Fantasy Football WR Injury Reports: Week 2 Updates for Puka Nacua, DeAndre Hopkins, and More

September 16, 2023

Fantasy football WR injury updates and reports for Week 2 (2023), as of 09/16. Includes updates on Puka Nacua, DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Watson, Diontae Johnson, and Jakobi Meyers.

Welcome to Week 2 of the fantasy football season and the Saturday edition of our WR injury reports! Below you will find our fantasy football injuries report for wi de receivers in Week 2, as of September 16th. The injury statuses for various NFL wide receivers are up in the air for Week 2, including Puka Nacua, DeAndre Hopkins, Christian Watson, Diontae Johnson, and Jakobi Meyers.

There are some big names on the injury report, with the status of some having little to no clarity for Week 2. 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 2.

Puka Nacua Injury Update

Puka Nacua picked up an oblique injury this past weekend in the Rams' win over the Seahawks. The injury limited him in practice this week, but Los Angeles believes he will be able to suit up against the 49ers in Week 2. He was officially listed as questionable on Friday.

The limited participation seems like load management for the rookie after being peppered with 15 targets in his NFL debut. Should the worst happen and Nacua be ruled out, then Tutu Atwell and Van Jefferson would be the top two wideouts active. The matchup against San Francisco is tough, but if active, Nacua will be a flex option.

DeAndre Hopkins Injury Update

DeAndre Hopkins popped up on the injury report this past Wednesday, labeled with an ankle injury. The 31-year-old failed to return to practice in any capacity leaving his status for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers in jeopardy. Hopkins is officially labeled as questionable.

Missing every practice this week is not a promising sign, but the veteran technically does not need to practice to be able to play Sunday. Treylon Burks stands to be the biggest beneficiary of Hopkins' absence, while tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo would see an increase in targets as well.

Christian Watson Injury Update

Christian Watson has been dealing with a hamstring injury that kept him out of last week's season opener against the Chicago Bears. The 24-year-old was able to get in a limited practice session Friday and is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Atlanta Falcons.

The second-year receiver is truly 50/50 to suit up, but it would not be a shock to see him in a limited role if he does return to action this weekend. Should he sit out, Romeo Doubs and Luke Musgrave will be in for a heavy workload again in Week 2. Watson should be considered more of a WR3 than a WR2 in his return if active.

Diontae Johnson Injury Update

Diontae Johnson suffered a hamstring injury last weekend against the San Francisco 49ers. The initial diagnosis given was an expected absence of 3-4 weeks, but Johnson has labeled himself as day-to-day. With no practice participation thus far, the Steelers top wideout is trending to miss Monday's matchup against the Cleveland Browns.

Johnson may be optimistic about how much time he will miss, but fantasy managers should plan to be without him for the next three weeks of the fantasy season. George Pickens should see an increase in target volume, while Allen Robinson II and Calvin Austin III will fill in behind him. Tight end Pat Freiermuth should also be heavily involved.

Jakobi Meyers Injury Update

Jakobi Meyers had a massive performance against the Denver Broncos last weekend, tallying 81 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with a concussion and has not returned to practice this past week. The Raiders officially ruled the 26-year-old out on Friday for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills.

Hunter Renfrow is the direct backup to Meyers and should man the slot this weekend against a stingy Buffalo defense. He is not a preferred fantasy option, but he does profile to matchup well with quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who loves to check the ball down to his slot option or to the tight end.

Brandin Cooks Injury Update

Brandin Cooks landed on the injury report this past week with a knee injury. Head coach Mike McCarthy later told the press that it is an MCL sprain. While the injury has cost the veteran practice time, Cooks is listed as questionable heading into Sunday's matchup against the Jets.

A true game-time decision during the mid-day slate, it would be best to find an alternative to start over Cooks in Week 2. The matchup was already a problem, but if he is playing at less than 100% then he would not be considered a preferred fantasy option. Michael Gallup will see an increase in targets whether Cooks is active or not.

Romeo Doubs Injury Update

Romeo Doubs was able to suit up last weekend in the Packers season opener against the Bears, catching two touchdowns. While the 23-year-old was limited in practice this week, he put in a full session Friday and heads into the weekend with no injury designation.

Doubs may have to contend with Christian Watson (hamstring) for targets if the No. 1 receiver can suit up Sunday, but Watson will likely be limited even if active. If he sits, Doubs will be the top target once again for Jordan Love and should be a solid flex option against the Atlanta Falcons.

Curtis Samuel Injury Update

Curtis Samuel was listed on the Thursday injury report as a limited participant due to a hip injury. The 27-year-old remained limited on Friday but was removed from the final injury report and will play in the Commanders' Week 2 matchup against the Broncos.

Samuel caught all five of his targets last week and was heavily involved in the offense, but he is still the third option behind Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson. The Commanders' slot receiver is more of a deep league flex in full PPR and will have a low ceiling unless he is able to find the end zone.

DeVante Parker Injury Update

DeVante Parker has been battling a knee injury the past few weeks, and it has kept him limited at practice. The veteran suited up last week against Philadelphia and followed the same practice routine this week in preparation for the Dolphins. He is officially questionable for Sunday.

Parker should suit up against his former team, but even in a plus matchup is not a suggested fantasy option. Kendrick Bourne and even Demario Douglas seemed to be Mac Jones' preferred targets last week and should see a heavy share this weekend. Parker is a desperation flex in deep leagues at best in Week 2.

DJ Chark Jr. Injury Update

DJ Chark Jr. has been dealing with a hamstring issue for a few weeks and sat out of the Panthers' season opener last week against Atlanta because of it. Now playing on Monday night against the New Orleans Saints, the 26-year-old has remained limited in practice with his status for game day up in the air.

The matchup against the Saints is not a good one for opposing wide receivers, making Chark a desperation flex option even if he suits up. It would be best to look for a better option in Week 2, and hope Chark can make a full comeback in Week 3 against the Seattle Seahawks.

Wan'Dale Robinson Injury Update

Wan'Dale Robinson suffered a torn ACL late in the regular season last year and has been working his way back into practice. While there have been positive reports, the second-year wide receiver is likely to miss his second game in a row after being listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals.

After being routed 40-0 last week against the Dallas Cowboys, no fantasy manager is going to want to play any Giants wide receiver, even in a good matchup. Robinson can be safely left on the waiver wire and looked at for a potential stash once he is healthy and ready to play.

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