Fantasy Football Week 15 injury report: Updates on Christian McCaffrey, Calvin Ridley, Austin Ekeler and more

A player's injury status can have a significant effect on fantasy football — it can alter draft strategy, roster construction, and, most importantly, it can determine start-or-sit decisions for your fantasy team.

Each week, I will comb through the official injury reports for each game and give updates and analysis for fantasy-relevant players. Injuries are fluid, so make sure to stay up to date by following @mario_pilato on Twitter.

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ARIZONA CARDINALS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Chase Edmonds	RB	70.9	RB28	Ankle	Questionable

Mario’s take: Edmonds was a DNP in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but a limited participant Friday. He is considered a game-time decision and I am optimistic about his chance of playing in Week 15.

ATLANTA FALCONS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Calvin Ridley	WR	83.5	WR6	Foot	(-)
Julio Jones	WR	86.3	N/A	Hamstring	Out

Mario’s take: Ridley was a limited participant in practice all week and I expect him to play in Week 15.

Jones did not practice all week and he is out for Week 15.

BALTIMORE RAVENS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Robert Griffin III	QB	52.9	N/A	Hamstring	IR
Trace McSorley	QB	57.4	N/A	Knee	IR
Miles Boykin	WR	61.7	N/A	COVID-19	(-)
Marquise Brown	WR	66.1	WR28	COVID-19	(-)

Mario’s take: Griffin injured his hamstring in Week 13. He was pulled in the fourth quarter and did not return. The Ravens placed Griffin on IR, and he will miss at least the next three weeks.

McSorely suffered an MCL sprain in Week 14 and was placed on IR. He will miss at least the next three weeks. 

Boykin and Brown were placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. They were activated Saturday and will play in Week 15.

BUFFALO BILLS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
John Brown	WR	68.4	N/A	Ankle	IR-R

Mario’s take: Brown was placed on IR in Week 12 and returned Tuesday. The Bills have 21 days to activate him but he will not be activated prior to the Week 15 game.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Christian McCaffrey	RB	76.0	N/A	Shoulder/Quad	Out
Curtis Samuel	WR	75.3	WR29	Hamstring	Questionable

Mario’s take: McCaffery suffered a sprained A/C joint sprain when he landed hard on his shoulder in Week 9. He did not play in the three following weeks. Coming off of the Panthers' Week 13 bye, it seemed CMC was ready to return to action until news broke that he was dealing with a new injury. McCaffery suffered a strained quad while training and reaggravated it in the middle of Week 13. He did not play in Week 14 and is not expected to play until at least Week 16.

Samuel was a limited participant at practice Thursday and I expect him to play in Week 15.

CHICAGO BEARS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Jimmy Graham	TE	57.9	TE33	Hip	Questionable
Tarik Cohen	RB	62.6	N/A	Knee	IR

Mario’s take: Graham was a limited participant at practice all week and I expect him to play in Week 15.

Cohen suffered a torn ACL in Week 3. He underwent surgery and will miss the remainder of the season.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

 

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Auden Tate	WR	73.4	N/A	Shoulder	IR
Brandon Allen	QB	48.1	QB31	Knee	Questionable
Joe Mixon	RB	66.0	N/A	Foot	IR
Joe Burrow	QB	75.1	N/A	Knee	IR
John Ross III	WR	48.2	N/A	Foot	IR

Mario’s take: Tate underwent surgery on his torn labrum in his shoulder. He has been placed on IR, and his recovery is expected to be four to six months.

Allen has not practiced all week after suffering a bone bruise in Week 14. I do not expect him to play in Week 15.

Mixon injured his foot in the first half of Week 6. He was placed on IR and has not played since. Mixon is not expected to practice this week, and I do not expect him to play in Week 15.

Burrow injured his left knee in Week 11. He suffered a torn ACL and possible damage to the MCL and Meniscus. Worst case scenario is also a tibial fracture. He will miss the remainder of the season, but he will be ready for next season. 

Ross injured his foot in Week 10 and was subsequently placed on IR. I do not expect him back for several weeks.

CLEVELAND BROWNS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Austin Hooper	TE	65.6	TE29	Neck	Questionable
Odell Beckham Jr.	WR	75.3	N/A	Knee	IR

Mario’s take: Hooper missed Week 14 due to a neck injury. He was limited at practice Wednesday and Thursday, but a full participant Friday. I am optimistic Hooper returns to action in Week 15.

Beckham tore his ACL in Week 7. I believe he also damaged his meniscus. Beckham will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.

