The Final Infirmary Report- Championship Week!

by Jason Allwine · Fantasy Football

Welcome to the Final Infirmary Report- Championship Week! Congratulations to those still competing in their fantasy leagues this season! It’s been a tough year filled with many team-destroying injuries. From Breece Hall to Cooper Kupp to Trey Lance– all injuries have had a significant impact this season. Now as we head into Championship Week, it’s time for one last Infirmary Report. Here are the guys who were injured during Week 16 and how you can replace them in order to win your championship.

Leonard Fournette, RB | Buccaneers

Injury: Fournette’s been playing through a Lisfranc.

Expected Return: He should play Week 17.

Key Takeaway:

Fournette is a tough dude to be putting up the numbers he is while battling a Lisfranc. It appears he has been playing through it and that the Buccaneers have known about it, so he should continue playing. This is also both good and bad news for Rachaad White owners, and there are a few ways to read into this. It’s weird that the Buccaneers would rather roll out Fournette with a Lisfranc rather than rely on White. You have to believe that the Bucs don’t wholly trust White yet. However, there is still a high re-injury chance with Lisfranc. White’s dynasty value is still solid, and he’s an even more valuable handcuff now.

Jamaal Williams, RB | Lions

Injury: Williams injured his leg against the Panthers.

Expected Return: Currently he is Questionable for Week 17.

Key Takeaway:

As of now, it seems like the Lions will be taking the wait-and-see approach to this, and at the very least, Williams has avoided IR. With the loss to the Panthers, the Lions need to win out to make the Playoffs. It’s definitely possible Williams makes his way onto the field this week- just with a limited load. However, if he doesn’t play, the Lions will use Justin Jackson even more than they have the last few weeks. He’s had three games in a row above a 30-percent snap share, and that number should go up to around 40-percent because D’Andre Swift can’t handle a full workload right now. If Jackson finds himself in that TD vulture role, he should be a valuable streaming option for the Championship.

Aaron Jones, RB | Packers

Injury: Rolled his ankle but remained available for the rest of the game.

Expected Return: He should be good to go for Week 17.

Key Takeaway:

Like the Lions, the Packers also need to win out to make the Playoffs. If Jones and the team say that he was fine, he will at least play during Championship week. However, it may be a limited role. It’s tough to call right now so just make sure that you follow his practice status this week. If he doesn’t miss any practices, then he should be good to go and can be fired up with confidence. Otherwise, A.J. Dillon will be a decent flex option of course.

Christian Watson, WR | Packers

Injury: Watson injured his hip against the Dolphins and didn’t return.

Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 17.

Key Takeaway:

While the Packers are needing their breakout Rookie WR for their Playoff hopes, this injury definitely seems harder to expect him to play through given the nature of hip injuries. He says he’s fine so, just like with Aaron Jones, make sure you monitor his practices. One thing that works in his favor is that he is a vertical threat, so he could end up in a spot where he literally just runs Go Routes. The Packers need all the help they can get to make the Playoffs, so again, Watson will probably play. He will likely be playing in a limited role unless he practices all week.

Greg Dulcich, TE | Broncos

Injury: Dulcich picked up a hamstring injury against the Rams.

Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 17.

Key Takeaway:

Some people had definitely begun to rely on Greg Dulcich because of how terrible the tight end position has been this season. He’s been receiving a decent bit of volume too, averaging 5.2 targets a game. Those that have been relying on him, I’m sorry, but it seems you’re going to have to dive even deeper into Tight End Hell. Hamstring injuries linger, and the Broncos’ playoff hopes are done. There’s no reason for him to play this week, and even if he does play it will be tough to trust him playing through a hamstring injury. And no, you’re not gonna be able to rely on Eric Saubert or Eric Tomlinson either as they will more than likely end up in a timeshare.

Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, TEs | Patriots

Injury: Henry injured his knee, and Smith picked up a head injury against the Bengals.

Expected Return: Both are currently Questionable for Week 17, but both will probably miss the game.

Key Takeaway:

Watching these plays is just horrendous. Matt Patricia is so terrible, and this offense needs some serious changes. It has literally begun to devour itself as both of their TEs were hurt by their own team’s route design. You can’t make this stuff up. Rhamondre Stevenson and Jakobi Meyers should feast this week as it’s likely that they are the ones that receive the target share- not Matt Sokol.

Travis Homer, RB| Seahawks

Injury: Homer sprained his ankle against the Chiefs.

Expected Return: He is currently Questionable for Week 17.

Key Takeaway:

Over the last three weeks, Homer has received 10 targets. It’s not like he was being started unless it was a deep league. But, those targets have to go somewhere, and if Kenneth Walker is gonna get three extra targets a game then that’s pretty exciting. The Seahawks are also needing to win out to save their playoff hopes so why not lean on your stud rookie RB? DeeJay Dallas saw a 46-percent snap share because Homer was injured early. He’s a sneaky option too.