NFL Injury Report – Week 17 Fantasy Football Championship Edition

NFL Injury Report – Week 17 Fantasy Football Championship Edition

It’s fantasy football championship week. If you made it this far, first off congrats. But as long as games are still being played, injuries are part of the deal. At this point, the only move is staying alert, weighing every option, and being aggressive if you need help off the waiver wire.

Week 16 was rough. Several key fantasy starters went down, and now everything shifts to how this impacts your title matchup in Week 17. Let’s run through what matters most.

George Kittle, TE, 49ers (ankle)

Kittle hurt his ankle in the second quarter of Monday night’s win over the Colts. Kyle Shanahan said it’s too early to determine the severity, and Kittle’s status for Week 17 against the Bears is very much up in the air.

What makes this tough is Kittle was dominant before leaving. Seven catches on eight targets, 115 yards, and a touchdown. He finished as the TE1 in Week 16 with 21 fantasy points. Championship managers are going to be watching this closely.

If Kittle can’t go, there’s no clean replacement. Jake Tonges flashed earlier in the season when Kittle missed time, and Kendrick Bourne could see extra involvement, but this is not an easy pivot.

Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens (back)

Jackson did not play the second half of Sunday night’s loss to New England. He’s day to day with a back contusion and is hopeful to play Saturday against the Packers.

This is a massive situation for championship week. Even if Lamar plays, he’s banged up, facing a tough Green Bay defense, and hasn’t exactly inspired confidence lately. He’s scored under 20 fantasy points in five of his last six games.

Monitor practice reports closely. If he’s limited or ruled out, Tyler Huntley would get the start. Either way, Lamar carries more risk than usual in a title matchup.

Josh Allen, QB, Bills (foot)

Allen is also considered day to day, according to Sean McDermott. Right now, there’s no indication he’ll miss Week 17 against the Eagles, but it’s worth monitoring.

Buffalo still has seeding and division implications in play, and Allen is coming off the worst fantasy performance of his career outside his rookie season. He managed just 6.9 fantasy points in Week 16 against Cleveland.

Expect a bounce back, but keep an eye on his status.

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Patriots (head)

Henderson suffered a head injury early in Sunday night’s win over Baltimore. With him out, Rhamondre Stevenson stepped in and logged 10 touches for 78 yards and a touchdown.

This one stings because Henderson was just starting to break out late in the season. If he can’t clear protocol for Week 17, Stevenson becomes a strong RB2 option in a very favorable matchup against the Jets. New England is still fighting for AFC East positioning, so motivation won’t be an issue.

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Browns (leg and ankle)

This is one of the worst injuries of the year. Judkins broke his leg and dislocated his ankle, ending his season.

If you were counting on him in your championship, you’re now scrambling. Raheim Sanders handled 11 carries for 42 yards in Week 16, while Trayveon Williams caught four passes for 38 yards. Dylan Sampson could return if his hand and calf injuries improve, but trusting this backfield with a title on the line is extremely risky.

Jordan Love, QB, Packers (concussion)

Love exited early against the Bears and is now in concussion protocol. His availability for Saturday night against Baltimore is uncertain.

Malik Willis filled in and produced 121 passing yards, a touchdown, and 44 rushing yards, but he’s also dealing with a shoulder injury and could miss Week 17 as well. Matt LaFleur even mentioned Josh Jacobs and Jayden Reed as emergency quarterbacks, which tells you how thin this situation is.

Expect Green Bay to bring someone up from the practice squad or sign a quarterback, with Clayton Tune the most likely option. This is a situation to monitor closely all week.

J.J. McCarthy, QB, Vikings (hand)

McCarthy left Sunday’s win over the Giants with a hand injury. X rays came back negative, and he’s considered day to day.

The Vikings have a short turnaround with a Christmas Day matchup against the Lions, so practice reports will be critical here.

Davante Adams, WR, Rams (hamstring)

Adams missed Thursday night’s game against Seattle but gets extra rest with the Rams playing Monday night in Week 17 against Atlanta.

With Adams out, Puka Nacua exploded for 12 catches, 225 yards, and two touchdowns, and the Rams leaned heavily on their tight ends. If Adams returns, he’s in a great spot for the championship. If not, Nacua could again push for 15 plus targets.

Rashee Rice, WR, Chiefs (concussion)

Rice was a late scratch in Week 16, and things have gone from bad to worse in Kansas City. The Chiefs are now without Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew, both appearing to have suffered torn ACLs.

Chris Oladokun is expected to start at quarterback going forward, which severely limits the passing game. Even if Rice clears protocol, trusting him in a championship matchup against Denver is extremely risky.

Jordan Mason, RB, Vikings (ankle)

Mason exited early against the Giants, opening the door for Aaron Jones Sr., who handled 23 touches for 93 yards.

If Mason misses Thursday’s game against Detroit, Jones gets a significant fantasy boost in the final week.

Week 17 Injury Report Snapshot

Quarterbacks

Josh Allen (foot)

Jordan Love (concussion)

Malik Willis (shoulder)

Lamar Jackson (back)

J.J. McCarthy (hand)

Gardner Minshew (knee, IR)

Marcus Mariota (hand and quadriceps)

Running Backs

Josh Jacobs (knee)

TreVeyon Henderson (concussion)

Alvin Kamara (knee)

Quinshon Judkins (out for season)

Woody Marks (ankle)

Kimani Vidal (neck)

Jordan Mason (ankle)

Dylan Sampson (hand and calf)

Javonte Williams (neck)

Wide Receivers

Davante Adams (hamstring)

Amon Ra St Brown (knee)

Rashee Rice (concussion)

Ricky Pearsall (knee)

Rome Odunze (foot)

Luther Burden III (ankle)

Romeo Doubs (wrist)

DeMario Douglas (hamstring

)Kayshon Boutte (head)

DK Metcalf (suspension)

Tight Ends

George Kittle (ankle)

David Njoku (knee)

Mason Taylor (neck)

Out for the Season

Malik Nabers

Tyreek Hill

Najee Harris

Austin Ekeler

James Conner

Antonio Gibson

Miles Sanders

Cam Skattebo

Tucker Kraft

Travis Hunter

JK Dobbins

Calvin Ridley

Joe Mixon

Michael Penix Jr.

Kyler Murray

Daniel Jones

Zach Ertz

Trey Benson

Brandon Aiyuk

Patrick Mahomes

Gardner Minshew

Quinshon Judkins

Garrett Wilson