The NFL season is nearing its end. As happens every year, injuries are rearing their ugly heads. As fantasy football managers prepare to set Week 15 lineups, it’s important to stay informed on the latest injury news. Quentin Johnston missed some practice time this week due to injury. What is his current status and outlook for this week?
Is Quentin Johnston Playing Week 15?
Update: Johnston is INACTIVE
Johnston had been healthy throughout the entire week leading up to the Los Angeles Chargers’ crucial Week 15 divisional showdown against the Kansas City Chiefs. The third-year receiver did not appear on the practice report on Wednesday or Thursday. He participated fully in both sessions without any health concerns listed.​
That changed dramatically on Friday when Johnston suddenly popped up on the injury report with a limited practice designation. The Chargers listed Johnston as questionable with a groin injury.
The timing and circumstances make it obvious the injury occurred during Friday’s practice session.​ Mid-week downgrades are already problematic for fantasy managers trying to assess player availability. However, this situation is particularly concerning because the injury happened at the final practice of the week. This gives Johnston as little time as possible to recover before Sunday’s 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium.​
Sudden appearances on practice reports typically indicate health concerns suffered during drills. The fact that Johnston went from completely healthy to questionable in the span of one practice session raises legitimate concerns about his ability to suit up Sunday. Groin injuries can be particularly tricky for wide receivers, as the position requires explosive movements, sharp cuts, and sudden changes of direction.​
It is possible this is just a minor tweak that ultimately does not amount to much. Groin injuries vary widely in severity, ranging from mild strains that players can play through to more serious issues that require multiple weeks of recovery. Without additional clarity from the team regarding the severity of Johnston’s groin issue, fantasy managers have to treat his status as genuinely uncertain heading into the weekend.​
Johnston’s Fantasy Football Outlook
The Bolts completed 12 passes on Monday night against the Eagles and that is going to make production difficult to come by for all involved.
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Johnston (shoulder) was a participant a full practice late in the week, so health wasn’t to blame for his third straight game with exactly three targets. The dip in volume from the beginning of the season isn’t unexpected, but gone are the chunk plays that we had come to assume were a part of this profile and that’s why I’m benching him in all leagues until otherwise noted.
Johnston doesn’t have a 25-yard catch since September.
September.
Over that stretch (Weeks 5-14), 203 different players have a 25+ yard reception and Johnston’s name isn’t on that list. Shedrick Johnson’s is. Dareke Young’s is. Jameis Winston’s is.
— Kyle Soppe, PFSN Fantasy Analyst
