RADIO
As exciting as it is to officially have football back – and it most certainly is awesome – but fantasy managers will quickly be reminded that now injuries, practice participation, and the dreaded questionable tag will loom over us all every Monday-Sunday until February. It’s a small price to pay for finally having the NFL season upon us, but for some, the cost will be too high. Below, you will find our fantasy football injuries report for wide receivers in Week 1 as of September 7th. The injury statuses for various NFL wide receivers are important to know for Week 1, including Diontae Johnson, Jaylen Waddle, Allen Lazard, Deebo Samuel and Kadarius Toney.
Injuries, the disdain of every NFL and fantasy football season, tends to have a significant effect on whose fantasy team is crowned champion. Sadly, this element even affects the outcome on the real gridiron. There’s no escaping it anymore. With just a few short days until the 2022 NFL season officially kicks off, many of us will already be contemplating some difficult start and sit decisions revolving almost entirely around a player’s injury status.
In this article, we’ll be focusing on the wide receiver group. Unfortunately, despite it being just Week One, we have no shortages of players to get through. What can fantasy managers expect from Chris Godwin? What about Michael Thomas – is he finally going to play? Some of these questions we won’t be able to answer until later in the week, but let’s decipher what we do know right now.
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Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin, remarkably, avoided the PUP list when training camp started despite tearing his ACL late in the 2021 regular season. Many expected Godwin to start on the PUP list and therefore miss the first four weeks of the season, but that seems like a long time ago. Now, fantasy managers are legitimately wondering if he’ll be a Week One option for them. Godwin has been making steady progress all summer and just recently shed his knee brace – another good sign in his recovery.
Another encouraging step for Bucs receiver Chris Godwin, who is now practicing without a brace on his knee as he works his way back. He’s the one without a jersey on in the middle: pic.twitter.com/J1gjSJwTXZ
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 5, 2022
While all of the signs look positive, there still seems to be a lot of unknowns regarding his availability. Casting more doubt on his availability against the Cowboys was the fact that the Buccaneers signed Russell Gage and Julio Jones. While one of them alone wouldn’t have been a cause for concern after losing Antonio Brown, the addition of both gives credence to the question of whether or not the team really thought Godwin would be ready to go so soon.
Chris Godwin Doesn't Know If He'll Play In Week 1 https://t.co/UGO9tUjPie
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 6, 2022
Even Godwin himself has indicated he’s not sure if he’ll play yet. Considering the Buccaneers are the heavy favorites to win a weak NFC South division, the Buccaneers have little incentive rushing him out onto the field in Week One. It seems incredibly likely that if he does suit up, he’ll be on a snap count of sorts. That’s not the end of the world considering a matchup against the Dallas Cowboys has fireworks written all over it. Godwin wouldn’t need a full allotment of snaps to do damage, but it’s still a risky play.
Fantasy managers will need to keep track of his practice status throughout the week and be sure to pay attention to Tampa Bay beat writers who will most likely have the best handle on this situation. The best idea may be to sit Godwin this week until we all have a better idea of how Tampa Bay intends to utilize him.
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
Michael Thomas has been dealing with a hamstring injury for the better part of the last three weeks. Early accounts from training camp had Thomas looking like his former self. He was dominating practices and earning a high number of targets – a welcome note for many fantasy managers hoping Thomas could turn back the clock.
Nothing has been easy for Thomas, not for several years anyways. He missed most of the 2020 season with an ankle injury, the same injury that caused him to miss the entire 2021 season. There were many questions if he’d ever play for the Saints again, but a restructured contract this offseason eliminated all of those doubts.
The coaching staff and Thomas himself, appeared rejuvenated to get back onto the field and show what he was still capable of. For the better part of training camp, he was doing just that until this pesky hamstring injury popped up. This started around the middle of August and it’s sidelined him since.
"I believe Michael Thomas will be going week one & that's a pretty big deal" ~@RapSheet#PMSLive #Saints pic.twitter.com/C3xpuwZa7y
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 6, 2022
It was largely said to be minor, but it was still something that kept him out of every preseason game, an activity that may have been useful for someone that might have to knock off the rust a bit after not having played in an NFL since 2020. As of right now, the most recent reports indicate optimism that he’ll be on the field this weekend. A return to practice in any capacity would mean the world to any fantasy managers thinking about firing him up.
