The fantasy football playoffs are here. A big congratulations to all of our followers who have made it this far in the season. It is a significant accomplishment, considering the fantasy football injuries and bye weeks we’ve had to navigate.
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Fantasy Football Injuries to Know
Here is a quick rundown of Week 14’s injury fallout and information that you’ll need to consider when making waiver wire claims.
Quarterback
Daniel Jones (QB – IND)
Daniel Jones went down in a heap during the first quarter with a scary non-contact injury, and fantasy managers immediately knew something was seriously wrong. Though he was able to stand up and gingerly walk off under his own power, he grabbed the back of his calf area, indicating an Achilles tendon issue. Tests confirmed on Monday afternoon that he had ruptured the tendon and will miss the remainder of the 2025 season.
Fantasy Impact: I feel for Daniel Jones, as he was in the midst of a true breakout season, and in line for a significant payday in free agency. A QB1 option for managers most of the year, Jones will finish with 3,101 passing yards and a 19:8 touchdown-to-interception ratio, adding another five scores on the ground. Due to Anthony Richardson‘s freak orbital bone fracture earlier this year, Indianapolis is currently relying upon rookie Riley Leonard from Notre Dame to save its playoff hopes.
Leonard is dealing with an injury of his own (a reported Grade 1 PCL sprain to his right knee) that is threatening his availability for Sunday’s contest on the road against Seattle. Brett Rypien is the lone option available on the practice squad, and the Colts have begun to search for veteran help to shore up the room, including 44-year-old Philip Rivers (I wish that I was joking, but sadly I’m not). While Indianapolis is experiencing upheaval under center, all receiving options should be downgraded accordingly, especially tight end Tyler Warren and receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
Tyrod Taylor (QB – NYJ)
Anyone who has followed Tyrod Taylor‘s career knew that an injury was bound to happen in short order, as he has historically struggled to stay on the field for multiple starts in a row. During Sunday’s 34-10 loss to Miami, Taylor managed to make it through just two series before being removed with a groin strain, and was replaced by rookie Brady Cook, due to Justin Fields being inactive. Head coach Aaron Glenn stated on Monday that the team is still gathering more information about his availability for Week 15 on the road against Jacksonville.
Fantasy Impact: One would have to imagine that the Jets would be more comfortable with Fields starting over Cook this weekend, should Taylor be ruled out. Given New York’s lack of relevant receiving options and reliance upon the running game, we wouldn’t advise pivoting to any options on the Jets to add during the fantasy playoff stretch.
Jayden Daniels (QB – WSH)
Robert Griffin III summed it up succinctly, stating, “What is Washington honestly doing right now?” We are all wondering the same thing. Fresh off a dislocated elbow injury that cost him multiple weeks, Jayden Daniels aggravated the injury while throwing an interception and being pushed to the ground by a Minnesota Vikings defender. In visible pain, Daniels made his way over to the blue medical tent and was removed for the rest of the 31-0 thrashing.
Head coach Dan Quinn said on Monday that Daniels was sore, but seemed optimistic about his superstar having “no long-term concerns.” Daniels was in line for a prime matchup against the New York Giants in Week 15, but pushing him to come back in a lost season for the second week in a row seems asinine.
Fantasy Impact: If Washington cares at all for Jayden Daniels‘ future, it would be wise to bench him for their upcoming game against the New York Giants and allow him to sit out the remainder of this season. The Commanders are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention and have nothing significant (other than draft position) to play for at the moment. Veteran Marcus Mariota would draw the start against the Giants and be an upside QB2 play for fantasy purposes.
Geno Smith (QB – LV)
While throwing a pass in the third quarter, Geno Smith felt his shoulder “lock up” and was removed for the remainder of the game in favor of Kenny Pickett. Pete Carroll provided an update during Monday’s press conference, stating that early tests confirmed Smith didn’t sustain any serious damage to his shoulder, and if he is able to play in Week 15 against Philadelphia, he would draw the start.
Fantasy Impact: Similar to the New York Jets situation above, Geno Smith‘s injury doesn’t open up the door for a viable streaming option in fantasy circles. Brock Bowers is the lone startable receiving threat for the Raiders, and he should see targets regardless of who is under center. Smith is a more talented player than Kenny Pickett, but irrespective of who starts, Philadelphia will load the box in an effort to bottle up Ashton Jeanty in the running game.
Running Back
De’Von Achane (RB – MIA)
Thankfully for his managers, De’Von Achane rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown in the first half against the New York Jets before departing with a rib injury sustained while being tackled on the sidelines. Achane was grimacing and appeared very uncomfortable, and the fantasy community was holding its collective breath that he didn’t break any ribs. Taken to the locker room for evaluation, Achane later returned to the sidelines with his helmet in hand, but didn’t retake the field with the score being so lopsided.
