UPDATE: 1/4 @ 5:00 pm ET

It’s wild that we have entered the final week of the 2022 NFL season as Week 18 is upon us. Before I continue any further, I would like to say my thoughts are with Damar Hamlin and his entire family at this time. Everyone across the world is praying for you to make a full recovery. As previously mentioned, there still is a week of football and some fantasy football leagues play all the way up until the end of the regular season. Let’s take a look at injuries that will play a significant role during Week 18.

 


2022 NFL Injury Report Fantasy Football Week 18

NFL Quarterback Injury News

Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles - Shoulder

UPDATE: 1/4 @4:45 pm ET - The Eagles did a walkthrough on Thursday and Hurts was working with the first-team offense. He was listed as a limited participant but all indications are that Hurts will be playing against the Giants in Week 18.

After missing the last two games for the Eagles, it’s expected that Jalen Hurts returns for their Week 18 against the Giants. Hurts was able to log practices on both Thursday and Friday at the end of Week 17, but the Eagles sided with caution by keeping him out. The Eagles need one more win to clinch the NFC and getting Hurts back would greatly improve their chances at doing so.

 

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens - Knee

UPDATE: 1/4 @ 4:45 pm ET - Once again, Lamar Jackson was a non-participant in practice on Wednesday. It was his 13th straight missed practice and things are definitely not looking good for Jackson in Week 18. Is it crazy to think we have seen the last of Jackson in 2022? Especially with free agency looming. Yes the franchise tag situation is in play, but Jackson didn't get the contract he wanted and could be taking things very cautiously because of it.

With nothing to really play for, should we expect to see Lamar Jackson return in Week 18? I’m not sure. Neither is head coach John Harbaugh. When asked at the podium on Monday if he expects Jackson to practice he said “I don’t know”. Jackson last played in Week 13.

 

Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys - Knee

Nobody in Dallas thinks Dak Prescott’s knee injury is any sort of issue, but it’s definitely something to monitor. It could be something that keeps him out in Week 18, but it’s also something minor and at the moment, the hyperextension owner Jerry Jones claims it may have been completely overblown. We’re going to find out on Wednesday when the Cowboys hit the practice field if this is actually an issue.

 

Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins - Concussion

After not playing in Week 17, Tua Tagovailoa will not be playing in Week 18 either according to Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel. He spoke to reporters on Monday and said Tagovailoa is not even part of the team’s game plan.

 

Teddy Bridgewater, Miami Dolphins - Finger

UPDATE: 1/4 @ 4:45 pm ET - The Dolphins listed Teddy Bridgewater as a limited participant in Wednesday's practice while head coach Mike McDaniel said he still cannot even throw a football. Yeah, I'd say that he's limited considering he throws football's for a living. The dislocated pinky is an obvious concern as they practice with Skylar Thompson under center taking all of the QB1 reps. They haven't ruled him out and if he can throw at all this week, expect Bridgewater to start in the Dolphins must-win Week 18 game.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel came out and said that Tua Tagovailoa is not a part of their Week 18 gameplan, but Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson are. Does that suggest Bridgewater’s finger is going to be good-to-go for Week 18? NFL’s reporter Ian Rapoport said Bridgewater was going in for imaging on Monday, so the Dolphins must be happy with what they saw. This is a great opportunity for Bridgewater to get his team into the postseason if he is healthy enough to be the team’s starting quarterback.

 

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars - Toe

UPDATE: 1/4 @ 4:45 pm ET - After not practicing on Tuesday, Lawrence got on the field on Wednesday, albeit in a limited fashion. Tuesday's practice was just an estimation so if the Jags had to play for the division title on Tuesday, Lawrence likely would've been ready. Jacksonville is going to make sure Lawrence is as close to 100% as he can be with the division title on the line this coming Saturday.

 

Justin Fields, Chicago Bears - Hip

UPDATE: 1/4 @ 5:00 pm ET - After stating that if Justin Fields was healthy he'd be the quarterback in Week 18, head coach Matt Eberflus' tune changed when Fields wasn't cleared by team doctors to play in this game. Fields is 60 yards or so away from breaking the quarterback rushing record held by Lamar Jackson, but will have to break it in 2023 because his season is now over.

 

NFL Running Back Injury News

Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers - Ankle

UPDATE: 1/4 @ 5:00 pm ET - The 49ers came out and said that McCaffrey was day-to-day after spraining his ankle in Week 17 and that's holding true as he's not practicing on Wednesday. The 49ers still have plenty to play for in Week 18 and could potentially get the overall number one seed with a win and Eagles loss. We'll see how things progress for McCaffrey throughout the week.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan spoke to the media on Monday and told them that Christian McCaffrey is dealing with a mild ankle sprain and he’ll be listed as day-to-day. McCaffrey played 85% of the team’s snaps and had 193 yards from scrimmage on Sunday, so safe to say the injury is minor. 

 

Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans - Hip

UPDATE: 1/4 @ 4:45 pm ET - Henry logged a second straight practice and was a full participant for the second straight day on Wednesday. He's ready to rock for the division title.

Although Derrick Henry was out due to a hip injury, he’s going to play in Week 18 in a must-win game for the Titans. Win and in for the playoffs and a rested Derrick Henry is a scary sight.

