Injuries objectively suck. To this day it’s unclear why God hasn’t turned them off. Anyone who plays Madden of NCAA Football and does NOT turn off injuries is a monster in my humble opinion.

Of course, injuries continue to be a rather large part of fantasy football analysis, which is why Fantasy Life will continue to grind each and every fantasy-relevant issue throughout the season.

What follows is a breakdown on every fantasy-relevant injury ahead of Week 10. Check out the late Friday edition of The Fantasy Life Podcast for a full breakdown on the issues from Fantasy Life lead betting analyst Matthew Freedman and myself.

Quarterback

Kyler Murray (knee, not listed), Cardinals

Murray will start and make his much anticipated 2023 debut against the Falcons on Sunday. The return of Kyler means the return of one of fantasy football’s productive QBs … ever. Just five signal-callers have averaged 20-plus fantasy points per game over the course of their career during the Super Bowl era (min. 16 starts):

• Patrick Mahomes (22.9)
• Josh Allen (22.1)
• Deshaun Watson (20.7)
• Murray (20.4)
• Justin Herbert (20.2)

We simply haven’t seen Murray play professional football and function as anything other than an elite fantasy QB1 – he’s the consensus 12th-best option at the position this week in the Fantasy Life Rankings.

Daniel Jones (ACL, IR), Giants

Tommy Devito will start in Sunday’s nightmare matchup against Micah Parsons and the Cowboys. No QB is expected to be under more constant duress. Currently implied to score a pathetic week-low 10.75 points, Saquon Barkley is the only member of the Giants who should be anywhere close to a fantasy lineup. 

Jaren Hall (concussion, out), Vikings

Joshua Dobbs will start in Sunday’s home matchup against the Saints. “The Passtronaut” deserves credit for accounting for three total TDs in back-to-back weeks inside of completely different offenses; just realize the 28-year-old journeyman has still been an objectively bad QB in 2023:

• EPA per dropback: -0.06 (No. 24 among 35 QBs with 100-plus dropbacks this season)
• Completion percentage over expected: -1.5% (No. 26)
• PFF pass grade: 57.2 (No. 28)
• Passer rating: 83.3 (tied for No. 24)
• Yards per attempt: 5.8 (No. 33)

It’d make sense if the eventual return of a healthy Justin Jefferson (hamstring, questionable) helps lift Dobbs to new heights; just don’t get carried away with expecting constant fantasy booms in the near term.

Running Back

David Montgomery (ribs, not listed), Lions

The return of Montgomery could be problematic for rookie Jahmyr Gibbs, who ripped off PPR RB2 and RB1 performances during his two spot starts as the offense featured back in Weeks 7 and 8.

It’d make sense if things are split a bit more evenly down the stretch with Gibbs seemingly performing far too well to just place on the bench. Still, the rookie also wasn’t exactly sucking to start the year. He struggled to see anything resembling overly fantasy-friendly volume in what is basically a three-game sample size with both players fully healthy:

• Week 1: 27% snaps, 7-42-0 rushing, 2-18-0 receiving
• Week 2: 48%, 7-17-0, 7-39-0
• Week 4: 38%, 8-40-0, 4-11-0 

Ultimately, any RB getting double-digit touches inside of the league’s ninth-ranked scoring offense deserves to be in far more fantasy lineups than not.

The Lions are on pace to join the 2017 Saints as the only offenses to produce multiple top-12 RBs in PPR points per game in a single season in at least a decade – this is due in part to each obtaining a workhorse role when the other has been sidelined, but both backs rank inside of my top-16 options at the position this week ahead of a potential shootout against the Chargers’ ever-leaky run defense.

Dameon Pierce (ankle, out), Texans

While Devin Singletary’s PPR RB35 finish wasn’t anything to write home about last week, he really took over this backfield in the absence of the Texans’ starting RB.

It’d make sense if the Texans continue to deploy more of a pass-first approach without Pierce, but this sort of workhorse role is still deserving of mid-tier RB3 treatment.

Singletary is ranked ahead of guys like Kareem Hunt and Tyler Allgeier in the Fantasy Life consensus ranks.

