Jameis Winston is dealing with a small fracture in his throwing hand heading into Week 15's favorable matchup against the Lions. Winston has remained a strong fantasy starting QB all season despite a bevy of interceptions, and he's a definite start for Sunday against Detroit as long as he's active. Owners who have taken the Winston roller coaster into the fantasy playoffs won't want to get off now as long as the injury updates are positive.
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Is Jameis Winston playing Week 15?
UPDATE 2: Winston is officially ACTIVE.
UPDATE: Bucs coach Bruce Arians said on Friday that Winston is "ready to go" and will play on Sunday against the Lions.
Winston played through his hand injury in the second half of Week 14, finishing the game with 456 passing yards and four touchdowns (along with three interceptions). That in and of itself would suggest that Winston will be fine for Week 15. The Buccaneers' main concern, it appears, is whether Winston can worsen the injury by not playing.
WEEK 15 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
ESPN reported that the Bucs are "optimistic" about Winston continuing to play this season, and the Tampa Bay Times has reported that Winston is expected to play in Week 15. Winston was a limited participant in Wednesday's practice. Winston didn't throw at that practice, though, calling himself "day-to-day" as backup Ryan Griffin took all the first-team reps. Winston was throwing a tennis ball at Thursday's practice.
Progress at Bucs practice: Jameis Winston is throwing ... tennis balls. Another step as he tried to play through thumb injury. pic.twitter.com/i6t8KC6tVR
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) December 12, 2019
Griffin would be a major downgrade to the Tampa Bay offense if he gets the Week 15 start, making Chris Godwin the only clear play against Detroit. But assuming Winston starts, it also brings Breshad Perriman and Justin Watson into play while Mike Evans (hamstring) is injured. Winston himself is a top-10 fantasy quarterback for Week 15 as long as he's active.