RADIO
The injuries continue to pile up this season, and the receiver position has been hit hard. Last year, the running back position was absolutely decimated by injuries, but it seems the injury bug has bit the receivers this season. That's not to say running backs have been bypassed, but there have been a plethora of high-profile injuries to some stud receivers.
Fantasy managers have had to endure injuries and an IR-stint to two former top-five receivers from last season in Ja'Marr Chase and Cooper Kupp. Other top-20 receivers who have missed time include Michael Thomas, Mike Williams, Keenan Allen, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Marquise Brown, and Chris Godwin. We've also missed out on some young, up-and-coming players such as Treylon Burks and Rashod Bateman.
Hopefully (knock on wood), fantasy managers can make it through the last few weeks of the fantasy football season without any more big injuries. Or any injuries at all, really, but we all know that is highly unlikely to occur. The best thing we can do is stay up-to-date with the most recent information so we can make informed decisions about how to handle these injuries and their ever-changing timelines. Let's look at some of the biggest injury news for Week 12 receivers.
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Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Cooper Kupp sustained a significant high ankle sprain in the Rams' Week 10 loss. Following the contest, the team placed him on IR and it was reported that he would undergo surgery. Last week, Kupp went under the knife and received tightrope surgery, which is used to help stabilize the ligaments in the ankle to help speed up recovery. Based on the IR timeline, the earliest Kupp would be eligible to return is in Week 15. However, recent reports suggest that timeline is highly unlikely.
Rams standout WR Cooper Kupp is expected to miss six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery for a high ankle sprain. The Rams, who are 3-6 entering Sunday's contest against the Saints, will need to bounce back to give Kupp any chance to return this year.https://t.co/YXIqr5BSHs
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 20, 2022
With the Rams' season all but over, it makes little sense for Kupp to be rushed back this season. There was a very small possibility he might have been able to return by Week 16 or 17 to help fantasy managers in their playoffs, but this timeline completely eliminates that possibility. The next time fantasy managers see Kupp on the field will be in 2023. Fantasy managers can safely drop Kupp in any redraft leagues.
Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
Jerry Jeudy sustained an ankle injury in Week 10 that caused him to miss a good portion of that game. He didn't practice in any capacity leading up to their Week 11 contest and he was ultimately ruled out. There's been little information as to what specific injury Jeudy sustained so it's hard to know exactly what the timeline might be. However, the tests that followed the injury were positive and indicated it was not a serious injury. Head coach Nathaniel Hackett defined him as day-to-day, so even though he missed Week 11, there was hope he'd miss a minimal amount of time.
Broncos are hopeful they can get Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler and Andrew Beck back this week.
Nathaniel Hackett said they remain day to day.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) November 22, 2022
Jeudy was still described as being day-to-day, but there seems to be optimism that Jeudy will be able to return this week. This mostly lines up with what was originally reported in the week following the injury. If Jeudy is able to practice even in a limited capacity later today, fantasy managers should feel optimistic they'll be able to slot him into their starting lineups this weekend if they so desire.
JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs
JuJu Smith-Schuster left the Week 10 game early due to a hard hit that caused him to enter the concussion protocol. There are different stages every player must pass through before they are able to return to the field. We know Smith-Schuster did not practice in any capacity last week, which tells us he must still be in the first few stages of the concussion protocol. This is Smith-Schuster's fourth documented concussion.
It's near impossible to predict when players will return to play following a concussion. The recovery time is different for everyone. A player's practice availability gives us a clue about where each player is in the concussion protocol because there are stages they need to go through before becoming eligible for practice. Smith-Schuster hasn't met that prerequisite yet, so fantasy managers will need to keep an eye on the Chiefs' practice report throughout the week. While most players return to action after missing one game, Smith-Schuster's history could lead to a lengthier absence.
Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
Mike Williams sustained what was reported as a fairly significant high ankle sprain in Week 7. Luckily for fantasy managers, the Chargers had their bye the following week, which saved Williams from missing an extra game. The Chargers elected not to put him on IR, hoping he could return before the four-week required IR stint. As it turns out, Williams did just that. He returned in Week 11 after missing just two games.
Brandon Staley says that WR Mike Williams aggravated his high ankle sprain, but it is not considered significant and that they'll know more in the coming days regarding availability.
— Lindsey Thiry (@LindseyThiry) November 21, 2022
However, it didn't take long for Williams to re-aggravate that sprain. Unfortunately, high ankle sprains tend to cost players anywhere from 3–6 weeks. While head coach Brandon Staley said it was not considered significant, those who roster Keenan Allen have learned first-hand that this isn't necessarily something to get excited about. Allen's hamstring injury was initially described as being minor and he just returned last week after sustaining the injury in Week 1.
Realistically, fantasy managers need to be prepared to be without Williams for Week 12 and possibly Week 13, as well. After Allen tried to return too soon and re-injured his hamstring injury, the team may be more cautious with Williams. Ultimately, Williams' practice availability will tell fantasy managers what they need to know, but it's unlikely we see Williams practice until Friday, at the earliest, if he does at all this week.
Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Ja'Marr Chase sustained a torn labrum and hairline fracture in his hip in Week 7 and has not played since then. He's missed three games since then but will have been out of action for five weeks, as Cincinnati was fortunate to have their bye in Week 10 during Chase's absence. That bye week was likely the reason the Bengals chose not to put him on IR, leaving open the possibility of him returning this week.
Coach Zac Taylor says WR Ja’Marr Chase will resume practice this week.
"We'll start working him back this week to see where he's at.” https://t.co/UO5zsVJckn
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 21, 2022
Chase was still seen on crutches as recently as last week; however, that was reported to be purely precautionary. Head coach Zac Taylor has indicated Chase will return to practice this week, but it's still somewhat unknown if he'll play. The signs and the word from the team are certainly optimistic, but the injury was fairly significant and news of him still being on crutches last week at least creates the question he might be held out one more week, just to be safe. Chase seems to be on the right side of questionable right now, but it wouldn't surprise me if he's held for one more week. He's just too important to rush back.
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Keenan Allen has struggled with a nagging hamstring injury all season. He sustained the injury in Week 1 and miss a few weeks before returning to practice only to re-aggravate the injury and miss additional time. He attempted to come back right before their bye, a poor decision in hindsight, and once again re-aggravated the injury. After this latest setback, he indicated he wouldn't return until he was 100%. That finally happened last week, although even prior to kickoff, reports indicated he would be on a snap count. However, after Mike Williams left early, that snap count went out the window.
Allen looked great in his return to action and reports following the contest indicated he didn't suffer any setbacks. He stated he feels great and it seems like his nagging hamstring injury is finally behind him. Fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if they limit his practice reps for the rest of the season to ensure he stays healthy, but there shouldn't be any concern about Allen's availability going into Week 12.
Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals
Arizona chose to designate Marquise Brown to return prior to their Week 11 loss to the 49ers. He was designated early and practiced throughout the week prior to their Week 11 game. This led to speculation that he might be activated off of IR and return to action in Week 11. This was always optimistic and ultimately, Brown was not activated. However, based on him being designated to return prior to Week 11 and practicing throughout the week, his return is imminent.
Hollywood Brown is BACK 👀pic.twitter.com/ldVS6wQkDO
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 18, 2022
While I'm no doctor or physical therapist, this certainly looks like a player who is very, very close to returning. With Rondale Moore's groin injury and Zach Ertz's season-ending injury the week before, the Cardinals all of a sudden find themselves somewhat short-handed when it comes to capable pass-catchers. Based on that video, his designation the week before, and his practice involvement last week, fantasy managers should feel confident Brown returns to action this week.
However, it should be noted the Cardinals do have their bye in Week 13 and could potentially choose to hold Brown out one more week, which would essentially give him another two weeks of rest. This will be a player fantasy managers will need to pay close attention to this week, although it would appear that Brown is on the right side of questionable.
Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals
Rondale Moore suffered a groin injury early in the first quarter during their Monday Night game against the San Francisco 49ers. Moore did not return to the contest. There hasn't been too much information regarding the severity of the injury at this time. However, he missed three weeks at the beginning of the season with a hamstring injury.
Kingsbury injury updates:
-- Kyler, Hollywood closer. No commitments that they will play against Chargers. (Bye is following week.
-- WR Rondale Moore TBD with groin injury.
-- WR Greg Dortch hurt his thumb, having MRI.— Darren Urban (@Cardschatter) November 22, 2022
Another soft tissue injury certainly isn't ideal. Fantasy managers should be bracing to be without Moore this week and possibly a few weeks more. While there's limited information on what kind of groin injury Moore might be dealing with, these injuries tend to take time to heal completely, and the risk of re-aggravating the injury is high. Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting Moore to be on the practice field early this week and he should be viewed on the wrong side of questionable right now.
Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
Jameson Williams tore his ACL while still in college at Alabama. That didn't stop the Detroit Lions from trading up to the No. 12 pick to select the former Crimson Tide standout. It was well-known Williams would miss the majority of the 2022 NFL season as he rehabbed from his torn ACL injury. However, it seems as though his rehab is almost complete.
The #Lions are designating rookie WR Jameson Williams to return from PUP. He will practice today. Huge.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 21, 2022
With Detroit designating Williams to return, the Lions will have 21 days to activate him to their active roster. If not, he'll move to season-ending IR and his rookie year will be done. Even though the Lions are not real playoff contenders, they likely want to give their rookie receiver some time to get acclimated with the NFL speed and game. This could certainly help his development. While a Week 12 return is highly unlikely, fantasy managers should expect to see Williams on the field in Week 13 or 14.
Kadarius Toney, Kansas City Chiefs
Kadarius Toney sustained yet another hamstring injury in their Week 11 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. It's hard to know what to make of his injuries at this point. He had injured one hamstring in New York, only to return and hurt the other one. Toney has struggled to stay on the field since being drafted by the Giants last year. After sustaining the injury this past week, Toney never did return to action.
At this point, fantasy managers should expect Toney to miss Week 12 and possibly even more weeks. While he showed some juice in Week 10, his ongoing injury issues do not seem to be something that is going to go away anytime soon.
Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants
Wan'Dale Robinson suffered a torn ACL last week. He will be placed on IR and will miss the rest of the 2022 NFL season.
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