The Week 14 WR injury report has some names that will make fantasy football managers nervous this week. With the likes of Diontae Johnson, Amari Cooper, and DK Metcalf questionable, let’s examine the fantasy implications of the latest NFL injury updates.
WR Injury Report Heading Into Week 14
Diontae Johnson, PIT | Hip (Cleared)
It has been a rocky ride this week for Diontae Johnson’s fantasy managers. The Pittsburgh Steelers’ WR was limited Wednesday with a hip issue. He was then downgraded to a non-participant on Thursday before managing to return in a limited capacity on Friday. Johnson is now listed as questionable for Week 14.
When Johnson spoke to the media after practice, he said he was feeling good but would see how the hip felt when he was warming up.
“I’m for sure gonna try to do everything I can to play. I don’t want to overreact when I stride. It’s about me feeling comfortable.” That made it seem like Johnson was a true game-time decision, and even if he’s active, he could be limited.
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On Saturday, the Steelers cleared Johnson from the injury report, but it’s still hard to trust him this week. Johnson has struggled to be a consistent starting option when healthy this year, so coming into the game with a slight injury magnifies those concerns.
With so many teams on a bye, benching Johnson in fantasy lineups will be tough to do, but depending on the shape of your roster, it’s not an impossibility.
In Underdog Fantasy Best Ball leagues, the duo of Pat Freiermuth and George Pickens could make for intriguing late-round selections, with Johnson potentially somewhat limited.
Amari Cooper, CLE | Hip (Active)
Update: Amari Cooper is active for Week 14.
It has been an up-and-down week for Amari Cooper. He had his usual off day on Wednesday but could only practice in a limited fashion on Thursday with a hip injury as the designation.
Cooper did not practice Friday, but the expectation is that he will play, despite being listed as questionable. In the locker room, Cooper told members of the media that he thinks he’ll be alright for Sunday.
Cooper and QB Deshaun Watson struggled to hook up last Sunday, connecting on four of nine passes for 40 yards. That is somewhat reminiscent of the first game Cooper played with Jacoby Brissett, where he caught three of six targets for just 17 yards. The hope will be that Watson and Cooper establish a connection going forward, but the injury makes it tough to trust him completely.
On Sunday morning, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted that Cooper is expected to play today. However, later in the morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Cooper is a game-time decision. According to the report, the Browns’ coaches want to see how he works out before deciding.
If Cooper ends up playing, it will be hard to bench a player who is capable of big breakouts. The problem is that the WR has also had some really poor games this year, which is a concern for fantasy managers.
If Watson and Cooper were playing more than just their second game together, it would be easier to overlook. If Cooper does not end up playing, then Donovan Peoples-Jones would be the one to see a value bump.
DK Metcalf, SEA | Hip (Active)
It’s never good when a player has a midweek downgrade in practice status, and that was the case for Metcalf this week. After being a full participant Wednesday, he was limited on Thursday with a hip issue. Following Friday’s practice, head coach Pete Carroll said that Metcalf felt something in his hip, but that he is “ready to go.”
There should be no concerns over Metcalf being on the field Sunday, barring a setback. There is a little bit of re-injury risk, but this mostly seems to be a pain-tolerance situation. On Saturday night, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that Metcalf is expected to play, “but the Seahawks will watch his workload closely.”
That last bit does present some potential hesitation for fantasy managers. There is a risk that we see Metcalf downgraded or protected somewhat during this game, which will naturally have an impact on his fantasy output. With six teams on a bye in Week 14, it will be hard for fantasy managers not to start Metcalf, but there are concerns about his ceiling.
Kadarius Toney, KC | Hamstring (Out)
Kadarius Toney was able to practice all week, but only in a limited fashion. He was ruled out on Saturday, but it has a minimal impact from a fantasy perspective, with Toney projected to be a relatively small part of the Chiefs’ offense this week.
Jakobi Meyers, NE | Concussion (Out)
It seemed as though Jakobi Meyers would be ruled out right once the Patriots took the field for practice on Thursday. We rarely see a player suit up after not participating on the first day of practice due to a concussion.
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In his absence, the Patriots’ receivers are tough to trust. This offense does not tend to lean heavily on one option, instead playing the matchups. If you were going to bargain on one pass catcher, then Hunter Henry has a reasonably soft matchup this week and could be in line for a big day.
Zay Jones, JAX | Chest (Active)
Update: Zay Jones is active for Week 14.
This chest issue for Zay Jones is dragging on now as he enters a second straight weekend listed as questionable. Last weekend, Jones did not seem quite himself at times, but he should be another week healthier.
The Jaguars have a fantastic matchup this week, but it’s hard not to be nervous about trusting Jones this week, especially with Trevor Lawrence also questionable.
Courtland Sutton, DEN | Hamstring (Out)
It never seemed as though Courtland Sutton was going to be able to play this week as he recovered from a hamstring injury. Sutton didn’t practice all week and was ruled out by the Broncos on Friday.
In his place, we should see more usage for Jerry Jeudy and Greg Dulcich. The Chiefs have been a nice matchup for opposing WRs this year, but the Broncos’ passing game has been really tough to trust. Given the amount of teams on bye, fantasy managers are likely using Jeudy if he plays, and Dulcich’s value as a tight end will make him a likely starter as well.
Brandin Cooks, HOU | Calf (Out)
After Brandin Cooks missed last week’s game with a calf issue, he was unable to return to practice this week. With the Houston Texans eliminated from the playoffs, there will be no reason for them to rush their No. 1 receiver back with his contract fully guaranteed for next year. Cooks being absent should’ve opened the door for Nico Collins to be a star, but…
Nico Collins, HOU | Foot (Out)
Unfortunately, Collins did not practice all week and was ruled out on Friday. This is frustrating for fantasy managers, as Collins saw 10 targets last week without Cooks. We will now have to see if he can get back on the field for Week 15.
MORE: Fantasy WR Start ’em Sit ’em Week 14
Treylon Burks, TEN | Concussion (Out)
Treylon Burks did not practice all week as he worked through the concussion protocol. Burks will now be a name to watch for Week 15. There is no direct replacement in this offense from a fantasy value aspect. Both Robert Woods and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine should see an upgrade with this news.