CINCINNATI, OHIO – DECEMBER 28: Tee Higgins #5 and Joe Burrow #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrate after scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium on December 28, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)
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Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season was relatively light on the injury front from a fantasy football perspective. However, fantasy managers may still have a few key players to replace in Week 13.
Although Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is set to return from the toe injury that has sidelined him for the past two months, he won’t have his full receiving corps at his disposal. Meanwhile, the New Orleans Saints’ backfield could be further depleted against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
Let’s walk through all of the major injury news that fantasy football managers need to know heading into Week 13.
Notable Injuries:
1. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals WR
With Ja’Marr Chase sidelined by a one-game suspension, Higgins was serving as the Bengals’ WR1 against the New England Patriots on Sunday. However, he suffered a concussion late in the fourth quarter that resulted in him getting carted off the field.
The Bengals face the Baltimore Ravens on Thanksgiving this week, so Higgins had no realistic chance to clear the NFL’s concussion protocol in time. Head coach Zac Taylor already ruled him out Monday, per NFL Network’s Mike Garofolo.
Chase figures to get force-fed targets in Higgins’ absence, although Andrei Iosivas—who finished with four catches for a team-high 61 yards against the Patriots on Sunday—could be a sneaky pickup for desperate managers. The Bengals also might look to lean on Chase Brown and their run game to help ease Burrow back in.
2. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints RB
Alvin Kamara is on pace to finish with career lows in both rushing and receiving yards, particularly after suffering an MCL sprain Sunday in a loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football reported that he “avoided a major injury” and it’s “nothing that’s super serious or threatening long-term,” although he “could take a little time” to recover.
Frankly, Kamara shouldn’t be in fantasy lineups anyway unless you’re in a 14- or 16-team league. After topping 10 PPR points in three of the first four weeks this season, he’s gone over it in only two of the past seven games. And that’s in full-point PPR leagues!
Sixth-round rookie Devin Neal figures to see the lion’s share of the backfield work if Kamara is forced to miss time, although quarterback Tyler Shough led the team with 22 rushing yards against Atlanta. Do-it-all gadget player Taysom Hill had a team-high 10 carries and is always a threat to steal goal-line work, too, so fantasy managers should steer clear of this backfield.
3. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers QB
Not only did the Los Angeles Rams blow out the Buccaneers on Sunday night, but they added injury to insult by causing Mayfield to suffer a “low-grade left shoulder sprain,” per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. The injury is to his non-throwing shoulder, although it’s unclear if he’ll be able to play through it against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
Veteran journeyman Teddy Bridgewater started the second half in place of Mayfield and finished 8-of-15 for 62 yards, zero touchdowns and zero inceptions. Granted, the Rams were up by 20-plus points for the entire second half, so they were largely playing prevent defense to ensure the Bucs didn’t stage a massive comeback.
Bridgewater has 65 career starts under his belt, although he hasn’t started a game since 2022. If Mayfield can’t go Sunday, fantasy managers should downgrade their expectations for Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin, Cade Otton and the Bucs’ other pass-catchers.
4. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders RB
Jeanty totaled 25 touches for 108 yards and a touchdown in the Raiders’ 24-10 loss to Shedeur Sanders and the Cleveland Browns, but he didn’t emerge unscathed. After the game, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters that Jeanty picked up an ankle injury.
On Monday, Carroll downplayed the severity of the injury. He also made it sound like it shouldn’t jeopardize Jeanty’s availability against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.
If Jeanty does sit this week, veteran tailback Raheem Mostert would likely be the primary beneficiary. Even if Jeanty does play, managers should pick Mostert if he’s available in case Jeanty aggravates the injury and has to miss time moving forward.
5. J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings QB
After a disastrous performance in a loss to the Green Bay Packers, McCarthy’s availability for Week 13 is in jeopardy. He reported concussion symptoms after the game and has been placed in the league’s concussion protocol, head coach Kevin O’Connell announced Monday.
With backup quarterback Carson Wentz done for the year due to a shoulder injury, undrafted rookie Max Brosmer is the Vikings’ only other option at quarterback. He’s thrown only eight passes during the regular season—all of which have come in garbage time—although he went 30-of-50 for 317 yards, one touchdown and one interception during the two games in which he played extended run in the preseason.
The Vikings are heading to Seattle to face the ferocious Seahawks defense this week, so regardless of whether McCarthy or Brosmer start, expectations should be lowered for all Vikings pass-catchers this week.
Quick Hits:
1. Dillon Gabriel, Cleveland Browns QB
Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski told reporters Monday that Gabriel cleared concussion protocol, but he’s sticking with Sanders as his starting quarterback in Week 13. Either way, managers in 10- or 12-team leagues shouldn’t be starting any Browns pass-catchers. Running back Quinshon Judkins is the only Browns player worth starting.
2. Tahj Brooks, Cincinnati Bengals RB
Like Higgins, Brooks also suffered a concussion Sunday and has already been ruled out for Thursday’s game against the Ravens. However, fellow backup Samaje Perine was estimated as a full practice participant Monday after missing the past two games with an ankle injury, so he should be available to back up Chase Brown.
Potential Returns
1. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals QB
After going through a full week of practice last week, Burrow was estimated as a full participant Monday as well. He’s expected to play Thursday against the Ravens even though the Bengals are 3-8 and are effectively out of the playoff race.
2. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers RB
Irving has been sidelined since Week 4 due to foot and shoulder injuries, but he’s finally on track to return this week. Head coach Todd Bowles told reporters Monday that Irving will practice all week, “and if he’s well by Friday, he’ll play on Sunday.” It bears watching whether he’ll go back to being the Bucs’ workhorse or if they’ll look to ease him back in by keeping fellow running backs Rachaad White and Sean Tucker involved as well.
3. Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams WR
Atwell hasn’t played since the Rams’ Week 7 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London, but head coach Sean McVay told reporters Monday that he’s expected to “be ready to roll” Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. Atwell has only four catches on nine targets in six games this season, so he shouldn’t be a huge threat to Puka Nacua or Davante Adams. If anything, he’s just a boost to Matthew Stafford’s already dazzling outlook.