The hope is that any injuries this week did not have a negative impact on your playoff positioning. Now, with the first week of the fantasy football playoffs upon us, the hope is that there is no impact on your chances to keep on grinding toward the championship. Now, let us jump into our NFL injury update for Week 15. It features Justin Herbert, Justin Jefferson, Nico Collins, and among others.  As news breaks, be sure to update your Week 15 fantasy football rankings and NFL projections either way. 

This information can also help to focus on important Week 15 start/sit lineup decisions and fantasy football advice surrounding some injured players. The first step though is the NFL injury report as you set Week 15 fantasy football lineups. 

 

Week 15 NFL Injury Report for Quarterbacks

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans (Concussion)

It was a rough afternoon all around for the Houston Texans, and C.J. Stroud was not excluded from those struggles. The weather was part of the issue, but Stroud failed to generate much in the way of offense. Unfortunately, Stroud was forced out of action in the fourth quarter with a concussion and is now in the protocol. In order to take the field in Week 15, Stroud will need to get clearance and it is a situation to watch as then Davis Mills would get the start. It goes without saying that there would be a downgrade to the Texans’ offense should that be the case. As of Thursday, Stroud has yet to practice or clear the protocol, but Houston still has, at least publicly, some level of optimism. With that being the case, fantasy managers should be prepared to turn to an alternative. 

Geno Smith, Seattle Seahawks (Groin)

Leading up to Sunday’s game, Geno Smith was a game time decision, but he ultimately was ruled out with a groin injury. Drew Lock got the start under center for Seattle and he, predictably, struggled. With Smith being close to taking the field this week, the thought process here is that he should be good to go in Week 15 but it is something to keep an eye on this week. Smith continues to be limited in practice, but things are trending in the right direction ahead of a good matchup against the Eagles on Monday. 

Will Levis, Tennessee Titans (Ankle)

After leading a historical comeback on Monday, Will Levis had an ankle injury as a parting gift. Levis practiced in full on Thursday, so it doesn’t appear that we have anything to worry about as the rookie continues to get more comfortable under center. 

Trevor Lawrence took the field last week, and while the Jaguars did come up short to Cleveland, he did come out of the game healthy. After a full practice on Wednesday, there is at least nothing to worry about health wise for Lawrence although it is a tough matchup against Baltimore. 

Week 15 NFL Injury Report for Running Backs

Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts (Thumb)

It certainly is unfortunate as we enter the fantasy football playoffs, but Jonathan Taylor will in fact be sidelined for the third straight week with a thumb injury. Zack Moss will get the start once again, but it does appear that Taylor could potentially return next week. 

Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs (Shoulder)

After missing last week with a shoulder injury, Isiah Pacheco has yet to return to practice. Unless something changes this week, we are in line to see another week of Clyde Edwards-Helaire leading the Chiefs’ backfield with Jerick McKinnon in a supporting role in passing situations. 

Brian Robinson, Washington Commanders (Hamstring)

With two straight days of no practice for Brian Robinson, things are not trending in the right direction for him to be ready to go on Sunday. Robinson is dealing with a hamstring injury, and should he ultimately be sidelined, Antonio Gibson is in place for an expanded role. 

Breece Hall, New York Jets (Ankle)

Breece Hall continues to be limited in practice with an ankle injury, but it is nothing to worry about when it comes to his status for Sunday. After he picked up 126 yards and a receiving touchdown on 18 touches last week, we can roll with Hall on Sunday without concern. 

Raheem Mostert, Miami Dolphins (Knee)

Playing on Monday got the Dolphins off to delayed start with practice this week, but seeing Raheem Mostert as limited shouldn’t be concerning. That has been the case for almost two months at this point, at it has yet to hinder or limit Mostert on game days. 

De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (Toe)

With De’Von Achane yet to practice this week, this could shape up to be a particularly good week for the aforementioned Mostert. Unless something drastically improves on the weekend, things are not trending in the right direction for the rookie. 

AJ Dillon, Green Bay Packers (Thumb)

After breaking his thumb last week, Dillon has yet to practice this week. It goes without saying that this could be a real issue for Dillon considering he needs to be able to hang onto the ball, so I would prepare to be without him from a fantasy perspective. That means an increased workload for Aaron Jones. 

Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers (Knee)

Aaron Jones is dealing with a sprained MCL, but we have seen him take the practice field, so there is a good chance he will be active this week. With the aforementioned Dillon’s status in doubt, it would be a busy day from a volume perspective for Jones. 

Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars (Ribs)

Travis Etienne’s rib injury has been lingering for a few weeks, but the good news is that it hasn’t had an impact on his availability and playing status. 

Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings (Ankle)

After gaining 66 yards on 10 carries, Alexander Mattison exited Sunday’s game with an ankle injury. At this point, it remains unclear whether Mattison’s sprained ankle will keep him sidelined for Week 15, but it is something to keep an eye on as we wait for more details. Should Mattison be forced to miss time, Ty Chandler would step in atop the depth chart. 

Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns (Hand)

Jerome Ford was on his way toward another strong game prior to injuring his hand. It is clear that Ford has a legitimate role in Cleveland’s offense, and that will continue as long as he is healthy enough to take the field. Should Ford’s hand injury prove to be serious, Kareem Hunt will then be in position to truly dominate the volume in the Browns’ backfield. Both Ford and Hunt continue to be limited in practice this week, but the assumption is that it will be busy as usual in Cleveland’s backfield this week. 

Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots (Ankle)

After missing last Thursday’s game, Rhamondre Stevenson has still not returned to practice ahead of Sunday’s game. With that being said, Stevenson is likely in line to miss a second straight game which means we will see a lot of Ezekiel Elliot once again. 

Week 15 NFL Injury Report for Wide Receivers

Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings (Chest)

We got Justin Jefferson back and then he was gone. The wide receiver’s return to action didn’t last very long as he was forced out of action with a chest injury. This was more of a health issue than a true football injury, and it was a positive development to see Jefferson released from the hospital and able to travel home with the team. It does remain to be seen whether he will be able to take the field in Week 15 as this will be a situation to monitor. . At this point, things do appear to be trending in the right direction. 

Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins (Ankle)

We know that Tyreek Hill is not going to practice this week after injury his ankle on Monday, and there is some real concern about his status. While it is still very likely that he takes the field on Sunday against the Jets, there is also some real concern. Jaylen Waddle will see a clear uptick in volume with Cedrick Wilson having some value. 

Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Knee)

After being targeted 11 times and being on the field for 84% on the snaps last week, Chris Godwin’s knee doesn’t appear to be too serious. Seeing Godwin practice on Friday after being held out the two previous days helps to cement that thought process. 

Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints (Ankle)

After being hindered by an illness last week, Chris Olave is now dealing with an ankle injury. It has kept him out of practice all week and this could be a situation to watch leading up to Sunday’s game. 

Nico Collins, Houston Texans (Calf)

The Met Life Stadium field has seemingly claimed another casualty as Nico Collins was forced out of action with a calf injury. It was determined pretty early on that Collins was not going to return and there is some concern regarding his status for Week 15. Should Collins be forced to miss any time, Noah Brown and Robert Woods would be quite busy. 

Collins has yet to practice this week and that does not bode well for his status this week. Another issue for Houston is that Brown continues to deal with a knee injury which has kept him limited in practice but he has played the last two weeks. 

Demario Douglas, New England Patriots (Concussion)

After he missed the last two games with a concussion, Demario Douglas is slated to return to the field on Sunday. Prior to his injury, Douglas averaged about 7.5 targets and 53 yards per game in his previous five, so there is some fantasy value to be found. 

Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (Hamstring)

After injuring his hamstring two weeks ago, Christian Watson has yet to return to practice and it appears that the Packers will be without him on Sunday. The good news is that while both Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks have been limited in practice this week, they are trending towards being active on Sunday. With the injury to Watson, both Reed and Wicks should take on a larger role as well. 

Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals (Heel)

Marquise Brown tried to play through his heel injury, but ultimately was forced out of his last game in Week 13. Following Arizona’s bye week, he is back to practicing on a limited basis and it looks like he will be able to return to action on Sunday. 

Michael Wilson, Arizona Cardinals (Neck)

Coming off Arizona’s bye week, Michael Wilson has practiced on a limited basis. It has been a few weeks since we have seen Wilson on the field for Arizona, and his fantasy impact is likely left to deeper leagues. 

Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys (Illness)

Despite missing Thursday’s practice with an illness, there doesn’t appear to be any issues or concerns relating to Brandin Cooks’ status for Sunday. 

Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams (Concussion)

With both Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua healthy, there isn’t much left over when it comes to the Rams’ receivers. The weather certainly worked against the passing game in Week 14, but Tutu Atwell had just one target before leaving with a concussion. Should it force Atwell out of action, Demarcus Robinson would step in as the third receiver. 

Week 15 NFL Injury Report for Tight Ends

Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills (Shoulder)

The good news is that the X-rays on Dalton Kincaid’s shoulder were negative, and if there was more football left to be played, the rookie likely would have returned to action. While Dawson Knox did return to action today, Kincaid was still targeted eight times and finished with five catches for 21 yards. If the shoulder does end up being serious, Knox will be an interesting option, but until then, Kincaid does have the edge. Kincaid got a limited practice in on Thursday which means good things for his status on Sunday. 

Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams (Neck)

After leaving with a neck stinger last week, Tyler Higbee got a full practice in on Thursday, and he should be good to go for action on Sunday in a solid matchup against Washington. 

Darren Waller, New York Giants (Hamstring)

After spending the last few weeks on Injured Reserve, Darren Waller has been cleared to return to practice. He practiced on a limited basis Thursday, and if things continue to progress well, it is possible we see Waller take the field on Sunday as part of a suddenly solid Giants’ offense. 

Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans (Hamstring)

After missing the last two weeks with a hamstring injury, Dalton Schultz returned to practice in full on Thursday. It comes at a great time for the Texans with Tank Dell out for the year and Nico Collins’ status in jeopardy for Sunday’s game. With that being said, Schultz should be very busy in his return. 

 

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