Fantasy Football Week 16 Injury Report: Final Countdown
First off, let me say that I appreciate you all and have thoroughly enjoyed another season of injury content for 4for4. I wish you all the best, Merry Christmas, and hope you have moved on to the championship round (or at least dominated your rebuilds). Good luck this week and enjoy the off-season.
Aaron Rodgers, QB New York Jets
Injury: Left Knee/Ankle
Projected Timetable: Week 17-18
Initial Thoughts:
While he was able to continue playing the rest of the game, he got twisted up pretty well on the injured play with the primary concern of a left ankle and left knee/MCL injury. Keep an eye on his practice status. This is also the time of year when losing teams shut down their veteran players who are dealing with various injuries and bruises.
Jalen Hurts, QB Philadelphia Eagles
Injury: Concussion
Projected Timetable: Week 17-18
Initial Thoughts:
There have only been a handful of players who have cleared concussion protocol within a week in order to play the following game, but quarterbacks do have a higher rate of being able to clear. Keep an eye on his status in practice this week.
Josh Allen, QB Buffalo Bills
Injury: Right Elbow
Projected Timetable: Week 17-18
Initial Thoughts:
Allen reportedly suffered a right elbow contusion but was able to play in the remainder of the game. Monitor his practice status but as of right now it sounds like he will be fine for week 17.
James Conner, RB Arizona Cardinals
Injury: Right Knee Hyperextension
Projected Timetable: Week 17-18
Initial Thoughts:
The injury prevented him from returning to the game while the score was close at 30 to 20, so it clearly limited him and did not feel right. If it is a mild bone bruise and hyperextension sprain, he may be able to suit up for week 17 but could have some efficiency concerns, though would likely receive the workhorse role if active. Arizona plays on a short week with their game on Saturday so we should get more details with adequate time to make decisions on rosters. Of note, they have been eliminated from playoffs and could start sitting players who are banged up.
Kenneth Walker, RB Seattle Seahawks
Injury: Ankle Sprain
Projected Timetable: Week 18-Season Ending
Initial Thoughts:
Walker was deemed doubtful to return before eventually being ruled out. Seattle was not shy about utilizing him in the workhorse role in his first game back from the calf strain but now finds themselves near the bottom of possible wild-card teams in the NFC. I have concerns that we will not see Walker again this season, in which case Zach Charbonnet is in line for a massive workload in the fantasy championship week. Of note, Seattle plays their week 17 game on Thursday night which will unlikely give Walker adequate time to recover.
Justice Hill, RB Baltimore Ravens
Injury: Concussion
Projected Timetable: Week 18
Initial Thoughts:
Monitor Hill's practice status, but the majority of players have missed at least one game after suffering a concussion.
Tank Dell, WR Houston Texans
Injury: Left Knee
Projected Timetable: Season-Ending
Initial Thoughts:
Early reports indicate that Dell suffered a dislocated patella and surgery options have been discussed. I find it hard to believe that this is the only trauma that occurred during the play, especially since he was held overnight in the hospital. Brace for worse information that leaks over the next week or two. I have concerns on a significant multi-ligament injury that will likely impact his availability for the beginning of the 2025 season.
Drake London, WR Atlanta Falcons
Injury: Hamstring Strain
Projected Timetable: Week 17-18
Initial Thoughts:
Head coach Raheem Morris indicated that London likely would have been able to return to the game if the score was close, but they held him out for precautionary reasons. His practice status will be told throughout the week. Coaches have often made statements like that and then the player continues to struggle with hamstring symptoms. If mild, he may be able to suit up week 17 with minimum production dip, but if more than mild it may cost him 1-2 weeks. Atlanta is in a key race for a playoff spot and still has a slim chance to win their division, so London may push himself to play even if he is not fully healthy.
Malik Nabers, WR New York Giants
Injury: Stinger
Projected Timetable: Week 17
Initial Thoughts:
Nabers was able to return to the game without issue, and I expect him to be able to play week 17 without issue.
Xavier Worthy, WR Kansas City Chiefs
Injury: Left Ankle/Calf
Projected Timetable: Week 17
Initial Thoughts:
By video, his injury appeared to be worse than it actually was, as he returned for the second half and produced well. As long as his ankle did not swell or stiffen after the game, I anticipate Worthy being able to suit up for Week 17, even with their game on Wednesday.
Tee Higgins, WR Cincinnati Bengals
Injury: Left Ankle
Projected Timetable: Week 17
Initial Thoughts:
Another player who suffered an ankle injury but was able to return to the game, monitor his practice status this week. By video, it appeared minor and projects as one he will be able to play through without issue for week 17.
George Pickens, WR Pittsburgh Steelers
Injury: Hamstring
Projected Timetable: Week 17
Initial Thoughts:
Pickens was ramping up his activity prior to being ruled out in Week 16. I do believe the team was eyeing week 17 for his return, instead of rushing him back for week 16 and then having him play again without adequate recovery time for their upcoming Wednesday game. Monitor his practice status, but I am projecting his week 17 return with minimal production dip.
Dyami Brown, WR Washington Commanders
Injury: Hamstring
Projected Timetable: Week 18-TBD
Initial Thoughts:
Brown was unable to return to the game with a hamstring injury that will likely cost him week 17 and possibly longer. The average missed time for wide receivers with even a mild hamstring strain is 1-2 weeks. Jamison Crowder seemed to be more involved with Brown out.
