Free Agency and Injury report week 16 2020

Patrick Mahomes, QB, KC

The Chiefs are locked into the No. 1 seed in the AFC and will rest their starters for the final week of the season. That likely means Chad Henne starts at QB, Darrel Williams or Drawin Thompson starts at RB, and Demarcus Robinson and Mecole Hardman potentially starting at receiver. No one on this team can be trusted based on their tenuous grips on starting time and the overall downgrade in offensive efficiency.

Brandon Aiyuk, WR, SF

Aiyuk suffered a high ankle sprain last week and will miss the final week of the season. He posted a mini-breakout to close out the year after George Kittle and Deebo Samuel both got injured down the stretch. Richie James and Kendrick Bourne will operate as the No. 1 receivers for San Francisco in Week 17.

Frank Gore, RB, NYJ

Gore will be out for Week 17 with a lung contusion. LaMichael Perine should step in as the No. 1 running back but the threat of Ty Johnson taking away work and the Jets' lack of offensive production keep him to RB4 territory at best.

Jared Goff, QB, LAR

Goff underwent surgery on the thumb of his throwing hand. That likely means we'll see backup John Wolford under center for Week 17 and possibly into the playoffs if the Rams make it. Unfortunately, they may need a win in the final week of the regular season to keep their playoff hopes alive. Wolford has never thrown a pass at the NFL level. All Rams offensive options can be greatly discounted for the final week of the regular season.

J.K. Dobbins, RB, BAL

Dobbins left his Week 16 matchup versus the Giants with a knee injury. He returned in the fourth quarter but did not see a touch. As long as he logs some limited practices this week, he should be fine for the Ravens' regular-season closer versus the Bengals. He'll be a solid RB2 with Gus Edwards getting in the mix as a deep flex play.

K.J. Hamler, WR, DEN

Hamler exited in Week 16 while being evaluated for a concussion. He did not return and could miss the Broncos' Week 17 matchup with the Raiders. In his absence, first-round rookie Jerry Jeudy saw 16 targets. However, Jeudy only reeled in six of his looks and logged multiple drops. Drew Lock's struggles putting passes on frame render everyone outside of Noah Fant a sit on this offense. Fant only makes the cut because of the position he plays.

Darrell Henderson, RB, LAR

Henderson suffered an ankle injury that may end up being a high-ankle sprain. He was unable to return after suffering the injury and was subsequently ruled as doubtful to return. He has since been reported to be unlikely to play. With Cam Akers also unlikely to play in Week 17, Malcolm Brown is likely to handle the bulk of the backfield work for the Rams next week. He will be a solid RB2 option for teams stilling play in the final week of the actual regular season.

Sammy Watkins, WR, KC

Watkins left Week 16 with a calf injury and did not return. He ended the day with two catches on four targets. Mecole Hardman saw six targets and could be in line for a larger role if Watkins missing time heading into the playoffs. However, he has also routinely taken a backseat to Demarcus Robinson. Their split will be something to monitor hedging into the playoffs.

Dallas Goedert, TE, PHI

Goedert sustained a calf injury in Week 16. He had caught all three of his targets for 38 yards. While Jalen Hurts' presence appears to a positive for the overall offensive output, most of that has been funneled to the ground game. If Goedert can't go in Week 17, Zach Ertz could hold a valuable role. However, he has been one of the least efficient tight ends in the league this year and would remain nothing more than a desperation play.