After missing Week 1, fantasy football managers are left sweating over the status of Christian Watson for Week 2. Will Watson play in Week 2? Let’s take a look at Watson’s latest injury status, whether or not he is going to play in Week 2, and some fantasy analysis around his status.
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Editor’s Note: Christian Watson is officially inactive for Week 2.
Is Christian Watson Going To Play Week 2?
Watson missed Week 1 with a hamstring injury. He also missed practice on Wednesday and Thursday as a result of the injury. However, he managed to log a limited practice on Friday, his first practice session of the season so far. His official status as of this morning is questionable to play versus the Atlanta Falcons.
However, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN, Watson is not likely to play today. He posted this morning, “Packers’ WR Christian Watson, listed as questionable for Sunday due to a hamstring injury, is not expected to play vs. the Falcons, per source.”
With Watson likely not going to play this week, who are some alternatives that could be looked at in his place?
Potential Fantasy Options If Watson Is Out Include Romeo Doubs
Romeo Doubs is the likely beneficiary of the Watson injury like he was in Week 1. While Jordan Love only threw the ball 27 times against the Chicago Bears in Week 1, Doubs ended up tying for the team-high in targets (five) and leading the team in receptions (four) and touchdowns (two).
Doubs was on a bit of a snap count in Week 1 due to his own hamstring injury. He only ran routes 67% of the time. However, since playing last week and logging a full practice on Friday, expect that number to climb this week, especially in the absence of Watson.
Doubs is currently ranked WR41 in the PFN Consensus Rankings this week, which puts him in Flex consideration. However, with more targets likely to come his way due to the injuries of Watson and Aaron Jones, Doubs could be a solid option for fantasy managers this week.
Another option for fantasy managers this week is Zay Jones. Jones impressed in Week 1 with a superb touchdown. However, it is his usage that is likely to attract fantasy managers this week. I wrote about Christian Kirk as a fantasy start/sit question earlier this week. In that article, I talked about Jones being used almost exclusively over Kirk in two-WR sets for the Jaguars.
Jones also ran more routes than Kirk, running routes on 94% of plays, and was second on the team with targets (seven). This week, the Jaguars are likely to be in a shootout with the Chiefs — meaning it could be an excellent matchup for Jones to exploit. Jones is currently ranked at WR37 in the PFN Consensus Rankings.
Lastly, another option that is under the radar for fantasy managers is Elijah Moore. Moore’s stat line of 3-43-0 did not tell the full story. Moore tied for a team-high in targets (seven), receptions (three), and percentage of routes run (80%). The Browns were in a positive game script against the Bengals, which saw them not take as many risks putting the ball in the air as we might see going forward.
However, if this week’s game versus the Pittsburgh Steelers is closer, or if the Browns decide to move to a more vertical attack, Moore’s usage in Week 1 suggests he could be in for a good game. Moore is currently ranked at WR39 in the PFN Consensus Rankings this week.