Player injuries are a major storyline in every NFL season, and health issues take on added importance late in the year with the final playoff push and fantasy football postseason at hand.  Following are some key player injuries to track entering Week 16, and the information can be useful for those taking advantage of our top online sports betting offers. QBs Mahomes, Smith set to play this weekend Where else would a list of key Week 16 injuries begin but with the quarterback of the two-time-defending Super Bowl champs? Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes suffered what’s being called a mild high-ankle sprain late in last Sunday’s win over the Cleveland Browns. High-ankle sprains typically require multiple weeks of recovery time. But Mahomes was a full participant in practice Tuesday and Wednesday, and the the five-time MVP (regular season and Super Bowl) actually carries no injury designation into Saturday's game with the Houston Texans.  The other key QB injury we're monitoring this week is Geno Smith’s right knee issue that left him unable to finish the Week 15 Sunday night game.  Smith, though, has practiced this week, and he will start Sunday’s home game against the Minnesota Vikings without an injury designation. The veteran QB, however, admitted he'll be at less than full health.  Meanwhile, Las Vegas Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said the team expecta to have second-year QB Aidan O’Connell back under center Sunday against the Jacksonville Jaguars after he missed Week 16 with a knee bone bruise. Complete Week 16 NFL game point spreads, totals and kickoff times Ailing running backs include Kamara, Walker Veteran running back Alvin Kamara is enjoying another strong season for the New Orleans Saints. But he suffered a groin abductor injury in Sunday’s loss to Washington, and his status for the Week 16 Monday Night Football game in Green Bay is looking iffy. Interim head coach Darren Rizzi said Kamara's injury is worse than first thought and the dual-threat back could be shut down for the remainder of the season. Kendre Miller is in line to be the next man up in the Saints’ backfield if Kamara can’t go. Meanwhile, back up in the Pacific Northwest, Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker has missed the team’s last two games with a calf injury, but he's been cleared to return Sunday. Another running back injury of note cropped up Wednesday with the 49ers as rookie starter Issac Guerendo was held out of practice with a hamstring issue. Two more missed practices later, Guerendo was ruled out Friday, leaving fifth-stringer Patrick Taylor as the Niners' likely starter. WR Pickens out again; TE Njoku iffy The Pittsburgh Steelers officially announced Thursday that No. 1 wide receiver George Pickens will miss a third straight game with a hamstring injury. This one hurts as he will be on the sideline for Saturday’s divisional showdown against the Baltimore Ravens. Another AFC North hammy injury to monitor is David Njoku’s. The Cleveland Browns’ talented tight end sat out Sunday’s game against the Chiefs. He did not participate in Cleveland’s first two practices of the week on Wednesday and Thursday, but he returned to workout Friday, and he'll be a game-time decision Sunday in Cincinnati with a questionable designation. For the Dolphins, wideout Jaylen Waddle has missed the team's practices this week with a knee injury sustained last Sunday in Houston, and his status for Sunday's matchup with the 49ers is listed as doubtful. Key defensive injuries include Watt, Surtain T.J. Watt’s ailing ankle was the major defensive injury to keep an eye on this week, but the Steelers announced that the league's Defensive Player of the Year front-runner will suit up Saturday against the Ravens. Watt, however, most likely will be on a pitch count. Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II is another DPOY front-runner battling a late-season injury. Surtain hobbled off with an ankle injury in the fourth quarter of the Broncos’ win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, and there was concern with Denver on a short week and playing Thursday. The stud corner, though, fully participated in practice this week and does not have an injury designation for the TNF showdown against the Los Angeles Chargers.