The Training Room: Week 17 Injury Updates
Even though most leagues have played their championship games in Week 16, I commend those who roll the dice and play their championship during Week 17. Week 17 can be difficult to project as most teams are out of the playoff picture by now, so they choose to rest players who have even the smallest injury as to not risk further complications. Week 16 brought one of the quietest weeks with regards to injuries, so we'll cover some prominent names who could make a return on the final week of the regular season to potentially get ready for the playoffs.
For those who have played their championships and have won their league title, congratulations to you! Fantasy football is definitely skilled in terms of staying on top of your team and making the right moves, but it also involves some luck to not have players go down with injuries that could cost your season. Let's take a look at some injuries you should keep an eye on for the final game of the regular season.
On The Mend
Marshawn Lynch (Sports Hernia): Coach Carroll states that if all goes well, Lynch has an opportunity to practice this week with the potential to play this weekend. Projection: Lynch is active Week 17. Lynch will take some time to get his legs back under him after having sports hernia surgery, but should rotate in with Bryce Brown and Christine Michael. I still wouldn't consider him a viable option if you're in the championship.
Vincent Jackson (MCL Sprain): With Jackson being ruled out very early last week, it doesn't bode well for his ability to possibly play this week. He'll be day-to-day for now, but until we hear any different, he could miss the regular season finale. Projection: Jackson misses Week 17.
LeSean McCoy (MCL Sprain): Bills head coach Rex Ryan wasn't sure if McCoy would be ready to suit up this weekend and will still be day-to-day. The Bills do have the oppourtnity to knock out Ryan's former team, but I do not think they'll risk Shady's health just for a revenge game. Projection: McCoy misses Week 17.
Brian Hoyer (Concussion): Texans head coach Bill O'Brien states Hoyer is in the last stage of the concussion protocol, which would put him in line to start Week 17. Projection: Hoyer starts Week 17. Hoyer's return should provide a slight boost to the offense, but Brandon Weeden performed well in his absence.
Jonathan Stewart (Foot Sprain): ESPN's Ed Werder states JStew may practice Wednesday to determine how his foot feels. He's currently been running on a treadmill with no issues, so the change of direction and planting/cutting motions is normally the last test to see how bad the foot pain is. Projection: Misses Week 17. The Panthers will take their chances with the RBBC approach and claim the #1 seed heading into the playoffs. Stewart should be ready when the playoffs start.
T.J. Yeldon (MCL Sprain): Yeldon remains day-to-day as he recovers from his MCL sprain. The fact he was attempting to practice last week makes me optimistic he might suit up this week, but with the Jaguars having nothing to play for, they could opt to have him sit agai. Projection: Yeldon misses Week 17. Yeldon showed some promise this year and could be an intriguing option at RB next year.
Julian Edelman (Jones Fracture): Edelman will be seven weeks removed from surgery this week, with normal timetable for recovery being 6-8 weeks. Since Edelman has been getting in limited practices for multiple weeks, there's a chance this is the week he sees the playing field. Projection: Edelman is active for Week 17. With the Patriots locking up a first round bye, I believe they'll want to see Edelman on the field for a handful of snaps to see how his foot reacts to game situations. Then he'll have a week off to recover and get ready for the Patriots playoff run.
Alshon Jeffery (Hamstring Strain): Jeffery remains day-to-day with hamstring soreness and discomfort. I'm not sure what to expect from him at this point, and with him being a free agent after this year, I wonder if he shuts it down in the hopes he doesn't suffer any other injuries. Projection: Jeffery misses Week 17.
Marcus Mariota (Sprained MCL): Mariota has been practicing on a limited basis since suffering another MCL sprain. Even if he continues to practice, I find it very doubtful the Titans would put Mariota back in for an absolutely meaningless game. Projection: Mariota misses Week 17. Mariota will enter the offseason recovering from an MCL sprain to each knee and an offense that lacks weapons. The Titans would be smart to bring in a coach who can utilize Mariota's skill set and surround him with playmakers to get the most out of his talent.
Shaun Draughn (Sprained Knee): Draughn's status will hopefully be updated on Wednesday when the 49ers return to the practice field. He wasn't able to practice at all last week, so it will be important for fantasy owners to see him practice in some manner in order to feel confident he's trending towards playing this weekend. Projection: Draughn misses Week 17. The 49ers will try and evaluate some other RB's they currently have on the roster and reduce the risk Draughn's knee will get worse if he plays.
Danny Amendola (Sprained Knee): Amendola continues to be day-to-day as he recovers from another knee injury that held him out of Week 16. Projection: Amendola misses Week 17. The Patriots are one of the thinnest teams with regards to playmakers heading into the playoffs. They'll do what they can to get everyone healthy in hopes they can make another deep run.
The Training Room
Matt Forte
Bottom Line: Forte will be day-to-day and might get some time off during the week, but even he admitted it shouldn't be too much of a concern.
Projection: Forte is active Week 17. Forte should be in line for his normal workload in the final game of the regular season. I would use him as your normally would.
Matt Ryan
Bottom Line: Consider Ryan day-to-day at this point, but the fact that he was able to play through the injury last week and make it through the entire game makes me think he should be in line to play Week 17.
Projection: Ryan starts Week 17. Ryan might miss some practice time during the week, but the injury doesn't sound severe enough for him to miss Week 17.
Kendall Wright
Bottom Line: Wright has been dealing with a knee injury for multiple weeks now and the fact that he re-aggravated the injury is never a good sign. He looks doubtful to play again this year.
Projection: Wright misses Week 17. Wright will have the entire offseason to get healthy and work on the rapport he was starting to build with Mariota before his myriad of injuries.
A.J. McCarron
Sprained Wrist
Bottom Line: MRI testing done on McCarron's wrist revealed no fracture and just a sprain. He'll be day-to-day, but the fact the injury was to his non-throwing hand puts him in line to start Week 17.
Projection: McCarron starts Week 17. The Bengals finish up the regular season against the Ravens, and with Andy Dalton not yet ready to return, the Bengals will rely on McCarron to pull out a win. The Ravens defense has been improving as of late, but is still vulnerable to the big play that could allow McCarron to do some damage against the them.
