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In the past couple of weeks, the wide receiver position has been hit hard by injuries. With fantasy managers entering the second round of their playoffs, it's a bad time to be dealing with so many injuries, but here we are. There's nothing we can do about it, but there are a lot of names to cover. Several receivers already look to be on the wrong side of questionable and others yet who seem to be heading toward a game-time decision. Fantasy managers will need to track their practice status this week.
Unfortunately, fantasy managers have to deal with a high quantity of receiver injuries and a lot of high-quality players too, which makes it even more difficult. Tyreek Hill, Ja'Marr Chase, Keenan Allen, Chris Olave, and Michael Pittman Jr. are all top-24 receivers who are dealing with different types of injuries that could keep them out of a win-or-go-home contest for fantasy managers. Be sure to keep track of their practice status throughout the week. There are several games on Saturday, which is something to be cognizant of, too. Several injury decisions and start-sit questions may need to be answered a day earlier than normal.
Let's look at some of the biggest receiver injuries fantasy managers should be tracking for Week 16. As always, if you have any start/sit questions, please give me a follow @RobFFSlayer on X, formerly known as Twitter. My DMs are always open and I am more than willing to answer any fantasy football-related questions. Good luck this season to everyone reading!
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Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Hill looked like he got his ankle trapped underneath a defender on a tackle in Week 14. He was able to sprint off the field but didn’t return to the field until the second half. He appeared to be his normal self when he was on the field, but he didn’t play as much as he was accustomed to. From looking at the injury, there were some concerns of a possible high ankle sprain and Hill has been dealing with an ankle injury for the past couple of weeks.
Head coach Mike McDaniel has categorized Hill as “day-to-day”, which would seem to imply the injury isn't serious. Hill was a game-time decision this past weekend after being a DNP Wednesday-Friday, but reports indicated there was optimism that Hill would play.
Watching Tyreek Hill workout. He's dancing. He's playing.
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) December 17, 2023
Based on field reports from that game-time workout, it looked as though Hill was going to go. Ultimately, with the rain and potentially bad weather, the Dolphins decided to play it safe. The Dolphins coasted to an easy win, so it would seem that Miami made the right decision. Looking forward to Week 16, the expectation is that Hill will return to play.
Wolfson: Dolphins expect Tyreek Hill (ankle) to play Week 16.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 18, 2023
Fantasy managers should be optimistic that Hill returns this weekend. It wouldn't be surprising to see Hill begin with a DNP on Wednesday but upgrade to limited, and then hopefully he can get a full practice on Friday. Fantasy managers should track his practice status, but the expectation is that Hill will be available.
Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Chase was dealing with an ankle injury the week prior, although that never seemed to threaten his game day status. Unfortunately, he's dealing with a new injury this week and the prognosis isn't nearly as positive. Chase suffered an AC joint sprain that has been reported to be a separated shoulder. The expectation is that Chase will miss time.
#Bengals star WR Ja'Marr Chase is likely to miss some time, sources said after the MRI on his separated shoulder today.
The expectation is that he is sidelined for this week’s game against the #Steelers, and it could extend beyond that, as well.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 19, 2023
Head coach Zac Taylor stated he wouldn't rule out Chase for Week 16 yet, so there might be a glimmer of hope. He didn't practice yesterday. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect Chase to return to practice this week. He's a veteran who can go DNP-DNP-DNP and still suit up, but fantasy managers should expect Chase to miss at least this week. Hopefully, his practice status throughout the week will give fantasy managers a better idea of what to expect. Right now, consider him on the wrong side of questionable.
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Allen has dealt with multiple injuries this season. He has missed practice time due to a quad injury and a shoulder injury. Both injuries had knocked him in and out of games, but for the most part, Allen has played through them all. However, Allen popped up with a heel injury last week, and with the Chargers playing on a short week, Allen was ruled out. Conventional wisdom says that the Chargers being eliminated from playoff contention and Justin Herbert's injury likely played a role. It would seem Allen is in danger of missing a second game.
Keenan Allen (heel) doesn't practice Tuesday.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 19, 2023
With Allen not practicing yesterday, fantasy managers should be bracing for another missed game for Allen. He's an older veteran on a team that has been eliminated from playoff contention and without their star quarterback. It wouldn't be surprising if Allen is shutdown for the season even if the injury isn't serious.
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Olave was a DNP-DNP-DNP Wednesday-Saturday last week with an ankle injury. He was ultimately ruled out and missed Week 15. Fantasy managers got good news yesterday when he returned to practice, albeit in a limited capacity.
Underhill: Chris Olave (ankle) expected to play Thursday.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 20, 2023
Reports have indicated the expectation is that Olave should return to action this week. That's good news for fantasy managers. He should be available for Week 16 barring a setback.
