From game-time decisions to injuries so significant they affect the value of every single position, let's break down the Fantasy and DFS impact of injuries for every Week 12 matchup. Know when to pivot and how your fantasy roster will be affected.
Below, you'll find a game-by-game look at the injuries you need to know that will have the biggest impact for Fantasy leagues, as well as the implications for DFS players. This week's list of notable names includes quarterbacks Justin Fields, Kyler Murray and Matthew Stafford; running backs Leonard Fournette and Gus Edwards; receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster Mike Williams, Ja'Marr Chase and Marquise Brown; tight ends Gerald Everett and David Njoku; and many others, including key offensive line and defensive injuries to know.
Notable injuries
- RB Latavius Murray (wrist) - Cleared
- RB Chase Edmonds (ankle) - IR
- FB Andrew Beck (hamstring) - Questionable
- WR Jerry Jeudy (ankle) - Out
- WR K.J. Hamler (hamstring) - Out
- NT D.J. Jones (hand) - Cleared
- CB K'Waun Williams (knee) - Out
- FS Justin Simmons (knee) - Cleared
- QB P.J. Walker (ankle) - Doubtful
- WR Terrace Marshall (shoulder) - Questionable
- TE Ian Thomas (illness) - Questionable
- DT Matthew Ioannidis (calf) - Out
- OLB Cory Littleton (ankle) - Out
- FS Myles Hartsfield (ankle) - Out
With P.J. Walker doubtful and Baker Mayfield benched, the Panthers plan to start Sam Darnold at quarterback. While this would technically be an upgrade for D.J. Moore, as Darnold had a solid connection with Moore early last season, this is a very difficult matchup. Even with key injuries on the Broncos' defense, it's difficult to trust Darnold or any Panthers offensive players.
The Panthers are also dealing with significant injuries on defense, but Russell Wilson has been an unreliable start. Even with an ideal matchup, Wilson is still a mid- to low-end QB2. Latavius Murray was cleared and is a solid RB2 this week in a plus matchup. With Melvin Gordon waived and Edmonds on IR, Murray is the lead back in Denver.
DFS impact
All Panthers are extremely risky starts this week. For Denver, Latavius Murray is an excellent value play at just $5K on DraftKings against a Panthers defense that has allowed the eighth most Fantasy points to opposing tight ends.
Notable injuries
- RB Leonard Fournette (hip) - Out
- RB Giovani Bernard (ankle) - Cleared
- WR Russell Gage (hamstring) - Out
- OG Luke Goedeke (foot) - Out
- NT Vita Vea (foot) - Questionable
- TE David Njoku (ankle) - Cleared
- OG Wyatt Teller (calf) - Cleared
- OG Hjalte Froholdt (illness) - Cleared
- CB Greg Newsome (concussion) - Out
Fournette is out and Rachaad White will be the lead back for the Bucs. White has been extremely involved in the Bucs offense, working towards a split backfield for several weeks. Prior to the bye week, White had 22 carries for 105 yards and has RB1 upside against a Cleveland defense that has allowed the second most Fantasy points to opposing tight ends. Bernard has been activated from IR but his impact should be minimal.
For the Browns, Njoku is cleared to play after a week of limited practices. Fantasy managers should still be weary of his workload. Njoku played just 37% of snaps last week and it's possible he could remain limited in Week 12.
DFS impact
White's price on DraftKings is very reasonable at just $5,100. Given the matchup, White could be chalky but is a fantastic option even at high ownership.
Notable injuries
- QB Lamar Jackson (hip) - Cleared
- RB Gus Edwards (hamstring) - Questionable
- WR Demarcus Robinson (hip) - Questionable
- WR Devin Duvernay (hamstring) - Questionable
- WR DeSean Jackson (hamstring) - TBD
- TE Isaiah Likely (ankle) - Questionable
- OT Ronnie Stanley (ankle) - Out
- S Kyle Hamilton (knee) - Questionable
- None
Jackson missed practice on Wednesday but practiced in full for the remainder of the week and is cleared to play. Fantasy managers should monitor status for Edwards through the weekend. Edwards' last game was in Week 8 but given multiple full practices this week, he should play in this game. Robinson missed practice on Thursday but practiced in full on Friday. He remains questionable but seems to be trending in the right direction and is an interesting flex option in deep leagues this week.