Aaron Jones (hamstring), Packers

A-aron is good to go and seemingly set to continue seeing the sort of big-time role he was unleashed with in Week 9. Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed that he isn't hesitant to give Jones a second straight week with heavy workload; fire up the long-time fantasy stud as an upside RB2 ahead of Sunday’s matchup with T.J. Watt and company.

Kenneth Walker (chest, not listed), DeeJay Dallas (shoulder, questionable), Seahawks

Walker is good to go for Sunday’s matchup against the Commanders. While his usage has dipped in back-to-back weeks, it’s possible calf and chest injuries are to blame.

Walker is still getting the majority of the touches; continue to fire him up as a recommended RB1 start. Still, Charbonnet has certainly made his case for more opportunities by winning the battle in yards per carry (5.3 vs. 4.2) while grading out as PFF’s third-best pass-blocking RB among 61 qualified players.

It’d certainly make sense if the Seahawks, you know, make their 2023 second-round RB an important piece of the offense.

Charb’s role isn’t big enough to trust just yet, but he remains one of the best handcuffs in all of fantasy football while also generally trending up toward potentially earning some FLEX value down the stretch.

James Conner (knee, questionable), Emari Demercado (toe, out), Cardinals

The hope is that the former veteran will handle his typical workhorse role on Sunday against the Falcons.

Conner handled 19, 24, 16 and 13 combined carries and targets in his only four fully healthy games of 2023; he’s one of the league’s few true every-down RBs left and will work as a recommended upside RB2 start any week he’s healthy enough to suit up moving forward.

Keaton Mitchell (hamstring, questionable), Ravens

Mitchell finished the week with a full practice, indicating he’s on the right side of this questionable tag.

The emergence of Mitchell has sent the fantasy community into a frenzy, as the rookie looked good on his way to converting nine carries into 138 yards and a score. And yet, Gus Edwards (5-52-2) also made some plays, while Justice Hill (13-40-0) wound up racking up nearly as many carries as both former backs had combined.

All three RBs had four carries in the first half; we’re going to need to see a big-time change in usage for managers to overly trust Mitchell anytime soon.

That said: The explosive rookie might just be one injury to either Gus Bus or Hill away from seeing double-digit touches per game far more consistently. The pint-sized (5’8, 179-pounds) speedster (4.37-second 40-yard dash) has RB2 upside down the stretch *if* this backfield wave continues to flow in his direction.

Kendre Miller (ankle, out), Saints

Miller has only had nine total touches over the past month of action anyway.

His small leftover usage should be eaten up by Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams without much of a second thought.

Pierre Strong Jr. (hamstring, questionable), Browns

Strong has been a distant third option behind Jerome Ford and Kareem Hunt whenever both of the Browns’ top-two RBs have been healthy enough to handle their usual workloads.

His absence doesn’t really move the needle for anyone ahead of Sunday’s tough matchup with the Ravens.

Wide receiver

Justin Jefferson (hamstring, questionable), K.J. Osborn (concussion, questionable), Vikings

It’s great that Jefferson seems close to returning, but Sunday seems unlikely with early chatter about this Sunday being “a little aggressive.”

Worst case, JJ should be back following the team’s Week 13 bye might make some sense, but the fact he’s already being listed as questionable could mean things progress far quicker. Obviously, Jefferson is a weekly WR1 whenever healthy enough to suit up.

Meanwhile, Osborn’s return would push Trishton Jackson back out of three-WR sets. Neither are recommended fantasy options regardless.

Stefon Diggs (back), Bills

The injury popped up on Friday. We’ll know more by Saturday afternoon. Deonte Harty and Trent Sherfeld would likely both factor into three-WR sets if Diggs is somehow sidelined.

Managers may need an emergency plan with the Bills taking on the Broncos on Monday night.

Ja’Marr Chase (back, questionable), Tee Higgins (hamstring, out), Bengals

Chase seems to be on track to playing after getting in some limited sessions to end the week.

