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Congratulations on making it to championship weekend! Managers need to navigate a lengthy wide receiver injury report to make lineup decisions. Add in weather concerns for several games, and setting the perfect lineup won't be easy.
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Let's look at the updates for some wide receivers and see whether they may play in Week 17.
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Davante Adams (NYJ) Injury Update
Game Status: Questionable
Davante Adams was back on the practice field on Friday, a welcome sight for his fantasy managers. He had missed the previous two practices with a hip injury. He's officially questionable but he believes he's trending toward suiting up.
Davante Adams is "optimistic" he'll play Sunday despite hip injury & discusses being 72 yards away from a 5th straight 1,000 yard season #Jets pic.twitter.com/1XEgTtETyY
— New York Post Sports (@nypostsports) December 27, 2024
The Jets draw the Buffalo Bills on Sunday. The Bills' secondary has been shaky recently. However, there is a chance for heavy rain during the game. Fantasy managers should check both the injury and weather reports before committing to starting Adams.
CeeDee Lamb, Jalen Tolbert (DAL) Injury Update
Game Status: OUT, Questionable
CeeDee Lamb's season is over. After fighting through a shoulder injury for most of the back half of the season, the Cowboys decided to shut down their star receiver with two games left and nothing to play for.
Cowboys WR CeeDee Lamb (shoulder) to miss final two games of season. pic.twitter.com/AGRvOhx7iH
— NFL (@NFL) December 26, 2024
Third-year receiver Jalen Tolbert is one of the candidates to supplant Lamb's role. However, he's dealing with a finger injury. Tolbert is questionable after three limited practices.
Brandin Cooks becomes the de-facto WR1, and KaVontae Turpin could have more plays designed for him.
Tee Higgins (CIN) Injury Update
Game Status: Questionable
Welcome back, Tee Higgins. It's been a few weeks since you've been on the injury report.
This time around, Higgins is managing ankle and knee injuries. He practiced in a limited fashion on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, but it wasn't enough to keep him off the final injury report. He's questionable to play on Saturday.
#Bengals WR Tee Higgins (questionable, ankle/knee) improved every day in practice and there's optimism he can play Sat. vs. #Broncos, barring new development, per sources.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) December 27, 2024
The matchup against the Denver secondary is intimidating, especially with the impending return of cornerback Riley Moss, but Higgins is probably in lineups if he's active.
Xavier Legette (CAR) Injury Update
Game Status: Questionable
Last week, head coach Dave Canales noted that rookie wide receiver Xavier Legette would be week to week for the remainder of the regular season. He's managing a hip injury and did not play against the Arizona Cardinals. This week, the first-round pick is on the practice field.
He fully practiced on Wednesday, before being downgraded to limited on Thursday and Friday. Canales believes Legette will play. Tampa Bay is soft against opposing wide receivers, but Legette doesn't earn enough targets to be started on championship weekend.
Legette is also reportedly undergoing surgery to repair wrist ligaments in the offseason.
Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle (MIA) Injury Update
Game Status: Questionable
As has been the case for most of November and December, Tyreek Hill is questionable with a wrist injury. He hasn't missed a game yet.
Jaylen Waddle injured his knee against the Texans in Week 15 and missed Week 16. He returned to practice with limited sessions on Thursday and Friday. Both receivers are questionable.
#Dolphins WRs Tyreek Hill (wrist) and Jaylen Waddle (knee) are both questionable for Sunday vs. Cleveland.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 27, 2024
Here's where it gets interesting. If the Broncos and Chargers win on Saturday, the Dolphins are eliminated from playoff contention. Would that cause them to err on the side of caution and sit their hampered receivers? Time will tell.
Malik Nabers (NYG) Injury Update
Game Status: Questionable
Malik Nabers (toe) logged a limited practice session on Friday and calls himself a game-time decision. Head coach Brian Daboll is "hopeful" his top receiver will play against the Colts.
From @NFLFantasy Live: #Giants WR Malik Nabers (toe) is listed as questionable but expected to play. pic.twitter.com/QJT4Z60ktU
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 27, 2024
The Giants kick off in the early window on Sunday. Fantasy managers will need to check for final confirmation on whether Nabers is active or inactive. If he's ready to play, he's ranked as a WR2.
Chris Olave, Marquez Valdes-Scantling (NO) Injury Update
Game Status: Questionable
Last week, the Saints opened Chris Olave's 21-day practice window to return from injured reserve. The former first-round pick has missed six games due to a concussion. He's fully practiced this week. A Saints beat reporter believes the team will not activate Olave for Sunday's contest against the Raiders.
Chris Olave is questionable but I’d bet he doesn’t play
— Nick Underhill (@nick_underhill) December 27, 2024
Marquez Valdes-Scantling missed Week 16's embarrassing shutout in Green Bay with a chest injury. It's caused him to be limited in practice sessions this week. He's questionable.
Either receiver would be a risky play this week with quarterback Spencer Rattler picking up another start.
Sterling Shepard (TB) Injury Update
Game Status: OUT
Sterling Shepard (hamstring/foot) will not play on Sunday. Tight end Cade Otton (knee) will also be inactive.
Bucs HC Todd Bowles told reporters that TE Cade Otton, S Antoine Winfield Jr. and WR Sterling Shepard are out Sunday.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 27, 2024
Their absences impact Jalen McMillan, who is blossoming as Tampa Bay's second option in the passing game. The rookie could see more looks on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.
Cedric Tillman (CLE) Injury Update
Game Status: OUT
Cedric Tillman has been in the NFL's concussion protocol since November 21st. He will miss his fifth consecutive game.
#Browns rule out 3 for #Dolphins game; pic.twitter.com/ucr1IyNPMZ
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) December 27, 2024
Michael Woods should start opposite Jerry Jeudy. Elijah Moore maintains his role in the slot. Dorian Thompson-Robinson will start at quarterback again, downgrading every receiver on Cleveland's roster.
Christian Watson (GB) Injury Update
Game Status: Questionable
Christian Watson departed Monday night's game favoring his knee. Watson has a lengthy injury history, but the Green Bay coaching staff wasn't too worried about this injury, calling it a bruise.
Watson did not practice this week and is listed as questionable for a huge matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Head coach Matt LaFleur wasn't ready to rule him out.
Is the door still open for Christian Watson to play Sunday?
LaFleur: “Still open.”
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) December 27, 2024
It appears this is headed toward a game-time decision, but an active Watson would be a surprise. Regardless, he's been too inconsistent to trust in starting lineups this weekend.
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