DFS impact
Despite reasonable pricing, the Ravens' running backs are risky options this week with the potential return of Edwards and the unknown workload. The best value play in this matchup is Robinson if he is cleared. Robinson is currently the second target for Jackson behind Mark Andrews. At $4,300, his potential upside is viable in both tournament and cash lineups.
Notable injuries
- CB Derek Stingley Jr. (hamstring) - Out
- QB Teddy Bridgewater (knee) - Questionable
- RB Raheem Mostert (knee) - Doubtful
- OT Terron Armstead (toe) - Cleared
- ILB Jerome Baker (hip) - Cleared
The most significant injury in this matchup is to Raheem Mostert. Despite having a touchdown in each of the last two games and solid Fantasy performance in Week 10, Mostert has taken a backseat to Jeff Wilson. The two backs combined for 25 carries for 184 yards and two touchdowns with six receptions in Week 10. If Wilson is the sole back in Week 12, he has top-five upside against the Texans. The Texans have given up the most Fantasy points to opposing running backs.
DFS impact
Wilson will likely be an incredibly popular pick priced well below the typical bell cow running backs at just $5,900 on DraftKings. But with the incredible upside, he's a must-play, especially within cash lineups.
Notable injuries
- QB Justin Fields (shoulder) - Questionable
- SS Jaquan Brisker (concussion) - Out
- CB Kyler Gordon (knee) - Out
- WR Corey Davis (knee) - Cleared
- OT Duane Brown (shoulder) - Questionable
- NT Sheldon Rankins (elbow) - Out
- ILB Quincy Williams (ankle) - Cleared
Unfortunately, we still lack clarity on Fields' availability so Fantasy managers will need to monitor his status throughout the weekend. It's best to prepare for a pivot option with limited streaming options available on Sunday.
Davis returns to action for the Jets but he returns to a new quarterback in Mike White. Davis is not a reliable Fantasy option but his return combined with a wild card at quarterback makes Garrett Wilson a very risky start. Wilson is coming off a performance of under five Fantasy points and faced a tough matchup in Chicago. Chicago's defense has struggled against run but held strong against the pass. Wilson is still a low-end flex option but a risky play in Week 12.
DFS impact
The big debate will be whether to play Justin Fields if he's active. Fields has demolished the main slate recently and but his price is now $7,400 and the injury does make him a risky play in DFS. If active, avoid in cash games in case the Bears opt to limit designed runs to avoid risk of reinjury. If Fields is inactive, avoid Bears pass catchers.
Notable injuries
- RB Joe Mixon (concussion) - Out
- WR Ja'Marr Chase (hip) - Questionable
- DT Josh Tupou (calf) - Questionable
- RB Hassan Haskins (hip) - Questionable
- C Ben Jones (concussion) - Questionable
- DE Jeffery Simmons (ankle) - Questionable
- DE Denico Autry (knee) - Out
- CB Kristian Fulton (hamstring) - Questionable
- K Randy Bullock (calf) - Questionable
With Mixon out, Samaje Perine will operate as the Bengals' RB1. The Titans are a difficult matchup but Perine has pass catching upside to ensure he's a solid RB2 regardless of the matchup. In Week 11, Perine caught four passes for 52 yards and three touchdowns through the air. While I wouldn't expect that level of performance, Perine is a solid start in all formats. Fantasy managers will need to monitor Chase's status through the weekend. However, reports are that Chase is a game-time decision and unlikely to play. Fantasy managers should prepare to be without Chase for one more week.
The Titans are dealing with multiple injuries on defense but should remain strong against the run. The Bengals will likely opt to attack through the air.
DFS impact
Perine was priced up this week to $5,600. He's still a solid value play and an interesting pivot option if DFS players opt to lean towards more proven value plays like Jeff Wilson. If active, Chase is a risky play in DFS, even priced down at $7,600.
Notable injuries
- RB Caleb Huntley (ankle) - Questionable
- TE Kyle Pitts (knee) - IR
- OT Chuma Edoga (knee) - Questionable
- DT Jalen Dalton (toe) - Doubtful
- LB Arnold Ebiketie (arm) - Questionable
- QB Carson Wentz (finger) - TBD
- RB J.D. McKissic (neck) - IR
- TE Logan Thomas (ribs) - Questionable
- DE Chase Young (knee) - Questionable
- LB Cole Holcomb (foot) - IR
- CB Benjamin St-Juste (ankle) - Out
Kyle Pitts is done for the season and, despite his underwhelming 2022 performance, his absence leaves a significant hole in the offense. Tight ends lower on the depth chart aren't reliable pivot options and Fantasy managers should look elsewhere for a streaming option, such as Foster Moreau or Trey McBride. The absence of Caleb Huntley would make little impact on the Atlanta rushing attack.
