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Getting Cooper Kupp just to lose Justin Jefferson is just cruel, even for the fantasy football gods who seem dedicated to causing as much chaos as possible. While the receiver position is generally believed to be safer – and it is – there have been plenty of big-name injuries this season.
Managing injuries is one of the biggest obstacles of fantasy football. Some of that is luck, but being able to adjust and adapt is crucial. Unfortunately, the 2023 NFL season is testing the merits of all fantasy football managers.
Let's look at some of the biggest receiver injuries fantasy managers should be tracking for Week 6. 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 this past weekend. Prior to that point, Kansas City had done an excellent job containing the superstar receiver. He finished with just three receptions for 28 yards. Following the injury, Jefferson was unable to return to the field.
After the game, fantasy managers started to get the sense that this injury was serious. Reports out of Minnesota camp indicated there was no timetable for his return and that additional tests would need to be completed. At that point, fantasy managers were likely bracing for a multi-week absence. On Tuesday morning it was reported Jefferson would go on IR, guaranteeing he’d miss the team’s next four games.
More about Vikings’ WR Justin Jefferson missing at least the next four games due to a hamstring injury, via @SeifertESPN:https://t.co/DQ7AbWgmcc
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 10, 2023
This is a tricky situation because the Vikings are 1-4. Playoffs seem like a long shot right now and without Jefferson, by the time he’s eligible to come off IR, that long-shot chance at playoffs could be finished. The Vikings have said they won’t rush him back and with their season, they shouldn’t.
Here’s the other unspoken issue that could potentially lengthen Justin Jefferson’s absence: if the Vikings don’t win games and stay competitive, what is Jefferson’s incentive to rush back when he did not land the contract he wanted? His absence could last longer than expected.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 10, 2023
That isn’t the only caveat though. Jefferson and Minnesota attempted to come to terms on a mega deal this past offseason and were unable to come to an agreement. If the Vikings are 2-7 and out of the playoffs when Jefferson is eligible to come back, is he going to want to play after being hurt and not having a long-term contract? There’s a world where this rather simple hamstring injury could snowball very quickly.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
St. Brown didn’t practice at all last week. He was listed as doubtful with an abdomen injury but was fairly quickly ruled out on Saturday. Detroit has been very hush-hush about what kind of abdomen injury ARSB suffered causing some to speculate it was a sports hernia. There was no confirmation of this and it seems that speculation was incorrect.
Campbell: Lions "feel pretty good" about Amon-Ra St. Brown (abdomen) playing Week 6; considered more probable than questionable.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) October 10, 2023
Head coach Dan Campbell and ARSB have both expressed optimism that he’ll return to the field in Week 6. St. Brown called it “probable” that he’ll return. Based on the words from both coach and player, fantasy managers can rest easy that their star receiver will be on the field this week. A return to practice – even on a limited basis on Wednesday – will all but guarantee that.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Higgins was diagnosed with cracked ribs following their Week 4 contest, casting doubt on his Week 5 availability. He did not practice at all on Wednesday and Thursday but was able to turn in a limited practice on Friday. Ultimately, Higgins was ruled out.
#Bengals WR Tee Higgins is not expected to play with a cracked rib, source said. He was listed as questionable. DE Trey Hendrickson (back) should be good to go, while CB Chidobe Awuzie (back) is a game-time decision.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 8, 2023
Considering he returned to practice on Friday, fantasy managers should be cautiously optimistic Higgins will be able to return to action this week. However, there is some risk involved here. Higgins was active twice last year and barely played. Not only that, but one big hurt could knock him out again.
His practice availability throughout the week will give fantasy managers a good read on what to expect from Higgins this upcoming weekend. Right now, there should be cautious optimism, but there’s still some risk involved.
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans was said to have “tweaked” his hamstring in their Week 4 contest. The injury is reported to be “minor”, but Evans has a history of hamstring injuries, which makes it riskier. Hamstring injuries in general are never easy either, so there’s still some unknown here. This is especially true since Tampa Bay didn’t have a game last week and thus, didn’t need to submit an injury report.
Rap: Mike Evans' hamstring injury believed to be minor.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) October 2, 2023
Hopefully, the extra week of rest will help ensure Evans doesn’t miss any game action, but that isn’t known yet at this time. The reports that the hamstring strain was “minor” are positive, but his practice availability will be telling.
Tank Dell, Houston Texans
Dell left the game in Week 5 and was diagnosed with a concussion. He'll now enter the concussion protocol and he'll need to pass through the protocols before he's able to return to action.
Tank Dell In Concussion Protocol https://t.co/M4Hw7LbnDP
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) October 10, 2023
He’s now in the concussion protocol, which requires him to pass certain tests before he can return to certain stages of activity. His practice involvement throughout the week should give fantasy managers a good indication of what his availability will be, but we won’t know before then.
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. Johnson will be eligible to return for their Week 7 game against the Rams. He has since indicated he’ll be ready to go for Week 7 following their bye week. Fantasy managers should be optimistic Johnson is back on the field in Week 7.
Diontae Johnson said he’ll play when the team faces the Rams in Week 7.
The Steelers WR will come off injured reserve after dealing with a hamstring injury.
More details ⤵️https://t.co/FmJ4y4ESwf
— The Athletic NFL (@TheAthleticNFL) October 10, 2023
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