The Awesemo NFL Injury Report: Week 16 Daily Updates | Derek Carr, Clyde Edwards-Helaire + More

Welcome to the Awesemo NFL Injury Report for Week 16 NFL DFS and Fantasy Football lineups. Our team of NFL analysts will update breaking news in real-time and provide advice on how to attack NFL daily fantasy slates on DraftKings and FanDuel, as well as season-long fantasy football leagues on Yahoo, ESPN, CBS, and more.

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Week 16 Injury Report | NFL DFS + Fantasy Football

Sunday, Dec. 27

Sunday inactive list

James Robinson, RB | Jacksonville Jaguars (Ankle): Out

Jarvis Landry, WR | Cleveland Browns (COVID): Out

Rashard Higgins, WR | Cleveland Browns (COVID): Out

Donovan Peoples-Jones | Clevland Browns (COVID): Out

Julio Jones, WR | Atlanta Falcons (Hamstring): Out

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB | Kansas City Chiefs (Ankle, Hip): Out

Tyler Boyd, WR | Cincinnati Bengals (Concussion): Out

Duke Johnson, RB | Houston Texans (Neck): Out

Golden Tate, WR | New York Giants (Calf): Out

Phillip Lindsay, RB | Denver Broncos (Hip): Out

Hunter Henry, TE | Los Angeles Chargers (COVID): Out

Christian McCaffrey, RB | Carolina Panthers (Thigh): Out

Cam Akers, RB | Los Angeles Rams (Ankle): Out

Terry McLaurin, WR | Washington Football team (Ankle): Out

Keenan Allen, WR | Los Angeles Chargers (Hamstring): Out

Kyle Rudolph, TE | Minnesota Vikings (Foot): Out

Alex Smith, QB | Washington Football team (Calf): Out

Mark Ingram, RB | Baltimore Ravens: Out

C.J. Prosise, RB | Houston Texans: Out

Sunday Active List 

Tyreek Hill, WR | Kansas City Chiefs (Hamstring): Expected to play

Allen Robinson, WR | Chicago Bears (Hamstring): Expected to play

Antonio Gibson, RB | Washington Football Team (Toe): Expected to play

DeSean Jackson, WR | Philadelphia Eagles (Ankle): Expected to play

James Conner, RB | Pittsburgh Steelers (Quad): Expected to play

Ezekiel Elliott, RB | Dallas Cowboys (Calf): Expected to play

Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR | Washington Football Team (Hamstring): Expected to play

Jamison Crowder, WR | New York Jets (Calf, Thigh): Expected to play

Cam Newton, QB | New England Patriots: Expected to play

Daniel Jones, QB | New York Giants (Hamstring): Expected to play

Cordarrelle Patterson, WR | Chicago Bears (Knee): Expected to play

Saturday, Dec. 26

Jamaal Williams, RB | Green Bay Packers (Quad): The Packers list Williams as doubtful heading into Week 16 due to a quad injury. The quad injury kept him sidelined this week during practice for the Packers. It also forced Williams to exit the game during Week 15. Rookie running back AJ Dillon filled in once Williams left the game and turned but was rather ineffective. Aaron Jones will see the lion’s share of work Week 16 with no Williams on the field. The Packers have a match against the Tennessee Titans this Sunday where Jones will be seen as a top 10 RB1.

Duke Johnson, RB | Houston Texans (Neck): Johnson will not play during Week 16 due to a neck injury. Duke also missed Week 15 due to the same injury. David Johnson played as an every-down back during Duke’s absence and will continue to do so in Week 16. C.J. Prosise will operate as David’s backup while Duke is away from the team.

Marquise Brown, WR | Baltimore Ravens (Knee): Brown will head into his Week 16 matchup against the New York Giants listed as questionable. Brown did practice with his team in full on Friday and seems on track to play on Sunday. Brown now has 3 touchdowns over his last 4 contests and seems to be finding more chemistry with Lamar Jackson as of late. As long as Brown doesn’t have any setbacks ahead of Sunday, he will be viewed as a high upside WR3.

