Fantasy Football Injury Report - Week 17
The Week 17 fantasy football injury report brings you the goods for the final week of the regular season!
It has been a tumultuous NFL season to this point, with star players dropping like flies each week. Listen, I know you’re busy and can’t keep up with every single piece of information that comes out regarding an injury. That’s where I come in. I’ll break down the latest injury news for each game so that you won’t have to build your lineups in fear of the dreaded “Q” designation. Let’s kick things off with the 1 P.M. Eastern Games:
Chargers at Chiefs
OUT - Keenan Allen (collarbone) and Ryan Mathews (ankle) - Allen’s absence has benefitted Dontrelle Inman, and I like him in some spots today. The Mathews news opens the door for Branden Oliver to be the lead back, with the Brown duo of Donald and Ronnie seeing some touches as well.
OUT: Alex Smith (spleen) - Smith is inactive for this week, and stepping in with playoff hopes on the line is Chase Daniel. He is a bare minimum play that could pay off his salary, but I wouldn’t count on huge upside.
Browns at Ravens
OUT: Brian Hoyer and Johnny Manziel - Connor Shaw will get the start, but is nothing more than a speculative GPP play with Josh Gordon suspended for showing up late to the team facility on Saturday.
Bears at Vikings
OUT: Jimmy Clausen (concussion)- Jay Cutler returns to the helm for what is likely his last game in a Bears uniform. It is hard to say how motivated he will be, but he may very well be auditioning for a future job.
QUESTIONABLE: Kyle Rudolph (anke) - Rudolph had a productive game a few weeks back, but is just a plug and pray option this week.
Saints at Buccaneers
OUT: Pierre Thomas (ribs) - Thomas’ season is finished, as the Saints placed him on Injured Reserve. Give a small bump to Mark Ingram, who will have less to contend with in a crowded backfield.
Bills at Patriots
OUT: Jonas Gray (ankle) - Josh Boyce was promoted from the practice squad, and although Bill Belichick has stated that the starters will play their full allotment of minutes, I’m not buying it. I’m looking at Brandon Bolden and Tim Wright as potential salary cap savers.
Colts at Titans
OUT: Dwayne Allen (knee) - The Colts were terrible last week, and reports indicate that the starters will see the field for the full game, as Chuck Pagano doesn’t want to go into the playoffs with zero momentum. The Colts are all but locked into the 4 seed in the AFC.
Cowboys at Redskins
PROBABLE: DeMarco Murray (hand) - The Cowboys chances of moving up into a playoff bye are very slim, so we likely won’t see a full day out of Murray, but he is within striking distance of the team rushing record. He will likely see a few series before he sits.
4 P.M. Eastern Games
Rams at Seahawks
OUT: Jermaine Kearse (hamstring) - Kearse will sit this one out, and the bump in production goes toward Doug Baldwin, who could make for an intriguing GPP play.
Panthers at Falcons
OUT: Steven Jackson (leg) - Jackson will sit this one out, so DeVonta Freeman and Jaquizz Rodgers will see additional work in the running game. The winner of this game hosts a playoff game, and the loser is eliminated by a mile.
PROBABLE: DeAngelo Williams (hand) - Similar to the DeMarco Murray situation last week, the Panthers are concerned about Williams’ ability to pass block this week. Jonathan Stewart has been solid, and should make for a fine play once again against a porous Falcons defense.
Cardinals at 49ers
OUT: Carlos Hyde (ankle) -Hyde will sit out the season finale, and Frank Gore should see additional work along with Alfonso Smith. This is an unappealing matchup anyway, so I will be avoiding it in most of my lineups.