I don’t have all the answers this week. 

Wait a second, I know you came here expecting just that. After all, that is why we are here, right? By no means am I trying to make excuses or take the easy way out, but we need to be realistic. 

In the majority of leagues, this is the first week of the playoffs, so for now that means it is the most important week of the season. We are used to the standard injuries and trying to project availability based on that, but COVID is a totally different story. It is unpredictable at best, and the cases are mounting by the minute. 

There is a tracker to follow along the cases, but it is ever evolving and likely will do so right up until kickoff. I will do my best to outline everything that is known at the moment, but it’s hard to truly know how each case will resolve itself. The best we can do, is to stay on top of the news and to have contingency plans for contingency plans. 

And don’t forget, it’s Week 15 so we are also dealing with the normal injuries and issues that tend to present themselves at this time of year. 

Quarterback

It’s good news that Josh Allen’s turf toe is being referred to as “mild” and he is practicing, at least on some level, this week. Things are trending in the right direction for Allen to play on Sunday and you should roll him out there as a QB1 without any concerns. While it’s possible he is limited as a runner, Allen is still one of the better options. 

While Jalen Hurts is taking part in practice, albeit on a limited basis, it’s still unclear whether or not he will be ready to go on Sunday. If Hurts is out there, the implication is that he will be able to run and play his game as normal, so I would start him if he was the best option, but if not, Gardner Minshew will likely do enough to warrant a start in some situations. 

Lamar Jackson not practicing on either on Wednesday or Thursday is not a good sign for his status on Sunday. Baltimore obviously wants Jackson to play, but at this point, it feels like we might not get clarity until close to game time as Sunday as clearly the desire is for him to play, but Tyler Huntley does have some value as the replacement. 

From a pain perspective, it doesn’t appear that Aaron Rodgers’ toe is doing well, but the desire here is still for him to play on Sunday so that is assumption I would continue to operate under. If for whatever reason Rodgers can’t make the start, then Jordan Love has minimal value as the replacement. 

Taylor Heinicke came out of last week’s game with knee and elbow injuries, but everything seems to be moving forward as it should for him to play on Sunday and you can fire him up if necessary. 

The Cleveland offense isn’t exactly the most attractive situation from a fantasy perspective, but things might get a little uglier this week. Unless things change, both Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum are going to be out on Saturday and Nick Mullens will get the start under center. That means we should see a lot of Nick Chubb this week. 

Justin Fields left last week with a hand injury, but it didn’t seem to slow him down in practice on Thursday which bodes well for his status on Monday. The rookie threw for 224 yards and two touchdowns last week while also running for 74 yards. If Fields is ultimately limited, it’s unclear whether it will be Andy Dalton or Nick Foles backing him up, but for now it’s looking like the latter as Dalton is dealing with an injury of his own. 

Joe Burrow is coming off a strong showing last week San Francisco, 348 passing yards and two touchdowns, and after he participated fully in practice on Thursday, there once again doesn’t appear to be anything we need to worry about with his finger injury. 

It hasn’t been the smoothest of seasons for Ben Roethlisberger, but it seems that once again we can count on him for this week despite his using stable of injuries that are being managed throughout the week. 

Daniel Jones continues to practice on a limited basis, but once again, it appears that he will be sidelined and not cleared for contact. That means we get another week of Mike Glennon under center, and it’s best to look away. 

Running Back

Things appear to be a mess in Detroit. If you want to talk about situations no one was prepared for, this is it as we might be looking at a Craig Reynolds/Jermar Jefferson backfield this week. It’s a good sign as Jefferson was dealing with a thigh injury last week, but with D’Andre Swift (shoulder) and Jamaal Williams (COVID) trending towards not being available, here we are. Either way, it’s a tough opponent in Arizona so it’s a situation I would avoid unless you have no other choice. 

Elijah Mitchell still hasn’t returned to practice after a concussion two weeks ago, he is also dealing with a knee injury, and that is not a good sign regarding his Week 15 status. I would prepare to be without Mitchell as things don’t appear to be moving fast enough for him to take the field this week, and that means Jeff Wilson will take the lead in the San Francisco backfield. 

Leonard Fournette has been performing at a high level this season, so it is concerning that he didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday as he is dealing with an ankle injury. At this point, there is nothing out there that suggests Fournette won’t play on Sunday, but if he can’t, then we will see a lot of Ronald Jones. 

The fact that James Conner hasn’t practiced yet through Thursday is not a good sign for his status this week as he is dealing with an ankle injury. Conner continues to be a strong option, so the hope here is that his ankle allows him to take the field. If not, it’s possible Chase Edmonds will be ready to make his return, but this is a situation that bares watching. 