DALLAS COWBOYS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Dak Prescott	QB	85.2	N/A	Ankle	Out
Ezekiel Elliott	RB	62.7	RB15	Calf	Out

Mario’s take: Prescott suffered a compound fracture in his ankle during Week 5. A compound fracture is when the bone has gone through the skin. He will miss the rest of the season. 

Elliott did not practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 15.

DENVER BRONCOS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Courtland Sutton	WR	72.9	N/A	Knee	IR
Phillip Lindsay	RB	69.8	N/A	Hip	Questionable
Melvin Gordon III	RB	67.1	RB25	Shoulder	Questionable

Mario’s take: Sutton left the game in Week 2 due to a knee injury and cramping. He was later diagnosed with an ACL tear. Sutton will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.

Lindsay and Gordon III were limited participants at practice all week and I expect them to play in Week 15.

DETROIT LIONS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Adrian Peterson	RB	56.1	RB44	Forearm	Questionable
Kenny Golladay	WR	81.6	N/A	Hip	Out
Matthew Stafford	QB	80.9	N/A	Ribs/Thumb	Questionable

Mario’s take: Peterson was a limited participant at practice Wednesday but a full participant Thursday, and he will play in Week 15.

Golladay suffered a Grade II groin strain in the third quarter of Week 8. He has not played since and did not practice all week. Golladay has been ruled out for Week 15.

Stafford did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, but was a limited participant Friday. Stafford is tough and known for playing through injuries. He will play in Week 15..

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Allen Lazard	WR	70.9	WR54	Core	(-)
Equanimeous St. Brown	WR	59.1	N/A	Head/Knee	(-)
Jace Sternberger	TE	56.8	N/A	Head	Out
Marcedes Lewis	TE	64.6	N/A	Knee	(-)
Tyler Ervin	RB	65.9	N/A	Foot	IR

Mario’s take: Brown, Lazard and Lewis were limited participants in practice all week and they will play in Week 15.

Sternberger is in the five-step concussion protocol and has been rulled out for Week 15.

Ervin was placed on IR and will miss at least the next three weeks.

HOUSTON TEXANS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Brandin Cooks	WR	76.4	WR32	Foot/Neck	(-)
Duke Johnson	RB	64.2	RB37	Illness	Out
Randall Cobb	WR	71.6	N/A	Foot	IR
C.J. Prosise	RB	45.4	N/A	Ankle	Out

Mario’s take: Cobb injured his foot in the first quarter of Week 11. I believe he suffered a midfoot sprain. Cobb was placed on IR and may not return this season.

Cooks was limited in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but a full participant Friday. He will play in Week 15.

Johnson and Prosise were limited participants in practice Wednesday but were DNPs Thursday and Friday. They have been ruled out for Week 15.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Mo Alie-Cox	TE	80.7	TE34	Knee	Questionable
Philip Rivers	QB	78.6	QB14	Toe	(-)
Parris Campbell	WR	72.8	N/A	Knee	IR
Trey Burton	TE	70.5	TE24	Knee	(-)

Mario’s take: Alie-Cox didn’t practice Wednesday or Thursday, but was a limited participant Friday. I am not optimistic Alie-Cox plays in Week 15.

Rivers did not practice Wednesday but was a full participant Thursday and Friday. The missed practice was due to maintenance. Rivers will play in Week 15.

Campbell was carted off the field in Week 2 after spraining his MCL and PCL. Campbell's multi-ligament injury has ruled him out indefinitely. I do not expect him to return this season.

Burton didn’t practice Wednesday but was a full participant Thursday and Friday, and I expect him to play in Week 15.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Chris Thompson	RB	54.9	N/A	Back	IR
Dede Westbrook	WR	53.7	N/A	Knee	IR
James Robinson	RB	74.3	RB5	Knee	Questionable
Ryquell Armstead	RB	N/A	N/A	COVID-19	Out

Mario’s take: Thompson was put on IR in Week 13 for a back injury.

Westbrook was carted off the field in Week 7 with a torn ACL. He will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.

Robinson practiced in a limited fashion all week and I expect him to play in Week 15.

Armstead is not expected to return this season due to complications from COVID-19.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

N/A

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Henry Ruggs III	WR	54.8	N/A	COVID-19	Out
Tyrell Williams	WR	N/A	N/A	Shoulder	IR

Mario’s take: Ruggs III was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list, so his availability for Week 15 is up in the air.

Williams underwent surgery in early September for a torn labrum in his shoulder. He will miss the entire 2020 season and will be ready for the 2021 season.

