RADIO
Week 7 did a little bit of damage, but luckily not too bad. Fantasy managers had a scare with Jaylen Waddle, but for the most part, the receiver position came out (mostly) unscathed. There do not appear to be any new injuries that should keep anyone out long-term.
The bigger news is that the Vikings are 2-0 without Justin Jefferson and fantasy managers are just two more weeks away from hopefully putting him back into their lineups. Once he returns, the receiver position will be as healthy as it's been all season as a collective group.
Let's look at some of the biggest receiver injuries fantasy managers should be tracking for Week 8. 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. 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. He was subsequently placed on IR, ensuring he’d be out for at least the next four games. Since then, there has been another report indicating he might miss 4-6 weeks. However, there’s been zero talk about shutting him down or this being a season-ending injury.
Schefter: Justin Jefferson (hamstring) expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) October 14, 2023
With the Vikings having rattled off two victories, one of which came against the San Francisco 49ers, coupled with the fact that the Lions recently lost, Jefferson has plenty of reason to return this season. Not only that but the Lions and Vikings play each other twice late in the season. The Vikings’ seemed on life support not too long ago, but things can change quickly in the NFL.
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Waddle was in and out of the team’s tough Week 7 loss to the Eagles. He struggled with a back injury, although no additional information has been provided at this time. He played just 45% of the snaps, well below his typical snap percentage. He finished with six targets, six receptions, and 63 yards. Waddle showed a lot of toughness returning the game and playing through the injury.
Good Dolphins injury news from Mike McDaniel: David Long not in concussion protocol, Jaylen Waddle expected to practice Wednesday.
Bad Dolphins injury weeks: Isaiah Wynn likely out multiple weeks.
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) October 23, 2023
Good news for fantasy managers: Waddle is expected to practice on Wednesday. That’s a great sign! Fantasy managers should still track his practice status throughout the week as coaches have a tendency to sometimes count their chickens before they hatch. However, even if he doesn’t practice on Wednesday, the fact that they’re confident enough to expect him to is a good thing. Fantasy managers should be cautiously optimistic Waddle will be on the field this upcoming weekend.
Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
Samuel ended up exiting from the team’s Week 6 game with what was described as a shoulder injury. Samuel ended up having an x-ray and MRI completed to further diagnose the injury. Following these procedures, there were no immediate concerns noted. Samuel was reported as being “day to day.” Late last week, however, it was reported that Samuel was dealing with a hairline fracture in his shoulder.
49ers’ HC Kyle Shanahan told reporters that WR Deebo Samuel is dealing with a hairline fracture in his shoulder and will be out the next two games leading up to the team’s bye week.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 21, 2023
Based on the diagnosis, Samuel was expected to miss two weeks, which includes Week 7’s game. The 49ers have a bye in Week 9. Week 8 will be his second missed contest. With their bye the following week, there’s virtually no reason to bring Samuel back and risk re-injury. This is especially true since head coach Kyle Shanahan stated he’d be out for two weeks. Fantasy managers should expect Samuel will be back on the field in Week 10.
D.K. Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
Metcalf has played most of the season banged up. Last week, he did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday. He was able to get in a limited session on Friday dealing with hip and rib injuries. Neither is a new ailment for Metcalf this season, but they had worsened to the point where Metcalf was reported as a true game-time decision.
#Seahawks WR DK Metcalf (hip, rib) is OUT today vs. the Cardinals.
First career game missed for Metcalf. pic.twitter.com/ccu8aFq0tr
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) October 22, 2023
Ultimately, Metcalf ended up missing the first game of his NFL career. The fact that he was able to get in a limited session on Friday of last week bodes well for his return in Week 8. Fantasy managers should be cautiously optimistic about this, but his practice availability will be crucial this week. Don’t be surprised if he doesn’t practice on Wednesday, but a return to practice on Thursday in any capacity will guarantee he’ll be available this upcoming weekend.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Watson ended up exiting early in the team’s loss to the Broncos this past weekend due to a knee injury. Jordan Love threw a pass well behind Watson, which caused Watson to stop and reach backward for the ball. When he did this, his foot seemed to get stuck in the grass and caused his knee to twist. While Watson reported being fine, fantasy managers might be less optimistic.
Not Good: Packers WR Christian Watson went down with what looks to be a knee injury.
Hope he’s okay🙏 pic.twitter.com/0Zvq1RDwtc
— Arye Pulli (@AryePulli) October 22, 2023
Watson has a history of some lower leg injuries, most recently this season when he dealt with a nagging hamstring injury. He also struggled through a hamstring injury last season. Before that, he had undergone a minor procedure on his knee before the 2022 season. That’s a troubling history and considering the Packers’ 2-4 record, they may opt to be careful with him.
“Green Bay Packers receiver Christian Watson said he’s doing ‘all right’ following the knee injury sustained during the final drive of Sunday’s loss at the Denver Broncos.
‘Everything looked good on the scans and whatnot,’ Watson said on Monday. ‘Obviously, I’m just trying to… https://t.co/rvg0Y5L9bI
— 32BeatWriters (@32BeatWriters) October 23, 2023
Green Bay in general tends to be more conservative with injuries than most other teams. At this time, fantasy managers should consider Watson truly 50/50, but due to his history and the team’s conservativeness, I’d put him on the wrong side of questionable. However, his practice availability throughout the week should help clear up some of these questions.
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay plays on Thursday this week, so they were required to complete an injury report on Monday already. The injury report was an estimation as the team didn’t have an official practice. Godwin was estimated as a DNP due to what was described as a neck issue. It’s unknown when the injury happened as he played the full game this past weekend.
Baker Mayfield and Chris Godwin were “estimated” as non participants Monday. Mostly special teams in media window today. Didn’t see Godwin (neck), though he played the full game Sunday. Expecting both to play.
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) October 24, 2023
As of right now, the injury seems very minor. He was upgraded to a limited participation on Tuesday and seems to be trending in the right direction. Fantasy managers should continue to keep an eye on this, but all signs point to Godwin being active this Thursday night.
Tank Dell, Houston Texans
Dell left the game in Week 5 and was diagnosed with a concussion. He entered the concussion protocol but was unable to pass all of the stages prior to their Week 6 contest, which led to him being inactive.
#Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Juice Scruggs (IR, hamstring) is improving and will be evaluated again after the bye. As for Tank Dell, Ryans said he will be back after the bye from the concussion that sidelined him against the #Saints
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 16, 2023
However, we’ve already received word from head coach DeMeco Ryans that Dell had passed through concussion protocol earlier this week and that he would return in Week 8. The Texans were on bye in Week 7, giving Dell even further time off. He’ll be good to go once Houston returns to action this week.
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