What This Is:
*A no-nonsense quick-hitting analysis of fantasy-relevant player injuries that could impact performance on game day.
*A preview of the current week’s fantasy-relevant players with an injury through Thursday night.
What This Is Not:
*A comprehensive analysis of players who are on bye or currently on the I.R.
For any questions related to this article such as “should I drop [player A] for [player B]?” please refer to the staff’s weekly projections. This is not the final version and will be continually updated through Sunday morning, so definitely bookmark this article.
General Guidelines:
The following general rules apply for big shake-ups on the weekend:
*Players who are downgraded from full or even partial practice to “Did Not Practice” on Friday or Saturday, for any medical reason, are a long shot to play. Typically you’ll see teams say these players are a “game time decision” which is code for “they ain’t playing”.
*Players who have a concussion have up until Saturday night/Sunday morning to clear the protocol.
*If no “final update” is available, the player has either been officially ruled out or no news is good news.
The following players have already been ruled out for Week 16 as of Friday evening so get them out of your lineup!
Hunter Henry - COVID
Julio Jones
Tyler Boyd
Phillip Lindsay
Kenny Golladay
Duke Johnson
Clyde Edwards-Helaire
Cam Akers
Golden Tate
Nick Mullens
Raheem Mostert
Deebo Samuel
Christian McCaffrey
Jamaal Williams - DOUBTFUL - This one is important for DFS purposes because when Williams went out last week, Aaron Jones saw an increase in touches.
Terry McLaurin - DOUBTFUL
James Robinson - DOUBTFUL - The team hasn’t confirmed this yet but as Schefty reported, he hasn’t practiced all week. For GPP players {{J.D. McKissic
The following players were FP on Friday and/or carry no designation. They’re good to go unless otherwise stated.
Marquise Brown
Curtis Samuel
Brandon Allen
A.J. Green
Jarvis Landry
Michael Gallup
C.J. Prosise
Keke Coutee
Philip Rivers
Jack Doyle
Trey Burton
Le'Veon Bell
Evan Engram
Denzel Mims
Jamison Crowder
James Conner
Eric Ebron
Jonnu Smith
A.J. Brown
Alex Smith - This one isn’t a layup start yet as how he feels after his first FP matters, but in reality this probably matters for very few of you as Smith is averaging below 10 points per game.
Josh Allen
Running Backs
Antonio Gibson - Toe
This year one of the main lessons I learned is that the gulf between what a team will do vs. what a team says they’ll do is longer than the year 2020. So, instead of playing the guessing game I’ll re-state the numbers as objectively as possible. To begin, several fantasy relevant skill players this year who missed time because of a toe injury missed at least 21 days and up to 49 days. Second, the median return to play for a turf toe injury in the NFL is 28 days which of course means 50% of players return before 28 days while the other half return after. In theory, the closer that player is to the 28 day mark, the better their chances. Lastly, this tweet putting his three LP’s this week into context that is, 77% of players from 2017-2019 who played through a toe injury had at least one full practice that week. All of that is to say that it feels like Gibson is at least another week out. However, if he’s active, I’m not convinced he’ll be 100% yet.
Ezekiel Elliott - Calf
Zeke is not 100% and was LP all week. He may have some added motivation to perform well and re-establish himself as the lead back, but his volatility is through the roof this week and there’s no telling how much work they’ll even give him in the first place. This situation is one I’m avoiding, even if Zeke is active. This is a disappointing ending for Zeke who has been an iron man since his college days.
Aaron Jones - Toe
This is likely a minor issue and some load management is being deployed since Jamaal Williams is unlikely to play. There’s a small chance Jones makes this toe injury worse by playing through it, so if you need a splitting hairs decision in DFS, here it is.
Chase Edmonds - Knee/ankle
Edmonds went DNP-DNP-LP again this week. It was reported he would be “limited” in Week 15 and he obviously wasn’t. Unless the new knee injury changed things, he should see his usual workloads.
