Inside the Tent - Week 15 NFL Injury Insight

At RotoBaller, we can't stress enough the importance of keeping up with injuries and playing your best lineup week after week. Players are going to get injured, that's an unavoidable fact. What's avoidable though is making the wrong roster decisions based on the injuries surrounding your fantasy squad. If you want to dominate your leagues and win some dough in daily contests, you have to be proactive with injury research.

That's where I come in to serve you, the readers! I'm Aaron Burger, a Doctor of Physical Therapy in Pittsburgh, PA. About three years ago, I decided to combine my love, fantasy football, with what I've been learning for years now: injuries and the human body. Each week, I'll be checking in on fantasy's biggest injuries to keep you informed.

Be sure you also have RotoBaller bookmarked and follow us on social media to catch all the latest NFL news and updates. Feel free to reach out on Twitter (@aaronburgerPT) for any injury questions!

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Inside the Tent Updates

Drew Brees, QB - New Orleans Saints

• Brees is dealing with fractured ribs and a collapsed lung and was placed on injured reserve on November 20th. According to NFL Network, the Saints were targeting a Week 15 return for Brees and that's what they'll get. He will be under center when the Chiefs come to town on Sunday evening. This is great news for those with Alvin Kamara on their team as he should be a frequent target for Brees. Kamara resumes being an RB1, just in time for the fantasy semi-finals.

Daniel Jones, QB - New York Giants

• Jones sustained a hamstring strain in Week 12 and missed Week 13 as a result. In Week 14, he was able to play but it was clear the hamstring was bothering him and his mobility was significantly hindered. He was eventually replaced with Colt McCoy. This week, he was able to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. At the end of the day, Colt McCoy will likely be the one taking snaps for the Giants in Week 15 so plan accordingly.

Joe Mixon, RB - Cincinnati Bengals

• Mixon is dealing with a midfoot sprain that has now caused him to be sidelined since Week 7. He was placed on injured reserve on November 21st. Speaking on December 9th, head coach Zac Taylor ruled Mixon out for Week 14 but did not rule out a return before season's end. At this point, it wouldn't make much sense for Mixon to return considering the Bengals are out of playoff contention and they've already had one key player, Joe Burrow, get significantly injured this season. As for this week, Mixon wasn't able to practice once again.

Christian McCaffrey, RB - Carolina Panthers

• McCaffrey is dealing with a shoulder sprain which occurred in Week 9. He was set to return in Week 14 for the fantasy playoffs but ended up straining his quadriceps. This week, McCaffrey was limited on Tuesday but was not able to practice on Wednesday or Thursday. He will be OUT for Week 15.

Antonio Gibson, RB - Washington Football Team

• Gibson is dealing with turf toe which is notorious for keeping players out for multiple weeks at a time. He was able to practice in a limited fashion on Friday after not being able to practice on Wednesday and Thursday. Players often need multiple days of limited practices or a full practice before playing so Gibson is DOUBTFUL for Week 15.

Kenny Golladay, WR - Detroit Lions

• Golladay was once again not able to play in Week 14 due to his hip injury. At this point, it's confusing as to why he has not been placed on injured reserve. He has not practiced this week and will not play in Week 15. Managers can feel safe dropping him in re-draft leagues.

D.J. Moore, WR - Carolina Panthers

• Moore sustained an ankle injury in Week 12 although his x-rays were negative. Before Week 14, he was placed on the COVID-19/reserve list and was unable to play as a result. He was removed from this list on Wednesday and was able to practice in a limited fashion all week. It seems as if Moore is returning just in time for the fantasy playoffs.

Julio Jones, WR - Atlanta Falcons

• Jones is once again dealing with a hamstring strain that kept him out of Weeks 12 and 14. He was unable to practice all week and is OUT for Week 15. It would take multiple limited practices in a row if he's going to suit up in Week 16 for the fantasy championships.

Brandin Cooks, WR - Houston Texans

• While dealing with a neck injury sustained in Week 13, Cooks was able to turn in limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday before practicing in full on Friday. With this practice pattern, it's likely Cooks will play as the Texans take on the Colts in Week 15.

