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Congratulations to everyone still dancing into the second round of their league's fantasy football playoffs. It's been a long and challenging year and if you've made it this far, you should go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back.
Moving into Week 16, the receiver position seems to be fairly healthy, however fantasy managers will be missing two big names again this week in Tyler Lockett and Deebo Samuel. These two stars won't be easy to replace, but that'll only make those future victories all that more satisfying!
Let’s look at some of the biggest receiver injuries fantasy managers should be tracking for Week 16. As always, if you have any start/sit questions, please give me a follow @RobFFSlayer.
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Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson had a hard day at the office this past Saturday, but as he's done almost every game, he came out on top. That doesn't mean it didn't come without some concerns. Jefferson left the game on two separate occasions this past weekend. The first time he left the game due to what was called a chest contusion. He would return to the game but leave again to be evaluated for a concussion. He passed the protocol and once again returned to action.
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson, who sustained chest and rib injuries during Saturday's win, was not listed on Tuesday's injury reporthttps://t.co/GAZ2CLnKUz pic.twitter.com/6bmGf5sOIY
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) December 20, 2022
Despite the multiple absences, Jefferson wasn't even listed on the team's injury report. That means as concerning and worrisome as some of his absences were this past weekend, fantasy managers will be able to count on Jefferson being ready to go this upcoming weekend. There are no concerns about his future availability at this time.
Tyler Lockett, Seattle Seahawks
Tyler Lockett sustained a fractured finger this past weekend. Lockett had to undergo surgery to repair and stabilize the finger. Initial reports indicated Lockett would miss Week 16, but most likely another 1–2 weeks after that as well. This kind of timeline would, for the most part, end his fantasy football season. However, head coach Pete Carroll, as is his nature, was a bit more optimistic. He has stated Lockett could return as soon as Week 17.
Pete Carroll said WR Tyler Lockett had hand surgery yesterday and the report from the surgeon was that it went "perfect." Carroll said there's a chance Lockett will only miss one game.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) December 20, 2022
It's unknown at this time just when Lockett will return to action, but fantasy managers know Lockett won't be available this weekend. He's all but guaranteed to miss Week 16. Whether or not he's able to return next weekend is still unknown.
Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers
Deebo Samuel suffered a sprained knee and ankle in the Week 14 victory over the Bucs. He missed their Week 15 game and head coach Kyle Shanahan indicated he'd miss a few more weeks.
Shanahan's expectation is that Deebo Samuel will return in "3-ish" weeks
— David Lombardi (@LombardiHimself) December 13, 2022
A timeline of "three-ish" weeks would keep Samuel out of action in Weeks 16 and 17. Fantasy managers know he won't be available this upcoming weekend. It's unlikely he'll return in Week 17, but that's really the first week where he might have a chance to return based on the timeline given by coach Shanahan. Realistically, fantasy managers shouldn't expect Samuel to return until Week 18 or until the NFL playoffs.
Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
Diontae Johnson didn't seem to be limited or affected by any injury this past weekend, but he entered this week with a limited designation in the team's first practice of the week. He was listed with a turf toe injury and was limited.
In addition to Pickett, the injuries listed by Mike Tomlin:
-Terrell Edmunds (hamstring)
-Diontae Johnson (turf toe)
-Derek Watt (ankle)Tomlin said he doesn't expect these injuries to extend into the latter part of the week.
— Chris Halicke (@ChrisHalicke) December 20, 2022
The injury doesn't seem like anything fantasy managers need to worry about at this time. Head coach Mike Tomlin indicated he does not expect Johnson's injury to affect his availability this upcoming weekend. With him starting off the week in a limited fashion, fantasy managers should be optimistic about his availability for Week 16.
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Like Johnson, Chris Olave did not seem impacted or affected by any injury, but nonetheless, he begins the week and this injury seems to be more concerning than Johnson's. Olave was listed as a DNP for the team's first injury report of Week 16 with a hamstring injury.
Chris Olave (hamstring) listed as DNP in practice Tuesday.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 20, 2022
There isn't much known about the injury at this time, but this is definitely one fantasy managers will need to track throughout the week. Anytime a player starts off with a DNP, it's concerning. To add to that concern, Olave missed practice with the dreaded hamstring injury.
Even minor injuries of this sort can take a few weeks to fully heal. They have a tendency to linger and they're easily re-aggravated. The Saints are still fighting for a playoff spot, but one would assume they'll be cautious with their star rookie receiver. At this time, based on the limited information we have now, fantasy managers should consider him to be on the wrong side of questionable.
