2023 NFL Injury Report Week 17: Trevor Lawrence & Jaylen Waddle Injury Updates
The hope is that you had it through your semifinals with ease, and now, it is time to bring home the title. There is a lot to deal with this week, so, let us jump into our NFL injury update for Week 17. It features Brock Purdy, Isiah Pacheco, and Jaylen Waddle among others. As news breaks, be sure to update your Week 17 fantasy football rankings and NFL projections either way. This information can also help to focus on important Week 16 start/sit lineup decisions and fantasy football advice surrounding some injured players. The first step though is the NFL injury report as you set Week 17 fantasy football lineups.
Week 17 NFL Injury Report for Quarterbacks
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers (Stinger)
It was not a good week for Brock Purdy, and that is an understatement. Amidst talk of Purdy being a legitimate contender for MVP, the San Francisco quarterback instead threw four interceptions while failing to throw a touchdown. The fact that Purdy left in the fourth quarter with a stinger doesn’t give me too much concern initially and he should be back with a much better matchup against Washington in Week 17.
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars (Shoulder)
At this point, it feels like we have a different injury each week for the Jacksonville quarterback. This week, it was an injury to Trevor Lawrence’s right shoulder that forced him out of action. At this point, it is considered a sprain, but we should keep an eye on how much he throws in practice this week and how he looks. Should Lawrence be unable to take the field, C.J. Beathard would get the start.
Week 17 NFL Injury Report for Running Backs
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (Concussion)
Isiah Pacheco’s return from a shoulder injury didn’t last too long as he left with a concussion. Now that he is protocol, we will have to monitor his progress through the protocol. Should Pacheco failed to be cleared, Clyde Edwards-Helaire will have the Kansas City backfield to himself now that Jerick McKinnon has been placed on Injured Reserve.
Chris Rodriguez, Washington Commanders (Foot)
After picking up a combined 65 yards and scoring two touchdowns, there is concern about Chris Rodriguez’s status for Week 17 after he was seen in a walking boot. The other issue for Rodriguez is the potential return of Brian Robinson. That gives those who have been streaming Rodriguez two things to be concerned about.
Miles Sanders, Carolina Panthers (Toe)
Following the struggles of Miles Sanders and the emergence of Chuba Hubbard (even if by default), the former’s fantasy relevance has all but disappeared. For anyone still relying on Sanders, he did exit last week’s game with a toe injury, so his already tenuous hold on volume could be in jeopardy.
Week 17 NFL Injury Report for Wide Receivers
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins (Ankle)
The words high ankle sprain is never a good thing, and that is what Jaylen Waddle is dealing with after last week’s game. After clinching a playoff berth, the Dolphins figure to be careful with Waddle, but depending on how he looks this week, they might not have a choice. If that is the case, Cedrick Wilson is someone to watch.
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings (Ankle)
Another tough ankle in Week 16 occurred in Minnesota as Jordan Addison is now considered week-to-week. The rookie had previously had a few strong weeks and now Brandon Powell is thrust into the spotlight after having a strong game last week once Addison went down.
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos (Concussion)
A concussion sent Courtland Sutton out of the game after just nine plays last week. Marvin Mims received the volume bump and he is someone to keep in mind should Sutton be unable to clear the concussion protocol to take the field this week.
Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers (Chest)
An already thin Green Bay wide receiving group took another hit on Sunday. After catching a touchdown pass, Dontayvion Wicks was forced out of action with a chest injury. Wicks was unable to return as he wasn’t cleared by the medical staff. We will be keeping an eye on this, along with the status of Christian Watson, heading into Week 17.
Week 17 NFL Injury Report for Tight Ends
T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings (Knee)
This was not the news anyone needed. While we don’t have any real confirmation just yet, I would have a contingency plan ready for T.J. Hockenson in Week 17 after he exited last week’s game with a knee injury.
Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears (Knee)
After he caught four passes for 107 yards to begin the game, Cole Kmet was forced out of action with a knee injury. As we deal with an already compromised and thin tight end position, this is another situation to monitor for Week 17.
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Beat reporter John Hendrix reports that free agent WR Donovan Peoples-Jones is among the 16 players that the Saints will host for their rookie minicamp.
Peoples-Jones last played regular season snaps with the Lions back in 2023, when he caught 13-of-24 targets for 155 yards. He is highly unlikely to return to fantasy relevance at this point but could perhaps sign on as a special teams contributor.
Titans signed fourth-round pick WR Elic Ayomanor to a four-year contract.
Ayomanor will now begin learning behind Calvin Ridley. Although Ayomanor is unlikely to find a meaningful role in year one, dynasty managers should note his status as training camp gets underway this summer. The former Stanford receiver flashed big-play ability in his two college seasons.
Buccaneers signed seventh-round pick WR Tez Johnson to a four-year contract.
Johnson will serve as a rotational deep-threat option for Baker Mayfield. His thin frame (5'10/154) simply does not lend itself to the repeated hits one incurs in a full-time role. Johnson did earn 100-plus targets in his two seasons at Oregon, though. His big-play style make him a better fit in best ball for now, pending any major on-field breakthroughs.
Giants waived DT Casey Rogers.
Rogers was a 2024 undrafted free agent and logged 33 defensive snaps for the Giants in his rookie season. He is credited with zero tackles and/or sacks. He may find his way onto another roster as a practice squad option.
Vikings signed third-round pick WR Tai Felton to a four-year contract.
Felton is quietly in play to challenge Vikings No. 3 WR Jalen Nailor in training camp. Nailor (5'11/190) caught 28-of-42 targets for 414 yards and six touchdowns in his first season as a starter last year, with the latter category buoying his fantasy productivity. Felton (6'1/183), meanwhile, caught 96-of-143 targets for 1,119 yards and nine touchdowns while averaging 2.32 yards per route run in his final college season. Fantasy managers should monitor Felton’s training camp reports this summer, as he could have a matchup-based WR5 role if everything falls into place.