 

Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys - Thigh

UPDATE: 1/4 @ 4:45 pm ET - Just like head coach Mike McCarthy said, Pollard would be practicing on Wednesday and he did just that. He practiced in full, too, all but ensuring an active status for Week 18.

Reporters spoke to head coach Mike McCarthy and Tony Pollard was a topic of conversation. McCarthy said that Pollard will be returning to practice on Wednesday and is poised to return for the final regular season game of the year. 

 

James Conner, Arizona Cardinals - Shin

Heading into Week 18, everyone is dealing with something and James Conner is no different as he’s dealing with a shin injury. Head coach Kliff Kingsbury said he’s day-to-day after having X-rays on his shin. His X-rays came back negative. The Cards have nothing to play for if Conner has any setbacks throughout the week and could potentially be rested in that case.

 

NFL Wide Receiver Injury News

Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers - Ankle/Knee

After getting in multiple practices before the 49ers Week 17 game, Samuel didn’t suit up, but things are trending in the right direction for him. David Lombardi, writer for the Athletic, talked with Samuel after Sunday’s game and Samuel said he’s feeling good and will be practicing once again this week. The 49ers have an opportunity to be the overall number one seed if they win and Philadelphia loses in Week 18, so we could see Samuel return in their final regular season game.

 

Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks - Leg

UPDATE: 1/4 @ 5:00 pm ET - Head coach Pete Carroll said Tyler Lockett was sore with a leg ailment and didn't practice on Wednesday. He's not sore in his hand even after getting surgery on it just a week ago. What a machine. We shouldn't expect soreness is going to keep Lockett sidelined in a must-win game this weekend.

 

DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals - Knee

UPDATE: 1/4 @ 5:00 pm ET - After coming down with a mid-week knee injury last week, DeAndre Hopkins will miss his second straight game in Week 18 as his season has now officially come a close. After starting the year on the suspension list and now this injury, it's been a less than desirable season for him.

 

Robbie Anderson, Arizona Cardinals - Back

After playing in 23% of the team’s snaps in Week 17, Robbie Anderson left the game with a back injury and was unable to return. It remains to be seen if Anderson can play in Week 18 but 2022 has been an awfully forgettable season for him.

 

Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots - Thigh

After another solid performance in Week 17, Meyers left the game with a shoulder injury. He was asked by reporters afterwards if he would be ready to go for Week 18 and he said “I should be. I plan on being out there.” New England is in a must-win game against the Buffalo Bills for a chance to play in the postseason.

 

DeVante Parker, New England Patriots - Concussion

UPDATE: 1/4 @ 4:45 pm ET - Unlike teammate Jonnu Smith, it looks like Parker is progressing out of concussion protocol as he was able to take the practice field in a limited setting on Wednesday. The next step for Parker is how he feels Thursday and then ultimately testing out so he can play in Week 18.

 

Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs - Abdomen

UPDATE: 1/4 @ 5:00 pm ET - Hardman was back at practice and was activated off of injured reserve. He's expected to play in Week 18 and that's great news for the Chiefs. He'll get reps in during their Week 18 game, have a week off thanks to the likelihood of a first-round bye, and then be back to full capacity in the postseason.

After a big Week 9 performance, Hardman hurt his abdomen and was placed on injured reserve and we haven’t seen him since. He was designated for a return a couple of weeks ago and his 21-day window to be activated is this Wednesday. That being said, he had a setback and there is nothing certain suggesting he will return. Even head coach Andy Reid said if he is activated that’s great, and if he’s not that’s OK too.

 

Skyy Moore, Kansas City Chiefs - Hand

UPDATE: 1/4 @ 5:00 pm ET - Moore didn't practice on Tuesday but was back on Wednesday in a limited fashion. That's a great sign for Week 18, but we'll see how his laceration holds up after catching passes all week.

The Chiefs rookie receiver left Sunday’s game and was unable to return due to a laceration in his hand. Head coach Andy Reid said it was on the inside of his hand, so that’s not the best place for a laceration to occur. The Chiefs will see how he responds in the next few days before Wednesday’s practice.

 

Julio Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Knee/Iillness

UPDATE: 1/4 @ 4:45 pm ET - Jones has been dealing with a knee injury all year but he missed practice with an illness on Wednesday. Jones now has two hurdles to climb through to play in Week 18 and with the Bucs having wrapped up their division, he's a prime candidate to sit this game out.

 

NFL Tight End Injury News

Irv Smith Jr., Minnesota Vikings - Ankle

We saw Irv Smith Jr. return to the practice field last week, which activated his 21-day window to return, but he wasn’t activated for Week 17. As long as he doesn’t suffer any setbacks in this week of practice, we could see Smith take the field for Week 18 as he gears up for the Vikings postseason run.

 

Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints - Quad

UPDATE: 1/4 @ 5:00 pm ET - Johnson was at practice, but was not participating on Wednesday, which is not the best news for Johnson's status in Week 18. This could have been a standard rest day because he didn't come down with any injury designation during the Saints Week 17 game.

 

Jonnu Smith, New England Patriots - Concussion

UPDATE: 1/4 @ 4:45 pm ET - Things don't seem to be progressing all too well for Smith in concussion protocol as he still hasn't practiced since suffering the concussion in Week 16. We'll see if he can get back on the practice field on Thursday or Friday to give himself a legitimate shot at playing this weekend.



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