With many fantasy football championships on the line today, this week's NFL injury report takes on added significance, with Adrian Peterson (foot) and Larry Fitzgerald (concussion) highlighting the list. Here are some key injuries, and their impact, for Week 16:
Week 16, NFL injury report: Larry Fitzgerald, Adrian Peterson expected to play
Joe Flacco is dealing with a strained MCL. Adrian Petereson is looking to get back on the field after a foot injury kept him out. Larry Fitzgerald is just getting over a concussion. SB Nation’s medical expert, Dr. Ali Mohamadi, takes a look the status and impact of the played on this week’s injury list.
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Running backs
Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings, foot
MIN (3-10-1) @ CIN (9-5), 1:00 p.m.
Peterson missed the Vikings win against Philadelphia last Sunday after a mid-foot sprain in Week 15, but the good news for Minnesota fans and fantasy owners alike is that he appears likely to take the field today. Peterson is officially listed as questionable on the Vikings' injury report, but he has pronounced himself healthy enough to go against the Bengals. On another positive note for Minnesota, backup Toby Gerhart who missed last week's game with a hamstring injury, is listed as probable and would get the bulk of the carries if Peterson is limited.
Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars, hamstring
JAC (4-10) vs. TEN (5-9), 1:00 p.m.
Jones-Drew missed practice the entire week until participating in light work on Friday due to a lingering hamstring injury and is listed as questionable for this afternoon’s contest with Tennessee. He is now expected to play. It looks like it will be a dreaded game-time decision for the Jaguars RB, and since hamstring injuries are particularly prone to reinjury if the athlete takes the field before fully healed, he may be a risky start for fantasy owners today.
Quarterbacks
Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens, knee
BAL (8-6) vs. NE (10-4), 4:25 p.m.
In what is a critical game for the Ravens' playoff hopes, Flacco is listed as questionable for today's contest against the Patriots after suffering an MCL sprain of the left knee in last Monday night's win over Detroit. The injury initially appeared worse than it appears to be, as Flacco's knee bent inward when struck by the helmet of Lions' linebacker DeAndre Levy, but the Ravens QB has managed to practice the past two days after being fitted with a brace, which he is likely to wear in the game. There is no reason to believe Flacco won't take the field in such a meaningful game, but his mobility - albeit not one of his calling cards - may be limited.
Wide receivers
Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals, concussion
ARI (9-5) @ SEA (12-2), 4:05 p.m.
Fitzgerald left last week's win over Tennessee after suffering a concussion but has returned to limited practice late this week after passing neurological testing. The Cardinals WR is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's critical game at Seattle, but with the team fighting for its playoff life, he is likely, as of the latest report, to suit up against the Seahawks.
Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions, knee
DET (7-7) vs. NYG (5-9), 4:05 p.m.
Johnson has been playing through a sore knee the past several weeks, but had typically been listed as probable on the Lions' injury report until now, when he is listed as questionable entering today's contest with the Giants. That said, Johnson did participate on a limited basis in practice late in the week, and there is little reason to believe he will sit out in today's contest, which is a must-win for Detroit's playoff hopes, not to mention a huge one for fantasy owners across the country vying for their own league titles.
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