RADIO
Week 16 was a bit of a bloodbath for receivers. Several big-name receivers ended up missing a pivotal playoff contest for fantasy managers. Several others were knocked out of the contest early and did not return. There is no shortage of receivers fantasy managers will need to be keeping an eye on heading into championship week.
Unfortunately, once we get to the end of the season, the records of certain clubs can play a role in when a player may or may not return. That's difficult for fantasy managers because it certainly puts them in a tough spot. While fantasy managers need to track the status of several receivers, it's also important to keep an eye on Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Stroud, two quarterbacks who could potentially miss Week 17 and whose absence would drastically impact the value of their team's respective pass-catchers.
Let's look at some of the biggest receiver injuries fantasy managers should be tracking for Week 17. 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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Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Chase suffered a shoulder injury in Week 15. He was diagnosed with a separated shoulder. Chase did not practice Wednesday-Friday leading up to Week 16. He was ultimately ruled out for that contest. The injury was said to be a 1-2 week injury. Reports indicated that Chase would likely return before the end of the season.
From @NFLGameDay Kickoff: #Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase (shoulder) has a chance to be back next week, while #Steelers S Minkah Fitzpatrick, dealing with a Grade 2 MCL sprain, is likely back for Week 18. pic.twitter.com/4xBiEU1LVH
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 23, 2023
Chase still seems very much 50/50 for Week 17. Due to Cincinnati's record and their decreasing playoff chances, the team may be more likely to play it safe with their superstar receiver. Fantasy managers will need to track his practice status throughout the week to determine if he'll suit up this upcoming weekend.
Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
Allen popped up with a heel injury before Week 15. The injury came slightly out of the blue, but since that time, Allen has been a DNP Wednesday-Friday each of the past two weeks and missed both Week 15 and Week 16. There's been little information regarding what his injury is specifically. The team has not provided a timetable for his return. Considering the Chargers are eliminated from the playoffs, Justin Herbert is on IR, and Allen is an older veteran, it wouldn't be a surprise if Allen did not return this season. Still, fantasy managers should be tracking his practice status throughout the week.
Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
Pittman took a monster hit to the head in Week 15. It was a scary hit that could have been far worse. Surprisingly, Pittman started off the week as a limited participant. He eventually progressed through the concussion protocol and reports indicated he would suit up for Week 16. Given the optics of the hit, this was a surprising development. Most expected Pittman to miss at least one week. However, on Saturday before Week 16, reports indicated Pittman experienced resurgent concussion symptoms.
More about Colts’ wide receiver Michael Pittman being ruled out after having a concussion relapse, via @HolderStephen:https://t.co/PAdAGQV2DY
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 24, 2023
Due to these new symptoms, Pittman was ruled out for Week 16. Heading into Week 17, his status remains cloudy. He has since re-entered the concussion protocol and will need to pass through the five stages to be eligible to play this upcoming weekend. As players progress through the concussion protocol, their practice availability increases, so fantasy managers will need to track his practice status to determine where he is in the protocol.
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Waddle suffered a high-ankle sprain this past weekend. These can often be multi-week injuries and based on comments from head coach Mike McDaniel, fantasy managers should be bracing for bad news.
#Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said WR Jaylen Waddle has high-ankle sprain and added, “Those can be tricky.”
This puts his availability for the rest of the regular season in doubt.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 25, 2023
Given the nature of McDaniel's comments, fantasy managers should be expecting Waddle to miss Week 17. It shouldn't be surprising to see Waddle be a DNP all week. He's a veteran player, so he can likely play on no practice time if his ankle cooperates, but even a mild high ankle sprain can require a 1-2 week absence. Fantasy managers should be making alternative plans.
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Sutton left their Week 16 game early due to being diagnosed with a concussion. He'll now enter the league's concussion protocol and will need to phase through all of the different phases before gaining clearance for Week 17.
#Broncos WR Courtland Sutton suffered a concussion and will not return to tonight's game vs. New England. pic.twitter.com/6JcSZd3jK2
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 25, 2023
As players progress through the protocol, they are allowed to practice in an increasing capacity. Therefore, fantasy managers will be able to track Sutton's progress through the protocol by his practice status throughout the week. Most players miss up to two weeks due to a concussion, but recovery time can vary widely from player to player.
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson were both knocked out of Minnesota's Week 16 game early. Hockenson was eventually diagnosed with a torn ACL and MCL, effectively ending his season. Addison is dealing with an ankle sprain and head coach, Kevin O'Connell indicated Addison was "week-to-week".
Jordan Addison is considered week-to-week with an ankle sprain, source said, pending further testing today. That info comes today. https://t.co/MkD2072Je8
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 25, 2023
That status doesn't exactly bode confidence for fantasy managers looking to start him in Week 17. At this time, Addison should be considered on the wrong side of questionable. His practice status throughout the week should give us a better indication of his chances to suit up, but as of right now, it seems more likely than not that he'll miss Week 17.
Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
Over the past few weeks, Reed has had to deal with several injuries. First, it was a chest/rib injury, and then an ankle injury. Reed managed to play through both ailments, but this past week, reports indicated he was dealing with a toe injury. It's unknown if it's the dreaded turf toe injury and there's been little information regarding the severity. He was a DNP every day leading up to Week 16 and was ultimately ruled out.
Jayden Reed and Christian Watson are inactive for the #Packers. That's a lot of passing game in dress clothes for today against the Panthers.
Here's the story. ⬇️https://t.co/Hb7orbNjV1
— Bill Huber (@BillHuberNFL) December 24, 2023
At this time, Reed's status, somewhat due to the lack of information regarding the injury, is 50/50. Fantasy managers will need to watch his practice status throughout the week.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Watson hurt his hamstring in Week 13 against the Chiefs. He also dealt with a hamstring injury earlier in the year and last season. The team did not put him on IR this time, indicating they expected him back within four games. He's been a DNP for three straight weeks. This will be his fourth game since the injury and given the fact that he was not put on IR, it means the team is likely expecting and hoping he'll be available for Week 17.
However, there's been little information indicating he's close to a return. Fantasy managers will need to track his practice status. He'll be tough to trust even if he's active, however. Due to how many hamstring injuries he's dealt with in the past, the team would likely be conservative with him. He could potentially be on a snap count.
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. He ended up being active in Week 13 but left early after aggravating the injury. The team had a bye in Week 14, but the team off was not enough to help him get back on the field. Brown was a DNP every day leading up to Week 15 and Week 16.
Due to the Cardinals' current record, it's unknown how much Brown will be pushing to get back on the field and the team may be more cautious with his return. Like Watson, trusting Brown after such a lengthy absence will be awfully difficult in his first game back after a multi-week absence. His status should be considered on the wrong side of 50/50 right now. Ultimately, his practice status throughout the week will give us more information.
Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jones left Jacksonville's Week 15 game early due to a hamstring injury. Following the game, it was reported his status was "week-to-week". That put his Week 16 status in doubt. He ended up inactive for Week 16, but there has been good news regarding his potential return this week.
Jaguars HC Doug Pederson said LT Cam Robinson (knee), WR Zay Jones (hamstring) will be back on practice field tomorrow and he's optimistic they can play Sunday.
— Michael DiRocco (@ESPNdirocco) December 26, 2023
Even if Jones is active, fantasy managers will need to track the status of Trevor Lawrence, who left Week 16's game early due to a shoulder injury. If Lawrence is out, trusting Jones will be very difficult.
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