NFL DFS Injury Report: Week 17
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.
Well friends, we have reached the end. It seems like only yesterday that we were over-hyping preseason heroes and thinking the Jaguars could actually make a run at the playoffs. Remember when San Francisco was 1-0? The Giants beat Dallas way back in Week 1. Of course, the Giants are the only team to the beat the Cowboys this year. The regular season concludes Sunday. I hope the injury report was a helpful start to the week. I enjoyed bringing it to you for the past four months.
Week 17 is a week unlike any other. We will have plenty of injury news throughout the week and many players will not play. This year, very few teams are playing a meaningful game in the final week. The AFC playoff teams have been set. In the NFC, the Redskins are basically in if they win. The Lions and Packers are playing for a spot, though both teams will make it if the Redskins lose. The Buccaneers need a miracle to supplant those teams. There will be a few teams that want to play spoiler, but more importantly, some players will be playing to show off either to their current team or another team. Finding those could lead to big wins in Week 17.
There is no Thursday or Monday game this week. All 16 games will be played Sunday. The New Years Bowl Games are a thing of the past but for 2017, we get a full day of NFL football. As usual, updates to this initial report will be out Friday night. I will also take time to promote the RotoGrinders alerts once again. They are essential to staying up to date on the latest news. While we get to enjoy DFS football through the playoffs, the lessened schedule starting next week may open the opportunity for you try DFS NBA if you haven’t. I highly recommend it and enjoy it myself. Any questions? You can reach me on twitter @slakdogg. Best of luck in your Week 17 contests and Happy New Year!!
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 missed practice Wednesday which is somewhat customary for him. He is expected to play Sunday at the Rams, but the Cardinals are playing for nothing. They may not push his snap count in a meaningless game.
Atlanta Falcons
1.Julio Jones (WR) — YELLOW – Jones returned in Week 16 after a two week sabbatical with turf toe. He was limited Wednesday with the same injury. While the Falcons are playing for a first round bye, expect them to use caution if necessary with Jones as they have already locked up a playoff spot. Jones played 62% of the snaps last week. I expect they will keep him at a similar number this week unless they are able to put the game away early.
2.Taylor Gabriel (WR) — YELLOW – Last week, Gabriel was limited early in the practice week with a shoulder injury. Later in the week, he was upgraded to full. This week, he missed practice Wednesday with a foot injury. There has not been any significant news to indicate that his Week 17 is in doubt.
UPDATE: After returning to practice Thursday, the Falcons have ruled Gabriel OUT for Week 17.
3.Austin Hooper (TE) — ORANGE – Hooper has missed the past two weeks with an MCL sprain. He did some light running on the side during Wednesday’s practice. This is the first action he has had since the initial injury. The Falcons would love to get him some reps in preparation for the playoffs, but having him healthy for those playoffs must be the primary goal. If he plays, he will likely be a bit slow and the team is sure to keep his snaps limited.
UPDATE: The Falcons are playing safe with Hooper and have ruled him OUT for Week 17.
Buffalo Bills
1.Sammy Watkins (WR) — YELLOW – Watkins has been back to essentially full duty over the past couple of week. Per routine, he missed practice Wednesday. Expect the Bills to be conservative with Watkins as they are playing out the string.
2.LeSean McCoy (RB) — GREEN – McCoy missed practice Wednesday with an illness. The projected path for a player with a Wednesday illness is that he would play full by the weekend. As the Bills are playing for nothing, this could give them the excuse needed to sit McCoy for Week 17. News will likely be released early if this happens.
3.Tyrod Taylor (QB) — RED – The Bills are expected to rest Taylor for Week 17.
Carolina Panthers
1.Cam Newton (QB) — ORANGE / RED – Newton was limited in Wednesday practice. Head coach Ron Rivera said that Cam would play if he were healthy. Judging by his Week 16 performance, he is not healthy. If he plays, I would expect him to come out early.
UPDATE: Backup quarterback Derek Anderson has been ruled OUT for Week 17, so Newton looks like he will start Sunday versus the Buccaneers.
2.Jonathan Stewart (RB) — ORANGE – Stewart re-injured his foot during Week 16 and did not log a 4th quarter carry. He missed practice Wednesday as well. His Week 17 status is still undetermined, but the Panthers are likely to be conservative with Stewart.
3.Devin Funchess (WR) — RED – Funchess was carted off the field during Week 16 with a knee injury. He did not practice Wednesday and the Panthers are unlikely to push Funchess for a meaningless game.
4.Greg Olsen (TE) — RED – Olsen missed practice Wednesday with an elbow injury. He was very limited in Week 16, only playing 58% of the snaps and playing very little after breaking the 1,000-yard barrier. Playing for nothing, the Panthers are likely to sit Olsen.
UPDATE: Olsen is listed as questionable on the game injury reports. At this point, it looks like he will be active, but I would not expect him to play more than a handful of snaps.
5.Luke Kuechly (LB) — RED – Kuechly is out for Week 17.
