NFL Injury Report: Tracking Week 14 Injuries For Notable Fantasy Football Stars
7:55 p.m.: Aaron Rodgers had arguably the best game of his season against Seattle, keeping hope alive for the Packers. However, the former MVP might be hobbled the rest of the season. Already dealing with a left hamstring issue, Rodgers injured his right calf Sunday.
Rodgers on severity of calf injury: Hard to tell, just happened…Threw a TD pass (on third play) & my calf started hurting me. #SEAvsGB
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) December 12, 2016
6:30 p.m.: Matthew Stafford orchestrated yet another fourth-quarter comeback, and he did so while wearing a glove on his throwing hand. That’s because the Lions quarterback suffered a dislocated finger after injuring the digit following through on a pass. According to ESPN.com, Stafford will have to wear the glove for the rest of the season, and the details are pretty gnarly.
From ESPN.com: “The top of Stafford’s finger was bent downward at a 90-degree angle and he had no control over the top part of digit, the source said.”
The Lions also lost defensive end Ezekiel Ansah to a shoulder injury, which could be a major blow if he misses a prolonged period of time.
4:50 p.m.: This would be a devastating loss for the Miami Dolphins if Ryan Tannehill indeed has a torn ACL and is out for the year.
Dolphins fear QB Ryan Tannehill tore his ACL.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2016
4:40 p.m.: Matt Forte is out for the remainder of the game with a knee injury.
RB Matt Forte (knee) is out for the remainder of #NYJvsSF.
— New York Jets (@nyjets) December 11, 2016
4 p.m.: The Philadelphia Eagles lost not one, but two running backs Sunday. Darren Sproles went out after ending up on the wrong side of a dirty hit which came on a potential punt return, while Wendell Smallwood’s day ended at halftime with a right knee injury.
1:25 p.m.: Terrible news for the San Diego Chargers and Melvin Gordon owners: the second-year star running back is being carted off the field with an apparent leg injury.
Chargers RB Melvin Gordon is being carted off the field. Brutal.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 11, 2016
In a season full of injuries in SD, here is another crucial one: #Chargers RB Melvin Gordon was carted off field with a leg injury
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2016
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports it’s a hip injury for Gordon, who was diving for a fumbled ball when he got hurt.
Chargers RB Melvin Gordon carted off with hip injury.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2016
12:50 p.m.: Here’s some bad news for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and Chicago Bears, whose offensive options grow slimmer.
#Steelers RB DeAngelo Williams is out. WR Dorial Green-Beckham is out. #Lions RB Theo Riddick is out, a surprise. #Bears WR Eddie Royal out
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2016
12:25 p.m.: Here’s a few notable names and their status for Week 14 games:
Official:
Theo Riddick: Out
Jordan Reed: In
Trevor Siemian: In
Marvin Jones: In
Ryan Mathews: In
Jordan Matthews: In
Chris Ivory: Out— Field Yates (@FieldYates) December 11, 2016
11:45 a.m.: Lions running back Theo Riddick is a surprise inactive.
A mild surprise: Theo Riddick out.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2016
11:20 a.m.: Don’t expect much from Eagles running back Ryan Mathews on Sunday.
Eagles' RB Ryan Mathews will play today despite knee injury, but don't be surprised if rookie RB Wendell Smallwood gets more work.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2016
10:55 a.m.: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports Julio Jones playing Sunday isn’t promising.
For those setting fantasy lineups, Falcons sound more pessimistic this am that Julio Jones will play today. Want to work him out at stadium.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2016
10:30 a.m.: The New Orleans Saints could be without star rookie wide receiver Michael Thomas, who is dealing with a foot ailment, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter. He’ll be a game-time decision.
His teammate, running back Mark Ingram, is expected to play, though.
#Saints RB Mark Ingram (toe, knee), who was hobbled but played last week, will play today vs. #Bucs, source said. Should be moving better.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2016
10:20 a.m.: The Denver Broncos will have their starting quarterback under center for Week 14 after Trevor Siemian missed Week 13 with a foot injury.
Broncos QB Trevor Siemian (foot) will start vs. Titans after one-game absence, per source.https://t.co/mji5TBpnac https://t.co/Lf2vN09A6C
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2016
#Broncos QB Trevor Siemian (sprained foot) is back under center vs. #Titans after missing last week, source said. He?s had no setbacks.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2016
10:15 a.m.: Arguably the biggest name questionable for Week 14 after Julio Jones is Washington Redskins tight end Jordan Reed, who dislocated his shoulder on Thanksgiving and missed Week 13’s game because of it. It seems he’ll be able to go on Sunday.
