Injury Questions: Week 15
Welcome to Week 15 of the National Football League, Fantasy Division. This is it people! The playoffs are here and you can't make a single misstep. Below I have the injury questions and a few injury answers that we need to pay attention to before setting those lineups in stone, or whatever computers are made of.
As a last minute primer let Pat Daugherty answer your lineup questions with his Week 15 Rankings. For sleepers, let Nick Mensio fill you in on the best targets. And always be sure to read Evan Silva's detailed look at every game in his Matchups column.
1 PM GAMES
Steelers at Falcons
* Julio Jones (hip) is questionable after missing practice all week. He’ll be a true game-time decision, but thankfully this is an early game. If he can’t go, give Roddy White and Harry Douglas big bumps in your rankings.
Jaguars at Ravens
* Denard Robinson is out for the season with a foot injury and Toby Gerhart will most likely get the start but split carries with Jordan Todman and Storm Johnson.
* Torrey Smith (knee) is listed as probable, although he looked hobbled on the practice field and didn’t sound overly optimistic about his chances. Steve Smith Sr. would see the biggest bump if he can’t go.
* Lorenzo Taliaferro (foot) is questionable, but looks like he won’t be able to go. That should help Justin Forsett at least in theory.
Packers at Bills
* Eddie Lacy (hip) is probable after sounding concerned that he wouldn’t be able to go just a day ago. If he starts, you start him, but DFS’ers may want to hold off with a possible timeshare with James Starks.
Buccaneers at Panthers
* Bobby Rainey (ankle) is questionable after getting limited work in on Thursday and Friday. You don’t really want a piece of this backfield, if you can help it anyway.
* Austin Seferian-Jenkins (back) is questionable and most likely will play, but has shown very little to recommend starting him in the fantasy playoffs.
* Cam Newton (back) won’t play and Derek Anderson will start in his place. Anderson’s passing ability should be able to keep Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen in your lineups.
* DeAngelo Williams (hand) is doubtful so Jonathan Stewart will get the bulk of the work on Sunday.
Bengals at Browns
* Jermaine Gresham (toe) is questionable. He could go, but is not a recommended play.
* Isaiah Crowell (hip) practiced in full this week. He most likely will still split work with Terrance West, but being healthy should give him the edge after deferring to West to start last week’s game.
Texans at Colts
* Andre Johnson (concussion) is listed as questionable. He still could be cleared to play for Sunday, but there’s no guarantee of that happening.
* Garrett Graham (ankle) has been ruled out. Ryan Griffin and C.J. Fiedorowicz will be the Texans' tight ends.
* Reggie Wayne isn’t on the injury report, but we know he has a torn triceps and is playing hurt. His actual playing time this week is anyone's guess really.
* Vontae Davis (concussion) is probable and looks like he’ll go. It’s not great news for DeAndre Hopkins, but he’ll be able to avoid him often and if Andre Johnson can’t go, he’ll have plenty of opportunities.
Raiders at Chiefs
* Denarius Moore (knee, ankle) is out after falling down the stairs at the team hotel in Week 14.
* Jamaal Charles (knee, ankle) is probable after getting limited practices in Thursday and Friday. Coach Andy Reid says he will see a full workload on Sunday. Start ‘em if you got ‘em.
Dolphins at Patriots
* Charles Clay (hamstring, knee) is questionable. His nagging injuries have been a drain on his production all season, but it looks like he’ll be able to go this week.
* Many Patriots’ players are questionable. Bill Belichick is up to his usual habit of stuffing the injury report with names that will play their normal snaps.
Washington at Giants
* Colt McCoy (neck) is listed as questionable but is on track to start.
* Roy Helu (toe) has been ruled out. Silas Redd should get more work.
* DeSean Jackson (shin) was able to get in limited practices this week, but is still considered a game-time decision. Last week he wasn’t able to practice at all so it seems his chances are probably better than 50/50.
* Eli Manning (back) is probable after being listed as limited in practice this week. He’ll be a go in a good matchup.
* Rashad Jennings isn’t on the injury report and should see more work than last week, but the scuttlebutt is that they may go the hot-hand approach. This is a tough matchup already and Jennings will need plenty of touches to have a good fantasy day.
4 PM GAMES
Broncos at Chargers
* Ronnie Hillman (foot) is questionable after returning to Broncos practice this week. C.J. Anderson will continue to be the lead back.
* Ryan Mathews (ankle) is questionable after missing practice all week. He still has a chance to play, but if he does, don’t expect him to be 100% or be able to finish the game. If he doesn’t go, Donald Brown and Branden Oliver would most likely split work.
*Ladarius Green (concussion, ankle) is questionable. He’s off fantasy radars already.
Jets at Titans
* Percy Harvin (ankle) is listed as questionable after making a speedy recovery. He was able to get a limited practice in on Friday and if he has no setbacks is looking like he could go.
* Jace Amaro (concussion) has been fully cleared and will play.
* Jake Locker starts at quarterback for the Titans with Zach Mettenberger (shoulder) out.
* Kendall Wright (hand) is questionable and is looking like a game-time decision.
Vikings at Lions
* Cordarrelle Patterson (hamstring) is questionable after being limited in Friday’s Vikings practice. He’s not a fantasy option anyway.
* Reggie Bush (ankle) is questionable after missing Wednesday’s practice and getting limited practices in on Thursday and Friday. He will most likely be used once again as a complementary back to Joique Bell.
49ers at Seahawks
* Stevie Johnson (knee) has been ruled out. Brandon Lloyd will take his spot in three receiver sets.
SUNDAY NIGHT
Cowboys at Eagles
* No notable fantasy player injuries
MONDAY NIGHT
Saints at Bears
* Brandon Marshall has been put on Injured Reserve and Marquess Wilson will take over opposite Alshon Jeffery for the Bears' final three games.
