DK Metcalf remaining on the Seattle Seahawks‘ injury report in Week 9 will provide some pause for fantasy football managers. The Seahawks’ WR continues to deal with a knee injury that he suffered back in Week 7.
After he managed to suit up last week, should we be concerned about this injury for Metcalf, or can fantasy managers expect to have him available this week?
Is DK Metcalf’s Injury a Concern for Fantasy Managers in Week 9?
Update: DK Metcalf was upgraded to a full participant in practice on Thursday.
There is plenty to be optimistic about for Metcalf’s status in Week 9. Firstly, he spoke to the media ahead of practice Wednesday, appearing in good spirits and telling reporters his knee was “good.” According to Metcalf, his status for last week was never in doubt, he just needed to convince Pete Carroll and the Seahawks coaches that he was going to play.
The positive tone of Metcalf’s press availability continued when he was listed as limited for Wednesday’s practice. The fact he is opening the week limited is a good sign regarding his availability this weekend. Barring a setback, we should expect to see Metcalf on the field in Week 9.
MORE: Tyler Lockett Injury Update Week 9
Last week, fantasy managers had a difficult time trusting Metcalf, given the uncertainty over his playing time. However, with Metcalf playing 62% of the offensive snaps, his value in season-long fantasy leagues and as an option in Underdog Fantasy games is much higher this week.
Whether it’s in lineups, daily fantasy contests, or utilizing Metcalf in Underdog Fantasy’s Pick’em game, there should be more confidence in Metcalf’s value this week. The big question is how confident we should be as the Seahawks take on the Arizona Cardinals in Week 9.
Should Fantasy Managers Trust Metcalf in Lineups in Week 9?
Three weeks ago, when the Seahawks took on the Cardinals, this looked like a tough matchup for Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. At that point, Arizona had allowed just 17.5 fantasy points to the WR position on average in half-PPR scoring across the previous two weeks. That level of return made it hard to trust either Metcalf or Lockett as slam-dunk starting options.
However, entering Week 9, the situation looks a little different. While the Seahawks WRs were held to just 16.1 fantasy points in Week 6, the Cardinals have struggled against WRs since then. Across Weeks 7 and 8, the Cardinals have allowed a total of 74.5 fantasy points to the position.
At an average of 37.25 fantasy points per week, there would appear to be enough room for both Metcalf and Lockett to finish within the top 36 of receivers this week. Over the past two weeks, the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints have had four WRs top the 10-point fantasy mark in half PPR. That is the number that is required for a WR to be a top-36 option on average on a weekly basis.
Further increasing the likelihood that Metcalf is a starting WR option this week is that there are six teams on a bye in Week 9. Therefore, it would be very hard to even consider sitting a player of Metcalf’s quality this week.
If Metcalf does suffer a setback during the week, then things get tricky in terms of the Seahawks’ fantasy value at WR. With Marquise Goodwin also on the injury report as a non-participant this week with a groin injury, that picture further clouds. We have no real idea who will step up as the second or third WR option if either Lockett or Metcalf misses the game.
