We will provide an update on the injury status of some of the key players in their positions as Week 16 approaches.
Injury Updates on David Njoku, Kyler Murray and Kenneth Walker III for Week 16
Related: Fantasy Sleepers for Week 16: Khalil Herbert, Chris Moore, Treylon Burks and Rashid Shaheed
SUMMARY
- David Njoku
- Kyler Murray
- Kenneth Walker III
1. David Njoku
UPDATE 1: According to Scott Petrak of the Elyria Chronicle-Telegram, Njoku (knee) does not have an injury designation for Saturday’s game against the Saints after logging a full practice listing Thursday.
UPDATE: With the weather in Cleveland expected to be bad due to wind and snow, you might consider benching Njoku in the majority of leagues.
Njoku has at least 13 PPR points in two of three games with Deshaun Watson, but given the opponent and the weather, this week could be a letdown.
Njoku (knee) took part in limited practice on Wednesday, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Browns have continued to list Njoku on their injury reports with the knee issue since he sat out the team’s Week 13 victory over the Texans.
In the two games since, he’s played 96 and 94 percent of the snaps, respectively, and he should get plenty of playing time this Saturday against the Saints, albeit in a game that may not have many passes attempts due to bad weather.
Read also: Fantasy Sleepers Week 16: Brock Purdy, Russell Wilson, Zack Moss and Chuba Hubbard
2. Kyler Murray
Murray is believed to have suffered a “clean” ACL tear in Monday’s 27-13 loss to the Patriots and is set to undergo surgery, as well as another procedure to repair the meniscus in his left knee, between Christmas and New Year’s Day, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.
Murray will “pre-hab” for two or three weeks before surgery, according to Rapoport, with the decision to postpone the procedure expected to allow ample time for the swelling in his knee to dissipate while allowing the quarterback to maintain as much flexibility as possible.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Murray will need a 6-to-8-month recovery period after the surgery. Murray should be ready for Week 1 of the regular season if that timeline holds, though he may be limited at the start of training camp and may not be available for preseason action.
3. Kenneth Walker III
UPDATE: Walker (ankle/back) is expected to play Saturday against Kansas City, according to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic.
Walker (ankle) did not participate in Wednesday’s practice, according to John Boyle of the Seahawks’ official website.
Walker was spotted on the practice field on Wednesday, but he didn’t log any activity for the second day in a row, giving him only one more chance to log drills this week.
Thursday’s practice and the Seahawks’ subsequent injury report will be crucial in determining whether he is designated for Saturday’s game at Kansas City.
NFL Schedule 2022 – NFL Week 16
Saturday, Dec. 24
Atlanta Falcons at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m., Fox
Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox
Buffalo Bills at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m., CBS
New Orleans Saints at Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m., CBS
Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m., Fox
New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m., Fox
Cincinnati Bengals at New England Patriots, 1 p.m., CBS
Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m., CBS
Washington Commanders at San Francisco 49ers, 4:05 p.m., CBS
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys, 4:25 p.m., Fox
Las Vegas Raiders at Pittsburgh Steelers, 8:15 p.m., NFL Network
Sunday, Dec. 25
Green Bay Packers at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m., Fox
Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams, 4:30 p.m., CBS/Nickelodeon
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Monday, Dec. 26
Los Angeles Chargers at Indianapolis Colts, 8:15 p.m., ESPN
