Week 16 Fantasy Football Injury Recap
As The Fantasy Footballers’ lead injury analyst and sports physical therapist, I’ll be recapping the previous week’s injuries and giving a projected timeline for recovery all season long. Let’s look at the biggest injuries from Week 16 and take a look at what fantasy managers can expect heading into Week 17.
If you’re looking for more detailed injury analysis, check out JoinTheFoot.com for additional premium resources, including access to the Injury Blitz Podcast hosted by yours truly. This bonus podcast, available to all #FootClan Premier and Ultimate members, is a short, yet informative injury podcast that drops late in the week in order to provide all the injury updates you need to set your lineup each week.
Packers QBs Jordan Love & Malik Willis
Love – Concussion: Week to week
Willis – Right Shoulder Injury: Questionable for Week 17
The Packers loss to the Bears in Week 16 hurts even worse now that both QB1 and QB2 are battling injury heading into Week 17. Jordan Love got knocked out early in this game after tacking a helmet-to-helmet hit on a sack. He was taken to the medical tent and then the locker room for evaluation and did not return due to a concussion. Matt LaFleur confirmed that Love remains in concussion protcol as of Monday, so we’ll see if he can progress throughout the week. His backup, Malik Willis, landed hard on his right shoulder late in the game and per LaFleur, Willis is “pretty sore.” Depending on how the injury report shakes out, Clayton Tune could be the Week 17 starter on Saturday when they take on the Ravens.
Players impacted: Clayton Tune, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed
QB Lamar Jackson
Back Contusion: Questionable for Week 17
Jackson left Sunday night’s game against New England with a back injury after he took a knee to the lower back/side while being taken to the ground. He did have an MRI Monday, which showed no structural damage and per John Harbaugh, he has a “significant bruise.” This is going to be a pain management issue throughout the week, but I do ultimately expect Jackson to have a good chance to play, assuming treatment goes well this week. Baltimore is still technically mathematically alive for the playoffs, and this Saturday night matchup agains the Packers could ultimately decide if their Week 18 game matters or not. Even if Jackson is let’s say 85-90%, I think he gives it a go.
Players impacted: Tyler Huntley, Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews
QB Marcus Mariota
Right Hand & Quad Injuries: Doubtful for Week 17
Mariota got banged up in Saturday’s loss to Philly, suffering a right hand injury and a quad injury in the same game. With Washington playing on Christmas Day on a short week, it’s unlikely Mariota is cleared for this week’s game. The team signed Jeff Driskel off Arizona’s practice squad on Monday, a sign that Mariota’s status is in doubt. If he can’t go, Josh Johnson will start against Dallas.
Players impacted: Josh Johnson, Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel
QB J.J. McCarthy
Right Hand Injury: Out for Week 17
McCarthy injured his right hand Sunday against the Giants when he hit his hand on the helmet of a Giants defender during a follow through on a pass attempt. He was evaluated on the sideline and was seen grimacing in serious pain and ultimately did not return as he was unable to grip the football. X-rays were negative per head coach Kevin O’Connell, but he did get an MRI on Monday. As of Tuesday morning, there has not been any details on that MRI, so we’re in wait and see mode on the severity/specifics of the injury. The Vikings host the Lions on Christmas Day on a short week, so it’ll be Max Brosmer under center for Week 17 as there’s real ball security issues for JJM.
Players impacted: Max Brosmer, Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson
QB Gardner Minshew
Tibial Plateau Fracture: Out for the year
Back-to-backs for KC…brutal injury luck late in the year. The Chiefs lost Mahomes to a season-ending ACL injury last week, and this past week, Minshew also suffered a season-ending injury and is now done for the year. While it was initially feared that Minshew tore his ACL, the MRI actually showed a tibial plateau fracture, which is essentially a significant injury to the cartilage in the knee joint. The journeyman backup will be limited all off-season, which is not ideal given that he’s only on a one-year deal with KC. This injury could certainly impact his market in free agency.
