Injury Roundup From Week 15

No one said getting to the fantasy football playoffs was easy. Surviving the playoffs? Even harder. Week 15 was a difficult week for injuries as there were multiple, possibly season-ending injuries to high-profile players. I discuss this in further detail below. 

Key: Position Player, Team | Injury | Projected Return to Play

QB Patrick Mahomes II, Kansas City | Ankle |  Projecting Week 18 Return

During Sunday's win over Cleveland, Patrick Mahomes II II limped off the field after having his right ankle rolled up on. Backup QB Carson Wentz replaced Mahomes, as the Chief's franchise QB was unable to return. Mahomes' mechanism of injury is consistent with a high ankle sprain. Early reports out of Kansas City have indicated that X-rays of Mahomes' ankle were negative – a positive sign for his rest of the season/playoff availability.

#PatrickMahomes
Taping both ankles and available to return.
Avoids signifocant re-injuring previous right kneecap dislocation or right high ankle. pic.twitter.com/cZ6oa0qleC

— David J. Chao - ProFootballDoc (@ProFootballDoc) December 15, 2024

However, like skill position players, high ankle sprains are also limiting for quarterbacks. On average, QBs miss 4 weeks due to a high ankle sprain. Kansas City has listed Mahomes as "week-to-week", a hint that he will likely be out next week.

#Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes II, who left today’s game early with a right-ankle injury, is considered to be week-to-week, source say based on the preliminary diagnosis.

X-Rays were negative. More tests and info coming on Monday. pic.twitter.com/OsSdEovaTR

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 15, 2024

Another thing fantasy managers need to take into consideration is that the Chiefs are 13-1, have already clinched their division, and are in the driver's seat to host all playoff games. Even with Buffalo nipping at their heels, the health of their signal caller is more important. It's possible that, for fantasy purposes (Week 16 + 17), Mahomes season is over.

Update: Kansas City listed Mahomes as a "Full Participant" in Monday's practice. I am not sure I am buying this just yet but we will see how the rest of the week goes. 

RB David Montgomery, Detroit | Knee | Likely Season-Ending 

David Montgomery played sparingly in Sunday's game vs. the Buffalo Bills. On Monday morning, we learned why. Montgomery sprained his MCL. 

More: Lions RB David Montgomery is now out indefinitely after suffering an MCL injury during Sunday’s loss to the Bills, sources tell ESPN. Montgomery is undergoing additional testing on his knee and getting a second opinion to confirm, but he could be lost for the season. pic.twitter.com/NLJgw0O2DQ

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 16, 2024

Adam Schefter has indicated Montgomery may be done for the rest of the regular season. I'd argue it's likely. Most NFL RBs miss at least two weeks with MCL sprains (the majority miss 4+ weeks). Prior to Breece Hall this week, since 2017, an NFL RB had never returned after missing just one game. We saw how that worked out. In Week 15, Hall saw a season-low 48% snap share, and his day was only saved with a rushing TD. He was clearly not 100%. For fantasy purposes, we will likely be without Montgomery for the rest of the year. 

Update: Per Dan Campbell, Montgomery is having season-ending surgery.