The Las Vegas Raiders confront potential disruption to their passing attack as they prepare for this weekend’s divisional showdown with the Kansas City Chiefs. Jakobi Meyers has emerged as a significant concern on the team’s practice report while dealing with multiple injury issues. With ongoing trade rumors surrounding the veteran receiver adding another layer of complexity, should fantasy football managers expect Meyers to play?
Jakobi Meyers Injury Update
Meyers did not participate in Wednesday’s practice session due to knee and toe injuries that have created legitimate questions about his availability for Sunday’s contest against the Chiefs. The veteran receiver has been dealing with these ailments while maintaining his role as Las Vegas’ primary receiving threat this season.
The knee issue has been particularly concerning, as reports indicate Meyers sustained the injury during the season opener and has been playing through discomfort for several weeks. The addition of a toe injury has compounded his physical limitations and created additional uncertainty about his practice participation.
Thursday brought disappointing news when Meyers was expected to return to practice in a limited capacity but failed to participate in the team’s session at all. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly had previously indicated that he expected Meyers to return to work Thursday, making his continued absence a concerning development for his weekend availability.
The back-to-back practice absences represent an alarming trend that suggests his injuries may be more problematic than initially hoped. Friday’s practice session will be crucial in determining whether Meyers can participate in any capacity before Sunday’s game.
If Meyers can manage at least a limited practice session on Friday, he would have a shot to play against Kansas City. However, his continued absence through two practice sessions indicates fantasy managers should prepare for the possibility that he will miss this week’s contest.
Adding another layer of complexity to the situation, Meyers has been the subject of significant trade rumors leading up to the November 4 deadline. Multiple teams have contacted the Raiders about acquiring the veteran receiver within the past two weeks, though Las Vegas has maintained they are not interested in dealing him at this point.
Meyers had previously requested a trade on August 25 after the Raiders declined to offer him a contract extension. While the trade speculation is purely speculative regarding his practice absences, the timing creates additional uncertainty around his status with the team.
Meyers Fantasy Outlook
Meyers came blazing out of the gates this season, but as the Geno Smith express has taken a turn for the worst, his WR1 has found it impossible to succeed (four straight weeks finishing outside of the top 36 at the position).
I wish I could sell you on optimism, but with a declining slot rate and relatively few scoring opportunities, I really can’t. He benefited early from the threat of Brock Bowers, so maybe there’s a thread to pull there when the second-year tight end is deemed healthy, but are we confident that happens any time soon?
I prefer Meyers to Tre Tucker, but the gap is closing, and neither projects as a player that is going to be ranked as a starter in the short term for me.
— PFSN Fantasy Analyst Kyle Soppe
