Green Bay Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks has been a waiver wire darling in recent weeks. He even rewarded brave fantasy football managers who started him in their semifinal matchups with a touchdown early on Christmas Eve. However, he was injured soon after he scored and did not return to the lineup, leaving his Week 17 status up in the air.
With the Packers taking on the Minnesota Vikings today, will Wicks be able to suit up and play? What is the latest news concerning his injury? And, if he is unable to play, who are some alternative starting options for championship week?
Is Dontayvion Wicks Going To Play Week 17?
Wicks injured his chest and ankle in a close-fought 33-30 win over the Carolina Panthers. This injury came early in the contest, not long after he scored a touchdown in the win.
Wicks has not managed to practice since, meaning he did not practice on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday this week.
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The Packers have been tight-lipped regarding the current status of Wicks. There was a sighting of him on the Packers website heading to Minneapolis for today’s game. However, we have seen similar images with Amari Cooper and Jayden Reed in recent weeks, and they didn’t end up playing.
Fantasy managers should be preparing to sit Wicks this week and rely on other options as they contest a fantasy championship this week.
Potential Fantasy Options If Wicks Is Out Include Jayden Reed and Demarcus Robinson
With Wicks looking unlikely to play, it is time to search for some alternative options. The first for fantasy managers will be Wicks’ teammate and someone they probably added Wicks off of the waiver wire to cover for in Week 16, Jayden Reed.
Reed has had an impressive rookie season, currently ranked as the WR31. The Packers wideout has managed to score 13 fantasy points or more in five of his last six games. He was inactive in Week 16, leading to Reed fantasy managers racing to the waiver wire to add Wicks as cover for Reed.
According to our PFN Consensus Rankings, Reed is ranked as the WR20 on the Week. With the Packers likely to be without both Christian Watson and Wicks, Reed could inherit the lion’s share of the targets yet again. He also had some carries in recent weeks in a role likened to Deebo Samuel’s in San Francisco. Reed should be in all fantasy lineups this week if he is healthy enough to start.
Another option for fantasy managers is Los Angeles Rams veteran Demarcus Robinson. Robinson is on a hot streak currently, having scored in his last four games and scored over 12 fantasy points in each of these games. Robinson is currently the WR37 in our PFN Consensus Rankings this week.
Robinson takes on the New York Giants today, who are allowing the fifth-most fantasy points per game to wide receivers. Their 31.2 fantasy points allowed per game means Robinson could be a strong candidate to maintain his touchdown streak, despite being the WR3 on the Rams.
The Rams are also dealing with a Puka Nacua injury. And, while he is likely to play, if the Rams get an opportunity to rest Nacua if they get out to a big lead, Robinson could be in line for a significant garbage-time role. He is a bit of a gamble but could provide chaos in matchups for fantasy managers’ opponents as he could see an increased role and continue his fine form.
Personally, both of these options should be considered over a banged-up Wicks, even if he can overcome these injuries and play in Week 17. So set your lineups accordingly.
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