Ezekiel Elliott Injury Update Clouds Week 15 Fantasy Outlook

Updated (Sunday, Dec. 20, 11:35 a.m. EST): In a surprising turn, Dallas Cowboys' running back Ezekiel Elliott has been ruled out of Week 15. This makes Tony Pollard a rock-solid, top-20 play at running back this week, though he does draw a tough matchup against the San Francisco 49ers.

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is determined to play through a calf injury he suffered prior to Week 14. Elliott seems good enough to suit up this week, but his lingering injury clouds his Week 15 fantasy outlook.

Ezekiel Elliott Fantasy Outlook

Elliott played through the injury last week, but it clearly affected his performance.

In Week 14 against the Cincinnati Bengals, Elliott turned 12 rushes into 48 yards while also hauling in 2 receptions for 11 yards. He posted just 7.9 fantasy points (PPR), which isn't the production fantasy managers need from the RB.

Eliiott's fantasy production has been on a downward trend since Week 5. From Weeks 1-5, the RB posted four performances with at least 20 fantasy points in five games. In the eight games since, Elliott has five single-digit outings and hasn't eclipsed 20 points once.

Elliott is still seeing touches like a workhorse, but he's failed to deliver with the performances his fantasy managers enjoyed in the beginning of the season. The calf injury clearly hampered him in Week 14, and he'll come into Week 15 still dealing with the ailment.

Given his injury status and matchup against the San Francisco 49ers, who are giving up the fifth-fewest fantasy points per game to RBs this season (19.73), Elliott is an extremely risky play for your fantasy playoffs matchup. Proceed with caution.

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