Keenan Allen, WR | Los Angeles Chargers (Hamstring): Allen practiced with his team on a limited basis Friday due to a hamstring issue. The Chargers are coming off their mini bye week, which gave Allen a little more time to nurse his bad hamstring. His return to practice on Friday is an upgrade seeing that he was sidelined for Wednesday and Thursday practice sessions. The Chargers are listing Allen as questionable into Week 16. Allen will be a WR1 in a favorable matchup against the Denver Broncos this Sunday.

Tyreek Hill, WR | Kansas City Chiefs (Hamstring): The Chiefs are listing Hill as questionable for Week 16. Chiefs head coach Andy Reid told reporters Hill is expected to play Sunday, which should be a relief to season-long fantasy managers rostering Hill during championship games. Hill has an outstanding matchup this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons, where he will be a top-end WR1.

Phillip Lindsay, RB | Denver Broncos (Hip): The Broncos are ruling Lindsay out for Week 16. It’s not a good situation for Denver, who is struggling to keep running backs healthy. The Broncos are also listing Royce Freeman as questionable, making the situation worse. Running back Melvin Gordon will be in line for a hefty workload on Sunday. Based on the volume alone, Gordon holds RB1 status this week.

Terry McLaurin, WR | Washington Football team (Ankle): Mclaurin did not practice at all with his team during the week. Washington has listed McLaurin as questionable heading into Week 16. Steven Sims and Dontrelle Inman will see an uptick in targets with McLaurin off the field. Logan Thomas and J.D. McKissic will also see an increase in targets during Week 16. Update: Dontrelle Inman was cut by Washington Saturday afternoon.

Julio Jones, WR | Atlanta Falcons (Hamstring): The Falcons are ruling Jones out for Week 16. This doesn’t come as a surprise; Jones has been dealing with hamstring soreness all season. As we’ve seen in prior weeks where Jones has been off the field, Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage will play prominent roles in the Falcons passing game this week. The Falcons have a match with the Kansas City Chiefs during Week 16. The game script here should be favorable for Ridley and Gage.

DeSean Jackson, WR | Philadelphia Eagles (Ankle): The Eagles have activated Jackson from the team’s injured serve list on Saturday. Jackson has been away from his team since Week 7 due to an ankle injury. It’s a boost to the Eagles passing game that seems to have found new life with quarterback Jalen Hurts under center. Jackson has a bad reputation as an injury-prone receiver, and rightfully so. Jackson is a boom or bust WR3 this Sunday when the Eagles face the Dallas Cowboys in an NFCE divisional match.

Tyler Boyd, WR | Cincinnati Bengals (Concussion): Boyd sustained a concussion during his Week 15 Monday night match against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The injury will keep Boyd sidelined during Week 16 when the Bengals face the Houston Texans.  A.J. Green looks to the beneficiary of Boyd’s absence and should see more targets during Week 16. Tee Higgins would also be in line for more targets with Boyd off the field this Sunday.

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Thursday, Dec. 24

Derek Carr, QB | Las Vegas Raiders (Groin): Reports during the earlier portion of the week had Carr seeming doubtful to play during Week 16 because of a groin injury. The Raiders removed Carr’s name from the team’s injury report Thursday afternoon. Carr looks like he will be taking snaps under center for the Raider Saturday when they play the Miami Dolphins. It’s worth mentioning that Carr likely will not be at 100 percent health. Season-long fantasy football managers looking to roster Carr during their respected championship games should approach this situation cautiously.

Ronald Jones, RB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Covid): Jones was placed on the team’s injured reserve/COVID list last Wednesday and has yet to be activated. Jones is also dealing with a fractured pinky finger that he recently had surgery on. There is no way possible that Jones will be able to play during Week 16. We will see another week of Leonard Fournette in the Tampa Bay backfield when the Buccaneers play the Lions this Saturday. Jones is a top 15 running back this week and holds RB1 value this Saturday.

