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. Drew Lock was limited Wednesday with an ankle issue but is expected to make another start.
Justin Fields and Andy Dalton, Chicago Bears
Justin Fields was limited at Wednesday’s practice with his sprained ankle. Andy Dalton practiced in full as he works his way back from a groin issue. It looks like Dalton will be back this week, but it remains to be seen if Fields is going to start.
Jimmy Garoppolo, San Francisco 49ers
We got a little more clarity on Jimmy Garoppolo’s thumb injury. It’s less a fracture and more a sprain, specifically a grade three UCL sprain. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said Garoppolo does not need surgery and has a chance to play this week. Fantasy managers will have to hold off on inserting Trey Lance into lineups.
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Jared Goff is back from the reserve/COVID-19 list but didn’t practice Wednesday due to a knee injury he suffered against Arizona.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
Taysom Hill returned from the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday. He should return to the starting lineup this week.
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts was limited at Wednesday’s practice. The team is just managing his reps to protect his ankle. He’s fine.
Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson returned to a limited practice Wednesday as he works his way back from a sprained ankle. The Ravens need this game to have any realistic shot at the playoffs, so it stands to reason if Jackson can give it a shot, he will.
Tyler Huntley remains on the COVID list but is expected to clear it by Sunday. Given how hobbled Jackson looked at Wednesday’s practice, I’d consider Huntley the favorite to start as of today.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers did not practice Wednesday. He aggravated his toe injury last week when it was stepped on multiple times. I doubt he practices at all this week, but he will almost assuredly play Sunday night.
Carson Wentz, Indianapolis Colts
Carson Wentz remains on the COVID list, but with the new protocols, he can be activated Saturday if he is asymptomatic. Wentz is unvaccinated, so that complicates things. Yet, if he does return, he will start 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 17.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Saquon Barkley did not practice Wednesday due to his ankle. I wouldn’t be too concerned as it is likely just maintenance.
James Conner and Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals
James Conner did not practice Wednesday due to his heel/ankle issue. He missed last week’s game and is off to an ominous start this week. Chase Edmonds was limited with a back issue, but it doesn’t sound concerning.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings activated Dalvin Cook from the COVID list. He was limited at Wednesday’s practice to avoid overexerting him. Cook will return to his usual role Sunday night against the Packers.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Kansas City Chiefs
Unsurprisingly, Clyde Edwards-Helaire did not practice Wednesday. He fell hard on his shoulder last week and will very likely not play this week. The Chiefs will likely wait until Friday to officially rule him out, though. Darrel Williams is a startable RB2 this week.
It’s also worth noting the Chiefs started the clock on Jerick McKinnon’s activation from the injured reserve Wednesday. Normally, this would be something I just dismiss. However, with CEH out, McKinnon could not only be active this week but play a meaningful role. It’s certainly worth monitoring whether the Chiefs activate McKinnon on Saturday.
Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team
Antonio Gibson was limited at Wednesday’s practice with a hip issue. I guess it’s a positive that his toe is not listed anywhere, but Gibson is banged up. The limited tag suggests he will be fine to play Sunday, but he’s been ceding more snaps to Jaret Patterson by virtue of not being anywhere near 100%.
Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams were both limited Wednesday, which has been the routine for a couple of weeks now. Gordon is dealing with thumb and hip issues, while Williams has a knee ailment. Nevertheless, both will very likely play this week.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
The Browns did not practice Wednesday as their game is Monday night. Kareem Hunt is still dealing with an ankle injury. We’ll have to see if he practices on Thursday to get an insight into whether he plays this week.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Jones appeared to aggravate his knee injury yet again last week. Fortunately, he got in a limited practice Wednesday, suggesting he will be fine for Sunday night’s showdown against the Vikings.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Elijah Mitchell returned to a limited practice Wednesday as he works his way back from a knee injury. It bodes extremely well for his chances of returning this week.
Miles Sanders and Jordan Howard, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles indicated they will not place Miles Sanders on the injured reserve. He’s not going to play this week, but clearly, they think he has a realistic chance of playing in Week 18 or the first round of the playoffs — should they get there.
On Wednesday’s estimated report, Jordan Howard was listed as a DNP due to his stinger. According to head coach Nick Sirianni, Howard’s MRI revealed good results, but the Wednesday DNP is not a great start to the week.
It’s also worth noting the Eagles added Kerryon Johnson to the practice squad, a move they would not have made if they felt good about Howard’s status. Boston Scott would be the primary back, with Kenneth Gainwell mixing in on passing downs if Howard cannot go.
Rhamondre Stevenson, Damien Harris, and Brandon Bolden, New England Patriots
Rhamondre Stevenson was back at practice Wednesday after a stint on the COVID list. Damien Harris remains limited at practice with his hamstring issue. He played last week and will play again in Week 17. Meanwhile, Brandon Bolden was limited with a knee issue but is also fine.
