Welcome to Week 14 of the fantasy football season. I’ll be your guide as we navigate the NFL injury report in what will be the final matchup of the regular season for many fantasy leagues. We’ve come a long way and hopefully this report has helped you out during the week en route to a playoff berth. If you weren’t so lucky, it’s likely because of some names at the bottom of this story. Fantasy football is more injury luck than people realize.

Anyway, let’s take a look at the report for this week.

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NFL injury updates and news

Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers (clavicle): Well, to the surprise of most, Mike Evans, who is still on IR, had his practice window opened on Wednesday after seemingly recovering faster than expected. The Bucs now have three weeks to activate Evans off IR; if not, his season will be over.

It may be asking a lot for Evans to return to the field this week, but this is still welcome news for fantasy football managers who are set to reach their league’s playoffs, as it’s looking likely that they’ll have their veteran star back in the fold. And, while Evans’ 1,000-yard streak came to an end as a result of the injury, the Bucs still have a lot to play for to close the season — meaning Evans should return to a focal point of the offense.

Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders (elbow): All eyes will be on the Commanders going into Week 14. Reports are suggesting that Daniels could return to the lineup in Week 14 against the Vikings after missing the past three games due to a dislocated left elbow (non-throwing). Washington has lost seven in a row and the team is on the brink of being eliminated from playoff contention. Still, Daniels is determined to get back on the field before the end of the season. Monitor his practice status this week (he practiced in a limited fashion on Wednesday). If it isn’t Daniels, it’ll be Marcus Mariota again.

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Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers (hand): Herbert suffered a fracture in his non-throwing hand in Week 13 versus the Raiders. He had successful surgery on his left hand; he also told reporters he’s still planning on playing on MNF in Week 14. Herbert will have about a week to heal up, so keep an eye on him in practice this week; he did not practice on Wednesday. How much the injury bothers him for fantasy purposes remains to be seen.

Omarion Hampton, RB, Chargers (ankle): Hampton’s window to be activated off injured reserve was opened last week, sparking some speculation the rookie RB could return in Week 13. That wasn’t the case, but it feels like there’s a good chance Hampton is back for Monday Night Football vs. the Eagles. If Hampton can return, he should get the bulk of the carries with Kimani Vidal serving as the backup.

Trey Benson, RB, Cardinals (knee): Benson is another RB who is eligible to return from IR in Week 14. He was limited all last week at practice, so monitor the reports this week to see if Benson can get back on the field Sunday against the Rams; that said, he didn’t practice Wednesday. It’s worth noting the Cardinals have been eliminated from playoff contention, so there’s no reason for Arizona to rush Benson back. We’ll need to see how this backfield split shakes out with Bam Knight and Michael Carter.

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Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints (knee): Kamara was inactive for Week 13’s loss to the Dolphins. Rookie RB Devin Neal had 14 carries for 47 yards and three catches for 22 yards filling in. Kamara will have a chance to get back on the field in Week 14 versus the Bucs, but he didn’t practice Wednesday. The Saints aren’t playing for much, so expect Neal to continue to be involved even if the veteran is healthy.

Aaron Jones Sr., RB, Vikings (shoulder): Jones was forced to leave on Sunday against the Seahawks and did not return. He finished with 10 touches for just 25 yards in the loss. This isn’t the first injury for Jones, who will turn 31 on Tuesday, this season. If Jones is out, Jordan Mason could get the final stretch of games as the primary back. Minnesota has some great matchups to finish the season and Mason is rostered in 69% of Yahoo leagues, so in shallow leagues he may be available.

Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions (ankle): St. Brown is active for the Lions’ Thursday night matchup with the Cowboys. He was injured early in the Thanksgiving Day loss to the Packers and did not return. He didn’t practice this week, which makes it a surprise he is suiting up for the matchup, but it’s a key game for the Lions as they push to make the playoffs. Rookie WR Isaac TeSlaa made for an interesting waiver wire add if St. Brown didn’t end up playing, but is now a risky option even in a favorable matchup. Jameson Williams exploded for a 7-144-1 line after St. Brown left, so it will be interesting to see how Detroit’s passing game shakes out in game with a 54.5 total. Don’t be surprised if the Lions lean into the run game.