For Washington, the injury list remains similar to last week. Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson should continue RB2 upside in the absence of McKissic and in a plus matchup against a poor Falcons defense.
DFS impact
While I would avoid Atlanta tight ends, there is one interesting option for Atlanta. If the Falcons opt to lean more on their receiving corps and defenses focus on Drake London, Damiere Byrd has shown potential upside in the past with a touchdown in Weeks 7 and 8. Byrd is priced at just $3,100 as an interesting low-priced dart throw in tournament play.
Notable injuries
- RB Joshua Kelley (knee) - TBD
- WR Mike Williams (ankle) - Out
- TE Gerald Everett (groin) - Cleared
- CB Michael Davis (knee) - Questionable
- CB Bryce Callahan (groin) - Cleared
- S Nasir Adderley (thumb) - Doubtful
- K Dustin Hopkins (hamstring) - IR
- QB Kyler Murray (hamstring) - Cleared
- QB Colt McCoy (knee) - Cleared
- WR Rondale Moore (groin) - Out
- WR Greg Dortch (thumb) - Questionable
- WR Marquise Brown (foot) - Cleared
- TE Zach Ertz (knee) - IR
- OT D.J. Humphries (back) - Out
- CB Byron Murphy (back) - Out
The Chargers offense has clarity much earlier heading into Week 12. Mike Williams is out and Gerald Everett is cleared to play. The Chargers receiving corps will be led by Keenan Allen and Josh Palmer with Everett adding value as a low-end TE1. Allen had a nice return game in Week 11 with five receptions on eight targets for 94 yards and has WR2 upside in Week 12. Palmer is coming off his strongest performance of the season with 30 Fantasy points in PPR. Temper expectations in Week 12 but Palmer is a solid start in all formats.
For Arizona, Kyler Murray is set to return to action after a two-week absence and while we don't have official confirmation, Hollywood Brown is officially actived from IR and is likely to play. While upside may be capped in his first game back, the absence of Rondale Moore increases Brown's value. Brown is a low-end WR2 and flex option in all formats. Dortch is still questionable for Week 12. Dortch is coming off a nine-reception, 103-yard game. Although the slot role in Arizona has been very productive, Dortch is a riskier option in Week 12 given the unknown split if both Hopkins and Hollywood Brown are active.
DFS impact
Palmer is still well-priced as a value play at just $5,400 on DraftKings. Dortch is a risky play with the previously mentioned unknowns of Brown's return, but at just $3,100 on DraftKings, he's a very interesting value play in large field tournaments.
Notable injuries
- RB Josh Jacobs (calf) - Questionable
- OT Kolton Miller (shoulder) - Questionable
- WR D'Wayne Eskridge (hand) - Out
- OG Damien Lewis (ankle) - Cleared
Jacobs was a surprise addition to the practice report on Friday. If Jacobs is unable to play, there's no reliable pivot option on the ground. Ameer Abdullah has seen mild usage but exclusively as a pass-catching back. Zamir White was a healthy scratch in Week 11. This is a backfield to avoid if Jacobs is out.
DFS impact
Despite appealing pricing, Raiders running backs are poor options in DFS. With a wide variety of strong value plays on other teams, it's simply not worth the risk. The Raiders would likely lean heavily on the pass with Davante Adams.
Notable injuries
- QB Matthew Stafford (concussion, neck) - Out
- WR Allen Robinson (ankle) - Questionable
- TE Tyler Higbee (knee) - Questionable
- C Brian Allen (knee) - Out
- C Matt Skura (knee) - Questionable
- OT Ty Nsekhe (ankle) - Questionable
- DE A'Shawn Robinson (knee) - Out
- RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire (ankle) - IR
- WR JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion) - Cleared
- WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring) - Out
- OG Joe Thuney (ankle) - Questionable
- FS Juan Thornhill (calf) - Questionable
The Rams will be without Matt Stafford in Week 12, a significant blow to an already struggling offense. Bryce Perkins gets the start and all Rams will be risky options. Darrell Henderson was waived and Cam Akers and Kyren Williams will split the workload. Williams will serve as the pass catching back and has the higher upside in PPR with Perkins at quarterback. Robinson would be the most reliable option in the receiving corps but is dealing with an injury that Fantasy managers need to monitor throughout the weekend. He's a low-end flex option if active.
