Surviving the fantasy playoffs means anticipating lineup changes and making moves to offset their impact. Often, this means being proactive when scouring the waiver wire for players who are gaining expanded roles due to injuries. Below is an injury tracker heading into Week 16 of the fantasy season. Be sure to check in throughout the week for status updates and additions to the list.
Jayden Daniels, QB, Washington Commanders | Out
The Washington Commanders announced that Jayden Daniels would be shut down for the final three games of the season due to his elbow injury. Veteran Marcus Mariota will be the team’s starter to close out the 2025 season.
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Kansas City Chiefs | Out
An MRI confirmed that Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in Week 15’s loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. Mahomes has already undergone surgery, and his 2025 season is over.
A statement from head trainer Rick Burkholder on Patrick Mahomes, who will return to the team to rehab in-house Friday. pic.twitter.com/7oB7RCi4oB
— Pete Sweeney (@pgsween) December 17, 2025
Gardner Minshew will be under center for the Kansas City Chiefs to close out the season. All of the Chiefs’ pass catchers take a hit based on the drop in talent, but Minshew has shown that he can sustain fantasy relevance for players through volume in previous stops.
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson did not participate in practice for the Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 17, thanks to flu-like symptoms. Jackson has missed at least one practice a week for the last several weeks with an array of lower-body injuries, so this pattern isn’t new, even if the cause is. Jackson was able to return to practice on Dec. 18.
Expect Jackson to be active and ready to go against the New England Patriots on Sunday night. He does not appear on the team’s final injury report.
Geno Smith, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
Geno Smith missed the Las Vegas Raiders’ Week 15 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles with shoulder and back injuries. On Monday, head coach Pete Carroll did not state that Smith would be set to practice ahead of Week 16’s matchup against the Houston Texans, even if he did say previously that Smith looked “ready to go”.
Smith does not appear on the Las Vegas Raiders’ Week 16 injury report and is set to return to the lineup against Houston.
Tyrod Taylor, QB, New York Jets | Questionable
Tyrod Taylor suffered a groin injury just 10 snaps into the Miami Dolphins’ Week 14 matchup against the New York Jets. That injury forced him to miss Week 15 as well, leading undrafted free agent Brady Cook to make his first NFL start against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Taylor was able to log a limited practice on Thursday. However, head coach Aaron Glenn stated that UDFA Brady Cook would start in Week 16 so the team can further evaluate him. Taylor or Justin Fields will be his backup if healthy.
Justin Fields, QB, New York Jets | Questionable
Justin Fields has been inactive for the New York Jets for the last two weeks due to a knee injury that he suffered in practice before Week 14. He had previously been demoted to the backup position behind Tyrod Taylor.
Fields was able to log a limited practice on Thursday, but UDFA Brady Cook is expected to be the starter for the New York Jets in Week 16 regardless of his health.
Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley was a surprising addition to the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice report for Tuesday’s walkthrough practice. The veteran running back was listed as a “did not participate” due to a stinger. Barkley was briefly off the field in the Eagles’ Week 15 win over the Las Vegas Raiders in the first half, but returned and handled his normal workload until the starters were pulled in a blowout win. Barkley was upgraded to a limited participant on Wednesday.
Barkley does not appear on the team’s final injury report and is expected to handle his normal workload against the Washington Commanders on Saturday.
Josh Jacobs, RB, Green Bay Packers | Questionable
Green Bay Packers’ running back Josh Jacobs appeared as a “DNP” on Tuesday’s injury report due to his knee injury. Jacobs has been managing the injury for weeks, but told reporters after the game that he had reinjured it in the first quarter against the Denver Broncos and played through the pain.
READ MORE: Josh Jacobs Injury Update: Will the Packers Star Play in Week 16 vs. Bears?
The Packers have a short week before their Saturday matchup against the Chicago Bears in Week 16, so time will tell if Jacobs can get the knee healthy enough to play on Saturday. He has told reporters that he expects to play in the game, but the coaching staff may have other plans, as the Packers prepare for a playoff run. He did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday.
