Fantasy Football WR Injury Reports: Week 17 Updates For DK Metcalf, Ja'Marr Chase, Michael Pittman Jr., Keenan Allen, Puka Nacua

December 30, 2023

Fantasy football WR injury updates and reports for Week 17 (2023), as of 12/30. Includes updates on DK Metcalf, Ja'Marr Chase, Michael Pittman Jr., Keenan Allen, and Puka Nacua.

Welcome to Week 17 of the fantasy football season and the Saturday edition of our WR injury reports! Below you will find our fantasy football injuries report for wide receivers in Week 17, as of December 30. The injury statuses for various NFL wide receivers are up in the air for Week 17, including DK Metcalf, Ja'Marr Chase, Michael Pittman Jr., Keenan Allen, and Puka Nacua.

There are some big names on the injury report, with the status of some coming down to game-time decisions or already being ruled out. Knowing exactly where each player stands going into the weekend is crucial, especially for those in the finals of the fantasy football playoffs! Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football.

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 17.

DK Metcalf Injury Update

DK Metcalf popped up on this week's injury report due to stiffness in his lower back. While the injury has limited the 26-year-old in practice, Seattle officially listed their top receiver as questionable for Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

It looks like the team is just being extra cautious with their No. 1 receiver and is likely limiting his reps this late in the season. The expectation is that Metcalf will be good to go and suit up on Sunday. Pittsburgh will have their hands full stopping Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, as all are solid fantasy options in Week 17.

Ja'Marr Chase Injury Update

Ja'Marr Chase missed last week's game due to a shoulder injury that he suffered in Week 15. The 23-year-old was able to get in a couple of limited practice sessions this past week, but the Bengals officially listed him as questionable for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs on their final injury report.

Due to the nature of Chase's injury, it is truly 50/50 if he will be ready to go on Sunday. Tee Higgins will remain a WR2 with top-12 upside if Chase is ruled out, with Tyler Boyd becoming a flex option. If Chase is active, fantasy managers should expect to see him play at less than 100%. However, you start one of the league's best wide receivers if he is active, especially at such a pivotal time of year.

Michael Pittman Jr. Injury Update

Michael Pittman Jr. missed last week's game due to a shoulder injury. While the 26-year-old did drop the concussion label before the game, he was listed this week with a concussion and shoulder issue. Pittman put in back-to-back full practices to end the week, but the Colts are still listing him as questionable for Sunday's game against the Las Vegas Raiders.

Pittman Jr. looks ready to make his return, and it could not come at a better time for the Colts, who are looking to secure a playoff spot. The Raiders did a solid job holding the Kansas City Chiefs' receivers in check last week, but that should not scare away fantasy managers from starting Pittman Jr. Consider the Colts' top target a solid WR2 heading into Week 17.

Keenan Allen Injury Update

Keenan Allen has missed the past two games due to a heel injury. The veteran has yet to resume practice and was officially ruled out by Los Angeles for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos on Friday.

There is a real chance we have seen the last of Allen this season as the Chargers continue to spiral downward after losing quarterback Justin Herbert (finger). Joshua Palmer (concussion) is also out, leaving Quentin Johnston as the lone option for fantasy managers to take a shot on. He is not a recommended flex in what is, for many, the fantasy football title game, but he could see a high target share on Sunday.

Puka Nacua Injury Update

Puka Nacua missed Friday's practice due to a hip injury after practicing in full the two days prior. The Los Angeles Rams released their final injury report later that afternoon, with Nacua listed officially as questionable for Sunday's game against the New York Giants.

This looks more like maintenance, with Rams head coach Sean McVay conveying to the press that Nacua is expected to suit up Sunday. Keep an eye on reports this weekend, but there seems to be no need to worry about the Rookie of the Year candidate. The 22-year-old has been a perfect complement to Cooper Kupp and remains an elite WR2 with top-12 upside for Week 17.

Jaylen Waddle Injury Update

Jaylen Waddle suffered an ankle injury in last week's win over the Dallas Cowboys. The 25-year-old was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and the Dolphins ruled him out of Sunday's game against the Baltimore Ravens on their final injury report.

Waddle will be sorely missed as the Dolphins face their toughest opponent of the season. Tyreek Hill will remain an elite top-five fantasy option. No other Miami receiver is on the fantasy radar in this tough matchup, but the running backs could see an increase in target share to supplement the loss of Waddle.

Courtland Sutton Injury Update

Courtland Sutton suffered a concussion during last week's game against the New England Patriots and remains in the concussion protocol. The 28-year-old was unable to practice in any capacity this week, and the Broncos officially ruled him out of Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday.

Sutton has been the go-to target for quarterback Russell Wilson, but since he was benched for Jarrett Stidham, fantasy managers may have dodged a bullet by not having to make this start/sit decision. Jerry Jeudy (illness) is also listed as questionable, but should be good to go. He will become the No. 1 option and the only pass catcher who is a viable fantasy option for Denver in Week 17.

Jordan Addison Injury Update

Jordan Addison suffered an ankle injury in last week's loss to the Detroit Lions. The rookie was able to put together two limited practice sessions to end the week, but the Vikings are listing him as questionable for Sunday night's game against the Green Bay Packers.

