While rankings and projections are beneficial, few things are more important in fantasy football than following injury updates. Injuries not only impact the player in question but the teammates and the offenses around them. Here’s an update on some critical QB and TE injury reports to watch and their fantasy football impact.
For more fantasy football injury news, make sure to check out our up-to-date Week 16 WR Injury Report and our Week 16 RB Injury Report.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: QB update
Let’s go through the injuries currently impacting quarterbacks. Monitor these situations throughout the week and have contingency plans, if necessary.
Teddy Bridgewater | Denver Broncos
The Broncos ruled Teddy Bridgewater out due to a concussion. Drew Lock will start.
Joe Burrow | Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow carries no injury designation and will continue to play through his pinky injury.
Sam Darnold | Carolina Panthers
The Panthers activated Sam Darnold from injured reserve and apparently, will use both him and Cam Newton this week. I know about as much about what that means as you do. Expect Darnold to get his job back sooner or later.
Justin Fields and Andy Dalton | Chicago Bears
Justin Fields did not practice Thursday or Friday due to his ankle and is listed as questionable. Andy Dalton, meanwhile, is out with a groin issue.
Head coach Matt Nagy said the team is being smart regarding Fields and will start Nick Foles Sunday.
Jared Goff | Detroit Lions
Head coach Dan Campbell does not expect Jared Goff to clear COVID protocols by Sunday. At this point, it is unclear who will start. While neither David Blough nor Tim Boyle inspires much confidence, Blough is significantly better.
Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen | Washington Football Team
Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen are back from the reserve/COVID-19 list. Heinicke will start, and Allen will back him up Sunday.
Jalen Hurts | Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts practiced fully on Friday and carries no injury designation. His ankle is fine, and he will start.
Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley | Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson did not practice all week due to his sprained ankle. He did not travel with the team Saturday and is out. Additionally, Tyler Huntley tested positive for COVID-19 and is out as well. Kenji Bahar will be Josh Johnson’s backup. I have no idea who that is.
Ben Roethlisberger | Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger carries no injury designation and will play Sunday.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: TE updateÂ
Are there any tight end injuries we need to be concerned about? The TE market is already thin, so your alternatives will likely be grim if you have a player on this injury report.
Pat Freiermuth | Pittsburgh Steelers
Pat Freiermuth remains in the concussion protocol and is out this week.
Tyler Higbee | Los Angeles Rams
The Rams activated Tyler Higbee off the reserve/COVID-19 list Friday. He will play Sunday.
Travis Kelce | Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs activated Travis Kelce from the reserve/COVID-19 list on Saturday. He has not yet cleared COVID protocols, but if the Chiefs did not activate him by 4 PM ET on Saturday, he couldn’t play. By doing so, they give him the chance to test out Sunday morning.
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We will update this section as soon as we know the results of those tests.
Darren Waller | Las Vegas Raiders
Darren Waller has not practiced since hurting his knee back on Thanksgiving. Head coach Rich Bisaccia said Waller has made “tedious progress,” but is not confident about Waller playing this week.
The Raiders listed Waller as doubtful for no other than reason than to prevent fantasy managers from being able to place him in their IR spot. He’s not playing this week, but won’t be officially ruled out until Sunday.
