NFL Injuries & News for Week 17 and Fantasy Playoffs

As you get ready for Week 17 and the final week of the regular season, injuries are an integral part of your lineup research.  RotoBaller has you covered with injury reports from around the league after last Sunday’s action.  Get all the information on questionable players heading into Week 17 and the playoffs; be sure to stay on top of their most recent health updates.

NFL Injuries & News for Week 17

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Baltimore Ravens:

• QB: Joe Flacco (knee) is not at 100% even though he claims he feels a lot better.
  • Analysis: Well it's obvious Flacco isn't 100% since he was having trouble planting his left leg, subsequently failing to put power into his throws and throwing up ducks.  Flacco missed Torrey Smith twice on deep throws and he'll have a tough time against Cincinnati in a must-win game.  Fire him up as a desperation QB2 if you somehow made it to a Week 17 playoff game.

Buffalo Bills:

• QB: E.J. Manuel (knee) is practicing this week.
  • Analysis: He wasn't involved in the win last week against the Dolphins; however, he resumed practice and that's certainly a good sign for those who may need a QB. Though, if you need to start Manuel, we assume you're either really lucky to be in the final or are in the consolation playoffs.
• WR: Marquise Goodwin (knee) is practicing on Tuesday.
  • Analysis: He left early in Week 16 against the Dolphins, but apparently he got away without any major injury.  The rookie speedster seems to be on track against the Patriots for Week 17.  Considering how the season overall has gone for the Patriots' secondary, Goodwin might be worth firing up as a WR4/5 or a desperation FLEX.
• RB: Fred Jackson (ribs) did not practice.
  • Analysis: He played through the injury in the win against Miami and this was nothing more than a rest day for him.  F-Jax should be ready to go against New England's porous run D and is a good FLEX play for the final week.

Cincinnati Bengals:

• TE: Jermaine Gresham (abdomen) and Tyler Eifert (shoulder) did not practice on Tuesday
  • Analysis: For Gresham, it was nothing more than a rest day on Tuesday.  It was similar for Eifert; however, unlike the initial diagnosis of some sort of neck injury, his issue was a shoulder injury and the team feels he'll be fine, so he should be back on the field by Sunday night for the game against Baltimore.
• D/ST: LB Vontaze Burfict (head) is going through the NFL concussion protocol.
  • Analysis: He was having a great day (6 tackles and 2 sacks) before leaving the game with the concussion.  Burfict has been excellent all season and if there's any doubt in him passing the NFL concussion protocol in time, it would be quite the hit for Cincinnati's D against the Ravens.  Those in IDP leagues or those with the Bengals' D should keep monitoring his situation throughout the week.

Cleveland Browns:

• D/ST: CB Joe Haden (hip) is questionable for Week 17.
  • Analysis: Well it may well be over for the year for "The Holy Hand of Haden" as he couldn't finish out match-up against the Jets.  Overall, it's looking highly unlikely that he'll finish out the season and he'll likely sit out against the Steelers.

Dallas Cowboys:

• QB: Tony Romo (back) did not practice this week.
  • Analysis: As all the reports have stated, Romo's season is likely over due to a herniated disk in his back.  He reportedly received an epidural injection in his back earlier in the week and at this point the coaching staff says he is day-to-day.  If Romo truly has a herniated disk, he's out for the year.  Romo owners have likely already scrambled to grab another QB; however, those who are still holding out hope shouldn't bother and just pick somebody up ASAP.

Denver Broncos:

• WR: Wes Welker (concussion) returned to limited practice.
  • Analysis: Considering the Broncos won't be playing for anything meaningful until the Divisional Round of the playoffs, it's highly unlikely that Welker will be playing any meaningful snaps against the Raiders in Week 17.  Keep monitoring how his situation is through the week, but Welker owners likely already have a contingency plan in place.

• D/ST: LB Von Miller tore his right ACL and is headed to the IR
  • Analysis: Quite the blow to the Broncos defense as he's had 35 sacks across 40 career games.  The expectation is that he should be healed and ready around 6 to 9 months; however, seeing how RG III's injury went this year, there should be no reason for him to rush back.

Detroit Lions:

• TE: Brandon Pettigrew (ankle) was put on IR.
  • Analysis: Considering his high ankle sprain and pending unrestricted free agency, it's highly likely he's played his last snap with the Lions.  That being said, any Pettigrew owners likely have another plan in place.

Green Bay Packers:

• QB: Aaron Rodgers (collarbone) should have a decision about his Week 17 status Thursday.
  • Analysis: It's now been 7 and a half weeks since Rodgers' injury, longer than the timetables expected.  Rodgers stated he's been feeling better through his practices and as of now, the scans for this week have also been done and are now in the process of being evaluated.  At this point, Rodgers has a 50/50 shot to play, but if he does play and Rodgers owners have held onto him this long, he's probably good to go as a low-end QB1 considering how good he is.  Stay tuned.
• RB: Eddie Lacy (ankle) did not practice Wednesday.
  • Analysis: The potential rookie-of-the year candidate is taking is easy for the early part of this week, but is hoping he will be playing for the division title against the Bears.  Keep monitoring the situation, but in case he can't go, make sure to grab James Starks.  Chicago's run defense is quite porous so even Starks is a good play here.

