Some key RBs have already been ruled "out" for Week 15, with Christian McCaffrey sitting on Saturday and both Damien Harrison ("out") and Antonio Gibson ("doubtful") unlikely to play on Sunday. A few other important backs, including Ezekiel Elliott and Salvon Ahmed, are "questionable," while questions linger about whether Ronald Jones II will be able to suit up. Considering the fantasy playoffs are in full swing, every injury is important, and fantasy owners will undoubtedly be searching for updates throughout the day before locking in their start 'em, sit 'em decisions.
We'll be providing the latest news below up until kickoff. For updates on ailing WRs DeVante Parker, Marquise Brown, and Jamison Crowder, go here; for the latest on injured TEs Mike Gesicki, Evan Engram, and Austin Hooper, click here; for news on Matthew Stafford, go here; for updates on James Conner, click here. For all the latest fantasy updates, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.
WEEK 15 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Ezekiel Elliott playing this week?
UPDATE: Elliott is officially OUT. Tony Pollard will start and is worth an RB2 spot.
Despite not practicing all week, Elliott (calf) is expected to play on Sunday against the 49ers, according to the Dallas Morning-News.
It seems probable that Elliott will handle fewer carries than usual and perhaps see a similar split with Tony Pollard as last week (12 to 11). Either way, Elliott is much more of a flex than even an RB2 in a fairly tough matchup, but it sounds like he'll be there if you need him. If he's scratched, Pollard would be likely handle close to 20 touches and be a solid RB2.
WEEK 15 DFS TOURNAMENT LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Is Ronald Jones playing this week?
UPDATE: Jones is officially OUT.
Jones was already going to be "questionable" for Sunday's game against the Falcons because of a finger injury, but then he wound up on the COVID list mid-week, seemingly assuring that he wouldn't suit up. There haven't been any updates since then, but Jones was not activated on Saturday while other players on the COVID list were, so fantasy owners should expect Jones to miss at least one week.
Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy figure to split the RB touches for the Bucs, with Fournette likely seeing more carries and McCoy seeing more work on passing downs. Both can work as flexes, with McCoy having slightly more value in PPR leagues.
WEEK 15 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Is Salvon Ahmed playing this week?
UPDATE: Ahmed is officially ACTIVE.
Ahmed (shoulder) managed to get in limited practices all week, and he seems likely to give it a go on Sunday against the Patriots.
WEEK 15 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
With Myles Gaskin still on the COVID list, Ahmed will likely operate as Miami's lead back, but DeAndre Washington will also be involved. It's tough to recommend Ahmed as anything more than a flex considering he hasn't played since Week 11, but the Dolphins weren't shy about giving him touches earlier in the season (39 in Weeks 10 and 11), so he has some upside against a Patriots defense that was gashed on the ground last week.
