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It's Week 16, which means we're finally done going through injury reports and worrying about our players missing time or being hobbled in their games! Well, almost. Not really. We still have a slog of injured players to talk about, and it's a good idea to get the latest news on players who are hurt.
That's because if you lose, it's over. The playoffs are unforgiving in that you don't have the luxury of dropping another game. Starting a player who is hurt could lead to big consequences and having an idea of where the guys on your roster are injury-wise can help you make sure that doesn't happen.
Let's break down the biggest names dealing with ailments right now. It's a long list!
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David Montgomery Injury Update
Detroit Lions running back David Montgomery (knee) was initially declared to be a candidate for injured reserve due to an MCL tear (allegedly). However, in a strange turn of events, Lions head coach Dan Campbell stated that he would get a second opinion on the matter.
The Lions are in wait-and-see mode, as David Montgomery might be able to return from what was believed to be a season-ending knee injury.
“We're in a holding pattern as of right now,” Dan Campbell said Wednesday. “That's a positive.” pic.twitter.com/gYljk08Nxv
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 19, 2024
It's very unlikely that he played in Week 16. Week 17 seems very unlikely as well. For fantasy managers, his season should be treated as if it's over. If he were placed on IR, he'd need to miss the team's first playoff game, so perhaps he's simply pushing to be ready for the postseason.
If he truly did tear his MCL, though, that seems like a stretch.
Joe Mixon Injury Update
Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon (ankle) was limited in practice on Wednesday. He was subjected to a hip-drop tackle, which the NFL made a rule banning, then promptly proceeded to not care during the games, as they haven't thrown a single flag against a player who commits one.
"I think that is a hip-drop tackle when you take a look at it"
- @GeneSteratore on this play, which resulted in Joe Mixon leaving the game pic.twitter.com/4myqqRwoZc
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 15, 2024
The NFL is happy to fine players after the fact, but that doesn't seem to make a huge difference. Mixon's presence at practice is a good sign. Houston is in the midst of a playoff push, and it's also good news that No. 28 was able to return to the game after the injury. It seems unlikely that he will miss Week 16.
Joe Burrow, Tee Higgins Injury Update
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (knee, wrist) is dealing with knee and wrist issues, but he was able to practice in a limited capacity on Wednesday, at least. This bodes well for his potential availability in Week 16. We're late in the season, and a ton of players are banged up by now.
INJURY REPORT: Joe Burrow (right wrist/knee) and Tee Higgins (knee/rest) were listed as limited participants on Wednesday
— The Fantasy Source (@FantasySource_) December 18, 2024
We're not very concerned about Burrow's ailments right now. He's earned some rest. Perhaps his back hurts more than anything from carrying the team so hard.
Meanwhile, fellow Bengals player and wide receiver Tee Higgins (knee) popped up on the injury report. Higgins is already infamous among fantasy managers for being made of glass, but there haven't been any reports about his injury being serious. It seems that it's just a rest day for him.
Of course, if you have Higgins on any of your teams, we wouldn't blame you if you have a few nightmares about him aggravating his injury during the game and knocking you out of playoff contention, because having him on fantasy rosters is a known risk factor for PTSD.
Breece Hall Injury Update
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (knee) was removed from his team's injury report on Wednesday. He should be good to go for Week 16. He played a more limited workload in Week 15, but he's likely to return to his usual snaps and touches in Week 16, game script and Aaron Rodgers willing.
#Jets injury report: RB Breece Hall is not even listed. Fantasy owners in the playoffs, rejoice. pic.twitter.com/aohkuK8kR6
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) December 18, 2024
Of course, how much work he gets will be dependent on whether Rodgers wants to throw to him and doesn't audible from runs to passes a million times. But we shouldn't expect to see as much work siphoned away by rookie RBs Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis as we saw last week.
Bucky Irving Injury Update
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (back, hip) was limited at his team's practice on Wednesday, which is very encouraging news. He's had weeks where he's failed to practice at all some days, yet went on to play in his team's game anyway. So this is an improvement.