Getting in limited work this week is a positive sign, but Addison remains 50/50 to suit up on Sunday. With this being the night game to end Week 17, fantasy managers should either pivot off of Addison with a player during the afternoon slate or grab K.J. Osborn off the waiver wire. If active, Addison would be a solid flex option against the Packers.

Zay Flowers Injury Update

Zay Flowers sat out of the first two practices this past week with a calf injury. While the rookie was able to put in a limited session to end the week, Baltimore listed him officially as questionable for Sunday's game against the Miami Dolphins.

Baltimore will want all hands on deck to try and secure the No. 1 seed in the AFC this weekend, so Flowers could be active and playing at less than 100%. The matchup against Miami is not as favorable as it was to start the season, but Flowers would remain a flex option if given the green light. Odell Beckham Jr. and tight end Isaiah Likely would see the biggest target bump if Flowers is inactive.

Marquise Brown Injury Update

Marquise Brown has struggled with a heel injury over the past month and missed last week due to the injury. With the Cardinals well out of playoff contention, the team announced that they were placing their top receiver on IR, ending his season.

It has been a roller coaster of a fantasy season for Brown, but he should remain the No. 1 option for Arizona heading into the 2024 season. Michael Wilson should see an increase in usage Sunday against the Eagles, with Rondale Moore, Greg Dortch, and tight end Trey McBride all fighting for the chance to lead their team in targets.

Christian Watson Injury Update

Christian Watson has missed the past three weeks due to a hamstring injury. The 24-year-old has not returned to the practice field since, but Green Bay has again given him a chance to play by listing him as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings.

It would be a shock to see Watson active after missing the past four weeks of practice. Jayden Reed has been taken off the injury report and will become the No. 2 option behind the boom-or-bust Romeo Doubs on Sunday. Dontayvion Wicks (chest/ankle) missed all of practice this past week as well but is listed as questionable. Consider Doubs and Reed the only flex-worthy options in Week 17.

Joshua Palmer Injury Update

Joshua Palmer suffered a concussion in last Saturday's game against the Buffalo Bills and was unable to progress through the league's concussion protocol. The Chargers announced officially that Palmer will be out for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos.

With Keenan Allen (heel) also out, the Chargers are left with rookie Quentin Johnston as their top receiver. The rookie has been dreadful this season, but will be a potential flex option for those in need of an increased target share. Outside of running back Austin Ekeler, no Chargers player should be considered a lineup lock in Week 17.

Dontayvion Wicks Injury Update

Dontayvion Wicks dealt with an ankle injury last week but was able to play through it. However, the rookie picked up a chest injury in Week 16 and has not been able to return to the practice field since. Despite this, the Packers listed Wicks as questionable for Sunday night's game against the Minnesota Vikings on their final injury report.

Wicks seems to be more doubtful than questionable, but fantasy managers should be on the lookout for more updates on his situation throughout the weekend. With Jayden Reed back and off the injury report, fantasy managers may want to grab him off of the waiver wire to have as a pivot option. Wicks would be a volatile flex option if active.

Darnell Mooney Injury Update

Darnell Mooney suffered a concussion in last week's game against the Arizona Cardinals. The 26-year-old was unable to progress through the league's concussion protocol and was officially ruled out by Chicago for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons on Friday.

Mooney has done little to nothing for fantasy purposes this year. With tight end Cole Kmet (knee) also listed as questionable, DJ Moore could be in for a massive target share on Sunday. Moore remains the only Chicago pass catcher worth starting for fantasy purposes unless Kmet is given the green light.

Jerry Jeudy Injury Update

Jerry Jeudy missed Friday's practice due to an illness after being a full participant the two days prior. Denver released their final injury report Friday and listed their No. 2 receiver as questionable for Sunday's game against the Chargers.

With Courtland Sutton (concussion) already ruled out, missing Jeudy would leave Denver incredibly short-handed. With that said, Jeudy should be good to go on Sunday and be in line for a massive target share. With Jarrett Stidham now the starter, Jeudy will be nothing more than a flex option, but he has top-24 upside in a plus matchup against the Chargers.

Wan'Dale Robinson Injury Update

Wan'Dale Robinson suffered a quad injury in last week's loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. The second-year receiver was limited Wednesday, upgraded to full Thursday, but went back to limited on Friday. The Giants listed Robinson officially as questionable for Sunday's game against the Rams.

Robinson has seven targets in two of the last three games and was carving out a nice role for himself. However, even if active, it would be better to look elsewhere for a flex option in the fantasy football championships. Darius Slayton would be the only viable flex option in New York if Robinson was made inactive.

JuJu Smith-Schuster Injury Update

JuJu Smith-Schuster has missed the past two weeks due to an ankle injury. The veteran has not returned to practice in any capacity and was officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills on Friday.

Rookie Demario Douglas remains the only Patriots' receiver with any sort of fantasy value in Week 17. The Patriots could also be without tight end Hunter Henry (knee) and have placed running back Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) on IR. Douglas is a viable flex even against a stiff Buffalo defense.

Kadarius Toney Injury Update

Kadarius Toney missed last week's game due to a hip injury. The 24-year-old has yet to return to the practice field and was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Friday.

Rashee Rice remains the only viable fantasy option out of the Chiefs' pass catchers not named Travis Kelce. Toney has had a disastrous season and may remain out until the playoffs start in a few weeks.

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