The NFL season is soon to come to a close, as are fantasy football seasons. This is the championship week and it’s more important now than ever, to make the right starts, referencing this week’s injury report. For that and any betting needs, be sure to check out each game to ensure you’re aware of any matchups that might’ve changed over this week. As always, check back HERE for more regular season and post-season injury reports.
Week 17 Injury Report
Colts @ Giants
Colts
Anthony Richardson: Indianapolis will have to play without their starting quarterback in Richardson, who’s dealing with back and foot injuries. While he’s been effective with his legs, backup Joe Flacco is a much better thrower. Expect Flacco to have a nice game against a weak Giants’ secondary.
Quentin Nelson: An ankle injury has the Colts’ starting left guard listed as questionable. He’s continued to be among the best interior offensive lineman in the NFL. If the average Tanor Bortolini has to step in, look for the depleted Giants’ interior defensive line to make Joe Flacco’s life slightly more difficult.
Giants
John Michael Schmitz Jr.: An ankle injury also has New York’s starting hampered, though he is ruled out. He’s had a tough second season to say the least. With Greg Van Roten sliding over from right guard, Jake Kubas will make a second start. Expect the Giants to be less efficient running the ball with Kubas starting.
Micah McFadden: The Giants will also be missing their starting linebacker, who’s recovering from a neck injury. Backup Ty Summers has shown to be a liability in coverage. With this, look for Flacco to have an easy time completing short and middle throws to Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs.
Raiders @ Saints
Raiders
No notable injuries.
Saints
Alvin Kamara: A groin injury will once again keep New Orleans’ star running back out this week. Look for the Saints to shift their offense to a more run-based offense, with some play action mixed in. Expect Kendre Miller to take the majority of carries, with Jamaal Williams getting a few in a reserve role.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling: The Saints’ top receiver is listed as questionable again due to a chest injury. He played through it last week, though it’s not guaranteed he does the same again. If he can’t suit up, expect a larger volume of targets for Juwan Johnson, Dante Pettis and Kevin Austin Jr.
Erik McCoy: The Saints will be without their best offensive lineman this week due to an elbow injury. He’s been one of the best run-blocking centers in the entire league. With Shane Lemieux starting, look for the Saints to struggle opening the A gap for their running backs.
Panthers @ Buccaneers
Panthers
Taylor Moton: Carolina has listed their right tackle as doubtful this week due to knee and elbow ailments. Again, he’s been a quality right tackle this season. With backup Yosh Nijman in, look for Bryce Young to feel extra pressure from his right side.
Josey Jewell: Carolina’s top linebacker has been ruled out due to concussion protocol. He’s been slightly above average, still miles above any other option they have. With Chandler Wooten, look for Tampa Bay to break plenty of tackles this week.
Jaycee Horn: A hip injury has Carolina’s starting cornerback listed as doubtful. He’s endured a difficult season, especially in coverage. It’s currently unclear who will start but whoever it is, Jalen McMillan will have the advantage.
Buccaneers
Cade Otton: Tampa Bay will play without their starting tight end this week again due to a knee injury. He’s developed into an above-average tight end for Baker Mayfield. With Payne Durham starting, look for Baker Mayfield to target receivers Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan more often.
Antoine Winfield Jr.: A knee injury will continue to hold out Tampa’s star strong safety. Backup Kaevon Merriweather is alright but is susceptible to being beat in coverage. Look for Bryce Young to take advantage of him in mid-zone coverage.
Titans @ Jaguars
Titans
Tony Pollard: Tennessee will be without their starting running back in Pollard, who’s recovering from an ankle injury. He’s been effective this year, as has backup Tyjae Spears, though in a different way. Expect Spears to see lots of work in the receiving game, with Julius Chestnut getting a few carries.
Dillon Radunz: A shoulder injury will hold out the Titans’ starting right guard this week. He’s been one of the worst starting guards in the league. Daniel Brunskill will slide over to right guard and Corey Levin will be the new center this week. With this, look for Tennessee to be less efficient running the ball up the middle.
Amani Hooker: Another shoulder injury will sideline Tennessee’s starting strong safety. He’s been an average safety with poor performance in coverage. Backup Mike Brown has played at a similar level, so Hooker’s absence likely won’t mean much.
Jaguars
Walker Little: An ankle injury will ensure Jacksonville’s starting left tackle is inactive. Since taking over for Cam Robinson, he’s proven himself to be a reliable starter. With Cole Van Lanen now starting, look for Mac Jones to feel extra pressure on his blindside from Harold Landry III.
