Quarterbacks
Tom Brady QB, Patriots: Achilles, shoulder injuries
Brady has been playing through the Achilles injury for about a month injury, and his left (non-throwing) shoulder has also given him trouble this season. Neither injury should hold him out of Week 17, but lingering injuries do add up. Brady’s performance in Week 15 against the Dolphins was hindered by his Achilles injury, and it could definitely be affected while he deals with two injuries on Sunday.
Wide Receivers
Amari Cooper WR, Raiders: ankle injury
Amari Cooper returned from a high-ankle sprain on Monday and put up one of his better stat lines, including a touchdown. He has still dropped more passes than anyone except Dez Bryant this year, but a matchup with the Chargers in Week 17 could be promising. Cooper was limited in practice early in the week, but the Raiders are just limiting his reps. He was removed from the final injury report and will play this be weekend. He’s an Elevated Injury Risk for Sunday.
Marquise Goodwin WR, 49ers: back injury
Marquise Goodwin was limited at practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but his Week 17 availability isn’t in question after a full practice Friday. He followed a similar routine last week and was able to put up three catches for 37 yards against the Jaguars for a win. The 49ers face the Rams on Sunday, where Goodwin will try to reach his first 1,000 yard season. He needs 66 yards on Sunday to reach that mark.
Chris Hogan WR, Patriots: shoulder injury
For six of New England’s past seven games, Chris Hogan has been on the sidelines with a shoulder injury. He tried to make a return in Week 15 when Gronk was out on suspension, but he didn’t do much of anything. Three limited practices this week doesn’t mean much, and it’s likely that the Patriots continue to hold him out until the Divisional Round. He remains an Elevated Injury Risk with a Below Average HPF (Health Performance Factor- predictor of performance based on injuries and other related factors).
Michael Thomas WR, Saints: hamstring injury
Michael Thomas played through the hamstring injury in Week 16, and he was able to put up a decent stat line that included four catches for 66 yards. He was limited in practice all week, indicating that he plans to continue playing through the injury in Week 17. Hamstring injuries are easily aggravated though, making Thomas an Elevated Injury Risk.
Julio Jones WR, Falcons: ankle, thumb injuries
Julio Jones’ practice reps are almost always limited so it isn’t surprising to see a Wednesday DNP for him this week. He returned to a limited session on Thursday and Friday. His thumb was obviously bothering him before Sunday’s game, but he was able to play through the pain and put on a good performance. It’s a must-win game against the Panthers on Sunday, so Jones should be out in full-force.
Jermaine Kearse WR, Jets: ankle injury
Jermaine Kearse has been a solid receiver for the Jets since they acquired him in September, but his season could
be ending a week short. Kearse popped up on the injury report with an ankle injury and did not practice Wednesday on Thursday. He did return to a full session on Friday, but he is still considered questionable for Sunday’s game. The Inside Injuries algorithm is calculating a three week Optimal Recovery Time. Given the Jets no longer have a shot at the playoffs, it wouldn’t make sense to risk further damage in a useless Week 17 game against the Patriots.
Jeremy Maclin WR, Ravens: knee injury
Jeremy Maclin did not practice at all this week and is looking doubtful for Week 17. It would be his second straight game on the sidelines and his fourth of the year. There was optimism at the beginning of the week that Maclin would be able to play on Sunday, but that hope is fading quickly. Maclin is a High Injury Risk.
DeSean Jackson WR, Buccaneers: ankle injury
DeSean Jackson returned to practice on Wednesday after suffering a sprained ankle in Week 15 against the Falcons. He was limited in practice throughout the week. Jackson appears to be on track to play in Week 17, but he won’t be healthy. The Inside Injuries algorithm calculated a 3-5 week Optimal Recovery Time, and a Week 17 return would have only given him two weeks of rest. He’s a risky fantasy play.
