Injury Status: Week 15

Thu Dec 12 8:31am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Injuries are always tough but even more challenging this time of year with playoffs starting or about to start. This just clouds things for many when making tough lineup decisions. And we have our fair share of players hurting this week, including some players that have made big fantasy impacts this season. Here is the latest. . . . .

Breece Hall, RB, Jets. Hall remains up in the air to play this week because of his knee injury. He has not progressed quite as expected and remains out of practice. At this point, we would get other options ready for Week 15. And if he misses, look for the Jets to split the work at running back once again with Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis sharing the load.

Keon Coleman, WR, Bills. Coleman has been out with a wrist injury but is already practicing in full to start the week. He is expected to return to the lineup, barring some sort of late-week setback. He should be good to go.

Josh Downs, WR, Colts. Downs missed the Colts last game because of a shoulder injury but the bye week last week came at a good time for him. He is doing better and practicing to start the week. Downs should return to the lineup in Week 15.

David Njoku, TE, Browns. Njoku suffered some sort of hamstring injury last week and is being called day-to-day. He has been banged up in recent weeks, though, and played. We would expect him to tough it out but make sure gets in some practice before the week is out. He isn’t 100 percent certain to play.

Dalton Kincaid, TE, Bills. Kincaid is another player ready to make his return to the lineup. He has been out the last few games because of a knee injury. He is practicing in full, though, and ready to finally get back in the lineup for the Bills. He should continue to split work with Dawson Knox at tight end.

Drew Lock, QB, Giants. Lock suffered a heel injury last week and is in a walking boot. He is going to miss the game this week, putting Tommy DeVito back in the starting lineup for the Giants. DeVito also is a little banged up with a forearm injury but isn’t near as bad as Lock.

Harrison Butker, K, Chiefs. Butker is back practicing on his knee sprain this week. He could make his return this week for the Chiefs. He isn’t 100 percent to play but is trending that way right now. If the Chiefs hold him out one more week, Matthew Wright starts again for the Chiefs.

Aidan O’Connell, QB, Raiders. It was feared that O’Connell suffered a season-ending knee injury last week but he avoided the worst. It was one of the rare times that the tests came back positive. He has a chance to play Monday night and is already practicing some to open the week. As long as he keeps progressing, look for O’Connell to start in Week 15 for the Raiders.

George Pickens, WR, Steelers. Pickens suffered a hamstring injury late last week and had to miss the game. He remains out of practice and likely to miss another week of action because of the injury. It is not looking good for him to play. The Steelers are really thin at receiver with Pickens out of action.

Kenneth Walker, RB, Seahawks. Walker is still dealing with his calf injury and being listed as day-to-day. He hasn’t made a lot of progress from the injury, though, and is pretty iffy to play this week. Unless he has a big turnaround late in the week, look for Zach Charbonnet to get another start for the Seahawks in Week 15.

Will Dissly, TE, Chargers. Dissly hurt his shoulder during last week’s game and left early. He is sidelined in practice to start the week and not looking good to play Week 15. We expect Dissly to sit and Stone Smartt to get a start for the Chargers this week.

Derek Carr, QB, Saints. There were reports that Carr was done for the season but the Saints aren’t ruling him out just yet. We expect him to miss this week but has an outside chance to return before the season is over. Carr is dealing with a concussion and hand injury. Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler will battle it out to start this week for the Saints.

Isaac Guerendo, RB, 49ers. Guerendo is listed as questionable for Thursday's game because of a foot injury. The good news is he seems to have a legit shot to play. The only concern is that he makes it through the full game. But as long as he is active, it is tough to sit Guerendo after seeing him produce big in a starting role last week.

Ladd McConkey, WR, Chargers. McConkey is practicing some to open the week, which is a good sign after sitting out last week because of a knee injury. He seems to be trending in the right direction. We would expect him to play Week 15, barring a late-week setback.

Tyler Higbee, TE, Rams. Higbee continues to make progress from his knee injury and nears a return, but it won’t be this week. He has already been ruled out for the Thursday game. It would not surprise if he is back in Week 16, though. Higbee is close.

Bucky Irving, RB, Bucs. Irving is all beat up, battling hip and back injuries. He played last week but lasted just four carries before having to leave the game. He is out of practice to start the week. It would not surprise to see the Bucs keep him out this week to make sure he gets back to full strength sooner then later. Rachaad White should handle much of the running back duties in Week 15.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Injury Status: Week 15

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