The Training Room: Week 16 Injury Updates
We are at the cusp of crowning champions this week in fantasy football leagues everywhere. It’s an exciting, yet very anxious time of the season, as every move is under the microscope. Bragging rights are at stake and you need every bit of information possible to make sure you make the best decisions for your team. The training room is somewhat quiet heading into this big week, but let’s take a look at some players that will need your attention.
Donald Brown
Stinger – Stingers usually involve a combined motion of the neck and shoulder being forced in opposite directions, which causes a stretch to the nerves that run through that region. The athlete feels immediate, sharp pain, which can radiate down into the hands/fingers depending on the severity.
Brown exited Sunday’s game against the Texans after suffering the injury in the first quarter. He did not return and is considered day to day.
Bottom Line – Brown has turned in a solid fantasy performance over the past few weeks but clearly cannot be trusted for the fantasy Superbowl as he’ll most likely be questionable for most of the week. Stingers can have a tendency to linger, as nerve pain does take longer to resolve than other injuries, so I would look elsewhere especially with Trent Richardson as the next man up.
Jermaine Gresham
Hip Strain – Direct trauma to or repetitive use of the muscles/tendons/ligaments around the hip can cause pain.
Gresham went out with the injury in the 3rd quarter of Sunday night’s game against the Steelers. He did not return and there was no update on his injury after the game.
Bottom Line – Gresham has plenty of talent to be a contributor, but his inconsistency and the emergence of Tyler Eifert has left fantasy owners frustrated with his lack of production. Consider Gresham day to day, but at this point in the season you almost want him to be ruled out early in the week to allow you to consider other options such as Eifert if you need help at the TE position.
Concussions
The Cardinals state that Fitzgerald suffered the concussion late in the 4th quarter when attempting to recover an onside kick. He was ruled out of the overtime period due to his symptoms.
Bottom Line – Fitzgerald has been relatively healthy over the past few weeks after finally recovering from hamstring issues. The concussion seemed like it was a pretty significant one, as reports are that he was out of it after the hit. He has a very difficult matchup in Week 16 against the stout Seahawks defense, so if you have other options you might want to consider them, especially during Championship Week. Fitzgerald's talent has never been in question, it’s always been who has been throwing the ball to him which has limited his true potential. Check back later this week to see if he’s going through protocol without any setbacks.
Cruz suffered the head injury as he landed on the side of his helmet as he was being tackled. He came out of the game immediately and was ruled out shortly thereafter.
Bottom Line – With two weeks left remaining in a miserable season for the Giants, there’s a good chance that Cruz has played his last snap this year. In addition to his concussion, he also suffered a knee sprain which would only further delay his ability to return. There should be no rush to get Cruz back on the field this season, so consider him dropable in re-draft leagues.
Hillis suffered the head injury in the 2nd half of Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. He did not return to the game.
Bottom Line – Hillis will have to go through protocol in order to be cleared in time for this Sunday’s game against the Lions. Look elsewhere as he’s clearly Andre Brown’s backup and should not come close to your fantasy lineup for Week 16.
