The NFL season is wrapping up quickly, with week 16 soon to be in the books. This is an incredibly important week for fantasy as it’s the semi-final playoffs and for the regular season, as teams look to make a final playoff push. As always, check back HERE for future injury reports and enjoy the games responsibly this week.
Week 16 Injury Report
Eagles @ Commanders
Eagles
No notable injuries.
Commanders
Zach Ertz: Ertz, due to a concussion and shoulder injury, is questionable for Week 16 and was limited in practice. He’s had another quality season and is still great in short-yardage situations. With backup John Bates a non-factor in the passing game, look for Terry McLaurin and Dyami Brown to see increased targets.
Lions @ Bears
Lions
David Montgomery: An MCL injury has Montgomery out for the year. From this point on, expect a full load for Jamhyr Gibbs with Craig Reynolds getting spare snaps in a backup role.
Brian Branch: Detroit could be missing their star safety in Branch, who’s dealing with a calf injury. He’s been fantastic this year, making ball-hawking plays all over the field. If backup Brandon Joseph has to play, expect a lack of playmaking from their secondary.
Bears
Braxton Jones/Teven Jenkins: Respective head and calf injuries have the left side of the Bears’ offensive line listed as questionable. Both have played at above-average levels and are massive upgrades over backups Larry Borom and Doug Kramer Jr. If either or both can’t suit up, look for the Lions to sack Caleb Williams 3+ times.
Jaylon Johnson: An illness has the Bears’ top corner and best defensive player listed as questionable. If he can’t play, Tyrique Stevenson will shift to Amon Ra St. Brown and backup Terrell Smith will cover Jameson Williams. If this happens, expect both receivers to have quality games.
Browns @ Bengals
Browns
David Njoku: A hamstring injury has Cleveland’s tight end listed as questionable. He’s been a quality target for whoever the Browns’ quarterback has been. If he can’t go, expect limited targets for backup Jordan Akins and increased targets for Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore.
Shelby Harris: Cleveland will also be without their starting defensive tackle while he recovers from an elbow injury. He’s been average, providing limited pass-rush and decent enough run-stuffing. With inexperienced Mike Hall Jr. and Jowon Briggs behind him, look for Cleveland’s defensive line to struggle to stop the run.
Bengals
Orlando Brown Jr.: A fibula injury will likely keep the Bengals’ left tackle out again. Backup Cody Ford has been abysmal in relief, with no offensive grade reaching 64.0. With this, expect Myles Garrett to have a field day if Brown Jr. can’t suit up.
Sam Hubbard: A knee injury will ensure Hubbard misses the rest of the season. He had a disappointing one, to say the least, with just two sacks. First-round backup Myles Murphy hasn’t been any better. With this, expect Dorian Thompson-Robinson to have enough time in the pocket to make some plays.
Sheldon Rankins: The Bengals will also be without their starting defensive tackle who is battling an illness. In the seven games he’s played this year, he’s been largely ineffective. Kris Jenkins Jr. has been alright for a rookie this year but hasn’t been good overall. Cleveland should be effective on the ground game this Sunday.
Titans @ Colts
Titans
Tony Pollard: An ankle injury has withheld Pollard from practicing this week and he’s officially listed as questionable. If he can’t go, expect Tyjae Spears to see a lot of work this week, both in the run and pass game.
Colts
Alec Pierce: Concussion protocol will keep the Colts’ top deep threat out in Week 16. He’s inconsistent, but when he produces, it’s in large batches. Without Pierce, expect a larger target share for Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr., and Adonai Mitchell.
E.J. Speed: Indy’s weakside linebacker has been ruled out with a knee injury. He’s been a tackling machine all over the field with 87 tackles thus far. Backup Jaylon Carlies has shown promise in both coverage and tackling. He should be able to hold up against a poor Tennessee front.
Giants @ Falcons
Giants
Tyrone Tracy Jr.: An ankle injury has New York’s starting running back listed as questionable. He’s had a great rookie year, averaging 4.6 yards per carry. If Devin Singleterry has to start, look for the Giants’ run game to be much less effective than usual.
Aaron Stinnie: Concussion protocol will ensure the Giants’ starting left guard doesn’t suit up. He’s been below average and is just as inexperienced as backup Jake Kubas. Expect the Giants’ interior offensive line to be extremely vulnerable this week.
Bobby Okereke: Okereke, New York’s best linebacker has been ruled out due to a back injury. He’s been one of the better coverage linebackers this year and is still a great tackler. With Darius Muasau starting, look for the Giants to really struggle to defend the run game in Week 16.
Falcons
No notable injuries.
