Welcome to the Awesemo NFL Injury Report for Week 15 NFL DFS and Fantasy Football lineups. Our team of NFL analysts will update breaking news in real-time and provide advice on how to attack NFL daily fantasy slates on DraftKings and FanDuel, as well as season-long fantasy football leagues on Yahoo, ESPN, CBS, and more.
Never Miss An Active/Inactive Ever Again Don't get burned by a player being ruled out last minute, use our New NFL Depth Charts page to see starting lineups and inactive players for every team.[SportsbookAffiliates]
Week 15 Injury Report | NFL DFS + Fantasy Football
Sunday, Dec. 20
Sunday Inactive List
Ronald Jones, RB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (COVID): Out
Alex Smith, QB | Washington Football Team (Calf):Â Out
Julio Jones, WR | Atlanta Falcons (Hamstring):Â Out
Deebo Samuel, WR | San Francisco 49ers (Hamstring): Out
Kenny Golladay, WR | Detroit Lions (Hip): Out
Damien Harris, RB | New England Patriots (Ankle): Out
Myles Gaskin, RB | Miami Dolphins (Covid): Out
Duke Johnson, RB | Houston Texans (Ankle):Â Out
Kyle Rudolph, TE | Minnesota Vikings (Foot):Â Out
Michael Thomas, WR | New Orleans Saints (Ankle):Â Out
Daniel Jones, QB | New York Giants (Ankle, Hamstring):Â Out
Antonio Gibson, RB | Washington Football Team (Toe):Â Doubtful
Christian McCaffrey RB | Carolina Panthers (Thigh):Â Out
Jakeem Grant, WR | Miami Dolphins (Hamstring): Out
Mike Gesicki, TE | Miami Dolphins (Shoulder): Out
DeVante Parker, WR | Miami Dolphins (Hamstring):Â Out
Ezekiel Elliott, RB | Dallas Cowboys (Calf): Out
Mark Ingram, RB | Baltimore Ravens: Out
Sunday Active List
Matthew Stafford, QB | Detroit Lions (Ribs): Expected
Chase Edmonds, RB | Detroit Lions (Ankle): Expected to play
DeVante Parker, WR | Miami Dolphins (Hamstring): Expected to play
Marquise Brown, WR | Baltimore Ravens (COVID): Expected to play
Miles Boykin, WR | Baltimore Ravens (COVID): Expected to play
James Robinson, RB | Jacksonville Jaguars (Knee): Expected to play
Drew Brees, QB | New Orleans Saints (Ribs): Expected to play
Mike Gesicki, TE | Miami Dolphins (Shoulder): Expected to play
Evan Engram, TE | New York Giants (Calf): Expected to play
Ezekiel Elliott, RB | Dallas Cowboys (Calf): Expected to play
Jimmy Graham, TE | Chicago Bears (Hip): Expected to play
James White, RB | New England Patriots (Foot): Expected to play
Alexander Mattison, RB | Minnesota Vikings (Core): Expected to play
Saturday, Dec. 19
Matthew Stafford, QB | Detroit Lions (Ribs):Â Reports during the earlier portion of the week seemed bleak regarding Stafford’s playing status for Week 15. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the Lions are preparing to start Stafford Sunday. Even with Stafford getting cleared to play in Week 15, he’s hard to trust, seeing that he’s not 100% healthy.
Antonio Gibson, RB | Washington Football Team (Toe): Gibson practiced with his team on Thursday, which gave Washington a glimmer of optimism that he would suit up for Week 15. Reports came in Friday afternoon, though that Gibson’s status for Sunday is now doubtful. It looks like Peyton Barber and J.D. McKissic will share the workload via the Washington running game. McKissic handled more snaps than Barber, with Mckissic seeing 65 percent of offensive snaps and Barber only seeing 48 percent. Heading into Week 15, Mckissic and Barber are on the lower end of the RB3 spectrum.
James Robinson, RB | Jacksonville Jaguars (Knee): Robinson practiced in full with his team on Friday. That news means that Robinson is good to go for his Week 15 match against the Baltimore Ravens. It’s not a very favorable spot for Robinson on paper. This could be a week where Robinson sees more involvement in the passing game, giving him a concrete floor. Robinson holds low-end RB1 value this Sunday.
