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It's been a disappointing first year with the New England Patriots for wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. After signing a three-year, $33 million deal this offseason, Smith-Schuster has caught just 29 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown in 2023.
Injuries have also contributed to a poor year for the 27-year-old wideout. He missed two games earlier in the year and now has missed three straight contests with an ankle issue dating back to Week 15.
When is JuJu Smith-Schuster coming back? Will he play in Week 18? Let's dive in and find out.
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JuJu Smith-Schuster Injury Update
Smith-Schuster has been dealing with an ankle injury for a couple of weeks now, which made him pop up on the injury report before Week 14 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. However, he was able to give it a go after practicing in a limited fashion. The veteran also finished with a season-high 90 yards on four catches in that game.
But that has been the last we have seen of Smith-Schuster this year. Despite the wideout claiming his ankle is good, the Patriots have held him out of the past three games, including against his former team in Week 15 against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Entering Week 18 against the New York Jets, Smith-Schuster will not suit up for the season finale. New England placed the 27-year-old wideout on the injured reserve list last week, officially ending his 2023 campaign.
JuJu Smith-Schuster Fantasy Football Outlook
With Smith-Schuster's season officially over, wide receiver Demario Douglas should continue to see more opportunities in the passing game. Over the past three games with the veteran out, Douglas has played over 70% of the Patriots' offensive snaps in every contest.
During that span, the rookie has 11 catches for 138 yards. Tyquan Thornton and Jalen Reagor should also see more chances on offense with Smith-Schuster's absence. Last week, Reagor played 68% of the snaps, while Thornton saw 70% of New England's offensive snaps.
However, all three wide receivers are risky starts in Week 18 fantasy championships and players to avoid in daily fantasy sports (DFS) contests. The Jets are allowing the fewest fantasy points per game to wideouts this season, making Douglas, Thornton, and Reagor all hard to trust.
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