NFL DFS Injury Report: Wild Card Weekend

One of the best weeks in the NFL is finally here, since we have six playoff games over the course of three days for the Wild Card Round. There are some very important injuries for most teams (looking at the Miami defense), but as far as the offensive side of the ball, things are relatively quiet. 

Let’s take a look at what DFS players need to know for Wild Card weekend.

NFL DFS Injury Report for Wild Card Weekend: Saturday Update

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
Raheem Mostert, RB, Miami Dolphins 

Both skill players for the Dolphins have been limited in practice all week, and they’ve missed two straight games, so it’s difficult to get a firm grip on this situation. I would expect both players to suit up, but you have to wonder if they’re going to be 100%. If Jaylen Waddle isn’t fully involved, it might not help anyone all that much. Cedrick Wilson, Braxton Berrios and Durham Smythe could see an extra target or two but the passing game runs through Tyreek Hill. I do like De’Von Achane a good bit if Raheem Mostert is out, because he may still have to carry the workload and Kansas City can be vulnerable against the run. 

Gabe Davis, WR, Buffalo Bills 

Gabe Davis will not be active for the Bills’ game Sunday, which should open up some additional opportunities for Khalil Shakir and Dalton Kincaid … if the Bills can even throw the ball. The weather could be a big issue this week in Buffalo, but if you can pass, Shakir is one of my favorite cheap targets for any slate this weekend. We talked about last week in the early article but Shakir ran the third-most routes of the season in the Week 18 game against the Dolphins. I wouldn’t expect the same amount of pass attempts, but Shakir is a very important player for the passing game this week. 

Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers 

It appears as though the Green Bay receiver room is going to be mostly healthy — Christian Watson is the only receiver with an injury designation. He’s listed as questionable, and that seems like a true questionable since he’s been out for over a month now with a hamstring injury. That was his second leg injury on the season so even if Watson is active, I don’t think it’s wise to expect a full workload. Watson can be explosive and get it done even with playing limited snaps, but Jayden Reed is certainly going to be my favorite Green Bay receiver. 

Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions 

There is at least more of a chance Sam LaPorta is going to play this weekend, although the chances would still seem on the lower side. He got in some limited work Friday, but the portion of practice that was open to the public saw him moving slowly and wearing a giant brace on his knee. It might be tough for LaPorta to be effective in this scenario but we’ll have to see. There isn’t really a direct replacement in the tight end room for LaPorta, though Brock Wright could turn into a punt for DFS lineups. 

A.J. Brown, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts, QB, Philadelphia Eagles 

There aren’t any official injury designations for A.J. Brown or Jalen Hurts, but Brown has not practiced all week after a frightening injury Sunday. It does appear that there could be a real question if he can suit up this week, despite it being a playoff game. DeVonta Smith would take on the alpha role in the receiving corps and Julio Jones could step up as well, but Dallas Goedert would take on additional targets. Hurts practiced in full Friday for the first time since his finger injury on Sunday, which is great news. It was the first time he threw a football, so it appears the main concern for him is gone. 

Original Injury Report

A.J. Brown/Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles

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Philadelphia was already without receiver DeVonta Smith in Week 18, but that may have been out of an abundance of caution. A.J. Brown only played 12 snaps before he crumbled to the ground, clutching his knee. It looked like it was going to be a major injury, and we don’t know if Brown will be available this week yet. The Eagles don’t play until Monday, but there is at least a world where they are without Brown and Smith. If that’s the case, Julio Jones, Olamide Zaccheaus and Quez Watkins would be the lead three receivers. Dallas Goedert would also take on an enhanced role, and everyone should be catching passes from Jalen Hurts. He had X-rays done on his finger, but they came back negative. Given the playoff setting, I would think Smith, Brown and Hurts will all play Monday night.  

Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions 

Sam LaPorta had arguably the best rookie season of all time for a tight end, but sadly, it appears he’s going to miss his first playoff game. LaPorta suffered a hyperextended knee and a bone bruise on Sunday, and that may actually be the best-case scenario. The injury looked like it could be an ACL injury or worse because knees aren’t supposed to bend that way. The Lions do not have a tight end that will fill the role for LaPorta, which likely means it will be a team effort between Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery and Josh Reynolds. The wild card will be Jameson Williams if he’s active, and as far as the tight end position, James Mitchell played 81% of the snaps on Sunday. He only saw one target, so he’s likely going to be a dart throw in large-field GPP this week. 

Green Bay Receivers 

There has been somewhat of a revolving door in the receiver room for Green Bay lately. Christian Watson hasn’t played in a month, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks have missed time and now Romeo Doubs is dealing with a chest injury as well. It’s too early to tell who can make it back for Green Bay this week against the Cowboys. Worst-case scenario, the Packers would have to go into Dallas with Malik Heath and Bo Melton as their starting receivers. I doubt that would happen, especially if Reed and Wicks are active. We’ll have to get a better read on this situation later in the week to set our priorities. 

Gabe Davis, Buffalo Bills 

This injury happened relatively early in the Sunday night game, and we don’t have a lot of information about the severity of the injury for Gabe Davis. He only lasted for 18 snaps before a knee injury took him out of the game, and that led Trent Sherfield to play 71% of the snaps (and catch a wild touchdown off a ricochet pass). If Davis can’t go this week, we’re going to have some value plays in Khalil Shakir and Sherfield, as they combined for 10 targets.