No one said getting to the fantasy football playoffs was easy. Surviving the playoffs? Even harder. Week 15 was a difficult week for injuries as there were multiple, possibly season-ending injuries to high-profile players. I discuss this in further detail below.
Key: Position Player, Team | Injury | Projected Return to Play
QB Patrick Mahomes II, Kansas City | Ankle | Projecting Week 18 Return
During Sunday's win over Cleveland, Patrick Mahomes II II limped off the field after having his right ankle rolled up on. Backup QB Carson Wentz replaced Mahomes, as the Chief's franchise QB was unable to return. Mahomes' mechanism of injury is consistent with a high ankle sprain. Early reports out of Kansas City have indicated that X-rays of Mahomes' ankle were negative – a positive sign for his rest of the season/playoff availability.
#PatrickMahomes
— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) December 15, 2024
Taping both ankles and available to return.
Avoids signifocant re-injuring previous right kneecap dislocation or right high ankle. pic.twitter.com/cZ6oa0qleC
However, like skill position players, high ankle sprains are also limiting for quarterbacks. On average, QBs miss 4 weeks due to a high ankle sprain. Kansas City has listed Mahomes as "week-to-week", a hint that he will likely be out next week.
#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes II, who left today’s game early with a right-ankle injury, is considered to be week-to-week, source say based on the preliminary diagnosis.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 15, 2024
X-Rays were negative. More tests and info coming on Monday. pic.twitter.com/OsSdEovaTR
Another thing fantasy managers need to take into consideration is that the Chiefs are 13-1, have already clinched their division, and are in the driver's seat to host all playoff games. Even with Buffalo nipping at their heels, the health of their signal caller is more important. It's possible that, for fantasy purposes (Week 16 + 17), Mahomes season is over.
Update: Kansas City listed Mahomes as a "Full Participant" in Monday's practice. I am not sure I am buying this just yet but we will see how the rest of the week goes.
RB David Montgomery, Detroit | Knee | Likely Season-Ending
David Montgomery played sparingly in Sunday's game vs. the Buffalo Bills. On Monday morning, we learned why. Montgomery sprained his MCL.
More: Lions RB David Montgomery is now out indefinitely after suffering an MCL injury during Sunday’s loss to the Bills, sources tell ESPN. Montgomery is undergoing additional testing on his knee and getting a second opinion to confirm, but he could be lost for the season. pic.twitter.com/NLJgw0O2DQ
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 16, 2024
Adam Schefter has indicated Montgomery may be done for the rest of the regular season. I'd argue it's likely. Most NFL RBs miss at least two weeks with MCL sprains (the majority miss 4+ weeks). Prior to Breece Hall this week, since 2017, an NFL RB had never returned after missing just one game. We saw how that worked out. In Week 15, Hall saw a season-low 48% snap share, and his day was only saved with a rushing TD. He was clearly not 100%. For fantasy purposes, we will likely be without Montgomery for the rest of the year.
Update: Per Dan Campbell, Montgomery is having season-ending surgery.
WR A.J. Brown, Philadelphia | Ankle | Timeline TBD
A.J. Brown suffered an ankle injury that looked similar to Patrick Mahomes II, but Brown may have avoided a high ankle sprain. Examining the video of Brown's injury, there is a chance that although his ankle rotated outward (mechanism for high ankle sprain), his foot was not trapped.
AJ Brown said after the game that he is fine after an awkward tackle at the end of the game
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) December 16, 2024
Wasn’t walking with any limp or anything #Eagles
An eversion ankle sprain could result in minimal time missed, 0-2 weeks. However, if we learn this week that Brown did sustain a high ankle sprain, the injury data points to it, resulting in an extended absence. Since 2017, NFL WRs average five weeks missed, with 50% missing more than two weeks. The next few days will be very telling and hopefully provide more insight on Brown's ankle injury.
RB Nick Chubb, Cleveland | Foot Fracture | Likely Season-Ending
Unfourtenly, Nick Chubb broke his foot in Sunday's loss to Kansas City. Based on this news, Chubb's season is very likely over.
Just in: #Browns RB Nick Chubb broke his foot today vs. the #Chiefs, per HC Kevin Stefanski. pic.twitter.com/LR2jFwRkY2
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 15, 2024
WR Jaylen Waddle, Miami | Knee | Possibly Season-Ending
We've reached the part of the season where any semi-serious injury could end a player's season. That logic applies to Jaylen Waddle after his knee injury today. Waddle's injury is possibly an MCL sprain, which, when minor, results in at least two weeks missed. More serious sprains – 4+ weeks.
Jaylen Waddle went down in a lot of pain after he got his leg caught up here. He's being further evaluated. pic.twitter.com/u9Zqqmm9IN
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) December 15, 2024
Miami has not provided any update regarding this injury, but we should know more soon.
Update: Head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that Waddle avoided a major injury. He is still iffy to play in Week 16.
RB Tony Pollard, Tennessee | Ankle | Projecting Active in Week 16
Tony Pollard entered Week 15 with an ankle injury. After scoring the Titans' first TD, he briefly exited due to re-injuring his ankle. Pollard eventually returned, but not before Tyjae Spears vultured a touchdown.
Pollard managers should expect another week of limited practices, but I think he will be able to play next week.
RB Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia | Undisclosed Injury | Timeline TBD
Saquon Barkley missed the majority of the second quarter with an undisclosed injury. Barkley was ineffective upon his return, although it's unclear if his performance was injury-related. Barkley managers should check back for further updates.
RB Alvin Kamara, New Orleans | Groin | Projecting Week 17 Return
Alvin Kamara strained his groin in the 4th quarter in Sunday's loss to Washington. Soft tissue injuries such as groin strains typically result in at least one game missed. Kendre Miller, who is finally healthy, would be the next man up if Kamara were to miss time.
TE Zach Ertz, Washington | Concussion | Projecting Week 18 Return
Zach Ertz was removed from Sunday's game due to a concussion. Although I have mentioned this before, concussions can be highly variable, but for whatever reason, TEs average 2.5 weeks missed. It's likely Ertz is out next week, and Week 17 could be iffy as well.
