RADIO
Yikes. Week 2 was a minefield for receivers. Fantasy managers had to deal with multiple players leaving the game early or being limited due to injuries they received during the game. Last week there were just six names in this article and now, we have 14! Just a brutal, brutal week and we’re just talking receiver injuries here.
On the positive side, it doesn’t seem as though any of the injuries that occurred this past weekend were serious. While a few of them may miss a week or two, none should keep them out for the season or even an IR stint, which is the silver lining.
Let's look at some of the biggest receiver injuries fantasy managers should be tracking for Week 3. 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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Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams
Kupp was put on IR prior to the start of the 2023 NFL season. This means he’ll miss the first four weeks of the season. He’s eligible to come off the PUP list and play in Week 5. Based on recent comments from head coach, Sean McVay, the team is hopeful this happens. This could be a good time to try and buy low.
McVay: Rams "hopeful" Cooper Kupp (hamstring) returns in Week 5.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) September 15, 2023
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Watson has not played this season yet. He ended up hurting his hamstring – the same one that caused him to miss time last season – in the week leading up to the Packers' first game of the season. He did not participate in any practice sessions at that time.
Leading up to their contest against the Falcons, Watson did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but was able to put in a limited effort on Friday. He still ended up missing the game, but his return to practice bodes well for his availability in Week 3. Fantasy managers should be cautiously optimistic he returns to action this weekend.
D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
Metcalf is off to a good start to the 2023 season. He finished Week 1 with five targets, three receptions, 47 yards, and a score. In Week 2, Metcalf suffered a rib injury that didn’t knock him out of the game but limited him.
Seahawks WR DK Metcalf is dealing with injured ribs and will likely miss practice time this week, per head coach Pete Carroll https://t.co/vdoO5oeo9e pic.twitter.com/zYL3M3hS8X
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 18, 2023
He played on 59 of the team’s 71 snaps, which wasn’t as “limiting” as other injuries other receivers experienced, but it still wasn’t a typical Metcalf workload. He finished with six targets, six receptions, and 75 yards. His ability to stay in the game bodes well for his upcoming availability. He’ll likely receive a day off and work on a limited basis, but fantasy managers should expect him to be out there in Week 3.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
St. Brown’s injury is most likely the most concerning on this list. He’s reported dealing with a toe injury, believed to be turf toe. The injury happened early in the third quarter when he had already racked up five receptions and 97 yards at the time. For the remaining 27 minutes of the game, ARSB was held to just one catch for five yards.
Amon-Ra St. Brown went down in the 3rd quarter with what the broadcast called a toe injury.
Expect minimal dip in performance next week but re-injury risk is moderate.
Injury occurs right after the freeze frame #OnePride pic.twitter.com/zzxa7kAA8i
— Edwin Porras, DPT (@FBInjuryDoc) September 18, 2023
Reports indicated ARSB had a steel plate inserted into his shoe, which is less than ideal. He ended up playing just 49 of the team’s 66 snaps. Fantasy managers should expect him to be held out of practice this week and his performance in the coming weeks could be limited by the injury. At this point, since he was able to stay in the game, fantasy managers should be cautiously optimistic he’s able to suit up this weekend, but he’s unlikely to be at 100%.
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Waddle was ruled out with a concussion late in the win against the Patriots. He played on 46 of the team’s 63 snaps and finished with six targets, four catches, and 86 yards. Now that he’s in the concussion protocol, Waddle will need to progress through the five stages before he can return to action.
Dolphins’ WR Jaylen Waddle is in concussion protocol.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 18, 2023
As he progresses through each stage, he’ll be eligible to practice on a limited basis. His practice involvement will give fantasy insight into how he’s progressing and thus, the chances he’ll be able to suit up this weekend.
