Fantasy Football WR Injury Reports: Week 1 Updates for Cooper Kupp, Jerry Jeudy, and More

September 2, 2023

Fantasy football WR injury updates and injury reports for Week 1 (2023), as of 09/02. Includes updates on Cooper Kupp, Jerry Jeudy, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaylen Waddle, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Welcome to Week 1 of the fantasy football season and the Saturday edition of our WR injury reports! Below you will find our fantasy football injuries report for wide receivers in Week 1, as of September 2nd. The injury statuses for various NFL wide receivers are up in the air for Week 1, including Cooper Kupp, Jerry Jeudy, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaylen Waddle, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

There are some big names on the injury report, with the status of some having little to no clarity for Week 1. Knowing exactly where each player stands going into the weekend is crucial as the fantasy football season kicks off in less than a week! Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football.

To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page. Also download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. Let's look at the updates for some wide receivers and see whether they may play in Week 1.

Cooper Kupp Injury Update

Cooper Kupp suffered a hamstring injury on August 1 and was reported to be out for "a few weeks" before returning to practice the week of August 20. The veteran had been making regular appearances at practice, but head coach Sean McVay reported on August 31 that Kupp had suffered a setback and is now listed as day-to-day.

Typically, a setback in recovering from a hamstring injury costs more time than the injury label intends. Most players, especially ones in their 30's, take a few weeks to attempt another comeback. Kupp's Week 1 availability is in serious question at the moment, so make backup plans now before it is too late.

Jerry Jeudy Injury Update

Jerry Jeudy was carted off of the practice field on August 24 with a hamstring injury. The same day, it was reported that the 24-year-old would miss several weeks, but he was not placed on the short-term IR. Jeudy has the chance to suit up for Week 1, but it is highly unlikely.

Courtland Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and Greg Dulcich are the most likely to see a target bump while Jeudy is recovering. If you spent the draft capital on the young wideout, it is best to plan to be without him for the first few weeks of the season and potentially longer depending on how his recovery goes.

Amon-Ra St. Brown Injury Update

Amon-Ra St. Brown picked up an ankle injury on August 16 and was then reported to miss a few days of camp because of it. The team announced that they expected him to return to practice this past week.

The team has not seemed overly concerned with the injury to their top receiver. They have likely kept him out as a precaution with Jameson Williams out the first six weeks due to a suspension. Keep an eye on updates, but it is safe to assume you will have St. Brown for his Week 1 matchup against the Chiefs next Thursday.

Jaylen Waddle Injury Update

Jaylen Waddle suffered an abdominal injury at the start of the preseason and has been held out of the exhibitions and practice. This past week, the 24-year-old stated that he's "feeling good" and expects to play Week 1.

Waddle will pair with Tyreek Hill to create one of the most dominant duos in all of football once again in 2023. The Dolphins' No. 2 receiver should be started with confidence as a top-15 option in Week 1 against the Chargers.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Injury Update

Jaxon Smith-Njigba underwent surgery on his wrist on August 22 with the timetable to return to practice being about one month. This would have been a perfect chance for Seattle to place the rookie on short-term IR, but he made the active roster giving him the chance to suit up sooner than expected.

Suiting up in Week 1 seems to be a bit of a long shot, but if Smith-Njigba was able to stay off the IR, then there is a good chance he will play in either Week 2 or Week 3. Keep an eye on reports, but you should have the first-round rookie as a flex option sooner than expected.

Terry McLaurin Injury Update

Terry McLaurin exited Washington's second preseason game with a turf toe injury. This type of injury typically costs players multiple weeks, and the veteran's status for Week 1 is up in the air because of it.

Playing the lowly Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, the Commanders could opt to hold out the 27-year-old one more week to have him back at close to 100% in Week 2 against the Denver Broncos. Expect Jahan Dotson to see a heavy workload if the veteran misses the game, with Curtis Samuel and Antonio Gibson likely seeing an increase in targets as well.

Mike Evans Injury Update

Mike Evans was held out of the Buccaneers' final preseason game due to a groin injury. Heading into practice this week, the veteran returned to the field and is expected to play in Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings.

Evans rarely misses time and is in search of another 1,000-yard season to extend his nine-year streak. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is a sneaky good downfield passer and should look Evans' way often against the soft Minnesota defense. He is a solid WR2 for Week 1.

Allen Lazard Injury Update

Allen Lazard suffered an AC Joint Sprain in late August and sat out of the Jets' preseason finale. All indications are that the 27-year-old will be ready to go for the season opener against the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football.

AC Joint Strains can be a particularly painful injury, so it would not be a shock if Lazard was limited to open the season even if he is active. There are better flex options that you can look to pivot to in Week 1, but if you absolutely need to start the Jets No. 2 receiver, then he should be able to suit up.

Kadarius Toney Injury Update

Kadarius Toney suffered a partially torn meniscus at the start of training camp and has failed to return to the field in any capacity since. The team has expressed optimism about his chances to suit up in Week 1 against Detroit, but there is no guarantee he will be ready to go.

Toney has struggled to stay healthy his entire career, so his availability to return for the season opener on Thursday is truly up in the air. It is best to have a backup plan in place if you are hoping to flex him in a great matchup against Detroit.

