Inside the Tent - Week 17 NFL Injury Insight

Injury updates and analysis for Week 17 of the 2018 NFL season. Medical expert Aaron Burger, SPT, provides analysis on fantasy football's biggest injuries to help you make informed lineup start/sit decisions.

At RotoBaller, we can't stress enough the importance of keeping up with injuries and playing your best lineup week after week. Players are going to get injured, that's an unavoidable fact. What's avoidable though is making the wrong roster decisions based on the injuries surrounding your fantasy squad. If you want to dominate your leagues and win some dough in daily contests, you have to be proactive with injury research.

That's where I come in to serve you guys, the readers! I'm Aaron Burger, a third-year Doctor of Physical Therapy student, graduating in May. About a year ago, I decided to combine my love, fantasy football, with what I've been learning for three years now, injuries and the human body.

Each week, I'll be checking in on fantasy's biggest injuries to keep you informed. Be sure you also have RotoBaller bookmarked and follow us on social media to catch all the latest breaking NFL news and updates.

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Inside the Tent Updates

Todd Gurley, RB - Los Angeles Rams

Gurley has been ruled out for Week 17's matchup with the 49ers as a result of inflammation in his left knee. If there is inflammation, there is a possibility there is structural damage but this has not been reported as of yet. He missed one series in Week 15 but did not play in Week 16. In his absence, C.J. Anderson was able to rush for 167 yards and a touchdown.  and can be started with confidence in Week 17.

Lamar Miller, RB - Houston Texans

Miller's ankle sprain seems to be healed as he was able to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday and fully on Thursday. According to Head Coach Bill O'Brien, Miller will be "good to go" for Week 17 against the Jaguars.

James Conner, RB - Pittsburgh Steelers

Conner is expected to return to the field in Week 17 although he is listed as questionable on the Steelers' injury report. He suffered a high ankle sprain in Week 13 against the Chargers and missed Weeks 14, 15, and 16. Conner will handle early-down work with Jaylen Samuels seeing some looks on third downs.

Spencer Ware, RB - Kansas City Chiefs

Ware has practiced in full this week after sitting out the last two games with a hamstring strain. With Ware sidelined, Damien Williams has topped 100+ scrimmage yards in each game and has 3 TDs. With Ware back in the picture, they will both get work and each is a risk to play in Week 17.

Austin Ekeler, RB - Los Angeles Chargers

Ekeler is set to return in Week 17 after dealing with a stinger and concussion. He was able to practice in full all week and will return to his change of pass and receiving role in the Chargers' offense.

Odell Beckham Jr., WR - New York Giants

Beckham is out for Week 17 against the Cowboys. He has been dealing with a quad contusion and strain, missing Weeks 14, 15, 16, and now 17. Once it was revealed that Beckham was dealing with a strain on top of his contusion, it was a foregone conclusion he would miss multiple weeks.

Jordan Reed, TE - Washington Redskins

Reed was officially placed on IR on Thursday, December 27th as a result of his toe injury. He was able to stay healthy for the majority of the year which is positive compared to his recent campaigns but he was not as effective as fantasy owners had hoped. He will be ready for offseason workouts as he hopes to stay healthy once again in 2019.

Week 16 Injury Updates

Phillip Lindsay, RB - Denver Broncos

• Injury: Lindsay suffered a scaphoid fracture with likely ligament damage as well in the Broncos' Week 16 loss to the Raiders. The scaphoid is a wrist bone located near the thumb. Ligaments surrounding the scaphoid that could have been sprained or torn include the radial carpal ligament and the scapholunate ligament.
• News: Although he was hopeful to play in Week 17 following the Broncos' game on Monday night, it was reported on December 26th by Andrew Mason that he will need surgery and therefore will not play in Week 17.
• Outlook: Lindsay was a true surprise this year after going undrafted as a rookie. The Broncos drafted Royce Freeman in the third round so he was expected to be the starter in 2018. Lindsay proved to be very efficient though and also has skills as a receiver. He will likely be ready for Week 1 of 2019 although he faces a recovery time of 4-6 months. In Week 17, Freeman will handle the carries while Devontae Booker will likely get some passing down work.

Matt Breida, RB - San Francisco 49ers

• Injury: Breida once again reaggravated his ankle sprain in Week 16. This has been a theme all year as Breida insisted on playing through the injury. If he would have taken time off to allow the ligaments to properly heal, he likely would have not reaggravated the injury over and over.
• News: Breida has been ruled out for Week 17. This is actually only his second missed game after injuring his ankle in Week 5.
• Outlook: With Breida out, look for Jeff Wilson to handle the majority of the carries as well as passing down work. In 2019, Jerrick McKinnon will be recovered from his ACL reconstruction surgery and Breida will challenge him for carries out of the gate.

Tevin Coleman, RB - Atlanta Falcons

• Injury: Coleman suffered a strained groin in Week 16. The groin strain tag is likely referring to the adductor muscle group which runs along the inner part of the thigh and brings the legs together as well as assisting in lateral movements.
• News: It's been reported by Jason Butt that Coleman will indeed play in Week 17 against the Buccaneers.
• Outlook: Strains are always subject to reaggravation and Coleman's injury is no exception. There is a risk that comes with playing Coleman on Sunday but he could actually have a serviceable day if he can find the end zone. This will likely be his last game in a Falcons uniform so he may try to go out with a bang as he becomes a free-agent.

Demaryius Thomas, WR - Houston Texans

• Injury: Thomas tore his Achilles tendon on Sunday against the Eagles. The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles including the gastrocnemius, soleus, and plantaris to the foot and allows athletes to push off from the ground during running and jumping activities.
• News: The Texans officially placed Thomas on IR on Christmas Day. Houston traded a fourth-round pick for the veteran out of Georgia Tech.
• Outlook: With Thomas out, this means DeAndre Hopkins, Deandre Carter, Jordan Thomas, and Ryan Griffin will see more targets. Keke Coutee will likely be out in Week 17 again as Houston will look to save him for the playoffs. Thomas will likely be cut by the Texans this offseason as this is a significant injury that may affect his explosiveness when he returns in approximately 8-9 months.

Dante Pettis, WR - San Francisco 49ers

• Injury: Pettis suffered a sprained MCL in the 49ers' Week 16 game against the Bears. The MCL, or medial collateral ligament, runs along the inner knee and helps to provide stability as well as prevent inward collapse. Sprained MCLs can take anywhere from 2-6 weeks to heal, depending on the severity.
• News: It was reported on Christmas Eve that Pettis will miss Week 17 as a result of his MCL sprain.
• Outlook: Going forward in 2019, Pettis has a bright future in San Francisco. Coach Kyle Shanahan traded up for him in the 2018 Draft so he obviously likes Pettis a lot. He showed flashes this year as a down-field threat and Shanahan's system schemes receivers open.

Give me a follow on Twitter at @FFAchesAilments - Check back next week and all season for insight regarding fantasy's biggest injuries!