While the RB injury report for week 15 is relatively light in terms of names at risk of missing the game, fantasy football managers still have things to consider for the week ahead. With Josh Jacobs, Rhamondre Stevenson, Damien Harris, Aaron Jones and others struggling with injuries this week, let’s take a look at the fantastic implications of these options.
RB injury report heading into Week 15
Josh Jacobs, LV | Quad/hand (doubtful)
This game of Josh Jacobs being questionable with an injury that he ends up playing and succeeding, at least relatively, becomes routine. Although he’s been questionable over the past three weeks, Jacobs has rushed for 472 yards with four rushing touchdowns on 86 attempts. He also added 95 receiving yards on 10 receptions on 11 targets.
On Sunday morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Jacobs is expected to play this week. He has been playing through injuries over the past few weeks and has done well. With the Raiders hanging on to low playoff hopes and Jacobs playing for a new contract, it should come as no surprise that he’s been playing through those troubles.
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Injuries of the past few weeks haven’t seemed to slow Jacobs down. It’s more than proven that fantasy managers just have to get over this streak and hope for the best. The New England Patriots defense will present a bigger test, and fantasy managers will be forgiven for watching this week through their fingers.
If Jacobs doesn’t play, then Zamir White would likely be the next man. While fantasy managers can still look to ride Jacobs through this game with the Patriots if he plays, trusting White in the first round of your playoffs would be really hard to do.
Rhammondre Stevenson, NE | Ankle (questionable)
During last week’s game, Rhamondre Stevenson injured his ankle. He managed to return, but only briefly before being kicked out. With the Patriots playing on Monday Night Football, it was always going to be unclear if Stevenson would be able to step onto the court against the Las Vegas Raiders this week.
Stevenson was absent from practice Wednesday and Thursday. He managed to return to the pitch on Friday, which earned him the questionable mention of the weekend. The Patriots backfield is particularly intriguing this week, with Damien Harris also questionable heading into the weekend.
Saturday afternoon we got an indication that Stevenson was due to play this week. Harris was ruled out, leaving the Patriots with just three guards on their active roster. So when they turned down the opportunity to raise JJ Taylor later in the day, it signaled the Patriots were confident Stevenson could be active and play a role.
On Sunday morning, Rapoport reported that Stevenson had a “good luckplay this week. He said the decision will be made after a pre-game practice, but it looks like it would be a surprise if the Patriots didn’t have Stevenson on the court in Week 15.
Damien Harris, NE | Thigh (outside)
After being a doubt before last week, Harris managed to get back on the court to practice all week. It remained limited throughout and was eventually labeled questionable. It was downgraded to Saturday morning.
With Harris out, if Stevenson could go this week, then he would have intriguing fantasy value. If both had been active, they’d be eating into each other’s respective caps.
Where things get really fun is if Harris and Stevenson are active on Sundays. The other two RBs on their roster right now are rookie options Kevin Harris and Pierre Strong Jr. They both found the end zone last week, and Strong, in particular, looked electric with his opportunities.
We’ll likely get a clue as to whether the Patriots aren’t certain about Stevenson if they lift JJ Taylor from the practice squad. If we see what happens on Saturday, then someone who really intrigues me this week is strong.
Aaron Jones, UK | Ankle (Clear)
Although Aaron Jones opened the week with an ankle problem, there doesn’t seem to be much concern about him missing the game. We’ve seen it limited in practice for the past few weeks, but then unlisted with status until the end of the week.
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Jones was cleared to play in Week 15 on Saturday. Therefore, he should be an option that fantasy managers can lean on to help them close out the first round of the fantasy playoffs.
Antonio Gibson and Brian Robinson, USA | Deleted
Despite being restricted all week, Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson have no decision on the game Commanders Final Injury Report. Gibson suffers a foot injury, while Robinson suffers a quad injury. However, there was never any serious fear that the pair would miss the game.
From a fantasy standpoint, both players have a chance to deliver this week. The New York Giants have allowed the second most fantasy points against opposing RBs, averaging 30.93 per game in PPR half. That means there’s room for both to succeed this week.
Dameon Pierce, HOU | Ankle (outside)
It’s no big surprise to see Dameon Pierce ruled out before Week 15. The Houston Texans RB have reportedly been struggling with an ankle injury, which usually results in a two- to four-week absence. With Pierce unable to train all week, he was ruled out before the weekend.
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In his absence, Dare Ogunbowale seems set for a bigger role, with Rex Burkhead also. With Eno Benjamin out this week, the Texans will likely be looking to elevate Gerrid Doaks or Royce Freeman from the practice squad. We’ll find out who, if anyone, will be added to the roster of 53 players on Saturday, but neither are expected to play a major role.
A previous version of this article also covered Jeff Wilson Jr. However, it was removed from the article after the Dolphins played on Saturday night.
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