2012 Fantasy Football, Week 16 Injury Report: Updates on Aaron Rodgers, Ray Rice
Ray Rice
Aaron Rodgers (QB | Green Bay Packers 100% in Y!) – Rodgers hurt his ankle in Week 15, but it is believed to be minor.
Fantasy Spin: I don’t see Rodgers missing this week’s game or being affected in the least by this injury. Start him with confidence against the Titans.
Ray Rice (RB | Baltimore Ravens 100% owned in Y!) – Rice did not get a full workload in Week 15 and it is unclear if his hip injury is still bothering him.
Fantasy Spin: The Ravens changed offensive coordinators last week and there was hope Rice would see a bump in touches. That didn’t happen and the Ravens imploded offensively. It’s unclear if Rice can be trusted for the rest of the season as more than a flex option.
Roddy White (WR | Atlanta Falcons 100% in Y!) – White was questionable to play against the Giants in Week 15. However, he suited up and played and did not show any effects from the injury.
Fantasy Spin: White played and came out no worse for wear. He should be ready to go for Week 16 and will be a solid WR2.
Robert Griffin III (QB | Washington 98% in Y!) – Griffin missed Week 15’s tilt against the Cleveland Browns. Washington didn’t seem to miss a beat with Kirk Cousins under center.
Fantasy Spin: Mr. Cousins likely earned himself some money down the road should he be dealt or make his way to free agency. That said Washington will likely get Griffin back into the lineup this week as he believes he was ready to start this week. Griffin is a must start each week, but owners should grab Cousins as a handcuff as he showed he can be a valuable fantasy commodity.
LeSean McCoy (RB | Philadelphia Eagles 96% in Y!) – McCoy sat out Thursday night’s game with a concussion. Bryce Brown continued to start in his place.
Fantasy Spin: There are rumblings that McCoy may return this week. If he does, I don’t see him (and Bryce Brown) as anything more than a flex play. They will likely split time in the backfield rendering each much less valuable.
Jordy Nelson (WR | Green Bay Packers 95% in Y!) – Nelson missed yet another game with a hamstring injury.
Fantasy Spin: At this point it is fair to wonder if Nelson will suit up again in the regular season. The Packers face the Titans this week and it’s doubtful they will need Nelson to win the game. Monitor practice reports, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t contribute again this year.
Rob Gronkowski (TE | New England Patriots 94% in Y!) – Gronkowski generated a great deal of buzz late in the Week 15 as it was reported that he might play against the 49ers. He missed the game with a broken arm.
Fantasy Spin: Hmm….will Gronk make his return in Week 16? If so, he’s a must own and his return could diminish the value Aaron Hernandez has held with Gronkowski out of the lineup. If Gronkowski is on your waiver wire, he’s worth a speculative addition. He’s going to be better than just about any TE you have.
Ahmad Bradshaw (RB | New York Giants 94% in Y!) – Bradshaw missed Week 15 with a knee injury as the Giants were blown out on the road by the Atlanta Falcons.
Fantasy Spin: At this point, it’s unclear if you can count on Bradshaw to make it through a game. We didn’t get a fair look at backup David Wilson as the Giants were down early. I’d hold Wilson in all leagues and see what Bradshaw can do in practice.
Ryan Mathews (RB | San Diego Chargers 93% in Y!) – Mathews injured his shoulder during the Chargers blowout loss to the Panthers. Further tests found it to be broken and his season is finished.
Fantasy Spin: Mathews has been quite the disappointment this year. His backup Ronnie Brown is also dinged and likely won’t play in Week 16. IF you are desperate, it looks like the Chargers will split carries between Curtis Brinkley and Jackie Battle. Neither inspires a great deal of confidence.
Torrey Smith (WR | Baltimore Ravens 92% in Y!) – Smith suffered a concussion in Week 15 and did not return. He stated later that the concussion was minor.
Fantasy Spin: With the heightened awareness of head injuries in the NFL, I don’t see Smith getting cleared this week to play. Moreover, it doesn’t seem like the Ravens offense is featuring him anymore. He’s safe to cut for this final week of the fantasy season.
Maurice Jones-Drew (RB | Jacksonville Jaguars 84% in Y!) – Jones-Drew missed another game and but seems closer to playing in a game.
Fantasy Spin: Now comes news that Jones-Drew may actually be improving?!? Again, I just don’t see any reason for the Jags to trot him out for a game or two. He’s a risk to contribute at all this season so I’d suggest you look somewhere else if you need the roster spot.
