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Linebacker Injury Report Week 15

Steve Hungarter

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Linebacker Injury Report Week 15

Below are some injuries worth monitoring as we start Week 15. Please consider these players’ injuries when setting your lineups.

Atlanta Falcons

I’m not sure how much longer it’s worth holding out hope for Troy Andersen. He remains the last player on my bench and has yet to practice this week. The good news for Nate Landman owners is that they might see an increase in snaps. However, as I mentioned last week, I’m not keen on playing either of them. I prefer not to take chances during the playoffs and would rather go with safer options, regardless of whether the injury persists.

In Week 14 against the Vikings, Andersen played fewer than 50% of the snaps, recording two tackles on 48% of the defensive snaps. Meanwhile, Nate Landman’s role diminished further, as he finished with 0 tackles on just 33% of the snaps. There have to be better options available on waivers than gambling with these two.

Carolina Panthers

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Both Josey Jewell and Trevin Wallace have injury concerns heading into Week 15. Jewell was limited in practice due to a hamstring issue but is trending toward playing this week. Meanwhile, Wallace was the only Panthers player not present at practice today and seems unlikely to suit up this weekend.

From an IDP perspective, if Wallace is out, the potential return of Jadeveon Clowney could have a notable impact on the Panthers’ defense. With the team already thin at linebacker, Clowney’s best use is rushing the passer, so his presence might affect the overall defensive capabilities. Claudin Cherilus should mix in the rotation. Additionally, expect Carolina to potentially activate someone from the practice squad to add depth on this longer season. Let’s move on.

Dallas Cowboys

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DeMarvion Overshown during MNF suffered a devastating knee injury during a game causing him to be out for the season. Overshown tore multiple ligaments in his right knee, including the ACL, MCL, and PCL. This marks his second consecutive season-ending injury after missing his rookie year in 2023 due to an ACL tear in his left knee. Not good. 

With Overshown out for the season, Marist Liufau is the top waiver candidate to take over most, if not all, of his snaps. We profiled him in the rookie draft this season, and he could play the Mike and possess above-average blitzing in that role.

A forgotten afterthought that everyone forgot this week during waiver pickups is Damone Clark has filled that role before, and only because he was a scratch for last week’s game allowed the coaching staff to trust Liufau in this role. If for some reason Liufaus is not the next man up, it might be a smart investment to secure Clark too, as he was splitting that job with Overshown earlier this season. We talk about this here on this week’s podcast. check it out. 27:26 Week 15 Playoff Preview! IDP+Top Offense Best Waiver Wire & Stream Pickups: TNF | Betting

Meanwhile, Eric Kendricks did not practice yet either. Due to his shoulder, he also has been dealing with groin issues. If the Cowboys, having nothing to play for this week want to take it easy with Kendricks then there is a path for both of these two players to be relevant moving forward.

Houston Texans

So we actually had this on our bingo cards, everyone. Called this one nicely on the podcast two weeks ago. With Christian Harris coming now off IR and Azeez Al-Shaair suspended for three games, he should man one of the linebacker spots.

Given that Henry To’oTo’o has already carved a role out as LB2 it would only make sense for Harris to play the LB1 role, a role he has played before in 2023, with 101 tackles. 

Neville Hewitt managers, should monitor recent events be sure to monitor closely, as he would be droppable if he doesn’t reserve his green dot role.

Los Angeles Chargers

This situation remains puzzling. Although Denzel Perryman has been listed as “questionable” for several weeks, it’s been well-documented that he’s dealing with a groin injury. He’s been limited since Week 12, and even before then, his production this season has been underwhelming, highlighted by just five tackles in Week 11.

With Daiyan Henley emerging as a key contributor and little reliance on the rest of the Chargers’ linebacker corps, Perryman’s status has become largely irrelevant for fantasy purposes. Regardless of his availability, he should remain on benches.

New York Giants

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Bobby Okereke missed yet another practice, this is significant beings he did not play in Week 14. 

While Bobby Okereke was sidelined due to injury, Micah McFadden stepped in becoming the team’s green dot and playing every snap. producing an outstanding 11-tackle performance, 8 of those were solos. If Okereke remains out, McFadden will be a flex player in my lineups this playoff weekend. 

Pittsburgh Steelers

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Both Patrick Queen and Elandon Roberts did not practice. Early reports seem to be the team was giving them both some rest. If either could not suit up, promising rookie Payton Wilson will get a monster matchup against Saquon Barkley and the Eagles in Week 15. Let’s move on.

San Francisco 49ers

Another prediction we got correct last week, was Dre Greenlaw effectively coming back against the Rams this week. They did not get the win, but that should not discredit the work Greenlaw put into this losing effort. With 8 tackles on limited work, it should also be noted that the Rams scored on three straight possessions when Greenlaw came off the field.

IDP owners may have noticed Thursday night, that Greenlaw did come out in the third quarter, but it is being reported only as stiffness, and wanted to take it easy on him due to the tightness and coming back from injury. Given the current injury concerns to Fred Warner, this could not come at a better time. Consider Greenlaw and LB1 moving forward for your playoffs and a must-start.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers are depleted at linebacker with injuries to K.J. Britt and J.J. Russell, both sidelined. Not to mention SirVocea Dennis remains on injured reserve with a shoulder injury and is out for the season. In week 14, the team was forced to play Vi Jones from the practice squad, and he received 40 snaps, at 60% snap count and produced for tackles. He career journeyman but Buc fans might remember the sound of his name. On Friday, J.J Russell got full practice but in the event he cannot go Vi Jones is a dart throw.

Here is a fun trivia fact: If Vi Jones‘ name sounds familiar, older fans may remember he single-handedly ended the Bucs’ 2019 season with an overtime interception (then playing for the Atlanta Falcons) for a Touchdown to Jameis Winston’s (his final throw as a Buccaneer) before the Tom Brady era ushered in for a Super Bowl the next season.

As fun as that sounded typing that Vi Jones is not the answer here but for one more week may be forced to give it a go. IDP managers in deep leagues should know that the team this week brought in another option, bringing in veteran linebacker Deion Jones, who was signed to their practice squad on Tuesday. Jones is a former Pro Bowl but has not played anything meaningful since 2021, when he tallied 135 tackles with the Falcons.

For now, Jones serves primarily as a practice squad addition and an insurance policy. If Tampa Bay is forced to rely heavily on him for significant snaps,for teams having to go this deep you could be in some serious trouble this playoff season.

Tennessee Titans

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Another player we discussed on the podcast (24:15) was Luke Gifford. Typically known as a special teams contributor, Gifford stepped in during Week 14, wore the green dot, and delivered an impressive 11-tackle performance. If either Kenneth Murray or Jerome Baker misses additional time as they did last week, Gifford would step in as this team’s LB3 and become a start, and a strong waiver claim for leagues.

Meanwhile, The Titan’s LB4 Otis Reese IV is reportedly limited, moving around with a wrapped ankle after sustaining an injury. At the time of this writing, Jerome Baker returned to practice but Kenneth Murray remains sidelined with an ankle issue, but practice on Friday. If Murray has restrictions, this will make Gifford for at least one more week another appealing option.

Thank you for reading!  Follow me on X at @IDPHunter

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