Tony Pollard is getting closer to returning after a one-week absence dealing with a foot injury, and this is a situation to watch as he has performed better at times than Ezekiel Elliot and Dallas has proven to be committed to managing the latter’s workload as likely isn’t 100%. With that being said, it’s still difficult to bench Elliot. 

We haven’t seen the best of Saquon Barkley this season, but he is too talented to leave on your bench and things are moving in the right direction. The fact that Barkley was limited in practice on Thursday is simply a management issue and it shouldn’t impact your view of him or his status. 

No Kareem Hunt, and a mess under center, means Nick Chubb will likely be busy this week and that makes him one of the better options at the position. To fill Hunt’s vacated role, D’Ernest Johnson should see increased work but it’s Chubb’s backfield. 

Both Miles Sanders (ankle) and Jordan Howard (knee) are dealing with issues coming off of Philadelphia’s bye week, but they have been practicing on a limited basis this week, and I would expect them to return. Ultimately, Sanders is the one to watch here as he will likely act as the lead back for the Eagles. 

Despite testing positive for COVID, Alex Collins still might be able to take the field on Sunday, but based on last week, it’s Rashaad Penny’s backfield. 

New England playing on Saturday is a good thing in the sense that it gives some roster clarity before the rush of games the following day. Both Damien Harris and Brandon Bolden are questionable this week after practicing on a limited basis, but each are trending towards being ready to take the field. Ultimately, Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson will carry the load this week, and that is where the value begins and ends with the emphasis on the former. 

JD McKissic didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday this week as he continues to deal with a concussion, and it doesn’t appear that things will improve relating to his status for this week. That means Antonio Gibson will likely be busy once again as he has stepped up to handle the additional work as of late. 

With Urban Meyer out in Jacksonville, perhaps we will get the James Robinson of last season? The fact that Robinson had Thursday’s practice off for rest shouldn’t cause any alarm as it has been the norm for him this season. Carlos Hyde hasn’t practiced this week with a concussion, so there is no reason why we shouldn’t expect Robinson to be busy on Sunday. 

There is some time until Monday, and I don’t believe it’s time to panic yet, but you are forgiven for questioning who will carry the ball for Chicago this week. Both David Montgomery and Khalil Herbert didn’t practice on Thursday with an illness and Ryan Nall is dealing with COVID, so things are still to be determined. With that being said, Montgomery and Herbert still have time. 

The good news is that it was an illness (not COVID) that kept Aaron Jones out of practice on Thursday and not his knee injury. At this point, there is nothing that appears he will be sidelined for Sunday, but we know the drill with A.J. Dillon if something changes. 

Things could be interesting in Denver’s backfield this week as there is some concern around Javonte Willams as the rookie didn’t practice on Thursday as he tries to work through a knee injury. Melvin Gordon is dealing with thumb and hip injuries, but he practiced on a limited basis so he appears to be in good shape to take the field on Sunday. Both have some value, Williams is the better play, but Gordon will be in position for a big week if the former is sidelined. For now, though, things are trending towards both backs being active, but it is something to monitor. 

With Tevin Coleman returning to practice after his concussion and Michael Carter trending towards being ready to return as well, it’s possible the Jets’ backfield is too crowded and best left ignored this week as there are too many options and likely not enough available work and production.

It seemed as if Rex Burkhead was going to be out this week, so perhaps David Johnson would pick up some value, but the former did practice on a limited basis on Thursday. I wouldn’t be targeting Burkhead this week if he does play although if he does, Johnson does lose some of the limited value he might have. 

Wide Receiver

The Seattle wide receiving corps could be very interesting this week. We have become used to DJ Metcalf not practicing in full each week as he deals with various injuries, but a back injury has not popped up alongside his standard foot issues. This is will be a critical situation to watch this weekend as Metcalf has the potential to be very busy with Tyler Lockett dealing with COVID and Freddie Swain missing practice with a knee and personal issue. Keep in mind though, that there is still the possibility Lockett is able to take the field, but Metcalf is still tough to bench regardless. 

After missing practice again on Thursday, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Emmanuel Sanders likely won’t take the field on Sunday. I would expect Cole Beasley to have a bigger workload as he picks up the slack for Sanders but Gabriel Davis brings more upside to the table as he is slated to start alongside Stefon Diggs. 

We don’t have many clear-cut situations this week, but does appear that one of them resides in Cincinnati. After he practiced in full on Thursday, Tee Higgins and his ankle injury appear good to go on Sunday as the second-year receiver continues his strong performance. 

