Brace yourself for more injury updates from everything an eventful playoff weekend had to offer as (some?) managers press on! The information comes at you from every angle, like so many schedule adjustments that happen on Sundays at 12:59 p.m. Join us for a long-winded stream of consciousness rivaled only by the YouTube show/podcast of the same name (9 p.m. ET Tuesday evenings on YouTube).
The captain has turned on the seat belt fasten sign. Let’s get this bird in the air.
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Fantasy Football News
Do you want to get away?
Many teams limped into the playoffs, while others got healthy. During the first round, many teams felt the sting of defeat when Patrick Mahomes (QB3 on the season with 4,000 yards combined rushing and receiving) went down with a non-contact injury. Things looked bad at the time, and after the game (the Chiefs were eliminated) the worst fears for football fans and fantasy managers alike came true. The All-Pro quarterback with multiple Super Bowl titles and MVPs, regular season MVPs and several NFL records had torn both his ACL and LCL and was done for the season.
Many fantasy managers lost their playoff games in what was already a subpar performance by the King of Ketchup, who completed just 16 passes and accounted for just one touchdown (rushing). Other managers had teams where Mahomes led them to a first-round playoff appearance, but that’s little consolation in many leagues where finding a replacement is a small feat. It wasn’t the first injury to end managers’ hopes and dreams of taking home a trophy, and it certainly won’t be the last — especially considering the way the season has gone — but it’s a tough way out, for fantasy squads as well as Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.
The ripple effect
Of course, an injury to a player of this caliber also affects many other teams. In these playoffs, every matchup needs to be scrutinized to see if it’s a risk to play a player with journeyman Gardner Minshew in the middle. Everyone’s fantasy value takes a hit. Maybe you can still rely on superstars Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce to remain a core part of your lineup. But those forced (thanks to other players’ injuries) to rely on Hollywood Brown, Xavier Worthy, Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt will be in for a rude awakening if the script is reversed.
And what does this do to a Chiefs team with numerous fantasy stalwarts in the near future?
After the 16-13 loss to the Chargers, many questions remain about the team heading into a postseason that will be must-see TV. There are a lot of questions surrounding free agency for Kansas City. That includes head coach Andy Reid, offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and, of course, All-Pro tight end Travis Kelce. The latter has been considering retiring from the game for a few years now. Kelce’s bond and friendship with Mahomes (and the team’s ability to compete every season) is what has kept him in KC, even after his highly publicized relationship and upcoming wedding to Taylor Swift. There has long been speculation that Reid, 67, will retire in the near future after a staggering quarter-century as head coach. Nagy has been mentioned in nearly every head coaching vacancy this year, and without a playoff commitment, he will have plenty of time for the interview process.
Will they stay for the discount?
As a good neighbor, it seems like a lot of this hinges on the presence of Patrick Mahomes. A torn ACL typically requires nine to 12 months of recovery. That would potentially throw off the start of the 2026 season, and the quarterback will need plenty of practice and rehab to “shake off the rust” before returning. Will Reid be willing to coach another signal caller in Mahomes’ place, while also hiring a new offensive coordinator to replace Nagy?
Kelce is so close to retirement that it would be fair to assume he doesn’t want to be part of a change at quarterback, even for a handful of games next season. Some Chiefs players are getting older and will likely be looking for work with another team or as a public school gym coach. The point is, this could be an extremely different team in 2026, with Mahomes being the one constant in the ultimate twist of irony.
For the future Hall of Famer, he now faces surgery and full rehab to get himself back, instead of taking the time to rest and care for his ailing knee (which left him on the injury report for much of the season). Mahomes finishes the 2025 season with 14 starts and a 6-8 record. He was 315-508 (62.7%) with 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and rushed 62 times for a career-high 422 yards with five rushing scores. For their part, fantasy managers may have to change their mindset when drafting Kansas City players for a while.
Fantasy football injury watch
There is no postponement of the inevitable. Here’s your injury update for this weekend’s fantasy football semifinals.
Quarterbacks
- Patrick Mahomes (KCC, ACL) already underwent his first of two surgeries this week and is out for the season.
- Jayden Daniels (WAS, elbow) returned for one game and aggravated the injury. The commanders have closed it for the season.
