Maxxcash With a strange-looking Week 15 schedule, fantasy football managers are going to need to keep their eyes on the RB injury report this week. With the usual Thursday Night Football game accompanied by three games on a Saturday, fantasy managers may be forced into making early decisions this week.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at the latest NFL injury updates for the likes of Josh Jacobs, Jeff Wilson Jr., Najee Harris, Rhamondre Stevenson, Dameon Pierce, Antonio Gibson, Brian Robinson Jr., and others.
Please note that practice status listings are as follows: DNP – did not participate, LP – limited participant, FP – full participant.
Table of Contents
RB Injury Report Heading into Week 15
Jeff Wilson Jr., MIA | Hip (DNP)
The only RB for Saturday’s games that has a question over his designation as of Wednesday is Jeff Wilson Jr. We saw him leave last week’s game with a hip issue, and he was unable to return. Having one less day to return is not helping the situation, with the Dolphins playing on a six-day week in Week 15.
His status on Thursday is key here. If he can practice, he has a chance to play. However, the Dolphins may not feel it is worth the risk and sit him out to rest him for Week 16 and the run into the playoffs. If Wilson plays, he will likely be limited, making him hard to trust for fantasy.
MORE: Early Start ’em Sit ’em Week 15
If you have Raheem Mostert on your roster, he could be an intriguing start if Wilson is inactive. The Buffalo Bills have been a reasonably tough defense for opposing RBs to go against in recent weeks. Although, allowing an average of 15.73 fantasy points per game in the last four weeks still leaves some area for Mostert to provide value here.
If Wilson is absent, then Mostert could be a strong Underdog Fantasy Best Ball option this week. However, if Wilson does manage to suit up, this is a tricky situation to trust.
Rhamondre Stevenson, NE | Ankle (DNP)
It’s not a huge surprise that Rhamondre Stevenson was absent from practice Wednesday. We saw him leave the New England Patriots’ Monday Night Football win with an ankle issue, so it was always going to be a concern. His status throughout the week will be very telling. If Stevenson plays, there will also be concerns over how much he can play, making it tough for fantasy managers to trust him.
The next question will be whether Damien Harris can return this week. He also could be limited, so this could end up being a three- or four-man committee. Last week, both Pierre Strong Jr. and Kevin Harris found the end zone stepping in for Stevenson. If both Stevenson and Damien Harris were out, it will be a case of picking your poison between Harris and Strong.
Najee Harris, PIT | Hip (DNP)
It’s interesting that Najee Harris has a new injury this week, as he is listed with a hip issue. Harris was a non-participant to open the week. However, Wednesdays have been serving as a defacto rest day for the second-year back, so his status on Thursday will be key.
If Harris ends up being inactive, then Jaylen Warren would lead the backfield, with Benny Snell likely the backup and change-of-pace option. If Harris is limited, then Warren would likely see an increased role to some extent.
Dameon Pierce, HOU | Ankle (DNP)
We found out earlier in the week that Dameon Pierce is dealing with a high-ankle sprain injury. Therefore, he is likely to miss at least the next couple of weeks, if not more. With Eno Benjamin having been released, that leaves Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale to lead the offense.
MORE: Fantasy Injury IR Updates Week 15
Ogunbowale is expected to see the most time, but there will likely be others working in. The Texans have Gerrid Doaks and Royce Freeman on the practice squad, so it would not be a shock to see one of them elevated this week.
It’s notable to see both of the Washington Commanders’ top RBs on the opening Week 15 injury report. Antonio Gibson is listed as a limited participant, which is a good sign for his availability. Assuming Gibson either remains limited or progresses to a full participant, he should be fine to suit up Sunday.
The jeopardy here is if Gibson enters the weekend questionable. The Commanders play on Sunday Night Football against the New York Giants, so if he is a game-time decision, fantasy managers will be taking a huge risk putting him in lineups unless they have a backup plan.
If Gibson plays the game, his role alongside Brian Robinson Jr. would be up in the air. The pair’s usage has been tough to decipher in recent weeks, but the Giants have been a very nice matchup for RBs in recent weeks, so there is a window for both to have success.
If Gibson were to miss the game, that would open the window for a bigger role for Robinson and may present more rushing opportunities for Curtis Samuel. However, that also very much depends on the health of Robinson.
Brian Robinson, WAS | Quad (LP)
All of the above applies here. It’s good that Robinson is limited to open the week. If he plays, then there is upside for both him and Gibson. If he’s a game-time decision, playing him is risky. If he doesn’t play, Gibson likely gets a major boost, assuming the latter is healthy.
Josh Jacobs, LV | Hand (LP)
After jumping in and out of last week’s game with a hand injury that seemed to be causing visible pain, Josh Jacobs is limited to start this week’s practices. The Las Vegas Raiders offense runs through Jacobs, so the team badly needs him on the field.
MORE: Week 15 PPR Fantasy Football Rankings
Starting the week in a limited fashion is a good sign for Jacobs’ availability, and though the team may limit his pass-catching snaps, he’s a must-start in all formats if he plays.
