The first round of the fantasy playoffs rocked us HARD with injuries. From Patrick Mahomes season ending ACL and LCL tear to Davante Adams aggravating a hamstring, fantasy managers who are still fighting are likely wondering who they can rely on. The week 15 NFL injury recap provides the fantasy insight to understand these injuries and know who you can and cannot trust in week 16.

Quarterbacks

Patrick Mahomes

Injury: ACL and LCL tear

Analysis: Mahomes suffered a season ending injury towards the end of Sunday's game when his knee hyperextended while the hip was laterally rotated, putting immense load through the ACL and LCL. His injury was confirmed on Monday after undergoing surgery to repair both ligaments.

An isolated ACL tear typically takes 9+ months to return to sport; the addition of the LCL will slow down several phases of rehab. Early on, the addition of the LCL leads to weight-bearing restrictions, where the athlete cannot put full body weight through the surgically repaired knee, often for 4-6 weeks depending on the protocol. Several weeks of only partial weight bearing contribute to strength loss through the entire leg. This will be mitigated with table-based exercises starting today, but some muscle atrophy will still occur.

Range of motion is also restricted to 90° of knee flexion for at least the first two weeks. Restricting the range of motion can sometimes lead to excessive scar tissue development and stiffness within the joint. Two weeks is usually not that big of a deal, so I would not expect any major stiffness to set in, but it is possible. Later on in the rehab phase, the addition of the LCL slows down when it is appropriate to begin isolated hamstring strengthening, often held until months 2-4 post-op, depending on surgeon preference. This will slow down the rate at which the athlete regains hamstring strength.

Lastly, some protocols call for holding jogging/agility drills until 16-20 weeks post-op. With just an ACL tear, athletes are running no later than 12 weeks. An elite athlete like Mahomes may be cleared to push all of these timelines up some, but not as quickly as he would if the LCL were not involved.

Mahomes has just under nine months from the time of surgery until week one next season. ACL rehab asks for AT LEAST nine months for safe return to sport, though occasionally athletes return sooner, and Mahomes certainly has the drive to attack rehab in a way that not many do, and seems like the type who can push rehab timelines to the max. Still, it is obviously way too early to know if he will be ready week one next year, as he has numerous hurdles ahead of him. Fortunately, this is his left leg (not his pushoff leg), and quarterbacks' fantasy production is less impacted by ACLs than running backs or tight ends. There is no question Mahomes can return to play at an extremely high level, and likely by some point next season, the question is how soon next season?

Caleb Williams

Injury: Left leg injury

Analysis: Caleb got kicked in the left leg but did not miss any time and finished the game strong. This was likely just a bruise and should not have any ill-effects going forward.

Running Backs

Saquon Barkley

Injury: Neck injury

Analysis: Barkley sat out for a few plays and was seen on the sidelines having his neck and shoulder evaluated. Ultimately, he returned to the game and played well, with no injury being reported afterwards. He will likely be sore and stiff this week, but with rehab, he should not be at risk for missing any time or seeing any performance dip. His status will be one to monitor throughout the week.

Javonte Williams

Injury: Neck/shoulder injury

Analysis: Williams sat out for a chunk of the first half on Sunday night as trainers were evaluating his neck and shoulder. Similar to Barkley above, he returned to the game and displayed no ill effects of the injury, finishing with 91 rushing yards and a touchdown. Just like Barkley, I would expect him to get treatment throughout the week but be able to play with no restrictions or limitations next week.

Devin Neal

Injury: Hamstring strain

Analysis: Neal is dealing with a hamstring injury that forced him out of Sunday's game, his second documented hamstring injury in his career. The severity will drive the projected time missed for Neal, and I imagine we will get more clarity on his severity this week. On average, running backs miss 1.9 games but see no hit to their fantasy production when they return.

RJ Harvey

Injury: Rib injury

Analysis: Harvey banged up his ribs on Sunday, but is apparently not expected to miss much time. Rib injuries obviously hurt a lot, and they can impact the athlete's ability to rotate to make a catch and brace for impact. When pain subsides and mobility is restored, rib injuries tend to be short-term (in the absence of a fracture) with running backs averaging missing just 1.3 games. They do average a 15% dip in fantasy points upon return, which is a factor fantasy managers need to consider.

