The football gods, in their infinite cruelty, have decided that Week 15 is the perfect time to decimate rosters with injuries. We’ve got stars sitting out, game-time decisions that will ruin your Sunday brunch, and a couple of situations that just make you want to scream into a pillow. Let’s cut through the noise and figure out who is actually going to help you survive and advance, and who you need to launch into the sun.
2025 Fantasy Football Injuries to Know for Week 15
Tee Higgins (WR – CIN)
Status: OUT
Surprise, surprise. Tee Higgins is out again. Look, I love the talent, but rostering Higgins is like dating someone who cancels plans 20 minutes before dinner. He cleared concussion protocol mid-game last week, only to end up back in it by Monday. The Bengals’ medical staff, who I assume are just three guys in lab coats flipping a coin, have ruled him out with injuries for the matchup against Baltimore.
What does this mean?Ja’Marr Chase is going to see so many targets that his hands might actually fall off. If you’re desperate in a deep league, throw a dart at Mike Gesicki or Andrei Iosivas, but don’t expect miracles. This is going to be the Chase show, for better or worse.
Josh Jacobs (RB – GB)
Status: Questionable (but returned to practice)
Josh Jacobs gave us all a scare earlier in the week, but the veteran running back was back at practice on Friday. Crisis averted? Maybe. While it seems likely he suits up, I’m not exactly thrilled about it.
The Broncos’ defense isn’t a joke, and Jacobs playing on a stiff knee against that front feels like a recipe for a 12-carry, 38-yard stat line that sinks your season. It feels like a floor week. If you have him, you’re probably playing him, but don’t expect a 30-point explosion. You might just have to hold your breath and hope for a goal-line plunge.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – ARI)
Status: OUT
This one hurts. Marvin Harrison Jr. is out again with a heel injury. It’s been a rollercoaster rookie campaign, and missing back-to-back games during the fantasy playoffs is the kind of stuff that ruins friendships.
Michael Wilson becomes the de facto WR1, and while the volume will be there, the matchup stinks. The Texans have a pass defense that suffocates joy, and without Paris Johnson Jr. at left tackle, Jacoby Brissett is going to be running for his life. I have a bad feeling about Wilson this week. The volume is tempting, but the efficiency is going to be ugly.
Terry McLaurin (WR – WSH)
Status: Rest (Active)
Terry McLaurin missed practice Friday, and for a split second, Fantasy Twitter (X?) had a collective aneurysm. Relax. It was just a maintenance injury prevention day. He’s fine.
The bigger issue is who is throwing him the ball. With Jayden Daniels out, we get the Marcus Mariota experience against the Giants. You can still fire up McLaurin as a WR3 with upside because he’s Terry McLaurin, and he can catch a slant in traffic with his eyes closed, but don’t expect a ceiling game. This feels like a run-heavy, grind-it-out script where Washington tries to hide their QB situation.
Deebo Samuel Sr. (WR – WSH)
Status: Questionable (Illness/Rest)
Speaking of Washington receivers making us nervous, Deebo Samuel Sr. also missed Friday. The team says it was rest, but he’s also dealing with an illness. “Illness” in the NFL can mean anything from a legitimate flu to “I ate bad sushi.”
Given the QB situation and the potential for the Commanders to run the ball 40 times, I’m actually looking to bench Samuel if I have any decent alternatives. He needs schemed touches to be effective, and I’m not sure I trust this offense to be creative enough this week without their dynamic rookie QB.
Justin Fields (QB – NYJ)
Status: OUT
The Jets quarterback room is a tragedy written in real-time. Justin Fields is out. Tyrod Taylor is out. That means we get Brady Cook. If you are starting Brady Cook in a fantasy playoff matchup, I have so many questions about your life choices.
The Jaguars’ defense isn’t exactly the ‘85 Bears, but against a third-string rookie QB leading a Jets offense missing Garrett Wilson and their starting tight end? This is going to be unwatchable. If you have the Jags D/ST, pop the champagne. If you have any Jets players, I am so sorry.
De’Von Achane (RB – MIA)
Status: Expected to Play
Finally, some good news. De’Von Achane looks good with no injuries to go for Monday Night Football. He missed a chunk of the Jets blowout with a rib issue, which is terrifying given his frame, but he seems ready to roll.
The Steelers are without T.J. Watt, which changes the entire complexion of that defense. Without Watt wrecking the game plan every three plays, Miami should be able to move the ball. Achane’s speed on that track is lethal. Fire him up and enjoy the show.
CeeDee Lamb (WR – DAL)
Status: Cleared Protocol
CeeDee Lamb is a cyborg. The man cleared concussion protocol in time for Sunday Night Football against the Vikings. He’s coming off a massive game, the Cowboys are desperate, and the Vikings’ secondary can be had.
This is a must-win for Dallas to keep their playoff hopes alive, and when the Cowboys need a win, they force-feed #88. Don’t overthink this. If he’s active, he’s in your lineup, and he’s probably going to win you your week.
