NFL DFS Injury Report: Week 16
Joshua Slatky, PA-C, ATC is a physician assistant at Northwest Georgia Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and avid DFS player. In his work as a physician assistant and athletic trainer, he has worked with sports teams from high school to various college levels, to the NFL. He is currently involved in the regular care of high school and college athletes across northwest Georgia.
Week 15 did not feature as many in-game key injuries as other weeks. Instead, we saw several players trying to play through injury who were obvious affected. Jordan Reed caught only one ball before being ejected for throwing a punch. Matt Forte tried to play through a meniscus tear but did very little before adding a stinger to his list of injuries. The return of Adrian Peterson was short and did not live up to the hype that came when he was announced as the starter.
With only two weeks left, reading the injury landscape gets even more difficult. Ten teams are eliminated from playoff contention, and how these teams use their players may be unpredictable. This can leak into teams that are mathematically alive but have little chance of making the postseason. Some teams will want to see what they have in younger players, which can open up value.
Most games are on Saturday, therefore most teams are on a compressed practice week. The injury report is relatively short, but there are a few key situations that will clear in the next couple of days. I am having surgery Friday morning, but plan to clear the cobwebs well enough to get updates out Friday evening after the NFL injury reports are released. Check back here for the latest before locking in your lineups. Comment below or get me on twitter @slakdogg with any questions. Enjoy four out of the next five days with NFL football. Merry Christmas to all!
Last Updated: Wednesday PM
Color Coding
GREEN: Nearly certain to play. Unlikely to have an on-field limitations.
YELLOW: Likely to play. May have some snap count or mild on-field limitations.
ORANGE: Questionable to play. If able to play, likely to be significantly limited in snap count and/or on-field performance.
RED: Unlikely to play or already ruled out.
PURPLE: In concussion protocol. Play status unknown but if active, should play without restriction.
Arizona Cardinals
1.John Brown (WR) — ORANGE / YELLOW – Brown played increased snaps Week 15, up from 37% to 59%. This is encouraging moving forward, but recurrence of sickle cell effects could happen at any point. He continues to be a high risk/high reward play.
Atlanta Falcons
1.Julio Jones (WR) — YELLOW – After missing the past two weeks with turf toe, Jones appears set to return for Week 16. He returned to limited practice Tuesday and Wednesday. The Falcons had the advantage of playing the Rams and 49ers the past two weeks, but now the Falcons head to Charlotte this week to face the Panthers. The Panthers have a defense that can be exploited by outside receivers, but I am concerned about the ability for Jones to get off the line and run crisp routes.
2.Taylor Gabriel (WR) — YELLOW – Gabriel injured his shoulder Sunday at the 49ers. While he left for a short time, he was able to return. He was able to go through limited practice Wednesday and should be able to play Saturday.
3.Austin Hooper (TE) — ORANGE / RED – Hooper was forced from Week 15 with a knee injury and underwent an MRI Monday. While results were not formally released, head coach Dan Quinn told the media that there were no long-term concerns. Hooper did not practice Wednesday leaving his status for Saturday in question.
UPDATE: Hooper has been ruled OUT for Week 16.
Baltimore Ravens
1.Jimmy Smith (CB) — ORANGE / RED – Smith missed Week 15 with an ankle injury and did not practice Wednesday. He does get the benefit of playing Christmas Sunday instead of Saturday. Smith is one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL and the Ravens will miss him dearly if he does not play Week 16 against Antonio Brown and the Steelers.
UPDATE: Smith has been ruled OUT for Week 16.
Buffalo Bills
1.Sammy Watkins (WR) — GREEN – Watkins appears to be back to full speed and is playing a full complement of snaps. He was limited Wednesday, as usual, but will play Saturday.
Carolina Panthers
1.Luke Kuechly (LB) — PURPLE / GREEN – Kuechly cleared concussion protocol prior to Monday night’s game against the Redskins. Despite this, the Panthers decided to keep him inactive. He practiced Wednesday and I expect him to play Saturday, but with the Panthers’ playoff hopes on life support, they may take a conservative route with his care.
UPDATE: Head coach Ron Rivera told the media that he has not decided if he will play Kuechly Saturday against the Falcons. He has practiced all week and has cleared concussion protocol, so he is eligible to play. It all depends on how much risk the Panthers want to have after two severe concussions in two seasons.
2.Cam Newton (QB) — GREEN / YELLOW – Newton was limited Wednesday with a sore shoulder. He has had a sore shoulder for a few weeks but it has not cost him any practice or game time. He was highlighted many times Monday night wincing in pain. While the Panthers will likely manage his practice reps through the week, he is not expected to miss any game time.
