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Inside the Tent - Week 16 NFL Injury Insight

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 two 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.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Inside the Tent Updates

Derrick Henry, RB - Tennessee Titans

  • The back-to-back playoff "Ace Up the Sleeve" was able to play in Week 15 but didn't score while totaling 86 yards. Hamstring strains are notoriously susceptible to re-injury and Henry will likely be out in Week 16 because of said hamstring strain.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR - Pittsburgh Steelers

  • JuJu Smith-Schuster once again missed Week 15 with a knee injury. The exact structure involved is unknown but he's been seen with a brace indicating that a ligament is likely involved. The original injury occurred on the same play in which he sustained his concussion against the Browns. At this point, it's safe to say he suffered either a ligament sprain or a bone bruise in his knee considering his long absence. He practiced in full this week but he is deemed a game-time decision. Be sure to check inactives ninety minutes before game-time.

Greg Olsen, TE - Carolina Panthers

  • After missing Week 15 recovering from a concussion, Olsen will be back in Week 16. Tread carefully though as this is Will Grier's first NFL start and his efficiency is yet to be determined. There's always risk of sustaining another concussion within a month so hopefully Olsen can stay on the field.

Week 16 Injury Updates

Dalvin Cook, RB - Minnesota Vikings / Alexander Mattison, RB - Minnesota Vikings

  • Injury: Two Minnesota Vikings running backs, two different injuries. Cook will likely miss Week 16 with a new shoulder ailment. He's been dealing with a right sternoclavicular joint sprain but this injury is to his left shoulder. I'm not one to speculate about injuries but Cook likely underwent an MRI to determine which structure is involved. Mattison on the other hand is dealing with a high ankle sprain. This is a sprain to the ligament between the tibia and fibula, the two lower leg bones. These are specifically tough to come back from, especially for running backs (Alvin Kamara and Saquon Barkley).
  • News: Cook hasn't practiced this week to this point this week and will likely miss Week 16. Mattison also didn't practice this week so far and will likely be out as well.
  • Outlook: All of this to say, it's Mike Boone season people! Boone looked good this preseason and certainly has fresh legs. If you were fortunate enough to grab him off waivers, start him with confidence. The Packers Defense is not what it was Weeks 1-3 and Mike Zimmer's squad is especially good at home. Hopefully Kirk Cousins can break the curse and get a win on Monday Night Football.

Chris Godwin, WR - Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

  • Injury: Godwin sustained a Grade II left hamstring strain in Week 15. The hamstring group is obviously on the back of the thigh and extends the hip and flexes the knee. It also plays a role in acceleration and deceleration.
  • News: He has unfortunately been ruled out for the remainder of 2019 which is a real bummer for the fantasy finals. Godwin will be ready to go for training camp.
  • Outlook: With Godwin sidelined, Breshad Perriman ended up with three touchdowns on six targets which is clearly not sustainable. He obviously did benefit from having Mike Evans and Chris Godwin out but to expect him to do that again would be foolish. Temper expectations but he could certainly have a part in the likely shoot-out between the Buccaneers and Texans.

As always, good luck this weekend!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Wilyer Abreu

Goes on Injured List With Calf Injury
Tee Higgins

has Injury Scare on Thursday
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Headed to the Big Leagues
Carson Williams

Getting Called Up From Triple-A for MLB Debut
Shohei Ohtani

Diagnosed With Thigh Contusion
Kyle Tucker

Returns to Lineup on Thursday
Dallas Cowboys

Micah Parsons Expected to Play in Week 1
Chris Godwin

Expected to be Activated from the PUP List
Dru Smith

Aims to Be Healthy for Training Camp
Jayson Tatum

Provides Injury Update
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Considered a Trade Candidate
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Bubba Chandler

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Finishes Second at BMW Championship
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has One Weakness Heading to Atlanta
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a Long Shot to Win Tour Championship
Josh Giddey

Bulls Not Interested in Sign-and-Trade Deal Involving Josh Giddey
Brian Harman

Trying to Crack Top 20 at Tour Championship
Andrew Novak

Attempts to Bounce Back in Atlanta
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Signs New Two-Way Deal With Jazz
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Seeks Even More Success at Tour Championship
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Alondes Williams Joins Wizards for Training Camp
Washington Wizards

Wizards Add Skal Labissiere for Training Camp
Francisco Alvarez

Needs Thumb Surgery, May Play Through Injury
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Out With Side Soreness on Tuesday
A.J. Brown

on Track to Play in Week 1
Jacob deGrom

Being Skipped in Rotation Due to Shoulder Fatigue
Adley Rutschman

Scratched on Tuesday With Abdominal Discomfort
CBJ

Brendan Smith Joins Blue Jackets on Tryout Deal
STL

Milan Lucic Joins Blues for Tryout
DET

Red Wings Pick Up Travis Hamonic
Austin Riley

Doesn't Appear Ready to Return Any Time Soon
Aaron Judge

Unikely to Throw Normally Again This Year
Jalen McMillan

Could be Out Through Week 9 Bye
Indiana Pacers

Pacers Coach Rick Carlisle Agrees to a Multiyear Contract Extension on Tuesday
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John Wall Retires After 11 NBA Seasons
Daniel Jones

Named as Colts Starting Quarterback
Jalen McMillan

Will Not Be Ready for Season Opener
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Rui Hachimura

Likely to Start Season Without Contract Extension
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Hopes to Bounce Back in 2025-26
Stephen Curry

Ready to Go for New Season
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Lester Quinones Agrees to Deal With Magic
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Luka Doncic Cleared to Play on Tuesday Night
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

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MLB

Game 2 of Brewers-Cubs on Monday Postponed
Bryce Miller

to be Activated on Tuesday
Kyle Tucker

to Get Multiple Days Off
Joe Mixon

Could Start Season on NFI List
De'Von Achane

Unlikely to Practice This Week
Justin Jefferson

Returning to Practice
Chris Godwin

Bucs Chris Godwin Likely to Start Season on PUP List
Joe Flacco

Browns Name Joe Flacco as Their Week 1 Starter
Jalen McDaniels

Inks Deal With New Orleans
N'Faly Dante

Signs Deal With Hawks
Matthew Stafford

Practicing on Monday
Dru Smith

Agrees to Deal With Heat
Austin Dillon

Scores an Upset Victory at Richmond
William Byron

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Denny Hamlin

Pit-Road Struggles Impede Denny Hamlin's Chances of a Top Finish at Richmond
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Kyle Larson

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Khamzat Chimaev

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Dricus Du Plessis

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Aaron Pico

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Lerone Murphy

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Geoff Neal

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Carlos Prates

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Tim Elliott

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Kai Asakura

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NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Sets Personal Laps-Led Record at Richmond
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Denny Hamlin

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Christopher Bell

Has Been Great at Richmond
Ryan Blaney

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Joey Logano

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Chase Elliott

Lack of Top-Line Speed Hurts his DFS Potential
Kyle Larson

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William Byron

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Ryan Preece

on Pole at Richmond as Playoff Deadline Looms Closer
Brad Keselowski

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Chase Briscoe

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Chris Buescher

a Solid Choice for DFS Play, but Teammates Look Faster

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