NFL Week 16 injury report, fantasy updates: Tennessee WR A.J. Brown expected to return for Titans vs. 49ers on TNF

The Tennessee Titans should have a valuable weapon back in the fold on Thursday Night Football in NFL Week 16 with receiver A.J. Brown expected to be activated off injured reserve.

The 49ers vs. Titans matchup is set for 8:20 p.m. ET at Nashville's Nissan Stadium, and QB Ryan Tannehill will welcome having his top option back. NFL fantasy players also will pleased to have some rare good news in the midst of the playoff rounds.

San Francisco remains a 3-point favorite in the latest Titans vs. 49ers odds from Caesars Sportsbook. Click here for model and expert picks on every Week 16 NFL game 

Brown was placed on IR after suffering a chest injury in a 22-13 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 11. He was designated for return to practice Monday and took part in all workouts this week. He will be activated before tonight's game, according to NFL.com's Nick Shook.  

Tennessee (9-5) won just one of the three games without Brown, but the team is also missing leading rusher Derrick Henry. The running back was leading the NFL with 937 yards through eight games before injuring his foot, though he could be back for the playoffs.

But with five teams just a game behind in the loss column, Tennessee needs to assure it gets there. Having Brown back certainly helps its cause, and the Titans are 5-1 with the Brown-Tannehill combo on the field.

Brown has played in only 10 games but still leads the Titans in receptions (46) and yards (615) and averages 13.4 yards per catch. He had 190 receptions in his first two seasons, topping 1,000 yards in both. 

Tennessee averaged just 121 passing yards over the three games Brown missed. It ranks 23rd in the league in passing overall (202.8 per game) and faces a San Francisco defense ranks seventh (213.2), so adding Brown to the mix will be a huge boost.

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