Fantasy Football WR Injury Reports: Week 3 Updates for Amon-Ra St. Brown, DK Metcalf, and More

September 23, 2023

Fantasy football WR injury updates and reports for Week 3 (2023), as of 09/23. Includes updates on Amon-Ra St. Brown, DK Metcalf, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, and Puka Nacua.

Welcome to Week 3 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 3, as of September 23rd. The injury statuses for various NFL wide receivers are up in the air for Week 3, including Amon-Ra St. Brown, DK Metcalf, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, and Puka Nacua.

There are some big names on the injury report, with the status of some having little to no clarity for Week 3. Knowing exactly where each player stands going into the weekend is crucial! 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 3.

Amon-Ra St. Brown Injury Update

Amon-Ra St. Brown picked up a toe injury in last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks. A metal plate was inserted into his shoe and he was able to finish the contest. Despite limited practice participation this week, the team believes the 23-year-old did not suffer turf toe and should play Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. St. Brown is listed as questionable for the game.

Detroit beat writers do not fear the Lions' top target will miss this weekend's game, but there is a good chance St. Brown is playing at less than 100%. Regardless, if you have him, he should be in your lineups, with the solid matchup against Atlanta giving him a top-12 ceiling in Week 3.

DK Metcalf Injury Update

DK Metcalf took a hard hit in last week's win over the Detroit Lions and ended up missing the first two days of practice this week due to a rib injury. However, the 25-year-old put in a full practice on Friday and is expected to play Sunday against the Carolina Panthers. He is listed officially as questionable for the game.

There is a good chance Metcalf will get a few more snaps off if he starts to feel some pain after a few tackles, but there is no reason to worry about starting him in this phenomenal matchup if he is active. There is the risk that he exits early if more damage occurs to his ribs, but one that is well worth the reward of playing him. Tyler Lockett and Jaxon Smith-Njigba would see an increase in targets if Metcalf were to miss the game.

DeVonta Smith Injury Update

DeVonta Smith was seen limping a bit after last Thursday's game against the Minnesota Vikings and has been limited in practice so far this week. The team has listed him with a hamstring and thigh injury, but we will not know of his official gameday designation until Saturday afternoon.

No Philadelphia beat reporters or coaches seem too concerned with the injury, likely making the limited practice participation precautionary. Smith has been the Eagles' top receiver through two games gaining over 170 yards and scoring two touchdowns. The former Heisman winner is a must-start if active.

Jaylen Waddle Injury Update

Jaylen Waddle was placed into the concussion protocol after a hit he suffered in last week's win over the New England Patriots. The 24-year-old was trending in the wrong direction when he missed practice Wednesday and Thursday, but was able to get in a limited session and now has a chance to play in Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos. He is officially labeled as questionable.

We will likely know if the Dolphins' No. 2 receiving option can clear the concussion protocol by Saturday night, so keep an eye on injury reports throughout the day. If he is able to go, the Alabama alum would be a solid WR2 in a matchup against Denver. Patrick Surtain II will likely be tasked with stopping Tyreek Hill, so Waddle could see an increased target share if healthy. Braxton Berrios would be the next man up if needed.

Puka Nacua Injury Update

Puka Nacua has been dealing with an oblique injury since last week and has been limited in practice because of it. The injury did not hold him out of last week's game against San Francisco, and it did not limit him as he caught 15 passes. Because the game is on Monday, Nacua will not have an official injury designation until Saturday.

The Rams are making sure their new top receiver is getting the proper rest he needs to be able to be available Monday night. The pattern of limited practice participation follows what Nacua did last week, so it seems as though he should be good to go against Cincinnati. On the hottest start we have seen from a rookie receiver so far this season, be sure to have the young receiver in your starting lineups if active.

