Injury Status: Week 16

Thu Dec 18 9:55am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

The injuries were terrible last week, seeing many big-time players go down with season-ending injuries. Not good. Let’s hope that isn’t any sort of trend for the rest of this year. Fantasy teams don’t need to be dealing with injuries at this point of the season.

Here is the latest for Week 16. . . . .

Drake London, WR, Falcons. London is actually practicing some this week. He has been out several weeks because of a knee injury but is finally doing something on the field. This is a positive step towards playing. If he ramps it up in the next few days, London has a chance to return Week 16. Keep an eye on the practice notes for the latest.

Marvin Harrison, WR, Cardinals. Harrison is another receiver back practicing this week as he tries to return from his heel injury, which has kept him out the last two games. This is a step in the right direction. Harrison should be questionable to play right now. Keep an eye on the notes for the latest. The Cardinals might not rush him back because of all the injury issues he has endured this year.

Christian Watson, WR, Packers. It was thought that Watson might have to miss some time because of a chest injury, but he is already practicing on a limited basis. He seems right on track to play this week, barring some late-week setback.

Rashee Rice, WR, Chiefs. Rice is apparently dealing with a concussion. This is not good news. He is out of practice to start the week. With the Chiefs out of playoff contention, it would not surprise to see them keep Rice out of this week’s game. We should get some sort of announcement before the week is out, though.

Josh Jacobs, RB, Packers. Jacobs continues to deal with a knee injury. He played on it last week and got near his usual workload. He is out of practice Wednesday but we wouldn’t get too worried about it. It would be a surprise if he missed their huge game this week. Expect Jacobs to be out there.

Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals. Higgins remains in the league’s concussion protocol but did practice Wednesday. He missed the game last week after suffering his second concussion in two weeks during his Week 14 game. It seems he still wants to try to play this year, so don’t rule him out for this week. He could get cleared before the week is out, so keep an eye on the notes for the latest.

Woody Marks, RB, Texans. Marks left the game last week because of a sprained ankle and was unable to return. He is out of practice to start the week, looking pretty iffy to play. We would get other options ready.

Nick Chubb, RB, Texans. Chubb is back practicing on a limited basis this week because of his rib injury. He missed the game last week because of the injury. Chubb is trending towards being ready and could move right into the starting lineup with Marks hurting.

Luther Burden, WR, Bears. Burden has not practiced yet this week because of an ankle injury, which knocked him from the Week 15 game early. It is not a good start to the week for Burden, but the Bears aren’t ruling him out just yet. We should know more in a game or two, but consider him very questionable to play right now.

Rome Odunze, WR, Bears. Oduzne was supposed to be active last week but was held out just before the start of the game because of his foot injury. He has missed the last two games and seems likely to miss this week after opening his week with a did not practice.

Devin Neal, RB, Saints. Neal has already been ruled out for the game this week because of a hamstring injury. He will not play, likely giving Audric Estime the start at running back for the Saints.

Devaughn Vele, WR, Saints. Vele is another Saints player that has already been ruled out for the Week 16 game. He is battling a shoulder injury that will sideline him this week, leaving the Saints really thin at receiver.

R.J. Harvey, RB, Broncos. Harvey was slowed last week because of a rib injury. He is practicing to start his week, though, and looks right on track to play Week 16. He seems to have avoided anything major.

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints. Kamara has not been ruled out yet but still isn’t practicing because of knee and ankle injuries. He was hurt in Week 12 and has not played since. Expect him to miss this week.

Pat Bryant, WR, Broncos. Bryant is already practicing in full this week after missing the game last week because of a hamstring injury. He apparently could have played last week but was kept out as a precaution. He should be back in the lineup this week.

Davante Adams, WR, Rams. Adams did not practice all week and has been listed as doubtful for the Thursday game. His hamstring injury is expected to sideline him at least one week of action.

Quentin Johnston, WR, Chargers. Johnston was held out last week because of a groin injury, suffered late last week. He is practicing on a limited basis this week but remains up in the air to play. He could end up being a game-time decision.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Injury Status: Week 16

The Paur Report