Fantasy Injury Updates: Latest news on Darren Waller, Keenan Allen, T.J. Hockenson, more affecting Week 15 rankings

Darren Waller, Keenan Allen, T.J. Hockenson, Adam Thielen, and Tyler Higbee were all inactive last week, and with the fantasy football playoffs set to begin in Week 15, all of their statuses will be crucial to start ’em, sit ’em decisions. We have the latest injury updates on each player below. 

For more on ailing RBs Darrell Henderson, Jamaal Williams, D’Andre Swift, Elijah Mitchell, and Chase Edmonds, go here; for updates on banged-up QBs Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Taylor Heinicke, click here; for injury info on Terry McLaurin, Kareem Hunt, Austin Ekeler, and more, go here; for news on ailing players coming off a bye, including Jalen Hurts, Miles Sanders, Damien Harris, and Myles Gaskin, click here; for the latest on Calvin Ridley and Michael Carter, go here. For all the latest fantasy news, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.

MORE WEEK 15: Top waiver pickups | FAAB budget planner

Darren Waller injury update

Waller (knee, back) was considered day-to-day last week and missed the game against the Chiefs, but it’s looking like this could be the sweet spot for his return. It’s worth noting the Raiders play on Saturday, so you’ll know Waller’s status in plenty of time to get him in or out of your lineup.

Waller is set to face Cleveland, who is a top-10 matchup for TEs, so we’re confident in him at the TE2 spot in PPR and in standard leagues. If he can’t play, it appears we can’t trust Foster Moreau anymore.

WEEK 15 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide Receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Keenan Allen COVID update

Allen has been on the reserve/COVID list since early last week and missed Week 14 against the Giants, but he should have enough time to clear protocols for Thursday night against the Chiefs. Of course, there’s a scenario he doesn’t, but we’re optimistic since Chargers coach Brandon Staley said he expects him to play.

Kansas City has given up the ninth-fewest fantasy points to WRs, but we’re not worried about that with someone as consistent as Allen. We rank him as the WR10 in PPR and WR12 in standard leagues.

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

T.J. Hockenson injury update

Hockenson (hand) was listed as “doubtful” before eventually being ruled out against the Broncos, but Dan Campbell said he is hopeful Hockenson can play against Arizona. Of course, that may not mean much, but Campbell has usually been pretty spot on when it comes to the outlook of his players.

We rank Hockenson as the TE13 in standard and TE9 in PPR leagues. The daunting matchup with Arizona brings him down a notch, but he should secure enough passes to be a solid PPR option. We’re not interested in any other Lions’ TEs if he can’t play.

Adam Thielen injury update

Thielen is dealing with a high ankle sprain, so his availability is in jeopardy for a second straight week. He’ll have one extra day since the game is on Monday night, but that could leave fantasy owners with an even tougher decision. If you have K.J. Osborn, it’s a simple swap, but if you don’t, you may opt to play someone else in the WR spot if the latest news isn’t looking optimistic. Stay tuned for this situation.

For now, we don’t have Thielen in our rankings, but he’s a must-start if he can play against a bottom-six unit against fantasy WRs. If he’s out, view Osborn as a high-upside flex piece.

Tyler Higbee COVID update

Higbee (reserve/COVID) was a late scratch for Monday night’s game, but there’s optimism he will be cleared in time for a favorable matchup with Seattle. 

Since Seattle is a top-four matchup for TEs, we like Higbee as the TE15 in standard and PPR leagues.