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We are right in the middle of the fantasy football playoffs as we enter Week 15 of the NFL season. This has been an eventful week with several big names on the injury report. Injuries have wreaked havoc on fantasy GM’s all season, so why should this week be any different? Hopefully you have enough depth on your roster to accommodate for any significant losses. So without further adieu, here is the next installment of the walking wounded.
Cam Newton (QB-CAR)
Cam Newton made headlines earlier in the week after being involved in a two-car accident when his vehicle rolled over multiple times. The good news is that Newton only suffered two fractures in his back and avoided any type of serious internal injuries. Newton will definitely not play this Sunday against Tampa Bay and his status going forward is in question. Newton’s injuries are similar to what Tony Romo dealt with earlier in the season and he only missed one game. If Newton can handle the pain, there is a chance he could be back in Week 16.
Jamaal Charles (RB-KC)
Jamaal Charles was held out of practice on Wednesday as he is dealing with both ankle and knee issues. Right now there is no need to panic just yet, but if he is unable to play on Sunday against Oakland then fantasy GM’s will want to get Knile Davis into their lineups. Clearly Charles is a must-start when healthy, especially with such a favorable matchup against the Raiders.
Eddie Lacy (RB-GB)
Eddie Lacy suffered a bruised hip towards the end of Monday night’s game against Atlanta and was limited in practice on Wednesday. Green Bay does not seem overly concerned about this, and neither should you. The Packers will have a tough matchup against a solid Buffalo defense, but Lacy is still unquestionably a RB1 and will likely be a big part of the passing game once again.
Julio Jones (WR-ATL)
Julio Jones had an epic game on Monday night against the Packers but suffered a hip injury which places his status for Week 15 in jeopardy. He did not practice on Wednesday but we will need to see his status by Friday to get a better sense on whether he will play. The Steelers defense has been very susceptible all season so it would be catastrophic for fantasy GM’s if Jones is unable to play. Keep Harry Douglas on your roster just in case.
Andre Ellington (RB-ARZ)
Andre Ellington is done for the season now that he requires sports hernia surgery on top of his foot injury. After not knowing whether Marion Grice or Stepfan would assume the starting role last week, Kerwynn Williams asserted himself with a 100-yard game last week against Kansas City. Williams will likely get the start on Thursday night against St. Louis, but that doesn’t make him an attractive fantasy option unless your team is completely decimated by injuries. Remember, he is going up against a Rams defense that is coming off of back-to-back shutouts.
Brandon Marshall (WR-CHI)
Brandon Marshall has been placed on season-ending Injured Reserve after sustaining multiple fractured ribs and a collapsed lung. This is a big loss for fantasy GM’s who likely drafted Marshall as one of the first wide receivers off the board. Now Alshon Jeffery becomes the primary target for Jay Cutler so it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to potential double coverage focusing on him.
Denard Robinson (RB-JAX)
Denard Robinson has been placed on season-ending Injured Reserve with a foot injury. This is a big blow to fantasy GM’s who had enough foresight to add him earlier in the season. The Jaguars will now likely go back to Toby Gerhart as their primary running back. That is nothing to be excited about.
Andre Johnson (WR-HOU)
Andre Johnson suffered a concussion last week and has still not returned to practice as of Wednesday. If he cannot play on Sunday then DeAndre Hopkins will assume the role of top wide receiver for the Texans. Check back in later in the week for an update on where Johnson is with the concussion protocol.
Percy Harvin (WR-NYJ)
Percy Harvin had his best offensive game of the season last week against his former team as he caught six passes for 124 yards and one touchdown. However, he suffered a low ankle sprain which puts his status for Week 15 in jeopardy. He didn’t practice on Wednesday but it is too early to tell whether he will play against Tennessee this week. The Jets offense is awful, but they will have a great matchup against an equally terrible Titans’ defense.
DeSean Jackson (WR-WAS)
DeSean Jackson returned to practice on Wednesday in a limited capacity. He is trying to come back from a leg injury but there is only a 50% chance he will play this week against the Giants. It will be telling if he can continue to practice and run his routes fully. He typically plays well against the Giants so follow up later in the week for a status update since he is a viable WR2 when healthy.
Ryan Mathews (RB-SD)
Ryan Mathews is a regular on the injury report and finds himself back here after sustaining a right ankle injury in the second quarter of last week’s game against New England. He did not practice on Wednesday so his status is up in the air for Sunday. Mathews has talent but has never been dependable. If he does not play or is limited in any capacity, look for Donald Brown to re-assume the handcuff role.
Zach Mettenberger (QB-TEN)
Titans quarterback Zach Mettenberger suffered a shoulder injury two weeks ago that was re-aggravated against the Giants last Sunday. He was replaced by Jake Locker who will play this week against the Jets. Mettenberger was not a viable fantasy option anyway outside of very deep two-quarterback leagues, so feel free to drop him in redraft leagues because he is likely done for the season.
Colt McCoy (QB-WAS)
Colt McCoy suffered a neck injury last week in the Redskins’ 24-0 loss to the Rams. He was replaced by Robert Griffin III and now his status for this week’s game against the Giants is in jeopardy. McCoy was limited in practice on Wednesday so you will need to check back in later in the week for an update on his status. The issue over whether McCoy of Griffin starts likely affects Alfred Morris the most because his numbers are astronomically better when Griffin is the starter.
Michael A. Stein, Esq. is the Chief Justice of Fantasy Judgment, the industry's premier dispute resolution service, and is also the co-host of the Fantasy Alarm podcast. You can contact him at michael.stein@fantasyjudgment.com or on Facebook and Twitter (@FantasyJudgment),