Week 16 Fantasy Football: Play At Your Own Risk

By Charles Chan
Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Play At Your Own Risk features regular fantasy football starters who could fail to meet expectations based on their injuries. These injured-players are fully expected to play, but how much of an impact will it have on their game day performances?

LeSean McCoy, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
McCoy (concussion) has finally been cleared to play after sustaining a concussion back in Week 11, and is set to return for Sunday’s division showdown with the Washington Redskins. McCoy’s four game absence is worrisome for his Week 16 outlook, and coach Andy Reid agrees. Reid told reporters earlier in the week that McCoy “won’t be (in for) a normal workload like you’d see during the season.” He also conceded that they’ll closely monitor his snap count on Sunday. I still expect McCoy to return to lead back duties, but he figures to cede plenty of work to emerging change-of-pace back Bryce Brown. In his last game against the Redskins in Week 11, McCoy racked up 112 total yards with no touchdowns. Now, if you factor in Reid’s plan to scale back his No. 1 back’s workload, you’ll see that McCoy is best suited as a flex play.

Roddy White, WR, Atlanta Falcons
White (knee) is listed as questionable after getting in his second consecutive practice this week. He went through the same routine last week before starting and playing 50-of-68 snaps in last Sunday’s win over the New York Giants, so expect him to start. For having played through a knee ailment last week, he didn’t appear limited, but still finished the day with only two catches for a season-low 16 yards. Coincidence or not? On Saturday night, the Falcons square off against a burnable Detroit Lions’ secondary. Start White as an WR2 with upside.

Robert Griffin III, QB, Washington Redskins
Griffin (knee) practiced in full all this week and is listed as probable for Week 16 at Philadelphia.
Coach Mike Shanahan conceded that Griffin has yet to be medically cleared for game action but the injury tag indicates that they fully expect him to be out there. He added that Griffin looked good during practice on Friday, and beat writers were singing the same tune about his health. My only concern isn’t whether or not he’ll play but how effective he’ll be, considering a large part of his game is utilizing his legs. And if doctors have yet to clear him to play, then something about his knee injury may be worrisome. Regardless, Griffin isn’t all legs, and is still an efficient passer. However, taking away one of his biggest attributes is a legitimate reason to play him with caution.

Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants
Nicks (knee) is listed as probable for Week 16 after returning to a limited practice on Friday. Nicks on the injury report is nothing new as he’s been battling injuries all season long. Giants OC Kevin Gilbride admitted that Nicks hasn’t been the same player this season. “He’s still a good player,” said Gilbride. “He’s just – right now, physically, he can only do what he’s capable of, and with the setbacks he’s had physically, it’s just not the same.” Gilbride isn’t far from the truth in his evaluation of Nicks as the Giants’ receiver has seen his fantasy ranking fall from 12th in fantasy points among receivers last season to 47th this season. At this point, Nicks’ name value is the only thing keeping him relevant in fantasy land because it’s sure not his production.

Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, New York Giants
Bradshaw (knee) is listed as questionable for Week 16 after returning to practice on Friday. This was expected after he guaranteed his return earlier in the week. However, his workload and effectiveness still remains a concern for his fantasy owners. At less than 100 percent, he’ll be a low-end RB2/flex, with explosive rookie RB David Wilson breathing down his neck. As I look into my crystal ball, I see a timeshare in Baltimore.

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