Christian Watson Injury Update

Christian Watson has yet to make his regular-season debut due to a hamstring injury he suffered during the preseason. The second-year receiver was able to get in a limited practice Wednesday but was downgraded and did not practice Thursday. The Packers said this was part of the plan for Watson, and he was officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against New Orleans after being limited on Friday.

Sitting Watson down after ramping him up Wednesday does not indicate that he is ready to play full speed in an NFL game, but there is a chance he is limited in his debut if active Sunday. The matchup is enough to make fantasy managers shy away from starting the 24-year-old in his return to the field, but managers should be able to play him with full confidence in Week 4 if Watson can make it through this weekend without re-aggravating the injury.

DeAndre Hopkins Injury Update

DeAndre Hopkins has been dealing with an ankle injury that he played through against the Chargers despite not practicing the week prior. After starting as a full participant this week, the veteran receiver dropped to limited on Thursday and did not practice at all on Friday. Hopkins is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Browns.

A veteran like Hopkins does not always need to practice the week before to play, with last week being the perfect example of that. However, it is not a great sign to see him listed with the same injury this week and progressively lose practice time because of it. Treylon Burks will see the biggest target jump against Cleveland if Hopkins sits, but consider the veteran a risky flex option if active.

Odell Beckham Jr. Injury Update

Odell Beckham Jr. picked up an ankle injury during last weekend's victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. The 30-year-old has been held out of practice this past week and was officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Indianapolis Colts on Friday.

OBJ being absent will give Zay Flowers a big boost as the team's clear top wide receiver on Sunday. The Colts' defense has been a fantastic matchup for fantasy wide receivers, making Rashod Bateman and Nelson Agholor sneaky options for deep leagues and daily fantasy lineups as well.

Kadarius Toney Injury Update

Kadarius Toney is back on the injury report this week after suffering a toe injury in Week 2 against Jacksonville. The 24-year-old was able to return to the practice field in a limited fashion on Friday and is officially questionable for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears.

It is concerning that Toney sustained an injury while playing just 28% of the snaps last week, but fantasy managers are going to want to start Chiefs pass catchers in this juicy matchup if they can. The former New York Giant will be a boom-or-bust flex option for those in need if active.

Josh Reynolds Injury Update

Josh Reynolds popped up on the injury report this week after the team's Week 2 loss to the Seattle Seahawks with a groin injury. However, the Lions' current No. 2 receiver was able to log a full practice session on Friday and has been officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against Atlanta.

Amon-Ra St. Brown (toe) is also likely playing against the Falcons at less than 100%. Reynolds was a hot waiver add this week after scoring two touchdowns last week. If active, the 28-year-old should be considered a solid flex option against a leaky Falcons secondary.

Zay Jones Injury Update

Zay Jones was unable to come down with any of his six targets in last week's game against the Kansas City Chiefs and exited the game with a knee injury. With no practice participation this past week, the 28-year-old was ruled out of Sunday's game against the Houston Texans.

Jones' absence is a boost for Christian Kirk, who got back on track last week after a quiet Week 1, and should give Tim Jones or Elijah Cooks a few more snaps in three wide receiver sets. The Jaguars No. 3 receiver may be out for an extended period, so fantasy managers will need to plan accordingly.

Curtis Samuel Injury Update

Curtis Samuel has been dealing with an illness this past week, and it has limited him in practice. The 27-year-old has been officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.

Washington anticipates Samuel to be able to play Sunday, but managers should keep an eye on weekend reports to be safe. The Commanders' slot receiver is not an inspiring fantasy option this week against Buffalo and is not a recommended flex option in anything but deep leagues for Week 3.

Richie James Injury Update

Richie James suffered a knee injury in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The 28-year-old has yet to return to practice since then and was officially ruled out for Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears on Friday.

James was never a viable option for fantasy managers, but his absence gives a sliver of clarity to the wide receiver corps. Kadarius Toney (toe) could suit up, making Skyy Moore, Rashee Rice, and Toney all viable flex options in a great matchup against Chicago.

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