If he’s out there, fantasy managers will likely have no choice, but to start him. Considering his recent injury history, if he’s out there at all, it’s likely because he’s been deemed 100% and therefore, there shouldn’t be any real concerns. Although we all know, until we truly see it with Thomas, there are always going to be concerns. Hopefully, he’ll be able to log a limited practice at the very least early this week.
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
Drake London injured his knee in the Falcons’ second preseason game and he hasn’t been on the practice field since. Luckily, for fantasy managers, it’s already been reported he returned to practice this week, which is an excellent sign regarding his Week One availability.
Drake London Returns To Practice https://t.co/IDTlNEEKXD
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 5, 2022
That said, the Falcons know they’re unlikely to be a true postseason contender this year and London was their first-round draft selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. If there are any questions or concerns, you can bet on them proceeding with caution. There’s simply no risk in putting London out there if he’s not 100% considering what their 2022 season is most likely to entail.
Without even considering the injury question, the matchup against the Saints is something else fantasy managers will have to weigh. The Saints boast one of the best secondaries in the NFL, a tough matchup for any receiver, much less a rookie coming off an injury with limited practice time.
His return to practice bodes well and should allow fantasy managers who need him to be optimistic about his availability. However, his ability to produce is another question entirely.
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Tee Higgins underwent offseason shoulder surgery. He’s been limited for most of training camp, but there’s never been any real question regarding his availability for opening weekend. Head coach Zac Taylor has been confident he’d be ready to go all summer and there’s been no indication to believe that shouldn’t be the case.
Tee Higgins Back At Practice https://t.co/khPQA1kX36
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 5, 2022
His return to practice on the Monday approaching their first game vs the Steelers all but guarantees his status for opening weekend. Barring any late-week ailments, fantasy managers should be firing up Higgins this weekend as a high-end WR2 with upside.
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
Jaylen Waddle’s injury status is one that hasn’t really garnered as much attention as one would have thought. He’s missed the last three weeks of practice with an undisclosed injury that was later described as a “soft-tissue, lower-body” injury. Fantasy managers haven’t gotten much information about what’s kept Waddle off the field, but it seems to hopefully be behind him now.
Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel "very, very, very confident" Jaylen Waddle will play Week 1. Waddle has been hampered recently by an unspecified leg injury. https://t.co/WGrEd6Il5z pic.twitter.com/5uTTJR0HrN
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 2, 2022
It seems as though the Miami coaching staff were being extremely cautious with their extremely talented second-year receiver and that makes a lot of sense. Based on the current roster construction for the Dolphins, it appears as though there will be a big emphasis on the passing game. Miami acquired Tyreek Hill in a trade this offseason and their running backs are Chase Edmonds, who has largely been viewed as a pass-catching back and Raheem Mostert, who has only played eight games in the past two years.
Their current running back room does not look like a group who will allow Miami to hammer the running game like Mike McDaniels’ previous place of employment with the 49ers were able to do. In that sense, Waddle’s availability is extremely important to the success of the offense. Waddle has since returned to practice and there seems to be little doubt about his availability this weekend. Fantasy managers shouldn’t have any questions about locking him into their starting lineups.
CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
This is a complete non-story here. It sounds as though CeeDee Lamb sustained a cut on his foot in the middle of August that required stitches. This resulted in him missing about a week’s worth of practice. As you can imagine, with Amari Cooper in Cleveland and Michael Gallup’s week one status still up in the air, the Cowboys were extremely cautious with their unquestioned No. 1 receiver.
However, there were never any really concerns about whether or not he’d be ready for the opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. To alleviate any possible questions about his week one status, Lamb returned to practice a few weeks ago and looks more than ready to go.
CeeDee Lamb Back At Practice https://t.co/42qIOlu9t5
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) August 24, 2022
Fantasy managers should absolutely be locking Lamb into their starting lineup as a top-10 option at the receiver position in a game that could very quickly turn into a shoot-out. Lamb will have no limitations and he’s in a great spot to produce big numbers.
Allen Lazard, Green Bay Packers
Allen Lazard’s status heading into opening weekend is a big question mark. Whatever is going on with Lazard largely came out of the blue and as of right now we have very little information on what the injury is.