I don’t have a ton of confidence in Sammy Watkins this week, but it is a good sign that he practiced in full on Thursday. The fact that he has just 27 receptions for 394 yards and a touchdown is part of it, but the other aspect is the uncertainty under center for Baltimore. The good news is that if you do find yourself in the position of needing Watkins, it does appear that there are no issues from a health perspective. Things could change though as, after practicing on Wednesday, Marquise Brown didn’t practice on Thursday due to an illness. At this point it doesn’t seem like his status is in question for Sunday, but you never know. 

It’s unclear why Marquise Goodwin didn’t participate in Thursday’s walkthrough for Chicago (they don’t play until Monday night) as his status could be very important. With Allen Robinson on the COVID list and Jakeem Grant dealing with an illness, Goodwin could be in position for a big week if his foot is up to the task. 

To say that a groin injury has hindered Curtis Samuel in his first season with Washington might be an understatement. After missing practice on Wednesday and Thursday, it appears we now can add hamstring injury to the list as well, and at this point I would simply stay away as even when he has been on the field this season, there hasn’t been much in the way of results. Perhaps more importantly, things appear to be moving in the right direction for Terry McLaurin as he looks to be cleared from his concussion. At this point, it’s also likely Washington will be without Cam Sims after his placement on the COVID list. 

Adam Thielen does have an extra day this week to return from his high ankle sprain, but it’s been just two weeks from the injury and it’s not an easy one either. At this point, there is still optimism that Thielen will return, but after not practicing on Thursday, I do have some concerns and I would keep KJ Osborn close as Dede Westbrook is on the COVID list. 

We do like clarity, but this is no time to celebrate as fantasy managers are going to be without DeAndre Hopkins for the remainder of the season. It’s possible he doesn’t come back until well into the playoffs, but for now our concern is the regular season and AJ Green becomes more viable of an option along with Christian Kirk. 

With Jarvis Landry testing positive for COVID earlier this week, we could be seeing a lot of Donovan Peoples-Jones this week if the former is unable to gain clearance in time. With Cleveland playing on Saturday, that does appear to be the base, and with Anthony Schwarz still dealing with a concussion, Rashard Higgins will be the other option. 

Even though he has been limited so far in practice this week, there is nothing that suggests DJ Moore’s status for Sunday’s game is in any type of jeopardy. 

It’s unclear what Jaylen Waddle’s placement on the COVID list means in relation to his status for Sunday, but I would have an alternate plan at the ready. From Miami’s perspective, DeVante Parker will be busier but Albert Wilson and Mack Hollins could become interesting options with Preston Williams and Isaiah Ford also in the mix. 

Josh Reynolds has picked up minimal value over the last few weeks, not enough to make him more than a deeper league option though, so there has to be some concern to see him pop up on the Injury Report and be limited in practice on Thursday with a thigh injury. 

Marquez Valdes-Scantling does have some value as the third receiver for Green Bay even if it is difficult to rely on him as a consistent option. On both Wednesday and Thursday, he was limited in practice with a back injury, but at this point, it doesn’t appear to be anything that will keep him from taking the field on Sunday. 

Tight End

George Kittle continues to be one of the top tight end options so it is a good sign that he seems to be progressing through practice this week despite dealing with a knee injury, and that his status doesn’t appear to be in question or have any limitations for this week. 

Detroit is going nowhere this season, so while painful for fantasy managers, it does make sense that the Lions would be cautious for TJ Hockenson as he is now out for the season after surgery on his thumb. That leaves Brock Wright on the tight end depth chart for those of you really scrambling. 

Jimmy Graham might be busy on Monday, so it is a good sign that he was able to practice on a limited basis Thursday despite his knee injury. Due to illness, Cole Kmet was unable to practice and Jesse James is on the COVID list, so Graham might be the last man standing for this week. 

Foster Moreau has failed to impress in Darren Waller’s absence, but this week he will have another chance to do so as he is all set to start on Sunday despite previously dealing with an abdominal injury and Waller will be held out at least for another week. 

We know how much flux there is in Cleveland, but a sneaky option might be David Njoku this week as he is back in practice while Austin Hooper is on the COVID list and Harrison Bryant is dealing with an ankle injury. 

Hayden Hurst hasn’t had much of a role in the receiving game this season behind Kyle Pitts, but he did return to practice in full on Thursday after previously dealing with an illness. 

Jack Doyle hasn’t carved out much of a role in the Indianapolis passing game this season, but his ankle injury doesn’t appear that it will be holding him back this week.