In Week 16 every fantasy football decision is magnified tenfold. Therefore the injuries this week should be examined carefully. Below I discuss the major injuries heading into Saturday/Sunday and recommend which players I would avoid and who I am comfortable leaving in line-ups.
Understanding the NFL's Injury Report
(per Dr. Bramel - Footballguys OG)
"The injury report released by the NFL is [made up of] two reports. The first is the Practice Participation report, which lists which injured players practiced and their participation level. It also includes players who rested or missed practice for non-injury-related reasons. The second is the Game Status Report, which gives the probability a player will play, i.e., Questionable, Doubtful, Out. The Practice Participation Report is released every day of the week (Monday through Saturday). The Game Status Report is released with the Friday participation report (Wednesday for Thursday games, Saturday for Monday games). In this feature, I'll include the Game Status Listing and my expectations of their likelihood of playing."
If you are reading this article on Saturday, make sure to come back on Sunday morning as more updates trickle in within the next 24 hours.
Current Status on High-Impact Injured Players
Gameday Decision
- WR Rashod Bateman
- RB Tony Pollard
- TE Zach Ertz
- RB Tyrone Tracy Jr.
- WR Cedric Tillman
- TE David Njoku
- WR Chris Olave
Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)
- WR Jaylen Waddle
- RB Alvin Kamara
- TE Cade Otton
Trending Probable (Expected to Play)
Ruled Out
- RB Isaac Guerendo (hamstring)
- WR Xavier Legette (groin)
- WR Alec Pierce (concussion)
- RB Trey Benson (ankle)
- RB David Montgomery (knee)
- K Younghoe Koo (hip)
- RB Sincere McCormick (ankle)
* Key: Player, Team | Injury | Game Status Listing | Playing Expectation
Saturday 3:30 PM EST Game
WR Rashod Bateman, Baltimore | Foot | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
Rashod Bateman popped up late on the injury report this week with a foot injury. Late additions are never good, especially when your team plays early. The Ravens kick-off at 1:00 PM EST on Saturday. Following Wednesday's injury, Bateman was seen in a walking boot and did not practice at all on Thursday.
In 2022, Bateman missed the majority of the season with a Lisfranc (foot) injury, but it is unclear if this most recent injury is on the same foot.
Given the time of the injury and the fact that Bateman was seen in a boot, it would appear that he is unlikely to play Saturday. The Ravens have already ruled out Nelson Agholor and released Diontae Johnson on Friday. Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, and Isiah Likely all feel like good starts in Week 16.
Update: Rashod Bateman is actually active.
Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games
RB Tony Pollard, Tennessee | Ankle | Questionable | Projecting Active
Tony Pollard was limited for most of the week due to an ankle sprain he has been battling for the past few weeks. Pollard played in Week 14 but missed most of the 4th quarter after aggravating his ankle injury. Pollard's limited practice time this week is not uncommon and since he has already played through the injury I would expect the same this Sunday. However, the risk of him leaving early remains a threat.
Update: Tony Pollard is expected to play on Sunday.
RB Braelon Allen, NY Jets | Back | Questionable | Likely Active
Braelon Allen was iffy heading into Week 16, but on Friday, the rookie RB was able to log a full practice. Based on this information, Allen should be able to go. Non-specific back injuries can be difficult to project, as Allen could be dealing with a multitude of different diagnoses. The Jets seem okay playing a 3-man committee with Breece Hall and Isiah Davis. Therefore, even if active, Allen is a player I'd prefer to avoid.
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., NY Giants | Ankle | Questionable | Likely Active
Tyrone Tracy Jr. was limited this week with an ankle injury. Looking at historical data, I was optimistic that Tracey could play this Sunday, and on Friday night, my priors were confirmed.
Duggan: Tyrone Tracy Jr.. (ankle) expected to play Week 16.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 20, 2024
Update: I still expect Tracy to maintain his RB1 workload.
TE Zach Ertz, Washington | Concussion | Questionable | 50/50
Zach Ertz is a true game-time decision, as he remains in the concussion protocol. Ertz appears to be moving through the concussion protocol well, as he was able to return to practice this week, but the Commanders' medical staff still has not cleared him. We should have clarity come Sunday morning.
Update: Ertz is expected to play.
WR Drake London, Atlanta | Knee | No Designation | Likely Active
Drake London was added to the injury report but does not carry a designation heading into Week 16. It's an odd situation, but I would not expect London's knee "injury" to keep him out.
TE David Njoku, Cleveland | Hamstring | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
David Njoku missed most of Week 16's practices due to a hamstring strain. He did practice on Friday but was listed as "Limited." TE injury data points to him missing Week 16.
Update: Njoku is active but considering that TEs avg 20% decrease in fantasy points I am avoiding him where possible.
WR Cedric Tillman, Cleveland | Concussion | Questionable | 50/50
Cedric Tillman remains in the concussion protocol but has been able to practice. It would appear that Tillman is close and, therefore, could be a last-minute decision on whether he is active or not. Tillman has up till Sunday morning to be cleared.
Sunday 4:25 PM EST Games
QB Aidan O'Connell, Las Vegas | Knee | Questionable | Likely Active
After a scary situation two weeks prior where Aidna O'Connell was carted off the field, the second-year QB avoided what was then believed to be a fracture. O'Connell missed Week 15 with a bone bruise but is slated to play in Week 16.
WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami | Knee | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
Jaylen Waddle did not practice all week due to a knee injury and is "Doubtful" heading into Week 16 which pretty much guarantees he will not play. Waddle could potentially miss next week as well, considering he looks to be dealing with an MCL sprain.
Sunday Night 8:20 PM EST Game
TE Cade Otton, Tampa Bay | Knee | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
Cade Otton was added to the injury report mid-week with a knee injury. On Friday his status was updated to "Doubtful." Players that carry a "Doubtful" designation rarely play. I would not wait for Tampa Bay's late Sunday night kick-off. Otton is very likely out.
Update: Cade Otton is out.
Monday Night 8:15 PM EST Game
WR Chris Olave, New Orleans | Concussion | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
The Saints opened Chris Olave's 21-day practice window after he missed the last five games (six weeks total with bye week). Based on Olave's timeline and recent activation, I think he could play in Week 16, but the question remains whether the Saints decide he is worth playing. New Orleans is out of the playoff hunt and could elect to keep their star WR on the shelf for the remainder of the 2024 season.
RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans | Groin | Questionable | Likely Inactive
Alvin Kamara has not practiced all week due to a groin injury. Typically, groin strains result in 2+ weeks missed, and early reports out of New Orleans indicate that Kamra's injury is not minor. Kendre Miller is in line to start on Monday.