Week 1 saw tons of RBs go down to injury, but Week 2 seemed to be the WR’s turn. Unfortunately, it seemed like on every play, someone was leaving the field. Many WRs returned, but some spent the rest of the game on the bench. What injured WRs do we need to keep our eyes on heading into Week 3?
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Injury Updates for Top Fantasy Football WRs
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
Jaylen Waddle suffered an injury in the closing minutes of the Sunday Night Football game against the New England Patriots. He was hit in the head by rookie safety Marte Mapu and drew a flag. Waddle walked off on his own but did not return to the game, and it was later announced that he was in the concussion protocol. On Monday, it was reported that Mike McDaniel said Waddle was “progressing” through the protocol.
Mike McDaniel provides an update on Salvon Ahmed, Jaylen Waddle. pic.twitter.com/3dgy2JAgsX
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) September 18, 2023
If Waddle misses time, expect even more balls to head in Tyreek Hill’s direction, and TE Durham Smythe could also see an increase in targets.
DK Metcalf, WR, Seattle Seahawks
On Monday, head coach Pete Carroll gave an update on WR DK Metcalf, who left the Sunday game briefly in the first half. He went to the locker room after a big hit to have his ribs looked at. Carroll said, “He is sore. I haven’t talked to him this morning, but I bet he had a hard time sleeping. He took a real shot.”
MORE: RB Fantasy Injury Report
Keep an eye on Seattle’s practice reports to see how fast Metcalf can bounce back.
Zay Jones, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Zay Jones left Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs in the first half with a knee issue but returned in the third quarter. It was a quirky day on the whole for the Jacksonville offense, and even though Jones had a strong outing in Week 1, he didn’t have a catch on Sunday. Jones is considered day-to-day.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR, Baltimore Ravens
OBJ went down in the third quarter with an ankle injury on Sunday, and after the game, John Harbaugh commented that he did not think it was serious. The return of TE Mark Andrews is good news, especially if Beckham is injured. Rookie WR Zay Flowers could also see more targets.
On Monday, it was reported that it looks like OBJ will not miss time.
Garrett Wilson, WR, New York Jets
It was injury added to insult when Garrett Wilson looked hurt at the end of the loss to Dallas on Sunday. Zach Wilson threw a long pass to Garrett Wilson, which drew pass interference but also left the WR shaken up. He was helped off the field, stopped in the medical tent, and headed to the locker room. Head coach Robert Saleh did lift the spirits after the game, saying that Wilson simply “had the wind knocked out of him.”
Wilson scored the Jets’ only TD on Sunday.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk left Sunday’s game not once but twice and seemed in pain for a lot of the afternoon. He finished the day with 43 yards on six targets but had some brutal hits that appeared to knock him sideways. It looks to be a shoulder injury for the WR, and the Niners are on a short week, playing the Giants on Thursday.
Brandon Aiyuk injured on his first catch, then reinjured/dealing with pain after this one.
Looked like a possible Left AC sprain. Hopefully not a clavicle injury.
He seems to be in a good amount of pain though.
pic.twitter.com/YRS2QIjzZd— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) September 17, 2023
Kyle Shanahan spoke to reporters after the game and addressed any long-term concerns surrounding Aiyuk. “I wouldn’t think so. I mean, I know he was hurting a little bit, but he was able to play through it. So I think he will be alright.”
The Niners can spread the ball to players like Deebo Samuel and George Kittle if Aiyuk misses time. He was listed as a non-participant in Monday’s practice estimation.
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