A player's injury status can have a significant effect on fantasy football — it can alter draft strategy, roster construction and, most importantly, determine start-or-sit decisions for your fantasy team.
Each week, I will review the positional players’ injuries from the games before Monday Night Football. Injuries are fluid, so make sure to stay up to date by following @mario_pilato on Twitter.
Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints
Minnesota Vikings: N/A
New Orleans Saints: N/A
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Detroit Lions
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: N/A
Detroit Lions:
QB Matthew Stafford, PFF Week 16 Consensus Rank: QB21 — Ankle injury
Stafford suffered a lateral inversion ankle sprain in the first quarter. I do not believe it to be serious, but he is dealing with multiple injuries. It's possible the Lions shut him down for the last game of the season.
San Francisco 49ers @ Arizona Cardinals
San Francisco 49ers: N/A
Arizona Cardinals:
WR DeAndre Hopkins, PFF Week 16 Consensus Rank: WR3 — Midsection/Chest injury
Hopkins fell awkwardly on top of a defender's arm in the end zone right before halftime. He grabbed his midsection area and went straight to the locker room. The injury was minor, and he played the entire second half. Hopkins will be good to go for Week 17.
QB Kyler Murray, PFF Week 16 Consensus Rank: QB3 — Leg injury
Murray suffered a leg injury on the last play of the game Saturday. He is likely dealing with a knee sprain and will play in Week 17.
Miami Dolphins @ Las Vegas Raiders
Miami Dolphins: N/A
Las Vegas Raiders: N/A
Indianapolis Colts @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Indianapolis Colts:
WR Michael Pittman Jr., PFF Week 16 Consensus Rank: WR51 — Head injury
Pittman is being evaluated for a concussion. He needs to be monitored as the week progresses.
Pittsburgh Steelers: N/A
Atlanta Falcons @ Kansas City Chiefs
Atlanta Falcons: N/A
Kansas City Chiefs:
WR Sammy Watkins, PFF Week 16 Consensus Rank: WR45 — Calf injury
Watkins injured his calf in the fourth quarter. I do not believe the injury to be serious, but I would not be shocked to see the Chiefs sit him in Week 17.
Chicago Bears @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Chicago Bears: N/A
Jacksonville Jaguars: N/A
Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans
Cincinnati Bengals: N/A
Houston Texans:
QB Deshaun Watson, PFF Week 16 Consensus Rank: QB5 — Elbow injury
Watson suffered a hand and elbow injury. The hand injury is not serious and of no concern. He has been dealing with a sore elbow for a few weeks. He aggravated the injury and the replay is scary to watch. The mechanism for his injury is a UCL tear, which would require Tommy John surgery. It sounds like he avoided serious injury. He will get imaging done to determine the severity, but the team sounds optimistic. I would sit him and not risk further injuring the elbow but reports are he will play in Week 17.
New York Giants @ Baltimore Ravens
New York Giants:
TE Evan Engram, PFF Week 16 Consensus Rank: TE12 — Ankle injury
Engram suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter. The severity is unknown, and he will undergo further evaluation Monday.
Baltimore Ravens: N/A
Cleveland Browns @ New York Jets
Cleveland Browns: N/A
New York Jets:
RB Frank Gore, PFF Week 16 Consensus Rank: RB35 — Chest injury
Gore suffered a chest injury during the second half. I do not believe the injury is serious, and he should be good to play in Week 17.
Carolina Panthers @ Washington Football Team
Carolina Panthers: N/A
Washington Football Team: N/A
Denver Broncos @ Los Angeles Chargers
Denver Broncos:
WR K.J. Hamler, PFF Week 16 Consensus Rank: WR77 — Head injury
Hamler is being evaluated for a concussion. He will need to be monitored as the week progresses.
Los Angeles Chargers: N/A
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
Philadelphia Eagles:
TE Dallas Goedert, PFF Week 16 Consensus Rank: TE9 — Calf injury
Goedert injured his calf in the fourth quarter. I do not believe his injury is serious and he should be good to play in Week 17.
Dallas Cowboys: N/A
Los Angeles Rams @ Seattle Seahawks
Los Angeles Rams:
QB Jared Goff, PFF Week 16 Consensus Rank: QB19 — Thumb injury
Goff suffered a dislocated thumb and fracture in the second half. This is not uncommon with a dislocation. He underwent surgery and will miss Week 17. If they advance into the playoffs he might return.
Seattle Seahawks: N/A
Tennessee Titans @ Green Bay Packers
Tennessee Titans: N/A
Green Bay Packers: N/A
Mario Pilato has a master's degree in Kinesiology and a bachelor's degree in Exercise Sports Science, along with eight years of experience in the strength and conditioning industry, including at the collegiate and NFL level. His injury analysis articles will appear weekly.
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