Week 13 brings another packed injury slate, and fantasy managers are scrambling to determine who can be trusted in lineups with the playoffs on the horizon. Several key quarterbacks and playmaking skill players are managing injuries ranging from AC joint sprains to high ankle sprains to concussions, and these situations can dramatically alter fantasy outcomes. Below, we break down the latest medical context, return-to-play expectations, and real fantasy-football implications based on biomechanics, tissue-healing timelines, and historical performance data, giving you the edge you need to win your matchup this week.

Quarterbacks

Baker Mayfield

Injury: Left AC joint sprain

Analysis: Baker is dealing with either a grade I or II left AC joint sprain. These grades are always treated conservatively and tell us the joint is stable enough to be played through. Given that this is Baker's non-throwing shoulder, his ability to deliver the ball down the field is not a concern. The only concern with this injury is if Baker takes just one bad hit, his injury could be aggravated and knock him out of the game. The re-injury possibility is a real risk, and while his production while on the field won't be affected, fantasy managers will want to see at least who else they could start in Baker's place this week. If there is no one good available, you can still roll the dice with Baker.

Daniel Jones

Injury: Left Fibula fracture

Analysis: Jones is playing through a fracture in his left fibula. The fibula is one of the two bones in the lower leg, and the good news is that the fibula only bears about 15-20% of body weight during heavy activity, which is why Jones can push through. His ability to play also indicates this is a small break, whereas Omarion Hampton has missed the last seven weeks with a fibula fracture. The single most important factor here that is allowing Jones to continue to play is that it is his left fibula, not his right. A right-handed passer drives off the right foot and ankle for throwing power. The lateral portion of the lower leg (where the fibula is located) is particularly stressed during throwing. If this were Jones' right leg, he would be in a tough position attempting to throw.

Practice videos did show Jones limping and looking slower during his three and five-step drops (when the left leg is predominantly pushing off), but reporters stated that overall, he looked good. Jones should retain value while playing through his injury, but rushing upside will be reduced, and there is absolutely risk for worsening the injury.

C.J. Stroud

Injury: Concussion

Analysis: Stroud is set to return after missing two weeks with a concussion. We do not anticipate any performance decline after a concussion.

Aaron Rodgers

Injury: Left wrist fracture

Analysis: Rodgers is set to return after missing one game with a left wrist fracture. Rodgers is right-handed; his throwing will not be impacted. The only concern is that he likely will don a brace or heavy tape job on his left wrist for protection, and this could influence fumbles.

Jayden Daniels

Injury: Left elbow dislocation

Analysis: How Daniels didn't tear multiple ligaments requiring surgery is truly amazing. The second-year quarterback has returned to practice (limited), and while he is unlikely to play this week is trending towards returning sooner than later. Similar to many of the quarterbacks above, Daniels injured his non-throwing arm, meaning that his value as a fantasy quarterback will be unhindered when he can return. An elbow dislocation is an extremely rare injury for a quarterback and would need a similar mechanism of injury to occur again, which is unlikely.

JJ McCarthy

Injury: Concussion

Analysis: McCarthy has been ruled out with a concussion. He will need to clear the protocol before returning next week.

Running Backs

Ashton Jeanty

Injury: High ankle sprain

Analysis: Jeanty has been full-go in practice and not listed on the injury report after a mild high ankle sprain on his left side at the end of last week's game. Jeanty's foot was not caught long, likely saving his ankle. With a grade I sprain, there is little to no tissue disruption, meaning ankle stability is maintained,d and the ability to quickly and powerfully plant the foot and change direction is retained. This should not affect Jeanty's upside this week.

Bucky Irving

Injury: Foot injury / Shoulder subluxation

Analysis: Bucky is trending towards returning after missing much of the season with a foot injury and a shoulder subluxation. For weeks, the reports have suggested the shoulder was the issue holding him out, indicating the foot is stable enough to run well. The shoulder injury is interesting. From a pure performance standpoint, there is no concern. His shoulder injury will not negatively impact his ability to put up stats and get fantasy managers' points. The concern is that a subluxation has a high risk for re-subluxing or fully dislocating, which would knock him out longer. With how long it took Irving to return to the field, he may have been struggling to regain the shoulder stability, putting him at a bigger risk for re-injury. You have to start Bucky, obviously, and he should play very well, but just beware that re-injury is a risk.

Omarion Hampton

Injury: Fibula fracture

Analysis: Hampton made strides in practice this week, but ultimately is not ready to play. A fibula fracture, like Hampton's, will put the athlete in a protective boot for several weeks, leading to rapid muscle atrophy (weakening). Hampton is still likely regaining full strength and power, and another week of rehab and practice will help his ability to come close to his prior level. It's unlikely he fully regains his strength this season, so when he does return, expect slightly less power and explosiveness, but Hampton is a player who scores in many different ways and can still be valuable.

