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Heading into Championship Week, there are very few injuries to the receiver group, which is certainly a great thing for any fantasy managers looking to claim fantasy football glory. In fact, Week 17 may have the fewest receiver injuries of the season and that includes Week 1.
Week 16, despite all of the weather concerns, only resulted in one new receiver injury and that was to the Packers' rookie receiver, Christian Watson. Considering the playoff implications of so many fantasy football contests, it was a nice change of pace from the injury-riddled regular season fantasy managers had to endure.
Let’s look at some of the biggest receiver injuries fantasy managers should be tracking for Week 17. As always, if you have any start/sit questions, please give me a follow @RobFFSlayer.
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Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
Tyler Lockett suffered a broken finger in Week 15. This injury resulted in Lockett requiring surgery. While some initial reports indicated he could miss the rest of the regular season, head coach Pete Carroll was optimistic Lockett could return by Week 17. While this timeline of Carroll's always seemed optimistic, he has held to his initial reports.
Pete Carroll says on Zoom session with reporters that it's still unclear if Tyler Lockett can play this weekend. Tells us he's watching Lockett run as he's talking to us. But Lockett's injury is obviously to his hand....
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) December 26, 2022
The Seahawks are fighting for their playoff lives, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Lockett push to play, but considering the initial reports that his regular season might be over, returning in just two weeks from surgery seems entirely optimistic. Still, with Carroll indicating Lockett has a chance to play, we need to consider that possibility. Fantasy managers would be wise to have a backup plan on tap as it still feels as though Lockett is on the wrong side of questionable. Still, Seattle's injury report throughout the week will give us a better idea of what his availability might be heading into Week 17.
Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
Deebo Samuel suffered a sprained ankle and sprained knee in Week 14. The initial reports indicated Samuel could miss "three-ish" weeks. That timeline likely meant Samuel would be unavailable throughout the duration of the fantasy football playoffs and that timeline still seems like the most likely outcome.
#49ers WR Deebo Samuel (knee, ankle) and RB Elijah Mitchell (knee) are making "real good progress," per Kyle Shanahan.
Said Samuel could return to practice later in the week.
— Eric Branch (@Eric_Branch) December 26, 2022
While head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated Samuel could return to practice this week, that's considerably different than playing this weekend. Even if Samuel returns to practice this week, it still seems very unlikely he will be active this weekend. Even if by some miracle he does suit up, he'd likely be on a significant snap count.
The 49ers have their playoff spot pretty much guaranteed and there's no reason to risk Samuel against a team like the Raiders, a contest they could very well win without Samuel. Fantasy managers should be planning on being without Samuel for Championship Week.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Christian Watson left the Packers' Week 16 win over the Miami Dolphins with what was described as a hip flexor. Watson has endured an injury-riddled campaign and this new ailment is just another one to add to the list. Despite the list of injuries he's dealt with, that hasn't stopped Watson from being an impactful player in the second half of the season.
LaFleur on Christian Watson: "He will be day to day and we'll see how he progresses throughout the week. Certainly he's a difference-maker out there." #Packers
— Wes Hodkiewicz (@WesHod) December 26, 2022
Head coach Matt LaFleur described Watson as being "day to day," which is a troubling designation for fantasy managers planning on depending on him in Championship Week. The Packers are very much in the playoff hunt, but the team also has big future plans for their second-round rookie.
At this time, fantasy managers should consider Watson truly 50/50. It's too early to know what the possibility of him suiting up this weekend is. Fantasy managers will need to wait for Green Bay's practice report.
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Chris Olave did not play in Week 16 due to a hamstring injury. He did not practice in any capacity last week. There haven't been any reports yet this week to indicate if Olave might return to practice. At this time, considering the Saints' standing and Olave's future value, fantasy managers should expect the team to be cautious with their star rookie. Hamstrings can also be tricky for players because they have a tendency to linger and can be easily aggravated. At this time, fantasy managers should assume Olave is on the wrong side of questionable heading into Week 17.
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