After Wednesday, we know which injury situations around the NFL that fantasy football managers need to be concerned about regarding wide receivers. Let’s examine the latest injury updates at the WR position and what they mean for the fantasy outlooks of Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, Hollywood Brown, Jordan Addison, and Josh Downs.
Latest NFL Wide Receiver Injury News and Fantasy Analysis
Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears
With the Chicago Bears about to debut their No. 1 overall draft pick, quarterback Caleb Williams, they no doubt want as many skill-position players to be healthy as possible for Week 1. So, when Allen suffered a heel injury in late August, there was likely some nervous tension in the Bears’ camp over his status for the season opener.
The good news is that Allen is back at practice this week as Sunday’s opener vs. the Tennessee Titans approaches. While he was a limited participant Thursday and is still questionable, the fact that Allen is on the field practicing has to be viewed as a good sign that he’ll be ready to go.
Allen and DJ Moore are two veteran wide receivers who the Bears hope will make Williams’ rookie season as smooth as possible. Allen arguably had the best season of his career in 2023, when he had a career-high 103 receptions for 1,243 yards and seven touchdown catches.
If fantasy managers had designs on starting Allen in Week 1, the fact that he is practicing — even if no one will officially say it — gives him an excellent chance of starting on Sunday.
DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans
Although he hasn’t seen the field much since suffering a knee strain in late July, the Titans had to be encouraged by Hopkins’ participation in practice, even if he was limited both on Wednesday and Thursday.
Hopkins’ return to the field this week falls smack dab in the middle of his 4-6-week initial timetable to return. He himself has also repeatedly said he was expecting to play in Week 1.
Hopkins’ age (32) will almost always be a concern for the Titans and fantasy managers who want him to continue to be a solid WR2 in their lineups.
Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
Lockett re-signed a restructured two-year, $34 million deal this offseason, a sign that Ryan Grubb plans to keep him involved in an offense reportedly focusing on amplifying what Geno Smith does well.
Availability has been a calling card of Lockett (seventh in routes run over the past five seasons), resulting in him getting the benefit of the doubt among fantasy managers. His name popped up on the injury report down the stretch of the preseason with a thigh injury and while he has been limited at practice all week, he told reporters that he is “feeling pretty good.”
Tyler Lockett says he’s healthy heading into week one. pic.twitter.com/iDezEIWobw
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) September 2, 2024
Taking a player at his word can be dangerous, but there has yet to be a pessimistic report come out of Seattle, and he has spun it as a positive in that this buys him time to learn “the offense like it’s the back of my hand.”
Seattle hosts Denver on Sunday afternoon, and it is safe to assume that they will have their veteran slot receiver.
This analysis was last updated at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 5. and written by Kyle Soppe
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
An ankle injury suffered in practice in the middle of August no doubt sent scares throughout not only the Vikings team but fantasy managers looking for Addison to take a big leap in Year 2. The injury was serious enough on that day that Addison was carted off the field.
But Wednesday’s news from Vikings camp was encouraging. Minnesota’s injury report listed Addison as a limited participant in practice, which should provide optimism that he’ll be able to take the field in Sunday’s opener at the New York Giants.
If healthy, Addison and All-Pro Justin Jefferson have a chance to be the best receiving duo in the NFL.
As a rookie last season, Addison led the Vikings with 10 touchdown receptions. Fantasy managers no doubt had him in the WR2 category of their lineups. Even with Sam Darnold starting at quarterback for Minnesota, big things were expected from the second-year wide receiver.
Hollywood Brown, Kansas City Chiefs
It feels like a lifetime ago, but Brown got hurt in the Kansas City Chiefs’ first preseason game, suffering an SC joint injury similar to the one Tyreek Hill sustained in 2019 — an injury that cost Hill four games.
After being evaluated, Brown avoided surgery and was given a 4-6 week timeline. We’re coming up on four weeks, and by all accounts, Brown is progressing well. With that said, he won’t play Thursday when Kansas City opens its season at home against the Baltimore Ravens. Head coach Andy Reid ruled Brown out several days ago.
The good news is that Brown is expected to return no later than Week 3, with Week 2 still very much in play.
In the meantime, Brown’s absence elevates rookie Xavier Worthy into the WR2 role opposite Rashee Rice. Worthy faces a tough opponent in the Ravens’ defense but is very much in play as a WR3 in fantasy lineups.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Early in training camp, Downs suffered a high ankle sprain and hasn’t practiced in several weeks now.
It was always going to be a stretch for Downs to be ready for Week 1. While the injury shouldn’t sideline him much longer, his absence from Thursday’s practice is an ominous sign for his Week 1 availability.
After sitting out both Wednesday and Thursday practices ahead of Week 1, I would place Downs’ odds of playing on Sunday as close to 0% as I can get without saying it since, technically, we don’t know.
With him out, rookie Adonai Mitchell will get a chance to prove himself early on. Mitchell was likely set to open the season in a much smaller role but could very well be the primary WR2 opposite Michael Pittman Jr. He’s not a consideration for fantasy lineups this week but is a name to monitor in case he pops.