- Tyrod Taylor and Justin Fields (NYJ) are still nursing their respective ailments, meaning Brady Cook gets the nod again.
- Lamar Jackson (BAL, illness) missed some practice time this week, but is good to go. His hamstring is also almost back in shape.
Running backs
- Woody Marks (HOU, ankle) returned to limited practice Friday and told some reporters he expects to play. He’s still a game-time decision.
- Nick Chubb (HOU, ribs) said he expects to be available, but it is still an in-game decision. If either can’t go, Jawhar Jordan will see reps again this week after Week 15’s 100-yard performance.
- Devin Neal and Alvin Kamara (NOS) are not expected to play. Audric Estime and Evan Hull prepare to split carries.
- Josh Jacobs (GBP, knee) has his usual ‘questionable’ tag but is expected to play normally.
- Javonte Williams (noggin) and Ceedee Lamb (illness) are not expected to miss this weekend’s game.
- Dylan Sampson (CLE, hand) is out after not practicing all week.
- Bhayshul Tuten (JAX, arm) is not expected to feature for the Jaguars, likely for the remainder of the regular season.
- D’Andre Swift (groin) was one late addition to the report. He is questionable and could be a mid-game decision.
Wide receivers
- Quentin Johnston (LAC, groin) returned to practice. He is listed as doubtful but could be a game-time decision.
- Green Bay Packers receivers (GBP, various) are all questionable except Romeo Doubs. Christian Watson gave the thumbs up after training with ‘I’ll be there’. None of them are expected to be kept out of their battle with the Bears.
- Garrett Wilson (NYJ, leg) has been eliminated for the season by the New York Jets from New Jersey in the Meadowlands, adjacent to Central Park.
- Drake London (ACL, PCL) is expected to play for the Falcons, although he is still listed as questionable.
- Alec Pierce (IND, Achilles) is not injured, although he had limited practice. He’ll probably play, but check the injury report an hour before game time.
- Rashee Rice and Tyquan Thornton (KC, concussion) both remain in protocol and will be absent Sunday.
- Tee Higgins (CIN, concussion) has had limited practice all week, though he is adhering to protocol. He will also try to purge tomorrow.
- Tre’ Harris (LAC, hip) is not on the injury list.
- Marvin Harrison Jr (ARI, heel) is still listed as questionable but is expected to play.
- Mike Evans (TBB, sore from previous injury) is listed as doubtful but expected to play as it is a pain tolerance issue and he is old.
- Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III (ankle, hamstring) have both been ruled out for this weekend.
- Ricky Pearsall (SFO, whole leg) is back on the report after one match. He is questionable and considered a “long shot” to go.
Tight ends
- Mason Taylor (NYJ, neck) has been ruled out for this weekend and is hoping for a return in Week 17.
- Dalton Kincaid (BUF, knee) remains doubtful, but is likely to return to action this weekend.
- David Njoku (CLE, knee) is out for Sunday.
- Darren Waller (MIA, leg/ankle) is listed as questionable, but it appears he’s ready for a juicy matchup against Cincinnati.
- Cole Kmet (CHI, ankle) is questionable, but he looks like he has a chance to play.
- Jake Ferguson (DAL, calf) is expected to play.
More “Whiplash!” to come
Good luck this week! I hope you do had Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and they didn’t get in your way! We’ll be back next week with more football junk food before you get ready for Week 17 and the Fantasy Football Championship! More quick hits and injury updates than you can shake a stick at. Don’t make unnecessary moves and make the right ones count. Remember, if you ‘take a kite’ from a player, you are doing it wrong. People are counting on you… kick the metal! It’s time to get started winning. Go get them and Start with who got you there! This is no time for tinkering.
Please note, op. “Fantasy Whiplash! LIVE” at 9pm EST on tuesday we’ll be digging into waiver wire gems, fades and sleepers! I’ll see you back next week for all your fantasy football news.
Be sure to visit us at “Fantasy Whiplash LIVE!” wherever you get your podcasts or on YouTube every Tuesday night at 9pm EST! It’s completely different from the buzz drum you’re used to! Have fun in the chat and ask questions if you have any!
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