Cardinals @ Panthers
Cardinals
Paris Johnson Jr.: A knee injury will sideline Arizona’s left tackle this week. He’s shown incredible growth in his second year, with incredibly consistent pass and run-blocking grades throughout the season. Backup Kelvin Beachum Jr. isn’t bad but is a step down in run-blocking. With this, expect James Connor to be slightly less effective when running to the left edge.
Mack Wilson Sr.: Wilson Sr., a starting linebacker will be out due to a concussion. He’s been a slightly above-average contributor this year, but nothing more. That’s still better than backup Krys Barnes, who greatly struggles in coverage. With this, expect the Cardinals’ defense to be more vulnerable in the short passing game.
Panthers
Xavier Legette: A hip injury will force Carolina to miss one of their best playmakers. Legette has shown some promise in recent weeks and looks to be a real threat. Without him, expect Bryce Young to target Jalen Coker and Adam Thielen at an increased rate this week.
Ikem Ekwonu: Ekwonu, one of the better left tackles in the league is battling an illness and is questionable for this week’s game. Backup Brady Christensen often struggles at left tackle but should be able to hold up well enough against a poor Cardinals’ defensive font.
Robert Hunt: An illness will also ensure Carolina’s right guard doesn’t play. He’s been above average most of the season, specializing in run-blocking. With Chandler Zavala likely starting instead, Carolina should have a tougher time establishing the run game.
Rams @ Jets
Rams
No notable injuries.
Jets
Alijah Vera-Tucker: The Jets could be without one of their best offensive lineman in Week 16, who’s listed as questionable with an ankle injury. Vera-Tucker has solidified himself as one of the better guards in the league, though he can still be inconsistent at times. Backup Jake Hanson struggles in pass protection, which should leave Aaron Rodgers vulnerable to pass rush from Braden Fiske and Kobie Turner.
Michael Carter II: A back injury will again sideline New York’s nickelback in Week 16. He’s had a rough year and backup Isaiah Oliver has at the very least, played at a similar level. Carter II’s absence won’t mean much this week.
Vikings @ Seahawks
Vikings
Harrison Smith: Smith, Minnesota’s starting strong safety is questionable with a foot injury. He’s still a solid starter, though far away from his All-Pro days. Backup Theo Johnson isn’t too far off from Smith but is a worse tackler, which should downgrade Minnesota’s tackling from the third level.
Seahawks
No notable injuries.
Patriots @ Bills
Patriots
Kyle Duger/Jabrill Peppers: Due to respective ankle and hamstring injuries, both starting safeties for New England are questionable. If either or both of them can’t play, expect a huge lack of playmaking and tackling this week.
Marcus Jones: Jones, New England’s nickelback is out this week due to a hip injury. He’s been trending up as of late, with positive grades in coverage. Backup Dell Pettus has been the opposite in coverage, which should open the game up for Khalil Shakir.
Bills
Matt Milano: Bicep and groin ailments have Buffalo’s top defensive player questionable this week. Backup Dorian Williams is a significant downgrade, but their defense should be able to hold up as a unit against New England.
49ers @ Dolphins
49ers
Isaac Guerendo: The 49ers will be without another starting running back due to hamstring and foot injuries. He was alright when healthy, however, is a much better option than the ladder. Expect Patrick Taylor Jr. to get the majority of carries in Week 16.
Trent Williams: An ankle injury will sideline the best offensive lineman in the league. Backup Jaylon Moore has played well in relief but isn’t Williams. Expect Brock Purdy to feel increased pressure from his blindside Sunday.
Dolphins
Jaylen Waddle: Miami’s WR2 is listed as doubtful in Week 16 due to a knee injury. He’s had inconsistent production but is definitely better than his backups. Assuming he can’t play, look for Tyreek Hill, Jonnu Smith, and De’Von Achane to see increased targets.
Jaguars @ Raiders
Jaguars
No notable injuries.
Raiders
No notable injuries.
Buccaneers @ Cowboys
Buccaneers
Cade Otton: Tampa’s starting tight end is listed as doubtful due to a knee injury. He’s been a quality option for Baker Mayfield this year. Backup Payne Durham is more of a blocking tight end, so expect increased targets for Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan if Otton can’t play.
K.J. Britt: An ankle injury has Britt designated doubtful for this week. He’s been sub-par to say it nicely, and backup J.J. Russell has actually been better. Britt’s absence won’t mean much.
Antoine Winfield Jr.: A knee injury will hold out Tampa’s top secondary player. He’s been great again this year unlike Kaevon Merriweather, who struggles in coverage. Look for Dallas to try to take advantage with multiple deep balls to CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin.
Cowboys
Micah Parsons: The Cowboys’ best defensive player is questionable due to an illness and didn’t practice. If he can’t play, look for Dallas to struggle getting any pressure on Baker Mayfield.
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