We're only just beginning the 2023 NFL season in Week 1, but there are several players in the must-start category with uncertain statuses heading into Sunday, so fantasy managers will need to monitor the latest injury news. Our injury updates and reports for Week 1 as of Friday, September 8, 2023, will give you the latest updates on key guys.
As always, some players have more "real" risk of missing Week 1 than others, but things change quickly, so it's important to stay up to date Cooper Kupp, Joe Burrow, Mark Andrews, Kenneth Walker, and more and more are all in danger of missing Week 1. Fantasy managers should be ready to pivot should things go south.
To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page, or 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 1.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Cooper Kupp Injury Update
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (hamstring) is out in Week 1 against the Seattle Seahawks and could be placed on injured reserve this Saturday. When asked about Kupp potentially requiring an IR stint, head coach Sean McVay said, "I would say there is a definite possibility."
We should find out by 4 p.m. ET on Saturday whether the Rams make this move. If placed on IR, Kupp would not be eligible to return until Week 5 at the earliest. Van Jefferson, Tutu Atwell, and Puka Nacua are expected to lead the receiver corps in his absence.
Joe Burrow Injury Update
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (calf) practiced in full on Thursday and Friday. The signal-caller injured his calf during training camp, so he's been slowly working his way back. That said, he is expected to be out there in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns.
Burrow has thrown for 295 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception per game in five regular-season meetings versus Cleveland throughout his career and remains a must-start in all matchups.
Mark Andrews Injury Update
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (quad) is officially questionable to face the Houston Texans in Week 1. Andrews missed practice all of last week and has turned in three limited sessions this week ahead of the team's season opener.
If Andrews plays, he's a must-start, even with the injury risk. He has a ceiling that rivals Travis Kelce at the tight end positions, so it's worth the gamble. Isaiah Likely, Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Odell Beckham Jr. could see additional targets in his absence.
Kenneth Walker Injury Update
Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker (groin) is off the injury report on Friday after being added to the report on Thursday with a groin injury. The second-year running back out of Michigan State is a must-start in the modern landscape of running backs and will face a depleted Los Angeles Rams defense in Week 1.
Rookie running back Zach Charbonnet could see touches behind Walker, but we'll operate under the assumption that Walker will continue to have a healthy workload until proven otherwise. Walker's game-changing speed allows him to put fantasy points up in bunches quickly.
Christian Watson Injury Update
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) has been ruled out for Sunday's season opener against the Chicago Bears. He was unable to practice on Wednesday or Thursday due to the injury and evidently won't be healthy in time for kickoff on Sunday.
With Romeo Doubs (hamstring) questionable, we could see a heavy reliance on the running backs, followed by increased volume for Jayden Reed, Samori Toure, Luke Musgrave, and Tucker Kraft.
Darren Waller Injury Update
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (hamstring) is officially listed as questionable for Week 1 versus the Dallas Cowboys. He popped up on the injury report Friday after practicing in a limited capacity.
Fantasy managers will want to keep an eye on his status heading into Sunday's games, but the Giants' 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff time puts fantasy managers in a difficult situation. In the event that Waller can't play, Daniel Bellinger would step into his role, ranking as a mid-to-low TE2 for fantasy purposes.
George Kittle Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (groin) is questionable to play in Sunday's season opener versus the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was limited in practice all week long and could be a true game-time decision.
The 29-year-old is dominant when healthy, but that qualifier is key. Kittle has missed 18 games over the last three seasons, repeatedly giving managers pause when deciding whether to draft and start him in fantasy football. With that said, if he suits up, he should be started in all leagues.
Terry McLaurin Injury Update
Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (toe) practiced in full for the second consecutive day and has been removed from the injury report. He will play in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals.
Given Arizona's lackluster expectations heading into the season, Washington has a chance to put up some major production on Sunday, and McLaurin is no exception. He should be started as a strong WR2 in fantasy football.
Rhamondre Stevenson Injury Update
New England Patriots running back Rhamondre Stevenson (illness) missed Friday's practice due to a stomach bug, according to Karen Guregian of MassLive. However, the expectation is that Stevenson will play Sunday versus Philadelphia, despite being listed as questionable.
The Oklahoma product emerged as a strong dual-threat option last season, amassing 1,040 rushing and 421 receiving yards en route to finishing as the overall RB7 in PPR leagues. While the offseason addition of Ezekiel Elliott adds a wrinkle to this backfield, Stevenson is clearly still New England's lead back and should be treated as an RB2 in fantasy football.
Marquise Brown and Zach Ertz Injury Update
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marquise Brown (hamstring) and tight end Zach Ertz (knee) are listed as questionable for Week 1 versus the Washington Commanders. The two playmakers both practiced in a limited capacity all week long, offering very little insight into whether they'll be available for Sunday's game.
Between the uncertainty of their statuses and the anticipated subpar quarterback play of Joshua Dobbs, it might be safest to just stay away from Brown, Ertz, and all Cardinals players not named James Conner in fantasy football this week.
Treylon Burks Injury Update
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Treylon Burks (knee) has been removed from the injury report and will play in Week 1. This comes as no surprise after Burks practiced in full all week long. He'll start opposite DeAndre Hopkins, making them both WR3/FLEX options in fantasy football.
Tennessee is taking on the Saints, who have a solid defense and just confirmed that cornerback Marshon Lattimore (ankle) will play on Sunday.
Zack Moss Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss (arm) is listed as questionable for Week 1 versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was limited in practice all week long. At this point, Moss' status is up in the air, and he could be a true game-time decision.
If Moss does play, he's expected to operate in a committee that also features Deon Jackson and Evan Hull, making it hard to trust any of the three in fantasy football. However, if Moss isn't able to suit up, Jackson could be a low-end RB3/FLEX given his experience and pass-catching upside.
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