Week 16 Fantasy Football Injury Recap

As The Fantasy Footballers’ lead injury analyst and sports physical therapist, I’ll be recapping the previous week’s injuries and giving a projected timeline for recovery all season long. Let’s look at the biggest injuries from Week 16 and take a look at what fantasy managers can expect heading into Week 17.

If you’re looking for more detailed injury analysis, check out JoinTheFoot.com for additional premium resources, including access to the Injury Blitz Podcast hosted by yours truly. This bonus podcast, available to all #FootClan Premier members, is a short, yet informative injury podcast that drops late in the week in order to provide all the injury updates you need to set your lineup each week.

QB Jalen Hurts

Concussion Protocol: Week-to-week
Hurts took a hit while scrambling for a first down on Sunday against Washington, and when he was hit, his head hit the turf. He left for a concussion evaluation and was ruled out after failing to clear protocol. No two concussions are the same, so we’ll have to wait and see how Hurts progresses through the league’s protocol this week. Philly takes on Dallas in Week 17, and if Hurts can’t go, Pickett will be under center for Philly in Championship week.

Players impacted: Kenny Pickett, A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith

RB Kenneth Walker

Ankle: Doubtful for Week 17
Walker returned from his two-game absence because of a calf injury and took over the RB1 role in Seattle’s backfield. Unfortunately, in the second half, he left early because of an ankle injury and did not return. Following the game, head coach Mike MacDonald said Walker would go for imaging to further evaluate the injury but during his Monday presser, he did not have any updates on Walker’s status. Seattle takes on Chicago on Thursday night on a short week, so it’s very unlikely that he’s able to play this week. Worth noting, Walker was listed as a ‘DNP’ on Monday’s estimated injury report.  If you made it through the semifinals with Walker on your roster, I’d plan to be without him in Championship week.

Players impacted: Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh

RB James Conner

Right Knee Hyper-Extension: Questionable for Week 17
Conner took an awkward step in the second half while being tackled, resulting in a hyper-extension of his right knee. After the injury, he did not return. These types of injuries can result in a bone bruise, which results in pain and swelling in the knee. Conner’s Week 17 availability is up in the air depending on how his knee responds to treatment throughout the week. I would not expect him to practice early in the week, and this one could come down to the wire for Championship week. Worth noting, the Cardinals were eliminated from playoff contention with their loss this past weekend, so if there’s any doubt on his health, I’d expect Arizona to hold Conner out in a meaningless Week 17 game. Conner just signed a contract extension with the Cardinals a few weeks ago. Also worth noting, Trey Benson missed this game with an ankle injury, so DeeJay Dallas served as a backup with Michael Carter getting called up from the practice squad.

Players impacted: Trey Benson, DeeJay Dallas, Michael Carter

RB Justice Hill

Concussion Protocol: Out for Week 17
Hill exploded up the left sideline on Saturday against the Steelers but unfortunately, he got up ended and hit his head on the turf. Immediately following the play, Hill was briefly unconscious, so he never had a chance to return. Hill won’t be able to play on a short week with the Ravens taking on the Chiefs on Christmas Day (Wednesday). Not surprisingly, Hill was listed as a ‘DNP’ on Sunday and Monday’s estimated injury report.

Players impacted: Derrick Henry

WR Tank Dell

Knee Dislocation + Torn ACL: Out for the year
The Texans will be without their young WR for the rest of the season and possibly all of 2025 after he suffered a serious knee injury this past Saturday against the Chiefs. Dell was taken to a local Level 1 Trauma Center for evaluation of a dislocated knee due to concern about nerve and arterial integrity when knee dislocations happen. He returned back to Houston the following day and upon further imaging and evaluation, Dell is set for a long, long recovery. He suffered a dislocation + ACL injury + “additional damage” per HC DeMeco Ryans. This injury is quite serious and without knowing specifically what all was damaged in the process, it’s nearly impossible to give an accurate prognosis. Dell’s 2025 season is certainly in jeopardy. He’ll be a player to avoid in 2025, and from a dynasty perspective, this injury absolutely has a chance to de-rail his career.

Players impacted: C.J. Stroud, Nico Collins, John Metchie III, Dalton Schultz

WR Drake London

Hamstring Strain: Questionable for Week 17
London left their win late with a hamstring injury and did not return. As of now, we’re still waiting on clarity regarding the severity of London’s injury, but it is worth noting that Raheem Morris said “I believe he would have went back in…I look forward to him being ready to practice next week.” Of course, we need to be careful taking coach speak as facts, but the early optimism at least gives him a chance if he was held out due to the scoreboard. When the injury happened, the Falcons easily had this game in hand, so it’s possible he was held out as a precaution. Either way, London is not a lock to play on Sunday night against Washington. Even a mild injury could impact his effectiveness, but with the Falcons needing to win this game in order to make the playoffs, I do expect London to push to play. We’ll see…

Players impacted: Michael Penix, Darnell Mooney, Ray-Ray McLoud, Kyle Pitts

Additional Injury Notes:

QB Josh Allen – Suffered a right elbow contusion in the second half against the Patriots but didn’t miss a snap. You could see him shaking out his hand on the sideline and after the game, told reporters he briefly lost feeling in his hand. This signals an ulnar nerve contusion with transient nerve-related symptoms. These generally resolve quickly, so I’m not worried about Allen’s Week 17 availability or performance.

QB Aaron Rodgers – Has been battling injury all year and got banged up again on Sunday against the Rams. By video, he sustained a mild left high ankle injury when he was rolled up on during a fumble recovery. Fortunately, his foot wasn’t planted when contact was made, so he avoided serious injury. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him miss practice time this week, but I do expect him to play in Week 17.

RB Alvin Kamara – Did not play in Week 16 with a groin strain. Most reports suggest this injury was more significant than originally thought and although the team has not shut him down for the season, it’d be a big surprise if he can play in Week 17.

RB JK Dobbins – Eligible to return to the lineup this week after spending the last month on IR due to a sprained MCL. I do expect him to return and be close to 100% from a health perspective though given his injury history, he’ll likely split reps with Gus Edwards in his first game back. LA opened his 21-day window on Monday.

WR George Pickens – Has not played since Week 13 with a hamstring injury. Was pushing to play last week against the Chiefs and reportedly “has a real chance” to play on Christmas Day per Mike Tomlin. He was listed as Limited on Sunday’s estimated injury report then was upgraded to a full practice participant on Monday. Barring a setback, I do expect Pickens to suit up on Wednesday, though he may not be 100% given that this was reported as a Grade II injury. It’s been less than a month since the injury happened in practice, so if that reporting of a Grade II strain is accurate, Pickens will be returning quicker than expected based on optimal recovery timelines.

WR Jaylen Waddle – Missed Week 16 with a sprained MCL. Would not be surprising to see him sit in Week 17 as his expected recovery timeline is 2-3 weeks. Fantasy managers will want to closely monitor the Dolphins’ injury report this week.