Romeo Doubs Injury Update

Romeo Doubs sat out of the final preseason game due to a hamstring injury. The injury was not reported prior to the game in practice reports, and the second-year receiver is now questionable to suit up for the Packers' regular-season opener against the Chicago Bears.

Doubs was having a great preseason before the injury, but now he is highly questionable to suit up in Week 1. Rookie Jayden Reed is the next man up, while Christian Watson, Aaron Jones, and Luke Musgrave should also see an increase in target share.

DJ Chark Jr. Injury Update

DJ Chark Jr. missed the final preseason game due to a hamstring injury that he suffered earlier that week. No official timeline was given in terms of his recovery, but the 26-year-old is optimistic that he will be able to play in the regular season opener against the rival Falcons.

Profiling as the Panthers' top perimeter receiver, rookie Johnathan Mingo could see an increase in snaps from the jump with Chark Jr. being worked back slowly and fellow receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. (back) dealing with his own injury. Chark Jr. is nothing more than a deep flex in Week 1.

Wan'Dale Robinson Injury Update

Wan'Dale Robinson opened up the preseason on the PUP list as he was still recovering from a torn ACL that took place in Week 11 of last season. However, the second-year receiver was activated off the PUP this past Tuesday and has a chance to play in the regular season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

It would not be a shock to see New York work Robinson back into the offense slowly, but this is great news for a team that is struggling at wide receiver and has a shallow depth chart. The second-year receiver is a solid bench stash and could be a hot waiver commodity very soon.

Rashid Shaheed Injury Update

Rashid Shaheed suffered a groin injury in early August and missed the entirety of the preseason because of it. The 25-year-old was able to return late in August but did not suit up in the preseason finale.

The second-year receiver has a chance to suit up in Week 1 against the Titans but could be limited as a precaution. Shaheed is a solid bench stash, especially with Michael Thomas' recent injury history, but he is better left on the bench in Week 1 even if he suits up.

Terrace Marshall Jr. Injury Update

Terrace Marshall Jr. suffered a back injury on August 16 and missed a few weeks because of the injury. The 23-year-old returned to the practice field this past Tuesday and has a chance to play in the regular season opener against the rival Falcons.

The third-year receiver had received some praise in camp prior to the injury and should see reps as a starter in three wide receiver sets as long as he can be active in Week 1. DJ Chark Jr.'s (hamstring) status is also in question, meaning there is a good chance rookie Johnathan Mingo will see increased reps to open the regular season. If you have Marshall Jr. leave him on the bench and take a wait-and-see approach to this offense before putting him in your flex spot.

Hunter Renfrow Injury Update

Hunter Renfrow was spotted in a non-contact jersey last week as he is nursing a shoulder injury. The veteran slot receiver has practiced through the injury on a limited basis and has a shot to play in Week 1 against the division-rival Denver Broncos.

Renfrow has received good reviews out of camp as questions surrounding his status with the team were raised . This is due to Jakobi Meyers being brought in to take over as the starting slot receiver this past offseason. The veteran holds little fantasy value at the moment, but there is a chance he will be dealt before the trade deadline. He could be targeted more than we think with the positive reports he has received this offseason.

Demario Douglas Injury Update

Demario Douglas had shined this preseason during camp and had a solid outing on limited snaps against the Green Bay Packers. The rookie was spotted in a non-contact jersey this past week as he worked his way back from the injury.

Douglas projects to open the year as the No. 3 receiver with Tyquon Thornton (shoulder) being placed on IR. With the Patriots passing attack expected to take a step forward with Bill O'Brien now calling plays, Douglas could be a sneaky good waiver pickup early in the season.

Quez Watkins Injury Update

Quez Watkins suffered a hamstring injury early in the preseason and was held out of every exhibition game through August. The 25-year-old did return to practice in a limited fashion on the August 22 and is on the path to play Week 1 against the New England Patriots.

With A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert healthy, plus the addition of pass-catching back D'Andre Swift, Watkins will be tough to trust at any point of the season for fantasy managers. He is a worthy addition in deeper leagues and as a bench stash in dynasty leagues. It would be better to look elsewhere for a flex unless someone ahead of him on the depth chart misses time.

Mecole Hardman Jr. Injury Update

Mecole Hardman Jr. exited the Jets' final preseason game early after injuring his finger on a dropped pass by quarterback Zach Wilson. The former Kansas City Chief did not return to the contest.

Head coach Robert Salah told the media that Hardman Jr. was "fine" and there is no indication that he will miss the regular season opener. Coming into the season fourth on the depth chart behind Garrett Wilson, Allen Lazard, and Randall Cobb, the 25-year-old could work his way into more playing time as the season goes on after having an impressive camp.

Chase Claypool Injury Update

Chase Claypool was initially placed on the PUP to start the preseason but was activated in late July. The former Pittsburgh Steeler then missed time due to a hamstring injury. However, he has since returned to the field and has a chance to suit up for the regular season opener.

Off-the-field issues have been a cause for concern when it comes to Claypool. He seems ready to attempt to give the Bears a solid return on the second-round draft capital that they sent to the Steelers last season to acquire him. Behind DJ Moore and Darnell Mooney on the depth chart, the 25-year-old will struggle to have any consistent fantasy value.

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