Fantasy Football WR Injury Reports: Week 1 Updates for Christian Watson, Jerry Jeudy, and More

September 9, 2023

Fantasy football WR injury updates and reports for Week 1 (2023), as of 09/09. Includes updates on Christian Watson, Jerry Jeudy, Marquise Brown, Adam Thielen, and Terry McLaurin.

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 9th. The injury statuses for various NFL wide receivers are up in the air for Week 1, including Christian Watson, Jerry Jeudy, Marquise Brown, Adam Thielen, and Terry McLaurin.

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, with the regular season kicking off this weekend! 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.

Christian Watson Injury Update

Christian Watson popped up on the injury report this week with a hamstring injury. The second-year receiver failed to participate in practice Thursday and Friday and was officially ruled out for Sunday's season opener against the Chicago Bears on Friday afternoon.

There is a real possibility the Packers' top receiver struggles to make his way back onto the field next week against the Atlanta Falcons. Romeo Doubs (hamstring) is listed as questionable and suffered his injury a few weeks ago. He will fill in as the top receiver, with rookie Jayden Reed starting in two wide receiver sets until Watson can make his way back from this injury. Tight end Luke Musgrave will also see a target bump.

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 since logged three straight limited practice sessions and is officially questionable for Denver's season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders.

It is an incredibly quick turnaround for a receiver who was expected to miss a significant amount of time. The risk for reinjury is real and makes the No. 1 receiver in Denver a risky fantasy option. He could be on a limited snap count as well, but the matchup seems too good to bench the 24-year-old. Treat Jeudy as a risky fringe WR2 in fantasy this week if he starts and keep an eye on reports in case his role is set to be limited.

Marquise Brown Injury Update

Marquise Brown started out the week listed as limited in practice due to a hamstring injury. Arizona's top receiver was able to do limited work throughout the week and was officially listed as questionable for Sunday's season opener against the Washington Commanders.

The 26-year-old is in line for a massive target share once healthy, but his status for the game is a true mystery. The severity of his hamstring injury has not been disclosed. Brown could be limited even if he does suit up, making him a risky flex option against Washington on Sunday. Rondale Moore would be the top target if Brown is out.

Adam Thielen Injury Update

Adam Thielen dealt with an ankle injury this past week in practice. The veteran was limited on Wednesday and missed Thursday's practice but was able to get back on the field this past Friday. The Panthers officially labeled him as questionable for Sunday's matchup against Atlanta.

Thielen would be the clear top option for fantasy managers and quarterback Bryce Young if he is able to go Sunday. With DJ Chark Jr. (hamstring) already ruled out, the 33-year-old and Terrace Marshall Jr. will lead the charge in the passing attack. Thielen should be considered a low-end flex option in Week 1 if available.

Terry McLaurin Injury Update

Terry McLaurin has dealt with a sprained toe during the second preseason game for Washington. The 27-year-old's status for the season opener was in serious doubt, but McLaurin logged two full practices this week and was left off of the team's final injury report heading into the weekend.

It is a quick turnaround for the Commanders' No. 1 wide receiver. He now gets to suit up against quite possibly the worst defense in the NFL. It would be wise to temper expectations, as he may be worked back slowly. With that said, you can confidently start McLaurin now that he has shed the injury designation.

Cooper Kupp Injury Update

Cooper Kupp suffered a re-aggravation of the hamstring injury he suffered this past preseason and was initially labeled as day-to-day. The Rams' top wideout then met with a specialist in Minnesota to further evaluate the injury and sat out of practice this week. Los Angeles ruled Kupp out for the season opener against the Seattle Seahawks earlier this past week.

With the chances of the 30-year-old landing on the Injured Reserve as high as ever, fantasy mangers will need to strap in for the long haul and make adjustments for weeks to come. Van Jefferson, Puka Nacua, and Tyler Higbee will take over as the top receiving options for quarterback Matthew Stafford and should all have a modicum of fantasy value in plus matchups. Jefferson and Higbee are both solid options this week against Seattle.

Romeo Doubs Injury Update

Romeo Doubs sat out the final preseason game due to a hamstring injury and was highly questionable to play in the season opener heading into this week. However, the second-year receiver returned to practice on Thursday and was able to log two limited sessions to end the week. Green Bay has officially labeled him as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bears.

It has been a few weeks since the injury took place, so there is a 50/50 chance Doubs can make it onto the field. There is a chance he could be limited, but the 23-year-old was one of quarterback Jordan Love's favorite targets this past preseason. The matchup against Chicago is juicy, so he will be a flex-worthy option if available Sunday.

Odell Beckham Jr. Injury Update

Odell Beckham Jr. landed on the injury report this week, listed with an ankle injury. There was speculation that the veteran receiver could sit out the season opener, but he now heads into the weekend with no injury designation and will suit up against the Houston Texans on Sunday.

The matchup against Houston is great for wide receivers. With that said, Baltimore is favored heavily to win this game and could end up running a ton in the second half if they take an early lead. Beckham Jr. is a solid flex option, if not a risky one, to open the season.

DeVante Parker Injury Update

DeVante Parker has been battling a knee injury this past week that has limited him in practice. The 30-year-old was able to finish out the week active on the practice field and is officially labeled as questionable heading into the Patriots' home opener against Philadelphia.

New England is going to want all hands on deck to attempt to thwart the 2022 NFC Champs. As long as Parker can get through the weekend unscathed, he will likely suit up. The matchup is particularly poor, though, so the veteran should be benched in favor of better options this week if possible.

DJ Chark Jr. Injury Update

DJ Chark Jr. has been dealing with a hamstring issue for a few weeks and sat out of the Panthers' preseason finale because of it. While there was optimism surrounding his Week 1 status, the 26-year-old failed to log practice time this week and was officially ruled out for Sunday's game against Atlanta.

Veteran Adam Thielen (ankle) has a chance to suit up and help this passing attack, but the entire starting corps of receivers in Carolina is banged up and tough to trust for fantasy purposes. Chark will look to work his way back onto the practice field next week to have a shot to play the Saints.

Terrace Marshall Jr. Injury Update

Terrace Marshall Jr. had been dealing with a back injury this past week that limited him in practice. The 23-year-old put in a full workout on Friday and was left off of the final injury report for Carolina. He will be starting in place of DJ Chark Jr. on Sunday against Atlanta.

There is no guarantee veteran Adam Thielen (ankle) will suit up in Week 1. However, even if he does play, Marshall Jr. is in line to make an impact as a starter in two wide receiver sets against a soft Atlanta pass defense. He should be considered a WR4 heading into Week 1.

Wan'Dale Robinson Injury Update

Wan'Dale Robinson suffered a torn ACL late in the regular season last year and has been working his way back into practice this offseason. While there have been positive reports, the second-year wide receiver is likely missing the season opener as the team has listed him as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys.

The Giants wide receiver corps leaves a lot to be desired, but Robinson could become a lone bright spot once he returns from injury. The top role is wide open for the taking, and he flashed at times as a rookie. We will have to wait and see if he can make his regular season debut next week.

John Metchie III Injury Update

John Metchie III popped up on this past week's injury report with a hamstring designation and has not practiced since. The second-year receiver was set to make his NFL debut this weekend, but he was officially ruled out for Sunday's game against Baltimore on Friday.

Metchie III was never in consideration for fantasy managers this week, but seeing him make his NFL debut would have been nice for those who took a late-round flier on him. You can safely drop the 23-year-old to the waiver wire until he is back and practicing in full.

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