In the penultimate week of the NFL’s regular season, injury reports are longer than ever. There’s plenty of backups to take advantage of in this week of fantasy football championships. If not you’re already eliminated, pay close attention to make then right bets for this week. If either of those things don’t matter to you, there’s plenty of playoff scenario excitement around the league. Regardless, Week 17 should be one of the most exciting of the season. Click here for part one of this week’s injury report.
Panthers @ Jaguars Injury Report
Carolina Panthers
Troy Hill: Carolina will be without their starting slot corner in Hill. He’s been below average but is much better than his backups. Carolina’s cornerback and safety depth chart is a mess and it’s difficult to see who will take slot snaps this week. It seems to be Jeremy Chinn. If so, Parker Washington should have a good day for the Jaguars.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence: A right shoulder will force the Jaguars starting quarterback to miss his first game of the season. With backup C.J. Beathard in, expect lots of schemed short passes and an emphasis on getting the run game going.
Dolphins @ Ravens Injury Report
Miami Dolphins
Robert Hunt: A hamstring injury has Hunt listed as doubtful. If he isn’t able to go, Robert Jones will slide to the right side while Lester Cotton starts at the left guard spot. Cotton is the weak line of Miami’s offensive line. If he does start, expect Miami to be less effective at running the ball up the middle.
Jaylen Waddle: Miami will be without their No. 2 receiver in Waddle due to an ankle injury. He’s been extremely effective in the last month and has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark. With Waddle not in, expect the offense to be a bit more run-focused. Both Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane should be used extensively this week.
Baltimore Ravens
No notable injuries.
Patriots @ Bills Injury Report
New England Patriots
Juju Smith-Schuster: Smith-Schuster will miss yet another game due to an ankle injury. It’s not a deal breaker, however, as Bailey Zappe much prefers DeVante Parker and Demario Davis over Smith Schuster. Expect a larger target share for each of them and Hunter Henry.
Jabrill Peppers: A hamstring injury will ensure one of New England’s best defensive players doesn’t play. With Jalen Mills in, look for the Patriots’ defense to lack downfield coverage and general physicality.
Buffalo Bills
No notable injuries.
Steelers @ Seahawks Injury Report
Pittsburgh Steelers
Minkah Fitzpatrick/Trenton Thompson: Both No. 1 and No. 2 free safeties will be inactive for Pittsburgh this week. Patrick Peterson will again be forced to play the free safety role. While he has played well at that spot, I’m not confident that he’ll be able to guard D.K. Metcalf downfield. I’d expect Metcalf to get at least two deeply contested catches on the older Peterson.
Elandon Roberts: A pectoral injury will have Myles Jack back in the starting lineup. While he showed flashes last week, he’s not what he used to be. Expect Pittsbugh’s linebackers to struggle to stop the run once it gets to the second level.
Seattle Seahawks
Jamal Adams: Seattle’s strong safety will miss another game due to a knee injury. Backup Julian Love has outplayed Adams and is significantly better in coverage. Expect better downfield coverage on both Diontae Johnson and George Pickens this week.
Bengals @ Chiefs Injury Report
Kansas City Chiefs
Donovan Smith: A neck injury will again hold Kansas City’s starting left tackle out this week. He hasn’t played well this year but is still slightly better than backup Wanya Morris. Expect Trey Hendrickson to take full advantage of Morris’s inexperience. He should finish with more than 1.5 sacks this week.
Kadarius Toney: Although not necessary to be included, he will be. Toney hasn’t been much of a factor but can still provide that explosive play. With him being sidelined this week, expect more targets for Rashee Rice and Justin Watson.
Cincinnati Bengals
No notable injuries.
Packers @ Vikings Injury Report
Green Bay Packers
Christian Watson: A hamstring injury continues to have Watson listed as doubtful. Against a weak Vikings’ secondary, Love should be able to make do throwing to Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed and Aaron Jones.
Jaire Alexander/Eric Stokes: While Alexander is suspended, Stokes isn’t but he’ll still miss this week because of a hamstring injury. With Minnesota having Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison in full swing, expect each of them to have above-average games. It’s still unclear what we’ll see for Jaren Hall, but his receivers will have great matchups.
De’Vondre Campbell: A neck injury has Campbell listed as doubtful. Ever since he suffered the injury, he clearly hasn’t been the same player. A healthy backup in Eric Wilson is an upgrade over Campbell. Expect better second-level tackling from the Packers this week.
Minnesota Vikings
Byron Murphy Jr.: Minnesota’s No. 2 outside corner will miss this week due to a knee injury. Backup Mekhi Blackmon has arguably outplayed Murphy Jr., consistently getting higher coverage grades than him. It’ll be a very even matchup between him and Jayden Reed this week.