Brandon Pettigrew (TE | Detroit Lions 71% in Y!) – Pettigrew missed Week 15 with a high ankle sprain. It is unlikely he will suit up for Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: The backup TEs for the Lions are Tony Scheffler and Will Heller. I’m not sure that either will be useful in Week 16 so you’d have to look elsewhere for help.
Michael Bush (RB | Chicago Bears 59% in Y!) – Bush was active last week, but did not play due to a rib injury. The Bears are now contemplating putting Bush on season-ending injured reserve.
Fantasy Spin: This is a big blow to the Bears offense as Matt Forte has shown an inability to punch the ball in for short yardage touchdowns. It looks like Armando Allen will get a chance to fill the Bush role and the Bears will likely bring back Khalil Bell who succeeded for the Bears down the stretch last year.
Jonathan Stewart (RB | Carolina Panthers 58% in Y!) – Stewart missed yet another game with his ankle sprains. He is no closer to returning in Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: Stewart shouldn’t be on your roster as he won’t be able to help you the rest of the season. DeAngelo Williams continues to be the nominal starter. Mike Tolbert also showed up in a big way this weekend with two rushing TDs and looks to be the short yardage and goal line back.
Brent Celek (TE | Philadelphia Eagles 53% in Y!) – Celek missed the Thursday night game against the Benagls with a concussion. He practiced on Monday and is on track for Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: Nick Foles looks to his TE often, so Celek could be a viable play in many leagues this week (especially in PPR). Watch the practice reports to see if Celek is at full speed.
Jay Cutler (QB | Chicago Bears 52% in Y!) – Cutler has nagging neck and knee injuries. They did not preclude him from missing a start, but he looks to be less than 100%.
Fantasy Spin: Cutler is not an elite level fantasy QB. He’s likely only owned in deeper leagues. That said, you may be able to find a better (read: healthier) option on the waiver wire for this week if you need Cutler to start.
Michael Vick (QB | Philadelphia Eagles 50% in Y!) – Vick continues to be out with an injury or ineffectiveness or both.
Fantasy Spin: Cut Vick. Even in a keeper league. He’s not worth a roster spot at this point.
Rashad Jennings (RB | Jacksonville Jaguars 36% in Y!) – Jennings missed another game with a concussion.
Fantasy Spin: Jennings had opportunities this year and failed to capitalize on them. There is no guarantee he gets another shot even if he is healthy. I believe he can be safely dropped.
Davone Bess (WR | Miami Dolphins 33% in Y!) – Bess was optimistic all week long about his back injury, but ended up not playing in Week 15. His status for Week 16 is uncertain.
Fantasy Spin: Bess has had some value in PPR leagues this week. The rest of the Dolphins WRs (outside of Brian Hartline) should be ignored so look elsewhere for help.
Dustin Keller (TE | New York Jets 26% in Y!) – Keller missed MNF with a high ankle sprain. His season is in doubt.
Fantasy Spin: Jeff Cumberland filled in admirably and may be in for a big day next week as whomever is under center for the Jets hasn’t shown an ability to throw downfield with any consistency.
Daniel Thomas (RB | Miami Dolphins 24% in Y!) – Thomas suffered a knee injury early in the week 15 matchup with the Jaguars. He did not return.
Fantasy Spin: Thomas’ value has been mostly in handcuffing him with Reggie Bush. He’s shown flashes throughout the year, but lacks the consistency to be kept on your team this late in the season. Lamar Miller is the third string back and is best left on the waiver wire.
Mike Nugent (K | Cincinnati Bengals 15% in Y!) – Nugent missed the Bengals Week 15 game and is unsure if he will play in Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: Cut Nugent and grab a healthy kicker. Just your weekly reminder.
Mario Manningham (WR | San Francisco 49ers 20% in Y!) – Manningham missed the 49ers thrilling victory over the Pats this week. He will likely suit up for Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: Manningham was supposed to play this past week, but did not. Randy Moss caught at TD in his absence. It’s likely Manningham will slot back into his former role with value in deeper leagues only.
Bilal Powell (RB | New York Jets 15% in Y!) – Powell played through an injured toe in Week 15. However, he was not utilized much and fell far behind Shonn Greene in carries.
Fantasy Spin: Powell is still the goal line back when healthy, but if Tim Tebow enters at QB, Powell’s value likely plummets to close to zero as long as Shonn Greene stays healthy.
Emmanuel Sanders (WR | Pittsburgh Steelers 13% in Y!) – Sanders missed Week 15 with a fractured rib. He may attempt to fight through the pain and play this week.
