Fantasy Football: Week 16 Injury Recap
Merry Christmas and congratulations to all of you out there that brought home that #FootClanTitle! Most leagues may be over at this point, but there are still some people who are playing for the title in Week 17! If that’s you, keep reading below as some notable injuries occurred in Week 16.
Eric Ebron
Concussion: day to day
Ebron took a hit to the head and is now in concussion protocol heading into the team’s Week 17 matchup with the Titans. With the team playing on Sunday Night Football, this is going to be a tricky situation for fantasy owners, as you will need to make back up plans given that this is the last game of the regular season in the NFL. Monitor Ebron’s practice status this week as it will be telling for his availability on Sunday night. Ebron will have until late Saturday to clear concussion protocol, but if he cannot go, look for Mo Alie-Cox to step in as the starter.
Other players impacted: Andrew Luck, Mo Alie-Cox
Marcus Mariota
Stinger: week to week
Mariota has suffered yet another nerve injury in his throwing arm, making it his third of the season. A typical stinger only affects a player for about 24-48 hours if this diagnosis is correct. However, the issue here is that Mariota’s prior nerve injuries make his nervous system more susceptible to a prolonged recovery. The Titans have already signed a backup quarterback, putting Mariota’s status for Sunday night in doubt. Mariota should be off the fantasy radar in Week 17.
Other players impacted: Blaine Gabbert, Derrick Henry, Corey Davis
Phillip Lindsay
Scaphoid Fracture and Ligament Damage: out for the year
Lindsay impressive rookie campaign is over after he fractured a bone in his wrist on Monday Night Football. Reports indicate that Lindsay also suffered some ligament damage (likely the scapholunate ligament), which will require surgery to repair in order to stabilize the bones of the wrist. If treated appropriately the first time around, there aren’t many long-term concerns regarding this injury. Lindsay will spend the early part of the off-season rehabbing his injury, but there is little doubt that he will be ready for the start of 2019.
Other players impacted: Royce Freeman, Devontae Booker
Demaryius Thomas
Torn Achilles: out for the year
Demaryius Thomas‘ 2018 is over after he suffered a torn Achilles against the Eagles. Thomas will undergo surgery to repair his torn ligament and now faces an uphill battle to ever be relevant again for fantasy football. At 31 years old, Thomas’ chances of producing again in the NFL are low given how difficult this injury is to come back from for players who are at the tail end of their career. With his contract situation, it’s likely the Texans release Thomas, making it difficult for him to draw interest given the lengthy rehab that he faces and his age. For reference, his teammate D’Onta Foreman tore his Achilles in Week 11 of 2017 and he was just active for the first time since this past weekend in Week 16. There’s a chance we don’t see Thomas on the field at all in 2019.
Other players impacted: DeAndre Hopkins, Keke Coutee, Deshaun Watson
Dante Pettis
Sprained MCL: out for Week 17
Pettis sprained his MCL on Sunday and is done for the year given that we’re entering Week 17. If this injury occurred earlier in the season, Pettis would rehab his injury and make a return, but it makes sense for the Niners to shut him down with just one week left and no post-season ahead. Pettis will be ready for OTAs without hesitation.
Other players impacted: Nick Mullens, Marquise Goodwin
Matt Breida
Aggravated Ankle Injury: out for Week 17
No surprise here – Matt Breida re-aggravated his ankle injury once again in Week 16. There’s not much to discuss here as this is a recurring theme in this article. Breida has been playing through his ankle injury despite being less than 100%. The fact of the matter is that Breida’s risk of re-injury was high relative to another player given how frequently he had aggravated the injury this season. Breida will need to focus a lot on dynamic stabilization exercises for his ankle ligaments this off-season. He’s been ruled out for Week 17.
Other players impacted: Jeff Wilson Jr.
Tevin Coleman
Groin Strain: day to day
Coleman suffered a groin strain on Sunday and should be viewed as questionable for Week 17. Groin strains are particularly difficult for running backs and wide receivers given that that groin is stressed during lateral movements and less during straight-line movements. Like hamstring strains, groin strains are most often aggravated during the first one to two weeks back on the field. Watch Coleman’s practice reports, but if active, his risk of re-injury makes him difficult to trust in Week 17.
Other players impacted: Brian Hill