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Courtland Sutton has missed the last two weeks with a hamstring injury. While head coach Nathaniel Hackett called Sutton "day-to-day," he has been unable to practice in any capacity for the past two weeks. However, things seem to be trending in the right direction for Week 16.
Nathaniel Hackett said the Broncos are "definitely hoping" that Courtland Sutton returns to play against the Rams.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) December 19, 2022
Hackett has indicated they're definitely hoping Sutton plays this upcoming weekend. While that's no guarantee, especially with the Broncos eliminated from the playoffs, fantasy managers should be cautiously optimistic about his availability this upcoming weekend. Still, it's possible Sutton could be on some sort of a snap count. There hasn't been any mention of that, but it's a typical outcome of this kind of injury, especially with Denver not having anything to play for. They're likely to remain cautious with Sutton.
Treylon Burks, Tennessee Titans
Treylon Burks has missed the last two weeks due to a concussion and while everyone recovers from concussion symptoms differently and at different speeds, missing three games would be abnormal. Typically, players miss 1–2 weeks and early reports from this week indicate Burks will return to action in Week 16.
Treylon Burks (concussion) listed as full practice participant Tuesday.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 21, 2022
Burks was a full participant to start the week, which pretty much guarantees he'll be active this weekend. Players have to pass through the concussion protocol and now that he's eligible for a full practice, fantasy managers should assume he'll be back out there this weekend.
Jakobi Meyers, New England Patriots
Jakobi Meyers returned to action last week following his one-game hiatus due to a concussion; however, unfortunately, he did not come out unscathed. While there were no indications that Meyers was injured this past weekend, he was still listed as a limited participant on the team's first practice estimation of the week.
The Patriots did not practice today with their game on Saturday. But if they had, Jalen Mills (groin) and DeVante Parker (concussion) would not have practiced.
Jakobi Meyers (shoulder), Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) and Jack Jones (knee) among those who would’ve been limited.
— Khari Thompson (@kdthompson5) December 20, 2022
Meyers was listed with a shoulder injury. There's been very limited information about exactly what his shoulder entails, but the fact that he was a limited participant to start the week bodes well for his weekend availability. Fantasy managers should be cautiously optimistic about Meyers being available for their Week 16 contest.
Brandin Cooks, Houston Texans
Brandin Cooks has missed the team's last three weeks. With the Texans not putting Cooks on IR, the assumption should be that they thought he'd be able to return within four weeks. Well, that fourth week is Week 16. Based on that timeline, it would seem that the organization expects Cooks to play this weekend.
Brandin Cooks (calf) listed as limited in practice Tuesday.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 21, 2022
Based on the timeline and his limited status to start the week, fantasy managers should be cautiously optimistic about Cooks' availability this weekend. However, with Cooks' veteran status and Houston's record, it wouldn't be entirely surprising if he didn't play again this season, but if that was something the team expected, one would assume he would've been placed on IR.
Mecole Hardman, Kansas City Chiefs
Mecole Hardman has been on IR for the past six weeks. The last time fantasy managers saw Hardman was in Week 9. At that time, he had four straight weeks of double-digit half-PPR points. However, he was placed on IR prior to their Week 10 game with an abdomen injury. Based on head coach Andy Reid's comments, Hardman has a good chance to return in Week 16.
Andy Reid said there's a good chance Mecole Hardman would be activated in time to play Saturday against Seahawks. If so, Chiefs will be whole at WR for first time in several weeks
— Adam Teicher (@adamteicher) December 20, 2022
At this time, Hardman hasn't even been activated, but it seems like there's a good chance that'll happen before the weekend. It's possible Hardman could be on a snap count or working in some sort of committee approach with Kadarius Toney, Skyy Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, and Justin Watson. He'll be tough to trust in his first game back.
Corey Davis, New York Jets
Corey Davis sustained a concussion in Week 14, which caused him to miss the team's game this past weekend. However, it appears that it will be just a one-game absence for the veteran receiver.
#Jets Injury Report (Tues):
(*walkthru, so status is estimate)
FP: WR Corey Davis (concussion)
DNP: WR Mims (concussion), WR Jeff Smith (knee), CB Echols (quad)
LP: QB Mike White (rib), DT Quinnen Williams (calf), OT DBrown (shoulder), OT Fant (knee), S Joyner (hip)
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) December 20, 2022
Corey Davis was a full practice on the Jets' first practice estimation of the week. Even though it was just an estimation, this designation still puts him on track to return for Week 16.
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