D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions
After getting in three limited practices last week, D’Andre Swift ultimately was held out for one more week. It sure looks like he’s ready to go this week as he practiced in full on Wednesday. Swift’s been out since Thanksgiving with a shoulder sprain. There’s definitely some risk in using him coming off the extended absence, but Swift looks like he’s going to play this week.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: WR update
How are the fantasy-relevant wide receivers dealing with injuries? Let’s see which pass catchers may require a Plan B for Week 17’s action.
Cole Beasley, Gabriel Davis, and Emmanuel Sanders, Buffalo Bills
On Wednesday, the Bills activated Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis from the COVID list. They previously would’ve been out this week, but the NFL changed their protocols to allow players to return after just five days — if asymptomatic — regardless of vaccination status.
Emmanuel Sanders was limited due to his ongoing knee issue. Yet, he should play Sunday.
Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans
The Texans activated Brandin Cooks from the COVID list on Wednesday. He should play Sunday.
Mike Evans and Antonio Brown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans remains on the COVID list. Given the new protocols, he doesn’t even need to test out and can return to the team Saturday if he has no symptoms.
Antonio Brown was limited at Wednesday’s practice. He played the full game last week and looked like his typical elite self. The team is just being careful with his ankle.
Julio Jones and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Tennessee Titans
Julio Jones and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine remain on the COVID list. If they do not exhibit any symptoms by the weekend, they will be able to return and play under the new protocols.
Jakobi Meyers and Nelson Agholor, New England Patriots
Jakobi Meyers was limited at Wednesday’s practice with a thigh issue. It doesn’t seem like anything that would keep him out of Sunday’s contest. Nelson Agholor remains in the concussion protocol.
D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
D.K. Metcalf didn’t practice Wednesday due to his lingering foot injury. It’s just maintenance. He’s fine.
Elijah Moore and Jamison Crowder, New York Jets
I thought Elijah Moore was done for the season, but apparently, he has a shot at playing this week. He mains out with COVID and is on the injured reserve due to his quad issue. Jamison Crowder is still dealing with a calf injury. Head coach Robert Saleh described them both as 50-50 for Sunday.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Football Team
Curtis Samuel got in a limited practice Wednesday. He’s dealing with a hamstring strain.
Tre’Quan Smith, New Orleans Saints
The Saints did not practice Wednesday, but Tre’Quan Smith was listed as DNP on the estimated practice report with a chest issue.
Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
Unfortunately, Adam Thielen’s aggravation of his ankle sprain last week was serious. He underwent season-ending surgery. K.J. Osborn will start in two-receiver sets.
Kadarius Toney, New York Giants
It’s really getting absurd at this point. Kadarius Toney has yet to complete his first NFL season, and now he’s missing practice due to his fifth different injury. This time it’s a shoulder issue. We’ll have to see if Toney can get in a limited practice Thursday or Friday.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers
The Packers activated Marquez Valdes-Scantling from the COVID list Wednesday. He’ll return to action Sunday night.
Mike Williams and Jalen Guyton, Los Angeles Chargers
Mike Williams remains on the COVID list, but with the new protocols, he can return to the team as soon as he reports no symptoms. Jalen Guyton cleared protocols and is back. The likely return of Williams also throws cold water on another Josh Palmer week.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: TE update
Are there any tight end injuries we need to be concerned about? The TE market is already thin, so your alternatives will likely be grim if you have a player on this injury report.
Tyler Conklin, Minnesota Vikings
Tyler Conklin did not practice Wednesday due to a hamstring issue. It’s a new injury for Conklin, so we’ll have to see if he gets in a limited session Thursday or Friday before we really know what’s going on.
Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals
Zach Ertz was limited at Wednesday’s practice with his ongoing hamstring issue. He’s played through it for several weeks now and will likely continue to do so.
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers did not practice Wednesday as they play Monday night. Pat Freiermuth is currently in the concussion protocol, but he posted something on Instagram implying he expects to return this week. Thursday’s practice report will go a long way to confirming his post.
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce returned from the COVID list Wednesday. He is set to play Sunday.
James O’Shaughnessy, Jacksonville Jaguars
James O’Shaughnessy did not practice Wednesday due to a hip issue. He’s not the most fantasy-relevant player, but he’s been involved enough to warrant mentioning. We’ll see if he gets in a limited session Thursday or Friday.
Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
We’ll never know if Darren Waller would’ve been able to return this week from his knee and back injuries. On Wednesday, the Raiders placed Waller on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He’s vaccinated, so he could still test out of the protocols by Sunday, but it’s extremely unlikely. Foster Moreau is probably going to start once again.