Here’s some good news for all of you fantasy football owners who drafted Sammy Watkins. The Buffalo Bills youngster said on Friday that he “definitely” expects to play in Week 9 against the Miami Dolphins. This is despite missing practice again on Friday due to an ankle injury.
Watkins is officially listed as questionable on the injury report and coach Rex Ryan calls him a game-time decision.
"We'll see how he's feeling," Ryan said, according to ESPN reporter Mike Rodak. "But I think he's going to be fine."
Watkins has struggled to stay healthy this season and has only participated in four games. In those for games he has recorded 11 receptions for 147 yards and two touchdowns.
With Percy Harvin’s status for the rest of the season in doubt, the Bills definitely need a healthy Watkins out on the football field. If he plays, he can be considered a WR2 against the Dolphins. If he doesn’t play, I would elevate Robert Woods to WR2 status in fantasy football leagues and downgrade quarterback Tyrod Taylor to a QB2.
Keep a close eye out for injury updates on Watkins as Sunday kickoff approaches.
In other wide receiver news, New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker returned to practice on Friday after missing time with a knee injury. Reports indicated he was a full participant and the team is now listing his as probably for Week 9 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Decker has a great matchup against the Jags and can be considered a WR2 in Week 9. Decker will come into the game with 30 receptions for 393 yards and five touchdowns. He has caught a touchdown in every game he has played in thus far this season except one.
As for who will be throwing him the football, it sounds like Ryan Fitzpatrick will be ready to go under center. The only question is whether or not Decker will have Brandon Marshall to take some pressure off of him in the receiving game.
Marshall is listed as questionable for the matchup with a toe and ankle injury. He was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice.
Regardless if Marshall plays or not, Decker should be pegged as a WR2. If Marshall plays, the Jets receiving duo could both have nice games for their fantasy football owners. But again, keep a close eye on their status as game-time approaches.