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Welcome to Week 16 of the fantasy football season and the Saturday edition of our WR injury reports! Below you will find our fantasy football injuries report for wide receivers in Week 16, as of December 23. The injury statuses for various NFL wide receivers are up in the air for Week 16, including Ja'Marr Chase, Tyreek Hill, Keenan Allen, Michael Pittman Jr., and DeVonta Smith.
There are some big names on the injury report, with the status of some coming down to game-time decisions or already being ruled out. Knowing exactly where each player stands going into the weekend is crucial, especially in the semi-finals of the fantasy football playoffs! Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football.
To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page. Also, download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news. Let's look at the updates for some wide receivers and see whether they may play in Week 16.
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Ja'Marr Chase Injury Update
Ja'Marr Chase suffered an AC joint sprain in last week's game against the Minnesota Vikings. The initial indication is that the 23-year-old would miss some time due to the injury, and that appeared to be true as the Bengals announced that Chase would be out of this Saturday's game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Losing their star receiver in a pivotal divisional matchup is not ideal. Tee Higgins will see the biggest fantasy boost in Chase's absence, with Tyler Boyd and Trenton Irwin also getting a target bump. There is no official timetable for Chase to return, but there is optimism that the Bengals' top receiver will have a chance to play next week against the Kansas City Chiefs. Be sure to check back next week for updates on his status.
Tyreek Hill Injury Update
Tyreek Hill missed last week's game against the Tennessee Titans due to an ankle injury that he suffered the week prior. The Dolphins' star receiver was able to put in two limited practice sessions this week and was officially listed as questionable for Sunday's showdown with the Dallas Cowboys.
There is optimism that Hill will be good to go Sunday, as he will be needed in order to have a shot at beating the NFC powerhouse. The 29-year-old was questionable right up to game time last week and elected to sit out after going through pre-game warmups. Hill seems much more likely to suit up this week, but if he is inactive, Jaylen Waddle will step right back into the No. 1 spot and be a borderline top-12 option.
Keenan Allen Injury Update
Keenan Allen suffered a heel injury back in Week 14 and has not been able to return to the practice field since. With the Chargers out of the playoff picture and the veteran not being able to put in any practice participation, Los Angeles announced that their top target would be out for Saturday's game against the Buffalo Bills.
Joshua Palmer will be tasked with commanding the majority of targets against the surging Buffalo Bills, but has his ceiling capped due to Easton Stick being the man under center. No other wide receiver outside of Palmer is a truly viable flex, with Quentin Johnston struggling to garner more than four targets per game. There is a good chance we do not see Allen again in 2023, so prepare accordingly.
Michael Pittman Jr. Injury Update
Michael Pittman Jr. took a gruesome shot to the head and neck area last week against the Pittsburgh Steelers and was unable to return to the game. While many feared he would not be able to clear the concussion protocol, the 26-year-old did just that this past week but was still limited in practice due to a shoulder injury. The Colts listed Pittman Jr. officially as questionable for Sunday's game against the Falcons on Friday.
The fact that Pittman Jr. is out of the concussion protocol is particularly encouraging for his potential status on Sunday. However, the Colts could elect to sit their top receiver out due to the shoulder injury and the nature of the hit he took last week. Josh Downs and Alec Pierce would operate as the top targets if Pittman Jr. is out, but fantasy managers can expect to start the Colts' top target as a WR2 if active.
DeVonta Smith Injury Update
DeVonta Smith suffered a knee injury during last week's loss to the Seattle Seahawks. The 25-year-old has not been spotted at practice this week, but the Eagles play on Monday, so there is no official designation for Smith at this point.
Smith has missed plenty of practice time this week due to injury and has been active on game day. This injury is a new one, according to the Eagles coaching staff, but be sure to look at Saturday's final injury report to have a better indication of his status for Monday. Quez Watkins would be the next man up, but A.J. Brown would be the only viable fantasy option at wide receiver out of Philadelphia for fantasy managers if Smith is out.
