Playoffs? Playoffs?!? Yes, PLAYOFFS!! What we have been working towards all season is finally here. If you have made your Fantasy Football playoffs, congratulations, and let’s finish the job. If you did not make the postseason, fear not. This is what DFS, Underdog Fantasy, and sportsbooks were created for. As a vital part of football, injuries may not be welcomed, but they need to be understood. Here’s where I step in. Welcome to the Week 15 Fantasy Football Injury Report!
Week 15 Bye Weeks: None, but there are games on Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday this week, so plan accordingly!
Injury news happens fast and can change quickly, so for the most up-to-date news and analysis, follow me on X @SGPNFootballDoc! This article is updated daily until Monday Night Football, so check back in before setting your lineup!
Week 15 Fantasy Football Injury Report
Week 15 Inactives
Keenan Allen (WR) Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert (QB) Los Angeles Chargers
Josh Jacobs (RB) Las Vegas Raiders
Greg Dulcich (TE) Denver Broncos
Alexander Mattison (RB) Minnesota Vikings
Jonathan Taylor (RB) Indianapolis Colts
Kenny Pickett (QB) Pittsburgh Steelers
Hayden Hurst (TE) Carolina Panthers
Christian Watson (WR) Green Bay Packers
AJ Dillon (RB) Green Bay Packers
CJ Stroud (QB) Houston Texans
Nico Collins (WR) Houston Texans
Brian Robinson Jr. (RB) Washington Commanders
Isiah Pacheco (RB) Kansas City Chiefs
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB) New England Patriots
Aaron Rodgers (QB) New York Jets
Elijah Mitchell (RB) San Francisco 49ers
Tyreek Hill (WR) Miami Dolphins
Chris Olave (WR) New Orleans Saints
CJ Stroud (QB) Houston Texans
Injury: Concussion
Injury Date: 12/10/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 1-2 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 15: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Matthew Stafford (QB) Los Angeles Rams
Houston Texans rookie QB CJ Stroud is BALLIN this season. Both on the field and in the fantasy football streets, the young QB is putting up numbers. Like most guys on a good streak, however, he hit a bump in the road last week.
Not only did he have his worst game of the season against a tough Jets defense, but he also picked up an injury late in the game. Stroud was knocked out of the game in the second half after his head hit the turf hard while being tackled.
CJ Stroud is officially in the NFL concussion protocol. Most players this season have missed at least one game with this injury, BUT recently we have seen more and more players clear the protocol without missing a game.
A concussion refers to a disruption of brain function following a direct or indirect blow to the head. Reaction time and decision-making are typically negatively affected.
Although symptoms can be variable, the expected recovery timeline is 1-2 weeks. Stroud’s practice participation will be key to determining his chances of clearing the protocol this week.
Texans rookie QB CJ Stroud is in concussion protocol and is trending in the wrong direction – SIT.
Nico Collins (WR) Houston Texans
Injury: Calf Strain
Injury Date: 12/10/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 1-3 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 15: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Wan’Dale Robinson (WR) New York Giants
Already the second Texans player on this Week 15 Fantasy Football Injury Report, WR Nico Collins follows his QB. In line for an increased role with the absence of Tank Dell, Collins did not last very long. He suffered a calf injury in the first quarter last week and was ruled out quickly.
The young WR Nico Collins is dealing with a calf strain that appears to be minor. A calf strain refers to damage to the calf muscle, and in mild cases, it typically takes 1-3 weeks to heal. These injuries are tricky as they do carry a moderate reinjury risk if a player returns too soon. For this reason, players typically miss about two games with this injury.
The calf plays a big role in explosive lower body power, so I would expect Collins acceleration and jump ball ability to be limited this week if he does play.
Texans WR Nico Collins is dealing with a calf strain, and is not expected to play – SIT.
Justin Herbert (QB) Los Angeles Chargers
Injury: Finger Fracture
Injury Date: 12/10/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 2-3 months
Recovery Time to Week 15: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Matthew Stafford (QB) Los Angeles Rams
The Chargers season is ending with disappointment yet AGAIN. Not only is it disappointing in the record column, but on the injury report as well. Franchise QB Justin Herbert is being placed on injured reserve, officially ending his season.
He injured and fractured his finger by hitting it on a defender’s helmet on the follow-through of a throw. An MRI found the fracture to be unstable enough to require surgery to repair.
Between the necessity for surgery and the Chargers’ current record, the team decided to shut down Herbert for the rest of the year. This will allow him to fully recover without the stress of trying to return before he is ready.
There is little concern about this affecting Herbert next year, but it is a brutal blow to your fantasy team this season.
Chargers QB Justin Herbert is on season-ending IR with a fractured index finger on his throwing hand – DROP.