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Austin Ekeler	RB	77.1	RB3	Quad	Questionable
Keenan Allen	WR	85.7	WR3	Hamstring	Questionable
Mike Williams	WR	70.9	N/A	Back	Questionable

Mario’s take: Ekeler has been limited at practice all week, but I expect him to play in TNF.

Allen and Williams have been limited participants all week but are true game-time decisions. I believe they try to give it a go, but they will need to be monitored all the way up to kick-off.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Robert Woods	WR	71.3	WR13	Thigh	(-)

Mario’s take: Woods did not practice for precautionary reasons, was a limited participant Thursday, and a full participant Friday. He will play in Week 15.

MIAMI DOLPHINS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
DeVante Parker	WR	77.4	WR55	Hamstring	Out
Jakeem Grant	WR	68.0	N/A	Back	Out
Myles Gaskins	RB	67.8	N/A	COVID-19	Out
Mike Gesicki	TE	80.4	N/A	Shoulder	Out
Preston Williams	WR	65.5	N/A	Foot	IR
Salvon Ahmed	RB	63.8	N/A	Shoulder	Questionable

Mario’s take: Parker and Grant were limited participants at practice all week. Parker and Grant will be out in Week 15.

Gaskins missed Week 14 due to COVID-19. He has been ruled out for Week 15.

Gesicki suffered a shoulder dislocation in Week 14. He did not practice Wednesday but was limited in practice Thursday and Friday. Gesicki has been ruled out for Week 15.

Williams injured his foot in Week 9 and was placed on IR. It is possible he does not return this season.

Ahmed has not played since Week 12. He was a limited participant at practice all week, and I am optimistic he plays in Week 15

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Alexander Mattison	RB	71.3	N/A	Illness	Questionable
Kyle Rudolph	TE	67.6	N/A	Foot	Out

Mario’s take: Mattison missed Week 13 and Week 14 due to appendix surgery. He did not practice Wednesday, was a limited participant Thursday, and a full participant Friday, I expect Mattison to return in Week 15.

Rudolph did not practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 15.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Damien Harris	RB	90.3	RB36	Ankle	Out
James White	RB	66.0	RB32	Foot	Questionable
Julian Edelman	WR	68.8	N/A	Knee	IR
Rex Burkhead	RB	78.2	N/A	Knee	IR

Mario’s take: Harris was a limited participant in practice Thursday and Friday, and he has been ruled out for Week 15.

White was a limited participant at practice all week and I expect him to play in Week 15.

Edelman underwent surgery in Week 8 and will miss at least three weeks after being placed on IR.

Burkhead injured his right knee in  Week 12. I believe he tore his ACL and possibly damaged his MCL as well. He will miss the remainder of the season but will be ready for next year.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Drew Brees	QB	76.0	N/A	Shoulder	IR-R
Michael Thomas	WR	85.3	WR8	Ankle	IR

Mario’s take: Brees did not return in the second half of Week 10 after injuring his ribs. Tests revealed fractured ribs on both sides of his chest as well as a collapsed lung. Brees has been designated to return from injured reserve. The Saints will activate Brees and he will play in Week 15.

Thomas has not practiced all week and he has been placed on IR in hopes to be ready for the playoffs. 

NEW YORK GIANTS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Daniel Jones	QB	78.4	N/A	Ankle/Hamstring	Out
Devonta Freeman	RB	55.0	N/A	Ankle/undisclosed	IR-Ret
Saquon Barkley	RB	60.2	N/A	Knee	IR

Mario’s take: Jones injured his hamstring in the third quarter of Week 12. I believe he is suffering from a Grade II hamstring strain. The return-to-play timeline is three to six weeks. He did not play in Week 13 but returned in Week 14, where he injured his ankle. He was a limited participant at practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 15.

Freeman has not played since sustaining an ankle injury during Week 8. He has been practicing this week and has looked good. I am optimistic the Giants activate him before the Week 15 game.

Barkley sprained his MCL and tore both his ACL and meniscus in Week 2. He underwent surgery and will miss the remainder of the season.

NEW YORK JETS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Breshad Perriman	WR	63.1	WR56	Shoulder	(-)
Chris Hogan	WR	56.1	N/A	Knee	IR
La’Mical Perine	RB	57.9	N/A	Ankle	IR-R
Jamison Crowder	WR	71.3	WR46	Calf	Questionable

Mario’s take: Perriman practiced in a limited fashion on Wednesday but was a full participant Thursday and Friday, and he will play in Week 15.

Perine has been designated to return from injured reserve. The Jets have 21 days to activate him, but it is unlikely he will be activate in time for Week 15.

