Injuries are always going to be very difficult to deal with in fantasy football. Some very good wide receivers have been working through injury issues. There isn’t much time to figure out your lineups for Week 16, as the games are just around the corner. What are the latest injury updates on Tyreek Hill, Michael Pittman Jr., and Nico Collins?
Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy
Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins
First and foremost, if you were able to make it past the first round of the fantasy playoffs without Hill in your lineup, you should be proud of that performance.
However, if you want to truly feel confident to make it to the championship, then you are going to have to hope the speedster is back in the Miami Dolphins lineup.
Hill wasn’t able to practice on Wednesday, but the fact he returned for Thursday and Friday’s practices in a limited role is a good sign for the Dolphins.
The Dallas Cowboys game is a huge one, as the Dolphins have a brutal schedule to close the season. The Dolphins could easily lose out, and that would take them from contention for the No. 1 seed to potentially being the No. 7 seed.
Even though they didn’t have Hill against the New York Jets last week, the Dolphins were still able to put up 30.
This is the type of matchup where Hill could have a monster game. Hill would be a nightmare for this Cowboys’ secondary who run man coverage at one of the highest rates in the NFL.
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Man coverage can be a dangerous move for opponents against Hill.
If Hill is unable to go against Dallas, then Jaylen Waddle could once again be in store for a big game.
Michael Pittman Jr., WR, Indianapolis Colts
Editor’s Note:Â Pittman has been ruled out of the Colts’ Week 16 game after having symptoms come back on Saturday.
Pittman didn’t get off to a fast start this year, but he has been on a long stretch where he has been great.
Starting in Week 6, he had a run of eight straight games where he finished as the WR22 or better. Last week, against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was the WR39 on 78 yards and caught four of his five targets.
It isn’t completely a coincidence that Pittman’s strong play started when Gardner Minshew II became the starting quarterback. With Minshew as the quarterback, he has been targeted 10 times a game. He has been a big threat in fantasy this year, especially in PPR leagues. He isn’t just getting the ball between the 20s, as he has 18 red-zone targets.
His status for the game this weekend against the Atlanta Falcons is still in question as he is recovering from a brutal hit from Steelers S Damontae Kazee.
The hit was ruled illegal, and Kazee was removed from the game and has since been suspended for the remainder of the season. To the surprise of everyone, Pittman got up on his own, walked off the field under his own power, and headed to the blue medical tent.
He has cleared the concussion protocol, which is a good thing, but it is still serious as he doesn’t remember taking the hit at all. As well, his questionable tag comes with a shoulder injury designation, not from his concussion.
If Pittman has to miss the game, expect more targets to go to WR D.J. Montgomery, who stepped in last week to catch two passes for 48 yards and one touchdown. No matter who steps up, Minshew will be confident.
The Falcons, despite their record, are one of the better defenses in the NFL, and not having Pittman would be tough for the Colts.
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
The Houston Texans missed Collins last week, but they were able to come back and get the 19-16 victory against the Tennessee Titans. The good news is Collins opened up the week with a limited practice.
According to Aaron Wilson, head coach DeMeco Ryans said Collins will be evaluated throughout the week.
Ryans’ seems to be saying the team would love to have Collins, but they don’t know what his status is going to be. This feels like this could truly be a “game-time” decision as the Texans get ready to play the Cleveland Browns. Collins told the Houston Chronicle that he wants to play, but he just isn’t sure he will be able to go.
With this being such a big game for the Texans when it comes to making the playoffs, you can bet the team will have Collins out there if he is truly able to play.
Collins being limited in practice all week is a decent sign a return could be near, but if he does end up missing another week, his absence would once again put Noah Brown in the WR1 role against a tough Cleveland Browns defense with Case Keenum at quarterback.
Brown was awesome last week, but this would be a tough matchup if he is the Texans’ No. 1 receiver against Cleveland.
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