The Training Room: Week 16 Injury Updates

Dec 16, 2018

Hopefully those who are reading this column are on to your fantasy championship and looking to bring home the hardware! If not, hopefully you are in a consolation game to help lock up some cash or prizes to end the season on a high note. It's pretty crazy to think that for the majority of leagues this is the final game of the fantasy football season! Let's get you up to date on the latest injuries that occurred in Week 15 and if it's going to affect what you plan on doing for your team.

Updated Saturday 12/22/18

Player	Position	Team	Injury	Timetable For Recovery	Potential Pickup	Comments
Todd Gurley	RB	Rams	Sprained Knee	Game time decision	C.J. Anderson, John Kelly	Schefter reports that if anything is a concern with Gurley's knee, the Rams would prefer to sit him and not risk anything. Even if Gurley does play, he'll be on a short leash if the knee gives him any trouble during the game, which is not ideal for fantasy owners who want to play him. I would consider Gurley more on the doubtful side of questionable at this point, but stay tuned as it gets closer to game time.
Julio Jones	WR	Falcons	Rib Injury	Game time decision	Calvin Ridley, Mohamed Sanu	A rib injury has been bothering Jones all week and will have to test things out in warm-ups to determine if he gives it a go. My expectation is that he ends up playing, but with the Falcons out of playoff contention, any flare up or aggravation could have the Falcons sit Jones to not make any issues worse.
DeAndre Hopkins	WR	Texans	Sprained Ankle	Game time decision	Demaryius Thomas, DeAndre Carter	Hopkins was a limited participant in practice all week and originally it was thought that Hopkins would be fine to play this weekend, but now it's not a lock. Ian Rapoport is stating that he'll now need to test out his ankle in warm-ups to see if he can play, which could indicate his ankle is giving him more trouble or it's just not feeling right. The Texans play at 1pm so we should find out quickly whether or not Hopkins will be a go. News like this is never good, but the Texans are likely going to be conservative with their playmakers with the hope of keeping everyone healthy for the playoffs.
DeSean Jackson	WR	Buccaneers	Sprained Thumb	Expected to play Week 16	Adam Humphries, Chris Godwin	Jackson returns after missing the last few weeks due to re-aggravating his thumb injury he suffered at the beginning of the season. Jackson has the big play potential, but it might be difficult to trust him in his first game action in a few weeks during the fantasy championships.
Keke Coutee	WR	Texans	Strained Hamstring	RULED OUT FOR WEEK 16	Demaryius Thomas, DeAndre Carter	Coutee continues to nurse a hamstring injury that has lingered basically all season. The Texans are trying to get everyone healthy for a playoff run so he'll continue to rehab in hopes to be ready in the next few weeks.
Odell Beckham	WR	Giants	Quad Strain	RULED OUT FOR WEEK 16	Sterling Shepard	Beckham will miss his 3rd straight game due to the injury and it's unlikely we see him play in a meaningless game in Week 17 as well. Sterling Shepard will continue to see the majority of snaps in Beckham's absence.
JuJu Smith-Schuster	WR	Steelers	Strained Groin	Expected to play Week 16	James Washington	Smith-Schuster popped up on the injury report during the middle of the week, which is always concerning. However, he states he is playing and although it is great to hear him say that, he'll still need to go through warm-ups in hopes he doesn't have any setbacks. His risk of an aggravation is also high as the groin might not be anywhere near 100%. You're starting him, but just be aware of the risk he carries this week.
Lamar Miller	RB	Texans	Sprained Ankle	RULED OUT FOR WEEK 16	Alfred Blue, Donta Foreman	The Texans aren't going to take any chances with Miller's ankle, especially with the playoffs right around the corner. He'll rest up this weekend in hopes that he'll get as close to 100% as possibly by playoff time.
Marcus Murphy	RB	Bills	Subluxed Elbow	Moved to IR, DONE FOR SEASON	Keith Ford	Any dislocation or subluxation of the elbow is usually requires an extensive recovery period so this move was expected. The Bills
Spencer Ware	RB	Chiefs	Strained Hamstring	DOUBTFUL FOR WEEK 16	Damien Williams	This is good new for those who invested in Damien Williams as now he shouldn't have to share touches with Ware likely out.
Carson Wentz	QB	Eagles	Strained Low Back	RULED OUT FOR WEEK 16	Nick Foles	This was the expecation all along as Wentz did not practice at all this week and is still dealing with discomfort in his low back.
T.Y. Hilton	WR	Colts	Sprained Ankle	Game time decision	Zach Pascal	Hilton returned to practice on Friday which should make fantasy owners feel better about this situation. Hilton didn't practice at all last week and still played last week so barring any setbacks Hilton will be on the field in another big game for the Colts.
James Conner	RB	Steelers	High Ankle Sprain	RULED OUT FOR WEEK 16	Jaylen Samuels	Conner will continue to try and recovery from a high ankle sprain that has cost him the last few games.
Kerryon Johnson	RB	Lions	Sprained Knee	Moved to IR, DONE FOR SEASON	Zach Zenner, LeGarrette Blount, Theo Riddick	The writing was on the wall with this move as Johnson has not been close to returning for some time now. His season ends prematurely, but he does carry some upside with what he flashed in the time that he played and was healthy.
Cam Newton	QB	Panthers	Strained Shoulder	DONE FOR SEASON	Taylor Heinicke	Newton has been playing hurt quite some time now and with the Panthers playoff chances all but done, the Panthers will rest their franchise quarterback in order to get healthy. It remains to be seen if rest is what Newton needs to get his shoulder healthy or if surgery is an option to address whatever issue is going on. I'm sure we'll know more as this story unfolds.
Randall Cobb	WR	Packers	Concussion	DOUBTFUL FOR WEEK 16	Marquez Valdes-Scantling	Cobb continues to be in the concussion protocol and doesn't look to be cleared in time for Sunday's game. It's been a lost season for Cobb who has dealt with hamstring and other injuries that has not allowed him to stay on the field.
Aaron Jones	RB	Packers	Sprained Knee	Put on IR, OUT FOR SEASON	Jamaal Williams	You'll see more and more of these moves with players on teams not in playoff contention. Aaron Jones should be healthy in a few weeks, but they'll shut him down in hopes of getting him back to 100% for the offseason.
Frank Gore	RB	Dolphins	Sprained Foot	Moved to IR, DONE FOR SEASON	Kenyan Drake, Kalen Ballage	With only two weeks left in the regular season and with the Dolphins playoff chances getting slimmer, they decide to end Gore's season due to the foot injury. It sounds like Gore won't require any surgery, but the length of time it takes a foot injury to recovery definitely played a factor here. It'l be interesting to see if Gore wants to continue to play one more year or if he decides to hang it up.
Matt Breida	RB	49ers	Sprained Ankle	Expected to play Week 16	Jeff Wilson	Breida continues to get out the ankle issue that has been bothering him on and off for the last 4-6 weeks. If the 49ers are playing him, I'd expect him to get his normal caseload but the risk of an in-game aggravation is high with him.

Injuries

The Training Room: Week 16 Injury Updates

BETSPERTS MEDIA & TECHNOLOGY GROUP