After Los Angeles Chargers WR Keenan Allen missed last week’s game following a positive COVID-19 test, will he return to the field in Week 15? What is the latest status regarding the Chargers WR and running back Austin Ekeler, how has he performed this season, and should fantasy football managers worry about starting him if he plays?
Update 12/16/21: The Los Angeles Chargers announced that Keenan Allen would be active for their game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Is Keenan Allen playing in Week 15 against the Chiefs?
The Chargers placed Allen on the COVID-19 list on the Monday of Week 14 after he returned a positive test. Allen is vaccinated, so he simply needed to return two negative tests before he was able to return to the field for the Chargers. Unfortunately, he missed the LA’s Week 14 victory over the New York Giants as he was not able to return two negative tests in time to play.
However, Allen was able to clear COVID protocols on Tuesday ahead of Week 15. Therefore, barring an injury ahead of the game, Allen is expected to be on the field when the Chargers face the Chiefs on Thursday. Should fantasy managers have any concerns about starting Allen in Week 15?
How has Allen been performing for fantasy managers in 2021?
It has been a strong season for Allen in 2021. He is currently the WR14 in half-PPR formats, averaging 13.5 fantasy points per game. Allen has scored double-digit fantasy points in 10 of his 12 games this season. Additionally, he’s been a WR3 or better in 83% of his starts.
Overall, Allen has 89 receptions on 124 targets for 929 yards and 4 touchdowns. He is on pace to have his fourth 1,000-yard receiving season in five years. From a fantasy perspective, this will be the fifth straight year in which Allen has averaged more than 13 points per game in half-PPR formats.
What should fantasy managers do with the Chargers receivers in Week 15?
With Allen out, both Jalen Guyton and Josh Palmer had fantasy relevance last week. However, with Allen returning, it seems as though both could slip back into relative obscurity. The Chargers did use them both at times alongside Mike Williams last week.
Therefore, one of them could have value after Allen returns. Guyton has been playing around 50% of the snaps in recent weeks, even when Allen was healthy. In contrast, Palmer saw an increase from around 30-35% of the snaps per week to 87% in Week 14. It would seem likely that LA will go back to that split this week.
The only thing that may change is if Mike Williams is limited entering the game. Palmer could switch from playing Allen’s role to Williams’. It would be hard to know how many targets he’d receive there, but it would give him at least a chance to have value in Week 15.