RADIO
Another week, another quarterback injury. While this may be a receiver injury article, the level of play receivers get from their quarterback is crucial to their fantasy production. The loss of Justin Herbert is going to have a huge impact on Keenan Allen, Joshua Palmer, and Quentin Johnston who is coming off his best two games of the season. Several other big-name players were either knocked out of their respective Week 14 games or were in and out due to injury.
There are some very big names that fantasy managers will need to track this week. Those include Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, Ja'Marr Chase, Keenan Allen, and Nico Collins. All five of these receivers suffered new injuries this past week and were either completely knocked out of their game or had their playing time affected. With fantasy playoffs starting this week, fantasy managers will have several injuries they'll need to track.
Let's look at some of the biggest receiver injuries fantasy managers should be tracking for Week 15. As always, if you have any start/sit questions, please give me a follow @RobFFSlayer on X, formerly known as Twitter. My DMs are always open and I am more than willing to answer any fantasy football-related questions. Good luck this season to everyone reading!
Editor's Note: Our incredible team of writers won two writing awards and received 12 award nominations by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association. A big congrats to our very own Byron Lindeque (Golf) and Jordan McAbee (NASCAR) for both winning Writer Of The Year awards! Be sure to follow RotoBaller's analysis and advice all year long, and win more. Win More With RotoBaller!
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Hill looked like he got his ankle trapped underneath a defender on a tackle this past weekend. He was able to sprint off the field but didn’t return to the field until the second half. He appeared to be his normal self when he was on the field, but he didn’t play as much as he was accustomed to. From looking at the injury, there were some concerns of a possible high ankle sprain and Hill has been dealing with an ankle injury for the past couple of weeks.
#Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel announced that WR Tyreek Hill is day-to-day with an ankle injury, while C Connor Williams has a torn ACL and is done for the year.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 12, 2023
Head coach Mike McDaniel has categorized Hill as “day-to-day,” which would seem to imply that Hill is likely to play this upcoming weekend against the Jets. Fantasy managers should be expecting Hill to be a DNP on Wednesday and Thursday. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Hill as a DNP all week before ultimately suiting up on Sunday. Hill is their most dangerous weapon and they need him healthy in the playoffs.
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
In his first game back, Jefferson ended up taking a hard shot to the midsection. Out of precaution, he ended up being transported to the hospital for more testing. He was ruled out of the game and did not return. Whatever testing that was done at the hospital must have come back negative, a good sign for Jefferson and fantasy managers.
#Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell considers WR Justin Jefferson day-to-day with his chest injury — a sign of a positive outcome from testing. He has a chance to play this weekend.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 11, 2023
Head coach Kevin O’Connell indicated Jefferson is day to day and has a “good chance” to play in Week 15. The Vikings are in the midst of a playoff battle and every game counts. Like Hill, fantasy managers should expect multiple DNPs for Jefferson to start the week out of caution.
Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Chase didn't seem like he was injured at all this past weekend. He played over 95% of the snaps and finished with 12 targets, 11 receptions, 149 yards, and one touchdown. However, it seems as though he must've tweaked his ankle at some point. The Bengals play this week on Saturday, so they were required to complete an injury report today compared to the typical Wednesday timeline for Sunday games. The practice they held today was just a walkthrough, so it's possible the DNP was purely maintenance than any reason for concern.
Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase (ankle) would not have practiced had the Bengals had one today, the team estimates.
Cincinnati holding a walkthrough this evening.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 12, 2023
Based on Chase's performance last weekend, the DNP for a walkthrough is no reason to get concerned. At this time, the most likely scenario is that Cincinnati is just giving Chase extra time off. Fantasy managers will get more information throughout the week, but at this time there doesn't seem any reason to be concerned.
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Allen has dealt with multiple injuries in the past few weeks. He has missed practice time due to a quad injury and a shoulder injury. Both injuries had knocked him in and out of games, but for the most part, Allen has played through them all. He hasn’t missed any games and has been an elite fantasy producer. He is now dealing with a heel injury. He was an estimated DNP on Monday.
Keenan Allen (heel) listed as DNP in practice again Tuesday.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 12, 2023
He was a DNP again yesterday. This and the fact that the Chargers have a short turnaround with a game against the Raiders this Thursday might make it difficult for Allen to play this week. The Chargers have officially been eliminated from the playoffs and their star quarterback Justin Herbert was just put on IR. It’ll be interesting to see if either factor plays a role in Allen’s availability. He is currently 31 years old and under contract for next year. The team may be cautious with him. Fantasy managers will need to track his practice status moving forward.
Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Collins injured his calf early in Houston’s game this past weekend. He was unable to return and was ultimately ruled out. Reports after the game indicated he was diagnosed with a strained calf. There was no timetable provided.
No update on Nico Collins from #Texans coach DeMeco Ryans. It's a strained calf per league source
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 11, 2023
The Texans are currently in a fight for one of the final playoff spots. With rookie Tank Dell already on IR, the team desperately needs Collins on the field. At this time, there’s little information regarding his potential availability this upcoming weekend. Fantasy managers should consider him 50/50 right now and will need to track his practice status throughout the week.
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
Following the Packers’ loss to the Giants, it was reported that Reed was being evaluated for a concussion. As of right now, there’s been no confirmation that Reed has been diagnosed with one or that he’s been placed in the concussion protocol. However, this is a situation fantasy managers will need to follow throughout the week.
