The fantasy football playoffs are finally upon us. Being proactive on the waiver wire and anticipating players who can see their roles grow or shrink based on the most up-to-date injury news is an exploitable edge in a quest for a fantasy championship. Be sure to check in on this article throughout the week to have an edge on your competition.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson was listed as a non-participant in practice for the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 10 due to an undisclosed injury. Jackson has missed at least one practice (if not more) since returning to the starting lineup in Week 9.
Jackson does not appear on the Baltimore Ravens’ final injury report for the team’s rematch against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 15.
Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders | Out
Jayden Daniels returned to the field for the Washington Commanders in Week 14 after suffering a dislocated left elbow in Week 9. Unfortunately, his return against the Minnesota Vikings lasted just 39 snaps before he landed on the elbow chasing down an interception return.
Head coach Dan Quinn stated after the game that Daniels could have returned to action, but ultimately didn’t because of the head coach’s decision and a big deficit on the scoreboard. He did not mention anything regarding Daniels’ availability in Week 15.
Commanders head coach Dan Quinn says QB Jayden Daniels (elbow) won’t play on Sunday. pic.twitter.com/cktYZLdzZl
— NFL (@NFL) December 10, 2025
Daniels did not suffer any structural damage to his elbow in Week 14, but doctors did advise that the second-year quarterback not play in Week 15. Marcus Mariota will be the starter for the Commanders once again against the New York Giants.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence was listed as a limited participant for the Jacksonville Jaguars’ practice on Dec. 10 with an ankle injury. There were no clear moments during Week 14’s game where Lawrence was injured, even with Nick Mullens closing out the game in a blowout win.
There is little reason for concern for Lawrence heading into Week 15’s matchup against the New York Jets at this time. He does not carry an injury designation into Week 15.
Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts | Out
Daniel Jones suffered an Achilles injury during the Indianapolis Colts’ loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14. Jones’s first season in Indianapolis officially ends with him ranking as the QB13 in fantasy points per game (17.4).
Anthony Richardson is still on the injured reserve for an eye injury, and backup quarterback Riley Leonard suffered a knee injury during Week 14 that will likely force him to miss time. That leaves the Colts with Brett Rypien and recently signed 44-year-old Philip Rivers on the roster.
It wasn’t long ago that the Colts were the one seed behind a top-10 offense. Now it will be hard to trust any of their offensive weapons outside of Jonathan Taylor going forward.
Tyrod Taylor, QB, New York Jets | Out
Tyrod Taylor started the last three games for the New York Jets in an effort to provide stability to the passing game. Unfortunately, he suffered a groin injury in the first quarter of Week 14’s loss to the Miami Dolphins and did not return to the game.
The Jets were also without Justin Fields (knee) for that matchup, leading 2025 undrafted free agent quarterback Brady Cook to make his NFL debut. After the game, head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters that the quarterback who gives the team the best chance to win would be the starter in Week 15. Taylor did not participate in Wednesday’s or Thursday’s practice before being ruled out on Friday.
Brady Cook will make his first career start for the Jets in Week 15.
Justin Fields, QB, New York Jets | Out
Justin Fields was inactive for the New York Jets’ matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 14 because of a knee injury he suffered during practice. There is no indication that the knee injury is a long-term issue, but Fields was listed as a non-participant in practice for the Jets on Dec. 10. He also missed practice on Dec. 11 before being ruled out on Friday.
Starter Tyrod Taylor suffered a groin injury in Week 14 that could impact his availability in Week 15. If Fields is the healthier quarterback, he could return to the starting lineup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Geno Smith, QB, Las Vegas Raiders | Out
Geno Smith suffered a shoulder injury during the Las Vegas Raiders’ loss to the Denver Broncos in Week 14. Initially, head coach Pete Carroll stated that Smith’s shoulder froze and that he didn’t believe it was a serious injury.
On Wednesday, the Raiders announced that Smith was doubtful for the team’s game in Week 15 due to his shoulder injury. He was officially ruled out on Friday.
That leaves veteran Kenny Pickett as the presumed starter against the Philadelphia Eagles.
De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins | Questionable
De’Von Achane suffered a rib injury when he fell on top of the football in the second quarter of the Miami Dolphins’ victory over the New York Jets in Week 14. Initial scans showed that Achane did not suffer a significant injury. After the game, head coach Mike McDaniel stated that Achane was held out as a precaution, given the Dolphins’ substantial lead.
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Achane will likely be limited in practice throughout the week, but will benefit from an extra day of rest with the Dolphins set to play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday. He was listed as a limited practice participant on Thursday and Friday. He is expected to play on Monday.
Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers | Questionable
Josh Jacobs did not practice on Thursday due to swelling related to his knee issue earlier in the season. Jacobs spoke to reporters and told them that the knee stiffened up during the Green Bay Packers game against the Chicago Bears in Week 14. A follow-up scan showed no additional damage. Jacobs was upgraded to a limited participant on Friday.
