Week 17 Fantasy Injury Report: The return of familiar faces

Brandon C. Williams

CFL.ca

A host of “old faces” make their return from the injured list for Week 17, as the likes of Kamar Jorden, DaVaris Daniels and Brandon Whitaker each make their first appearances in recent memory. Meanwhile, a pair of versatile backs – James Wilder and Roy Finch – will be on the one-game injured list, costing Fantasy owners two of the league’s best game-altering performers.

All but one team will be affected in some shape by injury as the final quarter of the regular season begins in earnest.

Calgary at Hamilton
Friday, 7:00 p.m. ET

The league’s leading rusher returns to the field this week after missing time with an injury (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

The loss of Finch ($5,244) means the Stampeders will be without the league’s leader in both punt (16.8 yards per return) and kickoff (26.0) return average along with the fifth-most prolific all-purpose yardage generator. However, losing Finch is offset by the return of running back Jerome Messam ($7,074), as the league’s rushing leader will be back in the starting lineup after missing Week 15. Terry Williams ($3,525), who ran for 156 yards and three touchdowns in Messam’s absence against Montreal, will likely handle at least part of the return duties with Finch sidelined.

Pivot Bo Levi Mitchell must feel good with the knowledge that receivers Daniels ($6,286) and Jorden ($6,076) are healthy again. Daniels returns after missing three games with a lower body injury, while Jorden had been sidelined since the Week 6 win over the Tiger-Cats. With Marken Michel ($4,586) having developed into a reliable pass catcher, Mitchell could have a big evening at the expense of Hamilton’s secondary, which is last in the league with 341.6 passing yards allowed per game. Daniels is a high-end WR2, while Jorden is more of a deep flex option.

The Ticats did not have any changes to their roster from last week, giving quarterback Jeremiah Masoli ($8,795) a full complement of options to attempt to solve Calgary’s league-leading defence.

Ottawa at Saskatchewan
Friday, 10:00 p.m. ET

Sinopoli might miss this week with an apparent shoulder injury (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)

The REDBLACKS could be without receiver Brad Sinopoli ($3,727), as the league’s leader in receptions (91) is battling a shoulder injury that could make him a game-time decision. If Sinopoli can’t go, Jake Harty ($2,500) would take his spot. Harty would not have much Fantasy value. Running back Mossis Madu ($7,101) is on the one-game injured list with an undisclosed ailment, making Brendan Gillanders ($2,500) the backup to William Powell ($7,870), who has rushed for 530 yards over his last four games.

Although he won’t play, Owens ($5,569) is finally off the injured list after a foot injury placed him there before the start of the regular season. He is listed as the backup to Caleb Holley ($4,084), but with Holley catching a 75-yard touchdown pass in last week’s win over Toronto and Christion Jones ($2,500) giving the return game a jolt, Owens’ usage is subject to question once he does get his chance to be on the field. Running back Kienan LaFrance ($4,208) is the starter this week, but Cameron Marshall ($6,901), who practiced with the team during the week, is eligible to come off the six-game injured list next week.

BC at Winnipeg
Saturday, 4:00 p.m. ET

Nichols will play this week but will have a modified glove on his throwing hand (BlueBombers.com)

The Lions could add running back Shaquille Murray-Lawrence ($2,500) to the active roster. Murray-Lawrence sustained injuries in a car accident last month and was placed on the disabled list.

Quarterback Matt Nichols ($12,018) threw well during the week and will start after being injured last week. Nichols will have a protective glove on his right hand. The Bombers will be without receiver Weston Dressler ($4,500) for a third straight game as he recovers from an upper body injury, and they will be without running back/slotback Timothy Flanders ($4,163), who replaced Dressler in the lineup, as he is sidelined with an injured hamstring. Julian Feoli-Gudino ($2,500) is expected back in the lineup after missing last week’s loss to the Ticats with an upper-body injury. Darvin Adams ($7,099) was limited in practice on Thursday but is expected to start.

Toronto at Edmonton
Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET

Wilder Jr. will miss this week after taking a hard hit against Saskatchewan last week (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

James Wilder Jr. ($5,827) will be on the one-game injured list as he recovers from the hit he sustained in last week’s loss to Saskatchewan that left him momentarily motionless before he walked off the field under his own power. His absence signaled the return of Brandon Whitaker ($5,243), who has not played since September 4. Receiver Jeff Fuller ($2,500) remains on the one-game IL, while receiver Anthony Coombs ($3,394) is close to being eligible to come off the six-game IL after shoulder surgery in late August.

Eskimos receiver Vidal Hazleton ($5,789) practiced with the team on Thursday. He is eligible to come off the six-game injured list this week.

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