Week 14 represented an annual milestone in many season-long fantasy leagues, which is the final regular season week before playoffs commence.
You are now likely headed into playoffs for individual teams that have secured advancement. The next three weeks are the ones that matter most, and ideally, managers’ teams have lucked into good health for their players.
There were certainly a number of injuries that piled up in Week 14, some that could direly affect the championship aspirations of many. Let’s break them down.
Week 14 represented an annual milestone in many season-long fantasy leagues, which is the final regular season week before playoffs commence.
You are now likely headed into playoffs for individual teams that have secured advancement. The next three weeks are the ones that matter most, and ideally, managers’ teams have lucked into good health for their players.
There were certainly a number of injuries that piled up in Week 14, some that could direly affect the championship aspirations of many. Let’s break them down.
Ahead of kickoff in Week 14, fantasy managers of Justin Jefferson were rejoicing as he finally returned after missing eight weeks with a leg injury. Unfortunately, that joy would be short-lived, as a hospital pass delivered by QB Josh Dobbs relegated Jefferson back to the blue medical tent (and later the local ER) with a new chest injury.
Fantasy Impact: Jefferson had a couple of catches for 27 yards and looked like his normal self before exiting early in the first half against Las Vegas. There are now serious doubts that need to be considered for his prospects, especially leading up to next week as Minnesota faces the Bengals on Saturday. His practice status will require monitoring in the coming days. There are also questions about what quarterback will be under center for the Vikings moving forward, casting doubt on the teams’ skill-position players to provide consistent fantasy production.
One of the best rookie quarterbacks the NFL has been graced with in years, C.J. Stroud, went down against the Jets with a head injury and did not return on Sunday. As of publication, he remains in the concussion protocols, and his status for Week 15 against Tennessee seems to be in doubt.
Fantasy Impact: Stroud is an irreplaceable member of the Texans’ organization, and the downside of his absence from any game action cannot be understated. After an impressive stretch of football, Houston has been struck by unprecedented bad luck injury-wise over the past few weeks. Currently led by WRs Noah Brown, Robert Woods and John Metchie, none of these options will be appealing fantasy options in Week 15 if QB Davis Mills finds himself under center. If Stroud can find a way to return, at least Brown should find himself on fantasy rosters in leagues of 10 teams or more.
For those wondering why Nico Collins was not listed in the Houston list of wide receivers above, here is your answer. Collins exited against the Jets with a calf injury and did not return on Sunday.
Fantasy Impact: There have not been any significant updates to Collins’ status as of Monday afternoon. However, his practice status will need to be watched ahead of the Texans’ Week 15 bout with Tennessee. If Collins cannot suit up, Brown will headline the Texans’ receiver corps with both Woods and John filling in as well.
The Chargers’ season continues to get worse and worse, and that is now being culminated by another Justin Herbert finger injury, this time to his throwing hand. Herbert reportedly fractured his right ring finger against the Broncos on Sunday and missed the latter half of the game.
Fantasy Impact: Herbert is not expected to play on “Thursday Night Football” against Las Vegas, leaving backup QB Easton Stick to make a spot start. That said, it is not out of the question that Herbert’s season may very well be over, with Los Angeles not headed anywhere for what seems like the umpteenth year in a row. All Chargers’ skill players receive a major downgrade going from Herbert to Stick. This could really hurt fantasy managers who have been relying on alpha receiver Keenan Allen all year. Brandon Staley has also once again retained his head coaching position in a miraculous fashion as of publication.
Josh Jacobs left the game against the Vikings on Sunday afternoon and was seen heavily limping while suffering an ailment to his knee. He finished with 13 carries for 34 yards and two catches for 16 yards before his exit.
Fantasy Impact: With Las Vegas set for a quick turnaround in a Week 15 Thursday affair, Jacobs must recover quickly if he plans to play in that one. His practice status leading up to Thursday will be crucial for his prospects this week. If Jacobs cannot suit up in the divisional matchup with the Chargers, RBs Ameer Abdullah, Zamir White and Brandon Bolden will all be primed for more work. None of the three would be a particularly enticing fantasy option.
