Seattle Seahawks WR Tyler Lockett has fans and fantasy football managers on high alert as he deals with a hamstring injury in Week 8. Let’s take a look at Lockett’s latest injury update, whether he’ll play this week, and what it means for fantasy managers.
Latest Injury Update on Tyler Lockett
Lockett’s latest injury update has alarm bells ringing after he missed his second day of practice this week. The Seattle WR has now actually been listed as a non-participant on the Seahawks’ injury report due to a hamstring issue for three straight practices, dating back to last Friday.
In Week 7, Lockett was a limited participant on Wednesday and Thursday before not participating on Friday. However, he did not carry an injury designation into the Seahawks’ Week 7 matchup. In that game against the Arizona Cardinals, Lockett played 70% of the offensive snaps, which is almost perfectly in line with his average playing time in the previous two games.
Lockett was listed as questionable for Week 8 when the official report was released on Friday. After practice, head coach Pete Carroll told reporters that he expects Lockett to be on the field Sunday.
Will Lockett Play This Week?
Right now, it seems as though Lockett will play this week. Carroll seemed optimistic and said that Lockett had come through practice well on Friday. We always have to take anything coaches say with a pinch of salt, but Lockett has every chance of suiting up this week.
MORE: Diontae Johnson Injury Update — Will the Steelers’ WR Play in Week 8?
Last week that non-participation on Friday would have rang alarm bells if not for the fact the Seahawks often release their game statuses ahead of their practice status on Friday. However, despite not practicing, Lockett was not downgraded in terms of his game status and ultimately ended up suiting up for the Seahawks game against the Cardinals.
What Does This Mean for Lockett’s, DK Metcalf’s, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba’s Fantasy Ranking?
Starting with Lockett and his WR36 ranking in PFN’s Consensus Rankings reflect the combination of uncertainty and inconsistency we’ve seen from him this year. Lockett scored both of his touchdowns in one game and has only topped 60 receiving yards once this season.
Playing with this hamstring issue last week, he could only manage four receptions from five targets for 38 yards. That was his third performance this year with fewer than 40 receiving yards and his fourth game scoring less than 10 fantasy points in PPR scoring. Lockett being ranked as a borderline Flex option is pretty much spot on.
DK Metcalf sits just inside the top 20 in the consensus rankings. There has been uncertainty around his injury entering the week, but two full participation practices could see him climb even higher if that continues on Friday. If Metcalf is active, you’re most likely starting him.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the intriguing one because his value could rise significantly if Lockett is ruled out. As of now, he sits right around the WR50 mark, but he would likely shoot up into 12-team Flex consideration if Lockett is ruled out.
Smith-Njigba had his best game of the season in Metcalf’s absence last week. He finished the game with 63 yards and his first career NFL touchdown on four receptions from a career-high seven targets. His snap share over the past two weeks has been above 60% for the first time all season as Metcalf dealt with injuries.
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