This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
The year 2020 has been awful for injuries in the NFL. Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley, the two players with the highest average draft positions (ADP) in the this year's drafts, have played a combined five games. Michael Thomas, the wide receiver with the highest ADP, has appeared in just seven games and will not play again in the regular season after being placed on the injured reserve. It isn't just RBs and WRs either, as injuries have claimed the third-ranked quarterback (Dak Prescott) and the second-ranked tight end (George Kittle). Still the season must go on, and hopefully you have somehow managed to remain competitive. With fantasy titles on the line in most leagues, let's take a look at injuries impacting Week 16.
The Rams will not have Akers for their Week 16 game against the Seahawks. The running back suffered a high ankle sprain in the team's upset loss to the Jets. High ankle sprains have been a popular injury this year, with multiple big name players succumbing to the injury, including McCaffrey, Thomas and Jimmy Garoppolo.
As previously discussed with each of these cases, high ankle sprains are different than the more common lateral ankle sprain. High ankle sprains involve the ligaments that span across the lower leg bones, stabilizing a joint known as the distal tibiofibular joint. As we have seen this season, high ankle sprains are often accompanied by longer recovery windows, and it would not
The year 2020 has been awful for injuries in the NFL. Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley, the two players with the highest average draft positions (ADP) in the this year's drafts, have played a combined five games. Michael Thomas, the wide receiver with the highest ADP, has appeared in just seven games and will not play again in the regular season after being placed on the injured reserve. It isn't just RBs and WRs either, as injuries have claimed the third-ranked quarterback (Dak Prescott) and the second-ranked tight end (George Kittle). Still the season must go on, and hopefully you have somehow managed to remain competitive. With fantasy titles on the line in most leagues, let's take a look at injuries impacting Week 16.
The Rams will not have Akers for their Week 16 game against the Seahawks. The running back suffered a high ankle sprain in the team's upset loss to the Jets. High ankle sprains have been a popular injury this year, with multiple big name players succumbing to the injury, including McCaffrey, Thomas and Jimmy Garoppolo.
As previously discussed with each of these cases, high ankle sprains are different than the more common lateral ankle sprain. High ankle sprains involve the ligaments that span across the lower leg bones, stabilizing a joint known as the distal tibiofibular joint. As we have seen this season, high ankle sprains are often accompanied by longer recovery windows, and it would not be surprising if this is the last we have seen of Akers for the regular season.
The Carolina running back could make a Willis Reed-like return just in time for title week. McCaffrey has played in just three games this season due to a high ankle sprain, an acromioclavicular (AC) sprain in his shoulder and a quadriceps injury. Despite the laundry list of injuries, the Panthers continue to insist they will not shut him down for the remainder of the season and are hoping he can return to the practice field on Wednesday. Given how this season has progressed, waiting for an official decision remains the best course of action. Still McCaffrey is too talented to not roster if he's cleared to play. The top overall selection in most fantasy drafts has averaged 24.5 fantasy points in his three appearances this season.
Turf Burns
Drew Brees: Brees shook off some early game rust to finish Week 15 with 234 passing yards and three touchdowns. The Pro Bowl quarterback had missed New Orleans' last four games with multiple rib fractures. Pain tolerance will remain an issue for Brees moving forward, but the more time he puts between himself and the date of the initial injury, the better.
Stefon Diggs: The Bills wide receiver put up a monster game in Week 15, finishing with 11 catches for 147 yards. However, he sustained a foot injury late in the second half and was unable to finish out the game. While a cart was needed to carry Diggs off the field, he was later back on the sideline celebrating Buffalo's first AFC East title since 1995. The team has downplayed the severity of the injury, and there's reason to believe he will be available for Week 16. A break in the schedule will give him on extra recovery day with the Bills slated to play the Patriots on Monday Night Football.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire: The rookie running back has been a bit of a disappointment in fantasy circles given where he was selected in most drafts. Now it appears the frustrations will only be amplified as Edwards-Helaire is unlikely to play in Week 16 after sustaining multiple injuries in Week 15. Edwards-Helaire suffered a high ankle sprain and a hip strain during Kansas City's win over New Orleans. He is expected to miss the remainder of the regular season, making veteran Le'Veon Bell a top waiver wire target. Bell finished Week 15 with a season-high 16 carries for 62 yards and a touchdown in the win over the Saints and remains in line for an increase in reps.
Ezekiel Elliott: The Cowboys running back was sidelined in Week 15 with a calf contusion and remains a question mark for Week 16. The injury may not sound significant, but muscle contusions in the lower extremity can be very limiting. Simple movements performed by the involved muscle become difficult, and more intense activities like running or jumping can become nearly impossible without eliciting pain. Contusions to the calf muscle complex specifically can impact acceleration, and running and jumping. Elliott will continue to rest the injured muscle and seems likely to be limited in the week ahead. He needs to log multiple practices for me to feel confident in his availability, and a reduced workload seems likely even if he is able to suit up. Tony Pollard was stellar in Zeke's absence, racking up 132 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns.
Antonio Gibson: Washington's feature running back has not played since suffering a painful case of turf toe in Week 13. I suggested this would likely be a multiweek injury when Gibson first went down and now, two and half weeks later, he remains limited. However, there is growing optimism that he will be ready for the team's upcoming game against the Panthers. Keep a close watch on his availability throughout this week's practices. Same goes for Washington quarterback Alex Smith who is progressing in his recovery from a strained right calf.
James Robinson: Jacksonville's breakout star could be out for Week 16 after suffering what is likely a…wait for it…high ankle sprain. He was already nursing an undisclosed knee injury before suffering the ankle injury late in Sunday's loss to the Ravens. With a shot at the top overall pick in next year's draft now in play, it wouldn't be surprising if Jacksonville opted to shut down their top running back. If Robinson does not play, the team will turn to running back by committee approach with Dare Ogunbowale and Devine Ozigbo first in line.
