The WR injury report for Week 15 has some intriguing names on it, and fantasy football managers may be faced with some tough decisions. With three games on Saturday involving some borderline starting fantasy options, the latest injury reports around players on both days will be crucial to guiding start/sit decisions.
With all but the Monday Night Football teams having released an injury report for Week 15, let’s examine the latest updates for the likes of Tyreek Hill, Amari Cooper, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and others.
Please note that practice status listings are as follows: DNP – did not participate, LP – limited participant, FP – full participant.
WR Injury Report Heading into Week 15
Tyreek Hill, MIA | Ankle (Cleared)
All signs this week when it comes to the health of Tyreek Hill appeared to be positive. The speedy WR was able to return to the game after suffering his ankle injury last week. While he was hobbling at times, he still managed to make big plays and look explosive.
On Monday, Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that the situation with Hill appeared to be “bumps and bruises” rather than anything serious. Opening the week limited, even if it was just a walkthrough, was a good sign for Hill’s availability. He was then upgraded to a full participant on Wednesday, remained as such on Thursday, and was cleared to play this weekend.
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Barring a setback, Hill should be a starting option as normal this week. If he does end up as a surprise inactive, fantasy managers in deeper leagues could look to Trent Sherfield as an option. However, we have also seen more from Cedrick Wilson in recent weeks, so exactly who steps up is not a foregone conclusion.
It would have been notable for Underdog Fantasy Best Ball drafts if Hill was questionable entering this week. That could have knocked his value down a round or two in drafts, presenting an opportunity for value. There might still be some concern, but it seems like if you want Hill, you will have to pay the normal price for him.
Amari Cooper, CLE | Hip (Cleared)
The designation for Amari Cooper in Week 15 was confusing. We have gotten used to seeing Cooper with a rest day to open the week, but this week his designation on the Browns’ official injury report was “Not Injury Related – Rest – Hip.” So is it not injury related, or does he have a hip issue? As it turned out, Cooper was a limited participant Thursday but was cleared for the Browns game with the Baltimore Ravens on Saturday.
Cooper and Deshaun Watson have yet to look fully in sync. In Watson’s first game, they connected on four of nine targets for 40 yards. In his second game, it was two of seven targets for 42 yards. If you started Cooper in those two games, you were likely bitterly disappointed.
Tee Higgins, CIN | Hamstring (LP)
It’s great to see Tee Higgins open the week as limited on the Cincinnati Bengals’ injury report, but it’s also worth noting that Higgins was cleared from last week’s injury report only to leave the game after one snap due to his hamstring. It’s super hard to trust Higgins because, twice this season, he has been injured leading up to a game and then ended up leaving early.
This is a really tough situation for fantasy managers. Higgins is a stud, but he is close to impossible to rely on right now. Even if he’s cleared again this week, the shadow of last week will hang over him entering Sunday. If Higgins misses the game, then Tyler Boyd should get a boost, with Trenton Irwin likely to step up as the WR3.
With both Boyd and Higgins listed as limited this week, this situation for the Bengals is going to be a weird one all around.
Tyler Boyd, CIN | Finger (LP)
There was some thought that Boyd could be set to miss time with his finger issue. However, the fact he was limited in practice to open the week is a good sign. The hope is that Boyd continues to be limited or even progresses and can play this week.
The tough element is knowing how the finger injury will hamper Boyd come game time. Additionally, a finger injury presents a delicate situation for WRs in particular, as there is a high risk of re-injury.
Brandin Cooks, HOU | Calf (DNP -> LP)
There was a feeling starting to grow that Brandin Cooks could be done for the year. The Texans are already eliminated from the playoffs and had no reason to rush him back at this point. With Cooks’ contract for next season fully guaranteed, there does not appear to be a huge amount to gain by risking a player who is already disgruntled.
However, on Thursday, Cooks returned to practice as a limited participant, putting him on track to play this week potentially. The intriguing part will be what role Cooks has against the Chiefs. This matchup has some potential to be a good one for WRs. However, we will need to see his status heading into the weekend.
Nico Collins, HOU | Foot (DNP)
Normally, the absence of Cooks would be good for Nico Collins. However, after missing last week, Collins is a non-participant to open the week again in Week 15. If he plays, then the fantasy upside is considerable. Collins could see eight or more targets as the Texans look to figure out their offense while thinking ahead to 2023.
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If Cooks and Collins both miss the game, then it opens other opportunities. We saw Chris Moore break out in a big way last week. However, it’s hard to be sure that will happen again, even with a reasonably nice matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs and a game script that will likely see the Texans throw the ball plenty.
Julio Jones, TB | Knee (DNP)
The statement of Julio Jones is back on the injury report feels like a well-trodden phrase by now. The veteran WR has been a limited fantasy option for the last three weeks, averaging 3.67 receptions and 35.33 receiving yards. He has been a tough player to trust in 14-team leagues or shallower.
Treylon Burks, TEN | Concussion (DNP)
It’s not a good sign that Treylon Burks is still absent from practice in the concussion protocol. When a player is still not participating 10 days after entering the protocol, it usually means he is trending towards missing a second game. If he does play, Burks remains a fantasy option, as past concussions rarely impact players once they get into the game.
Kadarius Toney, KC | Hamstring (LP)
Opening the week as limited is a good sign for Kadarius Toney as he looks to get back on the field in Week 15. However, in all likelihood, if we do see Toney, it will be in a very limited role. The Chiefs have a number of other options, so they will likely not lean too hard on Toney, who they will want to be a difference-maker in the playoffs.
Even if Toney plays, he will be hard to trust outside of Best Ball formats.
Courtland Sutton, DEN | Hamstring (DNP)
Unless we see things change drastically, we should be in line for Sutton to miss his second-straight week. Even if he does end up playing, this offense has been extremely limited this year. Therefore, Sutton would be a tough player to trust in lineups.
Chase Claypool, CHI | Knee (DNP)
We saw Chase Claypool limited to open Week 13 with a knee issue before returning as a full participant on Thursday. Claypool played 63% of the snaps, seeing six targets and five receptions. However, starting this week and coming off a bye, it’s worrying to see him as a non-participant.
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We will need to see how Claypool progresses. Even if he is on the field, he’s not really a reliable option in anything more than 16-team leagues, and even then, he is a fringe option at best.
Corey Davis, NYJ | Concussion (DNP)
The fact that Davis is not back at practice Wednesday makes him a long shot to play this week. Players who have not returned by Wednesday when it comes to concussions do not usually end up playing on Sunday.