The Week 7 WR injury report has some intriguing headline names on it that will have grabbed fantasy football managers’ attention. As we peruse the latest NFL injury updates, let’s examine the fantasy implications from around the league for the likes of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jaylen Waddle, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and more.
WR Injury Report Heading Into Week 7
Note that practice status listings are as follows: DNP – did not participate, LP – limited participant, FP – full participant.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET | Ankle (LP)
Fantasy managers of Amon-Ra St. Brown will be delighted to know that the impressive WR returned to practice in full to open Week 7. We last saw St. Brown looking extremely limited in Week 5, prior to the Lions’ bye week. Barring an injury setback, we should expect to see St. Brown back to his old self in Week 7 and back in your starting lineups.
This news is also intriguing for those looking to utilize St. Brown when it comes to Underdog Fantasy. When St. Brown has been active this year, he has been a superb play and should be once again. If you want to get him in your weekly Underdog Fantasy lineup, new users can get a $100 deposit bonus when signing up with the code “PFN”. Whether in fantasy or pick’em games, St. Brown could be a valuable asset on Underdog in Week 7.
Jaylen Waddle, MIA | Shoulder (LP)
It is going to feel like a very long week for Jaylen Waddle’s fantasy managers. The second-year WR is dealing with a shoulder injury entering Week 7. According to Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, he did not expect to see much from Waddle in practice on Wednesday, but he was “confident” and “optimistic” about the WR’s chance to suit up.
If Waddle plays, there is no real question over whether you start him. The second-year star had his second game seeing double-digit targets this season in Week 6 and his third game going over 100 receiving yards. While he lost a fumble against the Vikings, it is unlikely to impact his opportunities.
If Waddle misses time, it is tough to predict who might benefit. Mike Gesicki is third on the team in targets, with 19 in six games. Behind him are Trent Sherfield (17), Chase Edmonds (15), and Raheem Mostert (14). To put that in context, Waddle has 49 targets, and Tyreek Hill has 65. Sherfield could be a deeper league upside play, but with just 88 yards on his 17 targets, he’s a dart throw at best.
Ja’Marr Chase, CIN | Hip (LP)
Tee Higgins, CIN | Ankle (LP)
While we mostly expected to see Tee Higgins on the injury report to open Week 7, the appearance of Ja’Marr Chase was somewhat of a surprise. However, there does not appear to be any major concern with either. Higgins started last week as a non-participant before being active and seeing 10 targets.
MORE: Fantasy Injury IR Updates Week 7
Meanwhile, Chase had his best game of the season with 132 yards and two touchdowns. Both should be expected to suit up this week and very much should be in your starting lineups against the Atlanta Falcons. If either did miss time, Tyler Boyd and Mike Thomas would be the main beneficiaries at WR.
It was promising to see Rashod Bateman back out on the practice field as he deals with his foot injury. The Ravens’ passing game could use the boost that Bateman’s presence would provide. However, we know the Ravens tend to be cautious in bringing players back from injuries. In his Wednesday media availability, QB Lamar Jackson alluded to Bateman taking his time to return.
There is a chance we see Bateman play but be limited in terms of snaps. Right now, he is a tough player to trust, but with four teams on a bye, Bateman is very much in fringe 12-team Flex consideration if active.
Jahan Dotson, WAS | Hamstring (LP)
We got some good news out of Washington with the return of Jahan Dotson to practice. The rookie WR had been having a solid start to the year before his hamstring issue. Early signs point to him having a chance to play, but we will need to look out for setbacks, as hamstring issues can be tricky.
Even if Dotson returns, it is tough to know how the passing game in Washington will look with Taylor Heinicke under center for the coming weeks. That uncertainty means it is tough to identify who might benefit if Dotson does remain out.
Randall Cobb, GB | Ankle (DNP)
Christian Watson, GB | Hamstring (DNP)
We know that it is almost impossible that we see Randall Cobb this week, but it seems like Christian Watson could be set to miss Week 7 as well. Last week, Green Bay Packers head coach said that they had considered shutting Watson down as he deals with a hamstring issue. The fact that they did not place him on the IR would suggest they believe he could be ready before the four-week minimum absence that an IR designation mandates.
MORE: Week 7 PPR Fantasy Football Rankings
Even when he returns, it is not clear what role Watson will have, as Allen Lazard and Romeo Doubs appear to have a solid grasp on the starting jobs. Combine that with the potential return of Sammy Watkins, and Watson is hardly a bench stash in any league that is comprised of 14 teams or shallower at this point.
Julio Jones, TB | Knee (DNP)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ injury situation at WR appears to be clearing, but Julio Jones continues to struggle with his knee injury. Jones opened Week 7 as a non-participant and is on track to be inactive once again. Jones has played just 18 snaps since Week 1, and we could continue to see this absence stretch.
With the Buccaneers having Chris Godwin, Russell Gage, and Breshad Perriman back and healthy, there is no rush to get Jones on the field. For now, he is a tough player to roster in fantasy leagues unless you have a deep bench. He needs at least one injury (if not more) on the depth chart ahead of him to have significant fantasy value.