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Rome Odunze, WR, Bears (foot): Odunze has missed practice in back-to-back sessions on Wednesday and Thursday. He’s still got a chance to get back on the practice field before Sunday vs. the Packers. But his status is becoming a bit murky given the lack of practice. If Odunze were to miss this game, it’s a boost for depth wideout Olamide Zaccheaus, who would likely start opposite DJ Moore on the outside. Rookie Luther Burden III would also see more snaps/targets. The Packers’ secondary has been leaky at times and Green Bay’s defense will likely focus on shutting down the run game.

Drake London, WR, Falcons (knee): London has missed the past two games due to a PCL injury. He’ll have a shot to get back on the field for Week 14 but the Falcons sit at 4-8 and aren’t playing for much while Michael Penix Jr. is done for the season. Monitor London throughout the week; he didn’t practice on Wednesday. It’s a tough situation for fantasy managers after he was putting together a solid season. If London is able to return, he can be slotted back into your lineup, but temper expectations with Kirk Cousins at QB in a big fantasy week.

Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals (concussion): Higgins was held out of Thursday night’s win over the Ravens due to a concussion. The wideout remains in the NFL’s concussion protocol but will have a chance to be cleared before the team’s Week 14 matchup against the Bills on Sunday; he was limited in practice on Wednesday. If Higgins can return, it will be the healthiest the Bengals’ offense has been since early in the season before Joe Burrow’s injury. Joe Flacco had sustained Higgins’ fantasy value, so with Burrow, the wideout will go back to being a regular WR2 play most weeks.

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills (hamstring/knee): Kincaid missed a third straight game in Week 13 vs. the Steelers. His status for Week 14 could have huge fantasy football implications, and now, a knee injury has been added to his designation. The Bills still lack quality pass-catchers and they face the Bengals, who have been putrid against tight ends all season. If Kincaid can get back, that would be a big boost for fantasy managers.

Week 14 NFL Injury ReportQuarterbacks

Jayden Daniels, Commanders (elbow)

Justin Herbert, Chargers (hand)

J.J. McCarthy, Vikings (concussion) — Cleared protocol

Aaron Rodgers, Steelers (wrist/nose)

Sam Darnold, Seahawks (ankle)

Lamar Jackson, Ravens (ankle) — DNP on Thursday

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Running backs

Kyren Williams, Rams (ankle)

Omarion Hampton, Chargers (ankle)

Trey Benson, Cardinals (knee)

Aaron Jones Sr., Vikings (shoulder)

Alvin Kamara, Saints (knee)

Dylan Sampson, Browns (calf)

Braelon Allen, Jets (knee)

Emari Demercado, Cardinals (ankle)

MarShawn Lloyd, Packers (calf)

Kyle Monangai, Bears (ankle)

Woody Marks, Texans (ankle)

Wide receivers

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (ankle)

Mike Evans, Buccaneers (IR — clavicle)

Tee Higgins, Bengals (concussion)

Marvin Harrison Jr, Cardinals (heel)

Matthew Golden, Packers (wrist)

Josh Palmer, Bills (ankle)

Parker Washington, Jaguars (hip)

Kalif Raymond, Lions (ankle) — OUT

Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (heel)

Jayden Reed, Packers (foot/shoulder)

Chris Olave, Saints (back)

Rome Odunze, Bears (foot) — DNP on Thursday

Tight ends

Dalton Kincaid, Bills (hamstring)

Brock Wright, Lions (neck) — OUT

Michael Mayer, Raiders (ankle)

Out for season

Malik Nabers, Giants (knee)

Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (knee)

Najee Harris, Chargers (Achilles)

Austin Ekeler, Commanders (Achilles)

James Conner, Cardinals (foot)

Antonio Gibson, Patriots (knee)

Miles Sanders, Cowboys (knee)

Cam Skattebo, Giants (ankle)

Tucker Kraft, Packers (knee)

Travis Hunter, Jaguars (knee)

JK Dobbins, Broncos (foot)

Calvin Ridley, Titans (fibula)

Joe Mixon, Texans (foot/ankle)

Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (knee)