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Fantasy football WR injury updates and reports for Week 1 (2024), as of 9/4. Includes updates on Marquise Brown, DeAndre Hopkins, Jaylen Waddle, Josh Downs, and more.
Go ahead, shed a few tears of joy. Football is back!
Generally, this is the healthiest that teams will be for the rest of the season. But there are some wide receivers whose start to the season may be delayed due to injury.
To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page. Also, download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. Let's look at the updates for some wide receivers and see whether they may play in Week 1.
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Davante Adams (LV) Injury Update
On most fantasy football platforms, there's a Q listed next to Davante Adams' name. He missed the Raiders' preseason finale but has been spotted at the following practices.
We'll get a better idea of Adams' status when the Raiders release their initial injury report on Wednesday. This looks to be a case of soreness or veteran rest.
The Raiders draw the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 1. The veteran is ranked as a WR1 and should be in all lineups as long as there are no concerns with any injury.
Jordan Addison (MIN) Injury Update
Jordan Addison is sure to appear on the Minnesota Vikings' injury report on Wednesday. He's been at practice, but seemingly participating in a limited capacity. The second-year wideout was carted off the practice field in mid-August with an ankle injury.
Jordan Addison back at practice but did not see him do much outside of warmups during 15 minutes open to reporters pic.twitter.com/Rmr97YXCyY
— Andrew Krammer (@Andrew_Krammer) September 2, 2024
If he's dealing with a high-ankle sprain, which has been widely speculated, then he probably won't be 100% for Week 1. That's, of course, if he plays. We'll get a better idea of his status as the official practice reports arrive throughout the week.
Marquise Brown (KC) Injury Update
Marquise Brown (shoulder) will miss the NFL's season opener. One of Kansas City's high-profile offseason additions suffered a shoulder injury in the team's first preseason game and missed the rest of training camp.
Week 2 will be a question mark, but Brown will have extra time between the team's first and second games. 2024 first-round pick Xavier Worthy will see more snaps opposite Rashee Rice in Brown's absence. Justin Watson will also see an increased snap share.
Romeo Doubs (GB) Injury Update
A surprise addition to the Green Bay injury report this week, Romeo Doubs was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice. He describes the ailment as a contusion.
Romeo Doubs on his hand injury: “It was a contusion on my hand and taking some time to heal and it is a day-to-day process. …I was able to function (in practice) the way I’m supposed to.” pic.twitter.com/DMS0hrcTcu
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) September 3, 2024
The injury shouldn't prevent Doubs from suiting up on Friday in Brazil against the Eagles. The Packers' crowded wide receiver room has fantasy managers waiting to see how the target distribution pans out. Until then, Doubs is a solid bench depth piece.
Josh Downs (IND) Injury Update
A high-ankle sprain took Josh Downs off the field early in August. Before the injury, the second-year professional was picking up a lot of buzz as a training-camp star. The four-to-six-week recovery timeline dampened the breakout potential.
“This summer, Josh Downs looked like arguably the team’s best offensive player in training camp before sustaining a high-ankle sprain. Downs’ status for Week 1 is murky, but if fantasy players are willing to take a chance on drafting him without knowing his immediate…
— 32BeatWriters (@32BeatWriters) August 29, 2024
Head coach Shane Steichen said Downs is "progressing well," but there's no indication on whether he'll participate in practices leading up to the matchup against the Texans. Fantasy managers should anticipate being without the Colts wideout but the reports are trending in the right direction.
Rookie Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce will line up opposite Michael Pittman Jr. if Downs is inactive.
Tyreek Hill / Jaylen Waddle (MIA) Injury Update
Jaylen Waddle is back practicing in full this week alongside Tyreek Hill. Waddle had been practicing, but he was sporting a red non-contact jersey. The source of his ailments was never disclosed.
Hill was spotted with a brace on his thumb earlier in training camp. He's since shed the brace. According to coach Mike McDaniel, both receivers will be good to go for their matchup against Jacksonville. Both should be started in all leagues, regardless of format.
DeAndre Hopkins (TEN) Injury Update
DeAndre Hopkins' average draft position slipped a couple of rounds due to a knee injury that forced him away from training camp. It was also speculated that he could miss Week 1. That isn't as clear anymore.