Chase Edmonds, RB | Arizona Cardinals (Ankle): The Arizona Cardinals are listing Edmonds as questionable for Week 15 due to an ankle injury that sidelined Edmonds during practice this week. Edmonds status is genuinely up in the air at the moment and could become a game-time decision. Kenyan Drake will become an essential piece of the Cardinals running game if Edmonds cannot suit up this Sunday. The Cardinals face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, where Drake will become an RB1 if Edmonds sits.
Michael Thomas, WR | New Orleans Saints (Ankle):Â The Saints have ruled Thomas out for Week 15 due to an ankle issue. Tre’Quan Smith and Emmanuel Sanders will play larger roles in the Saints passing game with Thomas off the field. Sanders and Smith are intriguing DFS options this week, with Drew Brees returning under center. Alvin Kamara also gets a slight bump in targets when Thomas is away from the team.
Duke Johnson, RB | Houston Texans (Ankle):Â Johnson did not practice with his team Thursday or Friday. Not being able to practice during the week most certainly puts Johnson on the wrong side of his current questionable tag. Fellow running back David Johnson practiced in full this week and is ready to go and handle most of the work in the Texans’ running game if Duke gets ruled out.
Deebo Samuel, WR | San Francisco 49ers (Hamstring):Â Samuel will miss Week 15 against the Dallas Cowboys due to a hamstring injury sustained during Week 14. Brandon Aiyuk and Kendrick Bourne will play prominent roles in the 49er’s passing game during Samuel’s absence. Aiyuk has been a target monster when Samuels has been off the field and should continue to see a large share of targets this Sunday. Aiyuk is a WR2 with upside during Week 15.
Brandon Allen, QB | Cincinnati Bengals (Knee): Allen missed practice all week and, as expected, has been ruled out for Week 15. Ryan Finley will take snaps under center for the Bengals on Monday night.
Finley starting in place of Allen is a downgrade for the Bengals passing game. It also hurts the floors of skills players like Tyler Boyd, A.J. Green, and Tee Higgins.
Friday, Dec. 18
Drew Brees, QB | New Orleans Saints (Ribs):Â Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the New Orleans Saints have named Brees as the starter for Week 15. This is excellent news for the saints, who are coming off a tough Week 14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Taysom Hill will likely resume his role as a gadget player, and Brees will continue taking snaps under center for the Saints Sunday. The return of Brees is an upgrade to the Saints passing game. Brees returning also makes skill players such as Alvin Kamara and Michael Thomas more appealing on DFS platforms. Season-long fantasy managers of Kamara should also reap the benefits of Brees regaining control of the Saints offense. Brees can be viewed as a QB1 during Week 15 when the Saints face the Chiefs.
Julio Jones, WR | Atlanta Falcons (Hamstring):Â The Falcons have already ruled Jones out for week 15 due to hamstring soreness. It’s disappointing news for the Falcons, who have been struggling to keep Jones healthy this season. As we’ve seen in the past, Calvin Ridley and Russell Gage will see an increase in snaps and targets with Jones off the field. Ridley becomes a WR1 with upside in a game where Matt Ryan will often be passing. Gage is a Wr3 with Wr2 upside during Week 15.
Matthew Stafford, QB | Detroit Lions (Ribs): Stafford did not practice with the Lions on Friday. According to reports, Stafford will travel with the team to Tennessee to attempt and play against the Titans during Week 15. Interim head coach Darrell Bevell told the media that Stafford doesn’t need to practice to play this Saturday. It sounds like it will come down to pain tolerance. The Lions may wait until pre-game warm-ups to make the final call on this situation. Chase Daniels will take snaps under center if Stafford doesn’t play on Saturday.
James Robinson, RB | Jacksonville Jaguars (Knee): Robinson was a limited participant at practice for the Jaguars on Thursday. This same scenario happened last week, and Robinson still played a vital role in the Jaguars running game last Sunday. Robinson faces one of his toughest matchups of the season during Week 15 when the Jaguars face the Baltimore Ravens. Robinson is a low-end RB1 this week.
Raheem Mostert, RB | San Francisco 49ers (Ankle):Â Mostert practiced with his team on Thursday on a limited basis. This news bodes well for his Week 15 availability after not practicing on Wednesday. Friday’s injury report will be a telling story of this situation. Jeff Wilson will start in place of Mostert in a favorable matchup against the Dallas Cowboys if Mostert happens to miss any time.
