NFL Injury Report: Week 17

1. Matt Hasselbeck (Colts) – Shoulder Injury

Colts vs Titans (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)

This was a tame week as injuries were concerned but poor old man Hasselbeck was not able to escape the injury bug. For the fourth straight week Hasselbeck was knocked out of the Colts game and this week it was due to a shoulder injury. At this point it looks like Hasselbeck who has had a very long playing career is done. Hasselbeck played admirably for the Colts in place of Andrew Luck but it is time for him to ride of into the sunset and give Clipboard Jesus a shot at bringing the Colts to the playoffs. Charlie Whitehurst has 9 career starts in his journeyman career and has not been very good in most of those starts but will get a great match-up against the Titans. The Titans let another journeyman QB in Brandon Weeden light them up on Sunday for three total scores and are now allowing the 5th most fantasy points per games to quarterbacks with 20.38. The Titans allow 249 passing yards and over 2 scores a game but I still cannot trust Whitehurst. I am personally going to be avoiding him but at minimum priced in GPPs in this match-up I can't really argue with playing him.

Expected ownership: 0-5%

2. Matt Forte (Bears) – Back Injury

Bears vs Lions (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)

Matt Forte was the biggest offensive player to go down with injury this week. He left in the fourth quarter of the Bears game against the Bucs after picking up 77 total yards. Forte says it was just a little nick and that he wanted to go back in the game and he will be fine but is questionable as of this moment. I have a feeling the Bears will hold him out as they have nothing to play for and he does not seem to be in their future plans and they will want to give Jeremy Langford another look. Langford looked great earlier in the season when Forte was out and looked good this week as well. Langford picked up 83 yards on 19 carries and would see similar work against an awful Lions run defense this week. The Lions are allowing 113 rushing yards per game and have allowed the second most rushing touchdowns this season with 18. At his price point, in this match-up I will be all on Langford if Forte is indeed ruled out.

Expected ownership: 20-25%

3. Ted Ginn Jr. (Panthers) – Left Calf Injury

Panthers vs Buccaneers (Sunday, 4:25 PM ET)

Poor Ted Ginn Jr. had a miserable day on Sunday. Not only did the Panthers lose their first game of the season but Ginn Jr. suffered a calf injury in the second quarter. Ginn Jr. was able to return to action but did not look explosive at all and only finished with one catch for nine yards. It remains to be seen if Ginn Jr. can play this week and if he cannot it would be a big blow to the Panthers passing attack. Ginn Jr. has been their top deep threat this season with 739 receiving yards and 10 scores. The Panthers no longer have the luxury of just sitting back and resting players as they must beat the Bucs to lock up home field advantage in the playoffs. If Ginn Jr. cannot go I would imagine the Panthers rookie wide out Devin Funchess would benefit the most. Funchess has been decent in limited time this season and has 4 scores this year. The Bucs are a middle of the road team against the pass. They have allowed 29 touchdown passes, 239 passing yards per game and 28.79 fantasy points per game to wide receivers. I personally am going to be avoiding Funchess even at his depressed price as there are way better options next week.

Expected ownership: 0-5%

4. Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins) – Shin Injury

Dolphins vs Patriots (Sunday, 1:00 PM ET)

The only other significant injury of note this week was to the Dolphins franchise quarterback Ryan Tannehill. Tanny was kicked in the shin by his own tight end Jordan Cameron and had to briefly leave the field. He was able to return the next possession but his left leg was seen completely wrapped in the locker room. The severity of the injury is not known but the Dolphins may play it cautious with Tannehill after giving him huge money in the off-season in a meaning less game against the Patriots. If Tannehill cannot go Matt Moore would likely get the start. Moore does have some success as a starting quarterback in this league and with the Dolphins. In 2011 Moore did have 2,497 yards and 16 touchdowns to only 9 interceptions as the primary starter for the Dolphins. That was four years ago however and he would have to face the Patriots who may need to win to lock up home field advantage depending on what takes place in the Monday night game. Moore is someone you can avoid as the Patriots are only allowing 16.31 fantasy points to quarterbacks on the season.

Expected ownership: 0-5%