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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

Cade Otton

Considered Doubtful for Thursday Night
Trey Benson

Will Not Be Activated in Week 15, Will Not Return in 2025
Mike Evans

has "Shown Everything he Needed to Show" to Return in Week 15
Nick Bjugstad

Injured Tuesday
Zach Ertz

Officially Placed on Injured Reserve
Frank Vatrano

Makes Early Exit Against Penguins
Colten Ellis

Enters Concussion Protocol
George Pickens

Cowboys Not Worried About George Pickens' Effort Level
Scott Wedgewood

Hurt During Shootout
Victor Hedman

Suffers New Injury Blow
Bobby McMann

Suspended for One Game
Jordan McLaughlin

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday
Maxi Kleber

Questionable Wednesday
Marcus Smart

Ready to Face Spurs Wednesday
Luguentz Dort

Returns From Three-Game Absence Wednesday
Alex Caruso

Set to Return Wednesday
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Available Wednesday
Isaiah Joe

Out for Third Consecutive Game
Isaiah Hartenstein

Not Ready to Return Wednesday
Devin Booker

Listed as Questionable for Wednesday
Victor Wembanyama

Remains Out Wednesday
Kyle Finnegan

Tigers, Kyle Finnegan Agree on Two-Year Deal
Bo Bichette

Red Sox Out on Bo Bichette For Now
Karl-Anthony Towns

Back in Action Against Toronto
Philip Rivers

has a "Very Real Chance" to Start in Week 15
Jason Zucker

Added to Injured Reserve
David Pastrnak

Set to Return Tuesday
Scott Wedgewood

Back Between the Pipes Tuesday
Evgeni Malkin

Lands on Injured Reserve
Jamal Shead

Available on Tuesday, Entering the Starting Lineup
Jordan Kyrou

Out Week-to-Week
Immanuel Quickley

Ruled Out on Tuesday Night
Thomas Harley

Returns to Stars Lineup Tuesday
Martin Necas

a Game-Time Call Tuesday
Jean-Gabriel Pageau

Available Tuesday
Cam York

Out on Tuesday
Philadelphia Phillies

Phillies Extend Manager Rob Thomson Through 2027 Season
Paolo Banchero

Remaining on a Minutes Limit Tuesday
Michael King

the Mets' Top Rotation Target?
Dru Smith

Will Be Available Tuesday
Pelle Larsson

Will Be Available Against Orlando
Davion Mitchell

Listed as Available for Tuesday
Tyler Herro

Will Be Available Tuesday Against the Magic
Aaron Gordon

Christian Braun Likely Out Until After Christmas
Ronald Acuña Jr.

Ronald Acuna Jr. Could Move Back to Leadoff Spot
Immanuel Quickley

Downgraded to Questionable Tuesday
CFB

Florida, Wisconsin Among Suitors for QB Transfer Kenny Minchey
DK Metcalf

"Moving in the Right Direction" for Week 15
CFB

Bryan Harsin, Justin Wilcox Candidates for Washington State Head Coach Job?
Edwin Díaz

Edwin Diaz Agrees to Deal With the Dodgers
Kyle Schwarber

Returning to Phillies on Five-Year Deal
Riley Leonard

Diagnosed With Grade 1 PCL Sprain
Jamison Battle

Unlikely To Suit Up Against Knicks
CFB

Ole Miss Hiring John David Baker as Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Ty Howle the Top Target for Virginia Tech Offensive Coordinator Job
John Gibson