Devonta Freeman, RB | New York Giants (Ankle, Hamstring, COVID): Freeman has been faced with a slew of injuries this season that has kept him sidelined. He returned to practice in full for the Giants on Friday and has a legit shot at suiting up this week. Wayne Gallman has been the Giants’ lead running back during Freeman’s absence. If Freeman gets cleared to play, there’s no telling how the Giants may decide to split this workload. Gallman should retain his role as the teams’ front runner while Freeman should see work on third downs and in the passing game.
Alex Smith, QB | Washington Football Team (Calf): Smith sustained a calf injury that will keep him sidelined during Week 15. Smith has been ruled out, and Dwayne Haskins will take snaps under center for the Washington Football Team. Haskins being under center is an upgrade to pass-catcher Terry McLaurin. Washington has a Week 15 match against the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday.
Thursday, Dec. 17
Ezekiel Elliott, RB | Dallas Cowboys (Calf): Elliot has been a limited participant at practice due to a calf injury over the last couple of days. The Cowboys have kept him off to the side doing resistance training heading into a Sunday matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Elliott is expected to play during Week 15. If Elliot does miss any time, Tony Pollard will get the start in the Dallas backfield. Elliot is an RB2 with not much upside for this Sunday.
Brandon Allen, QB | Cincinnati Bengals (Knee): Allen was sidelined from practice on Thursday due to a knee injury. Allen has struggled to make the most of his opportunities under center during Joe Burrow‘s time away from the team. Over his last three contests, Allen has thrown 84 passes completing 54 of those for 506 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. The Bengals have a Monday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers during Week 15, giving him an extra day to get healthy. Allen is not someone to considered for season-long fantasy managers. The Pittsburgh Steelers defense is firmly in play this week.
Jamison Crowder, WR | New York Jets (Calf): Crowder managed to practice with his team on a limited basis Thursday. It’s an upgrade from his Wednesday practice status, seeing that he was a non-participant. There’s nothing that indicates that Crowder won’t play during Week 15 at the moment. However, Crowder has a daunting matchup against the Los Angeles Rams this Sunday and is hard to recommend. The Rams secondary is at the top of their game right now. They are allowing the fewest point to opposing wide receivers.
Kyle Rudolph, TE | Minnesota Vikings (Foot): Rudolph hasn’t practiced all week due to a foot injury sustained during Week 13. The Vikings aren’t expecting Rudolph to play in Week 15. Instead, Irv Smith, who has been outstanding in his most recent starts, will replace Rudolph this Sunday. The Vikings have a relatively favorable matchup against a Chicago Bears team that allows the fourth-most catches to tight ends on the other side of the ball this year. Smith is a TE2 with upside in Week 15.
Kenny Golladay, WR | Detroit Lions (Hip): Season-long fantasy managers that have made it this far with Golladay on your roster, I salute you. Golladay remained a non-participant at practice for the Lions on Thursday. It seems that Golladay will miss his 7th consecutive game this week when the Lions face the Tennessee Titans. The Lions skill players aren’t trusty worthy for season-long fantasy managers searching for help during the playoffs.
Daniel Jones, QB | New York Giants (Ankle, Hamstring): Jones was a limited participant for the Giants at practice on Thursday due to ankle and hamstring injuries. Reports and rumblings through the Twitterverse claim that Jones is unlikely to play during Week 15. Jones has managed to string together two limited practice sessions this week gives the Giants a bit of optimism. If Jones gets cleared, there’s a good chance he may reaggravate that hamstring. Colt McCoy will take snaps under center if Jones cant play Sunday.
Mike Williams, WR | Los Angeles Chargers (Back): Williams is not expected to play during Thursday Night Football against the Los Angeles Chargers, according to a report from NFL Network’s Adam Schefter. The Chargers may be without stud receiver Keenan Allen this evening as well, as he battles through hamstring soreness. The Chargers will see how Allen feels during pregame warmups and make a judgment call from there. Jalen Guyton and Tyron Johnson could become heavily involved in the Chargers passing game Thursday evening. Update: Allen and Wiliams are both active for Thursday Night.
Wednesday, Dec. 16
David Johnson, RB | Houston Texans (COVID): Johnson didn’t play Week 14 due to being considered a close contact to a person exposed to COVID. The Texans have activated Johnson from the teams’ injured reserve/COVID list on Wednesday. Johnson resumed practicing with his team and looks set to play for the Texans during Week 15. Duke Johnson filled in during Johnson’s absence last week and produced an underwhelming performance. Johnson will resume starting running back responsibilities this Sunday. The Texans have a tough match against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 15. Johnson doesn’t offer much upside in a Houston offense that’s struggling.
