Keenan Allen will not play on Thursday Night Football

The Los Angeles Chargers are a depleted unit heading into Week 15, which just happens to be the kickoff of the fantasy football playoffs in most leagues.

Already without starting quarterback Justin Herbert, the Chargers are now going to be without No. 1 wide receiver Keenan Allen, who will miss the game on Thursday Night Football against the Las Vegas Raiders.

This is tough news for a reeling Chargers team, but is potentially crippling news for fantasy owners as on the eve of the fantasy playoffs starting, they are losing the league's leader in receptions. Allen's 108 receptions are 11 more than the second-leading receiver, Tyreek Hill.

For the Chargers, it will now be Easton Stick throwing the ball to the likes of Josh Palmer, Quentin Johnston and perhaps Jalen Guyton and Alex Erickson. Stay away from any Chargers not named Austin Ekeler this week.

This certainly leaves fantasy managers in a bind. Hopefully, you're lucky enough to have one of these must-start wide receivers this week but in the event that you are scrambling for someone off of the waiver wire, here are some last-minute ideas that could provide a decent return.

Noah Brown, Houston Texans
Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Curtis Samuel, Washington Commanders
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Jonathan Mingo, Carolina Panthers

For Allen, this lines up with what the Chargers are doing, which is basically shutting it down for the season following a campaign that will almost certainly end the tenure of head coach Brandon Staley.

It will be a heel injury that officially keeps Allen out in Week 15, the first game he has missed all season, but he has battled through being a bit banged up.

It's a tough break for fantasy owners but make sure you scour your waiver wire on Wednesday night to secure a backup plan or two.