This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
While many fantasy championships were claimed last week, there is still one more week in the 2017 NFL regular season. NFL teams fighting for a playoff berth or jockeying for playoff positioning will be motivated to play all their healthy players while those eyeing a draft position may opt to hold out their ailing guys. Either way there are plenty of injury concerns entering Week 17, so let's take a look.
The Titans currently cling to the final AFC Wild Card spot but will have to fend off the Bills and the Chargers. Unfortunately, it looks as though Tennessee will be without their lead running back. Murray sprained the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his right knee in the team's loss to the Rams on Sunday. The LCL isn't as well-known as its counterpart, the medial collateral ligament (MCL) primarily because the stress needed to injure it occurs less frequently. The LCL sits on the outer aspect of the knee, providing support during side-to-side movements of the knee. Like the MCL, the LCL can heal on its own and does not always require surgical intervention to mend. However, healing still takes time, and it's unlikely Murray is ready to go for the key matchup with the Jaguars. Furthermore, Murray has a lengthy history of right knee injuries dating back to his time at the University of Oklahoma. Invest in Derrick Henry if you can, as he is expected to fill in for the injured Murray.
The
While many fantasy championships were claimed last week, there is still one more week in the 2017 NFL regular season. NFL teams fighting for a playoff berth or jockeying for playoff positioning will be motivated to play all their healthy players while those eyeing a draft position may opt to hold out their ailing guys. Either way there are plenty of injury concerns entering Week 17, so let's take a look.
The Titans currently cling to the final AFC Wild Card spot but will have to fend off the Bills and the Chargers. Unfortunately, it looks as though Tennessee will be without their lead running back. Murray sprained the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) in his right knee in the team's loss to the Rams on Sunday. The LCL isn't as well-known as its counterpart, the medial collateral ligament (MCL) primarily because the stress needed to injure it occurs less frequently. The LCL sits on the outer aspect of the knee, providing support during side-to-side movements of the knee. Like the MCL, the LCL can heal on its own and does not always require surgical intervention to mend. However, healing still takes time, and it's unlikely Murray is ready to go for the key matchup with the Jaguars. Furthermore, Murray has a lengthy history of right knee injuries dating back to his time at the University of Oklahoma. Invest in Derrick Henry if you can, as he is expected to fill in for the injured Murray.
The Chargers could be chasing that final playoff spot without their starting running back as well. Gordon suffered an ankle injury during the fourth quarter of the team's win over the Jets. The injury is likely a sprain, though the Chargers remain cryptic regarding specifics. The plan is to see how Gordon's ankle progresses throughout the week before making a decision about his availability. This is shaping up to be a game-time decision, so Gordon owners may want to consider adding Branden Oliver as an insurance policy.
Jacksonville Jaguars Wide Receivers
Jaelen Strong revealed on Instagram that he tore his ACL during the team's loss to the 49ers. Strong provided the Jaguars some much needed depth at the wide receiver position, with Marqise Lee and Allen Hurns both nursing ankle injuries. Unfortunately, for fantasy owners, the Jags clinched their first AFC South division title when the Titans lost to the Rams, buying the depleted receiver corps an extra week of rest and recovery. Even if Lee and Hurns are healthy enough to compete, look for Jacksonville to treat them conservatively. Keelan Cole and Dede Westbrook are both worth consideration for teams looking for an available wide out. Cole hauled in six catches for 108 yards against the Niners, while Westbrook finished with 74 yards on four receptions. However, Cole came up limping in Week 16 with an ankle injury of his own and may join Lee and Hurns in street clothes.
Turf Burns
Antonio Brown: Brown will not play in Week 17, though the chances of a postseason return remain high. The All-Pro wide receiver didn't play in Week 16 after suffering a moderate calf strain. The injury appears to be in the muscle belly of the calf muscle group, a spot more favorable to healing than other areas like the tendon. Pittsburgh's Christmas Day win over the Texans insured a first-round bye, securing Brown extra time to recuperate. Even if he can take the field in the divisional round, Brown will be a risky playoff investment, as the chances of aggravating the injury will be high. Additionally, the winter weather in Pittsburgh could further complicate things, as cold temperatures can increase stiffness in muscles and hinder their functionality.
Davante Adams, Aaron Jones, and Jordy Nelson: The Packers have already shut down Aaron Rodgers (collarbone) for the season and will face tough decisions on three other key contributors to the Green Bay offense.
Adams did not play in Week 16 against the Vikings after he failed to complete the NFL's mandated-concussion protocol. The wide receiver suffered his second concussion of the season in Week 15 and remains a question mark for Week 17 against the Lions. However, it seems more likely he will not play considering the effects of concussions are cumulative and the team has been eliminated from playoff contention.
Jones also suffered a repeat injury, spraining his MCL against the Vikings. However, Jones' previous MCL sprain was to his right knee, and his latest ailments is to his left. The first sprain forced him out of action for two weeks and it's reasonable to think his season is over. Still, the Packers have not ruled him out yet and plan on monitoring his status throughout the week. Regardless, Jamaal Williams appears to be the running back to own in Green Bay.
Nelson missed the second half of the loss to the Vikings with an undisclosed shoulder injury. The team was still evaluating the injury, though it wouldn't be surprising if Green Bay shut down the veteran receiver for the regular season finale. Even if Nelson does manage to suit up, it's hard to have much confidence in his productivity. Nelson has struggled this season and even more so without Rodgers. He has failed to surpass 100 yards receiving in any game this season and struggled to find the end zone. The former Pro Bowl hasn't caught a touchdown since Week 5, the game before Rodgers broke his collarbone.
Michael Thomas: Despite suffering a hamstring injury late last week, Thomas was active for the team's playoff clinching win over the Falcons. He finished with four receptions for 66 yards but failed to score a touchdown for the first time in four weeks. While his performance on Sunday was encouraging, hamstring injuries can be slow to heal and difficult to manage, so look for the Saints to remain cautious in their approach. With the division still up for grabs, look for Thomas to see limited practice reps but be in uniform for Week 17's key matchup against the Buccaneers.
