
Adam Ronis and Jorge Martin monitor the Week 16 NFL injury report with fantasy football implications, featuring Drake London, Tee Higgins and more.
So who had Brady Cook, Philip Rivers, Gardner Minshew and Marcus Mariota all starting at quarterback for NFL teams this week on their Bingo card? Don’t laugh, some of us are actually starting some of these players in deep leagues. Fun times.
Yes, the semifinals of the fantasy football playoffs are here, and with it being Week 16 that means there are plenty injuries to muddle through. Here are the injuries that we’re following, as well as some analysis on how things will play out in certain situations. Best of luck in all your semifinals!
Jacobs didn’t practice all week with a knee injury that has bothered him for weeks. Usually, a player would sit with no practice, but Jacobs has found a way to play in similar scenarios. He is listed as questionable for the Saturday night game. Emanuel Wilson would be an excellent play if Jacobs can’t go.
Marks missed another practice Thursday due to an ankle injury. If he’s out, Nick Chubb and Jawhar Jordan will get the touches in the backfield. Chubb missed last week with a rib injury and has been limited in practice. Could Jordan match his 118 scrimmage yards on 17 touches that he put up in emergency duty last week?
Neal was placed on injured reserve with a hamstring injury and can be dropped. Audric Estime and Evan Hull will be the main running backs. Neal left early with the injury last week and Estime played 36% of the snaps and Hull 32%. Estime had 6 touches for 50 yards and Hull 4 carries for 12 yards. Estime is the preferred option as the pass-catching back.
Swift is on the injury report with a groin injury and was limited Wednesday and Thursday. He is listed as questionable and the Bears play Saturday night. The Bears will have a run-heavy approach and Swift is a RB2.
Burden has been ruled out with an ankle injury. He didn’t practice all week. Odunze will miss another game with a foot injury. He was scratched five minutes before the game last week after reportedly dealing with a foot fracture that he aggravated in warmups. DJ Moore and Colston Loveland move up the rankings.
Harrison was limited in practice for the second straight day on Thursday. Harrison missed the last two games due to a heel injury. Michael Wilson has thrived without Harrison. In the one game Harrison played recently, he had 6 catches for 69 yards on 7 targets, and Wilson had 3 catches for 36 yards on 7 targets.
Lamb has missed two practices due to illness. Lamb was involved in team meetings and doesn’t seem likely to miss the game.
London hasn’t played since Week 11 due to a knee injury. He has been limited in practice this week and said he’s trending in the right direction. He also had shoulder and hip injuries. If active, London is a great start against the Cardinals.
Higgins has missed two of the last three games due to separate concussions. He has been limited in practice this week and is still in concussion protocol. Higgins was limited in practice last week and didn’t play.
McMillan has been dealing with foot/ankle injuries and played through it. McMillan returned to a full practice on Thursday and it’s a sign he will play on Sunday.
Pearsall is dealing with PCL and ankle injuries. He hasn’t practiced this week and the 49ers play Monday night. Kyle Shanahan said Pearsall has a chance to play and is doing better on Thursday compared to Monday. Pearsall is risky to wait on and seems unlikely to play.
Rice is in the concussion protocol and hasn’t practiced. He’s unlikely to play this week. Xavier Worthy and Travis Kelce will benefit, though they are catching passes from Gardner Minshew and not Patrick Mahomes.
Watson left last week’s game with a chest injury and was limited in practice on Thursday in the final practice of the week with the Packers playing Saturday against the Bears. Watson is listed as questionable and appears good to go.
After being ruled out last week following practicing on a limited basis, Johnston opened the week with limited practices the first two days. We should get a determination on his playing status by the end of the week.
Kincaid didn’t practice for the second straight day on Thursday due to a knee injury. Kincaid missed time with the injury and played the last two weeks. Have a replacement ready.
Njoku missed another practice on Thursday. He’s not a good play even if he can go.