There were once again a number of major injuries that can have an impact on your team’s ability to secure a fantasy football championship. Thankfully, that opens up opportunities to target the waiver wire and find a diamond in the rough to help your team edge over the competition. Below you’ll find the fantasy football injury recap for Week 15.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs were officially knocked out of the playoffs when they lost to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the worst news they got this week. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes will miss the rest of the season after suffering an ACL tear in the fourth quarter of the game. He ends the season as the QB2 in points per game (20.4) despite facing struggles toward the end of the season.
Veteran Gardner Minshew will serve as the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season.
RJ Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos
RJ Harvey was able to salvage his fantasy week in Week 15 thanks to a fourth-quarter touchdown. Unfortunately for fantasy football managers, the Denver Broncos’ rookie running back suffered a rib injury in the fourth quarter and did not return to the game.
There haven’t been any updates regarding the severity of the injury, but fantasy managers will want to pay close attention to his practice participation throughout the week. Jaleel McLaughlin and Tyler Badie would be in line for bigger roles if Harvey does miss time.
Javonte Williams, RB, Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys got a scare in the first half of their Sunday matchup against the Minnesota Vikings when Javonte Williams injured his shoulder in the first quarter of the game. Thankfully, he returned to the field in the third quarter.
Williams could miss practice throughout the week if the shoulder stiffens up, but his return signals he should be able to play in Week 16 as long as he can manage the pain. Malik Davis is the team’s backup running back, with rookie Jaydon Blue being a healthy scratch in recent weeks.
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans
Woody Marks aggravated his ankle injury in the first half of the Houston Texans’ win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15. After the game, head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters that Marks could have returned to game action if the team needed him, but the team held him out as a precaution.
The ankle injury has nagged at Marks for a while, so don’t be surprised if he misses practice throughout the week. Jawhar Jordan (15 carries for 101 yards and two receptions for 17 yards) and Dare Ogunbowale (five carries for two yards and three receptions for 32 yards) took over the backfield in Week 15 with Nick Chubb inactive.
Bam Knight, RB, Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals lost veteran running back Bam Knight after just one play, a two-yard loss, to an ankle injury. Knight was carted to the locker room after being injured and did not return. Reports after the game indicated that Knight seemingly avoided a major injury, but did suffer a bad sprain that could force him to miss games.
RELATED: Bam Knight Injury Update: Should Fantasy Managers Be Worried About the Cardinals RB?
The Cardinals announced before Week 15 that Trey Benson would not return from the injured reserve, which leaves their backfield to Emari Demercado and Michael Carter if Knight is forced to miss time.
Devin Neal, RB, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints’ rookie running back Devin Neal suffered an injured hamstring in the second quarter of the Saints’ Week 15 matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Neal went to the locker room shortly after scoring a touchdown in the first half and did not return.
Alvin Kamara has not practiced or played in a game in three weeks due to a knee injury and has no timeline to return. If Neal misses time, then Audric Estime, Evan Hull, and Taysom Hill would absorb the team’s backfield duties.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Bhayshul Tuten suffered a finger injury after just one catch and one reception in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ matchup against the New York Jets in Week 15. He did not return to the game. On Monday, we learned that the 2025 fourth-round pick had a broken finger that required surgery and will certainly take him off the field for the fantasy playoffs.
Travis Etienne will continue to dominate touches in the backfield, but rookie LeQuint Allen Jr. could carve out a solid role in PPR formats due to his third-down role.
Davante Adams, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Davante Adams suffered a hamstring injury on a deep target during the fourth quarter of the Los Angeles Rams’ win over the Detroit Lions. Adams had missed every practice coming into Week 15, but was able to suit up for the Rams on Sunday.
The initial belief is that Adams suffered an injury that will keep him out for weeks, which all but guarantees an end to his fantasy season, although head coach Sean McVay has refused to rule out Adams for Week 16’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.
Davante Adams has a hamstring injury and will not practice during today’s walkthrough.
They’re not ruling him or anyone else out yet for Thursday in Seattle.
“He’s as tough as it gets,” Sean McVay said. “I want to see what it looks like with the time we have.”
— Nate Atkins (@NateAtkins_) December 16, 2025
There isn’t a clear replacement for Adams on offense (especially considering how many 12 and 13-personnel groupings the Rams use), but Colby Parkinson (five receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns) could be an interesting waiver addition at tight end.
Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze missed the Chicago Bears’ matchup against the Green Bay Packers in Week 14 due to a stress fracture in his foot. At the time, the injury was expected to be a multi-week injury. However, Odunze logged limited practices ahead of Week 15 and was expected to play against the Cleveland Browns.
Unfortunately, Odunze aggravated his foot injury during pregame workouts and was a late scratch for the game. Head coach Ben Johnson told reporters on Monday that the team would be diligent and take their time allowing Odunze to heal before bringing him back into the fold.
READ MORE: Rome Odunze Injury Update: Will Fantasy Managers Get the Bears WR Back Week 16?
The Bears have leaned on Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland more with Odunze sidelined and should continue to do so (assuming Burden is healthy).
Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Ricky Pearsall suffered an ankle injury early in the San Francisco 49ers’ Week 16 matchup against the Tennessee Titans, but was able to return to have one of his best games of the season (six receptions for 96 yards). Unfortunately, Pearsall landed hard on his knee in the fourth quarter and did not return to the game.
Afterwards, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Pearsall had aggravated the same knee injury that had cost him six games earlier in the season. Pearsall will have the benefit of a long week of rest before a Monday night matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, but his Week 16 is certainly in doubt.
Jauan Jennings is the biggest winner at wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, but players like Demarcus Robinson and Kendrick Bourne could have some fantasy value if Pearsall is forced to miss.
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers
Christian Watson had emerged as the lead wide receiver for the Green Bay Packers’ offense in recent weeks. Unfortunately, Watson suffered a shoulder injury during the third quarter of the team’s loss to the Denver Broncos while diving for a deep target.
Watson was taken to the hospital for evaluation after the injury, but did not suffer a severe injury. It wouldn’t be shocking if Watson missed some time, but there is also a chance that he is on the field for Week 16 as well.
Rookie Matthew Golden is the most likely player to replace Watson’s downfield ability in the offense, but expect players like Romeo Doubs and Jayden Reed to get more opportunities in the passing attack if Watson is out.
Luther Burden III, WR, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears’ rookie receiver Luther Burden III suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter of the team’s win over the Cleveland Browns in Week 15. Burden was enjoying arguably the best game of his young career (six receptions for 84 yards) when he was injured. Burden did not return.
Head coach Ben Johnson spoke to the media on Monday and stated that Burden had suffered a “day-to-day” type injury, which shouldn’t keep him off the field for long. There is a very good chance that Burden is good to go for Week 16’s matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Fantasy managers should monitor his practice participation closely heading into the week.
