The unfortunate reality of the NFL is that when players are allowed to go full speed, injuries are bound to happen. Week 14 of the NFL season was no exception. Now that fantasy football managers are updating their lineups for the coming week, several players have found themselves either on the injury report or reserve/COVID-19 list, leaving their status for Week 15 up in the air.
Note that as more injury designations are announced on Friday, we will update the injury report to reflect the latest news.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: QB update
With the weekend fast approaching, which signal-callers are in jeopardy of missing Week 15? May each player heal quickly.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Lamar Jackson did not practice on Friday due to an ankle injury he sustained in Week 14. Jackson had missed both of the Ravens’ previous practices this week and now missed the final walkthrough. If Jackson can’t go, Tyler Huntley would be in line to make his second start of the season.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Chris Brown of the Bills’ official site reports Josh Allen was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice due to a toe injury he suffered in Week 14. The Bills are viewing Allen as day-to-day while he deals with a mild case of turf toe on his left foot. He’s expected to play.
Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum, Cleveland Browns
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports Baker Mayfield tested positive on Wednesday and will be placed on the NFL’s reserve/COVID-19 list. Mayfield is one of 25 Cleveland Browns players to be added to the COVID list, not including head coach Kevin Stefanski. Mayfield could still play if he can pass NFL protocols.
Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports Case Keenum also tested positive on Thursday. With Mayfield on the list as well, Nick Mullens serves to be the starting QB.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Rob Demovsky of ESPN reports Aaron Rodgers (toe) did not practice Thursday. Rodgers has been dealing with a fractured pinky toe for weeks and noted after Week 14 that it was feeling worse but is expected to play.
Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Dan Salomone of the Giants’ official site reports Daniel Jones (neck) did not practice Thursday. Jones suffered a neck strain in Week 12 and has missed each of the team’s practices and games since.
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Per the Eagles’ practice report, Jalen Hurts (ankle) was a limited participant Thursday. Hurts continued to split first-team reps with Gardner Minshew, who started in place of Hurts in Week 13.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Dale Lolley of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral/shoulder) was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. Thursdays are typically a scheduled day off for the veteran QB.
Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen, Washington Football Team
Both Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen have been placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Garrett Gilbert — who Washington just signed on Friday — is in line to start Sunday against the Eagles.
RB Injury Update
How is the injury bug affecting RB committees heading into Week 15? Will fantasy managers need to make backup plans just in case?
James Conner and Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals
Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reports James Conner did not participate Thursday. Darren Urban of the team’s official site reported Conner sustained an ankle injury near the end of their Monday Night Football game in Week 14.
Despite being designated for return on December 9, Chase Edmonds has yet to rejoin the team but was an unofficial game-time decision in Week 14. Edmonds still has two weeks in his 21-day window to return, but we could see him return this week if Conner continues to miss practice.
Christian McCaffrey, Carolina Panthers
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports Christian McCaffrey tested positive on Tuesday and was transferred from IR (ankle) to the reserve/COVID-19 list. McCaffrey’s season was already over, but he will have to stay away from team facilities until he clears protocols.
Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery, Chicago Bears
Per the Bears’ practice report, Khalil Herbert and David Montgomery (illness) were non-participants Thursday. Also, according to the Bears’ Twitter account, Ryan Nall was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports Kareem Hunt (ankle) has been ruled out of Week 15 against the Raiders.
Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
Adam Caplan of SiriusXM NFL Radio reports Tony Pollard (foot) practiced in a limited fashion Thursday. Pollard was a DNP Wednesday but managed to get in some work as he deals with a torn plantar fascia in his left foot.
Mike Boone, Melvin Gordon, and Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
Mike Klis of 9News Denver reports Mike Boone was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday due to a positive test. In addition, Aric DiLalla of the Broncos’ official site reports Melvin Gordon (thumb/hip) was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. While Gordon may come into Week 15 listed as questionable, he does not seem in danger of missing the game.
DiLalla also reports Javonte Williams (knee) did not participate Thursday, but Broncos head coach Vic Fangio expects him to play Sunday against the Bengals. “His leg just kind of swelled up a little bit, and so we’re going to give him the day off,” Fangio said Thursday.
D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions
Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports D’Andre Swift (shoulder) did not practice Thursday. Swift hasn’t been on the field since suffering an AC joint sprain of his shoulder in the Lions’ Thanksgiving Day loss to the Bears. Already eliminated from playoff contention, it would not come as a surprise if the Lions shut him down.
