Week 15 is 75% complete and the injury report added double digits yesterday. Today’s post covers 11 players, their replacements and the fantasy impact of those replacements going forward.
QB: Teddy Bridgewater
RBs: Joe Mixon, Leonard Fournette, Travis Homer
WRs: Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Julio Jones, Sterling Shepard, Rondale Moore, Tajae Sharpe
TE: Pat Freiermuth
Arizona Cardinals: Rondale Moore (WR) - The rookie was able to get his hands on the ball four times prior to exiting against the Lions yesterday. He injured his ankle after gaining 10 total yards on those touches, indicating the gadget-like nature of his usage. Without DeAndre Hopkins and possibly Moore, the team is turning to Antoine Wesley (WR3) and Andy Isabella (WR4) as depth. Wesley saw 8 targets, bringing in only three of them.
Atlanta Falcons: Tajae Sharpe (WR) - The Falcons seldom utilize anybody beyond their top three wideouts and that as clear as day yesterday. Sharpe was targeted once before suffering a foot injury and leaving the game against the 49ers. The reason I mention the depth at the position is that nobody behind him was able to make a catch after his departure. Russell Gage was given double digit targets for the second time this season as WR1. Frank Darby and Christian Blake represent the depth options on the club and have combined for four receptions this season.
Cincinnati Bengals: Joe Mixon (RB) - For the third straight game, Mixon was held under 60 rushing yards as he struggled with his offensive line to create a running game. It was revealed after the game that he suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter. Samaje Perine is the RB2 and he was much more efficient and has been during the dry spell for Mixon. Samaje put up over seven yards a carry for the second time in the last three games.
Denver Broncos: Teddy Bridgewater (QB) - In a scary situation in Denver, Bridgewater suffered a head injury against the Bengals. He was taken to the hospital afterwards. Drew Lock came into action in his place, and led a scoring drive. But in the end, it was a Lock kind of day on the score sheet, turning the ball over once and throwing at only 50% completion percentage. Lock led the league in interceptions in 2020 and lost his starting gig as a result. This season he has completed just over half of his passes in three games played, turning the ball over three times and scoring once.
New York Giants: Sterling Shepard (WR) - I cannot believe how crappy of a season Shepard has had. He was such a monster to start the year and has now suffered an injury to pretty much every part of his leg at some points this year. It all culminated to his torn Achilles’ yesterday. He's out for the year, and a good portion of next season. Currently, Kenny Golladay and Darius Slayton are the top two targets until Kadarius Toney returns from the COVID list.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Pat Freiermuth (TE) - The rookie tight end left the game against the Titans with a concussion. This is not his first of the season, and this comes as he was 4 for 4 on his targets on Sunday too. Zach Gentry was the TE2 on the day and he would make one reception, giving him ten on the season.
Seattle Seahawks: Travis Homer (RB) - Slowly but surely COVID is working its way through the RB room in Seattle. First Alex Collins and now Homer. This means that Rashaad Penny, DeeJay Dallas and Adrian Peterson will likely split snaps tomorrow against the Rams. Penny had maybe the best game of his career in Week 14, and I doubt he loses too many carries to AP.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Godwin (WR)/Mike Evans (WR)/Leonard Fournette (RB) - All three studs were sidelined during the game against the Saints, suffering injuries during the hard-fought loss. This forced the Buc’s hand as they went with Tyler Johnson, Scotty Miller and Ronald Jones as the replacements. Antonio Brown is coming off of his suspension today and that could not be timed better. AB would immediately be the WR1 in this offense at the moment if he’s healthy. Scotty Miller has been solid in his opportunities, going at a ~ 35/500 pace last season. Jones rushed the ball for over seven yards a carry on his touches, tying his season high with 63 rushing yards.
Tennessee Titans: Julio Jones (WR) - The future Hall of Famer has struggled this season with injuries and that did not stop yesterday. He reaggravated his hamstring injury and had to leave the game against the Steelers. Nick Westbrook-Ikhine led the way at the wideout position, catching four of his seven targets. AJ Brown can return from the IR this week and similarly to the Antonio Brown situation above, he would become the WR1 immediately.