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With the fantasy football playoffs beginning this week, there are a ton of injury concerns around the NFL -- especially for star players. Fantasy managers could be without some of their top studs in Week 15, so it's important to get ahead of the new cycle. Our fantasy football injury reports as of Tuesday, December 12 will give you the latest news on the top banged-up players heading into Week 15 including Tyreek Hill, Justin Jefferson, Justin Herbert, Josh Jacobs, Jerome Ford, Geno Smith, Joshua Palmer, and Dalton Kincaid.
Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football. It's early in the week, but there's never a wrong time to check in on key players on your fantasy rosters.
To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news.
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Tyreek Hill Injury Update
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (ankle) told reporters that he is headed for scans on his injured ankle following Monday night's rough 28-27 loss to the Tennessee Titans. Hill made a brief return to action in Week 14 during the third quarter to close the game with four catches and 61 yards on five targets, which suggested the rolled ankle he suffered in the first half was not a significant setback.
The 29-year-old superstar seemed to be unavailable for Miami's final drive of the contest, however, which may bring about a different tune in terms of the severity of the issue. Hill also said postgame that he "doesn't want to sit out", but the 9-4 Dolphins are unlikely to deploy the MVP candidate at less than 100% down the stretch. The four-time All-Pro's practice status sets up to be a key Week 15 storyline leading into a divisional tilt against the New York Jets on Sunday and the start of the fantasy playoffs for many players.
Justin Jefferson Injury Update
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell considers wide receiver Justin Jefferson (chest) day-to-day with a chest injury he suffered in his return in the Week 14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday, and the team thinks he has a chance to play in Week 15 against the Cincinnati Bengals. The 24-year-old All-Pro was returning from a seven-game absence while on Injured Reserve due to a hamstring injury, but he caught only two passes for 27 yards before taking a hard shot on Sunday.
Jefferson was sent to the hospital as a precaution but was able to travel home with the team and isn't dealing with a serious injury. We'll keep a close eye on his practice participation on a short week, but if Jefferson is active against Cincy, he should be in all starting fantasy lineups.
Justin Herbert Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert (finger) is very likely to undergo surgery on Tuesday to fix his fractured right index finger, according to a source. Whether Herbert will be able to return this year will be determined by the surgery. However, with four games remaining in the regular season and the Chargers out of the playoff picture at 5-8, it's unlikely Herbert will return at this point.
He was listed as a non-participant on Monday's injury report and is not going to play on Thursday night in Week 15 against the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders. Fantasy managers that have been using Herbert all year will need to use their backup option or hit the waiver wire moving forward. In LA, Easton Stick is in line to make the first start of his career this week against the Raiders.
Josh Jacobs Injury Update
The Las Vegas Raiders listed running back Josh Jacobs (quadriceps) as a non-participant on Monday's estimated practice report after he was injured in Sunday's Week 14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. On a short week with a game this Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers, Jacobs is in danger of having to sit out. It's a tough time to potentially be without Jacobs for fantasy managers, with the playoffs starting in Week 15 in many leagues.
If the 25-year-old is able to suit up this week, the Raiders will likely roll with a combination of Zamir White and Ameer Abdullah in their backfield in a great matchup against the Chargers. Abdullah was on the field more than White on Sunday, and they combined for only three carries for 20 yards. Abdullah also caught both of his targets for seven yards in the passing game.
Jerome Ford Injury Update
Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said that running back Jerome Ford's X-rays on his injured hand/wrist came back negative on Monday. Ford finished the exciting 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars with 12 rushing attempts for 51 yards and five catches on six targets for 31 yards. Most of his rushing production came on a 26-yard pickup in the second quarter, and the 24-year-old was splitting backfield work evenly with Kareem Hunt.
As long as he stays active in the passing attack in the Browns' offense, Hunt should continue to have RB3/flex value for fantasy managers. Ford's injury shouldn't keep him from playing in Week 15, but he'll have a difficult matchup against the resurgent Chicago Bears defense on tap next weekend.
Geno Smith Injury Update
Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll was non-committal on whether quarterback Geno Smith (groin) would be able to return in Week 15 against the Philadelphia Eagles next Monday night. "We'll see how he comes back. These couple days right here just are so invaluable for him getting all the treatment he gets and then just the rest time," Carroll said. The Seahawks won't return to practice until Thursday this week, and fantasy managers may have a tougher decision on their hands if Smith is a true game-time decision to play again in Week 15.
The 33-year-old was hurt last Thursday in practice and was unable to play in the Week 14 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. If he's not cleared for next Monday, backup Drew Lock would make his second straight start. We'll have a better idea of Smith's status later this week.
Joshua Palmer Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Joshua Palmer (knee) was listed as a full-go on Monday's estimated practice report. The Chargers opened the 21-day practice window for Palmer to be activated off Injured Reserve last Wednesday, and there's a chance that they officially activate him before Thursday's contest versus the division-rival Las Vegas Raiders if he looks good on Tuesday.
The 24-year-old should resume his role as the No. 2 receiver in LA's offense behind target hog Keenan Allen when he returns, which has made him a popular stash candidate in fantasy leagues. However, the injury to quarterback Justin Herbert (fractured index finger) that could keep him out for the final four games of the year, means that Palmer probably isn't going to have much upside when he returns if he's taking passes from backup Easton Stick.
Dalton Kincaid Injury Update
Buffalo Bills rookie tight end Dalton Kincaid (shoulder) is being listed as day-to-day after injuring his shoulder in the Week 14 win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Kincaid downplayed his shoulder injury after Sunday's game and should be able to play in a Week 15 showdown against the Dallas Cowboys, but we'll continue to monitor his status throughout the week.
The 24-year-old played a healthy 79% of the offensive snaps in Dawson Knox's (wrist) return from Injured Reserve, but he had a disappointing 21 receiving yards on five receptions (eight targets). Knox, meanwhile, caught all three of his targets for 36 yards. Kincaid should continue to be the higher-ceiling TE in the Bills' offense, but the presence of Knox makes him a more volatile low-end TE1 moving forward. If Kincaid can't play in Week 15, Knox would jump right onto the TE1 radar.
Aaron Rodgers Injury Update
New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh didn't give any firm answers on quarterback Aaron Rodgers' (Achilles) comeback bid from a torn Achilles this year, saying he has "no idea" if it's realistic that Rodgers can return to play in Week 16 on Christmas Eve against the Washington Commanders. "We're approaching it as if he's in rehab and, when the doctor gives us his doctor's note to clear him for the next stage, that's when we'll have those discussions," Saleh said.
Rodgers' 21-day window to be activated from Injured Reserve closes on Dec. 21, so if he's not activated by then, he'll be forced to miss the rest of the season. The Jets will probably need to beat the Miami Dolphins in Week 15 for the team and Rodgers to seriously consider him returning, so this remains mostly a long-shot scenario for the future Hall of Famer to cap off what would be an incredible recovery.
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