Fantasy Football Injury Reports For NFL WRs: Week 15 Updates for Tyreek Hill, Deebo Samuel, Tee Higgins, Amari Cooper, and DJ Moore

Yikes. Week 14 was a bloodbath for the receiver position. It was certainly one to forget and one that came at an especially terrible time with the fantasy playoffs starting this week. Several starting-level receivers left their respective games early, leaving fantasy managers down a starter and in some cases, maybe even two considering how many receivers were affected by injuries this week.

The hope is that most of these players will be able to get back onto the field this week, but for others, that won't be realistic. Having ample depth has never been more important than right now and hopefully those affected by this past weekend's injuries will have a few quality options on their bench.

Let’s look at some of the biggest receiver injuries fantasy managers should be tracking for Week 15. As always, if you have any start/sit questions, please give me a follow @RobFFSlayer.

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Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins

Tyreek Hill sustained an ankle injury in the first half of the loss to the Chargers. He came back out for the second half with an ice pack wrapped around his ankle. However, Hill battled through the injury and played the majority of the third quarter. It wasn’t until the fourth quarter that Hill began missing time.

With Miami having a Saturday game, they were required to submit an injury report yesterday. While the team didn’t hold an official practice, they estimated that Hill would have been a limited participant. That’s good news considering initial reports stated there was a chance he could miss their Week 15 game.

Tyreek Hill (ankle) was limited at #Dolphins practice. pic.twitter.com/0qPNRvrUqF

— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) December 13, 2022

At this time, fantasy managers should be cautiously optimistic that Hill suits up for a big divisional game against Buffalo this weekend. He’ll likely be limited throughout the week as the team looks to lessen his role this late in the season, but based on his limited practice status on Tuesday, Hill is trending in the right direction.

Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers

Head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Deebo Samuel has been diagnosed with a left MCL sprain and a left ankle sprain and that he should return in “three-ish” weeks. That puts fantasy managers in a really tough spot.

Deebo Samuel is projected to be out of action "three-ish" weeks with knee and ankle issues. - per Kyle Shanahan

— Jennifer Lee Chan (@jenniferleechan) December 13, 2022

Based on the initial reports, there’s virtually no chance Samuel plays in Week 15, and fantasy managers should be making alternative plans right now. His Week 16 availability is in doubt too, and right now, that seems like a long shot as well. Week 17 seems to be the first chance Samuel has to possibly get back on the field, but that’s Championship week for a lot of leagues and there’s a decent chance he’d be on a snap count if he returns after just two games.

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

Good luck deciphering this one. Higgins was a DNP on Wednesday and followed that up with two limited practice appearances on Thursday and Friday. Based on his practice status, most of the time, you’d expect a questionable tag, but a favorable one. However, Higgins was taken off the injury report completely and didn’t have an injury status. This ensured Higgins would be active and he was. He just only played one snap.

Did he aggravate the hamstring injury on that one snap? Who knows. Reports from early this week indicated that Higgins would be undergoing further medical evaluation on his hamstring. Head coach Zac Taylor called him “day-to-day.” What that means, however, is incredibly difficult to understand.

Bengals WR Tee Higgins and WR Tyler Boyd both day-to-day, per Zac Taylor.

— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 12, 2022

At this time, Higgins should be considered 50/50 for his upcoming availability this weekend. Even if he is active, it’ll be really difficult to trust him in starting lineups unless he gets a few full practices this week, which seems highly unlikely.

Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns

Amari Cooper was listed as a DNP last week Wednesday, but this was listed as veteran rest. On Thursday, however, Cooper injured his hip, which resulted in him getting in just a limited practice session. He did not practice at all on Friday and was questionable leading into their Week 14 game. He was active and played 86% of the team’s snaps, which is in line with the rest of his snap counts this season, so he didn’t seem limited by the injury.

#Browns Amari Cooper on his hip injury: "It's getting better...obviously it was a hindrance anytime you're not 100%."

Said that's part of the NFL and you just have to play through things like that.

— Camryn Justice (@camijustice) December 13, 2022

The Browns play this Saturday and they were required to submit a practice report yesterday. They didn’t have an official practice, but he was estimated as a DNP. Since he played through the injury this past week and there were no reports that he aggravated the injury, fantasy managers should expect him to play this upcoming weekend. He may not practice much this week, if at all, as the team looks to give him as much recovery time as he needs.

D.J. Moore, Carolina Panthers

D.J. Moore played 96% of the team’s snaps in their Week 14 win over the Seahawks, but following the game, Moore was diagnosed with a knee sprain. He had image testing done and the reports have been positive. He is now considered “day-to-day” and it was reported the injury is not significant.

Panthers’ WR D.J. Moore is now considered “day-to-day” with a knee sprain, per source, who added it’s “nothing significant.”

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 12, 2022

Moore is a cornerstone player, a building block for the rebuilding Panthers. Even though the Panthers are very much alive in the NFC South playoff race, they’re unlikely to put Moore into harm’s way given the state of their 2022 season. Moore signed a lucrative extension in the offseason, so fantasy managers should expect a cautious approach. I’d consider Moore, based on these circumstances, to be on the wrong side of questionable at this time, but it seems like he’ll only miss one game, if at all.

Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots

Jakobi Meyers missed the Monday night game against the Arizona Cardinals due to a concussion. Meyers was unable to get in a limited practice last week and was ruled out on Friday. That means he still has a few steps to pass through before gaining clearance to return to action in Week 15.

Jakobi Meyers, Jalen Mills and Isaiah Wynn all officially ruled out for Monday night. Damien Harris is doubtful after not practicing this week. Trent Brown and Yodny Cajuste questionable. pic.twitter.com/B1MvlnF8vE

— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) December 10, 2022

Concussion recovery is different for everyone, which makes it incredibly difficult to predict what Meyers’ availability might be this weekend. However, most players typically miss just 1–2 games from a concussion, so based on that, Meyers has a good chance to return this week.

Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans

Treylon Burks left the Week 13 game against the Eagles early in the first quarter after being ruled out with a concussion. Like Meyers, Burks was unable to practice in any capacity last week, indicating he has several steps to go through yet.

Treylon Burks (concussion) ruled out for Week 14.

— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 9, 2022

As players progress through the concussion protocol, they are provided more opportunities to practice. As he progresses, he’ll be able to practice in a limited capacity and then hopefully get in a full practice before the end of the week. His practice status will give fantasy managers a good idea of where Burks is in the protocol. There’s a good chance he returns this week based on historical data of concussions, but as noted early, each player recovers differently. The practice reports this week should inform us of what his availability will likely be.

Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos

Courtland Sutton left the Week 13 contest early with a hamstring injury. Head coach Nathaniel Hackett described the injury as being “day-to-day.” That definition lends itself to the injury being minor and possibly just a one-week absence. However, it should be noted that Hackett also called Jerry Jeudy “day-to-day” following his ankle injury and Jeudy missed two games.

Courtland Sutton reminds day-to-day with his hamstring injury, per Hackett.

"We want to be sure that we’re smart with him.”

— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) December 13, 2022

Sutton did not practice in any capacity last week, indicating he wasn’t all that close to participating this past weekend. He was ruled out on Friday and fantasy managers should be planning to be without him again this week. He should be viewed on the wrong side of questionable and considering their record, there’s no reason to rush Sutton back. At this time, Sutton should be viewed as highly unlikely to play this upcoming weekend.

Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans

Brandin Cooks has now missed back-to-back games with a calf injury. Even more concerning is the fact that he was unable to practice in any capacity last week and was ruled out on Friday. He has not progressed to the point of even being a game-time decision.

WR Nico Collilns (foot), WR Brandin Cooks (calf), DL Kurt Hinish (shoulder), CB Derek Stingley (hamstring) all ruled out for Sunday vs. Cowboys.

FB Troy Hairston (chest/ribs) and OL Justin McCray (hamstring) are questionable.

— Jonathan M Alexander (@jonmalexander) December 9, 2022

Considering his veteran status and the state of the Texans’ season, the team and Cooks himself are likely going to be very cautious about getting back onto the field. There has not been any talk of him going on IR, which would have indicated a more serious injury. Still, fantasy managers would be hard-pressed to be counting on Cooks this upcoming weekend. There’s been somewhat limited information on his injury thus far, but considering what we do know, Cooks should be viewed on the wrong side of questionable heading into Week 15.

Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals

Rondale Moore has not played since Week 11. He’s missed games in Weeks 12 and 14 and the team had their bye in Week 13. Following the groin injury he sustained in Week 11, there was no talk about a possible IR stint, but he’s coming up on possibly three missed games at this point. Despite coming out of the bye last week, Moore was unable to return to the practice field in any capacity, a concerning sign.

Cardinals Week 14 inactives
WR Rondale Moore (groin)
CB Byron Murphy (back)
QB Trace McSorley
S Charles Washington (chest)
LB Jesse Luketa
OL Rashaad Coward (chest)

— Chuck Harris (@chuckh3) December 13, 2022

Even if Moore is able to return this week, with Kyler Murray now done for the season, and with Marquise Brown and DeAndre Hopkins both finally healthy, he’ll be almost impossible to trust. Fellow slot receiver Greg Dortch received limited work this past Monday as the team opted to use Brown/Hopkins in the slot with the third receiver being A.J. Green or Robbie Anderson.

Head coach Kliff Kingsbury mentioned he was optimistic about Moore returning to practice last week and although that didn’t happen, based on those comments, there might be a chance Moore returns this week. Fantasy managers should be cautiously optimistic he plays, but trusting him in your starting lineup is another conversation altogether.

Tyler Boyd, Cincinnati Bengals

Tyler Boyd dislocated a finger on his right hand during the Bengals' game in Week 14. This caused him to play just two snaps in the contest. Initial reports indicated the injury could force Boyd to miss 1-2 weeks of action. However, head coach Zac Taylor called Boyd “day-to-day.”

#Bengals WR Tyler Boyd could miss a week or two after dislocating a finger on his right hand in Sunday's win over the #Browns, but it shouldn't be an extended absence, per source. Healing, pain tolerance will dictate when he returns.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 12, 2022

At this time, Boyd’s availability should be considered completely up in the air. One initial report from Tom Pelissero indicated he could miss 1-2 weeks, but the head coach was slightly more optimistic. Head coaches are known for doing that from time to time. Fantasy managers will need to track the Bengals’ practice reports throughout the week as right now Boyd should truly be considered 50/50.

Corey Davis, New York Jets

DeVante Parker, New England Patriots

Richie James, New York Giants

Corey Davis, DeVante Parker, and Richie James all left their respective contests early this week. They were ruled out due to a concussion and all three of them are now in the concussion protocol. Symptoms and recovery time vary from player to player, so it’s unknown what their availability will be this weekend.

As they progress through the protocol, they’ll become eligible for different levels of practice, so fantasy managers will be able to track their progress via the team’s injury report. However, most players tend to miss at least one game, so all three players should be considered on the wrong side of questionable at this time.

Hunter Renfrow, Las Vegas Raiders

Hunter Renfrow was placed on IR prior to the Week 10 game with an oblique injury. He was technically eligible to come off IR prior to the last game against the Rams, but with the game being played on Thursday night, the team didn’t believe there was enough time to get him activated and ready to go.

Head coach Josh McDaniels seemed to think there was a shot Renfrow could have played in their Week 14 game, which should be seen as a positive indicator for his possible Week 15 availability. He can be activated from IR at any time, but fantasy managers should get a pretty good idea of what his availability will be based on their practice reports. Fantasy managers in deep leagues looking to use Renfrow should be cautiously optimistic, but he’ll be tough to trust in his first game back in five weeks.

Nico Collins, Houston Texans

Nico Collins didn’t play in Week 14 when the Texans came close to upsetting the Dallas Cowboys. He was ruled out on Friday due to a foot injury. Prior to the Week 14 game, Collins was unable to practice in any capacity, which certainly isn’t ideal leading up to Week 15.

In his four prior contests, Collins had 36 targets, so the target volume was there for him to be productive. With teammate Brandin Cooks also dealing with an injury, it would be a big boost to get Collins back on the field. Right now, it’s tough to say whether or not that will happen.

The lack of any practice the previous week doesn’t bode well and Collins should once again be viewed as 50/50. With Houston’s season all but over, expect the team to be very cautious with all of their injured players. There’s simply no point in rushing them back early.

Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers

Romeo Doubs suffered a high-ankle sprain in Week 9 against the Lions. He has since missed four games and now the Packers are coming off their bye in Week 14. He was able to practice in a limited fashion on Wednesday-Friday prior to their Week 13 contest.

Considering his practice availability all the way back before Week 13 and now that the team had their bye in Week 14, fantasy managers should expect Doubs to return to the field in Week 15. With Christian Watson’s emergence, however, the receiving group Doubs left looks a lot different now. With Watson playing so well and Allen Lazard still entrenched as an every-down starter, Doubs will be impossible to trust.

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