Fantasy Football: Week 15 Injury Recap
Antonio Brown, WR, PIT
Calf Strain: out at least 2 weeks
If you were fortunate enough to make it to your fantasy championship in Week 16 with Antonio Brown in your lineup, you’ll have to win the whole thing without him. Brown is expected to miss the next two weeks with a partially torn calf muscle in his left leg. He exited his match up against the Patriots early after a collision with a New England defender in the end zone. Fortunately, x-rays were negative, so there is no bone injury here. Brown will be progressed using soreness as the guide with the goal of returning for the Steelers first playoff game. Calf injuries can be very difficult to come back from for a wide receiver who relies on their explosiveness and change of direction, so don’t be surprised to continue to see Brown listed on the Steelers’ injury report in the playoffs.
Other players impacted: Ben Roethlisberger, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Martavis Bryant
Marqise Lee, WR, JAX
Sprained Ankle: week to week
Marqise Lee left the game on Sunday in the first quarter with an ankle injury and didn’t return. Fortunately, x-rays were negative, so he avoided any broken bones. An MRI was taken on Monday in order to determine the extent of his injury, but details have yet to surface. Lee is expected to be ready for the playoffs, meaning his injury can’t be too serious given that playoffs start in just two weeks. Regardless, owners hoping to have Lee available for Week 16 will need to watch Lee’s practice reports as the week goes on. If I had to guess, I’d bet Lee sits for the fantasy championship.
Other players impacted: Dede Westbrook, Keelan Cole, Allen Hurns, Blake Bortles
Davante Adams, WR, GB
Concussion: week to week
Adams took a nasty shot from Panthers’ linebacker, Thomas Davis, on Sunday, causing him to miss the remainder of the game with a concussion. Normally, I give a prognosis of ‘day to day’ following a concussion, because players are progressed based on their response to activity. However, I’m more pessimistic given that this is Adams’ second concussion this season. You’ll remember, Adams also took a cheap shot in Week 4 against the Bears, which gave him a concussion. Research shows that players who suffer subsequent concussions within close proximity to one another take longer to recover the second time around. Therefore, don’t be surprised if Adams sits in Weeks 16 and 17.
Other players impacted: Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb, Geronimo Allison, Aaron Rodgers
Rex Burkhead, RB, NEP
Knee Sprain: out multiple weeks
Rex Burkhead left the game in the third quarter after injuring his left knee on a carry near the goal line. He was quickly ruled out, which never bodes well for a player’s prognosis. Fortunately, however, an MRI on Monday showed that his ACL is still intact. It’s unclear exactly what ligaments were sprained, but expect Burkhead to be out at least a few weeks, with a return in the playoffs likely.
Other players impacted: Dion Lewis, James White, Mike Gillislee
Keenan Allen, WR, LAC
Undisclosed Back Injury: day to day
Keenan Allen was carted to the locker room on Saturday night and didn’t return with a back injury. It’s unclear exactly what happened to Allen, but his Week 16 status is certainly up in the air. Because of the lack of details, there isn’t much to say here. Look for an update on Wednesday when the Chargers return to practice.
Other players impacted: Tyrell Williams, Travis Benjamin, Phillip Rivers
Hunter Henry, TE, LAC
Lacerated Kidney: week to week
Hunter Henry took a hard hit in Saturday’s game against the Chiefs and immediately clutched his side. He missed a few series but did return to the game. On Monday, Chargers’ coach, Anthony Lynn reported that Henry suffered a partially lacerated kidney and that he could miss Weeks 16 and 17. I would certainly expect Henry to miss Week 16, and depending on how the Chargers’ playoff chances look in Week 17, he could sit again. If the Chargers are out of playoff contention, expect Henry to sit in the regular season finale.
Other players impacted: Antonio Gates, Phillip Rivers
Jeremy Maclin, WR, BAL
Undisclosed Knee Injury: week to week
There really aren’t many details regarding the severity of the injury to Raven’s WR, Jeremy Maclin, so it’s difficult to comment on a prognosis. He exited Week 15 in the first half after colliding with a Browns defender and didn’t return. Head coach, John Harbaugh, has already indicated that it’s likely Maclin will sit in Week 16, so he should be considered week to week. His status will be updated in a few days when the Ravens return to practice.
Other players impacted: Joe Flacco, Mike Wallace, Ben Watson
Trevor Siemian, QB, DEN
Dislocated Shoulder: out for season
Siemian injured his left shoulder while being sacked on Thursday Night Football against the Colts. He landed on his left elbow, resulting in a large compressive force to his shoulder joint. The replay clearly showed his shoulder dislocate in a backwards direction, which is actually rather rare compared to dislocations that occur in the front of the shoulder. Regardless, Siemian is out for the year after being placed on injured reserve.
Other players impacted: Brock Osweiler, Paxton Lynch, Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders
Emmanuel Sanders, WR, DEN
Bruised Ankle: day to day
Sanders was injured late on Thursday night and attempted to play through the injury, coming in and out of the game frequently before eventually being declared out for the remainder of the game. He’s dealing with a bruise on his ankle, so he’s not expected to miss much time, if any, at all. He has the advantage of playing on TNF, giving him a few extra days to be ready for Week 16. Expect the Broncos to limit Sanders’ reps in practice this week in order to have him available for their game against the Redskins.
Other players impacted: Brock Osweiler, Demaryius Thomas, Bennie Fowler
Austin Ekeler, RB, LAC
Fractured Hand: out for season
The Chargers really got banged up in a brutal loss to the Chiefs on Saturday night. They lost backup RB, Austin Ekeler, to a broken bone in his hand, ending his season. Ekeler was a nice surprise this season, providing a nice complementary role to workhorse, Melvin Gordon. He is an interesting name to remember in 2018, but in the meantime, Branden Oliver will backup Gordon.
Other players impacted: Melvin Gordon, Branden Oliver
James Conner, RB, PIT
MCL Injury: out for season
The Steelers also lost their backup RB, James Conner, to a knee injury on Sunday. He got rolled up on, causing his knee to bend awkwardly. As a result, his going to undergo surgery, ending his season early. Fitzgerald Toussaint will now backup Le’Veon Bell.
Other players impacted: Le’Veon Bell, Fitzgerald Toussaint