He was held out of the final preseason game, which was by plan as he is looking at possibly a big role in Green Bay’s offense. However, once the 53-man roster was due, Lazard has been absent from the practice field and we don’t yet have much information on what is causing it.
Packers receiver Allen Lazard wasn’t available for Monday’s practice because of an undisclosed injury. https://t.co/n04EzbyYec
— The Packers Wire (@ThePackersWire) September 6, 2022
He has now been working with the rehab group for over the past week and his availability for their first game against the Vikings seems to be in question. He was not practicing on Monday of this week and continued to work off to the side. Head coach Matt LaFleur said, “I think Allen is doing better, but we’ll see as the week progresses where he’s at.”
Since the first injury report isn’t due until Wednesday and the first injury designation until Thursday, fantasy managers may be left in the dark for a few more days yet. At this time, LaFleur and the Packers have no obligation to provide any information about Lazard’s injury, which makes it difficult for fantasy managers to game plan.
As of right now, the only thing we can do is wait for more information as the week progresses. However, at this time, based on what we know or rather don’t know, we should at least be considering Lazard 50-50 for suiting up this weekend. The Packers are known for being extremely cautious with their players and Lazard has been slated for a big role this season. They’re unlikely to take any chances, but there’s also the chance they’re just being extremely cautious with him, just like the Dolphins were with Waddle. We’ll have to continue monitoring for more information. Stay tuned.
Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Diontae Johnson injured his shoulder in the preseason finale and there’s been very little information regarding what the injury was or the severity of it and to no one’s surprise, Mike Tomlin isn’t sharing any information until he absolutely has to.
Tomlin says they'll let participation be their guide for Diontae Johnson (shoulder)
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 6, 2022
Tomlin indicated that Johnson’s participation will decide his availability this weekend. That’s not exactly rocket science, but his veteran status shouldn’t preclude him from suiting up even if he doesn’t practice at all. However, fantasy managers would certainly like answers before then. We did get an early glimpse of his participation yesterday and it wasn’t the best news.
Diontae Johnson looking on during warmups in today’s practice pic.twitter.com/VUPHqKn69F
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) September 5, 2022
Diontae didn’t practice to start the week, which isn’t ideal considering Tomlin’s comment, but there’s a lot of time yet for Johnson to get back onto the practice. Unfortunately, we’re not going to get any additional information on Johnson’s status until Pittsburgh is required to provide it. When the injury initially happened, there weren’t any reports that hinted at it being serious, so there’s certainly reason for optimism. Fantasy managers will need to pay attention to this week’s injury status and his practice availability.
Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
Deebo Samuel missed the last few days of practice last week with what was being described as a "knee bruise". It never seemed significant in any manner and it didn't take long for fantasy managers to breath a sigh of relief.
Deebo Samuel Returns To Practice https://t.co/18EgCAVitv
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 5, 2022
He returned to practice yesterday, a sign that the ailment was very minor. With a return to practice on Monday, there's no reason to believe at this time he won't be suiting up for Week One. Fantasy managers should feel extremely confident they'll have the explosive hybrid receiver in their lineup this upcoming weekend.
Kadarius Toney, New York Giants
It's been a trying offseason for Kadarius Toney already. After a rookie season where he struggled to stay on the field and often times found himself on the sidelines, this training camp hasn't silenced any of those concerns that he can be available to his team and fantasy managers on a regular basis. He struggled with multiple ailments last year and he's already been reported as dealing with knee and hamstring injuries. Not exactly the way you'd like to start Year Two, especially with a new coaching staff.
Kenny Golladay "has been running routes this summer with the stiffness of a mannequin."
Meanwhile, Kadarius Toney (personal, knee, hamstring) has barely practiced. And Sterling Shepard (Achilles) isn't ready.
Via @JordanRaanan. https://t.co/8wD4vpDzvn
— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) September 1, 2022
Based on the depth chart in New York, fantasy managers have every reason to believe Toney will be the No. 1 target – for as long as he's on the field. However, fantasy managers should be optimistic they'll get to see the shifty slot receiver in action for Week One.