Both Hopkins and head coach Brian Callahan have stated that they expect the wideout to be ready for their matchup against the Chicago Bears. He's fulfilled the four-to-six-week recovery timeline.
Hopkins and the Tennessee offense draw a tough matchup against Chicago in Week 1. While the Titans should throw more under Callahan, the addition of Calvin Ridley and the inaccuracy of Will Levis places Hopkins in the WR4 range. Most fantasy managers can bench the former star this week.
Tyler Lockett (SEA) Injury Update
Limited practices are nothing new for the 31-year-old longtime Seattle Seahawks wide receiver. Tyler Lockett was sporting a wrap on his leg when he said his missed time in training camp was maintenance and that he's ready to go for Week 1.
Tyler Lockett says he’s healthy heading into week one. pic.twitter.com/iDezEIWobw
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) September 2, 2024
There's optimism surrounding the Seattle offense under new coordinator Ryan Grubb. But DK Metcalf and Jaxon Smith-Njigba could out-target the aging veteran. Lockett is a low-end WR4 against the Denver Broncos, who could stick star cornerback Pat Surtain II on Metcalf.
Puka Nacua (LAR) Injury Update
Puka Nacua may appear on the Rams' injury report leading up to their Wild Card rematch with the Detroit Lions, but there's little concern about the star wideout missing the game. It tracks with what Sean McVay said about Nacua's knee when he picked up the injury in early August.
Nacua torched the Lions secondary in the postseason and should be locked into lineups for Week 1.
Throwback to Puka Nacua’s last game against the #Lions as we’re finally 1 week away from SNF:
• 9 receptions on 10 targets
• 20.11 yards per reception
• 182 yards (most by a rookie in a post season game EVER)
• 1 TD pic.twitter.com/i15hsk2HPo— Rams Bros. (@RamsBrothers) September 1, 2024
Ricky Pearsall (SF) Injury Update
Ricky Pearsall will miss at least the first four games of his rookie season after being shot in the chest over the weekend. The 49ers placed the first-round pick on the reserve/Non-Football Injury list. It appears his recovery is initially going well. Pearsall was already spotted in the 49ers' weight room.
Ricky Pearsall was back at the 49ers facility in the weight room about 48 hours after being shot in the chest, according to Tim Ryan on KNBR https://t.co/uyQoYvyh3g
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) September 3, 2024
On the fantasy football side, Pearsall's stock took a hit when the 49ers and Brandon Aiyuk agreed to an extension. He's firmly behind Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel Sr. once he can return to the field.
Curtis Samuel (BUF) Injury Update
Buffalo's noteworthy free-agent addition at wide receiver was sidelined with a turf toe in recent weeks. Curtis Samuel has been a participant in practices upon his return.
Head coach Sean McDermott stated last week that Samuel could play against the Arizona Cardinals. If he does not, he won't be far away from a return.
The potential absence of Samuel would lead to more targets for Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, and Dalton Kincaid. Samuel's presence will create an uncertain target distribution, making all wideouts nothing more than a WR4, despite a plus matchup against a shaky Arizona defense. Kincaid should be started in all formats.
Rashid Shaheed (NO) Injury Update
A foot injury cost Rashid Shaheed a large portion of training camp, but he's back at practice and claims he hasn't lost a step. He should suit up when the Saints host the Carolina Panthers in Week 1.
RASHID SHAHEED 76-YARD PUNT RETURN TD!
📺: #NOvsGB on FOX
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UQdQ05hqXN pic.twitter.com/AlE6pef6Bh— NFL (@NFL) September 24, 2023
The 26-year-old has largely been two things thus far in his career: a deep-ball receiver and an electric returner. The Saints plan to expand his role as a second receiver opposite Chris Olave. There are concerns about the state of the New Orleans offense with Derek Carr under center, making Shaheed a weekly boom/bust option.
Roman Wilson (PIT) Injury Update
Roman Wilson missed the majority of his rookie training camp and did not play during the preseason due to an ankle injury. The third-round pick returned to the practice field this week. Head coach Mike Tomlin is optimistic that Wilson can play in the team's contest in Atlanta.
Because he's missed all of the practice reps, don't expect anything from Wilson if he does suit up. Until he gets more acclimated with the offense and the NFL, he'll be behind George Pickens, Van Jefferson, and Calvin Austin III on the Pittsburgh depth chart.
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