Inside the Tent - Week 17 NFL Injury Insight

January 3, 2021

Injury updates and analysis for Week 17 of the 2020 NFL season. Aaron Burger, PT, DPT provides analysis on fantasy football's biggest injuries during Week 16 to help you make informed lineup start/sit decisions.

At RotoBaller, we can't stress enough the importance of keeping up with injuries and playing your best lineup week after week. Players are going to get injured, that's an unavoidable fact. What's avoidable though is making the wrong roster decisions based on the injuries surrounding your fantasy squad. If you want to dominate your leagues and win some dough in daily contests, you have to be proactive with injury research.

That's where I come in to serve you, the readers! I'm Aaron Burger, a Doctor of Physical Therapy in Pittsburgh, PA. About three years ago, I decided to combine my love, fantasy football, with what I've been learning for years now: injuries and the human body. Each week, I'll be checking in on fantasy's biggest injuries to keep you informed.

Be sure you also have RotoBaller bookmarked and follow us on social media to catch all the latest NFL news and updates. Feel free to reach out on Twitter (@aaronburgerPT) for any injury questions!

Inside the Tent Updates

Matthew Stafford, QB - Detroit Lions

• Stafford has been dealing with an injury to his rib cartilage which is extremely painful but hasn't missed a game to this point. In Week 16, Stafford sustained an ankle sprain to his right ankle. In Stafford's case, he was able to avoid a high-ankle sprain which means he will likely play in Week 17. He was able to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday and Friday which is a great sign.

Christian McCaffrey, RB - Carolina Panthers

• McCaffrey is dealing with a shoulder sprain which occurred in Week 9. He was set to return in Week 14 for the fantasy playoffs but ended up straining his quadriceps. He has been ruled out for Week 17 and only played in three games this season.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB - Kansas City Chiefs

• Edwards-Helaire sustained a groin strain and ankle sprain in Week 15 and will miss Week 17 as well. The Chiefs will be lucky to have him back for the second round of the playoffs.

Ronald Jones II, RB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Jones is returning from a fractured finger which required surgery to stabilize. Following the surgery, he was placed on the COVID-19/reserve list. He will return for Week 17 and should see the bulk of running back snaps for the Buccaneers.

Cam Akers, RB - Los Angeles Rams

• Akers sustained a high-ankle sprain in Week 15 and missed Week 16 as a result. He will be a game-time decision in Week 17 and if he's unable to play, the Rams will look to Malcom Brown to handle the majority of running back snaps.

Kenny Golladay, WR - Detroit Lions

• Golladay is once again out for Week 17 due to a hip injury. He will be ready to go for the 2021 season whether he's on the Lions or another NFL franchise.

Julio Jones, WR - Atlanta Falcons

• Jones is once again dealing with a hamstring strain that kept him out of Weeks 12, 14, 15, and 16. He was unable to practice all week and is OUT for Week 17. 

Keenan Allen, WR - Los Angeles Chargers

• Allen is dealing with a hamstring strain and is OUT for Week 17. Chargers fans will be looking forward to seeing Justin Herbert have his number one receiver back in 2021.

Deebo Samuel, WR - San Francisco 49ers

• Samuel's hamstring strain kept him out of Week 15, Week 16, and now Week 17. It was quite a disappointing year for the South Carolina product as he heads to the offseason before his third NFL season.

Last Week's Injury Updates

Jared Goff, QB - Los Angeles Rams

• Injury: Goff sustained a dislocated thumb in his throwing hand in Week 16. He had surgery to repair and stabilize the joint on December 28th.
• News: Goff has been ruled OUT for Week 17.
• Outlook: With Goff sidelined, the Rams will look to AAF superstar, John Wolford to lead them to the playoffs. Goff has a chance to play in the second round of the playoffs and will be ready for 2021.

Brandon Aiyuk, WR - San Francisco 49ers

• Injury: Aiyuk sustained a high-ankle sprain in Week 16. High-ankle sprains involve the ligamentous sheath between the tibia and fibula.
• News: Aiyuk will be OUT for Week 17.
• Outlook: With Aiyuk sidelined, the 49ers passing attack will include George Kittle, Richie James, and Kendrick Bourne. Aiyuk had a great rookie year and will be ready to go for 2021.

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