Here’s today’s injury report for Bucs and Cowboys. Just a walkthrough, so estimated participation. Mayfield dealing with a knee injury now but fully expected to play. pic.twitter.com/EbiDeGBG1L
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 18, 2024
The team only had a walkthrough, meaning Buck's participation was estimated, but we should assume he's playing in Week 16. He played the full game in Week 15 and logged his highest carry total while registering a snap rate close to that of fellow RB Rachaad White. We should expect Irving to not have a restricted workload come game time, either. He should be fine.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Injury Update
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (ankle) logged a limited practice session on Wednesday. However, there are no reports that the issue is serious. It will be a good idea to stay updated on his situation as the week progresses.
Deonte Banks and Rakeem Nuñez-Roches were limited participants at practice. RB Tyrone Tracy (ankle) and WR Malik Nabers (knee/foot) were also among the limited participants.
Long injury report today for the #Giants pic.twitter.com/aj6DnwCEWx
— Evan Barnes (@evan_b) December 18, 2024
We don't anticipate Tracy missing Week 16. At this point of the season, every player that's gotten significant playing time has often been granted a day of rest by smart coaching staffs.
George Pickens Injury Update
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens (hamstring) has now missed two consecutive games. His team held a walkthrough on both Tuesday and Wednesday, and he wasn't able to participate in either session.
Steelers injury report for Wednesday:
Limited:
T.J. Watt (ankle)
Larry Ogunjobi (groin)DNP:
George Pickens (hamstring)
DeShon Elliott (hamstring)
Donte Jackson (back)
Justin Fields (abdominal)
Cam Heyward (rest)
Elandon Roberts (rest)Patrick Queen full participant after… pic.twitter.com/BNwAEp0ldu
— Amanda Godsey (@AmandaFGodsey) December 18, 2024
He was present on Wednesday but just did some individual drills. His status is very up in the air for Week 16. It will be encouraging if he's able to at least log some limited practices, but we feel as if this one could go down to the wire. Be sure to check back for more updates.
Hammies are tricky things to deal with. The Steelers are fighting for the division crown, but it would be worse to lose their star wideout for the season than to lose this game, so they're likely not motivated to rush Pickens back.
Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle Injury Updates
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist, rest) is dealing with a nagging injury that won't heal up on his own. He'll likely opt to have surgery on it in the offseason. Hill missed practice on Wednesday for veteran's rest and was also listed with a wrist issue, but this is of minimal concern.
49ers-Dolphins Injury Report 1 pic.twitter.com/MWqQrTPSog
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) December 18, 2024
There's nothing to worry about here. This has been a recurring theme all season, and he's yet to miss a single contest. Expect him to play in his team's next contest and to see his usual playing time.
As you can see from the above post, WR Jaylen Waddle (knee) wasn't able to practice at all on Wednesday. His status for Sunday's game is up in the air, but it's looking pretty pessimistic. The injury he suffered looked pretty gnarly, and the Dolphins are most likely not about to make the playoffs.
We would assume the team will hold him out of this game to let him recover fully. It doesn't make sense to rush young players back from injuries for mostly meaningless games.
Alvin Kamara Injury Update
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is dealing with a groin issue -- specifically, he suffered an injury to one of his adductor muscles. The team doesn't practice officially for the first time this week until Thursday, since it'll be playing on Monday Night Football.
Darren Rizzi on Alvin Kamara: "We got some imaging back. He's kind of dealing with a little bit of a groin adductor type of situation. Something that was very, very minor, I think he kind of felt it on that diving touchdown catch. ... He's going to get a couple of more opinions."
— Katherine Terrell (@Kat_Terrell) December 16, 2024
This is an evolving situation, and it's too early to say for sure if he won't be able to play on MNF, but this injury seems to be somewhat significant. There's been speculation that he could miss the game, so fantasy managers should probably go and pick up backup RB Kendre Miller.
Check back for more updates later. Unfortunately, we may not get much clarity until after Sunday's slate of games, so this could lead to problems for fantasy football rosters.
