The NFL injury report for Week 15 is filled with some of the best players in football. Heading into a pivotal week for NFL teams and an even more important slate with the fantasy football playoffs, there are a lot of NFL injuries to monitor.
NFL teams provide injury reports every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday to reflect which players participated in practice and whether it was a full or limited session. The NFL injury report for Thursday Night Football games are always estimated sessions, with teams often just holding walkthroughs on a short week.
We have an even more unique situation with three games on Saturday. The six teams playing on Dec. 17 (Indianapolis Colts vs Minnesota Vikings, Baltimore Ravens vs Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills) will release their first injury report on Tuesday.
Looking ahead to Week 15, there are already a handful of players who will be among the NFL inactives. San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel will miss significant time with an ankle injury. There are also already ominous signs regarding Ravens’ quarterback Lamar Jackson and an injury Kyler Murray suffered Monday night against the New England Patriots.
Let’s dive into the NFL injury report for Week 15. Bookmark this page for daily updates with the latest NFL injury news and its impact on the teams and fantasy football.
Related: NFL defense rankings Week 15
Kyler Murray, quarterback, Arizona Cardinals
Just three plays into his team’s Week 14 “Monday Night Football” game, Murray went down with a non-contact lower-body injury. The former No. 1 pick was then emotional as he was carted off the field.
Initially listed as questionable to return, Murray was almost immediately ruled out for the remainder of the game. Meanwhile, reports indicate that it’s feared Murray has suffered a serious knee injury. We’ll certainly have updates on that once they become available.
An MRI officially revealed that Murray suffered a torn ACL on Monday night. He is out for the remainder of the NFL season, with Colt McCoy taking over as the Cardinals’ quarterback. McCoy is an experienced starter, so his presence shouldn’t do significant damage to DeAndre Hopkins’ fantasy value moving forward.
As for Murray, he will be a candidate to start the 2023 NFL season on the Physically Unable to Perform list. While ACL don’t typically sideline a quarterback for 10-plus months, the circumstances are different with Murray because he is so dependent on his mobility.
Russell Wilson, quarterback, Denver Broncos
- Update: The Denver Broncos ruled Russell Wilson OUT for Week 15. In his absence, Brett Rypien draws the start.
Enjoying his best game of the 2022 NFL season, Denver Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson left Week 14 with a head injury. Nathaniel Hackett announced following the loss that Wilson will be in the concussion protocol this week. There will be NFL injury news updates on his status through Saturday, but the nature of the concussion protocol makes it difficult to project his status. If he is inactive, Brett Rypien proved he can help Jerry Jeudy sustain fantasy value.
Related: NFL QB rankings
Lamar Jackson, quarterback, Baltimore Ravens
- Update: Lamar Jackson is OUT for Week 15, with Tyler Huntley drawing the start on Saturday against the Cleveland Browns.
Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson suffered a PCL injury in Week 13, forcing him out of the game and clouding his status for the stretch run. While the team is holding out hope for its franchise star to play on Saturday, early reports suggest there is no real chance he faces the Cleveland Browns. With Tyler Huntley in the concussion protocol on a short week, Anthony Brown might be the starter. If that happens, J.K. Dobbins and Mark Andrews are the only fantasy starters.
Tom Brady, quarterback, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Update: Tom Brady is off the injury report in Week 15, meaning he’ll play on Sunday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady slammed his throwing hand into the helmet of an opponent on Sunday. While he finished the game, a blowout loss, he did throw two interceptions after the injury. We expect Tampa Bay to list Brady on the Week 15 NFL injury report with the hand injury, but his post-game comments indicate he isn’t in jeopardy of missing the Dec. 18 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Related: Tom Brady open to ‘all options’ in 2023
Kenny Pickett, quarterback, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Update: Pittsburgh listed Kenny Pickett as OUT on the Week 15 NFL injury report. The Steelers will start Mitch Trubisky.
The Pittsburgh Steelers were forced to deploy Mitchell Trubisky after rookie quarterback Kenny Pickett left in the first quarter with a concussion. This is already the second documented concussion in Pickett’s NFL career. Consider him questionable for Week 15. Even if he is available, he isn’t a recommended fantasy option against the Carolina Panthers’ defense.
Kenneth Walker III, running back, Seattle Seahawks
- Update: Walker is active in Week 15.
The Seattle Seahawks greatly missed rookie running back Kenneth Walker in Week 14. Unfortunately, there’s a chance he could miss another game. Dealing with an ankle strain, Walker didn’t log a single practice session last week. It doesn’t bode especially well for his Week 15 status.
On Monday’s NFL injury report, Seattle listed Walker as a ‘limited’ participant. It’s a step in the right direction, but these are estimated practice sessions. He should still be viewed as highly questionable to play in Week 15. Even if he does, Walker at less than 100% against a 49ers’ run defense allowing fewer than 90 rush ypg is not a matchup any fantasy manager should want a part of on a short week.
Jeff Wilson Jr, running back, Miami Dolphins
- Update: Jeff Wilson Jr is INACTIVE on the final injury report. He told reporters on Friday that he still has some discomfort in his hip. Even if he’s active, he is not a smart FLEX option against Buffalo on Saturday.
Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. suffered a hip injury on a 20-yard run against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 14. While he limped to the sideline, Miami took him to the locker room on a cart and he was ruled out after halftime. On a shorter week, Wilson Jr. seems unlikely to face the Buffalo Bills. Raheem Mostert would emerge as a FLEX option, but Buffalo’s run defense has been outstanding over the last month.
Related: NFL games today
Dameon Pierce, running back, Houston Texans
- Update: Dameon Pierce is OUT for Week 15
Speaking of NFL injuries to rookie running backs, the Houston Texans pulled Dameon Pierce after he hurt his ankle against the Dallas Cowboys. Immediately after the game, head coach Lovie Smith made it clear that this was a fairly significant injury.
“Pretty simple, the guy is injured. Medical staff, can he go? Yes or no. You get out there and see you can’t push off the ankle and you’re hurting the team. You never play a player who can’t protect himself.”
Houston Texans coach Lovie Smith on Dameon Pierce injury
Now, per Aaron Wilson, Pierce is set to miss Week 15. He won’t be participating in practice this week and Houston will likely list him OUT when the NFL injury report is finalized on Friday. With Eno Benjamin released, Rex Burkhead and Dare Ogunbowale will share touches against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Deebo Samuel, wide receiver, San Francisco 49ers
Update: The 49ers say Samuel has sprains to his ankle and MCL. He’s expected back before the end of the regular season
The Deebo Samuel injury left many holding their breath, as the All-Pro offensive weapon was carted off the field after his leg bent awkwardly underneath him. On Sunday night, 49ers’ head coach Kyle Shanahan said the early belief is that Samuel suffered a high-ankle sprain. It would sideline him for the remainder of the regular season, but he could return for the NFL playoffs.
Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, wide receivers, Cincinnati Bengals
- Update: Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are both listed as QUESTIONABLE on the Bengals’ injury report. However, the expectation is both suit up for Week 15.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ receiving corps took a massive hit in Week 14 as Tee Higgins (hamstring) and Tyler Boyd (dislocated finger) both were ruled out with injuries. In advance of a matchup against a Tampa Bay secondary that was just torched by Brock Purdy, the absence of either player would hurt Joe Burrow‘s fantasy upside.
Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reported Sunday night at Boyd is dealing with a ‘week-to-week’ injury. While it might sideline him for Week 15, it’s not going to be a long-term problem. Higgins actually popped up on the NFL injury report mid-week with a hamstring issue. Considering it bothered him for multiple days then forced him to leave the game for good against the Cleveland Browns, Higgins’ status for Week 15 is up in the air. If both Boyd and Higgins are among the inactives, Trent Taylor is a volatile dart throw WR4.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Taylor announced that Higgins is “day to day” with his hamstring injury. Unfortunately, the secrecy being deployed by Cincinnati is typical. There will be more updates on Thursday and Friday, but the Bengals will keep their decision close to the vest and Higgins could be a game-time decision.
Brandin Cooks, wide receiver, Houston Texans
- Update: Despite a limited practice session on Thursday, Click2Houston’s Aaron Wilson reports that Cooks isn’t expected to play in Week 15
Houston Texans wide receiver Brandin Cooks (calf) never practiced in the days leading up to Week 14, resulting in him landing on the NFL inactives list 48 hours before kickoff. Considering the Texans are focused on securing the No. 1 pick, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the disgruntled Cooks doesn’t return to the field in the near future.
Related: 2023 NFL Draft order
D.J. Moore, wide receiver, Carolina Panthers
- Update: After logging full practice sessions on Wednesday and Thursday, DJ Moore was downgraded to a limited participant on Friday, but he’s now expected to play.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver D.J. Moore underwent testing on his knee Monday. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Panthers’ No. 1 wideout is dealing with a knee sprain. A team source describes it as a ‘day-to-day’ injury and there is no concern for a long-term absence. Unfortunately, that doesn’t tell us much regarding Moore’s availability for Week 15. We’ll provide updates throughout the week when there is better information.
Darren Waller, tight end, Las Vegas Raiders
- Update: Waller’s recovery has taken the next step, with the Raiders opening up his 21-day practice window. The tight end has indicated he plans to play this week.
The latest NFL injury news for Las Vegas Raiders tight end Darren Waller is very positive. Paul Gutierrez of ESPN reported that Waller is ‘on track’ to come off injured reserve before Las Vegas faces the New England Patriots in Week 15. He won’t be listed on the Raiders’ injury report until he is activated, but there are enough positive signs for fantasy managers to be optimistic. If the hamstring injury that bothered him for two months is finally behind him, Waller is a worthwhile play at tight end in the first round of the fantasy playoffs.
NFL injury report: Players being monitored
- Damien Harris, running back, New England Patriots (thigh) – QUESTIONABLE
- Rhamondre Stevenson, running back, New England Patriots (ankle) – QUESTIONABLE
- DeeJay Dallas, running back, Seattle Seahawks (ankle) –INACTIVE
- Rondale Moore, wide receiver, Arizona Cardinals (groin) – OUT
- Courtland Sutton, wide receiver, Denver Broncos (hamstring) – OUT
- Nico Collins, wide receiver, Houston Texans (foot) – DOUBTFUL
- Treylon Burks, wide receiver, Tennessee Titans (concussion) – OUT
- Cooper Kupp, wide receiver, Los Angeles Rams – OUT
- Hayden Hurst, tight end, Cincinnati Bengals (calf) – OUT