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NFL Week 16 Injury Report Analysis (2022 Fantasy Football)
Out Wk 16, but a solid chance to return Wk 17. By Wk 18, most players would have regained their full running explosiveness. The pending contract situation may have influence on Lamar’s decisions behind closed doors, but doubt we’ll hear much about that from a buttoned up organization like the Ravens.
Likely playing. Mild foot sprains don’t drop RB performance in our data, but they do make teams more likely to spread the touches amongst an RB committee. If the game becomes a blowout, look for Hunt to carry the load.
Mild AC joint injuries don’t impact most players, but this one involves Hurts’s throwing shoulder so the Eagles understandably want to tread carefully here. The good news is: (1) He was still able to go 7 for 10 throwing against the Bears after this injury and (2) He ran the ball 4 times after, so he wasn’t clearly feeling a need to protect it. Overall that suggests mild severity, which takes ~3 weeks to get to 100%. How the Eagles manage this is TBD. I’d be trying to convince Hurts to sit Wk 16 and 17 and return for Wk 18, but he seems like the type who might try to return Wk 17 for his teammates. Either way, minimal playoff concern expected here.
TBD. Lean towards playing. The timing of Chubb’s addition to the weekly injury report drops the likelihood of Chubb suiting up by ~30%, but his immediate return to practice suggests a mild injury. Based on that information, we’d expect Chubb to play and be at near full production levels.
TBD. Lean towards playing. At this point, a low ankle issue wouldn’t be expected to cause much workload limitation or performance impact. Especially considering he had the same designation last week when he put up stellar numbers in a workhorse role, we’re not expecting much injury impact here.
With Zach Wilson benched again, the urgency to return for Mike White is high. While average timelines take 2-4 weeks, we suspect that White will be able to find someone to clear him in time for Wk 17.
Is this another Pete Carroll mislead? Walker’s status is TBD, and Carroll says that he’s going to play. But after taking no reps in practice this week, data suggests he’s going to have major workload limitations if he’s out there at all. Going to be avoiding Walker in all DFS rosters. Highly volatile for season-long playoff teams.
Niners comments suggest they intend for Deebo to come back Wk 18. Historical data would point to the first round of the playoffs as the more likely return date. Skill position players take 1 game to ramp their touches back up to baseline, so we wouldn’t be planning to start him in DFS for the rest of the regular season regardless.
TBD. Lean towards playing. Wirfs is the 3rd best offensive tackle by PFF rankings this season, so don’t be surprised if that whole Bucs offense starts looking a lot sharper. Brady’s kryptonite has always been pressure. Therefore the impact of Having Wirfs back cannot be overstated.
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