The unfortunate reality of the NFL is that when players are allowed to go full speed, injuries are bound to happen. Week 15 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 on the injury report, leaving their status for Week 16 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 16? Which team could be making backup plans at QB?
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Update 12/15/21: The Ravens announced Saturday that Jackson would not travel with the team and will be out Sunday.
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Lamar Jackson (ankle) did not practice Friday and seems set to miss his second straight game. Tyler Huntley will get another start if Jackson cannot play on Sunday.
Tyler Huntley, Baltimore Ravens
Update 12/25/21: On Saturday, Huntley tested positive for COVID.
Per the Ravens’ official site, Tyler Huntley did not practice Friday due to a non-COVID-19-related illness. Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reported Huntley is still expected to play Sunday.
Sam Darnold, Carolina Panthers
On Wednesday, Panthers head coach Matt Rhule told reporters that Sam Darnold (shoulder) would get playing time on Sunday against the Buccaneers.
Darnold has been designated to return from the IR and still needs to be activated to the 53-man roster. Rhule also said Cam Newton would retain starting responsibilities and see the bulk of snaps.
Justin Fields and Andy Dalton, Chicago Bears
Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Justin Fields will not start Sunday and there is no guarantee he will serve as the backup due to an ankle injury that kept him out of practice this week.
The Bears’ official site reports Andy Dalton was activated off the reserve/COVID-19 list on Thursday. However, Rapoport reported that Dalton has been ruled out of Week 16 due to a groin injury.
Per head coach Matt Nagy, Nick Foles will start for the Bears on Sunday against the Seahawks.
Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum, Cleveland Browns
The Browns’ official site reports both Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum have been activated off the COVID-19/reserve list and will be active for Week 16.
Teddy Bridgewater, Denver Broncos
Troy Renck of Denver 7 News reports Teddy Bridgewater (concussion) has been ruled out of Week 16.
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Eric Woodyard of ESPN reports Jared Goff told 97.1 The Ticket Detroit that he tested positive on Monday. “I’m feeling good. I had some symptoms pop up really Sunday night after the game.” Tim Boyle would be in line to start should Goff miss Week 16.
Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
Per the Vikings’ practice report, Kirk Cousins (ribs) was upgraded to a full participant after recording a limited session on Wednesday.
Taysom Hill, New Orleans Saints
Per the Saints’ official site, Taysom Hill was placed on the COVID list. Per Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Hill was one of nine New Orleans players added to the list Thursday following positive tests.
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
According to the Eagles’ practice report, Jalen Hurts (ankle) was a limited participant Thursday.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Teresa Varley of the Steelers’ official site reports Ben Roethlisberger (pectoral/right shoulder) was limited at practice Thursday.
RB Injury Update
How is the injury bug affecting RB committees heading into Week 16? Will fantasy managers need to make backup plans just in case?
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
Josh Weinfuss of ESPN reports James Conner (heal) stated on Thursday he believes he should suit up Saturday against the Cardinals. However, Conner has not practiced all week and is listed as questionable for Week 16 against the Colts.
Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
Mary Kay Cabot of The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports head coach Kevin Stefanski doesn’t expect Kareem Hunt (ankle, reserve/COVID-19 list) to be available for Week 16.
Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys
Jon Machota of The Athletic reports Tony Pollard (foot) was a limited participant Thursday. Pollard played for the first time last week after he suffered a torn plantar fascia in his left foot in Week 13.
Melvin Gordon and Javonte Williams, Denver Broncos
George Stoia III of The Denver Gazette reports Melvin Gordon (thumb/hip) was upgraded to a limited participant on Thursday. However, does not expect to miss Week 16.
Stoia also reports Javonte Williams (knee) was a limited participant on Thursday for the second practice in a row. He expects to play Sunday.
D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions
Per the Lions’ practice report, D’Andre Swift (shoulder) was a limited participant Thursday. It was the second day in a row Swift managed to see the field after recording no activity for the last three weeks. He is questionable for Week 16.
David Johnson, Houston Texans
According to the Texans’ official site, David Johnson (quad) was a non-participant for the second straight day Thursday.
James Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars
Per the Jaguars’ practice report, James Robinson (knee) did not participate Thursday. Robinson was limited on Wednesday, and it was stated that Thursdays would be rest days for Robinson for the remainder of the season.
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
Rapoport reports that Austin Ekeler was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Wednesday after testing positive. Initial reports surfaced on Monday that Ekeler was heading to the reserve list, but the move was not made official until Wednesday. If Ekeler misses, the Chargers will rely on Justin Jackson as the lead back.
Cam Akers, Los Angeles Rams
Per the Rams’ official site, Cam Akers (Achilles) has been designated to return from IR. Akers tore his Achilles while training just before the start of training camp in mid-July. Akers could very well make his return in time for the playoffs but will miss the fantasy season.
Phillip Lindsay, Miami Dolphins
David Furones of the Sun-Sentinel reports Phillip Lindsay (ankle) was limited for the Dophins estimated practice Thursday. Lindsay was activated from the reserve/COVID-19 list earlier this week but is managing an ankle injury he sustained in Week 13.
Dalvin Cook, Minnesota Vikings
Rapoport reports Dalvin Cook was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday following a positive test. Reports are that Cook is unvaccinated and will enter a mandatory 10-day quarantine before returning to the team, assuming he can pass league-mandated testing at that time.
Brandon Bolden, Damien Harris, and Rhamondre Stevenson, New England Patriots
Per the Patriots’ official site, Brandon Bolden (knee) was a limited participant for the second day on Thursday. The Patriots also report that Damien Harris (hamstring) was limited again on Thursday. Harris missed Week 15, but the team hopes he can return in Week 16.
Mike Reiss of ESPN reports Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) has been ruled out of Week 16.
Saquon Barkley and Gary Brightwell, New York Giants
Dan Salomone of the Giants’ official site reports Saquon Barkley (ankle) practiced in a limited capacity Thursday. He expects to play Sunday. Salomone also reports Gary Brightwell (neck) was a limited participant Thursday and is questionable for Week 16.
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
Per the Eagles’ practice report, Miles Sanders (quadriceps) was a non-participant on Thursday. However, with the Eagles playing on Tuesday, this is their first practice this week ahead of Week 16.
Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks
Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic reports Alex Collins (abdomen) practiced on a limited basis Thursday.
Elijah Mitchell, San Francisco 49ers
Elijah Mitchell (knee) missed his third game in a row after sitting out against the Titans on Thursday night.
Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers’ official site reports Leonard Fournette (hamstring) was placed on IR Thursday. Thus, he will miss at minimum the next three games for the Bucs.
Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team
John Keim of ESPN reports Antonio Gibson (toe) didn’t participate in Thursday’s walkthrough practice. Gibson is managing a fracture in his shin, but his toe injury has kept him out of the first two sessions this week.