This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
The Vikings offense was hampered without their top rusher and did not get much production out of Thielen as he aggravated his high-ankle sprain. Cook will miss at least 10 days, as he is unvaccinated and could be hard-pressed to return for Sunday's matchup with Green Bay. He is slated to clear protocols on Saturday but must be asymptomatic and produce negative tests. Alexander Mattison would once again start if Cook fails to complete the necessary steps.
Thielen was reportedly sore following Sunday's limited appearance and will likely be a limited participant in this week's practices.
It is not uncommon for an ankle sprain to be aggravated or re-injured. When a ligament is sprained, it is stretched beyond a biomechanical property known as its yield point. Once enough stress has been applied to push a ligament past its yield point, it remains forever changed. Think of a ligament like a rubber band. A new, unused rubber band is full of spring and easily helps hold your objects of choice together. However, over time and following multiple uses, a rubber band becomes overstretched and never quite resembles the fresh from the package elastic band and will eventually break if overstretched. A sprained ligament is comparable to a taxed rubber band. While specific treatment options can assist in recovery and help facilitate a degree of healing, the tissue remains altered. As a result, a sprained ligament is vulnerable to aggravation, especially if the individual returned to action
The Vikings offense was hampered without their top rusher and did not get much production out of Thielen as he aggravated his high-ankle sprain. Cook will miss at least 10 days, as he is unvaccinated and could be hard-pressed to return for Sunday's matchup with Green Bay. He is slated to clear protocols on Saturday but must be asymptomatic and produce negative tests. Alexander Mattison would once again start if Cook fails to complete the necessary steps.
Thielen was reportedly sore following Sunday's limited appearance and will likely be a limited participant in this week's practices.
It is not uncommon for an ankle sprain to be aggravated or re-injured. When a ligament is sprained, it is stretched beyond a biomechanical property known as its yield point. Once enough stress has been applied to push a ligament past its yield point, it remains forever changed. Think of a ligament like a rubber band. A new, unused rubber band is full of spring and easily helps hold your objects of choice together. However, over time and following multiple uses, a rubber band becomes overstretched and never quite resembles the fresh from the package elastic band and will eventually break if overstretched. A sprained ligament is comparable to a taxed rubber band. While specific treatment options can assist in recovery and help facilitate a degree of healing, the tissue remains altered. As a result, a sprained ligament is vulnerable to aggravation, especially if the individual returned to action prematurely. Jeff Stotts reports on Week 16's most notable injuries an ailments, and the Vikings' Adam Thielen likely continue to be at less than full strength as his recovery for his ankle sprain continues.
While he did have eight receptions for 82 yards and a score in Minnesota's Week 11 game against the Packers, Thielen will be a high-risk option this week. Justin Jefferson, who torched Green Bay for 169 yards and two touchdowns earlier this year, remains Kirk Cousins' top receiver. K.J. Osborn would see a boost if Thielen is unable to play.
The Jaguars running back is lost for the remainder of the season, and his impending recovery will likely have an impact on the 2022 season. Robinson tore his Achilles in Sunday's loss to the Jets and will need surgery to repair the tear. The recovery following an Achilles rupture is measured in months, not weeks, with a 2017 study putting the average time lost at nine months. Unfortunately for Robinson, the same study revealed running backs saw the biggest dip in productivity following the injury. Furthermore, Robinson will also have to compete with 2021 first-round selection Travis Etienne who should be fully recovered from his season-ending Lisfranc injury. For now, Dare Ogunbowale will inherit the feature running back role in Jacksonville and should garner waiver wire consideration for those in need of backfield help.
Turf Burns
James Conner: The Cardinals running back did not play against the Colts due to a bruised heel. While Conner expressed optimism earlier in the week that he would be ready, his week-long absence from practice suggested otherwise. As a result, fantasy managers would be wise to use his level of participation in practice as a gauge for his possible availability in Week 17. Arizona is currently calling him day-to-day, with Chase Edmonds slated to start should Conner miss a second straight outing.
Darrell Henderson: Henderson has been placed on in the IR after suffering a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his knee. The third-year running back missed time earlier this season with a quadriceps injury and then spent time on the COVID list. He will now miss at least three more weeks, ending his regular season. While a postseason return is possible, his fantasy value for the year is gone. Henderson's absence moves Sony Michel to the top of the depth chart and will give him a chance to build on his impressive Week 16 performance. Michel rushed for 131 yards and one touchdown on a season-high 27 carries in the win over Minnesota.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire: Injuries continue to be an issue for CEH. After missing five games with a MCL sprain earlier in the season, he now appears poised to miss time with an upper extremity injury. He is believed to be "week-to-week" with what is now being called a bruised shoulder, after the initial report referred to the ailment as a clavicle (collarbone) injury. It's possible the injury still involves the collarbone, as each end of the bone is involved in shoulder articulations. Regardless of specifics, it looks like Darrel Williams will receive the bulk of carries for Kansas City against Cincinnati.
Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley: The Ravens were down to their third option at quarterback after both Jackson and Huntley were unable to play. Jackson's ankle injury continues to heal, but the team remains coy on details. He is reportedly progressing but has not returned to the practice field. Like discussed with Thielen, ankle sprains can easily be aggravated, so Jackson will carry an elevated level of risk if he does manage to suit up. Huntley, who missed the loss to the Bengals due to COVID, hopes to clear protocols in time to serve whatever role is needed.
Travis Kelce: The Pro Bowl tight end was sidelined by COVID for Kansas City's win over Pittsburgh. As of Monday, Kelce remained in the league's mandated protocols. Head coach Andy Reid did express optimism that Kelce would clear protocols in time for Week 17. Keep an eye on the situation in the coming days and cross your fingers he's back in action.
Miles Sanders: The Eagles running back will not play in Week 17 after breaking his hand in Philly's win over the Giants. The team did not reveal the specific bone involved, but a metacarpal fracture seems likely. The metacarpal bones bridge the bones of the wrist and the bones of the fingers, with the distal ends of the bones forming the knuckles. Philadelphia has not placed him on the IR, and it appears he will avoid surgery. As a result, Sanders has an outside chance of playing in Week 18. However, he can be let go in yearly leagues that end following Week 17. Boston Scott will see a bump in usage with Jordan Howard also being featured.
