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, Denver Broncos
Teddy Bridgewater is currently in the concussion protocol. Despite it only being Wednesday, head coach Vic Fangio said Bridgewater is out Sunday. Drew Lock will start.
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow continues to manage his right pinky issue, but he practiced in full Wednesday. He is at no risk of missing Sunday’s game.
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
Kirk Cousins was limited at Wednesday’s practice due to a ribs issue. He’s fine and will play Sunday.
Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers
Sam Darnold has been cleared to return to action. He will be active on Sunday, but Cam Newton remains the starter…for now.
Justin Fields and Andy Dalton, Chicago Bears
Justin Fields was limited at Wednesday’s practice. He tweaked his ankle Monday night. Andy Dalton remains on the reserve/COVID-19 list, but Fields should be fine to start Sunday.
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Jared Goff is currently on the COVID-19 list. Head coach Dan Campbell has a plan in place for Goff in case he tests out, but he does not expect Goff to be able to play.
Hopefully, literally anyone other than Tim Boyle starts Sunday.
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts was limited Tuesday as the team protects his ankle. He played the entire game Tuesday night so the Eagles are just being careful on a short week. Hurts is fine.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson remained absent from practice Wednesday due to his sprained ankle. Tyler Huntley played well last week and early indications are he will make another start.
Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum, Cleveland Browns
Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum remain on the COVID-19 list. Head coach Kevin Stefanski expects both to return by Saturday, but the Browns are still waiting for official clearance.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers just doesn’t practice anymore. Like at all. It’s more important to protect his injured toe. He will play Sunday.
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 16.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Saquon Barkley was limited at Wednesday’s practice as the team protects his ankle. He’s as fine as he’s going to be.
Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks activated Alex Collins off the COVID-19 list on Wednesday. He got in a limited practice due to his lingering abdominal issue. Rashaad Penny has taken over this backfield, but Collins will mix in as depth.
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Update 12/25/21: Adam Schefter reported that Conner is expected to play in Week 16.
James Conner did not practice Wednesday due to his sprained ankle. He didn’t practice last Wednesday either. But as long as he gets in a limited practice at some point this week, he should play Saturday.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
On Thursday, Dalvin Cook was placed on the Reserve/COVD-19 list. At this point, it’s unclear if it was due to a positive test or being a close contact. Regardless, Cook is unvaccinated so he is not going to be able to play Sunday. Alexander Mattison will start with Kene Nwganwu backing him up.
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
After two days of uncertainty, Austin Ekeler did, in fact, test positive for COVID-19. He can still test out by Sunday, but it’s very unlikely. Justin Jackson will be the relevant back for fantasy purposes with Joshua Kelley mixing in as well.
Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
Ezekiel Elliott continues to appear on the injury report with his knee, but he continues to practice in full. He’s fine.
Tony Pollard got in a limited session on Wednesday as he deals with his torn plantar fascia. He will play Sunday.
D’Onta Foreman, Tennessee Titans
D’Onta Foreman practiced in full on Wednesday and is not listed on the final injury report. He will play Thursday.
Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Leonard Fournette did not practice Wednesday. Reportedly, Tampa Bay is mulling whether to place him on injured reserve. Fournette is not going to play this week and likely won’t take the field again until the playoffs. Ronald Jones will start and is the only Buccaneers back worth considering in fantasy lineups.
Update: The Bucs did indeed place Fournette on IR. He is done for the season. They are confident he will return for the first round of the playoffs, though.
Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
Melvin Gordon did not practice Wednesday due to his ongoing thumb/hip issue. It’s likely just veteran maintenance, and he should return to practice Thursday.
Javonte Williams was limited Wednesday due to a knee injury. He played through it last week and should do so again in Week 16.
Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team
Head coach Ron Rivera said Antonio Gibson’s toe injury is similar to what he dealt with last season. Gibson played through a mild case of turf toe, which is less than ideal. He did not practice Wednesday.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
Kareem Hunt remains out with COVID, but his ankle injury is a more concerning issue. He is not going to play this week regardless of whether he clears COVID protocols. D’Ernest Johnson will continue backing up Nick Chubb.
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
Josh Jacobs did not practice Wednesday because of an illness. Yet, he should play this week.
David Johnson, Houston Texans
David Johnson did not practice Wednesday due to a quad issue. It does not bode well for his chances of playing this week.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones remained limited at Wednesday’s practice. It’s just maintenance on his knee. He will play Saturday.
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings activated Alexander Mattison from the COVID-19 list on Wednesday. He will resume his RB2 duties behind Dalvin Cook on Sunday.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Elijah Mitchell is out for Thursday Night Football due to his knee issue. Jeff Wilson Jr. will once again start and handle the overwhelming majority of touches.
Joe Mixon, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Mixon tweaked his ankle in last week’s game. Fortunately, he practiced fully on Thursday so there’s no reason to think he won’t play this Sunday.
Miles Sanders and Jordan Howard, Philadelphia Eagles
It was curious when Miles Sanders was nowhere to be seen during the entire fourth quarter on Tuesday night. After the game, Sanders claimed he was being rested, but Wednesday’s practice revealed a quad injury. Jordan Howard was limited with his ongoing knee issue. Howard would be a must-start if Sanders can’t go.
Rhamondre Stevenson, Damien Harris, and Brandon Bolden, New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson was absent from practice Wednesday due to an illness. This early in the week, it shouldn’t be much of a concern. Damien Harris remains limited due to his hamstring issue. He got in limited practices last week but didn’t play, so it’s too early to read into his status. Brandon Bolden was limited with a knee issue, but he should be fine.
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
James Robinson was limited at Wednesday’s practice due to a knee injury. It’s a new issue for Robinson who previously dealt with a lingering heel problem. He should be fine, though.
D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions
D’Andre Swift returned to practice for the first time since spraining his shoulder on Thanksgiving. He was limited. It wouldn’t make much sense for the Lions to have Swift practice if he’s not playing this week, but we’ll need to see what happens the remainder of the week to be sure.