3.Kelvin Benjamin (WR) — GREEN / YELLOW – Benjamin was limited Wednesday with back pain. He has had off and on back pain, but is expected to play Saturday.
4.Greg Olsen (TE) — GREEN – Olsen did not practice Wednesday with elbow pain. Head coach Ron Rivera told the media that he was not concerned and expected him to play.
Chicago Bears
1. Marquess Wilson (WR) — RED – Wilson was placed on IR with a broken foot and will miss the rest of the season.
Cincinnati Bengals
1. AJ Green (WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Green practiced some last week and has avoided set back during early practice for Week 16. He has said all along that he expects to play this week. Barring setback, he will probably play, but the Bengals are out of playoff contention, so they will likely use some caution with Green.
UPDATE: Green practiced through the week and is expected to play Saturday night. His status is unchanged as his role in the offense is unclear. He does get a boost with Tyler Eifert ruled out. He is a high risk/high reward play for Week 16.
2.Jeremy Hill (RB) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Hill missed Wednesday practice with a knee injury. He did not miss time Sunday, which leads me to think that he will play Week 16. However, the Bengals are playing for nothing, and they could choose to protect players as they head toward the offseason.
UPDATE: Hill is listed as questionable but is expected to play Week 16.
3.Tyler Eifert (TE) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Eifert’s situation is similar to Hill’s except for the fact that Eifert missed time earlier this year due to a back injury. He played fully Sunday, but his status is unclear for Week 16.
UPDATE: Eifert has been ruled OUT for Week 16.
Cleveland Browns
1.Terrelle Pryor (WR) – YELLOW – Pryor injured his finger Sunday and it has been reported that he has a ligament tear that will require post-season surgery. He went through a limited practice Wednesday and plans to play Week 16.
Denver Broncos
1.Virgil Green (TE) — PURPLE – Green suffered a concussion early in Week 15 and is still in concussion protocol. He gets the benefit of an extra day to recover as the Broncos play Sunday.
UPDATE: Green did not clear concussion protocol and has been ruled OUT for Week 16.
Detroit Lions
1. Theo Riddick (RB) — ORANGE / RED – Riddick still has not practiced due to the wrist injury that has kept him out the past two weeks. With the Lions playing Monday night, there is little injury information out. If playing the Thursday-Monday slate, I would pass, but there may be reason to consider him for a later slate if he gets back to practice.
2.Darius Slay (CB) — RED / ORANGE – Slay reinjured his hamstring early against the Giants in Week 15. He is expected to miss some time, but the Lions are fighting for a playoff birth, so he may be pushed back into duty early.
Green Bay Packers
1.Randall Cobb (WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Cobb continues to battle an ankle sprain and was limited Wednesday in practice. While he is expected to play, he was obviously hampered by the injury Sunday, logging no catches.
2.James Starks (RB) — PURPLE – Starks missed Week 15 with a concussion and remains in the league’s concussion protocol.
UPDATE: Starks has been ruled OUT for Week 16.
Houston Texans
1. Lamar Miller (RB) — YELLOW – As usual, Miller missed Wednesday practice with multiple ailments. He played 57% of the Week 15 snaps which a slight upward movement from previous weeks. Miller did dominate the total running back touches despite the relatively low snap rate. The Texans appear to be wisely managing Miller’s use and practice time. He will play Saturday night and should continue to carry the load.
2.C.J. Fiedorowicz (TE) — GREEN – Fiedorowicz missed Week 15 due to concussion but has cleared protocol and returned to full practice Wednesday. He will play Saturday night.
Indianapolis Colts
1.Andrew Luck (QB) — GREEN – Luck suffered a cut on his right thumb and wore a glove to protect the thumb Wednesday during a limited practice. He is expected to play without limitation.
2.Donte Moncrief (WR) — YELLOW – Moncrief missed Week 15 with a hamstring strain but returned to practice Wednesday. He is on track to return Saturday at Oakland.
Los Angeles Rams
1.Jared Goff (QB) — PURPLE / GREEN – Goff suffered a concussion Week 15 on Thursday night. He appears to be the beneficiary of extra days off. He practiced full Wednesday, and despite continuing in the concussion protocol, he is expected to start Saturday.
UPDATE: Goff has been cleared and will start Saturday versus the 49ers.
2.Kenny Britt (WR) — GREEN / YELLOW – Britt showed up on the injury report Wednesday as he was limited with a shoulder. There is always some level of concern when players have new injuries, but Britt is expected to play Sunday against the 49ers.
Miami Dolphins
1. Ryan Tannehill (QB) — RED – Tannehill has already been ruled out for Week 16 as he continues to recover from an ACL/MCL sprain. His status beyond that has not yet been determined.
