Reggie Bush Injury: Updates on Dolphins RB's Week 17 Status and Fantasy Value

The Miami Dolphins are looking to stick a nail in the New York Jets' playoff coffin, and it looks like they have to do it without the aid of running back Reggie Bush.  

Bush, who leads the team with 1,086 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, suffered a knee injury towards the end of the fourth quarter in Miami’s 27-24 loss to the New England Patriots.

UPDATE: Friday, Dec. 30 at 2:10 p.m. EST by Mike Chiari

Updating an earlier report that Dolphins' running back Reggie Bush didn't practice on Friday, it is now being reported that Bush has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the New York Jets with a knee injury, according to Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post.

With Bush officially out, he should be removed from all fantasy lineups. This makes rookie backup Daniel Thomas a viable starting candidate in all leagues, however, since he should receive the bulk of the carries in Bush's absence.

UPDATE: Friday, Dec. 30 at 12:15 p.m. EST by Mike Chiari

Dolphins running back Reggie Bush has yet to practice this week, and that continues to be true as his knee injury prevented him from practicing on Friday, according to Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post.

When a player fails to practice on Friday after having not practiced all week, it's usually a pretty good indication that he won't play. The Dolphins probably don't want to rush Bush back for a meaningless game and witness a reprisal of what happened in Minnesota with Adrian Peterson tearing his ACL and MCL last week.

If your fantasy league is still going in Week 17, then you're probably best off looking for an alternative to Bush. His backup, rookie Daniel Thomas, might be an intriguing option against a New York Jets run defense that has been very inconsistent this season.

He has missed practice all week according to South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporter Omar Kelly:

Before the injury, Bush was on track to play in all 16 regular season games for the first time since his rookie year with the New Orleans Saints back in 2006. He missed four games in ’07, six in ’08, two in ’09, and eight in ’10.

His fragile frame was one of the many reasons the Houston Texans selected Mario Williams first overall ahead of Bush in the ’06 draft.

With nothing to play for aside from spoiling their division rival's season, it’s likely the team is going to be cautious with Bush in the last game of the season.

After a rough six-week stretch and start in Miami where he averaged 38 rushing yards per game and didn’t reach the end zone, it looked like he has going to be out of the league sooner rather than later.

Fast forward to today and he has rushed for at least 100 yards in four straight games and has rejuvenated his career in the Sunshine State.

If Bush can’t go that means rookie Daniel Thomas will get all of the carries against a Jets run defense that is currently 15^th in the league. If you're in the championship game of your fantasy league with Bush on your roster, I'd make the switch ASAP. 

Check back for more updates as soon as more information becomes available.