Kirk will miss at least four weeks while on IR. He injured his core during Monday night’s loss to the Bengals and could require surgery, according to head coach Doug Pederson. Fantasy managers should expect to be without Kirk for the remainder of the 2023 season. Parker Washington will operate as the team’s primary slot wideout in Kirk’s absence. Washington caught six passes for 61 yards and a touchdown in Week 13 against the Bengals.

A Friday practice — even a limited session — is good news for Cooper’s Week 14 availability against the Jaguars. He had not practiced all week after being put into the league’s concussion protocol following his Week 13 brain injury. Cooper would be a high-end WR3 play against the Jags if he can suit up.

The team had given Njoku rest days for his lingering knee issue on Wednesday and Thursday. A return for Friday’s practice should mean Njoku plays his usual role in the Cleveland offense this week against the Jaguars. He was second on the team with six targets in Joe Flacco’s first start in Week 13 against the Rams.

Lawrence, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, has to “prove a lot” to the Jacksonville coaching staff before he gets the starting nod against the Browns this Sunday. Even if he plays, Lawrence will likely be hobbled and far less than 100 percent. C.J. Beathard, battling a left shoulder injury he sustained Monday night against the Bengals, would start for the Jaguars if Lawrence can’t go.

Rapoport reiterated that Lawrence’s ankle injury — sustained on Monday night against the Bengals — is “not a small injury” and will inhibit him if he’s able to suit up in Week 14. Lawrence is going to have to prove to Jaguars coaches that he can operate at something resembling full capacity or the team will start C.J. Beathard, who is dealing with a left shoulder injury. A gimpy Lawrence would not be startable in 12-team formats if he plays against Cleveland.

The two-TD performance was Henry’s first in nearly two years, on Dec. 18, 2021. All of his production came before halftime as Bailey Zappe imploded after the break. For score No. 1, Henry and Zappe split the safeties for a nice touch pass. For No. 2, Henry caught a frozen rope after an excellent Zappe pump fake. A nice night. Also one that has zero chance of repeating for Week 15 against the Chiefs.

Coming off his first 20-touch effort of the season and making a short-week spot start in place of Rhamondre Stevenson, Elliott got home for RB2 desperados when he capped the game’s opening drive with an 11-yard receiving score. Beyond that it was a lot of brick-walling in a dull, ugly game, but Zeke understood the PPR assignment. With Stevenson unlikely to be ready for Week 15 against the Chiefs, Elliott will be more of a FLEX than RB2 vs. KC’s tough defense in a week where all 32 teams will be active.

As did Zach Charbonnet (knee). It tentatively puts both on track to suit up against the 49ers, but the Seahawks are not a normal team when it comes to the injury report. We frankly don’t know what half the stuff they do means. Both Walker and Charbonnet would need one or the other to sit to have any real shot at RB2 value vs. the fearsome Niners. Were both to play, they would check into the RB28-36 range.

It seems like Harris would be good for his usual role on normal rest, but the short week could make him the short end of the Steelers’ backfield committee. We prefer Jaylen Warren on the RB2/3 borderline, with Harris checking in as a touchdown-dependent FLEX. Inactive for the Steelers are QB Kenny Pickett, RB Anthony McFarland, CB James Pierre, LB Markus Golden, OT Dylan Cook and DE DeMarvin Leal.

JuJu Smith-Schuster (ankle) is active, but Parker’s absence after his nine-target Week 13 leaves the Patriots’ receiver corps dangerously thin for the short-week showdown. The only wideouts joining JuJu are Tyquan Thornton, Jalen Reagor and Malik Cunningham. That’s not a serious group. This is not a serious team. Parker will presumably be ready to return on two weeks rest in Week 15 against the Chiefs, though the Pats could just shut him down as the tank rolls on. Joining Parker on the shelf are RB JaMycal Hasty, OT Vederian Lowe, WR Demario Douglas, WR Kayshon Boutte, RB Rhamondre Stevenson and CB Shaun Wade.