Kyle Rudolph, TE | Minnesota Vikings (Foot): Rudolph has been ruled out for Week 16. Irv Smith Will start in place of Rudolph this Sunday when the Vikings face off against the New Orleans Saints. Smith has seen 19 targets over his last 5 starts while Rudolph has been away from the team. Smith can be viewed as a TE2 for this weekend’s matchup.

Terry McLaurin, WR | Washington Football team (Ankle): Mclaurin was a non-participant at practice for Washington on Thursday due to an ankle injury. This makes two consecutive days that Mclaurin has missed practice and puts his Week 16 availability in danger. McLaurin needs to get in a limited practice session on Friday to be on the right side of a questionable tag for this week. Mclaurin has a Week 16 match against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday and would be considered a borderline WR2 if cleared to play.

Alex Smith, QB | Washington Football team (Calf): The Washington Football team held Smith to individual drill on Thursday during practice. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports stated that it would be challenging for Smith to play in Week 16. Dwayne Haskins will get another start for Washington this Sunday when the team faces the Carolina Panthers if Smith cannot play.

Antonio Gibson, RB | Washington Football Team (Toe): Gibson practiced with his team on a limited basis Thursday. He got through individual drills, which is a promising sign for Gibson. However, it won’t be enough to get him back on the field in time for his Week 16 match with the Panthers. J.D. McKissic and Peyton Barber split work during Gibson’s absence in Week 15. Barber and McKissic will continue to share the Washington running game’s workload during Week 16.

Jamison Crowder, WR | New York Jets (Calf, Thigh): Crowder was a full participant at practice for the Jets on Thursday. Crowder remains the top receiving option for the Jets despite their struggles in the passing game. It’s hard to recommend Crowder at all this week; even with the Jets facing a Browns team, the bleed points to opposing teams through the air. Crowder will be a low-upside WR3 this week.

Chase Edmonds, RB | Arizona Cardinals (Ankle, Knee): Edmonds managed to practice with his team on Thursday on a limited basis. It’s an upgrade to his practice status, seeing that he sat out on Tuesday and Wednesday. Friday’s injury report should give us the clarity we need regarding his Week 16 availability. The Cardinals have a match against the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday where Edmonds will be seen as a risky RB3/ Flex play if cleared.

Allen Robinson, WR | Chicago Bears (Hamstring): It appears that Robinson may have injured his hamstring during practice on Thursday. Robinson practiced with his team in full on Wednesday, so his name popping up on Thursday’s injury report is a bit alarming. Friday’s injury report will be a very telling story in this situation. Robinson has a favorable match against the Jacksonville Jaguars during Week 16. Robinson holds WR2 status if cleared to play Sunday.

Wednesday, Dec. 23

Kyle Rudolph, TE | Minnesota Vikings (Foot): Rudolph hasn’t played a single snap since Week 13 due to a foot injury. The Vikings have a match on Friday against the New Orleans Saints, which doesn’t give Rudolph much time to get healthy. The team kept Rudolph sidelined during practice on Tuesday, which doesn’t bode well for his Week 16 availability. Irv Smith has been starting in place of Rudolph and would continue to be a steady streaming option if Rudolph sits this week. Update: Rudolph did not practice with the Vikings on Wednesday.

Keenan Allen, WR | Los Angeles Chargers (Hamstring): Allen was a non-participant at practice for the Chargers on Tuesday due to a hamstring injury. He’s coming off a disappointing Week 15 performance against the Las Vegas Raiders where he was only targeted 3 times the entire evening. There were reports that Allen was battling through hamstring soreness earlier that week, which could have played a big role in Allen’s lack of targets during Week 15. It doesn’t seem that Allen is in danger of missing time during Week 16. Allen holds WR1 status heading into a Sunday matchup against the Denver Broncos.