Fantasy Spin: The Steelers passing game has been hit or miss all season. Sanders has clearly fallen behind Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown. Coupled with this injury, that makes Sanders unattractive for all fantasy players.
Chris Ivory (RB | New Orleans Saints 10% in Y!) – Ivory missed Week 15 with a hamstring injury.
Fantasy Spin: There is no upside at this point in holding on to Ivory. He’s likely last in the pecking order for a Saints team that doesn’t like to run the ball a lot.
Ronnie Brown (RB | San Diego Chargers 9% in Y!) – Ronnie Brownn missed Week 15 with a hamstring injury.
Fantasy Spin: With Ryan Mathews out, Brown has a chance to play extensively in Week 16 if he can get healthy. However, it’s unclear whether he will able to do so in time. It doesn’t look like Brown was close to playing this week so check out the practice reports to see what the Chargers are thinking with regard to Brown.
Donald Jones (WR | Buffalo Bills 8% in Y!) – Jones missed another game with his calf injury. It is unclear if he’ll be ready for Week 16 as he hasn’t been able to make it back from what was assumed to be a minor injury.
Fantasy Spin: Jones’ injury likely hasn’t affected too many fantasy owners and his replaces T.J. Graham hasn’t been anything special. The
Stephen Hill (WR | New York Jets 6% in Y!) – Hill missed the Monday night football game for the Jets. He has an injured knee and may not suit up for Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: The Jets are likely moving on from Mark Sanchez for this season. That means it’s either Tebow Time or the start of the Greg McElroy era. Either way you don’t want to own a Jets WR.
Bernard Pierce (RB | Baltimore Ravens 2% in Y!) – Pierce suffered a concussion in Week 15 and did not return.
Fantasy Spin: Pierce was getting a bit more run of late as the Ravens decided to take the ball out of the hands of their best offensive player on a regular basis. Should Pierce not be cleared to return, the handcuff for Ray Rice is now Anthony Allen who should likely be owned by all Rice owners and no one else.
Braylon Edwards (WR | New York Jets 1% in Y!) – Edwards had a hamstring injury which he played through on Monday night football.
Fantasy Spin: See Hill, Stephen. No Jets WR is worth owning at this point.
Written by Chris Garosi for FantasyFix.com. You can follow Chris on Twitter @chrisgarosi. You can find more of his work at District Sports Page
Fantasy Spin: I don’t see Rodgers missing this week’s game or being affected in the least by this injury. Start him with confidence against the Titans.
Ray Rice (RB | Baltimore Ravens 100% owned in Y!) – Rice did not get a full workload in Week 15 and it is unclear if his hip injury is still bothering him.
Fantasy Spin: The Ravens changed offensive coordinators last week and there was hope Rice would see a bump in touches. That didn’t happen and the Ravens imploded offensively. It’s unclear if Rice can be trusted for the rest of the season as more than a flex option.
Roddy White (WR | Atlanta Falcons 100% in Y!) – White was questionable to play against the Giants in Week 15. However, he suited up and played and did not show any effects from the injury.
Fantasy Spin: White played and came out no worse for wear. He should be ready to go for Week 16 and will be a solid WR2.
Robert Griffin III (QB | Washington 98% in Y!) – Griffin missed Week 15’s tilt against the Cleveland Browns. Washington didn’t seem to miss a beat with Kirk Cousins under center.
Fantasy Spin: Mr. Cousins likely earned himself some money down the road should he be dealt or make his way to free agency. That said Washington will likely get Griffin back into the lineup this week as he believes he was ready to start this week. Griffin is a must start each week, but owners should grab Cousins as a handcuff as he showed he can be a valuable fantasy commodity.
LeSean McCoy (RB | Philadelphia Eagles 96% in Y!) – McCoy sat out Thursday night’s game with a concussion. Bryce Brown continued to start in his place.
Fantasy Spin: There are rumblings that McCoy may return this week. If he does, I don’t see him (and Bryce Brown) as anything more than a flex play. They will likely split time in the backfield rendering each much less valuable.
Jordy Nelson (WR | Green Bay Packers 95% in Y!) – Nelson missed yet another game with a hamstring injury.
Fantasy Spin: At this point it is fair to wonder if Nelson will suit up again in the regular season. The Packers face the Titans this week and it’s doubtful they will need Nelson to win the game. Monitor practice reports, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t contribute again this year.