Jayden Reed is being evaluated for a concussion
— Wes Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) December 12, 2023
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Watson had been playing well recently. In the final moments of their upset win over the Chiefs, Watson, in an attempt to stay in bounds, went to take a knee and injured his hamstring. Watson was a DNP Wednesday-Friday leading up to Week 14. He was officially ruled out on Friday for a Monday Night game. That would seem to indicate he wasn’t all that close to playing in last week’s game.
Packers rule out WR Christian Watson (hamstring) for Monday's game vs. Giantshttps://t.co/38zVqVWwIc pic.twitter.com/N7HwWd5Ope
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 9, 2023
Watson has dealt with hamstring injuries during his rookie season last year and earlier this year. It’s been a nagging injury for him this year and he seems like he could be in danger of missing Week 15 as well. After a full week of DNPs last week, fantasy managers will need to track his practice status for his likely availability this weekend. Right now, he should be considered on the wrong side of questionable.
Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals
Brown was a DNP Wednesday-Friday leading up to their Week 13 game against the Steelers. He was struggling with a heel injury, however, there wasn't any other information regarding what it was or the severity. Ultimately, Brown ended up being active. He played around 50% of the game but did not record a single catch. He eventually aggravated the injury and did not return to the game.
Status alert: Marquise Brown (heel) questionable to return Sunday.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 3, 2023
The Cardinals have a bye in Week 14, which will give him an extra week to get healthy. Fantasy managers may not get much of an update on Brown's injury until next week since Arizona is not required to submit an injury report since they do not have a game. Due to their bye week, fantasy managers will need to wait for the first practice report later today.
Demario Douglas, New England Patriots
Douglas took a hard hit in Week 12 and there were concerns that Douglas may have had a concussion. However, Douglas was evaluated for one and passed the protocol, but he did not return to the game. He spoke to the media after the game, an indication that at that time, he was not in the concussion protocol. Later in the week though, he started having concussion symptoms and was ultimately diagnosed with a concussion. He was a DNP Wednesday-Friday leading up to their Week 13 and was ultimately ruled out. The Patriots had a short turnaround in Week 14 with a Thursday game. He was a DNP all of last week. We'll see if he can get back on the practice field this week, which would be an indicator he's progressing through the concussion protocol.
Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers
Palmer injured his knee in Week 8. He was diagnosed with a sprained knee and was ultimately placed on IR. This meant he would miss the next four games. The Chargers opened Palmer's 21-day practice window last week and was a limited practice participant leading up to Week 14. He was a full participant on Tuesday and head coach Brandon Staley all but guaranteed he would be active this week Thursday against the Raiders.
Joshua Palmer (knee) will play Thursday.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 12, 2023
Palmer's return comes at the best and worst time. It's the best time for the Chargers because Mike Williams is already on IR and Allen may not be able to play this week, but it's the worst time because star quarterback Justin Herbert is also now on IR.
Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints
Shaheed injured his quad in Week 12 and only played 26% of the team's snaps. He was very quickly ruled out and since then reports have indicated he'll likely miss a week or two. He was a DNP Wednesday-Friday and was ruled out for Week 13. Shaheed was a DNP Wednesday-Friday leading up to Week 14 and was ruled out, which was his second missed game.
Rashid Shaheed's quad injury is more serious that initially believed and he will not play this week, per source. Initially thought to be a contusion, a second opinion showed it is more serious.
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) December 9, 2023
Based on reports that came in late last week, it's possible Shaheed could miss another week. With Michael Thomas already on IR, the Saints could really use Shaheed. As of right now, based on the late report last week, fantasy managers should consider Shaheed on the wrong side of questionable this week.
Tank Dell, Houston Texans
Dell only played 13% of the snaps last weekend before exiting the game due to a serious leg injury. His leg ended up getting rolled up on a running play on the goal line. Dell needed to be carted off and was quickly ruled out. Reports after the game indicated Dell had broken his fibula and would end up going on IR. He's already undergone surgery, which ends his 2023 season.
Rap: Tank Dell diagnosed with fractured fibula; will be placed on IR.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 3, 2023
Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars
Kirk ended up getting hurt on his first catch during their Monday Night game against the Bengals. Kirk was ruled out and was unable to return to the game. At first, it was speculated that Kirk had injured his groin, but new reports indicate that Kirk will require surgery for core muscle surgery. He will require surgery, which will also end Kirk's season for fantasy football purposes.
#Jaguars WR Christian Kirk suffered a core muscle injury on his catch last night and is expected to need surgery. Rehab for a core muscle issue is generally about eight weeks.
If Kirk is ready at eight weeks, he could play in the Super Bowl if Jax makes it. A little earlier…
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 5, 2023
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
Thomas ended up suffering a knee injury early in the Saints' Week 10 game. He did not return the game and was quickly ruled out. Unfortunately, the injury he suffered seems to be of the more serious variety. Head coach Dennis Allen called it a significant injury after the game, and officially placed him on IR:
It means that fantasy managers won't have him to close out their regular season and they might not even be able to count on him if they make the postseason. He is not eligible to return until Week 16, which makes him an incredibly difficult player to trust.
Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App
Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!