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
Pittman took a huge hit last week against the Steelers. He was ruled out with a concussion and is now in concussion protocol.
Michael Pittman Jr. Has Confirmed Concussion https://t.co/xrGbwHzkD0
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 17, 2023
Pittman will now need to pass through the concussion protocol if he is to play this upcoming weekend. As he progresses through the concussion protocol, he'll become eligible to practice in different capacities. Fantasy managers should follow his practice status to get a better idea of what his game day availability will be.
Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Collins injured his calf early in Houston’s game in Week 14. He was unable to return and was ultimately ruled out. Reports after the game indicated he was diagnosed with a strained calf. Collins was a DNP Wednesday-Friday last week and was ruled out for Week 15. It does not appear his chances are much better this week.
Texans WR Nico Collins (calf) not expected to play vs. Titans, but WR Noah Brown (knee) should be good to go, per @RapSheet https://t.co/drZUB9rLkH pic.twitter.com/c2TYQqAViu
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 17, 2023
Early reports this week indicate Collins is not expected to play. Fantasy managers should track his practice status just in case Collins' status improves, but right now, it seems as though fantasy managers are making alternative plans.
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
Reed was knocked out of the Week 15 loss to Tampa Bay due to what was reported as a toe injury. Little information has come out regarding what the specific injury is or the severity. If he has turf toe, even a mild case could cause him to miss a week or two. His practice status will be important for fantasy managers to track this week.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Watson hurt his hamstring late in the Week 13 game. He was a DNP Wednesday-Friday leading up to their Week 14 game and was ruled out. He followed up one week of DNPs with another week of them. He was a DNP Wednesday-Friday this past week again before being ruled out for their Week 15 game.
Watson missed time earlier in the season with a hamstring injury and missed time last season with a hamstring injury. He wasn't placed on IR this most recent time, indicating the team believed he'd return after 2-3 weeks.
This is the third week since the injury, so there should be some optimism he returns. However, fantasy managers will need to follow his practice status throughout the week to get a better idea of what his availability will be. At this time, fantasy managers should consider him 50/50.
Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals
Brown was a DNP Wednesday-Friday leading up to their Week 13 game against the Steelers. He was struggling with a heel injury; however, there wasn't any other information regarding what it was or the severity.
Ultimately, Brown ended up being active. He played around 50% of the game but did not record a single catch. He eventually aggravated the injury and did not return to the game. The Cardinals had a bye in Week 14. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for Brown to get back on the field. He was a DNP Wednesday-Friday and was ruled out for Week 15.
Marquise Brown Unlikely To Go On Injured Reserve https://t.co/2PxyQ9o08c
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) December 18, 2023
The fact there's talk about injured reserve in Week 16 for a team that has been ruled out of the playoffs isn't a good thing. If he is active, fantasy managers should expect him to be on a snap count. It'll be very hard to trust him for the rest of the season.
Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jones left Jacksonville's Week 15 game with a hamstring injury. He missed several games earlier in the year with a knee injury. Head coach Doug Pederson categorized Jones as week-to-week, which is not a good sign for his Week 16 availability.
Pederson: Zay Jones (hamstring) considered week-to-week.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 18, 2023
Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting Jones to practice early this week, if at all. He's certainly on the wrong side of questionable.
Tank Dell, Houston Texans
Dell only played 13% of the snaps last weekend before exiting the game due to a serious leg injury. His leg ended up getting rolled up on a running play on the goal line. Dell needed to be carted off and was quickly ruled out. Reports after the game indicated Dell had broken his fibula and would end up going on IR. He's already undergone surgery, which ends his 2023 season.
Rap: Tank Dell diagnosed with fractured fibula; will be placed on IR.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 3, 2023
Christian Kirk, Jacksonville Jaguars
Kirk ended up getting hurt on his first catch during their Monday Night game against the Bengals. He was ruled out and unable to return to the game. At first, it was speculated that Kirk had injured his groin, but new reports indicate that Kirk will require surgery for core muscle surgery. It will also end Kirk's season for fantasy football purposes.
#Jaguars WR Christian Kirk suffered a core muscle injury on his catch last night and is expected to need surgery. Rehab for a core muscle issue is generally about eight weeks.
If Kirk is ready at eight weeks, he could play in the Super Bowl if Jax makes it. A little earlier…
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 5, 2023
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
Thomas ended up suffering a knee injury early in the Saints' Week 10 game. He did not return the game and was quickly ruled out. Unfortunately, the injury he suffered seems to be of the more serious variety. Head coach Dennis Allen called it a significant injury after the game and officially placed him on IR:
It means that fantasy managers won't have him to close out their regular season and they might not even be able to count on him if they make the postseason. He is not eligible to return until Week 16, which makes him an incredibly difficult player to trust.
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