to play. He is looking like a game-time decision. The good news is the Saints play Thursday, so at least we will know early in the week if he plays.

Kadarius Toney, WR, Giants. Toney is out of practice right now because of oblique and quad injuries. Toney missed the game last week and doesn’t seem close to returning this week. It would be a surprise if he is able to suit up. Get other options ready to play.

Jordan Howard, RB, Eagles. Howard has been sidelined because of a knee injury and still is out of practice. Unless he makes a quick turnaround, expect him to miss another week of action. Boston Scott might get most of the work for the Eagles with Miles Sanders also hurting.

Miles Sanders, RB, Eagles. Sanders injured his ankle last week and was removed from the game late. He has been limited in practice this week, so he has a chance to play. But even if he plays, Sanders might get a little less workload because he probably won’t be 100 percent. Boston Scott might get more of the work at running back.

Darrell Henderson, RB, Rams. Henderson hurt his thigh and is yet to practice to start the week. There is a chance he returns to practice before the week is out. So keep an eye on the practice notes for the latest. There is a chance Henderson will be ready. But if Henderson misses, Sony Michel gets the start and becomes an intriguing fantasy play.

Deebo Samuel, WR, 49ers. Samuel suffered a groin strain last week and left the game early. Early reports are he is expected to miss a week or two of action. He has not been ruled out for this week just yet, though. We think he is a long shot to play, but you never know. If Samuel misses, Brandon Aiyuk becomes the top target at receiver for the 49ers.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

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