Meanwhile, Higgins is considered day-to-day after suffering this injury during the middle of the week.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) celebrates a touchdown catch in the second quarter during a Week 14 NFL game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. Nfl Cleveland Browns At Cincinnati Bengals Dec 11 0227

Fire up Chase as his usual upside WR1 self if active; his middling 4-41-0 production in Week 9 coulda, shoulda, woulda been so much more had he not:

1. Dropped a two-yard TD, and
2. Been underthrown on a bomb that sure looked like it was heading for a 57-yard house call.

Trenton Irwin is the favorite to replace Higgins in three-WR sets; just realize rookie Andrei Iosivas has also been involved and could make things a bit more of a rotation than Irwin’s 82% route rate in Week 5 with Higgins sidelined might indicate.

Nico Collins (calf, out), Robert Woods (foot, questionable), Texans

Tank Dell suddenly shoots up into upside WR2 territory as the clear-cut No. 1 WR in this C.J. Stroud-led attack.

TE Dalton Schultz is also a top-six TE play on the week thanks to double-digit target upside against the Bengals’ league-worst defense in PPR points per game allowed to the position. Hell, even Noah Brown is creeping into the WR3 conversation after last week’s overall PPR WR3 finish.

It’d make sense if John Metchie is the main beneficiary of these absences and starts in three-WR sets. Still, rookie Xavier Hutchinon has also been involved throughout the season in a gadget-esque role. Neither are recommended fantasy options outside of DFS punt plays.

Deebo Samuel (shoulder, not listed), Ra-Ray McCloud (illness, not listed), 49ers

Deebo had a bye week to get fully healthy and is good to go for Sunday’s matchup against the Jaguars.

Of course, high-end involvement is never guaranteed inside of this loaded offense; Samuel comes in as the WR22 in the Fantasy Life consensus ranks – absolutely someone who should be started in more lineups than not, but also not exactly a slam-dunk WR1 against the Jaguars’ fourth-ranked defense in EPA per play against.

DK Metcalf (hip, not listed), Tyler Lockett (hamstring, not listed), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (hip, not listed), Seahawks

All three are tentatively expected to play their usual roles ahead of Sunday’s smash spot against the Commanders’ 30th-ranked defense in PPR points per game allowed to the position.

Watching Metcalf (6’3, 228-pounds) go to work against Commanders CB Emmanuel Forbes Jr. (6’1, 166-pounds) in particular should be high comedy.

Both Metcalf and Lockett are top-20 options at the position this week, while JSN has also entered the WR3 conversation and is a recommended play ahead of guys like Michael Thomas and Romeo Doubs among others.

Christian Watson (back, not listed), Packers

Originally diagnosed with back, head and chest injuries after last week, Watson practiced in full all week and is good to go for Sunday’s smashable spot against the Steelers’ 28th-ranked defense in PPR points per game allowed to opposing WRs.

Of course, Watson isn’t quite a slam dunk WR2 start with the Jordan Love experience not exactly leading to consistent offensive booms; just realize the speedy second-year talent offers underrated boom upside against a Steelers secondary that has allowed the league’s second-highest explosive pass play rate this season.

Jahan Dotson (personal, not listed), Curtis Samuel (toe, questionable), Commanders

Samuel’s return is more of a detriment to the playing time of Dyami Brown, Byron Pringle and Jamison Crowder – the concern for Dotson is whether or not he’ll still manage to see as many targets with Sam Howell usually content to spread the ball out fairly evenly behind Terry McLaurin.

Overall, each of Dotson (15.9% target share), Samuel (15.8%) and Logan Thomas (14.8%) have essentially formed a 2.A, 2.B and 2.C committee behind McLaurin (24.3%).

Dotson is more of a low-end WR3 when Samuel is healthy as opposed to someone you should go out of your way to start, while the former Ohio State Buckeye is back in the WR4 conversation alongside guys like Khalil Shakir and Romeo Doubs.

Drake London (groin, not listed), Mack Hollins (ankle, out), Falcons

London returns to his usual boom-or-bust WR3 treatment; the second-year receiver looks the part of a truly special talent, but it’s anyone’s guess as to whether or not head coach Arthur Smith will attempt to harness that ability in Sunday’s matchup against the Cardinals.

Hollins’ absence will likely keep KhaDarel Hodge in something close to a full-time role. This is cool because Hodge has been balling out recently.