Cincinnati Bengals
1. AJ Green (WR) — RED – Green has been ruled out for Week 17.
2.Jeremy Hill (RB) — RED / ORANGE – Hill missed Wednesday practice with a knee injury, just as he did Week 16. After only logging eight carries last week and looking limited with the knee, I would not be surprised if they sit Hill as well. Either way, I would not expect him to carry a heavy load.
UPDATE: Hill is listed as questionable on the game injury report; however, the Bengals have called up a practice squad running back. I am leaving his status unchanged, but I seriously doubt he plays Week 17.
3.Tyler Eifert (TE) — RED – Eifert has been place on IR and will not play Week 17.
Cleveland Browns
1.Robert Griffin (QB) — PURPLE – Griffin is in concussion protocol and did not practice Wednesday. His Week 17 status is unclear.
UPDATE: Griffin has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to play Week 17.
2.Duke Johnson (RB) — ORANGE – Johnson dealt with the same ankle injury last week and played through it. However, the Brown now have the
monkey of a winless season off their back. Johnson’s roster spot is fairly secure, so the Browns may be conservative with him.
Denver Broncos
1.Virgil Green (TE) — PURPLE – Green returned to limited practice Wednesday but has not been cleared from concussion protocol.
Detroit Lions
1. Theo Riddick (RB) — ORANGE / RED – Riddick continues to be hampered with a wrist injury. He did not practice Wednesday, which is a sign of regression from last week when he was limited. If the Lions can find a way to get him onto the field, I would expect them to do so as they control their destiny with a win against the Packers.
UPDATE: Riddick has been OUT for Week 17.
2.Darius Slay (CB) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Slay returned to practice Wednesday after missing Week 16 with his oft injured hamstring. He appears on course to play, but has been the victim of in-game injury in the past.
Green Bay Packers
1.Randall Cobb (WR) — ORANGE – Cobb missed Week 16 with his nagging ankle injury. He did some light side work Wednesday but was listed as “did not practice.” If the Packers win, they are into the playoffs, so if Cobb can go, I expect him to do so.
UPDATE: Cobb did not practice at all this week. He is listed as questionable on the game injury report, but the failure to practice makes it very unlikely that he plays Week 17.
2.James Starks (RB) — PURPLE – Starks missed the last two weeks with a concussion and remains in the league’s concussion protocol.
UPDATE: Starks has been ruled OUT for Week 17.
Houston Texans
1. Lamar Miller (RB) — RED – The Texans have been cautious with Miller over the past weeks as they try limit his work. He has had several listed injuries over the past few weeks. With the Texans locked into the AFC #4 seed, I expect them to preserve Miller for the playoffs.
UPDATE: Miller has been ruled OUT for Week 17.
Indianapolis Colts
1.Donte Moncrief (WR) — RED – Moncrief has been ruled out for Week 17.
Jacksonville Jaguars
1.T.J. Yeldon (RB) — RED – Yeldon has been placed on IR and is out for Week 17
2.Denard Robinson (RB) — ORANGE – After missing the past three weeks with an ankle injury, Robinson returned to limited practice Wednesday. He told the media that he was expecting to play Week 17. He is sure to be limited. He has not had a full practice in nearly a month.
3.Chris Ivory (RB) — ORANGE – Ivory and Robinson are likely to share the backfield load with neither of them fully healthy. Ivory has been managing a recurrent hamstring strain.
Kansas City Chiefs
1.Spencer Ware (RB) — YELLOW – Ware left Week 16 early with a rib injury. Head coach Andy Reid told the media he could have returned if the game were competitive. He was limited Wednesday but appears on track to play Week 17.
Los Angeles Rams
1.Kenny Britt (WR) — ORANGE / RED – Britt left Week 16 early with a shoulder injury and did not return. He also did not practice Wednesday. There is no incentive to return Britt to the field, but he also has not been ruled out yet. I don’t expect him to play, but if he does, I would expect a limited work load.
Miami Dolphins
1.Jay Ajayi (RB) — YELLOW – Ajayi suffered a shoulder separation during Week 16. He returned to limited practice Wednesday. I expect him to play with some pain, but the Dolphins would earn a trip to Houston instead of a trip to Pittsburgh with a win and Chiefs loss. His early week return to practice indicates he will likely play Week 17.
2.Ryan Tannehill (QB) — RED – Tannehill has been ruled out for Week 17.
Minnesota Vikings
1.Stefon Diggs (WR) — ORANGE – Diggs has been hampered for weeks with a sore hip. He practiced limited through last week and then played. He is likely able to do the same this week, but Week 17 the Vikings are playing for nothing. It is unclear if he will play, but even if he does, I expect them to use some caution and limit his snaps.
UPDATE: Diggs did not practice this week and is listed as doubtful on the game injury report. Downgrade him to RED for Week 17.
2.Adrian Peterson (RB) — RED – Peterson did not practice Wednesday and is not expected to play Sunday.
New England Patriots
1.Tom Brady (QB) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Brady missed Wednesday with a thigh injury. He played last week with same injury and I expect him to start Week 17. The Patriots get home field advantage with a win or an Oakland loss, so I expect Brady to start. I downgraded his status because the Patriots may be quick to pull him if they put the game away early.