Josh Jacobs said his knee stiffened up during the second half last Sunday. Got another scan Monday and everything is structurally sound. Stems from the MetLife game. Hasn’t practiced yet this week but called himself day-to-day ahead of Sunday in Denver. pic.twitter.com/I6Pwu21Kv8
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) December 11, 2025
Jacobs enters Week 15’s matchup against the Broncos with a questionable tag, but is trending toward playing. Emmanuel Wilson could be in line for a bigger role in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos and would function as the team’s lead back if Jacobs misses time.
Breece Hall, RB, New York Jets
Breece Hall was listed as a non-participant for the New York Jets on Wednesday due to a knee injury. Hall has not shown up on previous injury reports, which suggests this is an injury he picked up during Week 14. It is worth noting that Hall handled his normal workload during Week 14’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
Hall does not carry an injury designation into Week 15’s matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints | Out
Alvin Kamara has missed the last two games for the New Orleans Saints thanks to a knee injury. Head coach Kellen Moore has stated that Kamara would be questionable heading into Week 15’s matchup against the Carolina Panthers, but that his official game status would come down to how his knee responds to practice and treatment throughout the week. Kamara did not participate in practice on Dec. 10 and was not seen by reporters during Dec. 11’s practice. He was ruled out on Friday.
Rookie Devin Neal has played well as the Saints’ lead running back with Kamara sidelined, racking up 33 carries for 117 yards and a touchdown (plus four receptions for 36 yards) the last two weeks while playing 76.9% of the team’s offensive snaps. Neal’s role would be greatly diminished if Kamara is able to return to the field.
Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals | Out
The Arizona Cardinals officially announced on Dec. 10 that running back Trey Benson would not be activated from the injured reserve during his 21-day return window, which ends his 2025 season.
Arizona’s backfield will continue to be a three-headed group with Emari Demercado, Bam Knight, and Michael Carter all having roles when healthy.
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans | Questionable
Woody Marks did not participate in the Houston Texans’ practice on Wednesday due to an ankle injury. Marks missed several snaps during Houston’s game against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 14, but was able to return and finish the game. He was able to participate in practice on Thursday, a positive sign regarding his availability in Week 15. He is questionable heading into Week 15.
Nick Chubb (ribs) is also banged up, leaving Dare Ogunbowale and Cody Schrader as the lone healthy running backs on the roster.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, New York Giants
Tyrone Tracy Jr. was carted off the field during the New York Giants’ Week 13 matchup against the New England Patriots due to a hip injury. After the game, Tracy told reporters that he suffered a hip contusion/stinger and would be fine.
Tracy does not carry an injury designation coming out of the Giants’ bye week and is set to split backfield touches with Devin Singletary once again in Week 15.
Nick Chubb, RB, Houston Texans | Questionable
Nick Chubb played just eight snaps for the Houston Texans in Week 14 before being sidelined with a rib injury. He did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday for Houston, putting his Week 15 status in doubt.
Woody Marks is the obvious beneficiary of this as long as he’s healthy (he also missed practice on Wednesday). If he’s also out, expect Dare Ogunbowale to take on a larger role in the offense.
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
CeeDee Lamb suffered a concussion during the Dallas Cowboys’ Week 14 loss to the Detroit Lions on a contested end zone target. The veteran wide receiver will need to work through the NFL’s concussion protocol before he can return to the field, but he does benefit from having extra time after being injured during a Thursday game. On Monday, head coach Brian Schottenheimer stated that Lamb was “progressing nicely”.
Lamb was officially removed from the NFL’s concussion protocol on Friday. He will be active for the Cowboys’ matchup against the Minnesota Vikings.
Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons | Out
Drake London was officially ruled out for the Atlanta Falcons’ Thursday matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Wednesday. London has now missed three games since suffering a knee injury in Week 11.
Darnell Mooney and Kyle Pitts will once again function as the lead receivers for the Atlanta Falcons.
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets | Out
Garrett Wilson is eligible to return from the injured reserve in Week 15 after aggravating his knee injury in the New York Jets’ loss to the Cleveland Browns in Week 10. Wilson had previously missed two games with the injury.
The Jets can choose to open Wilson’s 21-day window at any time this week, allowing them to see the veteran receiver practice before making a decision. The team has already said they will not open his window on Dec. 10. There isn’t much time left in the season, so if the Jets don’t see enough improvement from the receiver, there is a risk he could be shut down for the remainder of the season.
Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III have functioned as the Jets’ top receiving options with Wilson sidelined and would see their roles reduced if he’s healthy enough to return.
Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals | Out
Tee Higgins missed the Cincinnati Bengals’ matchup against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13 due to a concussion. Higgins was able to return in Week 14 against the Buffalo Bills, but had several hard falls during the game. He was checked for concussions twice during game action, but cleared to return both times.
