Fantasy Football Injury Reports for NFL WRs: Week 4 Updates for Christian Watson, Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel, Mike Williams, and Jaylen Waddle

Week 3 had one big injury as fantasy managers lost the Chargers' receiver Mike Williams. He'll now be replaced by Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston, who should be some of the bigger waiver wire claims of the year. With the loss of Williams though, fantasy managers are hopeful that Packers receiver Christian Watson should be back in Week 4. More importantly, we are just one week away before hopefully getting elite receiver Cooper Kupp back.

The receiver position got off to a rough start in the preseason with injuries, but things have since gotten back on track. Outside of Williams and Diontae Johnson, the receiver position is starting to get healthier and healthier. Aiyuk and Waddle will also likely return this week and by Week 5 it'll be the healthiest this position group has been since the year started.

Let's look at some of the biggest receiver injuries fantasy managers should be tracking for Week 4. As always, if you have any start/sit questions, please give me a follow @RobFFSlayer on X, formerly known as Twitter. My DMs are always open and I am more than willing to answer any fantasy football-related questions. Good luck this season to everyone reading!

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Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams

Kupp was put on IR prior to the start of the 2023 NFL season. This means he’ll miss the first four weeks of the season. He’s eligible to come off the PUP list and play in Week 5. Based on recent comments from the head coach, Sean McVay, the team is hopeful this will happen. This could be a good time to try and buy low.

McVay: Rams "hopeful" Cooper Kupp (hamstring) returns in Week 5.

— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) September 15, 2023

Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers

Watson has not played this season yet. He ended up hurting his hamstring – the same one that caused him to miss time last season – in the week leading up to the Packers' first game of the season. He did not participate in any practice sessions at that time.

Leading up to their contest against the Falcons in Week 2, Watson did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but was able to put in a limited effort on Friday. There was some optimism he might return in Week 3 after logging a limited practice on Wednesday, but he followed that up with a DNP on Thursday. He closed the week out with another limited practice session on Friday but was ultimately ruled out for Week 3.

Christian Watson asked if he’s playing Thursday.

“That’s the plan.”

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) September 26, 2023

Watson and his teammates have all but said he’ll be back in Week 4. Given his ramp-up in practice the past two weeks, this makes a lot of sense. The Packers are generally more conservative with their players and now after four weeks of rest, fantasy managers shouldn’t be too worried about any snap counts.

Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

Waddle was ruled out with a concussion late in the win against the Patriots. He played on 46 of the team’s 63 snaps and finished with six targets, four catches, and 86 yards. Now that he’s in the concussion protocol, Waddle will need to progress through the five stages before he can return to action.

As he progresses through each stage, he’ll be eligible to practice on an increased basis. Reports indicated he was “close” to passing protocol last week. He logged a limited practice on Friday after two straight DNPs on Wednesday and Thursday.

Miami #Dolphins HC Mike McDaniel, who is talking to local reporters now, says WR Jaylen Waddle is still in the concussion protocol, but McDaniel is feeling optimistic about him clearing the protocol soon.

Miami’s next game is in six days.

— Brandon Liguori (@BrandonRLiguori) September 25, 2023

Based on reports of him being close last week and that he returned to practice prior to their Week 3 game, even though he ended up missing the contest, fantasy managers should expect Waddle back on the field this upcoming weekend.

Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers

Aiyuk seemed to injure both shoulders in their Week 2 win. This injury limited his playing time and left his Week 3 availability in question. The 49ers were on a short week and he was an estimated DNP on Monday. He then practiced on a limited basis on Tuesday and Wednesday. Despite the return to practice, the team decided to be cautious and held him out of their Thursday night game against the Giants. Given his return to practice last week already, fantasy managers should be optimistic he'll return to action this week.

Brandon Aiyuk Seen At Monday's Practice https://t.co/3iJTVzvxID

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 25, 2023

Deebo Samuel, San Francisco 49ers

Without Aiyuk last week Thursday, Samuel became a focal point of the offense. Following his big game, Samuel seemed to have experienced some bumps and bruises along the way. He left the Thursday game with sore ribs and had tests done, but they showed no breaks. At this time, head coach Kyle Shanahan is calling Samuel day-to-day.

WR Deebo Samuel had his injured ribs checked out and tests did not reveal a break, but he is "pretty sore" and is considered day to day, per head coach Kyle Shanahanhttps://t.co/RB1WvFBCdl pic.twitter.com/1bPbJXsTkH

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 22, 2023

At this time, his Week 4 availability is questionable at best. Fantasy managers will need to track his practice status throughout the week to get a better indicator of his availability this weekend. For Samuel and his fantasy managers, it's not exactly off to a good start as he wasn't seen practicing on Monday.

#49ers Monday practice vibes Week 4:#BrandonAiyuk is participating but not seen are #DeeboSamuel (ribs) and linebacker Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles (ankle).
LB #DreGreenlaw (ankle), WR Jauan Jennings, CB Ambry Thomas working on side; CB Charvarius Ward in weight room pic.twitter.com/Yu4HiP0f9F

— Cam Inman (@CamInman) September 25, 2023

Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers

Williams suffered a knee injury in Week 3. The immediate concerns were for a torn ACL and the subsequent tests revealed that to be true. Williams was placed on IR and that will end his 2023 season.

Chargers officially place Mike Williams on injured reservehttps://t.co/eAMVmjj9gm pic.twitter.com/cDJeoxXfWR

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 26, 2023

Jonathan Mingo, Carolina Panthers

Mingo left the game in Week 3 and was diagnosed with a concussion. He'll now enter the concussion protocol and he'll need to pass through the protocols before he's able to return to action.

Jonathan Mingo In Concussion Protocol https://t.co/xTCNV5SvVo

— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) September 25, 2023

He’s now in the concussion protocol, which requires him to pass certain tests before he can return to certain stages of activity. His practice involvement throughout the week should give fantasy managers a good indication of what his availability will be, but we won’t know before then.

Diontae Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers

Johnson suffered a hamstring injury midway through the first game of the season. He finished that game with six targets, three receptions, and 48 yards on just a 42% snap share. Following the game, the initial reports suggested that he would miss a couple of weeks.

Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (hamstring) lands on IR, to miss at least four gameshttps://t.co/rpBBrt21yk pic.twitter.com/lE58a0Jxy5

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) September 18, 2023

That notion was confirmed when the team opted to put him on the PUP list. Johnson will now be out for the next four weeks. The Steelers have a bye in Week 6, which will count as one of the four. He’ll miss the next three games after missing their Week 2 contest. Johnson will be eligible to return for their Week 7 game against the Rams.

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