Brandin Cooks, WR | Houston Texans (Neck): The Texans expect Cooks to return to play during Week 15. The Texans are expecting Cooks to return to play during Week 15. He was ruled out during Week 14 due to neck soreness after being tagged questionable throughout the week. Cooks has a match against an Indianapolis Colts defense that in Week 13 he caught five passes for 65 yards on eight targets. Cooks will resume his role as the team’s top receiving option and can be viewed as a WR2 with some upside in Week 15.
Ronald Jones, RB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (COVID): Reports came out from the Tampa Bay camp this afternoon that they are placing Jones on the injured reserve/COVID list. Jones had two pins inserted into his fractured pinky on Tuesday and was already in danger of missing Week 15. It looks like the team will turn to veteran running backs Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy to split the load for the Buccaneer’s running game Sunday.
Marquise Brown, WR | Baltimore Ravens (COVID): The Ravens placed Brown on the team’s injured reserve/COVID list Wednesday afternoon. It’s terrible news in terms of his availability for Sunday. Brown would need two consecutive negative tests to play during Week 15. Myles Boykin will join Brown on the team’s covid list as well. The Ravens activated Dez Bryant from the injured reserve/COVID list to the active roster during the earlier portion of the week. It looks like Devin Duvernay, Willie Snead, and Bryant will play roles in three-receiver sets for Baltimore during Week 15 if Brown is ruled out.
Drew Brees, QB | New Orleans Saints (Ribs): The Saints have designated Brees for return from the injured serve list on Wednesday. This now opens a 21-day window for the Saints to activate Brees back to the active roster. Rumblings that Brees could start in Week 15 have begun to surface. However, it’s more likely that the Saints start Taysom Hill one more Week before Brees resumes taking snaps under center.
Julio Jones, WR | Atlanta Falcons (Hamstring): Jones is off to a bad start this week. He was a non-participant at practice Wednesday due to a hamstring injury. The Falcons listed jones as week-to-week heading into a matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. Russell Gage and Calvin Ridley (foot) will continue to play vital roles in the Falcons passing game if Jones cant play in Week 15. Gage is coming off a Week 14 performance where he caught 5 of 7 targets for 82 yards. Gage also threw for one passing touchdown to Ridley, who had a spectacular day himself. Ridley ended his week 14, catching 8 of 14 targets for 124 yards and a touchdown. Ridley is the preferred pass catcher of the two and will be a WR1 during Week 15 if Jones doesn’t play.
Henry Ruggs, WR | Las Vegas Raiders (COVID): Ruggs was placed on the Raiders injured reserve/COVID list on Tuesday. Ruggs is being ruled out for Week 15. It’s been quite the up and down season, to say the least for the rookie wideout. Nelson Aghlor, Bryan Edwards, and Hunter Renfrow will take the field during three-receiver sets for the Raiders. The Raiders have a Thursday night match against the Chargers. Season-long fantasy football managers that may have needed help from Ruggs in the playoffs will need to look in another direction.
Christian McCaffrey RB | Carolina Panthers (Thigh): McCaffrey was a non-participant at practice for the Panthers on Wednesday. Panthers head coach Matt Rhule told reporters that he does not expect McCaffrey to suit up during Week 15. Week 16 will be McCaffrey’s next opportunity to play. Mike Davis will get another start for the Panthers during McCaffrey’s absence. Davis rushed for 51 yards on 11 attempts and found paydirt twice during Week 14. Davis is an RB2 with RB1 upside heading into a Saturday match against the Green Bay Packers during Week 15.
Robert Woods, WR | Los Angeles Rams (Thigh): The was held out of practice for the Rams on Wednesday due to thigh soreness. Woods played on 78% of snaps for the Rams last week and gets a favorable matchup against a Jets team in Week 15 that hasn’t managed to win yet this season. Woods’s absence at practice could be a maintenance thing. Thursday’s injury report will be much more telling and give us much more clarity regarding Woods’s availability for Week 15.
