The Training Room: Week 16 Injury Updates

Chances are if you’re reading this then you have advanced to the finals of your fantasy football league playoff. Let me be the first to congratulate you. Making the finals in a league is no easy feat, especially in today’s game with COVID-19 and players getting ruled out almost every day. Week 16 was not kind to running backs so hopefully, the players listed below were not foundational pieces to your team. As we truck on into the final week in the majority of fantasy football leagues, here were the main injuries from this week's slate.

James Robinson, RB Jacksonville Jaguars

Injury: Torn Achilles

Projected Timetable: season-ender

Potential Replacement(s): Dare Ogunbowale

Initial Thoughts:

After being freed from the anchor that was Urban Meyer, James Robinson appeared to be returning to his 2020 form. Unfortunately, Robinson tore his left Achilles Sunday, ending his 2021 season. For redraft teams that were rostering Robinson, this means he is droppable in all formats. Dare Ogunbowale handled the majority of the running back work in Robinson’s absence and will likely do the same next week with Carlos Hyde also done for the year.

Looking ahead to 2022, Robinson’s future is murky but this is not an automatic career killer. Earlier this week Cam Akers was activated from the Rams’ IR 5.5 months post-Achilles tear. Although we are yet to see Akers plays it is an important mark for how medicine has advanced regarding the treatment of this injury. Unlike Robinson, Akers has substantial draft capital and a coaching staff who drafted him behind him for support. It will be more of an uphill battle for Robinson, an UDFA, who will be working for a new regime in Jacksonville.

Adam Thielen, WR Minnesota Vikings

Injury: left high ankle sprain, re-aggravation

Projected Timetable: 2 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): K.J. Osborn

Initial Thoughts:

Adam Thielen battled back from his left high ankle sprain in just three short weeks. Although he was not 100%, Thielen looked good in limited action before he re-aggravated his left ankle injury when he was tackled from behind by a Rams defender. On video, the mechanism of injury was nearly identical to that of his initial injury from Week 13. You have to give Thielen credit. He tried to give it a go in the second half, even making another catch before shutting it down for the day. It’s clear Thielen is not healthy and after a loss, Minnesota’s season is over. I would expect them to shut Thielen down for the rest of 2021. If you are a fantasy team in the playoffs with very limited roster space, dropping Thielen is understandable.

Miles Sanders, RB Philadelphia Eagles

Injury: hand fracture

Projected Timetable: 2 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Jordan Howard (if healthy), Boston Scott

Initial Thoughts:

Philadelphia ruled Miles Sanders out with a hand injury at halftime of Sunday's game. The Eagles reported after the initial imaging that Sanders has a fracture in his hand. Hand injuries for RBs can be managed, the main concern is pass catching and ball security. Earlier this season, Elijah Mitchell missed two games with a finger fracture. Until we know more, Sanders is worth holding on to, although this is far from ideal.

Jordan Howard, RB Philadelphia Eagles

Injury: stinger

Projected Timetable: 0-4 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Boston Scott

Initial Thoughts:

Miles Sanders backup, Jordan Howard is also dealing with an injury. It was revealed on Monday that he was dealing with a stinger. This is a unique situation because stinger injuries are painful but symptoms typically do not last longer than a week. However in 2019 Howard missed 6 games with a serious stinger injury that resulted in lingering nerve damage. It is unclear if this is the same shoulder Howard sustained a stinger. If this is the same shoulder has 2019 Howard could miss a few weeks, however if it is the opposite shoulder then he could be ready next week. I think Boston Scott should be a priority add for teams looking for a RB/Flex player in Week 17. For teams that can afford it, I would stash both Howard and Scott until we get more information.

Darrell Henderson, RB Los Angeles Rams

Injury: right knee injury - likely MCL

Projected Timetable: 2-4 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Sony Michel, Jake Funk

Initial Thoughts:

Darrell Henderson had been relegated to the RB2 role in LA behind Sony Michel, and to make matters worse his fantasy football season is possibly over. Henderson’s knee was forced inward (valgus) during a second-half run. Henderson removed himself from the game and was shortly afterward ruled out. The mechanism of injury was consistent with that of an MCL sprain. Sony Michel should be the lead back next week with the possibility of Cam Akers sprinkled in. I have little faith in Akers who should be on some sort of snap count, which is why I have listed Jake Funk to slide into the Henderson role.

Saquon Barkley, RB New York Giants

Injury: left ankle pain

Projected Timetable: 0-2 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Devontae Booker

Initial Thoughts:

Saquon Barkley was seen limping during Sunday’s contest but was never fully ruled out. It’s been a tough year for Barkley who I was a big advocate for this offseason. Although Saquon’s injury does not appear to be that serious, it’s worth mentioning because the Giant’s season is over and it would not surprise me if they completely shut him down as well.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB Kansas City Chiefs

Injury: shoulder injury (possible AC joint sprain)

Projected Timetable: 2-4 weeks

Potential Replacement(s): Darrel Williams

Initial Thoughts:

Clyde Edwards-Helaire exited the Sunday afternoon game in the second half with a collarbone injury. After the game, KC reporters revealed that x-rays were negative, but an MRI needed to be obtained. An MRI shows soft tissue damage, which would reveal the extent of an AC joint sprain. Kansas City is looking to make a deep postseason run and will likely shut CEH down for a bit. D’Andre Swift's fantasy managers can tell you how difficult it is for RBs to return from this injury on a short turnaround. It should be the Darrel Williams show for the rest of the regular season.

Past Injuries Discussed: