It’s Week 16 of the NFL season and fantasy football leagues everywhere are down to the final four. After several big players went down at the weekend, many fantasy managers will be agonizing over what to do about their week 16 injuries.
Whilst even the most well-managed teams could have been undone by a Cooper Kupp goose egg this past weekend, it still pays to do all that you can to maximize your team’s output. That’s never more true than in the fantasy football playoffs, so here is a brief assessment of seven Week 16 injuries and what they mean for fantasy this weekend.
Fantasy Football: How to Navigate These Key Week 16 Injuries
Sincere McCormick (Raiders)
Sincere McCormick had a brief spell as the Raiders starting running back, but it was enough for many fantasy managers to have begun to rely on him. Whilst never threatening to join the ranks of the elite, his early injury on Monday night against the Falcons more than likely knocked many out of their fantasy playoffs.
With two friendly match-ups remaining in Weeks 16 and 17, the injury is a potentially devastating one, with McCormick now on injured reserve. Alexander Mattison will likely start for the Raiders, and the former Viking has put up some flex-worthy weeks this year.
Mattison was outshone in Week 15 though by teammate Ameer Abdullah. With the Raiders chasing a comeback, Abdullah caught five passes in the fourth quarter, scoring the team’s only touchdown in the process. The Jaguars should provide a great opportunity for Mattison, having allowed the ninth most rushing yards/attempts over their last five games.
Mattison would be a risky flex option this weekend, but if you were starting McCormick, you likely don’t have many better options.
David Montgomery (Lions)
From a real-world NFL standpoint, this was the most devastating injury of the week.
The Detroit Lions appear to be among the most cursed franchises in the league, losing multiple players every week as the NFL playoffs draw near.
From a fantasy perspective though, the running back pivot for Montgomery likely lies outside of the Lions.
Craig Reynolds has been climbing up waiver wires this week, as has rookie Sione Vaki. But neither player has seen much usage this year and neither was called upon after Montgomery was sidelined on Sunday. Last year, Reynolds had a four-game stretch with either Montgomery or Gibbs sidelined and was used primarily in the fourth quarter of wins.
If you have room to stash Reynolds, go for it, but you should have much better options this week.
George Pickens (Steelers)
George Pickens has now missed two straight games for Pittsburgh as the team looks to secure the AFC North in the final weeks of the season. This week, they have an opportunity to secure the division title against Baltimore but might be without Pickens again.
The controversial receiver has missed back-to-back practices to start the week as he struggles to overcome a hamstring issue.
In his absence, Calvin Austin was the only Steelers receiver to get more than two targets in the team’s defeat to Philadelphia. That was, in part, due to the Eagles’ incredible clock management, which limited Pittsburgh to just two second-half drives. In any case, Austin was the team’s go-to receiver at the weekend, outside of tight-end Pat Freiermuth.
Baltimore has been better against the pass in recent weeks, but still provides a less daunting challenge than Philadelphia. Also worth noting, is that Pittsburgh are tied for the ninth most points given up over their last three games. So this might not be the low-scoring AFC North rock fight that the division is often known for.
If you need a flex play this weekend and missed out on your waiver targets, you could do worse than Calvin Austin. Pat Freiermuth should also be considered for a start this week. He has a touchdown in three straight games and faces a Ravens defense that has given up the 12th most fantasy points to tight ends this year.
Alvin Kamara (Saints)
While Montgomery’s injury was the most devastating for the NFL at the weekend, Alvin Kamara’s is the most impactful for fantasy.
Not only is Kamara a top fantasy running back, the Saints also don’t play until Monday night in week 16. Fantasy managers hoping to start Kamara in their playoff semi-finals this week are facing an agonizing wait on his ability. For those who weren’t able to pick up Kendre Miller from waivers, the decision to start or sit Kamara might have to be made a full day before his game status is released.
Even if you have Miller, his production against the Packers is unlikely to match what Kamara has been producing this year. Green Bay’s run defense is tied for the eighth-fewest yards allowed per attempt over their last five games. There is also a considerable chance that the Saints will fall behind early in this game, which would mean fewer rushing opportunities for Miller.
Overall, training reports will be very important this week for Kamara and fantasy owners will, rightly, be reluctant to bench him if there’s any chance he’ll play. If Kendre Miller is taken, consider adding a high-ceiling Saints or Packers player to your roster. Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs are likely taken, so it might have to be Marquez Valdes-Scantling from waivers.
No one will want to play MVS in their fantasy playoffs, it would allow you to wait on Kamara, provided you move him to a flex spot.
Nick Chubb (Browns)
Chubb’s injury is a heartbreaker, the Browns favorite probably wasn’t carrying you (figuratively or literally) to fantasy glory this year.
Brown had been outshone by teammate Jerome Ford in recent weeks, having failed to make a big impact after returning from his horrific knee injury.
The fantasy outlook is easier to break down for this one. If you had a need a running back this week, you should have gone all-in for Jerome Ford on waivers, who could potentially put up to 20 numbers at the position for the reminder of the year. If you weren’t able to pick up Ford, Alexander Mattison the most hopeful running back option still on waivers, due to his friendly match-ups.
Happy with your running back options this week, but have a spot on your roster after Chubb’s injury? Consider stashing Trey Benson or Blake Corum, in that order. It’s been an unusually healthy year for running backs, but both players are one injury away from potentially winning you your league next week.
Jaylen Waddle (Dolphins)
Jaylen Waddle looked to have finally turned a corner in recent weeks, but the knee injury he suffered in week 15 threatens to sideline him against the 49ers on Sunday.
If Waddle can’t go, Jonnu Smith is the most likely to benefit. Smith had 11 targets for the third time in four weeks against Houston, after dropping to just four the week prior. Smith has been a top-five fantasy tight-end for five straight weeks though, so he’s already in lineups everywhere.
Tyreek Hill is also currently managing an injury but is unlikely to miss any time.
The one potential fantasy impact of Waddle sitting out would be to rookie receiver, Malik Washington. Washington saw a bump in targets with Waddle sidelined on Sunday, catching five of six for 52 yards. Whilst that doesn’t warrant starting him this week, it might be worth stashing him if you have space, in case that efficiency gets him further involvement this weekend.
Washington is an explosive runner after the catch, which is perfect for Miami. If you have a roster spot available, consider stashing Washington for a match-up with the Browns in Week 17.
Zach Ertz (Commanders)
Zach Ertz left Sunday’s game with New Orleans with a concussion, meaning he’ll likely miss at least week 16.
Whilst not the most glamorous name on this list, Ertz had put up solid fantasy numbers recently, thanks to touchdowns in three straight games before last weekend. Ertz had caught both of his two targets for 25 yards on Sunday before leaving the game in the second quarter.
The Commanders face the Eagles this weekend, meaning Ertz’s Washington teammates Ben Sinnott and John Bates are off the table regarding potential replacements in fantasy. Stone Smartt caught five of six targets for 50 yards on Sunday for the Chargers. This week, Smartt faces a Denver defense that has allowed 271 passing yards per game over their last five, the second-most in the league.
If you rely on Ertz and need a replacement from waivers, Smartt is a solid option after Brenton Strange was taken everywhere this week.
That wraps up the key week 16 injuries. Be sure to keep an eye on those practice reports, and best of luck in those fantasy semi-finals.
Main Photo: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