Running Backs
Samaje Perine RB, Redskins: groin, shoulder, Achilles injuries
Samaje Perine injured his groin last Thursday in practice but was able to play in Week 16. During the game, Perine picked up both Achilles and shoulder injuries but was able to return and finish the game. He was a full participant in practice all week and is on track to play on Sunday. He’s a High Injury Risk though, so a setback during the game is very possible.
Melvin Gordon RB, Chargers: ankle injury
Melvin Gordon suffered a left ankle injury late in Sunday’s game and was seen in a walking boot on Monday. There is no official word on X-ray or MRI results, but the Chargers are calling it an ankle sprain. Gordon did not practice on Wednesday, which isn’t a big surprise. He return to get in limited practices Thursday and Friday. Given that the Inside Injuries algorithm is calculating a three week Optimal Recovery Time, Gordon will not be ready to go full speed by Sunday. He is officially questionable.
Kerwynn Williams RB, Cardinals: quad, ribs injury
Williams has been playing through a quad injury for a few weeks now, but the ribs injury is new. The main concern with a ribs injury is pain management, but it is possible to play through. Williams hasn’t been making much of a dent in fantasy since filling in for Adrian Peterson (neck, IR), likely because of his injuries. We don’t expect much out of him in Week 17, although is expected to try to play again despite being banged up.
James White RB, Patriots: ankle sprain
James White sat out Week 16, but he will likely make his return from the one game absence on Sunday. He was limited at practice all week with the ankle injury. With Rex Burkhead likely out for Week 17, White could be an active part of the Patriots offense.
Giovani Bernard RB, Bengals: ankle injury
Bernard picked up a minor ankle injury in Week 16. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday but upgraded to full on Friday. This suggests he’ll play in the regular season finale on Sunday. If Joe Mixon (ankle) is out for Week 17, Bernard could see another big usage game.
Duke Johnson RB, Browns: shoulder injury
Duke Johnson was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday with a shoulder injury, but he was also limited last Wednesday before being taken off the final injury report. He was upgraded to a full participant on Friday. He’s not in danger of missing Week 17.
Isaiah Crowell RB, Browns: shoulder, ribs injury
Crowell has played through a shoulder injury for a few weeks now but the ribs injury is new. Crowell is used to getting limited practice reps, so his limited session on Wednesday isn’t concerning. He was then removed from the final injury report on Friday. Pain management will be the key for Week 17.
Joe Mixon RB, Bengals: ankle injury
Joe Mixon made his return in Week 16 after missing three straight games to a concussion. He suffered an ankle injury in his return and is looking questionable for Week 17. Mixon did not participate in practice on Wednesday, but he did get in limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. It would be the smart move to sit him.
Tight Ends
Jared Cook TE, Raiders: wrist injury
Cook has been playing through a wrist injury for a while now, so a limited session on Wednesday and Thursday isn’t much of a concern. He hasn’t missed time to the injury and he leads the Raiders with 653 receiving yards so far this season.
Jimmy Graham TE, Seahawks: knee injury
Jimmy Graham didn’t participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday. Graham’s practice reps have been limited at various times throughout the season because of lower body injuries, but two DNPs in a row is more concerning. Graham is a must-play option when he’s on the field, but it is a bit of a concern that he’s caught just two passes for two yards over his last three games. Graham was removed from the Seahawks’ final injury report so he will play, although again he is a High Injury Risk.
Kyle Rudolph TE, Vikings: ankle injury
Rudolph has been playing through an ankle injury for week now. He was limited at practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but that’s become part of his routine. He’ll be out there on Sunday against the Bears.
Cameron Brate TE, Buccaneers: back injury
Cameron Brate did not practice on Wednesday because of a back injury, but he returned to practice on Thursday. It looks like Wednesday’s absence could have just been a maintenance day, because he returned to a limited practice on Thursday. Friday he was upgraded to a full participant. It’s worth noting Brate was dealing with hip and knee injuries last week. He’s banged up and he hasn’t been a reliable fantasy option all year.
Follow Virgina @VZakas and Inside Injuries.
