3 min read

Fantasy Football News: Week 16 NFL Injury Report (Sunday, 12/21)

Props Staff

Props Staff

Last updated: December 21, 2025

NFL Week 16 Injury Report - Fantasy Football News Today - 12/21

Welcome back to the most stressful Sunday of the fantasy football season. We’re in the semifinals now, which means every decision matters, every snap counts, and one bad injury designation can absolutely torpedo your week. We’ve got you covered with today’s Week 16 NFL injury report, featuring the offensive skill players that matter for fantasy football purposes.

Let me be straight with you: Week 16 is a bloodbath from an injury standpoint. This is the point in the season where bodies are breaking down, guys are playing through pain, and the waiver wire is more important than your draft picks from September.

Let’s take a look at some of the biggest fantasy football injuries and situations to monitor.

Best DFS Apps in All States

Must be 18+ (19+ in AL, NE; 19+ in CO for some games; 21+ in AZ, MA, and VA) and present in a state where Underdog Fantasy operates. Terms apply. See assets.underdogfantasy.com/web/PlayandGetTerms_DFS_.html for details. Offer not valid in MD, MI, OH, and PA. Concerned with your play? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit www.ncpgambling.org; NY: Call the 24/7 HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY or Text HOPENY (467369)
Restrictions apply. See sleeper.com/match for details. 18+ (19 in AL & NE; 21 in MA & VA). First-time depositors only. $25 minimum. 100% match up to $100. Play Responsibly. Call/text 1-800-426-2537 for help.

Fantasy Football News Today: Week 16 NFL Injury Report

Here’s our NFL Injury Report update as of 1 p.m. EST Sunday morning. There are plenty of household names already ruled out for Sunday’s games.

NFL Players Out Today (12/21)

  • UPDATED: 1 p.m. EST

Keon Coleman (BUF, WR) – OUT (Scratch) – Coleman won’t play for Buffalo today as a healthy inactive.

Woody Marks (HOU, RB) – EXPECTED to be OUT. Could be a lot of Nick Chubb and Mr. Jordan.

Patrick Mahomes (QB, KC) – OUT (ACL): Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the reigning MVP is sidelined with a season-ending injury. The entire Chiefs offense becomes a guessing game. That being said, Gardner Minshew is very capable, and the Tians are soft tanking, with absolutely nobody on the defensive side of the ball that matters other than Jeff Simmons.

Rashee Rice (WR, KC) – OUT (Concussion): The receiving corps just lost one of its best route-runners. Xavier Worthy and Kelce will have to shoulder the load, and it might finally be time for a Worthy explosion game.

Alvin Kamara (RB, NO) – OUT (Knee): A nightmare scenario for Saints fantasy managers. But here’s where it gets interesting: Devin Neal is ALSO OUT (Hamstring). The entire Saints backfield just got gutted. That means rookie Audric Estime is about to get volume against the Jets. Is he startable? Absolutely. Is he a lottery ticket at best? Also absolutely. But in a semifinal, sometimes you take what the injury gods give you.

David Njoku (TE, CLE) – OUT (Knee): The Browns’ starting tight end is sidelined. Harold Fannin has seen insane volume with Shedeur Sander at the helm, but the Bills have been extremely good against the position.

Ricky Pearsall (WR, SF) – OUT (Knee/Ankle): Jauan Jennings and the run game become even more important for San Francisco.

Zonovan Knight (RB, ARI) – OUT (Ankle): It’s the Michael Carter show today. Expect AZ to keep airing it out, as they own the highest neutral pass rate in the NFL.

Additional OUT Designations: Devaughn Vele (NO), Bhayshul Tuten (JAX), Dylan Sampson (CLE), Mason Taylor (NYJ), Andre Baccellia (ARI).

Questionable NFL Players Today (12/21)

These guys might go, might not. Check the inactive lists 90 minutes before kickoff.

  • UPDATED: 11:55 a.m. EST

Tee Higgins (WR, CIN) – ACTIVE.

Woody Marks (RB, HOU) – Q (Ankle): Here’s the situation: Nick Chubb is expected to return from his rib injury. If both are active, Marks becomes a complementary back in a committee.

Christian Kirk (WR, HOU) – Q (Illness): Late-week illnesses are usually “game-time decisions,” but nine times out of ten, guys with minor illnesses suit up by Sunday. Kirk is likely to play, but verify before kickoff.

Quentin Johnston (WR, LAC) – Q (Groin): UPDATE: Johnston WILL play today. Groins are unpredictable. If Johnston plays, he’s potentially limited. If he sits, Keenan Allen is a bigger part of the offense.

Mason Tipton (WR, NO) – Q (Illness): Like Kirk, illnesses at this point in the week are usually precautionary. Expect him to play, but confirm.

Gunnar Helm (TE, TEN) – Q (Toe): A toe injury on a tight end is less of a concern than a hamstring, but verify his status before committing. Helm is starting to turn it on this season, a promising rookie on a bad team.

NFL LIVE PLAYER PROP ODDS

Filters:
Player
Baker Mayfield
QB TB @ CAR
Live
- -
Brady Cook
QB NYJ @ NO
Live
- -
Bryce Young
QB TB @ CAR
Live
- -
Cameron Ward
QB KC @ TEN
Live
- -
Dak Prescott
QB LAC @ DAL
Live
- -
Gardner Minshew
QB KC @ TEN
Live
- -
Jaxson Dart
QB MIN @ NYG
Live
- -
J.J. McCarthy
QB MIN @ NYG
Live
- -
Joe Burrow
QB CIN @ MIA
Live
- -
Josh Allen
QB BUF @ CLE
Live
- -
Justin Herbert
QB LAC @ DAL
Live
- -
Quinn Ewers
QB CIN @ MIA
Live
- -
Shedeur Sanders
QB BUF @ CLE
Live
- -
Tua Tagovailoa
QB CIN @ MIA
Today 1:00 PM ET
- -
Tyler Shough
QB NYJ @ NO
Live
- -
Bo Nix
QB JAX @ DEN
Today 25m
- -
Jacoby Brissett
QB ATL @ ARI
Today 25m
- -
Kirk Cousins
QB ATL @ ARI
Today 25m
- -
Trevor Lawrence
QB JAX @ DEN
Today 25m
- -
Aaron Rodgers
QB PIT @ DET
Today 45m
- -
C.J. Stroud
QB LV @ HOU
Today 45m
- -
Geno Smith
QB LV @ HOU
Today 45m
- -
Jared Goff
QB PIT @ DET
Today 45m
- -
Drake Maye
QB NE @ BAL
Today 8:20 PM ET
- - -
Lamar Jackson
QB NE @ BAL
Today 8:20 PM ET
- - -
Brock Purdy
QB SF @ IND
Tomorrow 8:15 PM ET
- -
Philip Rivers
QB SF @ IND
Tomorrow 8:15 PM ET
- -
Showing 10 of 27

Looking for more content? We’ve got you covered all season:

the PROP drop NEWSLETTER

Your one-stop resource for all things player props.

SUBSCRIBE NOW!