Fantasy Football: Week 16 Injury Update, Top Waiver-wire Pickups

Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Keenan Allen #13 of the Los Angeles Chargers walks off the field after warm up before the game against the Denver Broncos at StubHub Center on November 18 in Carson, California. Harry How/Getty Images

With Week 16 of the NFL season rapidly approaching, it's time to assess the latest injury updates and scout waiver wires in a bid to find those all-important pickups.

Here is a roundup of the main injuries from Week 14 and their impact on your fantasy football roster.

Read more: Fantasy football: The best waiver-wire pickups for Week 16

Wide Receiver

Keenan Allen—Los Angeles Chargers

Allen suffered a hip injury on Thursday night and left the field earlier than expected, as the Chargers mounted a spirited comeback against the Chiefs. He missed practice on Tuesday but the Chargers have not ruled him out of Saturday's game against the Ravens.

Waivers pickup: Mike Williams—Los Angeles Chargers (11.5 fantasy points on average, owned by 29 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

Tyler Boyd—Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals' rotten luck with injuries continued as Boyd sprained his right MCL. His injury is being described as a "low grade" sprain but the third-year is unlikely to return this season.

Waivers pickup: DaeSean Hamilton—Denver Broncos (2.9 fantasy points on average, owned by 24.1 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

#Bengals WR Tyler Boyd suffered a low-grade MCL sprain, source said. Boyd, who had his MRI yesterday, eclipsed 1,000 yards in the win and is a promising player. He could miss time, and with only two weeks left in the season, that could be it for 2018.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 17, 2018

Randall Cobb—Green Bay Packers

Cobb suffered a concussion against the Bears on Sunday and will have to clear the league protocol to be allowed to play in Week 16.

Waivers pickup: Robby Anderson—New York Jets (8.7 fantasy points on average, owned by 18.1 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

Quarterback

Aaron Rodgers—Green Bay Packers

Rodgers is a doubt for Sunday's trip to New York as he tweaked his groin against the Bears in Week 16. As per NFL.com, Packers coach Joe Philbin doesn't plan to shut him down even though the Packers have already been eliminated from the playoffs.

Waivers pickup: Josh Allen—Buffalo Bills (11.1 fantasy points on average, owned by 31.4 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

Carson Wentz—Philadelphia Eagles

Wentz was ruled out of last week's trip to Los Angeles with a back problem and while the Eagles have not put him back on injured reserve, they have confirmed he will miss Week 16.

Waivers pickup: Nick Foles—Philadelphia Eagles (2.1 fantasy points on average, owned by 9.4 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

Running Back

Aaron Jones—Green Bay Packers

Jones sprained his right MCL in the defeat to the Bears in Week 16 and is expected to be out for at least a week. He suffered a similar injury to his left knee against the same opponent last season and missed two games.

Waivers pickup: Jamaal Williams—Green Bay Packers (5.8 fantasy points on average, owned by 12.1 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

#Packers RB Aaron Jones has a knee injury and his return is questionable. #GBvsCHI

— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 16, 2018

Frank Gore—Miami Dolphins

The veteran running back hasn't missed a game since 2010 but the streak is set to end after Gore suffered a sprained foot. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday that the 35-year-old will miss the rest of the season.

After undergoing tests on his sprained foot, Dolphins’ RB Frank Gore is not expected to play again this season, per source.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 17, 2018

Waivers pickup: Kalen Ballage—Miami Dolphins (1.9 fantasy points on average, owned by 0.5 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

Lamar Miller—Houston Texans

Miller twisted his ankle as the Texans beat the Jets on the road on Saturday. Having left the field to run off the injury, he returned but only played a few snaps before being ruled out. His injury was described as "not major" but he remains day-to-day.

#Texans RB Lamar Miller injured his ankle in last night’s win over the #Jets, but sources say it’s not major. There is a chance he’s back next week, but either way, it won’t affect him in the playoffs.

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 16, 2018

Waivers pickup: Elijah McGuire—New York Jets (4 fantasy points on average, owned by 33.5 percent of ESPN Fantasy Football teams)

Marcus Murphy—Buffalo Bills

Already without their top two running backs, the Bills lost Murphy after he dislocated his left elbow. With just two games left, Murphy's season is as good as over.

Ito Smith—Atlanta Falcons

Smith aggravated a knee injury in Week 15 as he suffered a torn meniscus. The Falcons have confirmed he will undergo surgery and has been placed on injured reserve.

Tight End

With the exception of long-term absentees, no tight end picked up a fresh injury in Week 15.

Uncommon Knowledge

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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Dan Cancian is currently a reporter for Newsweek based in London, England. Prior to joining Newsweek in January 2018, he ... Read more

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