Fantasy Football WR Injury Reports: Week 7 Updates For DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, and More

October 21, 2023

Fantasy football WR injury updates and reports for Week 7 (2023), as of 10/21. Includes updates on DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, Diontae Johnson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Justin Watson.

Welcome to Week 7 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 7, as of October 21. The injury statuses for various NFL wide receivers are up in the air for Week 7, including DK Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, Diontae Johnson, JuJu Smith-Schuster, and Justin Watson.

There are some big names on the injury report, with the status of some having little to no clarity for Week 7. 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 7.

DK Metcalf Injury Update

DK Metcalf suffered a rib injury back in Week 3 and is now dealing with a hip issue on top of it. The 25-year-old was able to practice in a limited fashion to end the week after missing Wednesday and Thursday, and Seattle officially listed him as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

Now a true game-time decision, fantasy managers will need to have a pivot option ready in case the Seahawks elect to rest their top wideout. The Seattle game is during the mid-day slate, so options will be more limited. Tyler Lockett, who was removed from the final injury report, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba will see the biggest target bump if Metcalf were to sit this game out.

Deebo Samuel Injury Update

Deebo Samuel suffered a shoulder injury in last week's loss to the Cleveland Browns and did not return to the game. Through two practices so far this week, the 27-year-old has not participated, putting his status for the game in doubt. There will be no official injury designation given until Saturday afternoon.

Fantasy managers will need to monitor Saturday practice reports to have a better idea of if they need to pivot off of the 49ers playmaker this week. Samuel missing would mean an increase in usage for Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings, with Aiyuk and Kittle being the biggest beneficiaries.

Diontae Johnson Injury Update

Diontae Johnson was placed on the Injured Reserve back in Week 2 after suffering a hamstring injury during the Steelers season opener. With an extra week of rest due to the team's Week 6 bye, the 27-year-old is primed to make his return Sunday against the Rams. Despite limited practice participation, Johnson was left off of the final injury report Friday.

Pittsburgh's offense could use all the help it can get at the moment, and their top target leader for the past few seasons returning to the lineup is a big boost. The Rams are a tough matchup, giving up the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to the wide receiver position, but Johnson will be a WR3 due to his typical high target share.

JuJu Smith-Schuster Injury Update

JuJu Smith-Schuster suffered a concussion in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints and missed last week's game after being unable to clear protocol. The 26-year-old has been a limited participant in practice this week and was officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills on Friday.

The Patriots' offense is an absolute dumpster fire at the moment, but they will need all hands on deck if they want to stand a chance against their division rival. Smith-Schuster has done nothing of note for fantasy purposes this season and will not be a recommended option if active. Kendrick Bourne remains the only pass catcher for New England with a shred of fantasy relevance at the moment.

Justin Watson Injury Update

Justin Watson suffered a dislocated elbow in last week's win over the Minnesota Vikings. There was no real inclination that he would be able to play through the injury, and the speedy 27-year-old was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday.

The only Chiefs wide receiver that can be trusted for fantasy purposes at the moment is rookie Rashee Rice, and there is no guarantee that he will have a good fantasy outing even against the Chargers' struggling pass defense. Other options like Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling are all boom-or-bust desperation flex options in a week with six teams on bye.

Alec Pierce Injury Update

Alec Pierce suffered a shoulder injury this past week against the Jacksonville Jaguars and missed Wednesday's practice because of it. However, the 23-year-old returned this past Thursday in a limited fashion and was able to participate in full Friday. The Colts officially listed him as questionable for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.

The full practice participation is a good sign for the second-year receiver's availability this Sunday, and the Colts will need all the help they can get to try and get past the vaunted Cleveland defense. Pierce has not been able to find fantasy relevance like he did in his rookie year due to the emergence of rookie Josh Downs, so he is not a recommended option in Week 7.

Demario Douglas Injury Update

Demario Douglas suffered a concussion in Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints and missed last week's game against the Las Vegas Raiders because of it. After limited practice participation this past week, the rookie was officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Bills on Friday.

Even after an impressive preseason, Douglas has done little for fantasy purposes in 2023. His return would be a boost for the Patriots' offense overall, but he would not be a viable fantasy option if active against Buffalo.

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