Houston Texans:

• TE: Owen Daniels (leg) might return and Garrett Graham (hamstring) is questionable for Week 16.
  • Analysis: Houston has been a mess all season and interim coach Wade Phillips isn't committing to the possibility of Daniels returning for Week 16 against Denver, let alone this season.  There's really no reason why he should and as such is off the re-draft league radar for the fantasy playoffs.  Graham's situation is just as messy as he was inactive against the Colts in Week 15 and his fill-in, Ryan Griffin, matched Graham's work on the field.  Is Ryan Griffin a desperation start at TE considering the situation in Houston?  Possibly, but Houston's TE situation is not one to ride further into the fantasy playoffs.

Jacksonville Jaguars:

• RB: Maurice Jones-Drew (hamstring) did not practice Tuesday.
  • Analysis: It's no more than a rest day for MJD as he's fully expected to play on Sunday; however, he'll be sharing the load with Jordan Todman, so don't expect much in a meaningless game against the Colts.  MJD owners should use him regardless, but he's no more than a shaky FLEX play.

Miami Dolphins:

• QB: Ryan Tannehill (knee) practiced on Tuesday.
  • Analysis: It confirms that he didn't sustain any major knee damage with the "Sackfest" he took in Buffalo.  Owners should expect a bounce-back week for the Sunday game against the Jets as the entire Dolphins team essentially didn't show up in Buffalo.

Minnesota Vikings:

• RB: Adrian Peterson (foot, groin) and Toby Gerhart (hamstring) is expected to sit out for Week 17
  • Analysis: Long story short, the game against the Lions is meaningless for both teams and the expectation is that Joe Banyard is the next man on the totem pole.  It something AP owners should certainly keep in mind, but it might be better to have another contingency plan in order as Detroit's run game has been quite good as of late.

New England Patriots:.

• WR: Shane Vereen (groin) was limited in practice on Wednesday.
  • Analysis: He did return to the sidelines in the blowout win against the Ravens, but he never entered the game again.  Thankfully, a TD catch salvaged his fantasy day.  As is typical with the Patriots, we won't know much for most of the week and we certainly won't have any specifics until later in the week.  Owners should stay tuned for any details coming out of New England.

New York Giants:

• WR: Andre Brown (concussion) passed his concussion test.
  • Analysis: Had the Giants held practice, it was expected he would have practiced today.  Barring a setback, he should be good to go against Washington's mostly inept defense on Sunday.  Even though the Giants have nothing to play for, Brown is expected to play a full complement of snaps as he did not start around Week 10 of the season.

Pittsburgh Steelers:

• WR: Emmanuel Sanders (knee) has a sprained lateral meniscus.
  • Analysis: The Steelers have an outside shot at the AFC's sixth playoff seed and he's likely doing whatever he can to suit up; however, he is an unrestricted free agent so if there are any lingering doubts, he won't be suiting up.  If he does play, expect to start him as a WR3 against the Browns.

San Diego Chargers:

• RB: Ryan Mathews (ankle) expects to play in Week 17.
  • Analysis: He was held out of practice on Wednesday, though he was able to play through the injury.  Even at less than 100%, he should get a full workload against the Raiders coming Sunday.  As he's had a TD in 3 straight games and seeing what Jamal Charles did against them a couple of weeks ago, expect to fire him as an RB2.

Seattle Seahawks:

• WR: Percy Harvin (hip) season could be over, playoffs and all.
  • Analysis: Coach Carroll stated that Harvin may be placed on IR as the team may need/want to make a corresponding roster move.  He's already out for Week 17, but he could be out for the playoffs.  It could be bad for Harvin if he has any issues in the off-season (as he injured his hip working out on his own last off-season).  Keeper league owners may want to hold onto him, but it might be worth considering any trade offers that come your way.

St. Louis Rams:

• WR: Tavon Austin (ankle) is questionable for Week 17 and did not practice Wednesday.
  • Analysis: He's likely shaping up as a game-time decision for Week 17, but unless one's league counts return yards, even if he plays, Austin is a WR5 at best, if not just a desperation FLEX.

San Francisco 49ers:

• WR: Mario Manningham (knee) was limited in practice on Wednesday.
  • Analysis: He was a surprising scratch in Monday's win against the Falcons.  When healthy he's been the third option in the 49ers passing game at best.  He'll be a WR4/5 against the Cardinals on Sunday.

Washington Redskins:

• TE: Jordan Reed (concussion) has been placed on IR, ending his season.
  • Analysis: Reed's history of concussions did not help his cause and the recurring headaches became an issue.  Concussion specialists recommended Reed not practice for 3 more weeks.  Barring any issues in the off-season, those in dynasty/keeper leagues should keep monitoring his status going into the offseason.  Reed's talent may make him worth holding onto; however, he may be worth trading away for the right price.  Regardless, he's a TE1 going into to 2014.