James Robinson, RB | Jacksonville Jaguars (Knee): Robinson was a limited participant at practice for the Jaguars on Wednesday due to a knee injury. It appears that Robinson is still dealing with the same injury that kept him limited at practice last week. It doesn’t appear that Robinson is in any danger of missing Week 15 at the moment. The situation is still worth keeping an eye on as we head into the weekend. The Jaguars have a matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15, and Robinson can be viewed as an RB1 if cleared to play.
Tuesday, Dec. 15
Matthew Stafford, QB | Detroit Lions (Ribs): According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, Stafford is in danger of missing Week 15 due to a rib injury. The Lions haven’t ruled Stafford out yet. However, if you’re a season-long fantasy football manager in the playoffs in need of Stafford, he will likely be ruled out later in the week and isn’t a dependable option. It looks like Chase Daniel will be taking snaps under center for the Lions this Sunday if Stafford gets ruled out. Daniel under center is a downgrade to the entire Detroit passing game.
Ronald Jones, RB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Finger): Head coach Bruce Arians confirmed to reporters that Ronald Jones played through injury last week. Jones seems to have fractured his pinky that could require a pin. It’s very early in the week, and we don’t have confirmation about what the Buccaneers plan to do yet. Teammate Leonard Fournette was a healthy scratch during Week 14 and would likely get the start if Jones sits. If Jones gets cleared to play, he’s a top-10 option at the running back position for Week 15. Tuesday’s practice for the Buccaneers will give us more clarity here. Update: Jones is having surgery on his finger to have a pin placed in it Tuesday.
Deebo Samuel, WR | San Francisco 49ers (Hamstring): Samuel exited his match during Week 14 against the Washington Football Team on the 49ers’ first offensive play. It seems that Samuel injured his hamstring and was unable to return to play afterward. Samuel was visibly frustrated after sustaining the injury. Nick Wagoner of ESPN reports that it’s possible that Samuel could be out for the season’s duration. Kendrick Bourne and Brandon Aiyuk become essential components to the 49ers’ passing game while Samuel is away from the team. Aiyuk is a WR2 with WR1 upside this week. The 49ers will face the Cowboys in Week 15.
John Brown, WR | Buffalo Bills (Ankle): Leg or foot injuries have been a thing for Brown all season long. Brown is eligible to return from the injured reserve list, and his 21-day activation window is now open. Brown will return to practice with the Bills on Tuesday. Barring any setbacks in practice during the week, Brown may suit up this weekend. Brown’s return to action would be a boost for the Buffalo passing game, giving them the ability to stretch the field. The Bills will play the Broncos this Saturday. Brown is a WR2 with slight upside this week.
Jakeem Grant, WR | Miami Dolphins (Hamstring): Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports that the Dolphins have labeled Grant as week-to-week. Grant sustained a hamstring injury during Week 14, and his Week 15 status is now in question. Being tagged week-to-week is never a good sign and usually means the team plans on sitting him. DeVante Parker left last week’s contest due to a hamstring injury and seems to be a bit dinged up as well. Lynn Bowden filled in and played a vital role in the Miami passing game during the narrow loss to the Chiefs. Bowden could become a target monster in season-long fantasy football leagues with PPR scoring if Parker and Grant miss time. Bowden also becomes a cheap and intriguing option on DFS platforms.
Raheem Mostert, RB | San Francisco 49ers (Ankle): Mostert sustained an ankle injury during his Week 14 contest against the Washington Football Team. An MRI was done on Mostert’s ankle on Monday, and the 49ers are patiently waiting for the results. Jeff Wilson likely will start if Mostert misses any time due to his bad ankle. Jerick McKinnon did not play a single snap during Week 14. Unless we get word that McKinnon will be getting work, he should be avoided
Alex Smith, QB | Washington Football Team (Calf): Washington is optimistic that Smith will play in Week 15. Smith suffered a calf injury that kept him sidelined during the second half of his Week 14 contest last Sunday. It is worth mentioning that Smith injured the same leg that he broke during 2018, so it makes sense that Washington wanted to be cautious by holding him out last week. Dwayne Haskins will take snaps under center if Smith can’t play Sunday. Washington has a match with the Seattle Seahawks this Sunday. Haskins is a much more mobile quarterback than Smith giving the Passing game for Washington a very slight bump this week.
Follow us on all of our social channels! Check out our Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube for more great Awesemo content.
Looking for more NFL DFS picks content? We have loads of articles, including NFL DFS injuries and fantasy football advice, data, cheat sheets, and more on the Awesemo NFL home page. Just click HERE.