Giants second-year WR Kadarius Toney says he's "ready to go" for Week 1: "I've got a lot to prove to myself"https://t.co/zN7kd4y1Lc pic.twitter.com/qqYxxu3bNo
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 2, 2022
With Kadarius Toney, we've found out that things can change awfully quickly. So while everything looks good right now, fantasy managers will definitely want to circle back around and check his status before kickoff. Just in case a new ailment doesn't pop up in the next 48-72 hours.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
Earlier in the offseason Gallup himself said he didn't expect to be ready for Week One and while avoiding the PUP list was a step in the right direction, playing against the Buccaneers never seemed to be a realistic expectation. Now that we're just two days away from kickoff, fantasy managers should definitely be planning on an alternative option because it seems highly unlikely Gallup will be available.
Michael Gallup Not Expected To Play In Week 1 https://t.co/ETKKqB3cOD
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 6, 2022
The positive news is that by avoiding the PUP list, fantasy managers should expect Gallup on the field in sometime between Weeks 2–4. When exactly that'll be, we can't be sure as of right now. All we do know is it's looking like it for sure won't be Week One.
Isaiah McKenzie, Buffalo Bills
Isaiah McKenzie has gotten plenty of offseason hype this year and there's good reason for that. He could very well be sliding into the previous role held by Cole Beasley as the Bills' starting slot receiver. In full-PPR leagues, Beasley has been a quality role player and someone fantasy managers could depend on in either big leagues or as a steady bye-week or injury replacement. McKenzie will help to provide that same kind of value in 2022.
Late in the preseason, McKenzie injured his groin and there were some concerns regarding what his Week One availability would be. Any injury to McKenzie could be a big deal because they signed Jamison Crowder in the offseason who has also been a slot receiver his whole career. If McKenzie went down for any length of time, it could open the door for Crowder to claim a role many thought he would be given. That doesn't seem to have happened here. McKenzie is listed as the starting slot receiver and even better, he looks on track to play this Thursday.
Bills Think Isaiah McKenzie Will Be Ready For Thursday https://t.co/48tLRmroO1
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 6, 2022
McKenzie was on the practice field and was a full participant to kick off the week, which should just about alleviate any doubts about his availability. Fantasy managers can expect him to be in the lineup and on the field this Thursday night in what could be a shootout between the Bills and the reigning Super Bowl Champions. McKenzie is still best viewed as a WR4 and should only be under consideration in deeper leagues, but if you're struggling with injuries already entering Week One, McKenzie is an interesting option.
Rondale Moore, Arizona Cardinals
We still don't know exactly what Rondale Moore is dealing with and we won't know until the team's practice report comes out later Wednesday afternoon. All we know is that Moore hasn't been practicing for the past couple of weeks due to an undisclosed injury. That's not ideal for a young player looking to take on a bigger role in the offense in his second season. There is some good news, however.
Kliff Kingsbury said WR Rondale Moore was doing better and did more today than he had done previously.
The hope is he'll feel good for Sunday.
And no, Kingsbury did not disclose the WR's injury. We'll find out Wednesday on the injury report.
— Tyler Drake (@Tdrake4sports) September 5, 2022
It looks as though Moore will be on the field on Sunday for the Cardinals. With Christian Kirk in Jacksonville and Chase Edmonds in Miami, it's possible Moore could have a very exciting role where he's used in the slot and coming out of the backfield at times. It's always a good thing when a player practices on Monday to start the week and Moore's done that putting him on track to play. Kingsbury didn't go as far as to say he'll play, so fantasy managers will want to follow up with how responds throughout the week, but everything right now looks like Moore will be an option to any fantasy managers in deeper leagues.
Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots
Jakobi Meyers appears to be slated for another big role in the Patriots offense this year. While New England has made several additions at receiver, they've all been boundary receivers. Meyers operates almost exclusively in the slot, but he also stays on the field when the team shifts to 2-WR sets, which is incredibly important for his fantasy value. He generated 126 targets last year and there's no reason to believe his role will change in 2022. However, he left their last preseason game against the Raiders early, and now there are questions regarding his Week One availability.
The good news for Meyers and fantasy managers is it doesn't sound too serious. While we certainly shouldn't expect to get any information from Bill Belichick before he's officially required to provide it, it does look like Meyers was participating, at least on some level, in practice the Monday following the preseason game.
Good news for the Patriots at practice: Jakobi Meyers and Shaun Wade are participating after injury scares.
