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It was a rough week for fantasy managers with regard to some big-name receivers across the league. The loss of Joe Burrow will undoubtedly impact Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in a very big way. Chase likely falls down to WR2 levels, while Higgins may fall all the way down to WR3 value. Quarterback injuries continue to wreak havoc on the league. It's not a stretch to say that the quarterback injuries have hurt the receiver positions more than the receiver injuries.
This past weekend saw a couple of elite receivers limited and play fewer snaps than normal due to injury-shortened contests. Fortunately, it doesn't appear that any of the injuries are overly serious. However, they'll still be important for fantasy managers to track down the stretch. The one silver lining is that the receiver positions looks as though it should be fully healthy once fantasy football playoffs start in about three weeks time. Assuming no other injuries occur. Everyone knock on wood!
Let's look at some of the biggest receiver injuries fantasy managers should be tracking for Week 12. 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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Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Jefferson suffered a hamstring injury in the fourth quarter of their loss to the Chiefs in Week 5. Following the injury, Jefferson was unable to return to the field. He was subsequently placed on IR, ensuring he’d be out for at least the next four games. Following his placement on IR, reports indicated Jefferson would likely miss 4-6 weeks. Week 10 was the first game he was eligible to appear in. The Vikings activated him from IR, which opened his 21 practice-day window. He was a limited participant Wednesday-Friday but was ultimately ruled out.
Schrager: Justin Jefferson (hamstring) remains out Week 11, "might not play" Week 12.
The Vikings have a bye in Week 13.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) November 19, 2023
Jefferson was once again limited in every practice leading up to Week 11. Ultimately, however, he was ruled out once again. This creates a situation now where the risk-reward may favor having Jefferson sit one more week. That’s because the Vikings have a bye in Week 13. If Jefferson were to miss this upcoming game, he’d gain an extra two weeks off. At this point, that looks like a real possibility. If Jefferson is able to log 1-2 full practices, chances improve that he’ll be activated for Week 12, but if he continues to be limited in practice, I’d expect Jefferson to return after the bye.
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
Hill injured his hand in the team’s Week 11 win over the Raiders. He went back to the locker room to have it looked at. He eventually returned to the game, but he only played 59% of the team’s snaps. That snap share is much lower than his season average. The injury didn’t seem to affect his performance, however. He finished with 11 targets, 10 receptions, 146 yards, and one touchdown.
🎥 Tyreek Hill on his hand injury: "I think I'll be fine. The only thing I'm really bummed about I won't be able to play Fortnite." #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/0HAyvXQjvn
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) November 19, 2023
There’s been little information shared about the injury at this time. Fantasy managers seem to be able to breathe a sigh of relief. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Hill limited in practice considering he got banged up this past weekend and the team plays on a short week. Most importantly though, he seems to have avoided any serious injury. At this time, there’s no reason to believe Hill won’t be active in Week 12.
Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Kupp struggled in Week 11, even before the injury. He finished the contest with just one target, one reception, and 11 yards. He played just 27% of the snaps against the Seahawks. He left the game relatively early with an ankle injury. Unfortunately, the injury was to the same ankle he hurt last year. That injury required him to go on IR and ended his 2022 season. He then had tightrope surgery for his high ankle sprain.
Coming out of the second half, Kupp returned to the sideline with his ankle taped. He was seen running on the sideline, in what appeared to be in an attempt to get back onto the field. Ultimately, however, Kupp did not return to the game. The good news is that Kupp trying to return to the game gives some indication that the ankle sprain is unlikely to be serious. Based on the video, the general consensus at this time is a low ankle sprain, but that is not at all confirmed at this time. That’s just speculation based on how the injury appeared.
It's far from a diagnosis, but his attempted return seems to line up with that thought. Hopefully, Kupp will be able to suit up in Week 13. Luckily, for him and fantasy managers, the Rams don’t play until Sunday. With it being Thanksgiving week, there are plenty of games being played on Thursday and Friday. The Rams are not one of them, so Kupp will have a few extra days to rest that ankle.
Sean McVay on Cooper Kupp's ankle injury: "He was going to try to come back and play. He was moving around at the beginning of the second half and we were hoping that he'd be able to go, but it just didn't quite feel good enough."
— Sarah Barshop (@sarahbarshop) November 20, 2023
Fantasy managers will need to follow Kupp’s practice availability throughout the week to get an idea of what his status will be for the game this upcoming weekend. It shouldn’t be surprising if he’s a DNP on Wednesday and Thursday. If he does miss Week 12, the good news is that it doesn’t seem like it would be a lengthy absence. More information will come out on Kupp throughout the week.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Higgins seemed to injure his hamstring in practice. He was designated as a limited participant on Wednesday’s practice before Week 10. He followed that up with two DNPs and he seemed like a far shot to suit up. Reports came out before Week 10 that his injury was more of the week-to-week variety, which all but guaranteed his absence in Week 10. Cincinnati played on Thursday last week, which gave Higgins little shot of returning on a short week. He’s now missed back-to-back games and has not practiced in any capacity since he injured it in practice.
Hamstring injuries tend to linger and can be difficult to manage. They're prone to re-injury. Fantasy managers should be hopeful he’s able to get in a few limited practices this week, but that’s no guarantee he’ll be available this upcoming weekend. Based on what we know now, Higgins should be considered a true 50/50 for Week 12.
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 then on Wednesday they 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.
Joshua Palmer, Los Angeles Chargers
Palmer injured his knee in Week 8. He was diagnosed with a sprained knee and was ultimately placed on IR. This meant he would miss the next four games. He’s eligible to return in Week 13, but there’s been no indication if he’ll be able to return at that time.
With the struggles the Chargers have had with injuries to their pass-catchers, Palmer’s return would be a big boost to their offense. He’s someone fantasy managers should keep an eye on for on their waiver wires if he was dropped. Hopefully, his return is coming sooner than later.
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