Justin Jefferson (WR) Minnesota Vikings
Injury: Rib Contusion
Injury Date: 12/10/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 1-3 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 15: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Joshua Palmer (WR) Los Angeles Chargers
The All-World WR Justin Jefferson lasted just ONE week before returning to the Fantasy Football Injury Report in Week 15. Thankfully, it is not for the same injury, and the new injury appears to be minor.
In one of his first catches of the day, an errant pass led him over the middle, where he was a sitting duck for safety. He took a hard hit to his side and was immediately in pain on the field.
Jefferson was taken to the locker room for further evaluation, where there was initially some concern. After being quickly ruled out of the game, he was taken to a local hospital for a more thorough examination. Fortunately, this proved to be the team just being cautious.
Released from the hospital that same night, Jefferson is likely dealing with a rib contusion. This injury can be painful but most players will try to play through it.
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson Injury Update 🤕
Taken to the locker room after this hard hit to the ribs/back👇
Expect X-rays to hopefully rule out a fracture 🤞🏽
IF negative, good chance he returns & plays through the pain 👀 #Skol #MINvsLV #AskFFT #NFL pic.twitter.com/mcyoaqjSkC
— Sebastian Fearon PT, DPT, CSCS, TSAC-F, OCS (@SGPNFootballDoc) December 10, 2023
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson is already back at practice and is expected to play this week – START.
Tyreek Hill (WR) Miami Dolphins
Injury: Ankle Sprain
Injury Date: 12/10/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 15: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Wan’Dale Robinson (WR) New York Giants
Tyreek Hill is the BEST fantasy football player this season. Part of his success is his ability to stay on the field, but this is in jeopardy as he finds himself on the Week 15 Fantasy Football Injury Report.
All of Miami held their breath as Tyreek Hill injured his ankle while being tackled on Monday night. Initially, the injury appeared to be serious as Hill clearly was in a lot of pain and having a hard time moving around.
He eventually made his way to the sideline, where he spent the next two quarters with the trainers.
After coming out of the locker room late to begin the second half and seemingly ruled out of the game, Tyreek Hill surprisingly returned. He made some nice catches and appeared to be moving around well on the ankle.
There are still a few concerns here. The first is that based on the injury mechanism, there is a good chance he’s dealing with a high ankle sprain. A high sprain is more serious than a typical low ankle sprain and takes longer to fully recover.
As Hill expresses below, he has also been dealing with ankle issues for the past several weeks now. His ankle ligaments are likely not fully healed, meaning the chance for reinjury is elevated.
I have no doubt Hill will lobby to play this week. However, just because he is out there does not mean he will be 100%.
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill talking about his ankle injury 🤕 #FinsUp
A few takeaways
1) Absolute beast to play through the pain
2) Glad to see he avoided a reinjury as risk was elevated
3) His ankle will 1000% be worth monitoring this week
4) NOTHING like a wife’s pep talk 😂 pic.twitter.com/NS87EA3zDC
— Sebastian Fearon PT, DPT, CSCS, TSAC-F, OCS (@SGPNFootballDoc) December 12, 2023
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill is dealing with an ankle sprain that will limit him but he’ll likely play through – JUDGEMENT CALL.
Josh Jacobs (RB) Las Vegas Raiders
Injury: Quad Strain
Injury Date: 12/10/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 15: 1 week
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Tyjae Spears (RB) Tennessee Titans
Nothing, and I mean NOTHING on the Raiders offense, worked last week. There are not many ways a shutout can get worse for an offense, but leave it to the Raiders to find a way. Starting RB Josh Jacobs injured his leg late in the game and missed the final few drives.
He is likely dealing with a quadriceps strain, referring to damage to the muscle in his upper leg. These injuries typically take a few weeks to heal and are tough to play with right away. At this point, Jacobs is not participating in practice on a short week and officially questionable to play.
Raiders RB Josh Jacobs is trending in the wrong direction this week with a quad injury – SIT.
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB) New England Patriots
Injury: High Ankle Sprain
Injury Date: 12/3/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 4-6 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 15: 2 weeks
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Ezekiel Elliot (RB) New England Patriots
The Week 15 Fantasy Football Injury Report rolls on with ANOTHER high ankle sprain. During the absolute snooze fest in Week 13, Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson injured his ankle and was carted off.
Unfortunately, the defender landed on the outside of his ankle while his foot was planted, leading to a high ankle sprain. This injury refers to damage to the ligaments holding the lower leg bones together.
This area located just above the ankle is responsible for lower leg shock absorption and stability. This is a difficult injury to come back from, but it does seem the sprain is fairly mild, as there was no fracture or talks of surgery.
However, even in mild cases, it typically takes 4-6 weeks for a player to fully recover. This is especially true for the RB position that has to rely on their cutting ability and run after catch.
Stevenson has yet to return to practice, and I don’t expect to see him back this week.
Patriots RB Rhamondre Stevenson is dealing with a high ankle sprain that will likely cause him to miss multiple weeks – SIT.