Washington TE Jordan Reed, listed as questionable for Sunday vs Eagles due to a shoulder injury, is expected to play, per sources.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2016
#Redskins TE Jordan Reed (shoulder) will be back today vs. the #Eagles, source said. He misses just one game with an AC joint separation
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2016
Across the field, the Philadelphia Eagles will get reinforcements from a few banged-up players as well, though one youngster will be sitting out.
Eagles WR Jordan Matthews will play Sunday vs. Washington, despite a sprained ankle that lists him as questionable, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2016
#Eagles RB Ryan Mathews (MCL sprain) and WR Jordan Matthews (ankle) are both expected to play today vs. the #Redskins, sources say.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2016
Ryan Mathews’ role might be diminished, however.
Eagles WR Dorial Green-Beckham, listed as questionable for Sunday vs. Washington with an abdomen injury, is out, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2016
10:05 a.m. ET: Here’s a look at a few names around the rest of the NFL who have question marks regarding their status entering Sunday’s games.
The New York Giants should be getting reinforcements.
Giants officially activated RB Shane Vereen off injured reserve/designated for return. He will play Sunday night vs Dallas Cowboys.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 10, 2016
New York’s opponents, the Dallas Cowboys, will be without one of their kick returners.
#Cowboys returner Lucky Whitehead was left home from the #Giants game for missing a Saturday meeting, source said. A constant issue for him.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2016
Here’s an update on a few Detroit Lions.
Lions WR Marvin Jones, questionable for today vs Bears with a thigh injury, is expected to play, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2016
Lions TE Eric Ebron, questionable for today vs Bears with a knee injury, is expected to play, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2016
#Lions expecting to have WR Marvin Jones (quad) & TE Eric Ebron (knee), but LB DeAndre Levy is still iffy, source said. May not be ready yet
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2016
The injuries keep mounting for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Jaguars placed DE Jared Odrick (shoulder) and TE Julius Thomas (back) on IR.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 10, 2016
#Jaguars RB Chris Ivory (hamstring) is expected to be out today, source said. They promoted RB Bronson Hill to their 53-man roster.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2016
The Browns will finally get the quarterback they intended to start all season back from injury.
QB Robert Griffin III will start this Sunday.
Details » https://t.co/9B5nJzwtLf#CINvsCLE pic.twitter.com/495W3jXv8x
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) December 8, 2016
And a few notable defenders won’t play again in Week 14.
S Tyrann Mathieu out again for the Cardinals this week. https://t.co/V48gvXKKsL
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 9, 2016
Panthers LB Luke Kuechly has been ruled out of Sunday's game vs Chargers; still recovering from concussion.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 10, 2016
Who knows what’s happening in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ backfield.
Buccaneers officially activated running back Charles Sims III from IR.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 10, 2016
9:45 a.m. ET: Here’s what we know about Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones. In short, there have been some encouraging signs, but he’ll be a game-time decision in his 4:25 p.m. ET start in Los Angeles.
Falcons optimistic WR Julio Jones, who didn't practice Weds, will be able to play vs Rams on Sunday, per source. Not as promising for Sanu.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 8, 2016
This is how tenuous Julio Jones is for Sunday: Spoke to two Falcons officials tonight – One thinks Jones plays vs Rams, the other doesn't.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 11, 2016
Fantasy nightmare: #Falcons WR Julio Jones (toe) is a game-time decision…for a 4:25 pm game. Run on grass, then decide. It's up in the air
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2016
On Friday & early Saturday, it seemed Julio Jones was not going to play. But he did participate in the walkthrough. That keeps the door open
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2016
9 a.m. ET: Decisions, decisions, decisions.
It’s Week 14 of the NFL season, which means your fantasy football league has reached the playoffs. In other words, every detail is magnified and every decision counts; one wrong move can end your season, no matter how great your record has been.
Among the biggest dilemmas facing fantasy owners this week is whether to start Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones. The elite wide receiver leads the league in receiving yards by a wide margin but is suffering from turf toe, which could either keep him out of Sunday’s matchup against the Los Angeles Rams or limit him if he plays. Making matters worse, the usual 1 o’clock-er gets a late start at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, making the decision to start or sit him all the more grueling.
Stay tuned throughout the day, as we’ll keep you updated with all the latest news and rumors regarding players’ health and status.
Thumbnail photo via James Lang/USA TODAY Sports Images