Week 16 DFS NFL Injury Report and Updates
Daily fantasy football is going to be interesting with the very top wideout in the game going down. Every week, we’ll bring you our top GPP and Cash Game plays for NFL DFS on FanDuel and DraftKings. We’ll also provide an injury report article to update you on the key injuries across the NFL and discuss how they might affect playing time and production for healthier players going forward.
In daily fantasy NFL, injuries are part of the game, and targeting players with increased opportunity is a great way to get cheaper options into your lineups on daily fantasy sites.
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Key NFL DFS Injuries for Week 16 Lineups
Antonio Brown, WR, Pittsburgh, Calf
Yet another MVP candidate sadly had his season cut short, although the Steelers are hopeful Antonio Brown will be back for the postseason. Pittsburgh expects Brown to almost certainly miss games against the Texans and Browns over the final two weeks of the regular season. That will seriously increase the prospects of Martavis Bryant and JuJu Smith-Schuster as the 1A and 1B options for Ben Roethlisberger on the outside. Additionally, Eli Rogers could become a punt play as a slot receiver, while Le’Veon Bell becomes even safer as the true focal point of Pittsburgh’s offense. Those last two games should turn into easy, run-heavy wins.
Rex Burkhead, RB, New England, Knee
The Patriots also suffered a key injury in a narrow win over the Steelers. Rex Burkhead limped off the field with an apparent knee injury and was ruled out of the game soon thereafter. His absence significantly increases the prospects of Dion Lewis, who scored on an eight-yard TD run to put New England ahead for good. Lewis has been the team’s primary rusher but often defers to Burkhead at the goal line. If Mike Gillislee is active against Buffalo next week, he’ll be a dart throw in a revenge spot against his former team.
Davante Adams, WR, Green Bay, Concussion
For the second time this season, Davante Adams took a brutal blind-side, helmet-to-helmet hit. He’ll likely have an even tougher time clearing concussion protocol this time around. Green Bay hosts Minnesota in a brutal matchup for pass catchers this Sunday. There’s a chance Aaron Rodgers (clavicle) is inactive in Week 16 as the 7-7 Packers are all but eliminated from playoff contention. Jordy Nelson would almost certainly draw the Xavier Rhodes treatment if Adams is out, while Randall Cobb could make plays out of the slot. Geronimo Allison would be worth a look as a punt play if Rodgers is expected to start in Week 16, but not with Brett Hundley playing.
Marqise Lee, WR, Jacksonville, Ankle
With Marqise Lee departing the game early, the public was introduced to a few more previously unknown WRs in the Jaguars blowout win over Houston. Slot receiver Keenan Cole had another huge and efficient game. He turned nine targets into seven receptions for 186 yards and a TD. Plus, Jaydon Mickens made the most of his opportunities with 61 yards and two scores after Lee went down. Allen Hurns (ankle) hasn’t played since Week 10. If he’s ruled out ahead of a plus matchup next Sunday in San Francisco, Dede Westbrook serves as the top dog with Mickens and Cole eating up targets over the middle of the field.
Jeremy Maclin, WR, Baltimore, Knee
It’s yet another issue for Jeremy Maclin in a season wrought with injuries. He took a hard hit to his knee and left a win in Cleveland on Sunday. Mike Wallace stands to see more targets if Maclin can’t go this Saturday and would actually be worth a long look against a struggling Colts pass defense that gives up the highest yards per completion (8.3) and third-most passing YPG (257.1) in the NFL season. Chris Moore took over as the secondary WR for Baltimore. He might be worth a punt play in a plus matchup.
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Trevor Siemian, QB, Denver, Shoulder
Trevor Siemian was driven into the turf in the first half at Indianapolis last Thursday. Brock Osweiler played very well in relief, leading the Broncos to a 25-13 road win. Denver expects Siemian to miss the rest of the regular season. Unless Paxton Lynch (ankle) is cleared, Osweiler will likely start in Washington next Sunday. A capable QB when put in positions to succeed, Osweiler’s presence is a marked improvement for Emmanuel Sanders. The wideout may avoid Josh Norman’s shadow coverage in a Week 16 matchup.
Adrian Peterson, RB, Arizona, Neck
After missing the last three games, Adrian Peterson was placed on injured reserve to end his season. The all-time great RB said he plans to play next season, but in the meantime, Kerwynn Williams will serve as the workhorse back for Arizona. He logged 53 carries over the past three weeks. Williams draws a plus matchup against the Giants in Week 16 and remains a solid Cash option in non-PPR formats.