Trey Benson

Injury: Meniscus trim

Analysis: Benson went from a limited practice on Wednesday to not practicing on Thursday and Friday. There is speculation that he experienced a setback, which can sometimes happen with his injury. Sometimes, when an athlete really begins to ramp up participation after a meniscus trim, swelling can pop up and be difficult to control. It's unclear if this is the case for Benson, but either way, he is out this week, and we will check in on him next week. Whenever he does return, he should be able to play well.

Emari Demercado

Injury: High ankle sprain

Analysis: Demercado will miss his second straight game with a high ankle sprain. Running backs average missing 2.4 games but typically restore their baseline production after.

Devin Neal

Injury: Ankle injury

Analysis: Neal has been removed from the injury list and is set for his first career start. An ankle sprain can impact agility, but if he has been cleared from the injury report, his injury is extremely minor, and there is little to no lost stability. Neal should not be too affected by his injury this week and is an intriguing start in fantasy.

Bam Knight

Injury: Knee injury

Analysis: After being limited for much of the week, Knight carries a questionable tag into the weekend with a knee injury. Teams like to be vague about knee injuries sometimes, but any knee injury has the potential to lead to stiffness, swelling, and difficulty with change of direction. When the injury is minor, these factors aren't always difficult to manage, and players can often play well through them. Check in before game time for Knights' status.

Wide Receivers

DK Metcalf

Injury: Lateral ankle sprain

Analysis: Metcalf injured his left ankle twice last week, but was able to return to the game each time. Lateral ankle sprains impact agility and change of direction, skills Metcalf was never known for. While receivers average a 10% dip in fantasy points after an ankle sprain, Metcalf's game is built on vertical speed and size, and he should not be affected much.

Chris Olave

Injury: Back injury

Analysis: Olave injured his back in practice on Thursday, but was seen practicing on Friday. Coach Kellen Moore made it sound as if this was just a back spasm, which is usually not difficult to get under control and often will feel better when warmed up. Assuming Olave suits up, this should not impact his fantasy output, and he will retain his WR1/2 status.

Terry McLaurin

Injury: Quad injury

Analysis: McLaurin will return this week after missing the last three games (plus a bye week) following re-injuring his quad. We’ve talked all season about how this doesn’t sound like a traditional quad injury, and we’ve been speculating there may be some tendon involvement. If true, re-injury will remain high, but performance should be unaffected. McLaurin can be started and expected to play well, but the injury risk is present.

Drake London

Injury: PCL Sprain

Analysis: London will miss another game with a PCL sprain. PCLs for receivers are tricky as they impact the ability to plant and change directions quickly, critical for creating separation. London may not end up missing too many more games, but it will still be hard to trust in fantasy when he returns, as these injuries usually take 4-6 weeks to recover from fully.

Brian Thomas Jr.

Injury: High ankle sprain

Analysis: Thomas Jr. is set to return this week after missing three weeks with a left high ankle sprain. A grade II injury most likely indicates there was some degree of instability within the ankle. Three weeks is usually enough to regain the stability needed to quickly change directions and create separation, and receivers average no drop off in fantasy points after a high ankle sprain. BTJ has not been good this season, but his injury won’t be the reason if he underperforms this week.

Marvin Harrison Jr.

Injury: Appendectomy

Analysis: Harrison returned to practice this week but admitted he is feeling a little uncomfortable still after his emergency appendectomy. Three weeks is quick to return from this procedure, but not atypical in the NFL. If Harrison can play, I would expect a snap restriction, but overall should not be very affected by this procedure.

Elic Ayomanor

Injury: Hamstring strain

Analysis: Ayomanor continues to deal with a lingering hamstring injury that kept him out of action last week. Hamstrings impact top speed, which most receivers rely heavily on. Receivers average a 15% dip in fantasy points after a hamstring injury, and with Ayomanor's inability to be a difference maker in a bad offense, he can be left on waivers for now.

Tight Ends

Darren Waller

Injury: Pec muscle injury

Analysis: It remains unclear if Waller will come off the injured reserve this week. The pec muscles are critical for blocking and catching, but more so for blocking. Waller has never been viewed as a blocking tight end, and his receiving upside would not be expected to take a big hit coming off this injury. If he plays, he is a sneaky start.

Dalton Kincaid

Injury: Hamstring strain

Analysis: Kincaid has a shot to play after being limited in practice on Thursday and Friday. He has missed two weeks with a hamstring injury, an injury that carries a high recurrence rate and can make it challenging to get deep downfield. Tight ends only average a 10% drop off in fantasy points after a hamstring injury, making Kincaid a solid TE1 IF he suits up.

Chig Okonkwo

Injury: Foot injury

Analysis: Chig picked up a foot injury and is questionable. Foot injuries make it difficult to plant and change direction, but a big-bodied tight end is less likely to be affected compared to a shifty receiver. Chig has not been valuable in fantasy, and regardless of his game status,s should not be relied upon to be your starting tight end this week.

Michael Mayer

Injury: Ankle injury

Analysis: Mayer will miss this week after injuring his ankle last week. Another heavy dose of Brock Bowers is likely in his absence.