Alexander Mattison, RB | Minnesota Vikings (Concussion): Mattison recently returned from an appendectomy in Week 15 and now enters the league’s concussion protocol. There’s no way that Mattison will be able to get through all five stages of the concussion protocol before Friday’s game. Dalvin Cook will be in line for a massive workload with Mattison absent. C.J. Ham could see more snaps while Mattison is away but should be avoided by season-long fantasy mangers in the championship round.

Julio Jones, WR | Atlanta Falcons (Hamstring): Julio did not practice with his team on Wednesday due to a nagging hamstring injury. It’s the same injury that has been bothering Jones all season. Interim head coach Raheem Morris told reporters, “Jones is a little bit closer than where he was last week.” The Falcons have a Week 16 match against the Kansas City Chiefs where Julio will be viewed as a risky WR1 if cleared to play. Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage will continue to operate as the Falcons’ primary pass catchers if Jones sits.

Jalen Reagor, WR | Philadelphia Eagles (Ankle): Reagor is dealing with an ankle injury that forced him to exit his Week 15 matchup against the Cardinals. He practiced with his team on Wednesday, which bodes well for his Week 16 status. Barring any setbacks in practice, Reagor is set to play in Week 16 when the Eagles face the Dallas Cowboys in a divisional matchup Sunday.

Stefon Diggs, WR  Buffalo Bills | (Foot): Diggs left the game late in the fourth quarter of Week 15 due to a foot injury. Diggs will practice with his team on Wednesday, which is a sign that he avoided serious injury. It doesn’t appear that Diggs will miss any time. If things go south for Diggs before game-day, Cole Beasley would see an increased volume in targets.

James Robinson, RB | Jacksonville Jaguars (Ankle): The Jaguars are planning on playing without Robinson in Week 16. Robinson left his Week 15 match with an ankle injury, and the Jaguars are cautious with the rookie. Despite Robinson telling head coach Doug Marrone that he feels healthy enough to suit up, it’s unlikely that Robinson will play. If Robinson does, for some reason, get the green light to play, he will be an RB1 in Week 16.

Joe Mixon, RB | Cincinnati Bengals (Foot): The Bengals have already ruled Mixon out for Week 16. Giovani Bernard, Samaje Perine, and Trayveon Williams will continue to split work in the Bengals running game. Bernard rushed 25 times for 83 yards and two touchdowns, one rushing one receiving in Week 15. The Bengals face the Houston Texans in Week 16 that are surrendering 29.9 rush attempts to opposing teams. Bernard can be seen as a mid-range RB2 during Week 16.

Myles Gaskin, RB | Miami Dolphins (COVID): Gaskin practiced with the Dolphins on Wednesday after being away from the team for the last two weeks due to COVID. The Dolphins still have not activated Gaskin from the teams’ injured reserve/ COVID list. Salvon Ahmed filled in during Gaskin’s absence but would hold little to no fantasy relevance once Gaskin resumes his role as the team’s lead running back. The Dolphins and Gaskin have a favorable match with the Las Vegas Raiders Saturday.

Tuesday, Dec. 22

Derek Carr, QB | Las Vegas Raiders (Groin): Carr will miss Week 16 due to a groin injury sustained during Week 15. Carr’s injury took place on the Raiders’ second drive of the evening on a third and goal play. Carr took off running for the sideline and quickly pulled up, reaching for his groin and heading directly to the locker room afterward and not returning. Head coach John Gruden initially thought that Carr might have avoided serious injury. However, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that Carr’s injury is indeed significant.

The Raiders will start Marcus Mariota during Week 16. Mariota took over once Carr exited the game and was spectacular for the Raiders. Mariota finished his day completing 17 of 28 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown. He also added 88 yards on the ground for the Raiders’ running game. Mariota is a reliable streaming option for Week 16 when the Raiders face the Miami Dolphins.

Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB | Kansas City Chiefs (Ankle, Hip): Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the Chiefs will be without Helaire for the last two regular-season games. Helaire was injured in the fourth quarter during Week 15. Le’Veon Bell filled in during Helaire’s absence and looks to start in Week 16 for the Chiefs. Bell ran 15 times for 62 yards and a touchdown during Week 15 against the Saints. His usage during Week 15 is reassuring after only touching the ball four times Week 14. Bell will be the Chiefs bell-cow Sunday, with Darrel Williams also seeing an increased role.

