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 16’s action.
Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots
Nelson Agholor is currently in the concussion protocol and did not practice Wednesday. He will need to progress through the protocol and get cleared in time to play Sunday. Kendrick Bourne is currently on the COVID-19 list. He is vaccinated and can test out by Sunday.
Cole Beasley and Emmanuel Sanders, Buffalo Bills
Cole Beasley tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. As Beasley made abundantly clear this offseason, he is not vaccinated. As such, he’s out 10 days. Beasley will return for the Bills’ Week 17 game.
The Bills held a walkthrough Wednesday. Emmanuel Sanders was listed as a limited participant. He missed last week’s game due to a knee issue, but it sounds like he’ll be back this week. Regardless of Sanders’ status, Gabriel Davis remains entrenched in three-wide receiver sets due to Beasley’s absence.
A.J. Brown and Julio Jones, Tennessee Titans
A.J. Brown practiced this week but remains on injured reserve with a chest issue. The team has until Thursday afternoon to activate him and intends to use all of their allotted time. As soon as the Titans let us know about Brown’s status, we will let you know.
Julio Jones practiced fully on Wednesday. His hamstring injury refuses to go away, but also refuses to be serious enough to end his season. Jones is going to play Thursday, but he poses a high risk of in-game injury.
Update: The Titans activated Brown. He will play tonight.
Antonio Brown and Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Antonio Brown returned to Bucs’ practice for the first time in months. He got in a limited session as he works his way back from a heel issue that’s listed as an ankle issue. Head coach Bruce Arians said he looks like he did before the injury. I’d be stunned if AB didn’t play this week.
Mike Evans did not practice Wednesday due to his strained hamstring. He still has a shot to play this week, but it’s an ominous start.
Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans
The Texans placed Brandin Cooks on the COVID-19 list on Wednesday. He is unlikely to play this Sunday.
Jamison Crowder, New York Jets
Jamison Crowder did not practice Wednesday due to a calf issue. He will need to return to practice in some capacity by the end of the week in order to play.
Jalen Guyton, Los Angeles Chargers
Jalen Guyton tested positive for COVID-19. He can test out by Sunday, but that is unlikely. A bigger concern is whether unvaccinated Mike Williams will be forced to quarantine for five days as a close contact, which would knock him out of Sunday’s contest.
Tyreek Hill and Josh Gordon, Kansas City Chiefs
Tyreek Hill tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. He will remain out for the next few days. Hopefully, he can test out by the Chiefs’ game Sunday. It’s also possible their game gets moved to Tuesday as they are dealing with a full-blown outbreak.
Josh Gordon cleared COVID protocols and has returned to the team. If Hill cannot get cleared, which is unlikely to happen, Gordon could have a sizable role.
Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns
Jarvis Landry remains on the COVID-19 list. It would be surprising if he did not return in time to play Saturday, but it has not happened yet.
Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
Tyler Lockett is still on the COVID-19 list. He should return in time for Sunday’s game, but there’s been no official word on his status.
DK Metcalf was limited at Wednesday’s practice due to his ongoing foot issue. It’s an improvement from last week where Metcalf did not practice until Friday. He will play this week.
DJ Moore, Carolina Panthers
DJ Moore did not practice Wednesday due to his hamstring strain. It’s likely just veteran maintenance as he made it through last week’s game with no apparent setback. Moore should return to a limited practice Thursday.
Josh Reynolds, Detroit Lions
Josh Reynolds was limited at Wednesday’s practice due to his ongoing thigh issue. He’s fine and will play Sunday.
Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears
Allen Robinson remains on the COVID-19 list. I’d be surprised if he didn’t return by Sunday, but it has not happened yet.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Football Team
Curtis Samuel was limited at Wednesday’s practice with his hamstring strain. The limited session suggests he has a shot to return Sunday.
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Courtland Sutton was limited at Wednesday’s practice due to a wrist issue. It’s a new ailment for Sutton, but he should be fine.
Kadarius Toney, New York Giants
Kadarius Toney cleared COVID protocols and will return to the team tomorrow. The Giants will see what kind of physical condition he is in before determining whether he can practice and ultimately play.
Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
Adam Thielen returned to practice on a limited basis for the first time since spraining his ankle three weeks ago. The early-week practice puts him on track to return Sunday.
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.
Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals
Zach Ertz was limited at practice due to a hamstring issue. He played through it last week and will do so again.
Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pat Freiermuth did not practice Wednesday after he suffered his second concussion of the season last week. He progressed through the protocol quickly and didn’t miss a game after the first one. That’s not going to happen a second time. The Muth is probably not playing this week.
Austin Hooper, Cleveland Browns
On Wednesday, Austin Hooper cleared COVID protocols and returned to the team. He will play Saturday.
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. He will remain out for the next few days. Hopefully, he can test out by the Chiefs’ game Sunday. It’s also possible their game gets moved to Tuesday as they are dealing with a full-blown outbreak.
Darren Waller and Foster Moreau, Las Vegas Raiders
Darren Waller is still not practicing due to his IT Band and back issues. At this point, it’s safe to assume he’s done for the season. Foster Moreau was limited with abdominal and thigh injuries but will continue to start for Waller.