The Chiefs will be without Edwards-Heilaire, who was already being phased out of the offense. The Chiefs backfield remains a split between Isiah Pacheco on the ground and Jerick McKinnon through the air. Smith-Schuster is cleared to return to action will likely resume his WR1 role within the offense and a solid start in season-long leagues. Skyy Moore saw a small boost in production in Week 11 that could carry over to Week 12 with Toney out.
DFS impact
All Rams are risky options with limited upside. While the Rams are struggling on offense, their defense remains relatively healthy and typically strong against the run. Pacheco and McKinnon are priced as value plays but lack the upside of similarly priced options such as Rachaad White, Antonio Gibson and even Michael Carter. Moore is an interesting value play at just $3,000 on DraftKings, potentially serving as the Chiefs WR2.
Notable injuries
- RB Alvin Kamara (illness) - Cleared
- RB Mark Ingram (knee) - Questionable
- WR Jarvis Landry (ankle) - Cleared
- OT James Hurst (concussion) - Cleared
- OG Andrus Peat (triceps) - Questionable
- DE Marcus Davenport (calf) - Questionable
- DE Cameron Jordan (eye) - Questionable
- LB Pete Werner (ankle) - Out
- CB Marshon Lattimore (abdomen) - Questionable
- WR Deebo Samuel (hamstring) - Questionable
- DE Samson Ebukam (quadriceps) - Cleared
- DT Arik Armstead (foot) - Doubtful
The Saints are still dealing with significant injuries on defense. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable using all 49ers starters. Samuel's injury needs to be monitored throughout the weekend. Samuel has played through the injury but if he has reaggravated the issue, he could be at risk of missing Week 12.
DFS impact
There's no discount on 49ers players but given the injuries on the Saints are dealing with on defense, all 49ers are viable options. If Samuel is out, Aiyuk is an excellent play. George Kittle is a risky option, as the one area the Saints have remained strong is against tight ends.
Notable injuries
- RB Aaron Jones (shin) - Cleared
- WR Allen Lazard (shoulder) - Cleared
- WR Randall Cobb (illness) - Cleared
- WR Romeo Doubs (ankle) - Out
- TE Robert Tonyan (illness) - Cleared
- OT Elgton Jenkins (knee) - Cleared
- OG David Bakhtiari (knee) - Questionable
- ILB De'Vondre Campbell (knee) - Doubtful
- WR A.J. Brown (ankle) - Cleared
- WR DeVonta Smith (knee) - Cleared
While the Packers injury list is long, the majority have been cleared to play in Week 12 and should be trusted to see their typical workload.
Both Brown and Smith are cleared to play for the Eagles. While the Packers are a tough matchup through the air, Brown is still a low-end WR1 option with Smith as a low-end WR2.
DFS impact
While there are no major injuries to worry about in this showdown matchup, it's worth noting that Doubs will be out again, opening the door for another Christian Watson boom performance.
Notable injuries
- RB Jaylen Warren (hamstring) - Out
- WR Miles Boykin (oblique) - Questionable
- C Mason Cole (foot) - Cleared
- CB Ahkello Witherspoon (hamstring) - Out
- WR Parris Campbell (illness) - Cleared
- TE Kylen Granson (illness) - Questionable
- C Ryan Kelly (knee) - Cleared
- DE Kwity Paye (ankle) - Questionable
- DE Yannick Ngakoue (back) - Questionable
- DT DeForest Buckner (neck) - Questionable
- DT Grover Stewart (shoulder) - Cleared
Warren will miss Week 12, making Najee Harris is a solid top-20 option with the backfield to himself. Harris has two straight games with 20 carries and 90-plus yards and is coming off a two-touchdown performance.
Campbell returned to full practice on Friday so he has strong upside in Week 12, as he has been a solid option with Matt Ryan at the helm. The Steelers are tough against the run but has struggled to stop the pass. If Campbell is active, he's a low-end WR2, given the matchup.
DFS impact
Harris is a potential contrarian option, given DFS players will likely lean towards paying up for Jonathan Taylor in the showdown. Campbell is a fantastic option if active. If Granson is active, he could be a dart-throw option but Colts tight ends have been very unreliable options.