Nico Collins Injury Update
Nico Collins suffered a calf injury in Week 14 that caused him to miss last week's game against the New York Jets. The 24-year-old returned to the practice field in a limited fashion this week and was officially listed as questionable by Houston on their final Friday injury report.
Collins is confident that he will make his return this weekend but will be without quarterback C.J. Stroud (concussion). When active, the Texans' top target has been a solid WR2 for fantasy managers this season but is a much riskier option without Stroud under center. Noah Brown will be the No. 2 option opposite Collins this week, and both will be in flex consideration.
Marquise Brown Injury Update
Marquise Brown has been playing through a heel injury that has limited his snap share. The 26-year-old was held out of practice this week and the Cardinals officially ruled him out of Sunday's game against the Chicago Bears on Friday.
Greg Dortch (shoulder) is also listed as questionable, meaning rookie Michael Wilson and Rondale Moore will be the top two receivers Sunday. Tight end Trey McBride should continue to see a high target share as well. Wilson is the best flex option in the receiver room, with Moore being more of a deeper league shot in the dark. Brown may be held out for the remainder of the season with Arizona well out of playoff contention.
Christian Watson Injury Update
Christian Watson suffered a hamstring injury back in Week 13 and has not been able to practice since. The second-year receiver is on track to miss another game this weekend as the Packers have listed him as doubtful on their final Friday injury report.
Outside of Romeo Doubs, the Green Bay wide receiver room is incredibly banged up at the moment. Both Jayden Reed (toe) and Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) have a shot to play this weekend, but Doubs seems to be the clear front-runner to have No. 1 duties Sunday. The problem is that he has not been very fantasy-relevant in that role. Fantasy managers may want to stay away from all options in Green Bay this weekend unless we hear some optimistic updates on Reed and Wicks.
Jayden Reed Injury Update
Jayden Reed suffered a toe injury during last week's loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The rookie has not been able to practice this week but was officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Panthers on the Packers' final injury report.
Because it is a toe injury, Reed could be active this weekend, even without any practice participation. However, it is more likely that he is ruled out or plays a limited role if active. Dontayvion Wicks (ankle) has a better shot at playing and would have flex appeal due to the matchup. Romeo Doubs will operate as the No. 1 option, with Christian Watson (hamstring) doubtful.
Dontayvion Wicks Injury Update
Dontayvion Wicks picked up an ankle injury in last week's game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The rookie has been able to put in limited practice sessions this week, but Green Bay officially listed him as questionable for Sunday's game against the Carolina Panthers on their final injury report.
With Christian Watson (hamstring) doubtful and Jayden Reed (toe) not able to see the practice field this week, Wicks could be in line for a solid target share if he can become active come Sunday. The 22-year-old caught six of seven targets last week for 97 yards and has been impressive with his limited role before. Fantasy managers may want to stash Wicks ahead of final designations this Sunday afternoon.
JuJu Smith-Schuster Injury Update
JuJu Smith-Schuster suffered an ankle injury in Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers and has not been able to practice since. The Patriots officially ruled out the veteran for Sunday's game against the Denver Broncos on their final Friday injury report.
It is the second straight game Smith-Schuster has missed and his fourth of the year. Demario Douglas will continue to work as the No. 1 option and will remain the only viable flex option in New England. There is no official timetable for Smith-Schuster to return, but because the Patriots are out of playoff contention, we may have seen the last of the veteran in 2023.
Kadarius Toney Injury Update
Kadarius Toney popped up on this week's injury report with a hip injury. The 24-year-old has missed two of three practices this week, and his outlook for Monday is going in the wrong direction. There is no official injury designation at this time.
Skyy Moore (knee) was placed on injured reserve this past week, so if Toney is out Monday, the Chiefs will be even thinner at wide receiver than usual. Rashee Rice remains the only Kansas City wide receiver of fantasy relevance and could see his target share increase if Toney is inactive. Continue to monitor Saturday's final injury report to have a better idea of what to expect Monday afternoon.
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