Fantasy Football: Week 17 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 17 and take a look at what fantasy managers can expect heading into Week 18 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.
WR Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
Torn ACL: Out for the year
If the Cowboys are going to make a run in the playoffs, it’ll be without perimeter WR, Michael Gallup, who tore the ACL in his left knee on Sunday against Arizona. Gallup was planting on his left knee to jump for his TD reception when the injury happened. Fortunately, Gallup’s injury is being reported as a “clean” ACL injury, indicating there’s no damage to the meniscus or the cartilage in his knee. This bodes well for his recovery, but it’s still unlikely Gallup is 100% by Week 1 of the 2022 season. It’s unfortunate timing for the impending free agent.
Players impacted: Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb, Dalton Schultz
RB Damien Harris, New England Patriots
Hamstring Injury: Questionable for Week 18
Harris originally strained his hamstring against Buffalo in Week 13 then missed Weeks 14 (bye) and 15 before returning in Week 16. He exited Sunday with a hamstring injury and was deemed questionable to return but never did. At the time of injury, the game was already over as the Pats dominated the Jags from the opening kickoff, so it’s possible he was being held out for precautionary reasons. Still, the fact that Harris already had the hamstring injury a month ago is a factor to consider, especially for his Week 18 availability. With New England headed to the playoffs, it’s possible we see Harris sit in Week 18 to rehab before the post-season begins.
RB Ronald Jones, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Ankle Injury (Diagnosis Unknown): Week to week
With Leonard Fournette rehabbing a Week 16 hamstring injury, Ronald Jones got his second start in a row. Unfortunately, he exited Week 17 early due to an ankle injury. While the team did report that Jones was getting an MRI on Monday, the results of the MRI are unclear at this point in time. Ke’Shawn Vaughn also bruised his ribs, so the Bucs backfield is extremely thin heading into Week 18. If Jones and Vaughn are unable to go, Le’Veon Bell would get the majority of the touches against the Panthers.
Players impacted: Le’Veon Bell, Ke’Shawn Vaughn
RB Michael Carter, New York Jets
Concussion: Questionable for Week 18
Carter suffered a concussion in the first half of the Jets’ loss to the Bucs on Sunday and didn’t return. He now enters the league’s five-step concussion protocol and should be considered questionable for Week 18. If he’s unable to clear the protocol, Ty Johnson and Tevin Coleman, who missed Week 17 on the Covid list, will handle the touches for New York’s backfield.
Players impacted: Ty Johnson, Tevin Coleman
TE Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Right Hamstring Strain: Likely Out Week 18
Pitts injured his right hamstring Sunday against Buffalo. He attempted to return but was ineffective in doing so before exiting for good later in the game. Atlanta gets the Saints in Week 18, but it’s unlikely they’ll have their rookie TE as the hamstring injury is unlikely to heal in just one week, even if it is a mild strain.
Players impacted: Matt Ryan, Russell Gage, Hayden Hurst
TE Ricky Seals-Jones, Washington Football Team
Neck Injury (Diagnosis Unknown): Likely out Week 18
Ricky Seals-Jones was hurt in the second quarter when he tried to catch a ball while going out of bounds. He collided with a cameraman on the sideline then hit the wall at FedEx Field. The TE was then ruled out with a neck injury and didn’t return. As of Monday evening, details regarding RSJ’s injury aren’t known, and the severity is unclear. With the Football Team having nothing to play for in Week 18, it’s possible we RSJ sits against the Giants.
Players impacted: John Bates
QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Right Knee Sprain: Day to day
Burrow’s right knee got twisted awkwardly at the end of the 4th quarter on Sunday against the Chiefs, but he was able to escape serious injury. He’s most likely dealing with some mild soreness but this injury won’t affect his availability or his performance in Week 18 or beyond with Cincy headed to the playoffs. He should be 100% by the time Wild Card weekend kicks off, if not before.
Players impacted: Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd
QB Drew Lock, Denver Broncos
With Teddy Bridgewater still working his way back from a concussion, Drew Lock started again on Sunday for the Broncos. He suffered what looked like an AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder but did return following a brief exit to the locker room, likely for an injection for pain control. A Grade 1 sprain typically heals in 1-2 weeks, but he’s got a good chance to play through the injury in Week 18 with an injection.
Players impacted: Teddy Bridgewater, Jerry Jeudy, Courtland Sutton, Noah Fant
QB Mike Glennon, New York Giants
Left Wrist Surgery: Out Week 18
Glennon has been starting for the injured Daniel Jones, but Glennon will join Danny Dimes on the sideline for Week 18 after injuring his left wrist Sunday. He’ll undergo surgery, ending his 2021-22 season. Jake Fromm will start for the Giants in Week 18 against the Football Team.
Players impacted: Jake Fromm, Kenny Golladay