WEEK 17: Injury Updates With Fantasy Advice  

UPDATE: Aaron Rodgers, Arian Foster and LeSean McCoy are INACTIVE – Get them out of your lineups !!!

As you all know things can change before Sunday kickoff so be sure to check back as we will be updating Injury status throughout the weekend and then every 10 minutes starting at 11:30 Sunday morning up until the 1pm kickoffs. We will then check back in with updates starting at 3pm for the late games.

As we approach the final week of the regular season, fantasy owners will have to monitor the injuries as well as each team’s motivation to ensure that you don’t have a player that is riding the pine in your starting lineups.

Houston is locked into the #3 seed in the AFC and Green Bay has clinched home field throughout the playoffs in the NFC so expect alot of reserves to see significant time for the Packers and Texans.

The AFC North and #2 seed (first round BYE) are up for grabs so Baltimore and Pittsburgh will be motivated to win (both have 4pm games). Cincy hosts the Ravens and a win gets them in. In the NFC East its winner take all on Sunday night as the injured riddled Cowboys look to avenge their week 14 home collapse against Eli and the Giants.

You can see all the week 17 playoff scenarios here.

Here is our take on the varying degrees of motivation for teams in the playoff hunt.

AFC

1. Patriots: clinch the No. 1 seed with a win.
2. Ravens: AFC North and bye on the line.
3. Texans: Nothing to play. AJ, Yates and Foster should at least play a half.
4. Broncos / Oakland -  Denver wins division with victory.
5. Steelers: 4pm kickoff and need a win and Ravens loss in Cincy for division.
6. Final wildcard – Cincinnati holds one game lead – Oakland, NY Jets, Tennessee also alive.

NFC

1. Packers: Homefield secured – expect alot of Matt Flynn under center.
2. San Francisco – holds tiebreaker on Saints and clinches first round bye with a win – should throttle St Louis.
3. Saints: Expect all Saints to play to win
4. Cowboys-Giants: winner takes NFC East division and loser packs bags.
5. Lions: A win against Green Bay’s backups clinches 5th seed.
6. Falcons: If Detroit wins at 1 p.m., the Falcons get No. 6 seed and likely face the Saints. If Lions lose – Falcons will go all out to win at 4pm against Tampa.

Many backfields have been decimated by injuries. DeMarco Murray’s week 14 broken ankle opened the door Fragile Felix Jones to garner a week 15 start but a hamstring injury sidelined him in the 2nd half. Jones only saw 4 carries in a meaningless week 16 game but is expected to start Sunday night in a must win game (Sammy Morris could split carries). The Bears Khalil Bell posted yet another solid performance in week 16 and should get the start in Minnesota (heir apparent to Matt Forte ?). CJ2K is battling an ankle injury but should start against an unmotivated Texans team that could have the B-team starting. Jamie Harper is worth stashing if you have the roster space. Rookie Roy Helu laid an egg last week in week 15 and sat out week 16 (battling toe and ankle injuries). He’s expected back but a timeshare is likely with Evan Royster against Philly.

There are multiple injuries to monitor at the WR position. Vincent Jackson was limited by a groin injury  in week 16 and with the Chargers eliminated from playoff contention – VJax could pack it in for the season.  Anquan Boldin required minor surgery and will miss week 17 but is expected back for the playoffs.

Tom Brady (shoulder) and Big Ben (ankle) vow to play but its unclear how long either player will remain under center as their respective teams playoff hopes hinge on their health. Tony Romo’s swollen hand has healed enough that it appears all systems go for the game of the week on Sunday night as he looks to dispel the choke artist label (for his sake let’s just hope the game doesn’t come down to a Dallas field goal).

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Posted in Injury Updates, SPIN Articles, Week 17 2011   No Comments »