Chris Carson - Foot
This one is another to monitor in a similar way to Aaron Jones. Carson popped up on the injury report with a foot injury that hasn’t fully healed and was LP. Then he came back the next day and was FP. Either way, this is something to at least be aware of when setting high stakes and cash game lineups.
Josh Jacobs - Knee
Jacobs was FP three days in a row with a knee injury but not much is known about it. He’s banged up but so is everyone. No reason to fade him more than normal. It is worth noting after dipping to 43% snap share against the Colts, he bounced back to his average 68% share in Week 15.
Wide Receivers
Keenan Allen - Hamstring
It’s really difficult to fade a top 10-15 player at any position, but Allen hardly played last week and enters this week after two DNP’s and an LP. His volatility is just as high this week. It’s also worth asking how healthy he really is in the first place given the average return to play for these injuries is about two weeks and the reports that he just wants to extend his games played streak. If you start him, understand that Week 15 is the floor and an early exit because of re-injury should be factored in.
Stefon Diggs - Foot
He was FP on Thursday but the concern is still what his workload will be this week.
Tyreek Hill - Hamstring
Hill was limited in practice twice this week with a hamstring injury. Those two LP’s were on the heels of a Wednesday DNP. Additionally, Hill is constantly having his hamstring worked on by trainers which isn’t necessarily a good sign. If you’re a cash player, be aware that this is becoming an increasing concern as time goes on. Below, you’ll notice Hill’s practice status has been up and down for two weeks now due to this hammy - an issue that’s lingered since the pre-season. So what’s all this mean? You shouldn’t necessarily fade Hill, but being overweight on him vs. the field is probably not a great idea. The hope is you can hang on for one more week.
DeVante Parker - Hamstring
Parker has battled soft tissue injuries most of the year. So, despite the fact he wasn’t on the final injury report and presumably practiced in full on Thursday, his volatility remains moderate.
Allen Robinson II - Hamstring
Another cash-game watch, Robinson went FP-DNP-LP this week with a hammy which is not ideal. Season longers this is obviously something you just grit your teeth and play through. Even GPP players can probably live with this, but everyone else: be aware this makes Robinson more volatile than usual. In the grand scheme of things, Hill is less volatile than Robinson, but both are not without concern this week.
Hunter Renfrow - Concussion
Coming off a concussion he’s volatile for 10 days afterward so his re-injury risk lowers his floor some.
Jakeem Grant Sr. - Hamstring
His last game was on December 13th and the average return to play for hamstrings is 13 days. He has a chance to return and if active, moderate volatility is expected.
Jalen Reagor - Ankle
This vague ankle injury has hobbled Reagor this week but due to the lack of video evidence, it’s difficult making a recommendation one way or the other. If active, he carries moderate volatility.
Keenan Allen
Tight Ends
George Kittle - Foot
The bottom line is that unless you have Kelce, Waller, and maybe Hockenson, you’re starting Kittle. Particularly, if you need a miracle after Alvin Kamara went nuclear, swinging for the fences with this allstar is really the only hope you have. If he exits after a 3-44 stat line guess what - TE 5-15 will end with a similar line. At least with Kittle there’s hope for a blow up.
Mike Gesicki - Shoulder
The median return to play for shoulder dislocations is three weeks. So, after three consecutive limited practices, there’s less than a 50% chance he goes. Now, considering the Dolphins are fighting for their playoff lives, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him active. If he is active, his volatility is severe.
Quarterbacks
Daniel Jones - Hamstring/Ankle
One of the most banged up starters still standing, I personally am not trusting this turnover machine in a pressurized spot battling volatile injuries.
Derek Carr - Groin
Coming off an injury that typically takes 1-3 weeks. He’s moderately volatile this week (more so than often) due to re-injury risk.
Matthew Stafford - Thumb/Ribs
It’s hard to fade a guy who has performed through some brutal injuries. However, it’s also hard to promote him because the chances of a ceiling game are low. Can it happen? Sure. It’s just not a bet I’m willing to make when he’s as banged up as he is. In fact, aside from a 27 point outburst in Week 13, Stafford has averaged a very “meh” 15 points per game over the last four weeks.
