X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

What To Do With Injured Fantasy Football WRs: Christian Watson, Tank Dell, And More

Tank Dell - Fantasy Football Rankings, Draft Sleepers, Waiver Wire Pickups

Should fantasy football drafters target injured wide receivers in 2024? Scott Engel looks at WRs such as Christian Watson, Tank Dell and others as draft season approaches.

As you ready for draft day, it is essential to check in on wide receiver targets who may cause hesitance when thinking about drafting them. Some notable WRs are coming off definite injuries, while others have a recent health history that conjures up concerns.

In this feature, we help you make informed decisions regarding WRs who can create fantasy anxiety on various levels.  This rundown includes WR targets from those on the road to recovery to others who simply may still carry lingering doubts about their outlooks.

All players in the article are evaluated by the most recent Average Draft Position reports from the Fantasy Football Players Championship (FFPC). The analysis leans to Point Per Reception (PPR) formats.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers

In 2023, Watson played in only nine games, mainly because of hamstring issues. According to ESPN, he reportedly underwent offseason testing at the University of Wisconsin to get to the root of the problems. Watson generated some positive buzz during Organized Team Activities, but fantasy football drafters will likely and understandably remain slightly skeptical.

The third-year man has an FFPC ADP of 79.6, which illustrates continued fantasy WR3 promise if he can play for most of the 2024 season. The Green Bay receiving room is also crowded, though, and new running back Josh Jacobs figures to take on a lot of touches. Watson is being properly evaluated in drafts so far, as you can target him for some upside in the seventh round or so. He can pay off in that range over close to a full season yet do consider the Packers’ depth on offense when mulling over whether to pick Watson over another closely ranked player.

 

Tank Dell, Houston Texans

As a rookie, the Houston speedster was a revelation in fantasy football and real life. He averaged 15.1 yards per reception and caught seven TD passes in 11 games. Unfortunately, at 165 pounds, Dell will always be a possible injury concern when asked to take on a large offensive role. His 2023 season ended in early December because of a broken fibula. He also suffered a reportedly minor gunshot wound in late April but appeared to move past that incident quickly. The 24-year-old was able to participate in OTAs and also indicated he would be willing to return kicks this season.

Dell appears headed towards opening the 2024 season on time, and his ADP of 60.0 shows that drafters won’t steer clear of him in the fifth to sixth round range. The addition of Stefon Diggs, though, suggests that the Texans don’t want to overexpose their top downfield threat because of his build, and may use him situationally at times. I would hesitate to go after Dell aggressively on draft day because he might be a boom-or-bust option as opposed to delivering an exciting year from start to finish.

 

Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals

Hamstring troubles were a prime factor in Higgins playing in 12 games, and Joe Burrow faced health obstacles of his own. As noted by the Athletic, the Cincinnati WR and QB played in only three games together in 2023, for a total of 121 snaps. Higgins muddled through the worst season of his career, catching 42 balls for 656 yards.

Health is not an apparent hurdle for Higgins as the preseason beckons, but fantasy drafters have bumped him a bit on their boards after he disappointed last year. The ADP of 57.3 positions the 25-year-old as a value play. He was a fourth-round target in 2022 drafts. Burrow is expected to be ready for the season opener, and his No. 2 WR can come through with a bounce-back campaign. Higgins might also be fired up to produce well after he did not get a desired contract extension.

 

Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions

The Lions’ potentially dazzling playmaker is not coming off a major 2023 injury, but his first two seasons in the league were marked by a lot of missed time, and fantasy football players are naturally wondering if the big-play artist will truly break out in 2024. Williams tore his ACL in January of 2022 at Alabama, and then only caught one pass in his first NFL season later that year. The second pro campaign included a four-game suspension and a late-season ankle injury that led to one missed game.

In the NFC Championship Game, however, Williams flashed his considerable upside against the elite San Francisco defense with a 42-yard TD run while also catching a TD pass. He has followed up by stirring significant buzz already in Lions camp and is projected to take on the No. 2 WR role, which has been open for someone to run with it. With a healthy offseason behind him, Williams may be one of the better fantasy value WR targets for 2024. You have to like the ADP of 102.3, which may rise even more as the opening of the ’24 NFL schedule draws closer.

 

Keenan Allen, Chicago Bears

The longtime Chargers standout missed four games last season as he dealt with a heel problem, and in 2022, Allen played in 10 games while coping with a hamstring issue. He isn’t opening the 2024 campaign with any major injury concerns. But consider that the six-time Pro Bowler was traded away from a Los Angeles team that had sketchy depth at WR, and he is now 32 years old.

Fantasy players might view Allen as a risk to decline in production because of his age, and we have to note his recent injury history as a possible indicator that durability could be another possible concern. He joins a deep playmaking crew in Chicago and may not be reliable for fantasy purposes in 2024. The ADP of 72.3 reflects that FFPC players are wary of Allen too, and you should think about pivoting off him in a close call when on the clock.

 

Mike Williams, New York Jets

No wide receiver injury article would be complete without the inclusion of the oft-injured ex-Charger. His latest unfortunate injury occurred last September, as a torn ACL ended the 2023 campaign after three games. The Jets, however, needed to fill a No. 2 WR hole across from Garrett Wilson and took a chance on Williams with a one-year deal. If he can log a respectable amount of games played, the 6-foot-4, 218-pounder will be an ideal complement. Williams has averaged 15.6 yards per catch in his seven-year career, and finished a season with nine or more TDs twice.

The new target for Aaron Rodgers might come off the PUP list in August, according to the Jets’ official team site. He may be ready for Week 1, but those who draft him should temper early-season expectations. The ADP of 153.3 marks Williams as a late-round pick who could perform well later in the year if he avoids any more bad luck.

 

Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs

This electrifying rookie recently returned to preseason action after he suffered a hamstring injury during OTAs. As savvy fantasy players know, those types of injuries can linger and pop up again, so keep that in mind when considering a tight draft decision that involves Worthy. Still, as the preseason progresses, his draft stock can solidify with no further setbacks. The deep threat is a nifty pick at an ADP of 95.8. Worthy projects to be more reliable than say, Marques Valdez-Scantling, and the lure of spike weeks pinpoints him as a viable draft target in the current range.

 

Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers

Here is another rookie who has dealt with a summer hamstring hurdle, yet he can be placed in the same bucket as Worthy in terms of minor concern. Pearsall might return to practices soon. He has become a clever draft flier for those hoping for a Brandon Aiyuk trade, yet the current reality that Pearsall is a No. 3 WR in a loaded offense. His only path to relevant playing time for fantasy purposes may be an injury to a pass-catcher who is firmly established on the 49ers depth chart. An ADP of 191.3 points to Pearsall being more of a deeper league flier for now.

 

Gabriel Davis, Jacksonville Jaguars

A knee injury forced Davis to miss the AFC playoffs last season, and he signed with the Jaguars for the next three years. Published reports indicate the former Bill should be ready for training camp. He was incredibly inconsistent in 2023, finishing as a top 15 WR five times. Drafters have punished him for the unreliability with an ADP of 175.3. Going from a bottom eight team in run-pass ratio to one of the top eight, though, could lead to Davis paying off at times a final round dart throw. He might be able to nail down the No. 2 WR job in Jacksonville and can provide at least a few quality fantasy outings.



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More Fantasy Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP