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The 2024 NFL season is nearing its end, which means the fantasy playoffs have begun. Teams have reached the playoffs, completing step one of the ultimate goal of winning a championship. Now is not the time to get complacent and miss out on injury news for key players on your team.
In what is the first week of the playoffs in fantasy leagues, there are multiple impactful injuries to keep an eye on heading into Sunday and Monday. Seeing which players are dealing with injuries and which ones aren't quite at 100% yet will go a long way if you're looking to win your fantasy matchup this week and advance in the fantasy playoffs.
Without further ado, let's look at some injuries to watch and consider heading into Week 15. Any top players previously questionable not discussed in this article have been removed from the Friday injury report and are good to go. Don't forget to bookmark our fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts to stay notified.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for the 2025 playoffs:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Players Already Ruled Out
Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens: Out for Week 15 (hamstring), Van Jefferson, Calvin Austin III, Mike Williams all potential WR replacements
Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram: Out for season (shoulder), Brenton Strange best TE replacement
Cleveland Browns WR Cedric Tillman: Out for Week 15 (concussion), Elijah Moore best WR replacement
Los Angeles Chargers TE Will Dissly: Out for Week 15 (shoulder), Stone Smartt best TE replacement
David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku (hamstring) is officially questionable for Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, but after not practicing all week, his odds to play seem low. If Njoku were to play, the Chiefs serve as an elite matchup for tight ends and Njoku would be a top tight end option this week given how often he is targeted by quarterback Jameis Winston.
However, it seems more likely than not Njoku doesn't play despite him saying he hopes to play. The likely replacement option for Njoku is Jordan Akins, who would be a much more touchdown dependent option than Njoku. Fantasy managers likely already have a better option on their bench or even waiting to be picked up in the free agent pool.
David Njoku Hopes To Play In Week 15https://t.co/f0j5S2NkwH
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 13, 2024
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (back/hip) is officially questionable for Sunday afternoon's matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers. He didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but practiced in a limited fashion Friday, giving fantasy managers some hope he can still play.
Irving has shown the potential to be a top fantasy running back option no matter the matchup, so fantasy managers will miss him greatly if he can't go. His replacements would be Rachaad White and Sean Tucker, players who have also each shown boom potential in the Tampa Bay backfield. Given the talent behind him and his very limited practice schedule, it wouldn't be surprising if the rookie back is held out to be cautious and keep him healthy for the rest of the season.
Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Ladd McConkey (knee/shoulder) is officially questionable for Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was limited at practice all week, meaning he likely has a much better chance of playing this week than last week when he missed out against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Chargers WR Ladd McConkey was close to playing last week. The Chargers kept him out, but now @profootballdoc expects him to suit up for week 15. #boltup pic.twitter.com/SwlITW8iDo
— Sports Injury Central (@SICscore) December 13, 2024
McConkey is an important piece for the Chargers offense, so as long as he is playing, he should be a reliable wide receiver option for fantasy managers in what is a great matchup with the Buccaneers secondary. If he were to miss Week 15, Josh Palmer and Quentin Johnston are solid replacements.
D'Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (groin) has not practiced yet this week heading into a Monday night matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. He still has Saturday to log at least a limited practice, so for now fantasy managers shouldn't panic on his status. Roschon Johnson would be his handcuff, but he also hasn't practiced all week due to a concussion, making Travis Homer the next man up.
The Vikings are much kinder to wide receivers than running backs in fantasy, so the matchup combined with the game happening Monday night makes Swift a hard player to trust for the fantasy playoffs. If you have a similar level option at RB to start over Swift, it might be safest to replace Swift in lineups on the chance he doesn't play. However, that is a decision that can wait until Sunday.
Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (ankle) is officially questionable for Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. He didn't practice Wednesday or Thursday, but was limited Friday, meaning he has a solid chance of playing. Pollard thrived last week against the Jacksonville Jaguars, finishing with 124 yards, so the Titans and fantasy managers would love to have him for this week.
If Pollard were to miss this week, Tyjae Spears would be his handcuff, and become a legitimate starting option for the first week of fantasy playoffs. However, Pollard would be much easier to trust as a RB2 with RB1 potential in a good matchup with the weak Bengals defense.
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (calf) is officially doubtful for Sunday night against the Green Bay Packers. After missing last week, it seems fantasy managers will not have the young back once again for the first week of fantasy playoffs. Zach Charbonnet will look to once again put up RB1 numbers in Walker III's absence.
Charbonnet put up 38.3 PPR fantasy points last week against the Arizona Cardinals. The Packers serve as a more difficult matchup, so don't expect another 38 point performance, but a 20 point performance is definitely possible given Charbonnet's heavy involvement both as a runner and receiver as the lead back.
In three games without Kenneth Walker this season, Zach Charbonnet playing 87% of the snaps and handling 23.0 touches/game. https://t.co/AMg3ZNAXwf
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) December 13, 2024
Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (knee) is officially questionable for Sunday's clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After not practicing Wednesday and Thursday, he surprisingly practiced fully Friday. There were originally rumors he might be shut down for the season, but a full practice makes it seem like he will play this week after missing Week 14.
Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis split touches in Hall's absence last week, so if Hall does miss out, expect more of the same. If Hall does play, he serves as a top RB option in Week 15 in an amazing matchup against the Jaguars, who gave up 124 rushing yards to Tony Pollard last week.
Good news for fantasy owners: RB Breece Hall (knee) is expected to play. His status for Sunday "looks good ... promising," per Ulbrich. A bit of a surprise. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) December 13, 2024
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