2.Malcolm Mitchell (WR) — ORANGE / YELLOW – Mitchell missed Wednesday practice with a new knee injury. There are no other details available on the injury. Mitchell is a young player, so I would anticipate seeing at least one full practice if he is going to play Week 17.
UPDATE: Mitchell did not practice this week and is listed as doubtful on the game injury report. Downgrade to RED for Week 17.
3.Dion Lewis (RB) — GREEN – Lewis missed Wednesday practice with an illness. As the Patriots are playing for something, I expect he will recover and play by Sunday.
New York Jets
1.Matt Forte (RB) — RED / ORANGE – Forte missed Week 16 with multiple injuries. He also missed Wednesday practice and as the Jets are playing for nothing, I expect that Forte’s season is over. I would be surprised if he saw the field Sunday.
UPDATE: Forte has been ruled OUT for Week 17.
2.Bilal Powell (RB) — ORANGE – Powell did not play the final series of Week 16 and then missed Wednesday practice. His injury has not been reported clouding his playing situation. Even if Powell plays, I expect the Jets to give additional reps to the younger players.
3.Robby Anderson (WR) — YELLOW – Anderson was limited Wednesday with a hamstring injury. While the Jets are playing a meaningless game from a team standpoint, this is another opportunity for Anderson to show his worth moving forward. I expect that if his healthy, he will give it a go.
UPDATE: Anderson practiced very little during the week. He is listed as questionable on the game injury report; however, it is uncommon for younger players to play with minimal practice time. This is especially true when teams are playing for nothing. Downgrade to ORANGE for Week 17.
4.Bryce Petty (QB) — RED – Petty was place on IR after tearing his labrum.
Oakland Raiders
1.Derek Carr (QB) — RED – Carr suffered a broken fibula Sunday and has already had surgery. He is out indefinitely.
2.Michael Crabtree (WR) — YELLOW / GREEN – Crabtree continues to nurse his injured finger. He was limited Wednesday but is expected to play Sunday.
3.Amari Cooper (WR) — YELLOW / GREEN – Cooper was also limited Wednesday as he manages a shoulder injury. Cooper is also expected to play Sunday. The Raiders can still get home field advantage throughout the playoffs with a win and a Patriots loss. I also expect both Cooper and
Crabtree to stay in longer than may be expected as they try to gain chemistry to QB Matt McGloin.
4.Jalen Richard (RB) — YELLOW – Richard injured his shoulder Sunday and was limited Wednesday. He is expected to play Sunday as part of the running back committee.
Philadelphia Eagles
1.Jordan Matthews (WR) — GREEN – Matthews continues to nurse his sore ankle. He did not practice Wednesday but is expected to play Sunday.
2.Ryan Mathews (RB) — RED – Mathews has been place on IR with a herniated cervical disc.
Pittsburgh Steelers
1.Ladarius Green (TE) — PURPLE – Green is still in concussion protocol. He practiced limited Wednesday, but his Week 17 status is unclear.
UPDATE: Green has been ruled OUT for Week 17.
2.Sammie Coates (WR) — RED – Coates missed Week 16 with a hamstring injury. He practiced limited on Wednesday, but the Steelers are likely to take a conservative path with him.
3.Ben Roethlisberger (QB) — RED – Roethlisberger (rest) has been ruled out for Week 17.
4.Le’Veon Bell (RB) — RED – Bell (rest) has been ruled out for Week 17.
5.Antonio Brown (WR) — RED – Brown (rest) has also been ruled out for Week 17.
San Diego Chargers
1.Melvin Gordon (RB) — ORANGE – Gordon returned to limited practice Wednesday with knee and hip injuries. He is expected to try playing Sunday, but his role may be very limited. He is three yards shy of 1,000. The Chargers are playing out the string, so they are likely to play it conservatively if they can get him the record.
UPDATE: Gordon has been ruled OUT for Week 17.
2.Kenneth Farrow (RB) — RED – Farrow was placed on IR with a shoulder injury and will miss Week 17.
San Francisco 49ers
1.Carlos Hyde (RB) — RED – Hyde was placed on IR after tearing his MCL.
Seattle Seahawks
1.Tyler Lockett (WR) — RED – Lockett was placed on IR after breaking his tibia during Week 16.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1.Doug Martin (RB) — RED – Martin was issued a four game suspension by the league and subsequently entered a drug treatment facility. Obviously, he will not play Week 17.
2.Charles Sims (RB) — RED – Sims was placed on IR with a pectoral injury and is out for the season.
3.Cameron Brate (TE) — RED – Brate was placed on IR with a back injury and is out for the season.
Tennessee Titans
1.Marcus Mariota (QB) — RED – Mariotta is out for Week 17 after breaking his fibula Week 16 and having surgery this week.
Washington Redskins
1.Jordan Reed (TE) — YELLOW / ORANGE – Reed went through limited practice Wednesday and has indicated he intends to play Week 17. The Redskins essentially are into the playoffs if they win. I still expect Reed to be limited, but the Redskins are hopeful that resting last week will enable him to give them something Sunday against a Giants team that has been susceptible to tight ends.