Michael Thomas Injury Update Clouds Week 15 Fantasy Outlook

Michael Thomas has returned to his dominant self with Taysom Hill taking over as the New Orleans Saints' starting QB. However, Thomas is dealing with an ankle injury that has kept him out of practice, which clouds his Week 15 fantasy outlook.

Michael Thomas Fantasy Outlook

Thomas at least has the weekend to improve, but fantasy managers should be proactive in looking for backups just in case he's unable to go.

Losing Thomas would be a major blow for any fantasy team after his resurgence. Since Week 11, when Hill stepped in for the injured Drew Brees, Thomas is averaging 9.3 targets for 7.5 receptions and 85.8 yards per game.

While he hasn't found the end zone, it's still a welcomed improvement over the 6.0 targets, 3.3 receptions and 31.7 yards he was averaging before Hill took over. Thomas has also enjoyed three performances with 16-plus PPR points in his last four games.

Tre'Quan Smith Fantasy Outlook

If Thomas can't go, Tre'Quan Smith's fantasy outlook will improve as a potential Week 15 sleeper. He's out-snapped Emmanuel Sanders in each of the last two games, seeing 6 targets in each. He converted that workload into a total of 6 receptions, 102 yards and 1 touchdown, and his volume should only improve if Thomas isn't out there.

While the Chiefs are allowing the second-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing WRs this season (31.67), Thomas is still a starter lock if he's ready to go, given his obvious rapport with his new QB and the Saints' cautious approach with bringing Brees back.

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