NFL Injury Update Week 15, Fantasy Football Advice

The NFL playoffs are near, and the fantasy football playoffs are already in full swing. Injuries can hurt teams in reality, and doom people in fantasy playoffs.

Players like Roddy White of the Atlanta Falcons, Hakeem Nicks of the New York Giants and Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos will be looking to make big impressions this week, after stretches of injury, or in Tebow's case, little playing time.

There are many important players who are banged up right now, and many might not play this week. There are several teams still chasing playoff berths, and will need their stars to toughen up and play.

Let's look at the injuries that will impact Week 15, and the end of the fantasy football season.

Matt Cassel

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MO - DECEMBER 05: Quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs in action during the game against the Denver Broncos on December 5, 2010 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

Matt Cassel is very valuable to the Kansas City Chiefs, and all you have to do to prove it, is look at last week's beatdown the Chargers gave the Chiefs, 31-0.

Cassel did not play in this game because he recently got his appendix taken out. 

Cassel is questionable this week, but is likely to play. He will be a game time decision by the medical staff.

Kyle Orton

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

GLENDALE, AZ - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos runs out onto the field before the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the University of Phoenix Stadium on December 12, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. The Cardinals defeated

Kyle Orton (questionable) has been sore this week due to a shoulder injury, and Tim Tebow has already been named the starter this week for the Denver Broncos.

Maurice Jones-Drew

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

JACKSONVILLE, FL - DECEMBER 12: Maurice Jones-Drew #32 of the Jacksonville Jaguars runs for yardage during the game against the Oakland Raiders during the game at EverBank Field on December 12, 2010 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Gett

Maurice Jones-Drew (questionable) did not practice Wednesday or Thursday this week, and fantasy owners are very nervous to say the least.

He was limited on Friday in practice, and the game against the Colts today is huge in deciding the AFC South title.

The Colts run defense is very poor, and Jones-Drew's rest in the beginning of the week might have just that, rest, and not injury.

Play him on your fantasy team today.

Adrian Peterson

Nick Laham/Getty Images

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 05: Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings rushes against the Buffalo Bills at the Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on December 5, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Imag

Adrian Peterson has many bruises right now, and as a physical running back, he'll be on the injury report nearly every week. 

After a tough Week 14 game vs. the Giants, Peterson has many parts of his body very sore. The Vikings have not made a decision on Peterson yet, but the Monday night game outdoors in the freezing cold will not help his soreness.

Arian Foster

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 13: Running back Arian Foster #23 of the Houston Texans warms up before playing the Baltimore Ravens at Reliant Stadium on December 13, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Arian Foster (probable) was limited in practice Thursday and Friday because of a hip injury, but is almost a sure bet to start today.

Players did not believe the injury would keep Foster off the field, so it's safe to start your fantasy MVP this week.

Mario Manningham

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 28: Mario Manningham #82 of the New York Giants in action against the Jacksonville Jaguars during their game on November 28, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Imag

Mario Manningham is probable this week with a hip injury, but will play this week vs. the Eagles, a game that will likely decide the NFC East title.

With Steve Smith and Hakeem Nicks hurting the Giants receiving corps, Manningham almost has to play.

Notable Injuries

Nick Laham/Getty Images

PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Hakeem Nicks #88 of the New York Giants tries to break the tackle of Dimitri Patterson #23 of the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty I

Status and Advice for Key Players

Hakeem Nicks - Probable, Play

Desean Jackson - Probable, Play

Austin Collie - Questionable, Sit

Jacob Tamme - Questionable, Play

Aaron Rodgers - Out, Sit