Bad news: Ty Montgomery, Yodny Cajuste, and Kristian Wilkerson are not.— Chad Graff (@ChadGraff) August 29, 2022
Considering he had his helmet on and appeared to be a limited participant in practice on August 29th, it seems very likely he'll be available for fantasy managers this upcoming weekend. Fantasy managers will need to double-check the injury report this afternoon and what his designation is on Thursday, but as of right now, there doesn't seem to be too much doubt regarding his likelihood of suiting up this Sunday.
Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers
Christian Watson has hardly participated in training camp due to an offseason knee surgery. Watson was drafted out of North Dakota State, an FCS program, which already begs the question of just how ready he'd be to contribute this year. The jump in competition and talent from FCS to the NFL is substantial. To make matters even worse, North Dakota State hardly ever passed the ball, which only further complicates just how ready Watson will be or if he'll likely be red-shirted to some extent this year.
Still, his raw athletic ability and the ambiguous state of receivers in Green Bay makes him an interesting late-round selection. However, he's missed almost his entire rookie training camp and we know how important it is that Aaron Rodgers trusts his receivers in order for him to zero in on them. He's had limited practice time and his availability for Week One is up in the air.
Matt LaFleur said ‘the hope’ is that Christian Watson will play Sunday in Minnesota, but they’ll wait until the end of the week before making that call. “I think he still has a lot to learn and we’re trying to acclimate him as fast as humanly possible,” LaFleur says.
— zach jacobson (@itszacharyj) September 5, 2022
Even in deep leagues, Watson needs to be on benches everywhere. Even in deeper leagues. There are just too many unknowns regarding his role and how much playing time he'll receive. His injury status really shouldn't have too much bearing on that decision. While the Packers may be hopeful he's available, being available and playing are two different things. Even if he's active, fantasy managers shouldn't expect a big role for him whatsoever in Week One.
Van Jefferson, Los Angeles Rams
Van Jefferson has struggled with a knee injury all offseason and had minor surgery at the beginning of August. Head coach Sean McVay has called him day to day, but he has missed practice on Monday and Tuesday to start the week.
Van Jefferson Misses Tuesday's Practice https://t.co/XAcjyD2x2X
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 6, 2022
With back-to-back missed practices and a game on Thursday evening, fantasy managers should be making contingency plans. It seems very unlikely Jefferson will be available.
KJ Hamler, Denver Broncos
KJ Hamler missed all of the 2021 season with a torn ACL but looks ready to contribute for the Broncos this season. After Tim Patrick tore his ACL earlier this offseason, Hamler is likely to start as the No. 3 receiver for Denver. Hamler and Jeudy both appear to be slot receivers, so it'll be interesting to see how the snaps and roles between these two players are divided up. While fantasy managers should expect Courtland Sutton and Jeudy to be Russell Wilson's primary two targets, who ends up as his No. 3 target could yet be fantasy-relevant. Will that be Hamler or Albert Okwuegbunam? That is the biggest question. Hamler returned to action in Denver's last preseason game and caught three passes.
KJ Hamler feels "back to myself" after return to game action. https://t.co/F8EXjzYaEn
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 29, 2022
Following the game, there were no reports of any setbacks or concerns afterward. It seems all but guaranteed that Hamler will be available to fantasy managers for Week One.
Sterling Shepard, New York Giants
This seems almost hard to believe, but after tearing his Achilles in 2021, Sterling Shepard looks like he'll be available for the Giants and fantasy managers for Week One. He averaged 7.6 targets per game and if he's healthy, he certainly looks like New York's best receiver. It'll be interesting to see how head coach, Brian Daboll divvies up the slot routes between Toney and Shepard. That will be crucial to both of their individual fantasy value.
Sterling Shepard fully plans on playing in opener vs. Titans. "Ready to go," he told ESPN.
Shepard returned to practice just over 2 weeks ago. He will be back in game action less than 9 months after tearing his Achilles. His personal goal this year is to play 17 games. #Giants
— Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) September 6, 2022
He's been practicing for the past two weeks and has all but declared himself ready to go. Due to his longstanding injury history and the history of how torn Achilles affect running backs and receivers alike, fantasy managers are likely best taking a wait-and-see approach with Shepard, however, if you're in a pinch in a deeper league, it looks as though he'll be an option. Fantasy managers will need to check the injury report on Thursday to see if Daboll has the same level of confidence as Shepard does.
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