Christian Kirk Injury Update: Will Fantasy Managers Have the Jaguars WR for Week 1?

The NFL regular season is 48 hours away, which means football fans and fantasy managers are paying extra close attention to various injuries around the league. What’s the latest on Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk’s health?

The Latest on Christian Kirk’s Health

Christian Kirk has been dealing with what was labeled as a “minor calf injury” for several weeks now.

While it’s possible that Jacksonville is simply taking a cautious approach with the man they’ve put atop their WR depth chart, this is worth keeping an eye on.

Kirk has missed multiple games in four of six seasons, including five in 2023.

Jason Katz’s Outlook for Kirk

Kirk was expected to play second fiddle to Calvin Ridley last season but ended up being the more productive and effective receiver. He averaged 12.5 fantasy points per game, proving to be a solid value pick.

Kirk’s success is largely due to his role in the slot, where he ran 67% of his routes in 2023. This allowed him to average 2.12 yards per route run, ranking 19th in the league.

With Ridley gone and new additions Gabe Davis and Brian Thomas Jr. in the mix, Kirk is expected to remain the focal point in the slot. The new arrivals shouldn’t significantly impact his target share.

Kirk is currently being drafted as the WR31, 70th overall. This presents a great value for a player who has WR2 upside and is likely to maintain a prominent role in the Jaguars’ passing attack.

While Trevor Lawrence is not an elite quarterback, he is competent enough to support Kirk’s fantasy value. Kirk should continue to see a steady volume of targets, making him a reliable option.

Kirk’s current ADP makes him an appealing target in the middle rounds. He offers solid WR3 production with the potential for WR2 upside, making him a strong pick for fantasy managers looking for value at the wide receiver position.