While rankings and projections are beneficial, few things are more important in fantasy football than following injury updates. Injuries not only impact the player in question but the teammates and the offenses around them. Here’s an update on some critical injury reports to watch and their fantasy football impact.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: QB Update
Let’s go through the injuries currently impacting quarterbacks. Monitor these situations throughout the week and have contingency plans, if necessary.
Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock, Denver Broncos
Teddy Bridgewater remains in the concussion protocol. At this point, it’s safe to assume we won’t see him until next season.
Drew Lock is also at risk of missing this week’s game with a right shoulder injury. Brett Rypien would be forced to start, further downgrading an already anemic passing attack.
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
At the very end of the Bengals’ victory over the Chiefs, Joe Burrow appeared to tweak his right knee. He was limping a bit on the sidelines but looked fine after the game. He said he’s good to go and could’ve returned to the contest if needed. Burrow will play in Week 18 unless the Bengals choose to rest their starters.
Mike Glennon, New York Giants
Head coach Joe Judge said Mike Glennon hurt his left wrist last week. He’s out this week. Jake Fromm will start as the Giants go through the motions once again to close out the season. Do not start any Giants pass-catchers.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: RB Update
Which running backs are dealing with injuries that may affect their game status? Let’s see which RB committees are hobbled heading into Week 18.
Michael Carter, New York Jets
Michael Carter suffered a concussion in Sunday’s loss to the Bucs. He will go through the protocol, and if he clears, I expect him to play in Week 18. If Carter can’t go, Tevin Coleman should return from the reserve/COVID-19 list this week and start.
Damien Harris, New England Patriots
Damien Harris missed the entire second half of the Patriots’ demolition of the Jaguars. It’s unclear what happened, but Harris had been dealing with a hamstring strain. Perhaps he would’ve returned had the game been competitive. Despite the Patriots still having a shot at the division, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the team hold Harris out of Week 18 to ensure he’s ready for the first round of the playoffs.
Derrick Henry, Tennessee Titans
It’s the first Derrick Henry update since he broke his foot! Head coach Mike Vrabel said it’s possible the team starts the clock on Henry’s return from the injured reserve. With an inside track to the No. 1 seed and a game against the lowly Texans, don’t expect to see Henry in Week 18. Do expect to see Henry when the Titans host a Divisional Round playoff game.
Ronald Jones and Ke’Shawn Vaughn, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ronald Jones tweaked his ankle, and Ke’Shawn Vaughn hurt his ribs in Week 17. In a true worst-case scenario, Le’Veon Bell is the only healthy running back on the Bucs’ roster. Leonard Fournette will not be returning until the postseason.
Miles Sanders, Boston Scott, and Jordan Howard, Philadelphia Eagles
Head coach Nick Sirianni said Miles Sanders is probably not going to play this week. This is no surprise after he broke his hand two weeks ago. Sirianni is hoping the Eagles will get Sanders back for the playoffs.
Boston Scott and Jordan Howard tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. Under the new protocols, they still have a chance to play Saturday against the Cowboys. Given how little this game means for the Eagles, even if they can return, the team may elect to hold them out just to be safe. Kenneth Gainwell is currently the only healthy running back on Philadelphia’s active roster.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: WR Injury Update
How are the fantasy-relevant wide receivers dealing with injuries? Let’s see which pass catchers may require a Plan B for Week 18’s action.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
On a very impressive touchdown grab last week, Michael Gallup’s leg twisted awkwardly, and he, unfortunately, tore his ACL. Hopefully, Gallup can get back to 100% by the start of the 2022 season. Cedrick Wilson will take Gallup’s spot in three-receiver sets.
Julio Jones, Tennessee Titans
The Titans activated Julio Jones from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday. He will play Sunday as Tennessee seeks to lock up the top seed in the AFC with a win.
Josh Reynolds, Detroit Lions
On Monday, the Lions activated Josh Reynolds from the reserve/COVID-19 list. He will play in the final week of the season, but Amon-Ra St. Brown has solidified himself as Detroit’s WR1.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: TE Injury Update
Are there any tight end injuries we need to be concerned about? The TE market is already thin, so if you have a tight end on this injury report, your alternatives will likely be grim.
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
For the second time this season, Dallas Goedert tested positive for COVID-19. Under the new protocols, he still has a chance to play Saturday against the Cowboys. Given how little this game means for the Eagles, even if he can return, the team may elect to hold him out just to be safe.
Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington Football Team
Ricky Seals-Jones was concussed in Washington’s loss to the Eagles. His injury didn’t occur in the field of play but on a collision with a cameraman on the sidelines. I can’t imagine RSJ plays in the season finale. Rookie John Bates will start.
Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Head coach Rich Bisaccia said he expects Darren Waller to return this week. Waller has been out since Thanksgiving with some combination of a back and knee injury. Had the Raiders been eliminated from playoff contention, he almost certainly would not be playing this week. However, with a win-and-in scenario Sunday night against the Chargers, expect Waller to be out there to give the Raiders their best chance to win. He’s a top-five tight end.