Last Week's Injury Updates

Matthew Stafford, QB - Detroit Lions

• Injury: Stafford is once again dealing with a late season injury and this time, it's to the cartilage in his ribs. He took a hard hit to the midsection late in Week 14 but was able to finish the game per usual. There is cartilage that helps attach ribs to the sternum and vertebrae and these can become extremely painful following blunt force trauma. It's been said that cartilage injuries are actually more painful than broken ribs themselves.
• News: Stafford was not able to practice at all this week but will travel with the team to Tennessee. He is a true game-time decision and managers should have a back-up plan in place for Sunday.
• Outlook: If Stafford is able to play, it's possible that every throw is a struggle for him. With that being said, Stafford is one of the tougher players year in and year out so there's a greater than zero chance he plays this week. The Lions will need him out there as they're double-digit underdogs and Derrick Henry is beginning his December reign. Marvin Jones Jr. is a solid play whether Stafford plays or not.

Alex Smith, QB - Washington Football Team

• Injury: Smith sustained a right calf injury in Week 15 and was not able to return to the game against his former team, the San Francisco 49ers. He's likely dealing with a Grade I calf strain which has the possibility to linger. Even worse, this is the leg Smith had surgically repaired followed by numerous infections.
• News: Smith wasn't able to practice all week and has been ruled OUT for Week 15.
• Outlook: With Smith out for the time being, the Football Team will once again return to Dwayne Haskins as he auditions for a job next year, likely somewhere other than Washington. This is a bump up for Terry McLaurin as he was a favorite target or Haskins last season. As the Football Team plays the Seahawks in Week 15, they may find themselves down which will lead to a more pass-happy game script.

Ronald Jones II, RB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Injury: Jones sustained a fractured pinky and subsequently had a pin placed in it to stabilize the fracture. Shortly thereafter, Jones was placed the COVID-19/reserve list.
• News: Jones will be OUT for Week 15 as the Buccaneers take on the Falcons.
• Outlook: Leonard Fournette will resume getting more work in the Tampa Bay backfield, just in time for the fantasy semi-finals. Jones will likely return next week and his practice status will be worth monitoring early in the week.

Raheem Mostert, RB - San Francisco 49ers

• Injury: Mostert sustained an ankle injury in Week 14 against Washington after he's had a significant history of such. If it's the typical lateral ankle sprain, it's possible Mostert will play in Week 15 but if it's a high ankle sprain, he will be significantly limited if he's able to suit up.
• News: Mostert was unable to practice on Wednesday but was able to practice in a limited fashion on Thursday and in full on Friday.
• Outlook: Mostert will indeed play in Week 15 after his full practice on Friday. As with all soft tissue injuries, there's a risk for re-injury. Jeff Wilson Jr. would be the one to handle the bulk of RB snaps if Mostert was to go down and the Cowboys can certainly be had on the ground.

DeVante Parker, WR - Miami Dolphins

• Injury: Parker sustained a hamstring strain in Week 14 in his left leg. The hamstring group is on the back of the thigh and helps athletes when accelerating and decelerating. He's likely dealing with a Grade I strain which is the least severe.
• News: He was able to practice in a limited fashion all week and is on track to play in Week 15 against the Patriots.
• Outlook: Parker will likely draw the coverage of Stephon Gilmore so expectations should be tempered. He hasn't had the best connection with Tua Tagovailoa thus far and that may not change against a cornerback as talented as Gilmore. Parker is a high end WR3 in Week 15.

Deebo Samuel, WR - San Francisco 49ers

• Injury: Samuel sustained a hamstring strain on the first play from scrimmage in Week 14. He may be dealing with a more significant strain based on reports and overall feelings from 49er beat reporters. If he's dealing with a Grade II strain, this will keep him out for the remainder of the season but he will obviously be ready for 2021.
• News: Samuel is OUT for Week 15 against the Cowboys.
• Outlook: Brandon Aiyuk is in a great position in Week 15 agianst a porous Cowboys Defense and no Samuel to share targets with. Expect double digit targets for Aiyuk with more value in PPR formats. He can be started with confidence in the fantasy semi-finals.

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