Week 17 Fantasy Football Injury Advice
It’s championship week and as we head into a split schedule of NFL football this weekend, here are six pieces of fantasy football injury advice to help you navigate your Week 17 injuries.
The most notable inactives involve the NFC East match-up between bitter rivals, the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles. Elsewhere, a franchise quarterback looks set to make way for seasoned veteran, a hero running back teases a quick recovery, and two high-upside flex plays look set to miss out.
Fantasy Football Injury Advice for NFL Week 17
Jalen Hurts (Eagles)
After winning 10 straight games to enter Week 16, 12-2 and second in the NFC playoff seedings, the Eagles will be looking to steady the ship after losing late to the Commanders.
They’ll have to do that though, without their franchise quarterback after Jalen Hurts was forced out of the Commanders game with a concussion, which has also ruled him out for Week 17. Kenny Pickett has been named the starter in his place, but that doesn’t necessarily make him the best replacement for Hurts in fantasy.
In relief of Hurts, Pickett completed 14 of 24 pass attempts for 143 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Though Pickett should have a full game, it should be noted that Jalen Hurts has topped 24 attempts only three times since the teams week five bye.
Facing Pickett, a Dallas defense that has generated quarterback pressure on 30.1% of opposition drop-backs this year, the highest rate in the league. Over their last five games, the Cowboys defense ranks first in sacks (22) and is tied-fourth in interceptions (7).
There should be alternatives on the waiver wire for those in need.
CeeDee Lamb (Cowboys)
CeeDee Lamb has been ruled out for the final two games of the season, after finally succumbing to a lingering shoulder injury.
Lamb’s absence should pave the way for the likes of Brandin Cooks and Jalen Tolbert to see an increased workload against the Eagles on Sunday. It may be Jake Ferguson that ends up leading the team in targets, but Cooks would be the frontrunner to lead the wide receivers.
Cooks offers a reliable, experienced target for Cooper Rush as well as a solid history of red-zone success.
Even without Hurts, Philadelphia should be able to do enough damage in the run game, with Saquon Barkley facing off against a struggling Dallas run defense. The very real possibility of Dallas playing from behind, only increases the potential target volume for Cooks and Ferguson.
This week, Cooks moves into flex consideration, due entirely to the likelihood of more targets. Ferguson, who already had a significant target share, moves up into top-15 tight-end range, with increased touchdown opportunity.
Gus Edwards (Chargers)
Gus Edwards put up his best numbers of the year in Week 16 against Denver. He posted 68 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries.
Unfortunately, having finally proven himself worthy of a start, Edwards has been ruled out for Week 17. In far more positive news for the Chargers, it looks as though J.K. Dobbins will make his return to the lineup, after being activated from injured reserve this week.
Having suffered a fairly significant injury, Dobbins shouldn’t be expected to immediately return to full efficiency. It’s doubtful, though, that the team would have activated him unless they were confident he was ready.
Dobbins has likely been kept on rosters throughout his injury, given his impressive performances this season, so it’s doubtful that he was available this week. If you have him though, he is a solid RB2 option this week, with the potential to explode.
Anthony Richardson (Colts)
Anthony Richardson isn’t on the same level as Hurts, but few NFL quarterbacks carry as much fantasy upside.
In a one-quarterback league, Richardson may not have been starting anyway. However, he was definitely starting in most super-flex leagues this weekend against the Giants.
The obvious pivot is to add Joe Flacco, who’ll likely start for Indianapolis on Sunday. Aside from him, there are definitely other options to consider.
In single-quarterback leagues, Bryce Young is likely a top-10 quarterback this week and is rostered in very few ESPN leagues. Elsewhere, in super-flex leagues, Mason Rudolph is very possibly available.
Both Flacco and Rudolph face bad defenses this weekend, but Flacco arguably offers a lower floor. Rudolph has provided QB2 value in all but one appearance this season. That week, he didn’t play the full game and only attempted 17 passes against a very strong Miami pass defense.
Flacco can definitely provide big fantasy numbers on occasions, he did so in week five of this season. That week, he faced Jacksonville, the team that welcomes Rudolph and the Titans this Sunday.
With the Colts defense looking more solid lately, it isn’t out of the question that the Colts defense outscores the Giants this weekend. There might not be all that much for Flacco to do if Jonathan Taylor gets going on the ground.
Christian Watson (Packers)
It’s very likely that you weren’t relying on Christian Watson this weekend, but with the Packers facing the Vikings, there is opportunity there this week.
Watson hasn’t practiced all week and although Matt LaFleur has left the door open for him to play this weekend, it is incredibly unlikely. With Watson out, there will be increased opportunity for all the remaining Packers receivers. Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks could be the biggest beneficiaries.
Doubs was high up on waiver wires last week, but is still available in over half of ESPN leagues. On the other hand, Wicks is available almost everywhere.
Entering the week, Minnesota had allowed the second-most total passing yards in the NFL, over their last five games. The Vikings defensive scheme has been strong all season, but they have given up a lot of passing yards.
Last week, Wicks was targeted four times in the fourth quarter alone, after Watson had left the game. In what was a blowout victory for Green Bay, Doubs only received three targets, likely because of the game being over by half time.
This weekend, Doubs should be preferred to Wicks if available. However, both should have the opportunity to finish with flex-worthy fantasy numbers when it matters most.
These five should play a big part this weekend. Best of luck to anyone that’s competing for a title this weekend!
Main Photo Courtesy of Peter Casey – Imagn Images