Minnesota Vikings
1.Stefon Diggs (WR) — YELLOW / ORANGE – After a disappointing performance in Week 15, Diggs missed practice Wednesday with what appears to be a hip injury. There were reports that Diggs was in the league’s concussion protocol, but there have since been updated reports contradicting that. With such a clouded situation, I would use caution if considering Diggs this weekend. I want to see him on the practice field with some reliable reports that he is moving well.
UPDATE: Diggs practiced Thursday and Friday. He is expected to play Saturday.
2.Adrian Peterson (RB) — RED / ORANGE – Peterson returned from an extended absence Sunday, but his return was a disappointing one. He logged only seven touches and accounted for a lost fumble. He sat out of practice Wednesday and has already indicated that his status is uncertain for Week 16. The Vikings are only one game out of the 2nd wildcard spot but sit behind three teams for that spot. With a playoff birth so unlikely, the Vikings will probably use caution with Peterson.
UPDATE: Peterson has been rule {color:red]OUT for Week 16 and he seems unlikely to play again this year.
New England Patriots
1.Tom Brady (QB) — GREEN – Brady was limited Wednesday with a thigh injury. This is a new injury, but it is not thought to be anything significant. He is expected to play full Saturday.
2.Danny Amendola (WR) — RED – Amendola continues to recover from a high ankle sprain and is not expected to play Week 16.
New York Giants
1. Shane Vereen (RB) — RED – Vereen re-tore his triceps Sunday and is out for the season.
New York Jets
1.Matt Forte (RB) — RED / ORANGE – Multiple injuries appear to be catching up with Forte. Already having a torn meniscus, Forte is now dealing with a shoulder injury. He described the injury to the media as a nerve injury. This is probably a stinger, which is a stretching injury of brachial plexus (the bundle of nerves that come from the neck giving function to the shoulder and arm). These can linger around and make the arm weak. Further, any blow to the shoulder can exacerbate this type of injury. I would be surprised if he plays Week 16.
UPDATE: Forte is listed as doubtful on the game injury report making it unlikely that he will play Week 16.
2.Brandon Marshall (WR) — YELLOW – Once again, Marshall was limited Wednesday with multiple injuries. He played 96% of the snaps Sunday and is expected to play fully Saturday at New England.
Oakland Raiders
1.Michael Crabtree (WR) — YELLOW / GREEN – Crabtree was limited Wednesday as he nurses a finger injury. Crabtree played 73% of snaps Sunday and expected to resume his full role Saturday as the Raiders attempt to get home field advantage in the AFC.
2.Amari Cooper (WR) — YELLOW – Cooper was limited Wednesday with a shoulder injury that limited him last week. Cooper was in on 82% of snaps Sunday but managed only 28 yards. Cooper has not topped 100 yards in six weeks, so it is likely the shoulder is limiting him more than is being revealed.
Philadelphia Eagles
1.Jordan Matthews (WR) — GREEN – Matthews is listed as questionable on the game injury report but is expected to play, as has been the case for the past few weeks.
Pittsburgh Steelers
1.Ladarius Green (TE) — PURPLE / RED – Green suffered a concussion late in Week 15. He remains in the concussion protocol and has not returned to practice. It appears unlikely that he will clear protocol in time for the Christmas night game versus the Ravens.
UPDATE: Green did not clear concussion protocol and has been ruled OUT for Week 16.
San Diego Chargers
1.Melvin Gordon (RB) — RED – Gordon has yet to return to practice missing both Tuesday and Wednesday with knee and hip injuries. He has not been ruled out, but is not expected to play Week 16.
UPDATE: Gordon has been ruled OUT for Week 16.
San Francisco 49ers
1.Torrey Smith (WR) — PURPLE / RED – Smith continues to feel effects from a Week 14 blow that knocked him unconscious. He has not returned to practice and is not expected to clear protocol in time for Week 16.
UPDATE: Smith has been ruled out for the rest of the season.
2.Quinton Patton (WR) — RED – Patton was placed on IR after season ending surgery to repair a broken foot.
Washington Redskins
1.Jordan Reed (TE) — ORANGE – If you watched Monday night’s game, it was obvious that Reed was very affected by his shoulder separation. It is also obvious that his left shoulder is the injured one as he looked fine throwing a right hook at Carolina’s Kurt Coleman. This resulted in his ejection. Head coach Jay Gruden told the media that he expected Reed to play Week 16 at Chicago as the Redskins try to get themselves back into playoff position.
UPDATE: Reed did not practice all week. He is listed as questionable on the game injury report but having not practiced all week, he is likely closer to doubtful. Downgrade to RED / ORANGE for Week 16. I would be surprised if he plays.