Ventrell Miller: Jacksonville will be without one of their starting linebackers as he deals with an ankle injury. For his first year starting, he’s shown real promise as a tackling machine. Backup Yasir Abdullah is a slight downgrade. Look for Jacksonville to continue not being able to wrap up well.
Jets @ Bills
Jets
Olu Fashanu: The rookie’s season ends early this year due to a foot injury. While he was alright for a rookie, he’s much better than backup option Max Mitchell. With Mitchell starting for the rest of the year, look for Rodgers to get knocked around a good bit to end the year.
Morgan Moses: A knee injury will likely sideline New York’s starting right tackle this week. He’s been slightly above average, mostly keeping Aaron Rodgers upright. If Carter Warren has to start, look for Greg Rosseau to rack up pressures.
Bills
Taylor Rapp/Demar Hamlin: Respective rib and neck injuries have Buffalo’s starting safeties listed as questionable. If either one or both of them can’t play, look for Aaron Rodgers to connect on a couple deep balls with Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson.
Cowboys @ Eagles
Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb: Dallas will be without for their star receiver for the rest of the season while he recovers from a shoulder injury. Look for the Cowboys’ passing offense to be extremely ineffective for the rest of the year, with more targets forn Jake Ferguson, Jalen Tolbert and KaVontae Turpin.
Eagles
Jalen Hurts: Philadelphia’s quarterback was unable to clear concussion protocol and will miss this week. Look for Kenny Pickett to play the role of game manager, handing the ball off a lot to set up easy passes to A.J. Brown and Devonta Smith.
Nakobe Dean: An abdomen injury has the Eagles’ starting linebacker listed as doubtful for this week. His expertise in tackling and coverage have him in line to be their linebacker of the future. If Oren Burks has to start, look for the Eagles’ to be notably worse at tackling at the second level.
Dolphins @ Browns
Dolphins
Tua Tagovailoa: A hip injury has Miami’s starting quarterback listed as doubtful. If Tyler Huntley has to play, look for the offense to feature even more short passes and gimmick plays than usual.
Anthony Walker Jr.: Miami will be missing a starting linebacker due to a knee injury. He started off the year well, but has been struggling of late, specifically with tackling. Backup Tyrel Dodson has been a slight upgrade, so Walker Jr.’s absence won’t mean much.
Browns
Cedrick Tillman: Due to another concussion, the Browns will be without their second-best outside receiver. He’s been effective at times, but hasn’t been on the field much recently. With him sidelined and Dorian Thompson-Robinson starting, look for the offense to be run-based with increased targets for Jerry Jeudy and Elijah Moore.
David Njoku: A knee injury will sideline Cleveland’s starting tight end this week. Backup Jordan Akins isn’t much of a pass catcher, so look for the aforementioned receivers to see more targets this week.
Packers @ Vikings
Packers
Quay Walker: The Packers will be without their top tackler this week in Walker due to an ankle injury. He’s progressed into a quality starting linebacker in the modern NFL. Backup Eric Wilson isn’t bad, but should degrade the second level of Green Bay’s defense slightly.
Jaire Alexander: A knee injury will continue to sideline Green Bay’s elite cornerback. Expect Justin Jefferson to have a quality game going against Keisan Nixon, with Addison leading the team in receiving.
Evan Williams: Green Bay’s starting strong safety will continue to be held out with a quad injury. He’s fallen off a bit in coverage, but has still had a quality rookie season. Although backup Zayne Anderson did play well last week, expect Minnesota to carve him up deep.
Vikings
No notable injuries
Falcons @ Commanders
Falcons
No notable injuries.
Commanders
Dyami Brown: Washington will play without their WR2 this week because of a hamstring injury. He’s seen moderate production in the last few weeks. Without him, look for Terry McLaurin, Zach Ertz and Olamide Zaccheaus to see increased targets in that order.
Andrew Wylie: A groin injury will sideline Washington’s starting right tackle this week. He’s been an average starter at best this year. Backup Trent Scott hasn’t been any better. With Scott playing, look for Matthew Judon to pressure Jayden Daniels significantly.
Marshon Lattimore: A lingering hamstring injury has ensured Lattimore won’t suit up this week. Although he had a poor showing last week, he’s still by far the best cornerback on the team. With Benjamin St. Juste and Michael Davis having to cover Drake London and Darnell Mooney respectively, expect both receivers to have quality games.
Main Image: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
