It's championship week (for most leagues) so make sure you are up to date on all of the latest injuries. Doing could be the difference in hoisting up the trophy or just missing that first-place finish.
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 Tee Higgins
- QB Anthony Richardson
- WR Davante Adams
- RB Chuba Hubbard
- WR Chris Olave
- WR Jaylen Waddle
- WR Christian Watson
- RB Isaac Guerendo
Trending Probable (Expected to Play)
- RB J.K. Dobbins
- RB James Conner
- WR Malik Nabers
- RB Tony Pollard
- QB Tua Tagovailoa
Ruled Out
- QB Jalen Hurts (concussion)
- WR CeeDee Lamb (shoulder)
- RB Alvin Kamara (groin)
- RB David Montgomery (knee)
- TE David Njoku (knee)
- RB Gus Edwards (ankle)
- TE Cade Otton (knee)
- QB Derek Carr (hand)
- WR Cedric Tillman (concussion)
* Key: Player, Team | Injury | Game Status Listing | Playing Expectation
Saturday Games
RB J.K. Dobbins, LA Chargers | Knee | Questionable | Likely Active
The Chargers have activated J.K. Dobbins from IR that week and all reports out of Los Angeles point to the veteran RB being active on Sunday.
In Week 17, most fantasy leagues are in their championship week. So the real question is, if active, can we trust Dobbins?
The Chargers have already ruled out Gus Edwards, so minus a few Kimani Vidal/Hassan Haskins touches, the LA backfield will belong to Dobbins. Dobbins is recovering from an MCL sprain and although he has missed time, the injury data indicates there is minimal decline in fantasy production upon return.
WR Tee Higgins, Cinncinati | Ankle | Questionable | Projecting Active
Tee Higgins is projected to be active come Saturday afternoon but there are multiple reasons to be wary about leaving him in lineups.
For starters, the weather forecast in Cincinnati is looking bleak with reports of rain for most of the game. Additionally, Tee Higgins is someone who historically does not perform well following injuries. Higgins recently has gained a negative reputation for exiting games early when trying to play through injury as well. If possible I would try to find other options in Week 17.
RB James Conner, Arizona | Knee | Questioanble | Likely Active
James Conner gave managers quite a scare last week when he left with a knee injury and did not return. Reviewing the video of Conner's injury, I was concerned about a bone bruise, but after practicing all week, it appears Conner is on track to play in Week 17.
Conner has been a steady fantasy RB all season, but reviewing data for RB following a knee injury, on average there is an 18% decline in fantasy points. Like Higgins, Conner also historically has not performed well post-injury. Since 2017 Conner's fantasy points were 17% lower compared to his healthy average when returning from injury.
Conner is always a threat to score when Arizona is in the red zone but I wonder if his workload is atypical this week.
Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games
WR Malik Nabers, NY Giants | Toe | Questionable | Likely Active
Malik Nabers popped up on the injury report this week with a toe injury but as Ian Rapoport has indicated, the injury does not appear that limiting.
From @NFLFantasy Live: #Giants WR Malik Nabers (toe) is listed as questionable but expected to play. pic.twitter.com/QJT4Z60ktU
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2024
Nabers has a great matchup this week and should be ready to go against the Colts.
QB Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis | Back/Foot | Questionable | 50/50
We are getting mixed signals from the Colts this week in regards to Anthony Richardson. On Thursday ESPN's Stephen Holder revealed that there was optimism that Richardson would play. However, the second-year QB did not practice all week.
We should have some clarity today (Saturday) on whether or not Richardon is going to play.
Update: Richardson is officially out.
WR Davante Adams, NY Jets | Hip | Questionable | Likely Active
Davante Adams was held out of practice Wednesday with a hip injury but he was able to return on Thursday. All reports out of New York point to Adams being active on Sunday.
Update: Per Adam Schefter, Adams is expected to play.
RB Tony Pollard, Tennessee | Ankle | Questionable | Projecting Active
Tony Pollard has not practiced all week due to his ankle injury that has limited him to the back half of the season. Typically not practicing all week would lead to a player sitting out, but Pollard had three straight DNPs (did not practice) before playing in Week 16.
Pollard was Questionable heading into Week 15 with this same injury. The Titans' lead back played but missed most of the game after re-injuring his ankle. Since then Pollard has logged season lows in snap share at 44% and 39% respectively. At the same time, Tyjae Spears, Pollard's teammate, has tallied season highs in snap share.
I think we can assume that Pollard is operating at less than 100% and is someone I would be looking to leave out of lineups this Sunday.
Update: Tony Pollard did not travel with his team due to a illiness and as a result he was later ruled out.
RB Chuba Hubbard, Carolina | Calf/Knee | Questionable | Downgraded to Out
One of the more surprising developments is that Chuba Hubbard was placed on IR on Saturday morning due to mutliple injuries. Hubbard will not play in Week 17.
Sources: After rushing for 1,195 yards this season, Panthers RB Chuba Hubbard is being placed on injured reserve today due to a calf and knee injury. His impressive season now has come to an end. pic.twitter.com/pTNVeUZAJa
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 28, 2024
WR Chris Olave, New Orleans | Concussion | Questionable | 50/50
Chris Olave's status for Sunday might not have to do with health and is likely due to the fact that the Saints' season is over.
Olave was able to return to practice last week, albeit limited. This week Olave practiced in full. Despite Olave's progression, New Orleans beat reporter Nick Underhill is pessimistic about the wideout playing.
Chris Olave is questionable but I’d bet he doesn’t play
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) December 27, 2024
Olave has already sustained 2 concussions this season. A third with only two games left and nothing to play for would be devastating.
Update: Chris Olave has been ruled out.
Sunday 4:05 PM EST Game
QB Tua Tagovailoa, Miami | Hip | Questionable | Likely Active
Tua Tagovailoa was limited in practice this week due to a hip injury, but the Dolphin QB has been playing through this injury in previous weeks. He should be active on Sunday.
Update: In one of the more surprising developments, Tua Tagovailoa has been ruled out.
WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami | Knee | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
Jaylen Waddle was able to return to practice this week after missing Week 16 with a knee injury. Following Waddle's injury Mike McDaniel told reporters that Waddle "avoided serious injury" but it's still possible is dealing with an MCL sprain. These likely take more than just 1 week to recover from. I am projecting Waddle to miss this Sunday.
Update: Waddle is not expected to play Sunday.
Sunday 4:25 PM EST Game
WR Christian Watson, Green Bay | Knee | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
Christian Watson has not practiced all week following his knee injury in Week 16. He appears to be on track to miss Sunday afternoon's game.
Update: As expected, Chrisitan Watson is unlikely to play.
Monday Night 8:15 PM EST Game
RB Isaac Guerendo, San Fransciso | Hamstring | Questionable | Projecting Active
Isaac Guerendo is on track to play Monday night after missing last week with a hamstring strain. Guerendo's practicer reports point to him playing, but with a late game and most fantasy leagues in their championship week, make sure you have a back-up plan if Guerendo ends up being a late scratch.
Update: Guerendo is expected to play Monday night.