Rob Gronkowski (TE | New England Patriots 94% in Y!) – Gronkowski generated a great deal of buzz late in the Week 15 as it was reported that he might play against the 49ers. He missed the game with a broken arm.
Fantasy Spin: Hmm….will Gronk make his return in Week 16? If so, he’s a must own and his return could diminish the value Aaron Hernandez has held with Gronkowski out of the lineup. If Gronkowski is on your waiver wire, he’s worth a speculative addition. He’s going to be better than just about any TE you have.
Ahmad Bradshaw (RB | New York Giants 94% in Y!) – Bradshaw missed Week 15 with a knee injury as the Giants were blown out on the road by the Atlanta Falcons.
Fantasy Spin: At this point, it’s unclear if you can count on Bradshaw to make it through a game. We didn’t get a fair look at backup David Wilson as the Giants were down early. I’d hold Wilson in all leagues and see what Bradshaw can do in practice.
Ryan Mathews (RB | San Diego Chargers 93% in Y!) – Mathews injured his shoulder during the Chargers blowout loss to the Panthers. Further tests found it to be broken and his season is finished.
Fantasy Spin: Mathews has been quite the disappointment this year. His backup Ronnie Brown is also dinged and likely won’t play in Week 16. IF you are desperate, it looks like the Chargers will split carries between Curtis Brinkley and Jackie Battle. Neither inspires a great deal of confidence.
Torrey Smith (WR | Baltimore Ravens 92% in Y!) – Smith suffered a concussion in Week 15 and did not return. He stated later that the concussion was minor.
Fantasy Spin: With the heightened awareness of head injuries in the NFL, I don’t see Smith getting cleared this week to play. Moreover, it doesn’t seem like the Ravens offense is featuring him anymore. He’s safe to cut for this final week of the fantasy season.
Maurice Jones-Drew (RB | Jacksonville Jaguars 84% in Y!) – Jones-Drew missed another game and but seems closer to playing in a game.
Fantasy Spin: Now comes news that Jones-Drew may actually be improving?!? Again, I just don’t see any reason for the Jags to trot him out for a game or two. He’s a risk to contribute at all this season so I’d suggest you look somewhere else if you need the roster spot.
Brandon Pettigrew (TE | Detroit Lions 71% in Y!) – Pettigrew missed Week 15 with a high ankle sprain. It is unlikely he will suit up for Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: The backup TEs for the Lions are Tony Scheffler and Will Heller. I’m not sure that either will be useful in Week 16 so you’d have to look elsewhere for help.
Michael Bush (RB | Chicago Bears 59% in Y!) – Bush was active last week, but did not play due to a rib injury. The Bears are now contemplating putting Bush on season-ending injured reserve.
Fantasy Spin: This is a big blow to the Bears offense as Matt Forte has shown an inability to punch the ball in for short yardage touchdowns. It looks like Armando Allen will get a chance to fill the Bush role and the Bears will likely bring back Khalil Bell who succeeded for the Bears down the stretch last year.
Jonathan Stewart (RB | Carolina Panthers 58% in Y!) – Stewart missed yet another game with his ankle sprains. He is no closer to returning in Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: Stewart shouldn’t be on your roster as he won’t be able to help you the rest of the season. DeAngelo Williams continues to be the nominal starter. Mike Tolbert also showed up in a big way this weekend with two rushing TDs and looks to be the short yardage and goal line back.
Brent Celek (TE | Philadelphia Eagles 53% in Y!) – Celek missed the Thursday night game against the Benagls with a concussion. He practiced on Monday and is on track for Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: Nick Foles looks to his TE often, so Celek could be a viable play in many leagues this week (especially in PPR). Watch the practice reports to see if Celek is at full speed.
Jay Cutler (QB | Chicago Bears 52% in Y!) – Cutler has nagging neck and knee injuries. They did not preclude him from missing a start, but he looks to be less than 100%.
Fantasy Spin: Cutler is not an elite level fantasy QB. He’s likely only owned in deeper leagues. That said, you may be able to find a better (read: healthier) option on the waiver wire for this week if you need Cutler to start.
Michael Vick (QB | Philadelphia Eagles 50% in Y!) – Vick continues to be out with an injury or ineffectiveness or both.
Fantasy Spin: Cut Vick. Even in a keeper league. He’s not worth a roster spot at this point.
Rashad Jennings (RB | Jacksonville Jaguars 36% in Y!) – Jennings missed another game with a concussion.
Fantasy Spin: Jennings had opportunities this year and failed to capitalize on them. There is no guarantee he gets another shot even if he is healthy. I believe he can be safely dropped.
