This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on professional sports, resulting in many games lost, schedule alterations and game postponements. In response, the NFL and NFLPA altered their COVID-19 protocols. Vaccinated players will no longer be tested weekly but instead subject to "target testing." Screening protocols will also tighten. Unvaccinated individuals will continue to be tested daily. The revised protocols will also allow for a quicker return. Notable players to miss Week 15 included Baker Mayfield, Tyler Lockett, Alex Collins and Allen Robinson. Keep an eye on how each of these individuals progresses in the week ahead to help determine their availability for Week 16. Chargers running back Austin Ekeler and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will be the first noteworthy player to test out the new procedures after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offense
If getting shut out against the Saints wasn't bad enough, the Tampa offense limped away from the game with injuries to multiple key players. The biggest injury was to Chris Godwin. The receiver suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his knee, ending his season. Given the timing of the injury, the accompanying recovery will likely spill over into the 2022 season. Godwin's absence looms especially large, as Mike Evans also left Sunday's contest with an injury. Evans suffered a hamstring injury that prematurely end his day. Testing performed following the contest revealed the injury was not severe, and Evans could have a
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on professional sports, resulting in many games lost, schedule alterations and game postponements. In response, the NFL and NFLPA altered their COVID-19 protocols. Vaccinated players will no longer be tested weekly but instead subject to "target testing." Screening protocols will also tighten. Unvaccinated individuals will continue to be tested daily. The revised protocols will also allow for a quicker return. Notable players to miss Week 15 included Baker Mayfield, Tyler Lockett, Alex Collins and Allen Robinson. Keep an eye on how each of these individuals progresses in the week ahead to help determine their availability for Week 16. Chargers running back Austin Ekeler and Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will be the first noteworthy player to test out the new procedures after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Offense
If getting shut out against the Saints wasn't bad enough, the Tampa offense limped away from the game with injuries to multiple key players. The biggest injury was to Chris Godwin. The receiver suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his knee, ending his season. Given the timing of the injury, the accompanying recovery will likely spill over into the 2022 season. Godwin's absence looms especially large, as Mike Evans also left Sunday's contest with an injury. Evans suffered a hamstring injury that prematurely end his day. Testing performed following the contest revealed the injury was not severe, and Evans could have a shot at playing in Week 16. However, hamstring strains are particularly problematic for receivers, as the muscle is tested during sudden start and stops, and explosive movements. Hamstring strains are also very prone to aggravation or reinjury. Evans will need to get multiple practice reps in before I would feel completely comfortable using him, even with the likely increase in targets. Monitor his workload in the week ahead to get a better idea of his health entering the game in Carolina. Antonio Brown's impending return from suspension would be a boost to the suddenly injury-besieged Buccaneers receiving corps, but remember Brown was nursing an ankle injury of his own.
While Evans' hamstring strain was not considered serious, the same cannot be said for Buccaneers running back Leonard Fournette. While the classification of his strain also remains a mystery, it sounds like Tampa Bay is bracing to be without Fournette for at least one game. Fournette has a lengthy history of lower extremity injuries, including multiple hamstring strains on his right leg. He was also limited in recent weeks with an ankle sprain. It seems unlikely Fournette receives a big workload even if he manages to suit up, making Ronald Jones the feature back for the Bucs.
The Ravens lost to the Packers with Jackson in street clothes as his injured ankle continued to be an issue. The exact nature of the injury remains in question, with some reporting the injury as a sprain while others suggest it is a bone contusion. It may possibly be somewhere in the middle, as a bone contusion can often accompany a sprain. If it is just a bone contusion, the injured tissue should adequately heal given an appropriate amount of time. Unlike ligaments, bone tissue can return to its pre-injury biomechanical properties following completion of the healing process. Time remains the key element but one Baltimore can't afford given its current position in the playoff picture. Jackson appears poised to be another game-time decision, with Tyler Huntley ready to go if needed. Huntley completed 28-of-40 attempts for 215 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 73 yards and two touchdowns.
Turf Burns
Julio Jones: Jones' frustrating first season with the Titans hit a new low Sunday when the veteran receiver aggravated his longstanding hamstring injury and left the game without recording a catch. A return to the IR is possible, and it's hard to put any confidence in Jones for the remainder of the season.
DeAndre Hopkins: The Cardinals receiver will not play again in the regular season after undergoing surgery, and will need his teammates to make a deep postseason run if he wants a chance to play again this year. Hopkins suffered a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his knee. The MCL is capable of healing without surgical intervention, so Hopkins' trip to the operating room is a bit unusual. Recovery from surgery is often measured in months, not weeks, meaning even a playoff return is unlikely. Look for Hopkins to be an active participant in training camp if he is unable to play again this year.
Pat Freiermuth: The rookie tight end has been placed in the concussion protocol for the second time since the end of November. As I discussed last week with Terry McLaurin, the effects of multiple concussions are cumulative. As a result, Freiermuth may endure more severe and longer-lasting associated symptoms. He will need to complete the concussion protocol to be eligible for Week 16, but there's a good chance he misses time.
Joe Mixon: Mixon appeared to avoid a serious ankle injury over the weekend but will start Week 16 preparation in a limited capacity. The injury has been diagnosed as a sprain, though it appears to be a low-grade, low ankle sprain. However, all fantasy managers invested in Mixon hopefully have equal stock in Samaje Perine just in case he is unable to play. Look for this to be a game-time decision.
D'Andre Swift: The Lions running back is trending in the right direction, as he is slated to return to practice this week. Swift has missed three consecutive games with a sprained acromioclavicular (AC) joint in his shoulder. It doesn't sound like Detroit plans on shutting him down for the year and will give him every opportunity to return this year. Still, the Lions backfield is suddenly crowded with Jamaal Williams off the COVID list and Craig Reynolds running effectively in back-to-back outings.
Adam Thielen: The Vikings receivers' injured ankle prevented him from playing Monday night, though he was a very late scratch for the game. He was able to complete a limited portion of his pregame warmups and was ruled out shortly after leaving the field. A two-week absence is normal for a high ankle sprain, and Thielen will likely once again be questionable for this week's contest.