Secures Third Consecutive Win With Shutout
Nazem Kadri

Bags Three Points as Flames Offense Explodes
Joel Eriksson Ek

Ends Dry Spell With Three-Point Effort
Dennis Hildeby

Records First Career Shutout
Dakota Mermis

to be Evaluated Tuesday
Jacob Middleton

Hurt in Monday's Win
A.J. Brown

Continues Dominant Stretch With 100 Yards in Monday Night Loss
Saquon Barkley

Rips Off Long Touchdown Run in Monday Night Loss
Shohei Ohtani

to be Used More as Traditional Starting Pitcher Next Year
Yordan Alvarez

to Become Full-Time DH in 2026?
Mason Miller

Padres Plan to Keep Mason Miller in the Bullpen
Ranger Suárez

Orioles Interested in Signing Ranger Suarez
Anthony Volpe

Yankees Don't Expect Anthony Volpe to be Ready in April
Gerrit Cole

Targeting a Return in May/June
Riley Leonard

"Week-to-Week" With Strained Knee
NFL

Patriots-Ravens Week 16 Game Flexed to Sunday Night Football
Omarion Hampton

Making his Return on Monday Night
CFB

Heisman Trophy Finalists Announced on Monday
Justin Herbert

Officially Active Against Eagles
Indianapolis Colts

Colts Bringing Philip Rivers in for a Workout
Justin Herbert

Expected to Start on Monday Night
Trey Benson

Cardinals Could Hold Trey Benson Out Another Week
CFB

Anthony Hill Jr. Declaring for 2026 NFL Draft
CFB

Ryan Walters a Candidate for Tennessee Defensive Coordinator Job?
Trey Hendrickson

Set for Core-Muscle Surgery, Expected to Miss Around Six Weeks
Drake London

Considered Day-to-Day Going into Thursday Night
Jayden Daniels

No Long-Term Concerns for Jayden Daniels
Zach Ertz

MRI Confirms Season-Ending Torn ACL for Zach Ertz
Rory McIlroy

Ends 2025 as the Year's Most Unburdened Player
Aaron Rai

Needs to Figure Out Putting Woes This Offseason
Jordan Spieth

Plays Better on Paper in 2025 Than Results Show
PGA

Chris Gotterup Needs to Find Better Touch and Consistency This Offseason
Hideki Matsuyama

Ends 2025 Season With a Bookend Victory
CFB

Tennessee Fires Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks
Scottie Scheffler

Comes Up Just Shy of Hero World Challenge Victory
Merab Dvalishvili

Drops A Decision At UFC 323
Petr Yan

Reclaims Bantamweight Title
Alexandre Pantoja

Era Ends With Gruesome Injury
Joshua Van

Becomes Second-Youngest UFC Champion
Brandon Moreno

Suffers His First TKO Loss
Brandon Moreno

Tatsuro Taira Becomes First Fighter To Finish Brandon Moreno
Henry Cejudo

Payton Talbott Retires Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo

Retires After UFC 323 Loss
Jan Blachowicz

Bogdan Guskov Vs. Jan Blachowicz Ends In A Majority Draw
Jan Blachowicz

And Bogdan Guskov Fight To Majority Draw
CFB

Texas RB CJ Baxter Entering Transfer Portal
San Francisco Giants

Jeff Kent Elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Ketel Marte

Red Sox Interested in Trading for Ketel Marte
Kyle Schwarber

Pirates Make Four-Year Offer to Kyle Schwarber
CFB

Mississippi State, Rice Accept Bowl Bids as 5-7 Teams
CFB

Auburn, Florida State, Baylor Among Teams to Decline Bowl Bids
CFB

Rob Aurich Set to Become Nebraska's Defensive Coordinator
CFB

Notre Dame Opting Out of Postseason Amid College Football Playoff Exclusion
CFB

Kendal Briles a Candidate for South Carolina Offensive Coordinator Job
CFB

James Madison Playoff-Bound After Duke Wins ACC Title?
CFB

Notre Dame, Miami, Alabama on College Football Playoff Bubble
CFB

Brent Pry Could Return to Virginia Tech as Defensive Coordinator
Jose A. Ferrer

Mariners Acquire Jose A. Ferrer from the Nationals
Harry Ford

Traded to the Nationals
Cody Bellinger

Drawing Interest From the Phillies
MacKenzie Gore

Will the Nationals Trade MacKenzie Gore?
Byron Buxton

Twins Not Planning to Trade Joe Ryan, Byron Buxton
Petr Yan

Looks To Reclaim Bantamweight Belt
Merab Dvalishvili

Set For His Fourth Title Defense
Joshua Van

Can Become The New Flyweight Champion
Alexandre Pantoja

Set For Fifth Title Defense At UFC 323
Tatsuro Taira

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Brandon Moreno

Searches For His Third Win In A Row
Payton Talbott

A Favorite At UFC 323
Henry Cejudo

Set For His Retirement Fight
Jan Blachowicz

Set To Open Up UFC 323 Main Card
Bogdan Guskov

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
CFB

Emmett Johnson Leaving Nebraska for 2026 NFL Draft
CFB

Jam Miller Unlikely to Play in SEC Title Game
CFB

Penn State Expected to Hire Matt Campbell from Iowa State
CFB

Arkansas Targeting Ron Roberts for Defensive Coordinator Job

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K
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1B
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