Michael Gallup, WR | Dallas Cowboys (Hip): Gallup sustained a hip pointer during his Week 15 contest against the 49ers. Gallup caught five passes for 26 yards and a touchdown before leaving the game due to injury. Gallup’s Week 16 availability depends on how he responds during practice this week. The Cowboys will turn to Noah Brown if Gallup misses any time.

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Cam Akers, RB | Los Angeles Rams (Ankle): Rams head coach Sean McVay told reporters on Monday that Akers will miss at least one week due to a high ankle sprain. Akers’s injury came early in the first half of Week 15 against the New York Jets. Akers finished his day rushing 15 times for 63 yards. Darrell Henderson and Malcolm Brown will play essential roles in the Rams running game while Akers is away from the team. Henderson and Brown are low-end RB2/flex plays for Week 16.

Eric Ebron, TE | Pittsburgh Steelers (Core): Ebron took a nasty hit during the second quarter of his Week 15 contest that caused him to exit the game. He took a shot from a defender before he was able to catch the ball. Ebron did not return to action in Week 15. However, reports coming out of the Steelers camp claim Ebron has a chance to play in Week 16. Ebron’s pain was noticeable before being carted off to the locker room. The Steelers are coming off a short week and play the Indianapolis Colts Sunday. Ebron holds slight TE1 appeal if cleared to play during Week 16.

James Conner, RB | Pittsburgh Steelers (Quad): Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters that Conner should play during Week 16. A quad injury kept Conner sidelined during Week 16, and Benny Snell started in Conner’s place. Pittsburgh is passing the ball at one of the league’s highest rates at the moment, which makes the Pittsburgh backfield hard to trust. Conner will be seen as an RB2 for this week’s match with the Colts.

Raheem Mostert, RB | San Francisco 49ers (Ankle): The 49ers are shutting Mostert down for the regular season’s final two games. It appears that Mostert re-injured the same ankle that sidelined him during the earlier portion of the season. The 49ers have a Week 16 match against the Arizona Cardinals where we will see Jerick McKinnon and Jeff Wilson be deployed via the 49ers running game. Wilson is the preferred back out of the two and holds RB3 with upside status this week.

Jimmy Garoppolo, QB | San Francisco 49ers (Ankle): The 49ers designated Garoppolo for return from the teams’ injury reserve list on Tuesday. On Tuesday, the 49ers also learned that quarterback Nick Mullens needs Tommy John surgery to his elbow to end his season. 49er head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Tuesday that Garoppolo will not be starting Week 16. C.J. Beathard will get the start and take snaps under center for the 49ers on Saturday. Beathard is a low-end QB2 heading into the weekend.

George Kittle, TE | San Francisco 49ers (Foot): Kittle has been away from the team since Week 8 due to a foot injury and looks to return during Week 16. 49ers coach Kyle Shahan told reporters on Tuesday, “if he’s good, I plan on playing him.” Kittle is a top-end tight end option any time he steps on the field. With quarterback C.J. Beathard taking snaps for the 49ers this Saturday, Kittle becomes a little harder to trust. Kittle will still see a fair amount of targets and hold TE1 value for Week 16.


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I first stepped onto the daily fantasy sports scene as El_Negro_Loco about seven or eight years ago. I struggled to find a daily fantasy sports provider that not only showed that it cared about its customers, but also provided great content. I found Awesemo almost three years ago. The site has not only transformed me as a DFS player by using the same tools the number one DFS player in the world uses (Alex Baker). It also transformed me into Newsgod! I dedicate myself to making sure you and all of our Awesemo subscribers are kept up to date with any and all slate breaking NBA news and MLB weather news. Check me out via any of my live blog chat rooms or you can find me inside of our premium slack chat.

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