Jacobs has been a reliable RB1 for fantasy managers this season (17.8 PPR points per game), and his loss in the fantasy playoffs would be catastrophic for fantasy managers. Backup running back Emmanuel Wilson should be added as a handcuff (or as a waiver wire piece for any team) while we wait for news. Wilson scored 26.5 PPR points in his lone start in Week 12 against the Minnesota Vikings this season.
RJ Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos
Rookie RJ Harvey quietly suffered a rib injury with roughly six minutes remaining in the Denver Broncos’ win over the Green Bay Packers in Week 15. Harvey did not return to the game.
Head coach Sean Payton told reporters that Harvey was good. The rookie running back does not appear on the team’s injury report and is set to be Denver’s lead back in a tough matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Alvin Kamara, RB, New Orleans Saints | Out
Alvin Kamara has missed three straight games for the New Orleans Saints while nursing a knee injury. Last week, he didn’t log a single limited practice, suggesting that he is still far away from returning to his full workload.
Kamara once again did not practice ahead of Week 16 before being ruled out on Friday. That leaves Audric Estime and Evan Hull as the team’s healthy running backs against the New York Jets.
Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans | Questionable
Houston Texans’ rookie running back Woody Marks entered Week 15 navigating an ankle injury. Unfortunately for fantasy managers, he aggravated the injury in the first half against the Arizona Cardinals and did not return to the game. Head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters after the match that Marks could have returned, but ultimately didn’t in a blowout win.
Marks is considered day-to-day heading into Week 16’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, but did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. He was spotted working on a side field with trainers on Friday, which is a positive step.
Expect Nick Chubb to take the majority of the Texans’ backfield reps in Week 16 if Marks is sidelined. Jawhar Jordan and Dare Ogunbowale could also see playing time, especially in pass-catching situations.
D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears| Questionable
D’Andre Swift was listed as a limited participant for the Chicago Bears on their Dec. 17 practice. Swift has appeared on the injury report several times this season, but has missed just one game.
Swift is listed as questionable for Week 16. If he were to miss, then rookie Kyle Monangai would take on the bulk of the backfield work for Chicago against the Green Bay Packers.
Nick Chubb, RB, Houston Texans | Questionable
Nick Chubb was inactive for the Houston Texans’ game against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 15 due to a rib injury. On Monday, head coach DeMeco Ryans told reporters that Chubb would be considered “day-to-day” heading into Week 16. The veteran running back was able to log a limited practice on Dec. 17 and does not appear on the team’s final injury report.
Chubb would either be the lead back if Woody Marks misses with injury or the backup back if Marks is healthy. His fantasy value is contingent on whether he’s healthy enough to play.
Devin Neal, RB, New Orleans Saints | Out
New Orleans Saints rookie running back Devin Neal suffered a hamstring injury during a first-half touchdown in Week 15 that ultimately knocked him out of the game. He was unable to return.
The Saints wasted no time ruling Neal out for Week 16’s matchup against the New York Jets. Expect Audric Estime and Evan Hull to lead the backfield, assuming Alvin Kamara remains out due to a knee injury.
Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars | Out
Rookie Bhayshul Tuten suffered a finger injury that will require surgery in the Jacksonville Jaguars’ win over the New York Jets in Week 15. He was officially ruled out on Friday.
Expect larger workloads for Travis Etienne and rookie LeQuint Allen Jr. until Tuten can return.
Bam Knight, RB, Arizona Cardinals | Out
The Arizona Cardinals placed Bam Knight on injured reserve after Week 15 due to an ankle injury. His season is officially over.
The Cardinals’ backfield will consist of Michael Carter and Emari Demercado for the final three weeks of the season. Carter operated as the lead back in Week 15 once Knight was injured and should be considered the priority waiver wire option.
Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons | Questionable
Drake London missed his fourth straight game for the Atlanta Falcons in Week 15 with a PCL injury. On Monday, head coach Raheem Morris said there was hope that London could return in Week 16 after a good week of practice. London logged a limited practice on Wednesday and Thursday.
The veteran receiver will carry a questionable tag into Week 16’s matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, but is expected to play.
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets | Out
On Friday, New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters that Garrett Wilson would remain on the injured reserve for the remainder of the season. Adonai Mitchell and John Metchie III will continue to function as the team’s lead receivers in 2025.
Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals | Questionable
Tee Higgins was able to log limited practices for the Cincinnati Bengals before Week 15’s matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. Still, he was ultimately ruled out due to his concussion before the game. His practice participation last week suggests he is close to clearing the NFL’s concussion protocol, but for now, he is still actively in the protocol.
Higgins was not initially spotted at practice on Thursday, but did appear at the end of open practice. He also logged a full practice on Friday and will head into Week 16’s matchup with a questionable designation.
If Higgins can return, then he is on the WR2 radar in a prime matchup against the Miami Dolphins in Week 16.
Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs | Out
On Wednesday, Kansas City Chiefs’ head coach Andy Reid told reporters that receiver Rashee Rice had reported concussion symptoms to the team’s training staff on Monday. Rice was immediately placed into the concussion protocol.
The veteran wide receiver did not participate in practice on Wednesday or Thursday, putting his ability to clear the concussion protocol in serious doubt. He was officially ruled out on Friday.
Rice will need to clear through the protocol this week to have a chance to play. Expect Xavier Worthy to become a more prominent part of the team’s passing attack if Rice is unable to play.
Davante Adams, WR, Los Angeles Rams | Out
Davante Adams entered Week 15 nursing a hamstring injury that kept him out of all of the Los Angeles Rams’ practices last week. Unfortunately, he aggravated the injury in the fourth quarter of the Rams’ win over the Detroit Lions.
Initial reports suggested that Adams would miss multiple weeks, but head coach Sean McVay has refused to rule Adams out for Thursday’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. Even if Adams is healthy, expect him to be used more as a decoy than a downfield weapon. He is listed as doubtful for Thursday night’s game.
Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals | Questionable
Marvin Harrison Jr. has missed the last two Arizona Cardinals’ games due to a heel injury. Last week, head coach Jonathan Gannon told reporters he expected Harrison to suit up again in the 2025 season.
Harrison missed all of the team’s practices ahead of Week 15, but he is expected to participate in practice on Wednesday. It is worth noting that it is a walkthrough practice. Harrison logged a limited practice on Thursday and Friday and is expected to play.
MORE: Free Fantasy Football Start/Sit Optimizer
Michael Wilson will continue to be a strong play at wide receiver for fantasy managers with Harrison ruled out. Wilson has minimal appeal if Harrison can return in Week 16.
Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers | Questionable
Christian Watson suffered a shoulder injury in the Green Bay Packers’ Week 15 loss to the Denver Broncos. Initial testing showed that the veteran receiver dodged significant injury, but his status for Week 16 was in doubt.
Watson was listed as a non-participant in Green Bay’s first practice of the week on Tuesday, but was upgraded to a limited participant on Wednesday. Head coach Matt LaFleur said he hoped the decision to play Watson would be finalized by the time the team kicks off against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. Watson is expected to play, but heads into the game with a questionable designation.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers’ 2025 first-round pick, Tetairoa McMillan, was listed as a non-participant in practice on Dec. 17 due to foot and ankle injuries. McMillan logged his usual workload in Week 15 (84.2% snap share) and didn’t suffer a clear injury in the team’s loss to the New Orleans Saints. McMillan was able to log a limited practice on Thursday.
The rookie wide receiver should be fine for Sunday, but players like Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette would see increased roles if McMillan is too injured to play.
Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears | Out
Rome Odunze was set to return to the lineup for the Chicago Bears in Week 15 after missing just one game with a stress fracture in his foot. Unfortunately, Odunze aggravated the injury during pre-game warmups and was ruled out.
Head coach Ben Johnson told reporters that the team would have to protect Odunze from himself and that “all options were on the table” regarding getting him healthy for a potential playoff appearance. That could mean a multi-week absence for the second-year receiver. Odunze did not practice on Wednesday and was ruled out on Thursday.
#Bears WRs Rome Odunze (foot) and Luther Burden III (ankle) are both ruled out for Saturday vs. the #Packers.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 18, 2025
Expect DJ Moore and Colston Loveland to see bigger roles in the passing attack. Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay should also see an increased role for the Bears’ offense against the Packers.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers | Questionable
Ricky Pearsall aggravated his knee injury toward the end of the San Francisco 49ers’ win over the Tennessee Titans in Week 15. On Wednesday, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Pearsall was not expected to practice on Dec. 18, but that he was feeling good and had a chance to suit up Monday against the Indianapolis Colts. Pearsall also missed practice on Friday.
This same injury forced Pearsall to miss most of the season, so it is probably a good idea to see if 49ers receivers like Kendrick Bourne or Demarcus Robinson are on the waiver wire, especially if you have Pearsall penciled into your starting lineup.
Pat Bryant, WR, Denver Broncos
Pat Bryant missed the Denver Broncos’ Week 15 matchup against the Green Bay Packers with a hamstring injury. The injury isn’t expected to be severe, but we also don’t know a timeline for return. Bryant does not appear on the team’s final injury report, suggesting his return in Week 16 without restriction.
Luther Burden III, WR, Chicago Bears | Out
Luther Burden III left the Chicago Bears’ Week 15 win over the Cleveland Browns with an ankle injury. Head coach Ben Johnson described Burden as “day-to-day” on Monday, but he was listed as a non-participant in Tuesday’s walk-through practice.
🚨Checking in on Rookies🚨
Luther Burden III was my predraft WR3, largely due to his elite YAC ability
He’s a averaging almost 6 targets per game in his last 5 games & is poised for a breakout before the end of the season#Dabears | @BlitzSM_
pic.twitter.com/JKvhFW7fNt— JLSports (@JLSports24) December 17, 2025
Chicago’s Week 16 matchup against the Green Bay Packers is on Saturday, which means Burden will need to upgrade to a limited participant on Wednesday or Thursday to have a good chance of playing. Unfortunately, Burden was listed as a non-participant on Wednesday and was ultimately ruled out on Thursday.
Olamide Zaccheaus and Devin Duvernay each played bigger roles in the passing attack with Burden (and Odunze) sidelined in Week 15.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons | Questionable
Kyle Pitts appeared on the Atlanta Falcons’ injury report Thursday due to a knee injury, but was able to log a limited practice. He logged a second limited practice on Friday and is expected to play in Week 16 against the Arizona Cardinals.
David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns | Out
David Njoku missed the Cleveland Browns’ Week 15 matchup against the Chicago Bears with a knee injury. He is not expected to practice on Wednesday, but head coach Kevin Stefanski noted that all of Cleveland’s injured players are “trending in the right direction.” Njoku was also not seen at practice on Thursday and was officially ruled out on Friday.
Expect Harold Fannin Jr. to continue to see his usual workload for the Cleveland Browns in Week 16.
Dalton Kincaid, TE, Buffalo Bills | Questionable
Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid was listed as a non-participant in practice on Wednesday due to a knee injury. He was also listed as a non-participant on Thursday.
The veteran tight end was able to return to practice on Friday on a limited basis and is expected to play in Week 15. The team has stated they are trying to manage his knee injury to keep him available for games.
Kincaid was able to play through the injury in Week 15 and did not suffer an apparent aggravation of his injury during the game. His participation in practice should be closely monitored, given his history of injuries.
