NFL Injury Updates/News and Fantasy Football Implications: Patrick Mahomes, Davante Adams, Jayden Daniels and More

Week 15 ended up being a brutal one in the NFL, as several players ended up getting injured. A day removed from the Sunday games, we have clarity on several injuries, so let's discuss those, plus the fantasy football implications of things.

The FantasySP waiver wire page includes players I'm about to discuss, so be sure to check those all out!

Check out fantasy football injury news all season on FantasySP.

Mahomes Out for Season

It's official, Patrick Mahomes is out for the season. He suffered a torn ACL and LCL and will begin rehab in hopes of being ready for the 2026 regular season.

With Mahomes out for the remainder of the season, Gardner Minshew will take over as the team's starting quarterback. That's obviously a blow to the Chiefs' offense (for the players who play down the stretch).

With the team eliminated, it could be a time to get a look at some younger players on the team, so be mindful of that if you are rostering some of the team's big offensive players (Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce and others).

We'll cover start/sit decisions later this week, and we'll see how the Chiefs' fantasy options stack up, so check back for that!

Adams Week-to-Week

Davante Adams is officially week-to-week with his hamstring injury.

That's a big-time blow to the Rams, who play this coming Thursday against the Seahawks. It seems like a longshot to have Adams be available for that contest.

Puka Nacua is going to continue to shine, and could somehow be an even better fantasy option with Adams out. Nacua is a must-start fantasy player anyways, but Adams being out means Nacua should really star this week.

I think the player who will benefit the most from Adams being out is tight end Colby Parkinson. He is coming off a big showing and has a favorable matchup coming against Seattle. That makes Parkinson a desirable waiver wire add, and a player to potentially start in all leagues in week 16.

I think the other big recipient of fantasy value with Adams probably out is running back Blake Corum. He's been trending up already, and with Adams out (and the team being on a short week), it's a perfect time to involve the No. 2 back even more. Kyren Williams and Corum have a tough matchup against Seattle, but on volume, I expect both backs to deliver good fantasy scores with Adams missing.

Daniels Done for the Season

Jayden Daniels won't play again this regular season for the Commanders. That's probably the right choice, as the second-year QB has been injured on and off all season.

Marcus Mariota will start down the stretch for Washington, just like he has several times already this season. He's not the fantasy QB that Daniels is, but he at least gives the rest of the team's offensive weapons a decent fantasy outlook.

A matchup against the Eagles is tough for Mariota this week, so he's only a deep-league fantasy option. Philly is a slightly above-average matchup for running backs, so Jacory Croskey-Merritt has a nice outlook, if he ends up leading the way. Chris Rodriguez missed week 15 with an injury, and Jeremy McNichols got 11 touches behind JCM.

Philly is a tougher fantasy matchup for wideouts, so while Deebo Samuel Sr. and Terry McLaurin are good fantasy options, they aren't super confident starting options. The Eagles are a brutal test on tight ends, so John Bates and Ben Sinnott are not good fantasy options.

Tuten Out for Several Weeks

Bhayshul Tuten is out a few weeks with a finger injury, so the Jaguars will need another back to step up behind Travis Etienne. Tuten is expected back for the postseason.

Tuten's injury means Etienne is an even safer starting option in fantasy leagues. He caught three touchdowns last week and went off as a fantasy asset, so he should be starting in most leagues for week 16, even going into a tougher test against the Broncos.

The tough matchup means that LeQuint Allen (the new No. 2 back with Tuten out) is just a deep-league starting option, and not a very good one. The Colts are a bit more favorable matchup in week 17, but it'd likely take an Etienne injury to give Allen legit fantasy upside in more leagues.

Rivers to Start Again

Philip Rivers will start again for the Colts in week 16. That's notable, as Anthony Richardson Sr. has been cleared to return from his orbital injury.

Rivers was 18-of-27 passing for 120 yards, a touchdown and an interception against a tough Seattle defense in week 15. His week 16 matchup against the 49ers is much more favorable, so Rivers will be a better fantasy starting option.

He's still just a deep-league option in my eyes, but he could end up surprising, especially after knocking off the rust last week.

Parsons' Injury Confirmed

Micah Parsons is officially out for the season with a torn ACL. That's a gigantic blow to the Packers' defense, and the team's chances to make noise in the NFC.

The Packers DST takes a hit with Parsons out, but it doesn't mean you should avoid them entirely. 

A week 16 clash with the Bears is a rematch of a game from week 14. Green Bay allowed 315 yards and 21 points in that contest. The defense had a sack and interception, but a pretty underwhelming fantasy showing.

Down Parsons, the DST is not looking great for week 16. Green Bay has Baltimore in week 17, so I'd probably only want to start the DST in deeper leagues.

Rashan Gary, Lukas Van Ness and Kingsley Enagbare are among the pass rushers and defensive players who will help fill the massive void left by Parsons' injury.