Should you start him in fantasy? Hell no, but appreciate this greatness.

Treylon Burks (concussion, out), Titans

DeAndre Hopkins should continue to get force-fed all the targets he can handle. Look for Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Chris Moore to fill out three-WR sets, but neither are realistic fantasy options outside of being low-priced DFS darts inside of an offense still fully expected to rely plenty on Derrick Henry and the run game.

Zay Jones (knee, out), Jaguars

Jones hasn’t played since Week 5. Jamal Agnew and Tim Jones have combined to take his place in three-WR sets during his absence.

This week’s tough matchup with the 49ers isn’t the spot to overly rely on either backup, but Jones’ full-time role inside this ascending passing game could prove useful in future bye week binds for those in deeper formats once he’s healthy enough to suit up.

Demario Douglas (knee, questionable), DeVante Parker (concussion, out), Patriots

Douglas continues to work as the offense’s only real full-time WR in the absence of Kendrick Bourne (knee, IR) and Parker. The rookie remains the only recommended WR start inside the league’s 31st-ranked scoring offense.

This reality makes Sunday’s matchup against the Colts’ 28th-ranked scoring defense a bit of a “moveable force meets a stoppable object” situation. Douglas is the PPR WR35 in the Fantasy Life consensus ranks.

Rashod Bateman (back, not listed), Ravens

The Ravens have been content to rotate Odell Beckham JrBateman and Nelson Agholor behind No. 1 WR Zay Flowers in recent weeks. Of courses, Mark Andrews remains the true No. 1 pass-game option inside of an offense that still enjoys running the football.

None of these WRs are especially enticing starts against Myles Garrett and the Browns’ league-best defense in EPA per play against.

Josh Downs (knee, questionable), Alec Pierce (ankle, questionable), Colts

Isaiah McKenzie should see something close to a full-time role in the slot if Downs is ultimately sidelined after failing to practice all week.

Any sort of limited usage from Pierce would probably benefit Juwann Winfree; nobody in this group other than Michael Pittman are recommended fantasy starts regardless of an offense more content than ever to feature Jonathan Taylor on the ground. 

Michael Wilson (shoulder, questionable), Cardinals

Wilson’s return to the lineup would reduce Zach Pascal and Grego Dortch back to pure backups.

The rookie quietly boasts some late-season upside with Kyler Murray back under center; just realize Wilson could also be the weekly No. 4 pass-game option behind Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore and Trey McBride. Wilson is nothing more than a low-floor WR6 if healthy enough to suit up against A.J. Terrell and company this week.

Allen Lazard (knee, not listed), Jets

Nobody other than Garrett Wilson is a viable fantasy option inside of this Zach Wilson-led “attack.” Note that Wilson is averaging a career-low six yards per attempt and -0.23 EPA per dropback. The bar was low entering 2023, and the former No. 2 overall pick has not cleared it on his way to throwing just five TDs this season. Reminder: It’s Week 10. 

Trey Palmer (neck/illness, questionable), Deven Thompkins (personal, not listed), Buccaneers

Something named Rakim Jarrett could see additional snaps if the Buccaneers’ No. 3 and No. 4 WRs are at all limited on Sunday. Of course, this is truly just the Mike Evans and (to a lesser extent) Chris Godwin show; don’t mess around with these backup options – even if there’s a fire.

Marquise Goodwin (concussion, out), David Bell (knee, out), Browns

The Browns are featuring Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore and Cedric Tillman in three-WR sets; only Cooper is a recommended start against the Ravens’ badass defense. 

Just how good is this group? Well, they’re allowing a TD on the lowest percentage of their opponent’s drives since … the 2000 Ravens (s/o Ben Solak).

Donovan Peoples-Jones (ribs, questionable), Lions

DPJ isn’t expected to impact Amon-Ra St. Brown even a little bit. It also seems unlikely Josh Reynolds’ typical full-time role is overly impacted. If anything, the ex-Browns talent is simply added depth after the team parted ways with Marvin Jones. The Sun God and Reynolds are expected to remain in every-down roles ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Chargers – no offense is set up better when it comes to combined pass yards per dropback.

