WR Injury Update
News for pass catchers is essential in PPR leagues — let’s break down the WR fallout.
DeAndre Hopkins, Arizona Cardinals
Darren Urban reports DeAndre Hopkins (illness) was a DNP for the Cardinals’ Thursday practice due to an illness. The Cardinals have already had three players test positive for COVID-19, but there has been no indication from the team that is what Hopkins is dealing with. With that said, there have been reports of other players testing positive, which would place the team under intensive protocols. Â
Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
According to Jonas Shaffer of The Baltimore Sun, offensive coordinator Greg Roman indicated Thursday that there’s a chance Rashod Bateman will be activated for Sunday’s game against the Chargers. Furthermore, with Sammy Watkins injured, Bateman would have a direct path to touches as he makes his NFL debut.
Sammy Watkins, Baltimore Ravens
Shaffer also reported Watkins (hamstring) was not a participant on Thursday. He believes Watkins is trending towards being a game-time decision on Sunday against the Chargers.Â
Allen Robinson, Chicago Bears
Per the team’s injury report, Allen Robinson (ankle) was a non-participant at Thursday’s practice. He has yet to practice this week, placing uncertainty on his availability.
Darnell Mooney, Chicago Bears
Darnell Mooney was a limited participant on Thursday as he deals with a groin injury, according to the team’s injury report. He has been listed with a groin injury for the last three weeks but has played in both games, suggesting he should suit up again in Week 6.
Quintez Cephus, Detroit Lions
Quintez Cephus (collarbone) was placed on injured reserve Tuesday, and his season is over in all likelihood.Â
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
Mike Chappell of Fox 59 News Indianapolis reported T.Y. Hilton (neck) took part in practice Thursday for the second day in a row. Although, he wasn’t willing to declare himself ready to return from IR ahead of this week’s game against Houston.
“Just because I’m practicing doesn’t mean I’m playing,” Hilton said, adding that he’s “got to get my legs back under me, gotta pass some tests.”Â
Hilton stated he talked to former Colts QB Andrew Luck during his recovery as Hilton almost hung up his cleats but decided he wanted to come back.
Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
Adam Teicher of ESPN reports Tyreek Hill (quadriceps) did not practice Thursday, making it the second straight day Hill was out of practice. Friday’s injury report will be telling on his status for Week 6.
Mike Williams, Los Angeles Chargers
According to Gilbert Manzano of The Orange County Register, Mike Williams (knee) wasn’t spotted at Thursday’s practice. Williams was a DNP on Wednesday as well, leaving fantasy managers needing to watch the Friday report closely for any change in status. Williams is having a career season, but should he miss any time, Jalen Guyton, Josh Palmer, and KJ Hill Jr. would step up for additional targets from Justin Herbert.
DeVante Parker, Miami Dolphins
David Furones of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports DeVante Parker (shoulder/hamstring) wasn’t spotted at Thursday’s practice. With the Dolphins playing in London this week, we could have a decision made quickly as the team would be set to leave on Friday. As of now, Parker is expected to leave for London with the team.
Preston Williams, Miami Dolphins
Hal Habib of The Palm Beach Post reports Preston Williams was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice due to a groin injury. This is not a good sign as Williams was not on the team’s initial injury report Wednesday. Williams sat out the team’s first three games, working his way back from foot and knee issues. Yet, he could be trending to missing Week 6, assuming this injury popped up during Thursday’s practice.Â
Williams is in his third year in the league but has yet to play past Week 8 due to back-to-back season-ending injuries.
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
Per the team’s official injury report, Justin Jefferson was a non-participant for practice on Thursday with an ankle injury. However, Jefferson was at the facility receiving treatment after logging a DNP Wednesday. The second-year receiver has expressed confidence that he’ll be ready to play Sunday in Carolina.
Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
Like Jefferson, Adam Thielen (ankle) was a DNP for the second straight day on Thursday. There has not been much concern made about either player’s status for Week 6 against the Panthers. Nevertheless, fantasy managers should watch the Friday injury report to see if anything changes.
Kenny Golladay, New York Giants
Dan Duggan reports Kenny Golladay did not participate in practice Thursday and is listed as doubtful for Week 6 due to a hyperextended knee he suffered in Week 5. He is unlikely to play.
Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton, New York Giants
Duggan also reports that Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton (hamstrings) were limited at Thursday’s practice. Both players have missed the past two games, but head coach Joe Judge is optimistic they’ll return in Week 6.
Kadarius Toney, New York Giants
According to Duggan, Kadarius Toney was a limited participant on Thursday with a knee injury. Toney exploded in Week 5 with a 10-reception, 189-yard outing when the rest of the team was injured.Â
Chase Claypool, Pittsburgh Steelers
Per the team’s official injury report, Chase Claypool was listed as a limited participant Thursday with a groin injury. Brian Batko of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette suggests that the team may be managing his reps following the loss of JuJu Smith-Schuster (shoulder) for the season.
James Washington, Pittsburgh Steelers
Teresa Varley of the Steelers’ official site reports James Washington (groin) was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. Washington missed the Steelers’ Week 5 matchup against the Broncos with this same injury, but back-to-back LPs suggest he is heading in the right direction.
DK Metcalf, Seattle Seahawks
John Boyle of the Seahawks’ official site reports DK Metcalf (foot) was a limited participant on Wednesday.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Football Team
Ben Standig of The Athletic reports Curtis Samuel (groin) wasn’t spotted at Thursday’s practice. He was previously described as week-to-week as he continues to battle a groin injury that has plagued him since the early summer.
Dyami Brown, Washington Football Team
Nicki Jhabvala of The Washington Post reports Dyami Brown (knee) was a limited participant at Thursday’s practice. Brown didn’t appear in Sunday’s game against the Saints due to his knee injury, but he’s been practicing in a limited capacity in each of the last two days.
TE Injury Update for Week 6
Which tight end injuries should we be mindful of when setting our fantasy lineups?
Darrell Daniels, Arizona Cardinals
Darren Urban reports Darrell Daniels (illness) was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice. Daniels tested positive for COVID-19 last week and has since cleared the NFL’s protocols. Nevertheless, the Cardinals are slowly working him back with a pair of LPs this week.
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
According to the team’s official injury report, David Njoku (knee) returned to a limited practice Thursday. Njoku caught all 7 of his targets in Week 5 for 149 yards and a TD but was a non-participant Wednesday. Friday’s final injury report will reveal whether Njoku heads into the weekend carrying an injury designation.
T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions
T.J. Hockenson (knee) was a limited participant in Thursday’s practice, Tim Twentyman reports. He continues to deal with a knee injury that has bothered him for two weeks in a row but hasn’t forced him to miss any games. Thus, Hockenson’s return to the field Thursday likely puts him on pace to play this weekend against Cincinnati.
Darren Waller, Las Vegas Raiders
Sam Gordon of the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported Darren Waller was at practice on Thursday for the Raiders after logging a DNP on Wednesday due to a knee injury.
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Ahead of their Thursday Night Football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Eagles placed Dallas Goedert on the reserve/COVID-19 list. He was not activated before the 4:00 PM ET cutoff and was ruled out for the game. Since he’s fully vaccinated, Goedert will be eligible for reinstatement as soon as he’s asymptomatic and submits two negative tests at least 24 hours apart.