Schefter of ESPN reported Jamaal Williams was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Friday after testing positive.
Aaron Jones, Green Bay Packers
ESPN’s Demovsky reports Aaron Jones was a non-participant Thursday due to an illness. Jones was listed as limited on Wednesday’s estimated injury report due to a knee issue as well. So far, the illness appears to be non-COVID related.
Rex Burkhead, Houston Texans
Rex Burkhead was listed as limited on Thursday with a hip/quad injury. However, Brooks Kubena of the Houston Chronicle and Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk 790 Houston also reported head coach David Culley stated that Burkhead would not be ready to play against the Jaguars on Sunday.
Carlos Hyde and James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Beat writer John Shipley of the Jaguar Report stated on Friday that Carlos Hyde (concussion) has been ruled out for Week 15 as he remains in NFL concussion protocol.
James Robinson (heel/knee), meanwhile, also did not participate at practice on Thursday. According to Mark Long of the Associated Press, Robinson was a limited practice participant Wednesday and rested at Thursday’s session, which is the plan for the rest of the season.
Darrell Henderson Jr., Los Angeles Chargers
Darrell Henderson Jr. was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on December 11. He was not activated in time for their Week 14 game, missing his second game in a row after a hip injury kept him out of Week 13.
Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed, Phillip Lindsay, and Malcolm Brown, Miami Dolphins
Last Friday [December 10], the Dolphins placed Myles Gaskin on the reserve/COVID-19 list. Then, on Saturday, Salvon Ahmed was added, followed by Phillip Lindsay on Monday.
However, Miami designated Malcolm Brown (quadriceps) to return from IR on Thursday. The veteran RB hasn’t played since Week 7 due to a lingering quad injury, but he could play Sunday in a significant role if the above players are forced to miss.
Alexander Mattison, Minnesota Vikings
Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports Alexander Mattison was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday. Mattison now enters the 10-day minimum quarantine protocol as he is unvaccinated.
Brandon Bolden and Damien Harris, New England Patriots
According to the Patriots’ practice report, Brandon Bolden is questionable for Saturday night’s game against the Colts after a week of limited practices due to a knee injury.
On the other hand, Damien Harris (hamstring) has been ruled out for Saturday after practicing on a limited basis but not showing enough improvement to where the team felt comfortable playing him on a shorter week. Rookie Rhamondre Stevenson will handle primary responsibilities for the backfield.
Mark Ingram, New Orleans Saints
Jeff Duncan of The Athletic reports the Saints placed Mark Ingram on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday. It was reported that Ingram is vaccinated and will need to pass protocols before returning.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Salomone reports that Saquon Barkley (ankle) was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. Barkley was a DNP Wednesday, making his limited session seem as if Barkley is progressing towards playing.
Michael Carter, New York Jets
Per the Jets’ official site, they have designated Michael Carter (ankle) to return from IR. Carter suffered a low-grade high ankle sprain in Week 11 and can be activated in advance of Sunday’s game against Miami, barring any setbacks.
In addition, Rich Cimini of ESPN reports Tevin Coleman (concussion) was listed as a full practice participant Wednesday. Coleman was inactive for the Jets’ Week 14 loss to the Saints but appears to be progressing towards playing in Week 15.
Jordan Howard and Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
Per the Eagles’ practice report, Jordan Howard (knee) was a limited participant Thursday. He’s missed the Eagles’ last two games. Likewise, Miles Sanders (ankle) also practiced limitedly. Sanders has been limited in both practices this week after tweaking his ankle that forced him to miss Weeks 8-10.
Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks
Brady Henderson of ESPN reports Alex Collins was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list after testing positive Thursday.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Matt Maiocco of NBC Sports Bay Area reports Elijah Mitchell (concussion/knee) didn’t practice Thursday. He has yet to practice since sustaining a concussion in Week 13.
Giovani Bernard and Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers report that Giovani Bernard (hip/knee) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday. Bernard was forced out of the Bucs’ Week 14 overtime win against the Bills due to a hip injury.
On Friday, Jenna Laine of ESPN reported that head coach Bruce Arians said Leonard Fournette would play on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints after recording a full practice on Friday. Arians told Greg Auman of The Athletic on Wednesday that Fournette is tending to a sore ankle, which has forced him to miss practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
J.D. McKissic, Washington Football Team
John Keim of ESPN reports J.D. McKissic (concussion) didn’t participate in Thursday’s practice.