Davone Bess (WR | Miami Dolphins 33% in Y!) – Bess was optimistic all week long about his back injury, but ended up not playing in Week 15. His status for Week 16 is uncertain.
Fantasy Spin: Bess has had some value in PPR leagues this week. The rest of the Dolphins WRs (outside of Brian Hartline) should be ignored so look elsewhere for help.
Dustin Keller (TE | New York Jets 26% in Y!) – Keller missed MNF with a high ankle sprain. His season is in doubt.
Fantasy Spin: Jeff Cumberland filled in admirably and may be in for a big day next week as whomever is under center for the Jets hasn’t shown an ability to throw downfield with any consistency.
Daniel Thomas (RB | Miami Dolphins 24% in Y!) – Thomas suffered a knee injury early in the week 15 matchup with the Jaguars. He did not return.
Fantasy Spin: Thomas’ value has been mostly in handcuffing him with Reggie Bush. He’s shown flashes throughout the year, but lacks the consistency to be kept on your team this late in the season. Lamar Miller is the third string back and is best left on the waiver wire.
Mike Nugent (K | Cincinnati Bengals 15% in Y!) – Nugent missed the Bengals Week 15 game and is unsure if he will play in Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: Cut Nugent and grab a healthy kicker. Just your weekly reminder.
Mario Manningham (WR | San Francisco 49ers 20% in Y!) – Manningham missed the 49ers thrilling victory over the Pats this week. He will likely suit up for Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: Manningham was supposed to play this past week, but did not. Randy Moss caught at TD in his absence. It’s likely Manningham will slot back into his former role with value in deeper leagues only.
Bilal Powell (RB | New York Jets 15% in Y!) – Powell played through an injured toe in Week 15. However, he was not utilized much and fell far behind Shonn Greene in carries.
Fantasy Spin: Powell is still the goal line back when healthy, but if Tim Tebow enters at QB, Powell’s value likely plummets to close to zero as long as Shonn Greene stays healthy.
Emmanuel Sanders (WR | Pittsburgh Steelers 13% in Y!) – Sanders missed Week 15 with a fractured rib. He may attempt to fight through the pain and play this week.
Fantasy Spin: The Steelers passing game has been hit or miss all season. Sanders has clearly fallen behind Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown. Coupled with this injury, that makes Sanders unattractive for all fantasy players.
Chris Ivory (RB | New Orleans Saints 10% in Y!) – Ivory missed Week 15 with a hamstring injury.
Fantasy Spin: There is no upside at this point in holding on to Ivory. He’s likely last in the pecking order for a Saints team that doesn’t like to run the ball a lot.
Ronnie Brown (RB | San Diego Chargers 9% in Y!) – Ronnie Brownn missed Week 15 with a hamstring injury.
Fantasy Spin: With Ryan Mathews out, Brown has a chance to play extensively in Week 16 if he can get healthy. However, it’s unclear whether he will able to do so in time. It doesn’t look like Brown was close to playing this week so check out the practice reports to see what the Chargers are thinking with regard to Brown.
Donald Jones (WR | Buffalo Bills 8% in Y!) – Jones missed another game with his calf injury. It is unclear if he’ll be ready for Week 16 as he hasn’t been able to make it back from what was assumed to be a minor injury.
Fantasy Spin: Jones’ injury likely hasn’t affected too many fantasy owners and his replaces T.J. Graham hasn’t been anything special. The
Stephen Hill (WR | New York Jets 6% in Y!) – Hill missed the Monday night football game for the Jets. He has an injured knee and may not suit up for Week 16.
Fantasy Spin: The Jets are likely moving on from Mark Sanchez for this season. That means it’s either Tebow Time or the start of the Greg McElroy era. Either way you don’t want to own a Jets WR.
Bernard Pierce (RB | Baltimore Ravens 2% in Y!) – Pierce suffered a concussion in Week 15 and did not return.
Fantasy Spin: Pierce was getting a bit more run of late as the Ravens decided to take the ball out of the hands of their best offensive player on a regular basis. Should Pierce not be cleared to return, the handcuff for Ray Rice is now Anthony Allen who should likely be owned by all Rice owners and no one else.
Braylon Edwards (WR | New York Jets 1% in Y!) – Edwards had a hamstring injury which he played through on Monday night football.
Fantasy Spin: See Hill, Stephen. No Jets WR is worth owning at this point.
Written by Chris Garosi for FantasyFix.com. You can follow Chris on Twitter @chrisgarosi. You can find more of his work at District Sports Page
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