As the 2023/2024 season comes to an end, I want to thank all of you. The readers and subscribers of Footballguys who followed along this year. I hope these weekly articles helped you in some shape or form. Injuries suck, but if "Monday Injury Report" or "Gameday Expectations" gave you a slight edge, then I am grateful that you chose Footballguys to be a part of your fantasy football journey. I plan to improve this off-season, hone my craft, sharpen my tools, and help you even more in 2024 and beyond.
Internally I also want to express my gratitude. Joe Bryant took a chance on me this summer. Dave Kluge has been very influential in my participation with Footballguys, and behind the scenes, Clayton Gray has helped with all of my written content. I owe them all a big thank you.
Without further ado. Here are the major injuries from Week 17.
Key:
(Position) Player | Injury | My Projection for Return to Play
RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints | Ankle Injury | Likely misses next week
Alvin Kamara could not finish Week 17 due to an ankle injury. If you have followed my content his season, you have seen me discuss that video is never diagnostic. However, by video, it did appear that Kamara had sustained a high ankle. This is typically a 3-4 week injury. It is unlikely Kamara will play next week.
Kendre Miller has been out the last few weeks with an ankle injury of his own. Jamaal Williams figures to be the guy next week.
Tuesday Update: The Saints are not offering much clarity on Kamara's injury but if he is dealing with a high ankle sprain like the video indicates he is a long-shot for Week 18.
WR Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers | Chest Injury | Projecting Week 18 Return
Before re-injuring his chest, Jayden Reed put on an epic Week 17 performance, scoring twice in the first half. Reed's status for next week will all come down to pain tolerance. I think he has a decent chance of playing next week but likely won't practice much heading into Week 18.
Tuesday Update: X-rays on Reed's chest came back negative which is a great sign for his chances to play in Week 18. Reed likely won't practice much of the week as the team tries to manage his pain. It will all come down to tolerance regarding his chest pain, but based on his imaging results, Reed has a decent shot to play next
RB AJ Dillon , Green Bay Packers | Stinger | Projecting Week 18 Return
AJ Dillon was pulled from Sunday's game with a stinger. Stingers are painful at the time but typically do not result in time missed. Dillon could return next week.
RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers | Calf Injury | Likely misses next week
During the in-game broadcast, viewers could see Christian McCaffrey getting his ankle tapped on the sidelines. McCaffrey appeared hampered by the lower body injury, and it became more obvious when he started to yield snaps to Elijah Mitchell.
After the game, the 49ers reported that McCaffrey had a calf strain. Calf strains can result in 2-3 weeks missed for NFL RBs, and soft tissue injuries have a higher re-injury risk. With the Philadelphia Eagles losing, the 49ers locked up the #1 seed in the NFC and will have a bye to start the playoffs. I imagine the 49ers will elect to rest their star RB to ensure he is healthy come playoff time.
McCaffrey likely got you into the playoffs and your fantasy football championship, but to win it all, you will probably have to do it without him.
Tuesday Update: San Francisco has already ruled McCaffrey out for Week 18.
RB Ken Walker III, Seattle Seahawks | Shoulder Injury | Timeline TBD
Ken Walker III was questionable heading into Week 17, and despite a strong performance, Walker re-injured his shoulder and did not return to the game.
Prior to Sunday's games, I wrote this about Walker in Gameday Expectations: "Ken Walker III is expected to play, but according to Adam Schefter, the team "has some concerns about his shoulder." This could mean Walker sees a smaller snap share and is at a higher injury risk. Proceed with caution."
Heading into Week 18, Walker will likely not practice much and will be a game-time decision as he tries again to play through his shoulder injury.
WR Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals | Hamstring Injury | Likely misses next week
The Tee Higgins roller coaster has been a frustrating ride this season. Higgins flashed in some spots, but injuries derailed his season, and he was inconsistent for most of the year. Higgins did not play for most of the first half after re-aggravating his hamstring injury. It was surprising to see Higgins return in the second half, but he was clearly hampered and served as mostly a decoy, only seeing one target in the second half.
I would expect Higgins to experience some hamstring discomfort and tightness in the upcoming days. With the Bengal eliminated from playoff contention, it does not make much sense for Higgins to try and play through the injury.
In Week 18, Tyler Boyd could see more targets, but rookie Andrei Iosivas figures to take the outside WR role should Higgins sit.
WR DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles | Foot Injury | Likely misses next week.
DeVonta Smith exited Sunday's game early due to a foot injury. After the game, Smith was spotted in a walking boot (not a good sign). The Eagles have not provided any further detail, but if Smith fractured his foot, he would miss Week 18, the NFL playoffs, and possibly need surgery.
Tuesday Update: According to the Eagles, Smith is dealing with a "minor ankle sprain." Sometimes a walking boot can be a precautionary issue for any foot/ankle issue, however Smith was spotted in the same boot in the upcoming days, which is no common for these types of injuries. I am skeptical he plays in Week 18.
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins | Shoulder Injury | Projecting Week 18 Return
Tua Tagovailoa was pulled from Sunday's game due to a shoulder injury, but it appears minor. After the game, Tagovailoa told reporters he would be playing next week. The Miami QB was likely pulled but the game was out a reach. By video from David Chao (@ProfootballDoc), there does not appear to be any obvious injury.
#Tua leaves with left shoulder injury and chances to play for #AFCEast title next week: https://t.co/7VpxqhtOuE pic.twitter.com/3G6a4oySq1
— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) December 31, 2023
QB Will Levis, Tennessee Titans | Foot Injury | Timeline TBD
Will Levis had his foot stepped on in the second quarter of Sunday's game. Levis was able to walk to the sideline but was carted to the locker room. Being able to walk on the injured foot is a good sign for avoiding a fracture. Depending on the severity of his foot injury, there is a chance Levis returns next week.