In the first week of the fantasy football playoffs, it is usually a “dance with the guy that brought you” kind of feel.
Unfortunately, many fantasy managers were not afforded that luxury, as several high-scoring fantasy WRs that no doubt got teams into the playoffs sat out the week.
Tyreek Hill, Chris Olave, and Nico Collins all missed their week 15 games, so can fantasy managers expect to get their services in Week 16?
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Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
If Tyreek Hill is on your fantasy team, there is a big chance you made the fantasy playoffs. You may, however, have had a tough time winning this weekend without him. The WR1 on the season sat out this week against the New York Jets, wreaking havoc in lineups across the land.
Hill exited during the first quarter in the Week 14 matchup against the Titans with what ended up being an ankle injury.
He did return for a short while but ended up spending much of the game on the sideline, playing only 47% of the snaps, his second-lowest amount all season. He finished Week 14 at the WR35.
There was concern heading into Week 15 about Hill’s ability to play. He had three days of consecutive DNPs and was listed as questionable heading into Sunday. It was communicated to the media that Hill was to warm up before the game, and he would make the call. Most analysts assumed he would play.
However, Hill was unable to go and spent the game on the sideline. The Dolphins ended up not needing Hill, and he gained an extra week of rest and rehab. Today, head coach Mike McDaniel commented on how close Hill was to playing on Sunday. “If you’re working a player out before the game, inherently, they’re close.”
Hill is aiming to make his return on Christmas Eve in a huge matchup against the Dallas Cowboys.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
He continues to chase that 2000-yard season, as he is currently sitting at 1,542 receiving yards. McDaniel also said, “His body will tell him and us when he’s ready to go, but I can promise you that he’s been as diligent as anyone.”
Jaylen Waddle delivered in Hill’s absence and would continue to be the No. 1 option in the receiving corps if Hill misses another game. Cedrick Wilson could also see an uptick in targets.
Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints
Editor’s note: Per Nick Underhill, Olave is expected to return and play in Week 16.
Another player who was a game-time decision on Sunday was Saints WR Chris Olave. Olave had been dealing with an ankle injury leading up to Week 16 and did not practice all week. Olave apparently tweaked his ankle in the Week 14 win over the Carolina Panthers.
The Saints did not practice on Monday and released a practice estimate. Olave was listed as a nonparticipant. When asked about whether Olave would practice this week, head coach Dennis Allen said on Monday, “I expect him to participate in some form or fashion.”
Allen said that it’s too early in the week to determine where he’s at, but Olave did have a good rehab day on Monday and is “expected to be around in walkthroughs.”
The Saints are on a short week, playing the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, and if Olave is sidelined another week, Rashid Shaheed could be the next man up. Shaheed didn’t deliver TD-wise on Sunday, but he did catch three of his four targets for 38 yards. TE Juwan Johnson could also be more involved, as could Taysom Hill, now that he’s another week removed from his foot and hand injuries.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
The WR16 on the season, Nico Collins, went down with a calf injury in Week 14 against the Jets and was only able to play 5% of the snaps. Week 15 saw the Texans dealing with the loss of their QB C.J. Stroud to concussion protocol as well as the question mark of whether Collins would be ready to take the field.
Collins took part in a lengthy pregame warmup on Sunday to test his calf and see if he would be able to play, but he ultimately decided he was not at a point where he deemed it safe to play. Thankfully, the Texans pulled out the win.
If Collins has to miss another game, I expect Noah Brown to step up once again. Brown caught eight of his eleven targets on Sunday for 82 yards and one TD with Collins out.
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