Week 16 Injuries- Authored by Kristina Bravo
Here is an update on injuries in the NFL as of Saturday evening.
Patriots will be without wide receivers Josh Boyce and Kenbrell Tompkins, who did not make the trip with the team to Baltimore and other wide out Aaron Dobson will be a game time decision and is ruled questionable at the moment. Tom Brady’s shoulder injury continues to bother him but he is still being called probable for the game. On the flip side, opposing quarterback Joe Flacco is being ruled questionable for now with his knee injury but will likely be starting in the game barring unforeseen complications.
Despite promising practice sessions Aaron Rodgers and Randall Cobb have been ruled out for tomorrow’s game. Though the news is not unexpected, it is still a setback for owners still hoping to yield some benefit from Rodgers in this second half. Packers RB Eddie Lacy, however, has been upgraded to probable after full participation in practice on his injured ankle. Their opponents have the Pittsburgh Steelers have upgraded their entire injured personal probable for the game including Jericho Cotchery and Emmanuel Sanders on offense, Brent Keisel and Troy Polamalu on defense.
In Minnesota, Adrian Peterson continues to feel ready to play, but the Vikings have kept him as questionable. Ultimately his playing will hinge upon the team’s evaluation of risk vs. reward having already been eliminated from the playoffs. Back up Toby Gerhart, meanwhile, has been upgraded to probable for tomorrow. The Bengals defense will struggle if Peterson plays, with James Harrison and Carlos Dunlap still ruled questionable to play with concussion issues and Terrance Newman doubtful with a knee injury; however Jermaine Gresham continues to be listed as probable for Sunday to add another target for Andy Dalton.
The New Orleans Saints have been rolling with good fortune with limited injuries; however the Panthers have not been as fortunate. Steve Smith missed practice with his finger injury, though he is still expected to play. Also limited in practice was tight end Greg Olsen and running back Jonathan Stewart.
While Miami stays in the playoff hunt their running back Daniel Thomas is listed as questionable. Amongst the litany of injuries the Bills face, Fred Jackson was added to the injury list. Without EJ Manuel and Steve Johnson playing, expect Jackson to be play as he is listed probable.
As for Denver and Houston, Wes Welker is officially ruled out for the match as well as Houston tight end Garrett Graham. Look for Peyton Manning to play, regardless of his name on the injury reports for his ankle for the last couple weeks, and possibly break Tom Brady’s passing record for a single season.
Maurice Jones-Drew will ultimately be a game time decision for the Jaguars in their match against the Titans. His counterpart in Tennessee Chris Johnson is officially listed as probable for the match up.
Their AFC South leaders the Colts are facing the Chiefs this week, likely without wide receiver T.Y Hilton, who has been downgraded to questionable for the match.
The Jets are poised to have most of their starters play against the Browns, Santonio Holmes and Kellen Winslow are notably listed as probable. In the mean time, the Browns will have neither tight ends Jordan Cameron nor Andre Smith available to start this weekend.
In a battle of break out receivers, the Buccaneers appear to have an edge; Vincent Jackson will be playing Sunday while Tavon Auston, who finally started producing fantasy points just a few weeks ago, is listed as questionable and likely out for the game.
In Washington, Jordan Reed has officially been deactivated for the season due to injury and will not play against the Cowboys. Dallas is also suffering, with wide receiver Trent Williams questionable and Dwayne Harris out for the game. Their already suffering defense will officially play without Sean Lee, though Demarcus Ware is holding steady to probably play the match.
In Detroit it was already announced Victor Cruz is done for the season, but the Giants will also be playing without Peyton Hillis, out with a concussion. On the other side of the ball Detroit will be without tight end Brandon Pettigrew and Calvin Johnson is listed as questionable. There’s little doubt he will play however, as he has been bouncing back and forth all year between probable and questionable with his knee injury.
This week might be the week for Darren McFadden, plagued by injuries he has been upgraded to probable for this week against San Diego. With a new contract on the line, don’t be surprised to see him playing on Sunday. Chargers will play without Eddie Royal this week, but Ryan Mathews should play.
Finally in San Francisco, a pair of wide receivers have flipped positions entirely. Mario Manningham is questionable to return Sunday, however Michael Crabtree has all but effectively taken most of his production away upon his return. He is listed as probable for Sunday.
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