Woody Marks

Injury: Ankle injury

Analysis: Marks is day-to-day with what appears to be a mild ankle sprain. Coach Ryans did state that Marks could have returned if needed, further supporting the mild nature of his injury. A mild sprain is usually not going to lead to enough injury to cause any loss of stability and running backs average only an 8% dip in fantasy points. We will monitor his practice status, but right now I'd expect Marks to be ready next week.

Ollie Gordon

Injury: Ankle injury

Analysis: Gordon injured his ankle last night and did not return. We have not gotten any indication of the severity, but we will look out for updates throughout the week. Gordon remains firmly off the fantasy radar for the time being.

Bhayshul Tuten

Injury: Finger injury

Analysis: Tuten underwent surgery for his finger and will miss some time, but is expected back by the NFL playoffs. There are no long term consequences here, but unfortunately, Tuten's fantasy season is over.

Bam Knight

Injury: Ankle injury

Analysis: Knight suffered a "bad sprain" and his week 16 status is in doubt. Running backs average missing 1.3 games, but have missed up to 8 games depending on severity. It sounds like fantasy managers will not have Knight this week and possibly not for the championship week.

Wide Receivers

Davante Adams

Injury: Hamstring strain

Analysis: Adams is now week-to-week after aggravating a per-existing hamstring injury. This is at least the 32-year-old's fourth documented hamstring injury. The combination of age and repeated injuries will slow the healing timeline considerably. Considering the Rams sit atop the NFC and are serious Super Bowl contenders, there is no reason to expect them to rush Adams back. Fantasy managers will need to make other plans for their receiver position during the semi-finals and finals weeks.

Christian Watson

Injury: Chest/shoulder injury

Analysis: Watson went to the hospital after injuring his chest while diving for a ball deep down the field. This was likely to ensure that his clavicle did not dislocate posteriorly at the sternoclavicular (SC) joint, which can be a medical emergency. He was quickly discharged and flew home with the team, indicating no major medical event took place. Watson's week 16 status is unclear right now, but if he can play, there is no medical reason (presently reported) for him not play well.

Rome Odunze

Injury: Foot stress fracture aggravation

Analysis: What a mess. I fully acknowledge that those of us who write and create content about NFL injuries do not have all the inside information, but the Bears clearly stated last week that Odunze has a stress fracture in his foot. The ONLY way for a stress fracture to heal is with rest, and more than one week's rest. Odunze aggravated his fracture in warmups and now will likely miss more time. He's probably not going to be ready for the remainder of the fantasy season as the Bears prepare for a playoff run.

Ricky Pearsall

Injury: PCL aggravation and lateral ankle sprain

Analysis: Pearsall landed hard on his right knee again, aggravating his PCL injury that forced him to miss a huge chunk of this season. Pearsall also has a lateral (low) ankle sprain now. Ugh, a frustrating season filled with injury for the second-year receiver. The talent is there; we can all see it, but he has struggled with injuries to start his career. The PCL is the bigger concern here. We've seen how it's impacted him already this season, and we've seen how long Drake London and Brock Bowers missed with a similar injury. I would not expect to see Pearsall again in the fantasy season as San Francisco needs him to be ready for the playoffs.

Luther Burden

Injury: Ankle injury

Analysis: Burden is day-to-day with a mild ankle injury. This projected timeline all but ensures this is a grade I injury without any major stability loss. Burden's ability to play depends on his ability to reduce swelling and get pain under control. At age 22, not the hardest task. Chicago play's Saturday, and it will be critical to monitor his weekly progress. If he can suit up, receivers average a 10% dip in fantasy points after an ankle sprain.

Noah Brown

Injury: Rib injury

Analysis: Brown exited Sunday's game with a rib injury and did not return. Receivers average missing <1 game but an 18% dip in fantasy points.

Marvin Mims

Injury: Stinger

Analysis: Mims suffered a stinger, but returned and finished the game. This should not be a concern going forward.

Devaughn Vele

Injury: Shoulder injury

Analysis: Vele injured his shoulder and was wearing a sling after the game on Sunday. As of now, there are no updated reports on his injury, we will monitor throughout the week.

Tight Ends

No tight ends listed this week.