Zay Flowers, WR Baltimore Ravens
Injury: Shoulder
Projected Timetable: Week 17-18
Initial Thoughts:
Flowers did not practice on Sunday with a shoulder injury but early reports indicate it is minor. Monitor his practice status leading up to the Ravens game on Wednesday. I anticipate him playing without issue.
Brenton Strange, TE Jacksonville Jaguars
Injury: Shoulder suspected
Projected Timetable: Week 17-18
Initial Thoughts:
No official word on Strange, but he entered this week with an AC sprain and was unable to finish the game. He was not on the field for the last few drives so he may have suffered an aggravation. Keep an eye on his status leading into week 17.
| Player | Position | Team | Injury | Week of Injury | Projected Return |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A.J. Dillon | RB | GB | Neck, Stinger | IR | Season-Ending |
| Elijah Mitchell | RB | SF | Hamstring Surgery | IR | Season Ending |
| J.J. McCarthy | QB | MIN | Right Meniscus Repair | IR | Season Ending |
| Deshaun Watson | QB | CLE | Right Achilles | Week 7 | Season Ending |
| Christian Kirk | WR | JAC | Left Clavicle Fracture | Week 8 | Season Ending |
| Dak Prescott | QB | DAL | Hamstring Tear, Surgery | Week 9 | Season Ending |
| Rashee Rice | WR | KC | Right LCL, HS Repair | Week 4 | Season-Ending |
| Brandon Aiyuk | WR | SF | Right ACL, MCL | Week 7 | Season Ending |
| Chris Godwin | WR | TB | Ankle Fracture | Week 7 | Season Ending |
| Chris Olave | WR | NO | Concussion | Week 9 | Week 17-TBD |
| Stefon Diggs | WR | HOU | Right ACL | Week 8 | Season Ending |
| Erick All Jr | TE | CIN | Right ACL | Week 9 | Season Ending |
| Zack Moss | RB | CIN | Neck | Week 9 | Indefinitely |
| Zamir White | RB | LVR | Quad | Week 9 | Season Ending |
| Gardner Minshew | QB | LVR | Left Clavicle Fracture | Week 12 | Season Ending |
| Gabe Davis | WR | JAC | Knee | Week 11 | Season Ending |
| Austin Ekeler | RB | WAS | Concussion, IR | Week 12 | Week 18 |
| Cedric Tillman | WR | CLE | Concussion | Week 12 | Week 17 |
| Christian McCaffrey | RB | SF | Right PCL | Week 13 | Season-Ending |
| Trevor Lawrence | QB | JAC | Left AC Surgery | Week 14 | Season Ending |
| J.K. Dobbins | RB | LAC | Left MCL | Week 12 | Week 17-18 |
| Taysom Hill | QB | NO | Left Knee | Week 13 | Season-Ending |
| Dallas Goedert | TE | PHI | Knee Sprain | Week 13 | IR, Week 18 |
| Jordan Mason | RB | SF | Ankle Sprain | Week 13 | Week 18 |
| George Pickens | WR | PIT | Hamstring Strain | Week 14 | Week 17 |
| Derek Carr | QB | NO | Left Hand/Wrist | Week 14 | Season Ending |
| Jonathon Brooks | RB | CAR | Right ACL Retear | Week 14 | Season Ending |
| Aidan O'Connell | QB | LVR | Left Knee | Week 14 | Season Ending |
| Will Dissly | TE | LAC | Right Shoulder | Week 14 | Week 17 |
| Alvin Kamara | RB | NO | Groin Strain | Week 15 | Week 17-18 |
| Nick Chubb | RB | CLE | Foot Fracture | Week 15 | Season Ending |
| Trey Benson | RB | ARI | Ankle Sprain | Week 15 | Week 17-18 |
| Jaylen Waddle | WR | MIA | Right Knee | Week 15 | Week 17-18 |
| Wan'Dale Robinson | WR | NYG | Concussion | Week 15 | Week 17 |
| Marquez Valdes Scantling | WR | NO | Concussion | Week 15 | Week 17 |
| Xavier Legette | WR | CAR | Groin | Week 15 | Week 17-18 |
| David Montgomery | RB | DET | MCL Sprain | Week 15 | Season Ending |
| Sincere McCormick | RB | LVR | High Ankle Sprain | Week 15 | Season Ending |
| Aaron Rodgers | QB | NYJ | Left Leg | Week 16 | Week 17-18 |
| Jalen Hurts | QB | PHI | Concussion | Week 16 | Week 17-18 |
| James Conner | RB | ARI | Right Knee Hyperextension | Week 16 | Week 17-18 |
| Kenneth Walker | RB | SEA | Ankle Sprain | Week 16 | Week 18-TBD |
| Tank Dell | WR | HOU | Left Knee | Week 16 | Season Ending |
| Drake London | WR | ATL | Hamstring | Week 16 | Week 17-18 |
| Malik Nabers | WR | NYG | Stinger | Week 16 | Week 17 |
| Xavier Worthy | WR | KC | Left Ankle | Week 16 | Week 17 |
| Tee Higgins | WR | CIN | Left Ankle | Week 16 | Week 17 |
| Brenton Strange | TE | JAC | AC Sprain | Week 16 | Week 17-18 |
| Josh Allen | QB | BUF | Right Elbow | Week 16 | Week 17-18 |
| Zay Flowers | WR | BAL | Shoulder | Week 16 | Week 17 |
| Dyami Brown | WR | WAS | Hamstring | Week 16 | Week 18-TBD |
