If your fantasy football league is one that continues to the last week of the NFL season, you know how tricky week 17 can be with players resting or injured with little to play for as their season winds down. As we head into the games tomorrow, here’s what we know regarding the status for fantasy relevant players across the league.
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers-Green Bay Packers: Rodgers is ready to return after a week 9 collarbone injury. He’s riskier than he usually is, but the Bears defense has been struggling so much lately that I think he’ll have a solid game and carry the Pack to the playoffs on Sunday.
Tony Romo-Dallas Cowboys: Romo is officially out for the season with his back injury and Kyle Orton will start Sunday in Dallas’s must-win home game against the red-hot Eagles.
Carson Palmer-Arizona Cardinals: Palmer will play this Sunday as the Cards try to keep their playoff hopes alive.
E.J. Manuel-Buffalo Bills: Manuel is out for the Bills finale, and Thad Lewis will be under center in New England.
Case Keenum-Houston Texans: Keenum is expected to be a gametime decision against the Titans in the Texans final game of the season, but both he and Matt Schaub should be as far away from your fantasy team as possible.
Running Back
Adrian Peterson-Minnesota Vikings: Peterson is listed as doubtful with his foot injury and probably won’t play against the Lions as the Vikings wrap up their season at home in the Metrodome. Toby Gerhart is also out leaving one-week wonder Matt Asiata to platoon with Joe Banyard in a tough matchup against the Lions run D which has been good this season.
Eddie Lacy-Green Bay Packers: Lacy is probable despite his ankle injury, and he’s in a great matchup against the Bears run defense that has struggled mightily in recent weeks.
Shane Vereen-New England Patriots: Vereen is going to be a gametime decision against the Bills on Sunday and will likely play a smaller role in the Pats attack even if he is active.
Maurice Jones-Drew-Jacksonville Jaguars: MJD is probable for this week and expected to play as Jacksonville closes out another tough season as they take on the Colts.
Ray Rice-Baltimore Ravens: Rice is expected to play this week against Cincinnati despite a questionable tag headed into tomorrow.
Darren McFadden-Oakland Raiders: While his role isn’t clear, it looks like McFadden will play in the season finale for the Raiders against the Broncos. He is listed as probable for week 17.
Andre Brown-New York Giants: Despite a concussion, Brown should get the start for the Giants in their season finale against Washington.
Rashard Mendenhall-Arizona Cardinals: Both Mendenhall and Andre Ellington are listed as probable for Sunday. They’ll share carries in the Arizona backfield as they have all season making a productive tandem but limiting the fantasy upside of each.
Jacquizz Rodgers-Atlanta Falcons: Rodgers is out with a concussion and will not play in week 17.
Wide Receiver
Calvin Johnson-Detroit Lions: Megatron played last week, but he hasn’t practiced at all this week, and there isn’t much reason for him to play this week. He’s officially questionable, but plan on him not playing unless he’s surprisingly active Sunday.
Dez Bryant-Dallas Cowboys: Bryant will play Sunday despite a back injury, but the real question is how his production will be affected by Kyle Orton starting under center. If he’s on your team, you have to start him, but I’d look elsewhere in weekly leagues.
Randall Cobb-Green Bay Packers: Cobb could be active this week although he isn’t expected to play a full complement of snaps making him a risky play in his and Aaron Rodgers first game back after extended layoffs.
Wes Welker-Denver Broncos: Welker is still out with a consussion.
Torrey Smith-Baltimore Ravens: Smith is questionable with a hamstring injury but is expected to give it a go against the Bengals although he may be limited.
Victor Cruz-New York Giants: Cruz is out for the season after knee surgery.
Steve Smith-Carolina Panthers: Smith won’t play Sunday against Atlanta but will look to return in the playoffs.
Michael Crabtree-San Francisco 49ers: Crabtree will finish the season on the field for the ‘Niners as they play for playoff seeding Sunday against the Cardinals. He’s listed as probable with his ankle injury.
Percy Harvin-Seattle Seahawks: The answer to the Harvin question is still no as it has been all season. He may return for the playoffs, but he’s been ruled out for week 17.
Dwayne Bowe-Kansas City Chiefs: Bowe has been ruled out of Sunday’s meaningless game for the Chiefs with a concussion.
Emmanuel Sanders-Pittsburgh Steelers: Sanders is a gametime decision with a knee injury, but he’ll definitely go if possible since the Steelers still have an outside shot at the playoffs if they win and get a lot of help.
Michael Floyd-Arizona Cardinals: Floyd is listed as questionable but will most likely play with so much on the line for Arizona.
Reuben Randle-New York Giants: Randle is officially questionable, but things aren’t looking good for him
Brian Hartline-Miami Dolphins: Hartline is expected to play despite being limited in practice throughout this week and earning a questionable tag. He’s pretty involved in the Dolphins passing game and worth a look in deep leagues as long as he’s active.
Tavon Austin-St. Louis Rams: Austin will be a gametime decision for the Rams this week against the Seahawks, but he isn’t a great play even if he’s active.
Aaron Dobson-New England Patriots: Dobson has been limited all week in practice but is expected to play Sunday against the Bills. He could be in for a significant role since the Patriots’ receivers are pretty banged up overall.
Tight End
Jordan Cameron-Cleveland Browns: Cameron still doesn’t have clearance to play on Sunday and will most likely not suit up in a meaningless game for the Browns. Check back Sunday morning, but for now plan on Cameron not playing.
Garrett Graham-Houston Texans: Graham has been ruled out for this week taking any drama out of the decision as he’ll be sidelined for the Texans finale against Tennessee.
Jordan Reed-Washington Redskins: After a breakout few weeks, a concussion will keep Reed out the rest of the season, but he’ll be ready to return next season with RG3 and is a name worth remembering for next year’s draft.
Tyler Eifert-Cincinnati Bengals: Eifert is doubtful for this week with a shoulder injury which would normally make Jermaine Gresham a decent play against the Ravens, but he’s next on this list.
Jermaine Gresham-Cincinnati Bengals: Gresham is questionable and more likely won’t play this Sunday either making the Bengals tight end situation clearly a stay away for Sunday.