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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

Brian Thomas Jr.

Jaguars Listening To Calls For Brian Thomas Jr.
Dillon Gabriel

Browns Want to See More from Dillon Gabriel
Kirk Cousins

Highly Likely to Start in Week 8
Jonathan Lekkerimaki

to Miss 2-3 Weeks
Matt Duchene

Expected to Remain Out Saturday
Alexander Kerfoot

Undergoes Surgery
Tyson Kozak

to Miss Rematch With Maple Leafs
William Nylander

Injured on Friday
Joseph Woll

Rejoins Maple Leafs
Dalton Schultz

Will Play Against 49ers in Week 8
Bryce Harper

Phillies Aren't Planning to Trade Bryce Harper
Josh Hart

Available Versus the Celtics
Karl-Anthony Towns

Cleared to Face the Celtics
De'Andre Hunter

Sidelined on Friday Night
Kristaps Porzingis

Won't Play on Friday
Nick Leddy

to Sit Out at Least Two Games
Nico Collins

Texans Rule Out Nico Collins for Week 8
Cody Glass

Set to Miss Time
Jason Zucker

Expected to Play Friday
Pierre-Luc Dubois

Misses Fifth Straight Game Friday
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Could Return to Practice Next Week
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Out on Friday
Lukas Reichel

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Officially Ruled Out for Week 8
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Carter Hart Signs Two-Year Deal With Golden Knights
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Ruled Out For Week 8
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Officially Listed as Questionable to Play in Week 8
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Officially Questionable to Play in Week 8 Due to Groin Injury
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Questionable to Return Friday
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Remains Out Friday
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Iffy for Friday Night
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In Dire Need Of Victory
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Remains Sidelined on Friday
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Won't Play on Friday
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Exits With Injury Thursday
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Injured in Thursday's Win
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Texas Tech QB Will Hammond Will Start vs. Oklahoma State Saturday
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Kansas State RB Dylan Edwards Out For Sunflower Showdown
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Arizona State WR Jordyn Tyson Will Not Play In Week 9
Brock Purdy

Not Expected to Play in Week 8
J.J. McCarthy

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Omarion Hampton

Still Wearing a Walking Boot After Week 8
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Questionable for Friday
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Max Shabanov Out Against Red Wings
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Utah QB Devon Dampier Listed as Questionable on Big 12 Injury Report
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PGA

Alex Noren is a Smash Play at Bank of Utah Championship
Maverick McNealy

Look Out For Maverick McNealy This Week in Utah
Justin Lower

Unlikely to Flip The Script at Bank of Utah Championship
Stephan Jaeger

Looking for Repeat Performance in Utah
CFB

Behren Morton Will be Listed as Questionable on Wednesday
Max McGreevy

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Jackson Suber

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Greyson Sigg

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Seamus Power

Hopes to Make More Birdies This Week
Patton Kizzire

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Beau Hossler

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Adam Hadwin

Looking to Find the Weekend in Utah
Christiaan Bezuidenhout

Enjoying the Fall Golf Season
Tom Hoge

Sputtering into Bank of Utah Championship
Sahith Theegala

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Andrew Putnam

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Matt McCarty

Looks to Defend Title in Utah
Ben Kohles

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Max Homa

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Nick Dunlap

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CFB

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Florida Fires Head Coach Billy Napier After Four Years

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