Fantasy Impact: Jaylen Wright (and not Ollie Gordon) became the primary back for Miami when De’Von Achane exited, rushing for 107 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries. Wright would be the preferred pickup if Achane experiences any setbacks.
Head coach Mike McDaniel has appeared optimistic in Achane’s availability for Week 15 against Pittsburgh, stating he could have returned last week in an emergency, but was held out for precautionary reasons. He further noted that Achane would likely be held out of practice sessions this week while receiving treatment. Miami plays on Monday night, so managers would be wise to have a pivot option, just in case.
Wide Receiver
CeeDee Lamb (WR – DAL)
CeeDee Lamb was well on his way to his best game of the year against Detroit during Thursday Night Football before exiting in the third quarter after landing hard on his head when attempting to catch a pass in the end zone. Tests later confirmed Lamb sustained a concussion, and he was placed into the league’s protocol. During his absence, second-year receiver Ryan Flournoy took the majority of Lamb’s snaps and targets, resulting in a fantastic 9/115/1 line.
Fantasy Impact: Ordinarily, players placed within the concussion protocol miss at least one game while progressing through the multi-step recovery procedures, but with Lamb benefiting from additional days off, there is a possibility he can return for Week 15’s contest against Minnesota in a must-win game for Dallas.
Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer stated on Monday that Lamb was “doing well and progressing nicely” through the protocol, and he appears to be trending in the right direction. He would be a high-end WR1 if able to draw the start. If he’s unable to go, Ryan Flournoy could crack fantasy rosters as a viable Flex option in PPR formats.
Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)
Able to retake the field after missing Week 13 with a concussion, Tee Higgins had a fantastic game on the road in snowy Buffalo, reeling in six receptions for 92 yards and two touchdowns, including a phenomenal one-handed snag in the end zone. Unfortunately, numbers don’t tell the entire story.
Higgins was removed multiple times in the game for additional concussion checks after hitting his head against the ground several times. Though he was cleared to return both times, Higgins reported concussion-like symptoms to the team following the Bengals’ loss and was placed back into the league’s concussion protocol.
Fantasy Impact: This is an ugly look for the NFL, as one has to wonder if Tee Higgins should have been allowed to re-enter the game against the Bills. Cincinnati currently has a 4-9 record and sits third in the AFC North, and is all but mathematically eliminated from playoff contention.
The Bengals have no reason to pressure Higgins to return for Week 15 and should instead be concerned about his long-term health. Andrei Iosivas and Mitchell Tinsley would split his reps on the field, but tight end Mike Gesicki might stand the most to gain from a target perspective.
Drake London (WR – ATL)
Drake London hasn’t managed to return to action since suffering a PCL sprain late in Week 11, and Atlanta has certainly felt his absence. Head coach Raheem Morris has referred to London as “day to day” for over a week’s timeframe, but the wideout hasn’t been able to practice yet. His status for Week 15 against Tampa Bay in a crucial divisional showdown is murky.
Fantasy Impact: Managers were crossing their fingers that Drake London would return in time to save their squads for the fantasy playoffs, but it appears that the Falcons are in no rush to have London step back onto the field. While he remains sidelined, Darnell Mooney and David Sills operate as Atlanta’s top wideouts. Mooney is a low-end Flex candidate, with Sills off the radar.
Rome Odunze (WR – CHI)
After Rome Odunze failed to practice with Chicago in the middle of last week, he was ruled out on Friday, and reports later surfaced that he had been attempting to play through a stress fracture in his foot. Labeled by the team as “week to week,” the Bears are hopeful their star receiver will be able to return later in December, though his timetable has yet to be clarified.
Fantasy Impact: Chicago was already attempting to phase in rookie Luther Burden III to a larger role, and he ended up with a team-high six targets this past Sunday. The new alpha option for a playoff-hopeful team, Burden would be one of the best waiver wire additions possible should he be available in shallower formats. The Bears face Cleveland at home in Week 15, and will need to be all hands on deck to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Tight End
David Njoku (TE – CLE)
David Njoku caught his lone target for a one-yard touchdown on Sunday, but appeared to injure his knee, which has caused him considerable discomfort over the last three weeks. Njoku was unable to retake the field and is considered questionable entering Cleveland’s Week 15 matchup against Chicago on the road.
Fantasy Impact: Harold Fannin Jr. was already playing ahead of Njoku this season, so this injury doesn’t change much from a big-picture perspective. Fresh off a breakout 8/114/1 performance against Tennessee, it is clear that Fannin is a favored target of quarterback Shedeur Sanders, and should be viewed as a mid-range TE1 this week.
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