Players impacted: Chris Oladokun, Xavier Worthy, Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce
RB TreVeyon Henderson
Concussion Protocol: Week to week
Henderson was taken to the ground on a rushing attempt Sunday night in Baltimore, and while being tackled, he hit the back of his head on the ground and then showed on-field symptoms of a concussion. Not long after being evaluated in the medical tent, the rookie was taken to the locker room and ruled out. He’s now in the league’s concussion protocol ahead of Week 17. If Henderson can’t clear in time for this week’s matchup, Stevenson would get the bulk of the touches.
Players impacted: Rhamondre Stevenson
RB Quinshon Judkins
Right Ankle Fracture + Dislocation: Out for the year
Judkins’ impressive rookie campaign came to an end Sunday against the Bills when he suffered a fractured fibula and dislocation of his right ankle. He’ll undergo surgery and be placed on IR and now faces roughly a 6-9 month recovery. I do believe he can participate in some capacity in training camp, but I’d be surprised if he’s 100% entering the regular season as it takes time to ramp up off this procedure. For those wondering, this injury is very similar to that of Cam Skattebo from Week 8.
Players impacted: Raheim Sanders, Trayveon Williams
Vikings RBs Jordan Mason & Aaron Jones
Ankle Injuries for both players: Questionable for Week 17
Mason and Jones both got banged up early on Sunday against the Giants, but only one RB was able to return. Mason was evaluated for an ankle injury and quickly ruled out. Jones was evaluated in the tent and emerged with the ankle taped up and was seen testing his ankle on the sideline. He was eventually able to return and finish the game, which is a great sign, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him miss time in practice, especially on a short week. I do expect him to be able to play on Thursday, however. I do not expect Jordan Mason to be available on Christmas, which means Zavier Scott will likely serve as RB2 against Detroit. On Monday’s estimated injury report, Jones was LP while Mason was tagged with a DNP.
Players impacted: Aaron Jones
RB Kimani Vidal
Neck Injury: Questionable for Week 17
Vidal injured his neck Sunday against Dallas and despite being listed as Questionable, he did not return. He was injured while running into the back of one of his offensive linemen then trainers were evaluating his neck on the sidelines. Worth noting, LA plays Houston on Saturday this week, so it’s a bit of a quick turnaround for the young RB. If he can’t go, Hampton would dominate touches while Hassan Haskins would assume RB2 duties.
Players impacted: Omarion Hampton
WR Pat Bryant
Concussion & Neck Injury: Doubtful for Weeks 17 and 18
Bryant took a huge hit late in Sunday’s loss to the Jaguars and was actually taken off the field on a spine board. He was evaluated for a concussion and a neck injury at a local hospital, but thankfully, he was released from the hospital Sunday night and does have movement in all four extremities. It’s a really scary situation, but it sounds like Bryant will be okay in the long run. Short term, however, this injury is likely to sideline him for the remainder of the regular season. He could return for the playoffs depending on the severity of the neck injury.
Players impacted: Bo Nix, Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin
TE George Kittle
Left Ankle Sprain: Questionable for Week 17
Kittle got injured in the second quarter of Monday Night Football against Indianapolis. He tried to return in the third quarter, but was unable to effectively cut and plant without pain. Per the athlete himself, Kittle states he got “hip dropped” and that his ankle got worse as the evening went on. If this is any sort of medial/high ankle sprain (even mild), it could put his status for Sunday Night Football in Week 17 in jeopardy. These types of injuries are notable for swelling and getting more stiff over the course of a few days following the injury, so I expect Kittle to miss most of, if not all, of practice this week. This week’s game is massive for post-season standings, so even if Kittle is less than 100%, he could still try to play through injury. It’ll be a tricky situation for fantasy gamers given that Kittle and the Niners are on Sunday night.
Players impacted: Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, Jauan Jennings