Kenneth Walker III, Zach Charbonnet Injury Updates
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (calf) is still dealing with the calf injury that's had him held out of both Week 14 and Week 15. And he wasn't able to practice on Wednesday, so things aren't looking good. It seems that he may be set to miss yet another contest.
INJURY REPORT: Kenneth Walker III (calf), Zach Charbonnet (oblique), DK Metcalf (shoulder), and Tyler Lockett (rest) sit out on Wednesday
Geno Smith (knee) was a full participant
— The Fantasy Source (@FantasySource_) December 19, 2024
As you can see from the above post, backup RB Zach Charbonnet (oblique) is also dealing with an injury and wasn't able to practice. He was able to finish the game in Week 15, so it's hard to say if he'll take the field on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings. This is just one we'll have to wait on.
Justin Herbert, Will Dissly Injury Update
Herbert is off the injury report and is good to go for Week 16. Expect him to play without restrictions. Maybe the team will call fewer designed quarterback runs, but those weren't a big part of the game plan to begin with.
FANTASY UPDATE: @Chargers rule OUT Will Dissly (shoulder) for Thursday night
Justin Herbert (ankle) off the final injury report
— The Fantasy Source (@FantasySource_) December 18, 2024
Meanwhile, tight end Will Dissly (shoulder) continues to battle a shoulder ailment. He's already been ruled out for Week 16. It hasn't been announced yet if he can return in Week 17.
Mike Evans Injury Update
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (rest) didn't practice on Wednesday, but the team was simply giving him a rest day. Perhaps he will be listed on the team's injury report with his hamstring issue when he returns to practice, but all signs point to him playing in Week 16.
Bucs injury report — Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield, Cade Otton, Tristan Wirfs, Antoine Winfield Jr and Sterling Shepard listed as DNPs for today. Many of those players are probably resting (and it is a walkthrough), but Otton may be a name to keep an eye on pic.twitter.com/aBn76kXMcf
— River Wells (@riverhwells) December 18, 2024
Evans hasn't missed a game since his return in Week 12, so he should be fine.
Brenton Strange Injury Update
Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (shoulder) is dealing with an AC joint sprain. Jags head coach Doug Pederson said Strange picked up the issue in Week 15, yet he was able to log 82% of the offensive snaps and finished by catching 11 of his 12 targets for 73 yards.
Brenton Strange -
Dealing with an AC sprain and wore a non-contact jersey today.
No visible issues with reaching out and catching. Main issue would be landing hard on his shoulder.
As of now, assuming he will play with minimal issues.
pic.twitter.com/8LIdrIK8Dv— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) December 18, 2024
It doesn't seem like Strange will have trouble during the game if Pederson is confident that he'll take the field. Of course, he's fighting to keep his job (and that's unlikely to happen), but it's hard to envision him sending a seriously hurt Strange out just to re-aggravate his injury. That would probably look even worse for him.
David Njoku Injury Update
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (hamstring) didn't play in Week 15, and he wasn't able to participate in his team's practice on Wednesday. It's not uncommon to see players miss two or more weeks with hamstring issues. It's a lost season for Cleveland, a team that's been eliminated from playoff contention for a while now.
INJURY REPORT: David Njoku (hamstring) not practicing on Wednesday
— The Fantasy Source (@FantasySource_) December 18, 2024
Signs are pointing to him missing another contest. There's little reason for the team to risk him suffering a re-aggravation of his injury and potentially missing more time or developing something that turns into a longer-term issue. Fantasy managers should look for a replacement.
Jakobi Meyers Injury Update
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers (ankle) is on the injury report with an ankle injury. It probably doesn't mean much, though, as he's often been limited at practice this season and has been listed on injury reports. We don't anticipate him missing Week 16.
Wednesdays injury report #Raiders #RaiderNation pic.twitter.com/uuQ1vUj6G3
— Eric (@oakland627) December 18, 2024
Meyers has been managing the ailment for most, if not all, of this season. That might not change anytime soon. He should be able to play and shouldn't have a limited workload unless he re-aggravates the issue.
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