Fantasy Football Injury Report: WR update
How are the fantasy-relevant wide receivers dealing with injuries? Let’s see which pass catchers may require a Plan B for Week 15’s action.
Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
On Tuesday, the Chargers activated Keenan Allen from the COVID-19 list. He practiced Wednesday and is good to go for Thursday night. Mike Williams has been limited with a heel issue, but it’s just maintenance. He is fine and will play as well.
Odell Beckham Jr., Los Angeles Rams
On Tuesday, Odell Beckham Jr. tested positive for COVID-19. He will need to record consecutive negative tests to return to the team. That is unlikely to happen by Sunday, making him unlikely to play.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Tee Higgins was limited at Wednesday’s practice. Higgins tweaked his ankle in Week 13, but played through it and was very effective in Week 14. The team is just being careful with him in practice. He will play this week.
DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
An MRI revealed a serious knee sprain for DeAndre Hopkins. He will undergo knee surgery on a torn MCL, per a report from Ian Rapoport. The Cardinals still hope to have him back if they progress deeper into the playoffs, but fantasy managers will be without DHop for the remainder of the season.
Lil’Jordan Humphrey, New Orleans Saints
Lil’Jordan Humphrey remained absent from Saints’ practice due to a strained hamstring. He missed last week’s contest and does not appear likely to return this week.
Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns
Jarvis Landry is one of many Browns to test positive for COVID-19. He needs to record consecutive negative tests to return to the team, which is extremely unlikely to occur prior to Saturday’s game. Expect Landry to miss this week, but he should be fine for Week 16.
Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and Cam Sims, Washington Football Team
Terry McLaurin did not practice Wednesday due to a concussion. It is an ominous start to the week. Curtis Samuel has been getting in limited practices for three straight weeks, but he missed Wednesday’s practice entirely with a new issue, this time his hamstring. Cam Sims tested positive for COVID-19 and will almost certainly not play this week.
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
DK Metcalf did not practice Wednesday as has been his weekly routine to protect his injured foot. Metcalf will return to practice Thursday or Friday and play this week. This is not a concern.
DJ Moore, Carolina Panthers
DJ Moore tweaked his hamstring last week, but ultimately finished the game. It seemed minor and we can feel confident it is based upon Moore getting in a limited practice on Wednesday.
Emmanuel Sanders, Buffalo Bills
Emmanuel Sanders did not practice Wednesday due to a knee issue. He is not expected to play this week.
Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
With the Vikings playing Monday night, they don’t start practicing until Thursday. There’s no update on Adam Thielen today, but it’s worth remembering he’s dealing with a high-ankle sprain and is unlikely to play this week. We will know more on Thursday.
Kadarius Toney and John Ross, New York Giants
Both Kadarius Toney and John Ross are on the COVID-19 list. Toney has been on it since last week, while Ross just tested positive on Wednesday. Both will have to record consecutive negative tests to play Sunday.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Green Bay Packers
Marquez Valdes-Scantling was limited Wednesday with a back issue. It sounds as if he will play this week.
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
On Thursday, Jaylen Waddle tested positive for COVID-19. Given the late-week positive, he is not going to be able to play this week. DeVante Parker and Mike Gesicki should be in line for massive target shares.
Sammy Watkins, Baltimore Ravens
Sammy Watkins tweaked his knee last week, which led to an increased role for Rashod Bateman. Watkins was back at practice Wednesday in a limited capacity. He should play this week, rendering Bateman once again unstartable.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: TE update
Are there any tight end injuries we need to be concerned about? The TE market is already thin, so your alternatives will likely be grim if you have a player on this injury report.
Jared Cook and Donald Parham, Los Angeles Chargers
Jared Cook and Donald Parham got in full practices on Friday and carry no injury designation. They will play Thursday night.
Jack Doyle, Indianapolis Colts
Jack Doyle was limited Wednesday with an ankle issue. He was not listed on Tuesday’s injury report, which means the injury occurred Tuesday or Wednesday. It’s possible it’s nothing, but Thursday’s practice will be very telling.
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
The entire Rams’ tight end room tested positive for COVID-19, except (somehow) Tyler Higbee. He missed Monday’s game due to what turned out to be a false positive and was activated on Tuesday. As of now, he’s good to play this week. But the Rams are amidst an outbreak, so it’s still possible Higbee tests positive later in the week.
T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions
T.J. Hockenson is dealing with a hand injury and remained absent from the Lions’ practice Wednesday. According to Chris Burke of The Athletic, there is not much optimism surrounding Hockenson’s chances of playing Sunday.
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
George Kittle did not practice Wednesday due to a knee issue. He played the entire game last week so this is probably just maintenance, but it’s something to keep an eye on going forward.
Darren Waller and Foster Moreau, Las Vegas Raiders
Darren Waller has not practiced since his Thanksgiving Day IT Band injury. He is not going to play this week. Foster Moreau is dealing with an abdomen issue but got in a limited practice. He should continue to be Waller’s uninspiring replacement.