It may be the end of an era to an extent for the Kansas City Chiefs (and even the NFL). Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes sustained a torn ACL in Week 15’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs were also eliminated from playoff contention for the first time since 2014 with the loss. You’re likely navigating your fantasy football playoffs after advancing from Week 15. Below we’re going to go over the NFL injury report for Week 16 with the latest on all the key injuries, plus fantasy football analysis.
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Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs (knee): With Mahomes done for the season, Gardner Minshew will man the offense the next two weeks against the Titans and Broncos before Week 18 vs. the Raiders. It’s a downgrade for a passing game that was already wildly inconsistent most of the season. Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce will lose some ceiling but we’ve seen Minshew Mania sustain an offense as recently as 2023 with the Colts. Perhaps with the season done, Andy Reid and the offense will give rookies Brashard Smith and Jalen Royals some run.
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Rashee Rice, WR, Chiefs (concussion): To make matters worse for the Chiefs, Rice was surprisingly placed into concussion protocol after head coach Andy Reid said the wideout exhibited symptoms.
You might’ve been set with sticking with Rice even with Mahomes being done, but now, you might need to find a pivot no matter what.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jaguars (finger): This isn’t all that impactful given what we’ve seen from Jaguars RB Travis Etienne Jr. this season. But Tuten left in Week 15 and was unable to return in a blowout win over the Jets. He’s going to undergo surgery on the finger and is expected to miss a week weeks, per NFL Network. Tuten had only two touches for 23 yards but one was a 16-yard TD catch. With Tuten out, Etienne becomes an even stronger RB1/2 option, though he faces a tough task in Week 16 vs. the Broncos.
Devin Neal, RB, Saints (hamstring): The Saints can’t really catch a break at RB this season. Alvin Kamara has missed the past three weeks with a knee injury. Now, the rookie Neal could miss time after exiting early against the Panthers. He did make due for managers with eight touches for 32 yards and a score before leaving. If Neal ends up missing time, the Saints are down to Audric Estimé and Evan Hull as options in the run game unless Kamara can get healthy. New Orleans also has winnable matchups the next two weeks vs. the Jets and Titans.
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Bam Knight, RB, Cardinals (ankle): Knight was carted off the field on Sunday after suffering a “bad” ankle sprain. As a result, Michael Carter got most of the work in the backfield, finishing with 94 total yards on 18 touches. He’ll be a top waiver wire add this week while Emari Demercado isn’t a bad stash in deeper formats. Knight was placed on injured reserve on Tuesday, which means his season is over.
Davante Adams, WR, Rams (hamstring): Adams was forced to leave Week 15 after pulling up short on a route with a hamstring injury. Head coach Sean McVay said after the game “it didn’t look good” but wouldn’t speculate on the severity of the injury. The Rams went on to beat the Lions and clinch a playoff berth, so don’t expect Adams to be rushed back. He finished the game with four catches for 71 yards on nine targets. For the second straight week, Adams failed to find the end zone after scoring 11 times over the previous six games. Adams is being considered week-to-week, which means there’s a good chance he misses Week 16 versus the Seahawks on TNF. TE Colby Parkinson needs to be rostered in most formats. He has six TDs over the past six games.
Luther Burden III, WR, Bears (ankle): Burden exited in the Bears’ win over the Browns but had six catches for 84 yards. He’s been Chicago’s more consistent pass-catching option the past two weeks with Rome Odunze sidelined. If Burden can shake off this injury and is good for Week 16 against the Packers, he’ll be in a good spot as a WR3/flex option if Odunze, who initially was set to return on Sunday but was a late scratch after aggravating his foot injury, remains out. Keep in mind that game is Saturday night in what would likely be your fantasy playoff semifinals. Head coach Ben Johnson told reporters Monday that Burden’s status for Saturday is uncertain due to the injury.
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Christian Watson, WR, Packers (chest): Watson lost a 1-on-1 battle with Pat Surtain II on a deep ball from Jordan Love and landed hard on his chest/shoulder area. He was unable to return in the second half. Watson had just three catches for 29 yards prior to exiting. Prior to Week 15, Watson had over 18 fantasy points in three of four games, scoring five times in that span. Now, his status is likely up in the air for Week 16 against the Bears, a team he went off for a 4-89-2 line against a few weeks prior. Watson is practicing in a limited fashion, but it’s no sure thing he’ll be out there versus Chicago.
Week 16 NFL injury report
Quarterbacks
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Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (torn ACL) — Out for season
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Tyrod Taylor, Jets (groin)
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Jayden Daniels, Commanders (elbow) — Out for season
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Running backs
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Alvin Kamara, Saints (knee)
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Saquon Barkley, Eagles (stinger)
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Devin Neal, Saints (hamstring)
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Woody Marks, Texans (ankle)
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Chris Rodriguez Jr., Commanders (groin)
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Nick Chubb, Texans (ribs)
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Bam Knight, Cardinals (ankle) — IR
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Dylan Sampson, Browns (calf)
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Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars (finger) — Out
Wide receivers
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Drake London, Falcons (knee)
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Rashee Rice, Chiefs (concussion)
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Davante Adams, Rams (hamstring)
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Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (heel)
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CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (illness)
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Tee Higgins, Bengals (concussion)
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Garrett Wilson, Jets (knee)
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Rome Odunze, Bears (foot)
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Quentin Johnston, Chargers (groin)
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Pat Bryant, Broncos (hamstring)
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Luther Burden III, Bears (ankle)
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Christian Watson, Packers (chest)
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Ricky Pearsall, 49ers (ankle and knee)
Tight ends
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Mason Taylor, Jets (neck)
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David Njoku, Browns (knee)
Out for season
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Malik Nabers, Giants (knee)
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Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (knee)
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Najee Harris, Chargers (Achilles)
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Austin Ekeler, Commanders (Achilles)
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James Conner, Cardinals (foot)
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Antonio Gibson, Patriots (knee)
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Miles Sanders, Cowboys (knee)
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Cam Skattebo, Giants (ankle)
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Tucker Kraft, Packers (knee)
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Travis Hunter, Jaguars (knee)
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JK Dobbins, Broncos (foot)
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Calvin Ridley, Titans (fibula)
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Joe Mixon, Texans (foot/ankle)
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Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (knee)
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Kyler Murray, Cardinals (foot)
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Daniel Jones, Colts (Achilles)
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Zach Ertz, Commanders (knee)
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Trey Benson, Cardinals (knee)
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Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers (knee)
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Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (torn ACL)
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Jayden Daniels, Commanders (elbow)
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Bam Knight, Cardinals (ankle)
Guys to watch
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Sam LaPorta, Lions (back; slim chance he returns)
