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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 Michael Thomas, Allen Lazard, and Drake London.
With Week 1 upon us, missing any of these players could be detrimental for fantasy managers. Backup plans need to be in place, and knowing who could miss is crucial, so you know who to grab off of waivers to replace your wide receiver.
Let's look at the updates for some wide receivers and see whether they may play in Week 1.
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Michael Thomas Injury Update
Michael Thomas has had limited practice sessions all week while nursing a hamstring injury. Thomas suffered the injury on August 21, about three weeks ago, and beat reporters out of New Orleans have been optimistic about him making his debut during the season opener.
Dennis Allen on Michael Thomas: "He's progressing in the right direction" #Saints pic.twitter.com/VVt2rwselb
— New Orleans Saints (@Saints) September 9, 2022
Head coach Dennis Allen would not commit to him playing when talking in this press conference, but it sounds like Thomas will find his way onto the field Sunday. We will wait for the official designation, but if Thomas is on the field, there is a chance the Saints will limit his snap count to some degree in an attempt to keep him healthy as the season progresses.
Allen Lazard Injury Update
Allen Lazard has missed the past three practices with an ankle injury and is officially listed as doubtful for Sunday's matchup with the Minnesota Vikings. Even though the Packers are giving him a slim chance to suit up by listing him as doubtful, missing each of the last three practices is not a good sign.
Packers injury report:
Questionable: David Bakhtiari, Elgton Jenkins.
Doubtful: Allen Lazard.
Robert Tonyan is good to go.
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) September 9, 2022
Sammy Watkins will get the nod as the WR1 for the Packers with Lazard out and is in flex consideration due to the favorable matchup against the Vikings. Randall Cobb and Romeo Doubs will both see an increase in opportunities as well, but they are less likely to produce for fantasy managers than Watkins. Tight end Robert Tonyan will have sneaky upside as well as a red zone threat for Rodgers.
Drake London Injury Update
Drake London has dealt with a knee injury that he suffered during the preseason opener against Detroit. However, this week, he has strung together three straight limited sessions in practice.
#Falcons coach Arthur Smith said decisions will be played WR Drake London (knee) and CB Darren Hill (quad) after a workout on Saturday.
— D. Orlando Ledbetter (@DOrlandoAJC) September 9, 2022
We will not have the official injury designation heading into Sunday until a team workout held by the Falcons on Saturday, but the three limited sessions in practice puts the rookie receiver on track to make his NFL regular season debut. If London were to miss, Kyle Pitts, Bryan Edwards, Olamide Zaccheaus, and Cordarrelle Patterson would see a slight target bump.
Chris Godwin Injury Update
Chris Godwin has surprised many with his practice participation returning from an ACL tear he suffered in Week 15 last season. However, Godwin was absent from practice on Thursday after full participation Wednesday.
Coach Todd Bowles said the decision on Chris Godwin will come right up until kickoff.
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) September 9, 2022
With the Buccaneers playing on Sunday night, it is tough to hold a spot open for the slot receiver not knowing if he will suit up. If Godwin does play, it is reasonable to believe he will be on a limited snap count. Russell Gage, Julio Jones, and Leonard Fournette would see a slight boost in target share if he is out.
Russell Gage Injury Update
Russell Gage has been recovering from a hamstring injury he suffered in a joint practice with the Miami Dolphins before their Week 1 preseason matchup. Gage has been a limited participant all week leading up to the season opener, putting him on track to play Sunday night.
No surprises in Bucs’ final injury report, with CB Zyon McCollum ruled out. Chris Godwin and Russell Gage are both questionable. pic.twitter.com/v9R5uUByf7
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 9, 2022
Chris Godwin looks to be on the wrong side of questionable and will likely play a limited role if active. Gage would be a decent flex option if he is activated before the game Sunday, but look out for a report Saturday before committing to starting him this week. Julio Jones would be the best pivot option, and he is available in 26% of leagues on Sleeper.
Rondale Moore Injury Update
Rondale Moore left Thursday's practice after suffering a hamstring injury, undergoing an MRI to determine the severity of it. No official report on the MRI has been released, but the Cardinals have officially ruled him Out for Sunday's game against the Chiefs.
Busy injury report for the #Cardinals: WR Rondale Moore (ankle), G Cody Ford (ankle) and CB Trayvon Mullen (toe) have been ruled out for Sunday vs. the #Chiefs. CB Byron Murphy (illness), DE JJ Watt (calf), G Justin Pugh (neck) and TE Zach Ertz (calf) are all questionable.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 9, 2022
The injury will likely hold Moore out for multiple weeks if severe enough, leaving the Cardinals short on receivers after already missing DeAndre Hopkins due to suspension. A.J. Green will see an increase in usage while both are absent, and he is a flex-worthy option for fantasy managers to pivot to.
Jakobi Meyers Injury Update
Jakobi Meyers popped up on the injury report Wednesday with a knee injury, but he has participated in practice on a limited basis all week. There is no indication that the fourth-year receiver is in danger of missing Sunday's matchup against the Miami Dolphins.
Dolphins and Patriots injury reports:
Patriots OT Isaiah Wynn, WR Jakobi Meyers and RB/WR Ty Montgomery are all questionable. pic.twitter.com/TsaDkUIRNU
— Henry McKenna (@McKennAnalysis) September 9, 2022
Meyers should not be limited in any capacity against Miami, but the matchup is not great on paper. He carries low-end flex value in Week 1.
K.J. Hamler Injury Update
K.J. Hamler has been working his way back from ACL and hip surgeries, putting in limited participation at practice this week. Because the game is on Monday night, we do not have an official injury designation for him heading into the weekend.
#broncos WR K.J. Hamler (knee/hip) wasn't expected to be back for Week 1. He's dealing with some pain, but that's just part of coming back from injury according to him. He told me he'll be himself on Monday night. he's been clocked at 21 MPH recently so the speed is still there.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) September 9, 2022
Hamler seems likely to return earlier than expected. He will battle with tight end Albert Okwuegbunam for the right to be the No. 3 target for quarterback Russell Wilson with Tim Patrick on the IR. Hamler would provide fantasy managers with flex value throughout the season if he can secure that role. Watch for more injury reports on Hamler over the weekend.
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