Fantasy Injury Updates: Mike Gesicki, Evan Engram, Austin Hooper impacting Week 15 start 'em, sit 'em decisions

Matt Lutovsky

Fantasy Injury Updates: Mike Gesicki, Evan Engram, Austin Hooper impacting Week 15 start 'em, sit 'em decisions image

We already know George Kittle (foot) and Kyle Rudolph (foot) will each miss at least one more games, but there are several other key TEs causing start 'em, sit 'em headaches for fantasy football owners in Week 15. Mike Gesicki, Evan Engram, and Austin Hooper are all "questionable," and with the latter two playing on Sunday night, knowing the latest injury updates will be critical if you hope to advance in your fantasy playoffs.

We'll be providing the latest news below up until kickoff throughout the day. For injury updates on banged-up RBs Ezekiel Elliott, Ronald Jones, and Salvon Ahmed, click here; for news on ailing WRs DeVante Parker, Marquise Brown, and Jamison Crowder, go 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 Mike Gesicki playing this week?

UPDATE 2: Gesicki is officially OUT. 

UPDATE: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Suday morning that Gesicki has a "real chance" of playing against the Patriots.

The Miami Herald reported early in the week that Gesicki (shoulder) was likely to miss this week's game against New England, but after getting in limited practices on Thursday and Friday, he's officially "questionable." 

Gesicki presents a risk even if he's active, as his snaps could be limited, but considering how weak the TE position is (and how well Gesicki has played lately), he will be tough to sit. If he's out, Adam Shaheen and Durham Smythe would split TE reps, but neither would have fantasy value because of the matchup. 

WEEK 15 DFS TOURNAMENT LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel

Is Evan Engram playing this week?

UPDATE 2: Engram is officially ACTIVE.

UPDATE: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Engram is expected to play against the Browns.

Engram (knee) was a late add to the Giants' injury report after he was downgraded to "limited" on Friday. It's unclear if he's in any danger of missing Sunday night's game against Cleveland, but his owners can't take any chances if there are no updates prior to the afternoon games kicking off. 

If you feel the need to wait for Engram, you should have a backup from one of the prime-time games on your roster. Kaden Smith would fill in for the Giants and be an obvious pivot, but Austin Hooper and Drew Sample would also be realistic options. 

WEEK 15 FANTASY: Sleepers | Busts Start 'em, sit 'em

Is Austin Hooper playing this week?

UPDATE: Hooper is officially ACTIVE.

After getting in limited practices all week, Hooper (neck) is "questionable" for Sunday night's game against the Giants. However, Browns coach Kevin Stefanski said earlier in the week that he expected Hooper to suit up, so there seems to be less to worry here than with Engram. 

WEEK 15 PPR RANKINGS: 
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Hooper hasn't done much of anything since returning from an appendectomy in Week 10 (eight total catches, 81 yards), so it's unlikely many owners are itching to play him. However, because he might be used as emergency pivot for those waiting out Engram's status, he also needs to be monitored,. If he's out, Harrison Bryant and David Njoku (knee), who's also "questionable," would split targets and have some boom-or-bust upside. 

Matt Lutovsky

Matt Lutovsky Photo

Matt Lutovsky has been a writer and editor for The Sporting News since 2007, primarily writing about fantasy sports, betting, and gaming.