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
Niners WR Brandon Aiyuk (left shoulder) will be limited at practice today, head coach Kyle Shanahan told reportershttps://t.co/z3RNqmGJVb pic.twitter.com/PAClwGaY5Y
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 19, 2023
Aiyuk came out of the gate and exploded in Week 1 to the tune of eight targets, eight receptions, 129 yards, and two scores. Unfortunately, he hurt his shoulder in Week 2 and found himself coming in and out of the lineup. He played on just 30 of 57 snaps and he finished with six targets, three receptions, and 43 yards.
According to source, Brandon Aiyuk had a CT scan yesterday. It revealed no break to the clavicle area. His ability to play Thursday night will be all about pain tolerance. @49ersSportsTalk was all over this as well.#49ers
— Jack Hammer (@JackHammer_NFL) September 19, 2023
He was estimated as a “DNP” on the practice report for Monday. The team didn’t actually conduct a practice, but they play on Thursday, so they were required to submit one. The short turnaround is not ideal, but head coach Kyle Shanahan is optimistic he’ll be able to play through it. He could be limited and is at a higher chance for re-injury, but luckily with a Thursday night game, fantasy managers will have all of their options available if he is a surprise inactive.
Brandon Aiyuk route % by qtr Week 1
*90%
*92%
*50%
*60%vs.
Week 2
*71%
*80%
*80%
*78%Injuries to BOTH shoulders could be to blame. Aiyuk a real one but I’d be shocked if he’s active *and* productive on the quick turnaround #49ers pic.twitter.com/MvKOmzhrMj
— Edwin Porras, DPT (@FBInjuryDoc) September 18, 2023
Amari Cooper, Cleveland Browns
Cooper dealt with a groin injury throughout the preseason and it was reported that he aggravated it on Saturday and was reported as unlikely to play Monday Night. As the weekend rolled along, the reports continued to get more optimistic with him upgrading to a game-time decision. By Monday, it was reported he was likely to play. In the end, Cooper did suit up and he played well.
Amari Cooper Plays Through Groin Injury To Post 90 Yards https://t.co/QzjkVTTBl7
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 19, 2023
He finished with 10 targets, seven receptions, and 90 yards. He was somewhat limited, playing 63 snaps out of the team’s 87. Fortunately, there were no reports of any setbacks from the game. While Cooper’s practice status could be limited throughout the week, he should be good to go for Week 3.
Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Johnson suffered a hamstring injury midway through the first game of the season. He finished that game with six targets, three receptions, and 48 yards on just a 42% snap share. Following the game, the initial reports suggested that he would miss a couple of weeks.
Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (hamstring) lands on IR, to miss at least four gameshttps://t.co/rpBBrt21yk pic.twitter.com/lE58a0Jxy5
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 18, 2023
That notion was confirmed when the team opted to put him on the PUP list. Johnson will now be out for the next four weeks. The Steelers have a bye in Week 6, which will count as one of the four. He’ll miss the next three games after missing their Week 2 contest. Johnson will be eligible to return for their Week 7 game against the Rams.
DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans
In his first game with the Titans, Hopkins dominated the passing volume in Tennessee. In terms of target share, air yards, and targets per route run, Hopkins was the clear alpha. Unfortunately, Ryan Tannehill struggled mightily and it negatively affected Hopkins’ overall production to the tune of him turning 13 targets into just seven receptions for 65 yards. During the contest, he suffered an ankle injury. There was speculation that it may have been a high ankle sprain, but there was no confirmation.
#Titans DeAndre Hopkins - Has a long history of playing without practicing and not seeing production dip during those weeks.
Video suggested a mild high ankle, which does carry some re-aggravation risk but tends to have only mild performance impact for possession WRs.
This… https://t.co/t4hrGuOSJ9
— Deepak Chona, MD. SportsMedAnalytics (@SportMDAnalysis) September 17, 2023
He did not practice at all leading up to Week 2, but still ended up active. He was limited, however, playing on just 39 of the team’s 65 snaps. He finished with five targets, four receptions, and 40 yards. Given that he played this past weekend, there seems to be little doubt he’ll be active again this week. However, fantasy managers shouldn’t be expecting much practice availability throughout the week, if at all, but hopefully the time off allows him to get back closer to a full-time role.
Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
Meyers wasted no time making an impact on his new team in Week 1. He finished with 10 targets, nine receptions, 81 yards, and two touchdowns. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with a concussion following the game. Meyers did not practice in any capacity leading up to their Week 2 loss against the Bills.
Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels says WR Davante Adams is "good" after taking a huge hit yesterday.
Meanwhile, WR Jakobi Meyers is "headed in the right direction" as he progresses through the concussion protocol.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 18, 2023
The team is optimistic he’ll be back for Week 3, but recovering from a concussion can be unpredictable. As he progresses through the concussion protocol, Meyers will be able to return to varying levels of practice. Fantasy managers will need to track his practice status throughout the week to get a read on his availability for this weekend.
Davante Adams, Las Vegas Raiders
There were concerns that Adams may have also suffered a concussion in Week 2 after taking a hard hit late in the game. Adams was evaluated and was allowed to return to action. He finished with eight targets, six receptions, 84 yards, and one touchdown.
Davante Adams Good To Go https://t.co/OUw5PACucD
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 18, 2023
Assuming Adams does not start experiencing any concussion-like symptoms throughout the week, he should be in all fantasy lineups this weekend.
Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys
Cooks’ Dallas career hasn’t gotten off to the best of starts. In Week 1 Dallas played the Giants in torrential downpour and scored two defensive/special team touchdowns, which made things very easy for the offense. There wasn’t any need to have Prescott throw the ball much. Due to this, Cooks finished with just four targets, two receptions, and 22 yards. He also ended up with a sprained MCL that caused him to miss Week 2.
Jones: Cowboys anticipate Brandin Cooks (knee) playing Week 3.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) September 19, 2023
The sprain has been reported to be just a grade one sprain, indicating the injury is not serious. There were reports last week that he’d be a game-time decision and while the team ultimately decided to play it safe with Cooks, there should be some optimism he can return this week. However, he could be on a snap count. Given that he’s on a new team and coming off an injury, it’s best to take a wait-and-see approach heading into Week 3.
Odell Beckham Jr., Baltimore Ravens
While Beckham was overshadowed by rookie, Zay Flowers in Week 1, he paced the receivers in snaps played and routes run. It was more of the same in Week 2 until he sprained his ankle. It is not believed to be a high-ankle sprain or overly serious. It did, however, limit him to just 39 of the team’s 75 snaps.
Rap: Odell Beckham Jr.'s ankle injury not expected to affect availability going forward.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) September 18, 2023
OBJ has been disappointing through a game and a half, compiling just three targets, two receptions, and 37 yards in Week 1. Before exiting in Week 2 he had four targets, three receptions, and 29 yards. He’s best avoided in Week 3 especially if the ankle injury limits his playing time.
Zay Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jones suffered a knee injury in Week 2 that limited him to just a 65% snap share. After putting up seven targets, five receptions, 55 yards, and one score in Week 1, Jones was held to six targets and zero receptions in limited action.
Zay Jones: Hurts knee Sunday https://t.co/HqYBqf8ckp
— RotoWire🏈 (@RotoWireNFL) September 17, 2023
Initial reports indicate the injury is not believed to be serious, but it still seems too early to tell if he’ll be available this weekend. Fantasy managers will need to track his practice status throughout the week to get a read on his availability. If he’s out or limited, Kirk would get a big boost.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
Mooney also suffered a knee injury in his team’s Week 2 loss to the Buccaneers. Mooney played on just 15 of the team’s 52 snaps and did not register a target before exiting. He played well in Week 1 with seven targets, four receptions, 53 yards, and a score, but Chicago’s passing offense looks completely broken.
Darnell Mooney said he's dealing with knee bruise; will be fine.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) September 18, 2023
The injury is not believed to be serious, but we don’t know yet if that means he’ll be able to play this weekend. His practice status throughout the week will give fantasy managers a better idea of what to expect. However, even if he is active, he’s a tough player to trust heading into Week 3.
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