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Look, it's as cliché as can be, but it needs to be said: This may be the worst year for injuries since the turn of the century. Several star wide receivers won't be suiting up for the foreseeable future.
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Let's look at the updates for some wide receivers and see whether they may play in Week 3.
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Jordan Addison (MIN) Injury Update
Jordan Addison will likely take a questionable tag into Friday, possibly longer. Minnesota's WR2 is dealing with an ankle sprain, his second of the young season (although to different ankles).
The NFL fined #Giants LB Darius Muasau $4,696 for unnecessary roughness — a hip-drop tackle that injured #Vikings WR Jordan Addison last week. pic.twitter.com/qERoQozMAG
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 14, 2024
Jalen Nailor caught three passes for 54 yards and a touchdown in Addison's absence. Justin Jefferson also missed time in the Week 3 victory and is day-to-day. Nailor would be worth a look on the waiver wire if both Addison and Jefferson aren't able to suit up. Addison sounds like the least likely of the duo to play against Houston.
Keenan Allen (CHI) Injury Update
Keenan Allen missed Chicago's loss to Houston on "Sunday Night Football" due to a heel issue. It's been bothering him since before the regular season began, but he aggravated the injury during Week 1.
Since he was a game-time decision leading into Sunday, the hope is that Allen returns to the active lineup soon. Practice reports will give fantasy managers a clue about his playing chances. The Bears travel to Indianapolis for a matchup with the Colts in Week 3.
A.J. Brown (PHI) Injury Update
A surprise late-week scratch forced fantasy managers to move A.J. Brown to their bench in Week 2. The news did not get better when his team kicked off on "Monday Night Football." He told ESPN's Lisa Salters that he expects the hamstring injury to keep him out for "a couple of weeks."
AJ Brown says he expects to "miss a couple of weeks" as he's nursing a hamstring injury, per @saltersl pic.twitter.com/HrRNZOWF6K
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 17, 2024
After the loss to Atlanta, head coach Nick Sirianni said he wasn't sure how long they'd be without the star receiver. The Eagles have the Saints and Buccaneers on the rest of their September schedule. Britain Covey and Jahan Dotson will see an increase in snaps without Brown.
Josh Downs (IND) Injury Update
A true game-time decision went against Josh Downs in Week 2. The Colts opted to play it safe with their second-year wideout, despite practicing in full last Friday. Downs suffered a high-ankle sprain early in training camp and has been sidelined since.
Anticipate Downs making his 2024 debut in Week 3 against the Chicago Bears. The Colts' passing game struggled against the Green Bay Packers. Downs could be the missing piece to secure the underneath routes for Anthony Richardson.
Tee Higgins (CIN) Injury Update
A hamstring injury has prevented Tee Higgins from playing in the 2024 season. Things could finally be trending in the right direction.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor said he believes WR Tee Higgins is moving in a positive direction and the extra day this week will help as the team gets ready for Washington on Monday Night Football.
— Ben Baby (@Ben_Baby) September 16, 2024
Now, let's talk about the good and the bad. The Cincinnati Bengals play the Washington Commanders, which is one of the worst defenses in football. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Malik Nabers finished in the top eight in PPR formats against the Washington secondary.
The bad news is that the matchup is scheduled for Monday night. Unless positive practice reports come out during the week, starting Higgins over other receiver options who play on Sunday will be difficult.
Justin Jefferson (MIN) Injury Update
Unlike some other wideouts in this article, Justin Jefferson seems to have avoided a major injury. The 25-year-old limped off the field in the second half of Minnesota's victory over San Francisco. Head coach Kevin O'Connell described it as a quad contusion and called Jefferson day-to-day.
Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell said Justin Jefferson will be “day-to-day” due to his quad contusion, and added that it was “pretty positive in the early returns.”
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2024
Expect a DNP or LP on the practice report to begin the week, but indications are that Jefferson will suit up against former LSU teammate and current Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. on Sunday. As long as he practices on Friday, Jefferson will be ready to go.
Cooper Kupp (LAR) Injury Update
The Los Angeles Rams are down their top two receivers. Cooper Kupp is joining Puka Nacua on the sidelines due to an ankle injury he suffered against the Cardinals.
Assuming the Cooper Kupp injury occurred here.
Could be Left high ankle mechanism as the defender rolls through his planted ankle. He limped off, but eventually returned to the game. Something to monitor. pic.twitter.com/pigTs9rPlR— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 15, 2024
Demarcus Robinson, Tyler Johnson, Jordan Whittington, and Tutu Atwell comprise the receiving corps in Los Angeles now. Robinson should be the top wideout for fantasy football, but the entire Rams offense takes a hit without their stars.
Deebo Samuel Sr. (SF) Injury Update
Already without Christian McCaffrey, the 49ers will have to navigate their early season schedule without Deebo Samuel Sr. as well. The do-it-all wide receiver was diagnosed with a calf strain. Head coach Kyle Shanahan says he will miss a few weeks.
This appears to be the play where #49ers WR Deebo Samuel hurt his calf. He makes the short catch, is a bit slow to get up. Then is shown grimacing and favoring the leg as he goes to the sideline. He missed one play, returned and played the final offensive snap of the game. pic.twitter.com/EHsixWJMnm
— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) September 16, 2024
Rookie wide receiver Ricky Pearsall will also be inactive until Week 5 at the earliest. Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings will be the primary wide receiver targets for Brock Purdy. Tight end George Kittle should also see an increase in opportunities.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET) Injury Update
Hobbled and unable to finish the game, fantasy managers fretted over the health of first-round selection Amon-Ra St. Brown. It's been positive news since then, with head coach Dan Campbell noting the injury was nothing long-term. ESPN reported it was a contusion and cramping.
Despite being hobbled during Sunday’s game, Lions WR Amon-Ra initially was determined to have only a contusion and cramping, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 16, 2024
St. Brown should be ready for Week 3 against Arizona but don't be surprised if he sits out of practice early in the week.
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