Fantasy Injury Update: Ja’Marr Chase, Curtis Samuel, and Zay Jones Impacting WR Rankings

Fantasy football managers may have to make some tough decisions at the WR position this week with some big names dealing with injuries. Here is the latest injury update we have on names like Ja’Marr Chase, Curtis Samuel, and Zay Jones heading into Week 10.

Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy

Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals

According to a recent report from Ian Rapoport, Chase has made an appearance on the practice on both Thursday and Friday leading up to the matchup against the Houston Texans this Sunday. The report also added that Bengals head coach Zac Taylor has already ruled other starting WR Tee Higgins out for Week 10 but said “we’ll see” with regards to Chase’s status for Sunday.

Fortunately, if Chase is indeed practicing on Thursday and Friday in some capacity, that can definitely be seen as a big step in the right direction toward playing on Sunday.

Chase fantasy managers are holding out hope he will be able to take the field against the Texans after sustaining a back injury last week against the Buffalo Bills.

Chase did play 90% of the offensive snaps, so he proved he’s capable of battling through the injury, but his status certainly still needs to be monitored closely as we approach Sunday’s game.

Since Higgins has already been ruled out for Week 10, quarterback Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ passing offense would be expected to rely heavily on Chase against the Texans. Even while Chase is dealing with a back injury, he would still be a top-five play at the WR position if he is active in Week 10.

If Chase is unable to go on Sunday, the first name that comes to mind who would likely see an expanded role is WR Tyler Boyd, who caught three passes for 56 yards against the Bills last week. Other names to keep an eye on would be WR Andrei Iosivas, TE Drew Sample, TE Tanner Hudson, and TE Irv Smith Jr.

Curtis Samuel, WR, Washington Commanders

According to a recent report from Ralph Vacchiano, Washington Commanders WR Curtis Samuel is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Seattle Seahawks. Samuel logged three consecutive limited practices but hasn’t quite shaken this toe injury quite yet, which puts his status in jeopardy for Week 10.

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Samuel has been a consistent contributor to the Commanders’ passing game, with 35 receptions for 332 yards and two receiving scores this season. If he is able to return to the lineup against the Seahawks, he will likely fall just inside my top 45 at the WR position for Week 10.

Zay Jones, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

It has been an injury-riddled season for Jacksonville Jaguars WR Zay Jones in 2023. He suffered a knee injury all the way back in Week 2 and appeared to suffer a setback in Week 5, which has led to him missing the last three games.

Unfortunately, according to a recent report from Cameron Wole, Jones looks like a “long shot” to play on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers. The Jaguars injury report listed Jones as a limited participant in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday.

Jones has only appeared in three games but has managed to score two touchdowns on just eight receptions this season. He has proven capable of being a fantasy asset in this crowded room of pass catchers in Jacksonville, but his health has prevented him from being a fantasy difference-maker in 2023.

If Jones is unavailable against the 49ers, expect Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk, and Even Engram to continue to see a reliable workload in this passing attack.

Editor’s note: Jones has been ruled OUT for Week 10.

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