Looking to make his way back from injured reserve, Palmer was listed as limited ahead of last week’s game, so getting listed as a full participant to kick off this week is a good sign for his return. With Keenan Allen (heel) opening the week as a DNP, it’s possible Palmer’s return will carry even more weight if Allen is unable to go. Palmer isn’t a lock to be activated before Thursday’s game, but he’s trending in the right direction.

A limited practice to open the week should be of little concern for Everett and his fantasy managers. The veteran tight end didn’t appear to have suffered any injury of note in the team’s Week 14 loss to the Broncos and should be good to go on the short week. Everett saw eight targets in a game that featured more than a half of football from Easton Stick. It’s possible Stick could look to Everett as a short-yardage security blanket in Week 15 against the Raiders, giving him some upside as a TE2.

This heel injury is a new one for Allen, who didn’t appear slowed in Sunday’s Week 14 loss to the Broncos. With Justin Herbert out for at least one week and the Chargers’ season all but over, it’s hard to know what Allen would play through at this point in the year. A DNP on Monday certainly makes him a player to watch heading into Tuesday. It’s possible he takes the field for the team’s first official practice of the short week.

After back-to-back disastrous outings by Joshua Dobbs, it’s hard to imagine O’Connell turning things back over to him without giving Nick Mullens or rookie Jaren Hall a shot. Mullens came on in relief of Dobbs in the fourth quarter and wound up throwing for 83 yards on 9-of-13 passing. The journeyman has bounced around the league since catching on with the 49ers as a UDFA in 2017, spending time with the Eagles, Browns, Raiders, and Vikings. A serviceable quarterback in a pinch, it’s hard to know how reliable Mullens can be for the Vikings, who are in the midst of a playoff push, but Dobbs isn’t instilling much confidence at this point.

Jefferson was sent to a local hospital for further evaluation after suffering his injury in Sunday’s win over the Raiders but was released in time to travel back to Minnesota with the team. His return from a hamstring injury was underwhelming, as he managed just two catches for 27 yards in his first game with Josh Dobbs under center. It didn’t help that the injury limited him to just one-half of football. The Vikings have a situation to figure out at quarterback, but Jefferson should still be on the WR1 radar in Week 15 if active.

Stroud exited Week 14 against the Jets after being thrown to the ground by Jets lineman Quinnen Williams in the fourth quarter. Stroud will need to clear concussion protocol if he hopes to suit up for Week 15 against the Titans in a pivotal matchup that will carry playoff implications for the Texans. If Stroud is unable to go, it will be backup Davis Mills making his first start of the season. Mill has thrown for 5,806 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 25 interceptions through his first three seasons in the league.

Pickett was expected to miss at least two games after undergoing ankle surgery following the Steelers’ Week 13 loss to the Cardinals, so this news doesn’t come as much of a surprise. The Steelers will once again lean on Mitch Trubisky, as he’ll draw the start in Week 15’s tilt with the Colts, which should be far more favorable than last week’s matchup against the Patriots. Still, Trubisky often looked off-target and unwilling to throw the ball downfield in his last outing, which proved detrimental to George Pickens’ fantasy stock. Diontae Johnson should be treated as a WR3 this week, while Pickens is more of a WR4/WR5.

This isn’t all that surprising. Herbert was diagnosed with a fractured finger on his throwing hand in the team’s Week 14 loss to the Broncos and could potentially miss the rest of the season if the injury is considered severe enough. According to Schefter, Herbert is consulting with Dr. Steven Shin to “determine the extent of the injury and how much time he will miss.” For now, we can expect it to be Easton Stick vs. Aidan O’Connell in an AFC West mid-off.

According to Carr, his latest case of fractured ribs came in Week 12’s loss to the Lions. His play has resembled that of a man playing through a myriad of injuries — because he is. The Saints’ signal caller threw for 126 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception in Sunday’s win over the lowly Panthers, averaging an embarrassing 4.8 yards per attempt in the process. Credit to him for battling through injuries, but fantasy managers can’t help but treat him as a risky play. His on-field performance, coupled with any injury knocking him from the game at a moment’s notice, are legitimate causes for concern heading into the fantasy playoffs. He’ll be on the fantasy radar as a QB2 but other options should be considered where available.

Jones has been trying to get back from a sprained MCL injury he suffered in Week 11, but despite a week of limited practices, he’s not expected to suit up on Monday night. He’s clearly close to a return, so fantasy managers should be optimistic about him coming back in Week 15 against the Buccaneers. However, his absence on Monday means it will be another busy day for A.J. Dillon, who has rushed for 32 times for 116 yards over the last two weeks.