Week 16 Fantasy Football Injury Recap
As The Fantasy Footballers’ lead injury analyst and sports physical therapist, I’ll be recapping the previous week’s injuries and giving a projected timeline for recovery all season long. Let’s look at the biggest injuries from Week 1 and take a look at what fantasy managers can expect heading into Week 17 and beyond.
Don’t forget to check out JoinTheFoot.com for additional premium resources, including access to the Injury Blitz Podcast hosted by yours truly. This bonus podcast, available to all #FootClan Premier members, is a short, yet informative injury podcast that drops late in the week in order to provide all the injury updates you need to set your lineup each week.
QB Tua Tagovailoa
Concussion Protocol: Likely Out Week 17
Tua slammed his head against the turf on Sunday against the Packers, and now enters the league’s concussion protocol. He was never reportedly checked for a concussion during the game, but has since reported symptoms and thus, enters the NFL’s protocol. This is now the second time that Tua has been placed in the concussion protocol, and the Dolphins were in the headlines earlier this season when Tua suffered his first and second concussions in September. Given the subsequent concussion and delayed reporting of symptoms, it’s unlikely Tua is going to be cleared in time for Week 17. Look for Teddy Bridgewater to get the start for Miami against New England in a critical AFC East matchup.
Players impacted: Teddy Bridgewater, Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill
This would seem to be the play on which Dolphins’ QB Tua Tagovailoa was injured, when his head bangs the ground. pic.twitter.com/zCQXadHm2r
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 26, 2022
RB Aaron Jones
Ankle Injury: Situation to Monitor
Jones didn’t technically get ruled out of the game Sunday against Miami, but he played just 25/66 snaps and only registered eight total touches. After the game, Jones confirmed that his ankle “got rolled up on” on his first carry of the second half, which is why he was only used sparingly. He remained available for the Packers, but it was A.J. Dillon leading the way with Patrick Taylor mixing in as a change of pace back. Green Bay takes on the Vikings in a must-win game next week. Look for Jones to miss practice time as the team attempts to have him available against their division foes.
Players impacted: A.J. Dillon
RB Jamaal Williams
Left Knee/Ankle Injury (Specifics Unknown): Questionable for Week 17
Williams got injured when he had the ball on the sideline. He was being tackled, and his left leg got stuck in the turf as he was being taken to the ground, causing his knee to bend awkwardly with his ankle in a vulnerable position as well. He got up with signs of visible discomfort and walked gingerly to the sideline. While Williams wasn’t used much after the injury occurred, it’s at least a good sign he did come back into the game for a few plays in the 4th quarter, suggesting the severity is minor. Fantasy managers will need to keep a close eye on the Lions’ practice report this week. If Williams can’t go or is limited, Justin Jackson is likely to split time with D’Andre Swift against Chicago.
Players impacted: D’Andre Swift, Justin Jackson
RB Travis Homer
Ankle Injury (Specifics Unknown): Questionable for Week 17
It was Kenneth Walker and DeeJay Dallas who were listed questionable ahead of Week 16 with ankle injuries of their own. Now, Travis Homer is dealing with an ankle injury after exiting Saturday’s game against Kansas City early with an ankle injury of his own. Details regarding the severity of Homer’s injury have yet to be reported, so for now, this is a situation to monitor ahead of Seattle’s Week 17 game against the Jets.
Players impacted: Kenneth Walker, DeeJay Dallas
WR Christian Watson
Left Hip Contusion: Day-to-Day
Watson took a hit from a defensive back while hauling in a 10-yard reception Sunday against the Dolphins, and upon taking that hit, he landed hard on his left hip. This injury is unlikely to result in any structural damage; rather, it is more of a pain tolerance issue. If this is a hip pointer, Watson is in danger of missing Week 17, but for now, consider him questionable for Week 17 after the team labeled him “day-to-day.” Should the Packers advance to the post-season, this injury is not likely to be a multi-week ailment. He’s got a good shot to play in Week 17, but if he is for some reason forced to sit, he should be available in Week 18.
Players impacted: Allen Lazard, Romeo Doubs, Randall Cobb, Aaron Rodgers
WR Marquise Goodwin
Left Wrist Injury (Specifics Unknown): Questionable for Week 17
Goodwin was listed on the injury report ahead of Week 16 with both wrist and ankle injuries, but it was the wrist issue that forced him to exit early on Saturday against the Chiefs. He left in the first minute of the second half after he landed awkwardly on his left wrist while attempting to make a diving catch on 3rd & 6. This injury is likely some sort of a sprain, which for a WR, is obviously not ideal. Look for Goodwin to pop up on the Seattle injury report again ahead of Week 17. The team was without Tyler Lockett in Week 16 as he is recovering from finger surgery. Lockett’s availability for Week 17 is also in question. After Goodwin injured his wrist on Sunday, Seattle went with a 3WR set of D.K. Metcalf, Laquon Treadwell and Penny Hart.
Players impacted: D.K. Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Laquon Treadwell, Penny Hart
TEs Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith
Henry (Knee), Smith (Concussion): Week-to-Week
Both Patriot TEs picked up injuries on Saturday against the Bengals. For Henry, it’s being described as a knee injury, which actually happened in the first half when Henry and Jonnu collided. Following the play, Henry hobbled off the field and despite being listed as questionable, did not return. For Jonnu, his injury happened early in the fourth quarter when he got sandwiched between two Bengal defenders. He exited for a concussion evaluation and did not return.
Players impacted: Mac Jones, Jakobi Meyers, Nelson Agholor, DeVante Parker
TE Greg Dulcich
Hamstring Strain: Likely Out Week 17 at a minimum
Dulcich exited Sunday against the Rams early with a hamstring injury and did not return. He missed a month and a half to open the season thanks to a hamstring injury that landed him on IR in late August. As a result of the second injury, and the team clearly having their sights set on 2023, it would not be surprising to see the Broncos shut him down for the next two weeks.
Players impacted: Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy
Other Injuries to Monitor
- QB Lamar Jackson (PCL): Missed Weeks 14-16, Questionable for Week 17
- QB Mike White (Ribs): Expected to start Week 17 after being cleared for contact on Monday
- QB Jalen Hurts (SC Joint Sprain): Questionable for Week 17, reportedly “pushing to play”
- QB Ryan Tannehill (Tightrope Ankle Surgery): Out Week 17, Likely Out Week 18
- WR Deebo Samuel (Ankle/Knee Sprain): Likely Out Week 17
- TE Hayden Hurst (Calf Strain): Missed Weeks 14-16, Questionable for Week 17