Let’s take a look at the most recent injury updates from around the NFL, as well as the fantasy impact of injuries for Tyreek Hill, Deebo Samuel, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and Corey Davis as Week 15 approaches.
Week 15 WR Injury Report: Tyreek Hill, Deebo Samuel, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd and Corey Davis
You can read also: Week 15 Fantasy Injury Reports: Christian McCaffrey, Josh Jacobs and PJ Walker
- Tyreek Hill, MIA | Ankle
UPDATE (Dec. 17): According to David Furones of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Hill (ankle) was listed as a full participant in Wednesday’s walk-through practice.
When it comes to Tyreek Hill, it will be interesting to follow the Miami Dolphins’ injury reports this week.
The speedy WR injured his ankle in the first half but returned to play the rest of the game. Hill did have a noticeable limp in the end zone after scoring his second-half receiving touchdown.
On that same play, he burned the defense for a 60-yard touchdown, so it couldn’t have been too serious.
Head coach Mike McDaniel described the injury as “bumps and bruises that he can work through” on Monday.
This could be an issue that prevents Hill from participating in practice all week but from playing next Saturday against the Buffalo Bills. It’s nearly impossible not to start Hill if he’s on the field.
As we saw this week, he is such a game-changing player that he can make plays from anywhere on the field.
One advantage is that if Hill is unable to practice or is limited throughout the week, his value in Underdog Fantasy Best Ball leagues will likely decrease. Because of his speed, he could be a very valuable option if his price falls by a round or two.
If Hill does end up missing next week, Trent Sherfield could be the player to benefit the most. He has played more than 60% of the snaps in the last five weeks and more than 55% since Week 3. His role has been limited, but if Hill misses time, he could be a 14-team option.
- Deebo Samuel, SF | Ankle/Knee
UPDATE (DEC. 17): Inactive
Deebo Samuel was carted off during the first half, and the emotion he displayed at the time made it appear as if his season was over.
However, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters after the game that the injury is not an ankle fracture and could be a high-ankle sprain.
While this is good news for Samuel, it is unlikely to make a difference in fantasy football. With only three weeks left in many fantasy leagues, a high-ankle sprain could spell the end of his season. High-ankle sprains are typically treated with a two to four-week absence.
Head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters on Monday that Samuel has an MCL sprain as well as an ankle sprain. Shanahan stated that the WR will return at some point during the regular season.
According to additional information, the injury is most likely not a high-ankle sprain. However, if the 49ers win the division or a playoff spot in the next two weeks, he won’t be rushed back before the playoffs.
At best, Samuel appears to be returning for Week 17, when he will most likely be limited. As a result, fantasy managers must prepare as if Samuel will not be available during championship week. If he does play, it will be a bonus.
Unfortunately, there isn’t much fantasy value in adding another receiver. With Samuel out, more targets will likely fall into the hands of Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Christian McCaffrey.
Ray-Ray McCloud and Jauan Jennings may see increased playing time, but they will be difficult to rely on as fantasy assets.
- Tee Higgins, CIN | Hamstring
UPDATE (DEC. 17): According to Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, Higgins (hamstring) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers after being listed as a full practice participant on Friday.
This is the second time fantasy managers have been burned by trusting Tee Higgins after he entered the game with little experience.
The Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver appeared on the injury report on Thursday with a hamstring injury but was removed from the list on Friday.
He only played one snap before leaving the game and never returning. Hamstring injuries are difficult to assess.
Some players are unaffected, and they do not miss a game as a result. However, hamstring injuries have cost other players multiple weeks.
If Higgins is limited or absent from practice this week due to the hamstring, he will be extremely difficult to trust if he plays next week.
The best-case scenario for fantasy managers is that he is out for Week 15 before returning in full force for Week 16.
Read more: Arryn Siposs and Reed Blankenship’s injuries updated by Eagles’ coach
- Tyler Boyd, CIN | Finger
UPDATE (DEC. 17): Boyd (finger) is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against Tampa Bay after being listed as a full practice participant on Friday, according to The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr.
Higgins’ problem is exacerbated by Tyler Boyd’s absence from the game after only two snaps due to a dislocated finger.
Finger injuries are difficult to assess in wide receivers because the importance of each finger in catching passes varies. When we see how much Boyd participates in practice next week, we’ll have a good idea of where he stands.
If Higgins is out, Boyd has a chance to be a streaming darling for fantasy managers this week. As the Bengals prepare to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, he could see an expanded role opposite Ja’Marr Chase.
If Boyd and Higgins are both out, Trenton Irwin and Trent Taylor would be the next in line.
Irwin has typically been the fourth receiver, but his fantasy value has relied on big plays. In deeper leagues and Best Ball lineup formats, he could be a Week 15 target.
- Corey Davis, NYJ | Concussion
UPDATE (DEC. 17): Davis (concussion) is out of Sunday’s game against Detroit, according to Brian Costello of the New York Post.
In the first quarter, we saw Corey Davis leave the game against the Buffalo Bills. He was unable to return to the game and was placed in the concussion protocol.
The Jets play the Lions the following Sunday, so it is not a short week. We’ll know whether Davis will be able to play on Wednesday.
He has a chance if he practices on Wednesday. However, if he is absent, he will almost certainly miss Week 15.
If Davis is ruled out, Denzel Mims appears to be the next in line. Mims has seen sporadic action this season, with more snaps coming when Davis was out with a knee injury.
He started all three games and played 75% or more of the snaps in each. However, with all 32 teams playing this week, he would be a deep-league only option.
NFL Schedule 2022 – NFL Week 15
Thursday, Dec. 15
San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks, 8:15 p.m., Amazon
Saturday, Dec. 17 or Sunday, Dec. 18 (Pool games)
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills, TBD, TBD
Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns, TBD, TBD
Indianapolis Colts at Minnesota Vikings, TBD, TBD
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints, TBD, TBD
New York Giants at Washington Commanders, TBD, TBD
Sunday, Dec. 18
Pittsburgh Steelers at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., CBS
Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears, 1 p.m., Fox
Kansas City Chiefs at Houston Texans, 1 p.m., CBS
Dallas Cowboys at Jacksonville Jaguars, 1 p.m., Fox
Detroit Lions at New York Jets, 1 p.m., Fox
Arizona Cardinals at Denver Broncos, 4:05 p.m., Fox
Tennessee Titans at Los Angeles Chargers, 4:25 p.m., CBS
Cincinnati Bengals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:25 p.m., CBS
New England Patriots at Las Vegas Raiders, 8:20 p.m., NBC
Monday, Dec. 19
Los Angeles Rams at Green Bay Packers, 8:15 p.m., ESPN/ABC