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After the game, Higgins reported to team doctors that he had concussion symptoms and was placed back into the NFL’s concussion protocol. His practice participation throughout the week will tell fantasy managers how likely he is to be available for Week 15’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. He logged limited practices on Wednesday and Thursday, but was ruled out on Friday.
Expect Andrei Iosivas and Mitchell Tinsley to see increased usage at wide receiver against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 15.
Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans had his 21-day injury reserve return window opened before Week 14. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers ultimately decided to keep Evans inactive for one more week, but it appears he is set to make his return in Week 15.
Bowles said Mike Evans has shown everything he needed to show in practice to get activated and make his return Thursday vs. Falcons.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 10, 2025
This will be the first time all season that the Buccaneers offense will have Evans, Chris Godwin Jr., and rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka active at the same time this season.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals | Out
Marvin Harrison Jr. missed the Arizona Cardinals’ matchup against the Los Angeles Rams due to a heel injury. He has not practiced on Wednesday or Thursday, which suggests that he will miss another game.
There is still plenty of time for Harrison to return, but it is worth noting that cornerback Max Melton suffered a similar injury in Week 12 and has missed the last two games. Harrison is following a similar pattern after being ruled out on Friday.
Michael Wilson will once again operate as Arizona’s top wide receiver in a difficult matchup against the Houston Texans.
DK Metcalf, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
DK Metcalf was hospitalized after the Pittsburgh Steelers’ win over the Baltimore Ravens due to an abdominal issue. Metcalf stayed overnight in a Baltimore hospital before returning to Pittsburgh.
Head coach Mike Tomlin has said that Metcalf is expected to play in Week 15 against the Miami Dolphins. The veteran receiver does not carry an injury designation into Sunday’s matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
Davante Adams, WR, Los Angeles Rams | Questionable
Davante Adams was listed as a non-participant for the Los Angeles Rams practices on Wednesday and Thursday due to a hamstring injury. Head coach Sean McVay told reporters throughout the week that Adams would be ready to play on Sunday.
Adams carries a questionable tag into Week 15’s game against the Detroit Lions, but he is expected to play.
Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears | Questionable
Rome Odunze was inactive for the Chicago Bears’ Week 14 matchup against the Green Bay Packers due to a stress fracture in his foot. Odunze had been playing through the injury (he first appeared on the injury report after Week 8’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens), but the injury had worsened enough for him to miss time.
A definitive return timeline wasn’t given for Odunze, and he is not on the Bears’ injured reserve, but initial reports suggested a multi-week absence for the second-year receiver. He was a limited participant in every practice this week and enters Week 15 as questionable.
Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland were the biggest winners without Odunze in the lineup in Week 14 and would stand to benefit if he’s unable to play in Week 15 as well.
Pat Bryant, WR, Denver Broncos | Out
Denver Broncos’ rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant has seen his role gradually increase throughout the season. In recent weeks, he had taken over as the team’s primary slot receiver. However, he has missed practice ahead of Week 15 due to a hamstring injury. Reports indicate that Bryant is likely to miss the Broncos’ matchup against the Green Bay Packers. He was officially ruled out on Friday.
Troy Franklin and Evan Engram would be the biggest winners of a missed game for Byant.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons | Questionable
Kyle Pitts is listed as questionable heading into the Atlanta Falcons’ Thursday night matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a knee injury. Pitts has been a limited participant in practice throughout the week and is expected to play.
Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Mark Andrews was added to the Baltimore Ravens’ injury report on Thursday with a glute injury. Fantasy managers need to monitor his status due to a midweek injury. He does not appear on the team’s final injury report.
Jake Ferguson, TE, Dallas Cowboys | Questionable
Jake Ferguson was listed as a limited participant for the Dallas Cowboys on Wednesday with a calf injury. He was downgraded to a “DNP” on Thursday.
Ferguson was upgraded to a limited participant on Friday and is expected to play in Week 15 for the Dallas Cowboys against the Minnesota Vikings.
David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns | Out
David Njoku suffered a knee injury during a diving touchdown reception in the second quarter of the Cleveland Browns’ loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 14. Njoku did not return to the game.
No updates have been given about Njoku’s injury, but his practice participation will provide clarity on its severity. He is not expected to practice on Wednesday and did not practice on Thursday. He was officially ruled out on Friday.
Rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. is already a key piece of Cleveland’s offense, but could be in store for even more targets if Njoku is held out.
Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Out
Tampa Bay Buccaneers tight end Cade Otton has been listed as a non-participant for the team’s first two practices of the week ahead of a Thursday matchup against the Atlanta Falcons with a knee injury. Otton is considered doubtful to play.
The Buccaneers are expected to get Mike Evans back from injured reserve this week, so most of Otton’s work in the passing attack would likely filter to him and the team’s other healthy pass catchers.