Brandin Cooks, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks Impacting Week 15 Rankings

During the fantasy football playoffs, many times it isn’t the No. 1 wide receiver that helps managers advance to the next round. Almost every fantasy team has at least one legitimate No. 1 receiver on a team that is capable of having a big week. Generally, it is that No. 2 receiver, or even a breakout Flex player, who has a big game.

Let’s take a look at a few receivers who fit that category: Brandin Cooks, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks. All three of these receivers aren’t necessarily considered top-10 wideouts, but they have all had some big fantasy games.

They are all battling some injury issues, though, so let’s take a look a the fantasy injury updates on their statuses heading into their Week 15 matchups.

Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy

Brandin Cooks, WR, Dallas Cowboys

Cooks was a big-time addition in the offseason that many people thought would be a home run both in fantasy and on the field. He got off to a slow start, but Cooks has been much better of late.

The veteran has scored touchdowns in three of his last five games, and in a matchup against the New York Giants on Nov. 12, he had nine catches for 173 yards and one touchdown.

Right now, Cooks is questionable for the game against the Buffalo Bills, as he is having to deal with an illness. This is a lot different than a player dealing with an injury. If he is simply dealing with the flu, he could wake up on Saturday or Sunday and be ready to go.

To me, this feels like he is going to be able to go on Sunday, as he still has over 40 hours to start feeling better.

Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers

The good news regarding Watson is that he said this hamstring issue isn’t as bad as the one that caused him to miss three weeks. The fact he suffered the injury two weeks ago means he could be getting close to coming back.

However, it doesn’t appear that Watson is going to be able to go, as he is currently doubtful for the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

MORE: NFL Injuries Week 15 — Tracking Every Injury

It’s the fifth time in the last three years that Watson has hurt his hamstring. That’s a big cause for concern, as hamstring issues tend to have some of the highest odds of all injuries to linger.

While the Green Bay Packers want Watson back, you can imagine they’re going to be very cautious in doing so. If you go look at the Packers’ injury report, nearly every single skilled player on that team is dealing with injuries in some capacity. While a good amount of those players appear like they will go, Watson doesn’t fall in that category.

If he isn’t able to go, this could open up opportunities for Wicks, if he himself can go.

Dontayvion Wicks, WR, Green Bay Packers

Early in the week, it felt like Wicks was going to be more likely not to play than be able to go. He missed Wednesday’s practice but was able to return on Thursday and has been practicing since.

He is still currently questionable on the injury report to play, but he is trending the right way, which is big with Watson going the other direction.

If he can go, he is the exact type of wild-card receiver in the playoffs that can win fantasy managers a week. That big-risk, high-reward type of guy could pay off big for fantasy teams.

Obviously, things can change at a moment’s notice, but it feels more like Wicks as of right now is going to be able to give it a go.

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