Hogan was injured in Week 5 and was put on IR. He underwent arthroscopic surgery and will miss at least eight weeks.

Crowder did not practice Wednesday but was a limited participant Thursday and Friday, and I expect him to play in Week 15.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
DeSean Jackson	WR	64.1	N/A	Ankle	IR

Mario’s take: Jackson was placed on IR during Week 7 and is expected to miss significant time.

PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
James Connor	RB	67.3	RB22	Quad	Questionable

Mario’s take: Connor is dealing with a quadriceps injury. He did not practice Thursday but was a limited participant Friday. He needs to be monitored as the week progresses.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Deebo Samuel	WR	79.6	N/A	Hamstring	Out
Jimmy Garoppolo	QB	67.5	N/A	Ankle	IR
George Kittle	TE	79.7	N/A	Foot	IR
Raheem Mostert	RB	75.3	N/A	Ankle	(-)

Mario’s take: Samuel reinjured his hamstring in Week 14 and has been shut down for the rest of the season.

Garoppolo reinjured his high-ankle sprain in Week 8. This is a tough injury to deal with because you will be ineffective if you come back too early. He missed multiple games the first time around with this injury and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

Kittle left the game in the 4th quarter of Week 8. It looked as if he suffered a mild inversion ankle sprain, but x-rays revealed a small fracture in his foot. Kittle will miss the next eight weeks.

Mostert aggravated his high ankle sprain in Week 14. He did not practice Wednesday, was a limited participant Thursday, and a full participant Friday. He will play in Week 15 but I do not believe he will get a full workload.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Bo Scarbrough	RB	73.0	N/A	Hamstring	IR
Chris Carson	RB	82.8	RB12	Foot	(-)
Carlos Hyde	RB	68.8	RB40	Toe	(-)
Greg Olsen	TE	61.5	N/A	Foot	IR
Rashaad Penny	RB	N/A	N/A	Knee	Questionable
Travis Homer	RB	58.0	N/A	Wrist/Thumb/Knee	Out

Mario’s take: Scarbrough tore his hamstring and will miss the remainder of the season.

Carson was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Thursday, but a full participant Friday. He will play in Week 15.

Hyde practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday but was a full participant Thursday and Friday, and he will play in Week 15.

Olsen left Week 11 after injuring his foot. Coach Carroll said Olsen ruptured his plantar fascia. Return-to-play is determined by the severity of the tear, with a complete rupture taking six to eight weeks. 

Homer did not practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 15.

Penny has missed all season due to an ACL tear that he suffered last year. He practiced Wednesday with the intent to return in Week 15.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
O.J. Howard	TE	80.1	N/A	Ankle	IR
Ronald Jones	RB	71.6	N/A	Finger/COVID-19	Out

Mario’s take: Howard tore his Achilles in Week 11. He underwent surgery and will miss the remainder of the season.

Jones II underwent surgery on his finger and was placed on the reserver/COVID-19 list. I do not expect him to play in Week 15.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Adam Humphries	WR	69.9	N/A	Head	IR
A.J. Brown	WR	74.1	WR7	Ankle	(-)

Mario’s take: Humphries was placed on IR due to a concussion. He will miss at least three weeks.

Brown was a limited participant at practice Wednesday, did not practice Thursday, and was a full participant Friday. He will play in Week 15.

WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM

Player	Pos	PFF grade	Consensus Rank	Injury	Status
Alex Smith	QB	65.8	QB28	Calf	Out
Antonio Gibson	RB	78.8	N/A	Toe	Doubtful
Antonio Gandy-Golden	WR	50.0	N/A	Hamstring	IR-R
Kyle Allen	QB	68.5	N/A	Ankle	IR
Peyton Barber	RB	59.4	RB30	Ankle	(-)

Mario’s take: Smith strained his calf in Week 14. He has not practiced all week and he will not play in Week 15.

Gibson suffered a serious turf toe injury in Week 13 and did not play in Week 14. He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, but was a limited participant Friday. I do not expect him to play in Week 15.

Gandy-Golden was designated to return from injured reserve. The Football Team has 21 days to activate him. He practiced Wednesday and Thursday, and he has a shot at returning to action in Week 15.

Allen is undergoing surgery to repair his fractured dislocated ankle. He will miss the remainder of the season.

Barber was a limited participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday, but a full participant Friday. He will play in Week 15.

Mario Pilato has a master's degree in Kinesiology and a bachelor's degree in Exercise Sports Science, along with eight years of experience in the strength and conditioning industry, including at the collegiate and NFL levels. His injury analysis articles will appear weekly.