KaVontae Turpin (shoulder, questionable), Cowboys

The electric returner was playing through the pain in the Cowboys’ close Week 9 loss to the Eagles.

Of course, in fantasy land his absence really only impacts the upside of the Cowboys DST … and they remain the week’s best play regardless thanks to a matchup with a Giants offense implied to score a week-low 10.75 points.

Parris Campbell (hamstring, questionable), Giants

Tommy Devito will start in Sunday’s nightmare matchup against Micah Parsons and the Cowboys. No QB is expected to be under more constant duress. Currently implied to score a pathetic week-low 10.75 points, Saquon Barkley is the only member of the Giants who should be anywhere close to a fantasy lineup. 

Tight end

T.J. Hockenson (ribs, questionable), Vikings

Hockenson said he’s planning to play Sunday despite still being affected by this rib/oblique injury.

The issue didn’t impact his playing time one iota last week; fire up Hockenson as his usual upside TE1 self ahead of Sunday’s potential sneaky-shootout with the Saints.

David Njoku (knee, not listed), Brown

Njoku has scored in back-to-back weeks, but now faces the prospect of going up against the league’s third-best defense in limiting PPR points to the position.

The floor for this Browns offense is LOW this week without both starting offensive tackles against this scary good Ravens defense. Only the Giants (10.75) are implied to score fewer points than Deshaun Watson and company (15.75); I’ll be answering the majority of close start/sit questions involving a Browns player with the other guy.

Andrew Ogletree (foot, out), Colts

The Colts regularly rotate three or even four bodies at the position, rendering everyone as non-viable fantasy options even if the group is shrunk down by one this week. Kylen Granson is the dart throw if you’re feeling feisty in a 32-team TE premium league.

Brevin Jordan (foot, out), Texans

Absence further condolences things down for Dalton Schultz, who is a top-six play at the position this week against the Bengals’ league-worst defense in PPR points per game allowed to opposing TEs.

Other

• Browns OT Jedrick Wills (knee, IR), OT Dawand Jones (knee/shoulder, out), OT Jack Conklin (knee, IR)
   
• Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis (toe, questionable), CB Jamel Dean (concussion, questionable), DB Josh Hayes (concussion, out)
   
• Bengals DE Sam Hubbard (ankle, out), DT Josh Tupou (shoulder, doubtful)
   
• Patriots CB Jonathan Jones (knee, questionable), CB Jack Jones (knee, questionable), DB J.C. Jackson (personal, out)
   
• Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey (hamstring, questionable), CB Jalyn Armour-Davis (illness, questionable)
   
• Steelers FS Minkah Fitzpatrick (hamstring, out)
   
• Packers CB Jaire Alexander (shoulder, doubtful), FS Rudy Ford (calf, questionable), LB Quay Walker (groin, doubtful), NT Kenny Clark (shoulder, questionable)
   
• Packers CB Josh Myers (knee, questionable), G Jon Runyan (neck, questionable), OT Yosh Nijman (neck, questionable)
   
• Jaguars CB Tyson Campbell (hamstring, questionable), FS Andre Cisco (hamstring, questionable), S Danil Thomas (hamstring, questionable)
   
• 49ers OT Trent Williams (ankle, questionable), G Aaron Banks (toe, out)
   
• 49ers NT Javon Hargrave (knee, questionable), DE Drake Jackson (knee, out), DE Robert Beal (hamstring, questionable), CB Samuel Womack (knee, questionable), LB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (ankle, questionable)
   
• Titans CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (thumb, out), CB Anthony Kendall (hamstring, questionable), DB Mike Brown (ankle, out)
   
• Titans OT Nicholas Petit-Frere (shoulder, out), G Daniel Brunskill (ankle, out)
   
• Lions OT Dan Skipper (ribs, questionable), G Halapoulivaati Vaitai (back, out)
   
• Giants OT Evan Neal (ankle, out), G Mark Glowinski (NIR, questionable)
   
• Cardinals OL Will Hernandez (knee, questionable), OL D.J. Humphries (ankle, questionable), OL Carter O’Donnell (ankle, questionable)