Jonathan Taylor (RB) Indianapolis Colts
Injury: Thumb Injury
Injury Date: 11/26/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 2-4 weeks
Recovery Time to Week 15: 3 weeks
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Ezekiel Elliot (RB) New England Patriots
After a dominant two-TD performance last week, Jonathan Taylor looked like a train that could not be stopped. Unfortunately, this train is off the track and on the Week 15 Fantasy Football Injury Report. After seemingly making it through the game injury-free, it was reported that he was dealing with a thumb injury.
A few hours later, news broke that he would be having surgery this week to repair his injured thumb. Injury specifics have not been released yet, but the team is hoping he only misses a few weeks.
Taylor missing only two games seems like the best-case scenario, and there is a real chance he finds himself on the IR. Taylor has yet to return to practice, and his return timeline is still a mystery. For now, it’s Zack Moss time.
Colts RB Jonathan Taylor’s thumb surgery will likely keep him out for at least one more week – SIT.
Aaron Rodgers (QB) New York Jets
Injury: Achilles Tear
Injury Date: 9/11/2023
Expected Recovery Time: 10-12 months
Recovery Time to Week 15: 14 weeks
Replacement Player(s) to Target: Jordan Love (QB) Green Bay Packers
After a badass patriotic entrance, New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers was quickly greeted with darkness. Just FOUR snaps into an incredibly hyped season, Rodgers completely tore his Achilles tendon, and it was over.
The Achilles tendon connects your calf muscle to your foot and requires surgery to repair. Rodgers now turns his sights to 2024 as he is looking at about a 10-12 month recovery window.
Although around 30% of players never return to playing after an Achilles tear, QBs do tend to come back at a higher rate. More good news is that the injury occurred to his left leg, which is his lead-throwing leg and does not require as much power as his back leg. More bad news: we have another year of watching Zach Wilson try to play QB.
Well, well, well. Just 79 short days later, Aaron Rodgers officially had his 21-day practice window opened. What does this mean? He has been medically cleared to begin football activities as part of his ramp-up process.
The Jets will have three weeks to decide if he is healthy enough to be activated off IR or miss the rest of the season. It does NOT mean he is cleared to play football and is nowhere near 100%.
I do NOT believe Rodgers will play another snap this season. Tune into this week’s Degen Docs to hear why (link above).
79 days. 🤯
In just 79 days Jets QB Aaron Rodgers
🇺🇸 Led his team on the field
🩼 Tore his Achilles Tendon
🏈 Returned to practice
1) INSANE
2) Did he actually fully tear his Achilles
3) What surgeon signed off on this
4) He will NOT play this season 🤷🏽♂️#TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/1VhtsTaFxX
— Sebastian Fearon PT, DPT, CSCS, TSAC-F, OCS (@SGPNFootballDoc) November 29, 2023
New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers lasted just four snaps before tearing his Achilles, and I still believe his season is over – DROP.
Top Waiver Wire Targets
Tyjae Spears (RB) Tennessee Titans
Parker Washington (WR) Jacksonville Jaguars
Wan’Dale Robinson (WR) New York Giants
Chase Brown (RB) Cincinnati Bengals
Hunter Henry (TE) New England Patriots
Davis Allen (TE) Los Angeles Rams
Joshua Palmer (WR) Los Angeles Chargers
Matthew Stafford (QB) Los Angeles Rams
Jayden Reed (WR) Green Bay Packers
Short-Term Injured Reserve
These players will miss a minimum of 4 games.
Darren Waller (TE) New York Giants
Luke Musgrave (TE) Green Bay Packers
Michael Thomas (WR) New Orleans Saints
Salvon Ahmed (RB) Miami Dolphins
Zach Ertz (TE) Arizona Cardinals
Evan Hull (RB) Indianapolis Colts
Kenny McIntosh (RB) Seattle Seahawks
Justin Shorter (WR) Buffalo Bills
Jelani Woods (TE) Indianapolis Colts
Season Ending Injured Reserve
These players will miss the entire season.
Anthony Richardson (QB) Indianapolis Colts
Tank Dell (WR) Houston Texans
Justin Herbert (QB) Los Angeles Chargers
Mike Williams (WR) Los Angeles Chargers
Kirk Cousins (QB) Minnesota Vikings
Kendrick Bourne (WR) New England Patriots
Daniel Jones (QB) New York Giants
Joe Burrow (QB) Cincinnati Bengals
Deshaun Watson (QB) Cleveland Browns
Cam Akers (RB) Minnesota Vikings
Nick Chubb (RB) Cleveland Browns
JK Dobbins (RB) Baltimore Ravens
Aaron Rodgers (QB) New York Jets
Commissioner Exempt List
Players are unable to play or practice until allowed off the list.
Hassan Haskins (RB) Tennessee Titans – Aggravated Assault Charges
