WR Injury Update
How are the fantasy-relevant wide receivers dealing with injuries?
Dyami Brown, Washington Football Team
Dyami Brown returned to a limited practice Wednesday as he works his way back from a knee injury. That puts him on track to play Sunday. Even with Curtis Samuel likely unavailable, Brown hasn’t produced enough to warrant consideration in fantasy lineups.
Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers
Chase Claypool was limited at Wednesday’s practice in an effort to protect his hamstring that he strained at practice leading up to Week 4. Claypool played the entire game last week, so his limited status is just the team being careful. Unless he aggravates the injury later in the week, he’ll play Sunday.
Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans
Brandin Cooks was limited at Wednesday’s practice due to non-injury-related reasons. He’s likely fine.
Kenny Golladay, New York Giants
Kenny Golladay did not practice Wednesday. He’s been diagnosed with a hyperextended knee and won’t play Week 6. The expectation is he will only miss one or two games.
Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
Tyreek Hill was absent from Wednesday’s practice. It was initially reported as a knee injury, but apparently, it’s a quad contusion. That should come as a relief to fantasy managers. I would be surprised if it kept Hill out of this week’s game, but nothing is guaranteed. For now, there’s no reason to panic. However, if Hill doesn’t return to at least a limited practice Thursday, then he’s probably not playing this week.
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
It’s been quite some time since we heard the name T.Y. Hilton. He’s been on IR the entire season due to neck surgery. On Wednesday, Frank Reich announced that Hilton will return to practice, beginning the three-week clock to activate him. Reich also refused to rule out Hilton playing this week, so it’s possible (albeit still unlikely) we see him on Sunday.
DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
DeAndre Hopkins didn’t practice Wednesday due to an illness. He’s fine.
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson missed Wednesday’s practice with an ankle issue. For now, there’s no cause for concern. As long as he practices Thursday in a limited capacity, that puts him on track to play Sunday.
Julio Jones, Tennessee Titans
After two weeks away from the field, Julio Jones returned to a limited practice Wednesday. Given Jones’ age and history of soft-tissue injuries, it’s doubtful the Titans would have him practice at all unless he was ready to return. Expect Jones back in action when the Titans host the Bills Monday night.
Marvin Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Marvin Jones was not at Wednesday’s practice due to a personal issue. He’s not injured, so unless he’s dealing with something serious on the personal side of things, he’ll be out there on Sunday.
Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns
Jarvis Landry continued running at practice Wednesday but has not yet been designated to return. He’s been on IR following his Week 2 MCL sprain. With MCL sprains typically coming with a 4-6 week recovery time, a return to action this week would be on the more ambitious side of it. Landry is out for at least another week.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
Darnell Mooney was limited Wednesday with a groin issue. He will be fine to play this week.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins
DeVante Parker missed last week’s game with a strained hamstring and is not off to a great start this week. Parker did not practice Wednesday and seems unlikely to play Sunday. With Will Fuller on IR, Jaylen Waddle and Preston Williams will be the Dolphins’ top-two WRs.
Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears
Allen Robinson didn’t practice Wednesday with an ankle issue. It’s likely the team is being cautious with a veteran who doesn’t need practice, but it’s worth monitoring. If Robinson isn’t at least limited at Thursday’s practice, then we can worry.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Football Team
The oft-injured Curtis Samuel worked on the side at Wednesday’s practice as he continues to try and get through his groin injury. It seems unlikely that he plays Sunday, but Thursday and Friday’s practices will be more telling. Regardless of his status, he should not be in fantasy lineups.
Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, Kadarius Toney, New York Giants
Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton have missed the last two games with hamstring strains, but both returned to practice at Wednesday’s walkthrough. It’s only Wednesday, but it puts both tentatively on track to return this week.
Kadarius Toney completed last week’s game but picked up an ankle injury along the way. Toney dismissed the injury after the game as nothing to worry about. By all accounts, it appears Toney was telling the truth, as he was present for Wednesday’s practice. He should play Sunday, but the impending return of Shepard and Slayton creates an element of uncertainty regarding playing time and target distribution.
James Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers
After missing Week 5, James Washington returned to a limited practice Wednesday as he works his way back from a groin strain. This puts Washington on track to play this week. He is set for an increased role as the Steelers’ WR3 with JuJu Smith-Schuster done for the season.
TE Injury Update for Week 4
Are there tight end injuries we need to be concerned about?
Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jordan Schultz reported on Tuesday that Rob Gronkowski will not play Thursday night. The good news is Gronk is very close to returning and likely would have played this week if the game was on Sunday. Fantasy managers will be without Gronk for one more week, but he should be ready to go in Week 7.
T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions
T.J. Hockenson did not practice Wednesday with his lingering knee issue. Unless Hockenson misses practice Thursday and Friday, I wouldn’t be too concerned. He played through it last week and will likely do the same this week.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
Following a career game in Week 5, David Njoku did not practice Wednesday with a lingering knee issue. He didn’t practice last Wednesday either but ultimately played. I expect the same story to unfold this week.