Good Morning! The fantasy football injury report covers 11 players today. This list is a mix of players who missed practice due to injuries and those who were placed into COVID protocol. I go over each situation, identify who will see an increase in snaps and I give a vibe on their possible fantasy prospects.
QB: Aaron Rodgers
RBs: Elijah Mitchell, James Conner
WRs: Tyreek Hill, Cole Beasley, Julio Jones, Rondale Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Equanimeous St. Brown
TEs: Juwan Johnson, Blake Bell
Arizona Cardinals: James Conner (RB)/Rondale Moore (WR) - Given that the Cards are playing on Saturday, their week of practices began yesterday. Neither player is considered healthy enough at this point to practice. Chase Edmonds is the clear RB1 over Jonathan Ward if Conner cannot play this weekend. Edmonds has averaged 69 total yards a game this season, averaging nearly six yards a carry. If Rondale cannot play this weekend, Antoine Wesley becomes WR3 behind AJ Green and Christian Kirk. Wesley is on pace for 30/375 yards this season, participating in six weeks of tilts.
Buffalo Bills: Cole Beasley (WR) - The slot wideout was placed into COVID protocol yesterday. Due to his vaccination status, Beasley is ruled out for this upcoming game against the Patriots. Gabriel Davis will be the WR2 behind Stefon Diggs, and Isaiah McKenzie will likely play the slot. Davis is on pace for 40/625/8 as a go to guy around the endzone lately.
Green Bay Packers: Aaron Rodgers (QB)/Marquez Valdes-Scantling (WR)/Equanimeous St. Brown (WR) - As expected, Rodgers is not considered healthy enough to practice once more with his toe injury. He’s played through it the last few weeks with little to no practice and that is probably going to continue. Jordan Love is the backup and he struggled in his one start this season. The pair of wide receivers were placed into COVID protocol, really hampering the Packers depth. Davante Adams, and Allen Lazard are the clear starters at this point and Amari Rodgers will be WR3. Rodgers is a pick from this past year's draft and he’s seen more special teams' snaps than offensive ones in 2021. Amari has three receptions for 40 yards.
Kansas City Chiefs: Tyreek Hill (WR)/Blake Bell (TE) - Two additional Chiefs were placed into COVID protocol yesterday, joining Travis Kelce. Losing both Hill and Kelce is going to push their depth. Byron Pringle is going to see an increase in snaps, likely in Hills spot. He has the speed to do the job. Pringle is on a 35/525 pace this season. Bell’s placement is significant, forcing the squad to go to Noah Gray. Gray is normally TE3 and the rookie has four receptions in six games this season.
New Orleans Saints: Juwan Johnson (TE) - A likely inactive this week outright, Johnson was placed into COVID protocol yesterday. Adam Trautman returned to the team for Week 15 and is the TE1 normally. Trautman is on pace for 45/425 in 10 games played this season. Nick Vannett will be TE2 behind him.
San Francisco 49ers: Elijah Mitchell (RB) - The rookie running back isn’t expected to play in Week 16, not being at practice yesterday due to his multitude of injuries. Jeff Wilson has started the last two weeks as a rusher in his place. Wilson has averaged 55 total yards a game through five contests this season.
Tennessee Titans: Julio Jones (WR) - The star wide receiver is dealing with a hamstring injury again this week, and is not practicing. The coaching staff has already ruled him a game-time decision, but I don’t think he’s going to play. AJ Brown has returned to the club this week and he will retake his WR1 slot. Brown is on pace for 80/1050 through 10 games played.