As if Week 15 wasn’t bad enough, a slew of big injuries and the continuing pandemic has shaken up the fantasy landscape just in time for the semi-finals.
Now, more than ever, it’s imperative to stay informed on the impact of the fantasy-relevant injuries that are plaguing fantasy football rosters.
Here is what you should know ahead of Week 16.
Chris Godwin (WR) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OUT) – The biggest blow to emerge from the worst of all weeks was Godwin’s torn ACL, which will end his 2021 season. Godwin was hit low and had his right knee bend awkwardly. The initial diagnosis was an MCL but further reviews showed more extensive damage. The Bucs were hit hard in Week 15 and will have to regroup down their three most-targeted players.
Mike Evans (WR) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OUT) – Around the same time the Bucs lost Godwin, Evans hurt his hamstring on a catch and was quickly ruled out. The injury isn’t considered serious but expectations are that Bruce Arians will keep Evans out for at least 1-2 weeks. Antonio Brown is now poised to be Tampa’s top wideout and offers WR1 upside here in the final two weeks.
Leonard Fournette (RB) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (OUT) – As if losing their top-2 wideouts wasn’t enough of a blow, Sunday night also cost Tampa Bay their top running back. Together, that trio accounted for 50% of the Bucanneers’ targets. Fournette alone was leading all running backs with 84 targets and is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of two weeks. Ronald Jones will now take over as the club’s main runner, with Ke’Shawn Vaughn mixing in on passing downs.
D’Andre Swift (RB) Detroit Lions – Swift has now missed three games with a shoulder injury and never came particularly close to playing last week. There has been some speculations that Swift could miss the remainder of the season but Detroit’s hesitancy to place their star running back on IR leaves room for some optimism that he could return this week or possibly Week 17.
Joe Mixon (RB) Cincinnati Bengals – An ankle sprain cost Mixon most of the second half of Cincinnati’s Week 15 victory in Denver but the initial diagnosis doesn’t seem to throw up too many red flags. Consider Mixon on the plus side of questionable ahead of this week’s showdown with Baltimore. Adding Samaje Perine off the waiver wire would be wise.
A.J. Brown (WR) Tennessee Titans – Out since Week 12 with a chest injury, Brown has been cleared to return from IR and is eligible to practice this week. As long as there are no setbacks, the Titans should have Brown back in the lineup, which would be perfect timing after losing Julio Jones again last week.
Lamar Jackson (QB) Baltimore Ravens – Jackson missed the first game of his career due to injury but was considered close to playing last week. Even though Tyler Huntley fared extremely well, Jackson should be back under center this week for the Ravens, who desperately need to end a losing skid in a key matchup in Cleveland.
Elijah Mitchell (RB) San Francisco 49ers (OUT) – Mitchell cleared the league’s concussion protocol but is expected to be a game-time decision with a knee ailment. San Francisco travels to Tennessee on Thursday, so we will be able to update Mitchell’s status in Discord.
Pat Freiermuth (TE) Pittsburgh Steelers – Muth suffered his second concussion of the season and could be in real danger of being sidelined for at least one week. We’ll update his availability in Discord, but fantasy managers would be wise to look for other options.
Adam Thielen (WR) Minnesota Vikings – Thielen worked out prior to Monday night but was unable to suit up in Minnesota’s win. He’s getting closer to returning from a high-ankle sprain, but a tough home date with the Rams this week makes him a risky fantasy proposition.
Julio Jones (WR) Tennessee Titans – Jones re-aggravated the same hamstring injury that has cost him a significant portion of the 2021 campaign. We’d expect Jones to be shut down for multiple weeks at this point, as the only way to combat hamstring injuries is total rest. Update: It’s looking like they will give him a try in week 16.
Kareem Hunt (RB) Cleveland Browns – In addition to dealing with an ankle ailment, Hunt was added to the reserve/COVID list ahead of Tuesday’s Week 15 game. Hunt is looking very doubtful to return in Week 16.
Teddy Bridgewater (QB) Denver Broncos – Denver’s starting quarterback suffered a scary-looking head injury and was carted off the field to a local hospital. Bridgewater was diagnosed with a concussion and is not expected to be available for Week 16. Drew Lock is expected to be under center.
Rondale Moore (WR) Arizona Cardinals – Moore is listed as day-to-day with an ankle injury. We’ll keep an eye on his practice participation all week.
Emmanuel Sanders (WR) Buffalo Bills – Sanders (ankle) missed Week 15 and was originally expected to be a candidate to be out multiple games. That puts his Week 16 status in doubt. A matchup with the Patriots also doesn’t help, so don’t expect Sanders to be an option in fantasy lineups, active or not.
Will Fuller (WR) Miami Dolphins – Another lost season for Fuller, who will not return from a finger injury that limited Fuller to four catches and 26 yards in a lost season.
Daniel Jones (QB) New York Giants (OUT) – Head coach Joe Judge announced that the club will shut down Jones for the season with a neck injury. New York will now play out the rest of another lost season with Mike Glennon and Jake Fromm.
Carlos Hyde (RB) Jacksonville Jaguars (OUT) – The Jags placed Hyde on season-ending IR with a concussion. Dare Ogunbowale will take over as the club’s No. 2 running back.
J.D. McKissic (RB) Washington Football Team (OUT) – McKissic has now missed three games with a concussion and neck injury and was placed on IR. This will end his fantasy season, so McKissic can be dropped from all rosters.
Sterling Shepard (WR) New York Giants (OUT) – Shepard tore his ACL during New York’s Week 15 loss and will miss the rest of the season.
Players on the Reserve/COVID list
Austin Ekeler (RB) Los Angeles Chargers
Travis Kelce (TE) Kansas City Chiefs
Tyreek Hill (WR) Kansas City Chiefs
Harrison Butker (PK) Kansas City Chiefs
Cole Beasley (WR) Buffalo Bills (will be OUT Week 16)
Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR) Green Bay Packers
Kendrick Bourne (WR) New England Patriots
Jared Goff (QB) Detroit Lions
Baker Mayfield (QB) Cleveland Browns
Kareem Hunt (RB) Cleveland Browns
Sammy Watkins (WR) Baltimore Ravens
Tyler Higbee (TE) Los Angeles Rams
