Ahead of Week 15, fantasy football owners are just hoping to catch a break heading into the first round of the playoffs. Unfortunately, it’s a long list of injuries to pass-catchers before the Sunday slate kicks off. Tyreek Hill, Chris Olave, Darren Waller, Nico Collins, DJ Moore, and Marquise Brown headline that list, making for plenty of interesting start ’em, sit ’em decisions that will need to be made with seasons on the line.
Below, we’ll give you the latest news on these key pass-catchers and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 15 fantasy landscape.
WEEK 15 INJURY UPDATES: RBs | Geno
Is Tyreek Hill playing Week 15?
Hill (ankle) is listed as “questionable” ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Jets at 1 p.m. ET. The star receiver was unable to practice all week after suffering the ankle injury against the Titans on Monday night. Hill’s quest to become the first 2,000-yard receiver in a single season takes a hit as a result, especially with his status in doubt on a short week. The Dolphins haven’t elaborated on the star WR, but three straight DNPs should sound the alarms, suggesting that he’d be limited even if he plays.
We have to believe that Hill will be given every opportunity to play, given that he is the engine that powers this offense or the key that unlocks it (whatever your preference). The Dolphins struggled to get anything going following Hill’s injury, and that would likely continue against a stout Jets defense. If he plays, Hill remains a must-start given his high ceiling. It’s unlikely anyone on your bench rises to the level of even an injured Hill, who is matchup-proof. Without him, things get scary in Miami, with Jaylen Waddle sliding in as WR1. Some combination of Braxton Berrios, Cedrick Wilson, and River Cracraft figure to split the workload opposite Waddle. The Dolphins are a battered bunch heading into Week 15, with a lot more questions than answers regarding the status of many players. It could be a long day for the AFC East division leaders.
WEEK 15 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Is Chris Olave playing Week 15?
Olave (ankle) is once again on the injury report, and it doesn’t seem that he’ll be escaping this issue. The WR is “questionable” for Sunday’s game against the Giants at 1 p.m. ET despite being a DNP at practice all week. HC Dennis Allen said that Olave will be a game-time decision, with the team taking it down to the wire before making a final call. The good news is that Olave’s status will be determined early on Sunday, with inactive reports due at 11:30 a.m. ET, leaving fantasy owners with plenty of time to pivot.
Without logging any practice time, we’d be fairly surprised if the former Ohio State star was able to play. This feels more like classic gamesmanship than anything else, especially since Olave has been either banged up or sick in recent weeks. Despite owning a 6-7 record, New Orleans is still tied for first in the NFC South, meaning that there is incentive to give it a go on Sunday. He’d be worth starting with Derek Carr remaining locked on No. 12, though we’d have to assume the WR is limited and at risk of leaving if the pain gets worse. A.T. Perry and Rashid Shaheed project as the top options available in the passing game without Olave. However, this Saints offense features one reliable fantasy starter in Alvin Kamara and one high-upside wild card in Taysom Hill, leaving the rest as shots in the dark on a weekly basis.
WEEK 15 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Is Darren Waller playing Week 15?
UPDATE: The Giants activated Waller off IR and he’ll play against the Saints, according to ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
Waller (hamstring) has returned from the abyss, logging two limited practices to close the week, giving him a real chance of playing on Sunday against the Saints at 1 p.m. ET. He’s officially “questionable.” but the TE told reporters that he was able to run the full route tree without any issues. Waller would be limited even if he did play, but his return should provide a boost to the Giants offense regardless. Big Blue has until 4 p.m. ET on Saturday to decide whether to activate him off IR or not.
If Waller is activated, we still don’t recommend playing him in the fantasy playoffs. He’s proven to be too inconsistent and too unreliable this year to warrant fantasy consideration. Stash him on the bench in the hope that everything suddenly clicks, but keep him off the radar in all but the deepest leagues for Week 15.
WEEK 15 DFS: DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Is Nico Collins playing Week 15?
Collins (calf) might be listed as “questionable,” but he appears to be more on the doubtful end of the spectrum than anything else. Three straight DNPs at practice would do the trick, essentially saying that Collins will be out of action after suffering an injury early in last week’s contest. The Texans seem to be playing the gamesmanship game ahead of their battle against Titans in Nashville at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday. With C.J. Stroud (concussion) already listed as “doubtful” and unlikely to play, fantasy owners won’t want to put too much faith in this Houston offense.
If Collins is sidelined as expected, Noah Brown should assume the WR1 role, but even he is questionable with a knee injury. Robert Woods and John Metchie III would also factor into the equation. There’s simply too much uncertainty with the Texans this week. With Case Keenum likely to start, you’ll want to look elsewhere if possible.
WEEK 15 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start-sit
Is DJ Moore playing Week 15?
Moore (ankle) popped up on the injury report Wednesday with a DNP before steadily climbing the ladder as the week unfolded. He was limited on Thursday and practiced fully on Friday — enough to earn the “questionable” designation prior to the Bears’ game in Cleveland at 1 p.m. ET. The positive news is that the apparent injury wasn’t enough to impact Moore’s production, so there’s no reason to believe it will this week either. Expect Moore to be active and a fixture in your fantasy lineups on Sunday.
The WR has clearly found a rhythm, developing a nice chemistry with Justin Fields under center. As long as the duo remain healthy, they are a great fantasy stack. Moore has just nine games under his belt with Fields, but he’s recorded 860 yards and scored eight touchdowns in that span. The ankle injury shouldn’t be a concern, so don’t overthink it.
Is Marquise Brown playing Week 15?
Brown (heel) got back on the practice field ahead of Week 15, turning in two limited practices to end the week for Arizona. The Cardinals’ WR was a DNP all week prior to their last game in Week 13 and spent the bye healing up for this Sunday. Brown gave fantasy owners a scare by kicking off this week with a DNP, but it seems that he’ll be ready to go against the 49ers at 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday. He’s officially “questionable,” but the outlook isn’t great whether he plays or not.
The Niners’ stout defense will give the Cardinals’ offense fits on Sunday, making life difficult for everyone involved. Factor in that Brown’s fantasy production has fallen off in a big way this season and you have a recipe for disaster. Keep him glued to the bench even if he’s active.
