Fantasy Football Injury Status For Week 15: Who Will Fill the Whole Left by Mike Evans?

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It is always one of the worst things to see players go down on the field. Losing players, especially key contributors, at this point in the season is devastating and could cost you the playoffs if you don’t handle these injuries correctly. With a lot of players getting hurt this week including Alshon Jeffrey, Mike Evans, Derrius Guice, Marvin Jones Jr., and unfortunately other players. You will need to be vigilant on the waiver wire this week. Below you will find every significant player who will more than likely miss week 15.

WR Mike Evans TB vs DET

Being designated as “Doubtful” for week 15’s matchup against the Detroit Lions. Evans ended week 14 catching 1 pass for 61 yards and a touchdown, unfortunately injured his hamstring during that play. A devastating injury to anyone who is rostering Mike Evans, including myself. Facing the Detroit Lions in week 15, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiving core will have a great matchup. The Lions rank as the 24th best defense against opposing fantasy wide receivers. Allowing the 3rd most passing yards, 4th highest yards per completion, 7th highest yards per attempt, and the 6th most passing touchdowns in the NFL.

After Evans exited the week 14 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, both Breshad Perriman and Justin Watson stepped up in his absence. Perriman, who saw 83% of the offensive snaps compared to Watson’s 55%, caught 3 of 5 targets for 70 yards and a touchdown. Watson ended the game catching 5 of 8 targets for 59 yards and a touchdown. With both backup receivers seeing work and both being productive with the amount of work given, it is difficult to predict which one will be productive. However, the deciding factor for me will be the fact that Perriman has seen offensive work before week 14, while Watson has not. The coaches are more familiar with what Perriman can do for them in a game and will most likely favor Perriman in week 15. Not to say that Watson will be useless, but Perriman will be the safer play with a higher ceiling than Watson.

WR D.J. Chark Jr. vs OAK

Failing to practice so far this week due to an ankle injury suffered against the Los Angeles Chargers. Chark was later spotted in a walking boot after the game, certainly not a promising sign for a healthy return this week. The surprise wide receiver of the season, coming out of nowhere and becoming a fantasy darling. Ranking as the 8th best fantasy wide receiver so far this season, the Jaguars will need to figure out a way to fill the massive hole left by Chark if he is to miss week 15. One of the few wide receivers who can consistently see double digit targets in their offense. There will be plenty of targets to go around if Chark is to miss this week.

Facing the Oakland Raiders give the Jaguars’ wide receivers a great matchup to help fill the hole left by Chark. The Raiders have allowed the 5th most passing yards, the highest yards per completion, highest yards per attempt, and the 3rd most passing touchdowns in the NFL. The best candidate to come in a take over the #1 receiver role is Dede Westbrook. Westbrook was also shaken up in the week 14 matchup, being limited in practice this week so far with a shoulder injury. Westbrook looks to be fine overall and will be suiting up against the Raiders in week 15. Seeing 24 targets over the past 3 weeks, averaging 8 targets per game in that span. The next candidate to receive the targets left by an injured Chark will be Chris Conley. An explosive playmaker, Conley is a high-risk high-reward type of player. However, if Chark is to miss week 15, Conley would have a safer floor against a defense who gives up the most big plays in the league. Chark is a key piece of this offense who receives a lot of looks every week. Without Chark, those looks will have to go somewhere and will be mostly shared by Dede Westbrook and Chris Conley.

WR Alshon Jeffrey PHI vs WAS

In the surprisingly close game against the New York Giants, Alshon Jeffery suffered a non-contact injury off the line of scrimmage. In a season where the Eagles have lost/been without Nelson Agholor, DeSean Jackson, and Alshon Jeffrey at different times throughout this season. The Eagles wide receiving core has been stripped down to its bare essentials. Having to bring players up from the practice squad in order to fill out their receiving core. The Eagles will face the Washington Redskins in week 15 on their path to win the NFC East.

The Redskins rank 16th against opposing fantasy wide receivers so far this season. A fairly tough fantasy matchup against the Redskins in week 15. Allowing the 21st highest yards per completion, 13th highest yards per attempt, 11th most passing touchdowns, and the 21st most passing yards. The Redskins defensive unit has been the lifeline of Washington’s team, the Redskin’s total offense ranking last in the league. With Jefferey out for a while, the Eagles will be turning to their most reliable weapons to continue to move the ball. Of course, talking about Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert who have been Wentz’ most reliable targets this season. On the wide receiver side of things, with Jefferey out and Agholor both looking to miss week 15. None of the Eagles’ wide receivers are worth picking up this week until we see something out of one of them.

WR Marvin Jones Jr. DET vs TB

Placed on IR this Tuesday, Jones suffered an ankle injury against the Minnesota Vikings after catching 3 of 7 targets for 38 yards. Facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers who have been the best defensive matchup for fantasy wide receivers, ranking 32nd against them. The Bucs have been atrocious in their secondary. With Marvin Jones missing the remainder of the Lions season, look to Kenny Golladay and Danny Amendola to absorb his target share in this offense led by David Blough.

The Lions have been a very disappointing team this season after getting off to a hot start at 2-0-1 this season. Losing Matthew Stafford has been a devastating blow to a team that was hoping to shock a lot of people this season. With this season being yet another failing season for the Lions, there have been plenty of good things to come out of this season that they can build upon for next season.

WR Calvin Ridley ATL vs SF

The young wide receiver was placed on IR this Tuesday with an abdomen injury suffered in week 14. Before exiting the game, Ridley caught 5 of his 5 targets for 76 yards and a touchdown against the Panthers. Ridley was having a great second year season, on pace to crack 1,000 receiving yards. With Ridley no longer involved in this Falcons’ offense, his target share will have to be distributed around.

Facing the San Francisco 49ers in week 15, who rank 4th best against opposing fantasy wide receivers. The Falcons’ wide receivers will be up against one of the toughest matchups in the NFL without one of their young stars on offense. The obvious sponge for Ridley’s targets will be Julio Jones. One of the safest week in and week out players to have in fantasy football, Jones will have plenty of opportunity to score against the 49ers. Another young receiver, Russell Gage will be another candidate to soak up some of Ridleys’ targets. Seeing 23 targets over the past 3 weeks, Gage has been coming onto this Falcons offense and will have his time in the spotlight against a tough opponent in week 15. Targets will also leak out to running-back Devonta Freeman and tight end Austin Hooper, raising their fantasy floor for the rest of the season.