The question of is Tyler Lockett playing in Week 7 has been swirling all week for fantasy football managers. After he remained on the Seattle Seahawks injury report as a non-participant with a hamstring issue on Wednesday, there was always doubt about his status for the weekend.
Let’s take a look at the latest news regarding Lockett’s status and the fantasy impact and implications if he is active or inactive.
Update: Tyler Lockett is active for the Seattle Seahawks in Week 7.
Is Tyler Lockett Playing Today?
It seems as though we will see Lockett on the field in Week 7. On Saturday night, ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted that Lockett is expected to play when the Seahawks face the Chargers this week. That echoes the positivity we saw from Pete Carroll in his Friday media availability.
When Lockett was listed as a non-participant on both Wednesday and Thursday, there was some concern he would be inactive. However, he was limited in practice Friday, giving him a shot to play. What was not clear was whether it was the severity of the hamstring injury that saw him held out of practice or just simply the Seahawks looking to be cautious. This seemingly positive news for Lockett will be a relief for fantasy managers.
However, it also puts him into play as a potential option for players on Underdog Fantasy in Week 7. Lockett could be a tempting target, whether in their daily fantasy contests or the Pick ‘Em game. New users to Underdog Fantasy can get a $100 deposit bonus and a free month of PFN Pass. Sign up here!
Fantasy Implications of Lockett’s Week 7 Status
Lockett has been a pleasant surprise for fantasy managers this season. Coming into the year, there were concerns over his consistency as a fantasy option, especially with the change from Russell Wilson to Geno Smith at QB. However, those concerns have been completely dismissed through the first six weeks.
Through the first six weeks, Lockett has 423 receiving yards and two touchdowns from 34 receptions on 45 targets. In all but two games this year, Lockett has scored double-digit fantasy points, with that production coming in consecutive weeks between Week 2 and Week 5.
Lockett struggled in Week 6, but the matchup against the Arizona Cardinals was a tough one for wide receivers. That is not the case this week. In half-PPR scoring, the Chargers’ defense allows the 10th-most fantasy points to the position (30.58). Therefore, we could see both Lockett and his WR partner, DK Metcalf, bounce back nicely this week.
MORE: Week 7 Fantasy WR Rankings
While we expect Lockett to play, it is prudent for fantasy managers to make sure they are covered in case he does not. The Seahawks game is in the late-afternoon slate, so fantasy managers should make sure they have at least one bench option who is playing in the late afternoon or primetime windows in Week 7.
If Lockett did end up missing the game, it is tough to predict who would step up at WR. Lockett and Metcalf lead the team with 45 and 50 targets, respectively. However, after them, no other receiver has more than 10 targets or 80 receiving yards this year. Therefore, if Lockett is absent, Metcalf would be the only Seahawks WR relevant in 12 or 14-team leagues.
In deep leagues, a boom-bust play would be Marquise Goodwin. He has 76 yards on his 10 targets this year and is known as a big-play type receiver. You would not want to be relying on him, but if you are desperate for an option this week, then he could be a high-upside swing for deep leagues if Lockett is ruled out.
