It was a really brutal week for injuries around the NFL. While the quantity of injuries wasn’t high, the players that the injuries occurred to had a significant impact on fantasy matchups everywhere. Let’s dive into it and let’s talk about how to work through your championship matchups.

Quarterback 

Jalen Hurts – Eagles – Concussion

Hurts suffered a concussion early in the Eagles’ loss to the Commanders and did not return to the game. Hurts will now enter the league’s concussion protocol and will have to be monitored throughout the week. If Hurts can’t go, Kenny Pickett would start at quarterback for the Eagles and would hold very little fantasy value. Although it will give a hit to the fantasy value of the Eagles’ star studded skill players, you should not bench Saquon Barkley, A.J. Brown, nor Devonta Smith. 

Josh Allen – Bills – Hand

It was reported on Sunday morning that Josh Allen has been playing most of the season with a fracture in his non throwing hand. While surely it has affected him some, it has not affected his playing status at all and with the Bills still having a chance at the top seed and home field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs still in play, there is no reason to think he will miss any time and should still be started in your championship matchups whether that is this week or in Week 18. 

Running Back

James Conner – Cardinals – Knee 

Conner injured his knee in the third quarter of the Cardinals’ overtime loss to the Panthers and did not return. The severity of the injury is not yet known but with Sunday’s loss, the Cardinals are officially eliminated from playoff contention which could put Conner’s status for the remainder of the year moving forward. In his place, Michael Carter assumed lead back duties where he totaled 10 touches, a split of five carries and five catches each. The Cardinals are also on a short week so should Conner not be able to go, Carter would be the priority add on the wire and hold FLEX value against the Rams on Saturday. 

Kenneth Walker III – Seahawks – Ankle 

Walker suffered an ankle injury in the Seahawks’ loss to the Vikings on Sunday and did not return. Walker is set to undergo further testing and with the Seahawks on a short week, it absolutely puts his playing status for Week 17 in doubt. For now Zach Charbonnet will take over top running back duties for the Seahawks. If he is somehow available on the waiver wire he is a priority add for championship week with Walker presumably set to miss more time. 

Wide Receiver 

Drake London – Falcons – Hamstring

Falcons wide receiver Drake London suffered a hamstring injury and did not return in the Falcons’ Week 16 win over the Giants. The positive news is head coach Raheem Morris said London could have returned to the game but with the Falcons up big, they decided to be cautious and not risk any further damage. The Falcons are in must win mode so surely London will be doing what he can to be on the field next Sunday night when the Falcons battle the Commanders. If he can’t go, Darnell Mooney will take over top receiver duties while Bijan Robinson and Kyle Pitts should see increased usage. 

Tank Dell – Texans – Knee

Dell suffered a dislocated kneecap and torn ACL during the Texans’ loss to the Chiefs on Saturday and will miss the remainder of the season. The Texans already lost Stefon Diggs to a torn ACL and now lose Dell. Nico Collins is the unquestioned number one wideout in Houston, now it’ll be up to guys like Robert Woods and Xavier Hutchinson to step up on the outside, while Dalton Schultz and Joe Mixon will likely see an increased usage in the passing game as well. 

Christian Watson – Packers – Knee

Watson suffered a knee injury in the second half of Monday night’s win over the Saints. He went into the medical tent and came back, only to leave the game again and not return. Watson did only suffer a knee bruise though and has a chance to play this weekend. The Packers take on the Vikings in Week 17, a huge matchup and a game they will presumably have to throw more than 28 times in. Watson was only targeted once in Week 16, while Dontayvion Wicks had seven, expect to see an increased target share for Jayden Reed, Tucker Kraft, and Romeo Doubs if Watson is unable to go. Should Watson be able to go, he holds no more than Flex value at this point due to his inconsistent target share and boom or bust nature.

George Pickens – Steelers -Hamstring

After missing the previous two contests with a hamstring injury, Pickens practiced in full on Monday and is all set to go in the Steelers’ Christmas Day showdown with the Chiefs. The Steeler offense has sputtered without him so getting him back gives him instant WR2 value while also giving a slight boost to Russell Wilson’s value. However, beware of starting Russ as they take on a tough Chiefs defense that always seems to play its best football at this time of year.