The recent COVID-19 outbreaks across the NFL has created chaos in the NFL fantasy football streets. With all of the craziness surrounding Week 15, we need to look into the NFL injury report and break down who we can trust. Below I’ve analyzed all of the injury news updates, and given some start/sit advice for your lineups heading into the first week of the 2021 fantasy football playoffs.
Week 15 Fantasy Football Injury Report & News Updates Today
Elijah Mitchell – RB – San Francisco 49ers
Mitchell is dealing with swelling in his knee and he will not play against the Falcons this week. This will be his second consecutive miss, though he is not on the injured reserve, so we should expect him to return next week. Where we are sitting now, Jeff Wilson Jr. is the lead running back on the team, but Deebo Samuel will be seeing carries that will limit Wilson’s upside.
Jalen Hurts – QB – Philadelphia Eagles
Based upon what head coach Nick Sirianni said we should see Hurts play this week against the Washington Football Team. Especially since the game has been moved to Tuesday. This gives Hurts even more time to recover. Even with this, picking up Gardner Minshew is ideal to have a backup plan in case of Hurts missing.
Jordan Howard – RB – Philadelphia Eagles
With Miles Sanders and Howard returning this week following their bye week, Howard fades out of fantasy relevance. Though it should be noted that Sirianni loves to give the ball to Howard so we could see Sanders value diminished despite his strong performance in their last game.
D’Andre Swift – RB – Detroit Lions
Swift has been officially ruled out against the Cardinals with a shoulder injury. This gives us two scenarios of how the backfield plays out this week. One way is that Jamaal Williams is cleared to play and you start him. The other way is that Williams also misses and we see Craig Reynolds be the guy in the committee system. We saw Reynolds have eleven carries for 83 yards and two receptions for 16 yards against the Broncos last week. If that is the case Reynolds is an alright start but not ideal.
Lamar Jackson – QB – Baltimore Ravens
Based on what head coach John Harbaugh says, Jackson has a chance to play this week against the Packers despite missing practice all week. It seems as though this is going to be a classic wait until pre-game to know if he will play situation. If he misses Tyler Huntley will be the starter, who has little fantasy relevance against the Packers. This does not mean that you should fade the notable players on the team but it certainly limits their potential without Jackson.
Emmanuel Sanders – WR – Buffalo Bills
Sanders is listed as doubtful this week against the Panthers. In his absence, we should see more of Gabriel Davis, who has scored a touchdown in both of his last two outings. This will also give a boost to Cole Beasley, who was targeted heavily last week having nine receptions on eleven targets for 64 yards against the Buccaneers.
Josh Allen – QB – Buffalo Bills
Allen was removed from the final injury report on Friday. Even with the foot injury, he should be widely considered as a top-end fantasy quarterback on the week. Though it is important to note that his ability to run as effectively may not be there with the foot injury.
Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson – RB – New England Patriots
Harris was ruled out against the Colts this week. Even with him practicing in a limited fashion all week but ultimately was designated to be out on the 17th. This elevates Rhamondre Stevenson into the starting role and he should be able to have top twenty-four value on the week at the running back position.
James Conner and Chase Edmonds – RB – Arizona Cardinals
We should see a committee system in Edmonds return with Conner slated as the lead back. While Edmonds has been out Conner has elevated himself into a must-start fantasy option weekly and with Edmonds returning we should see Conner be the leader in touches out of the two.
Leonard Fournette – RB – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Fournette practiced fully on Friday and will play up against the Saints. While many were panicking after he missed practice on Thursday, head coach Bruce Arians gives us the confidence that Fournette will be good to go.
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