The Week 7 WR injury report contains a handful of intriguing fantasy football names who enter the weekend questionable. Following the latest round of NFL injury updates, fantasy managers are left waiting for some game-time decisions that could shape their teams this week.
Let’s examine the latest NFL injury updates and what it all means for the fantasy managers of Jaylen Waddle, Keenan Allen, Tyler Lockett, Rashod Bateman, and others.
WR Injury Report Heading Into Week 7
Jaylen Waddle, MIA | Shoulder (Questionable)
We pretty much knew right from Mike McDaniel’s media availability on Wednesday that Jaylen Waddle would be listed as questionable this week. McDaniel spoke about how he was optimistic that Waddle would be on the field in Week 7 but that the second-year wideout would be pretty heavily limited in practice this week.
That turned out to be the case, but the fact we didn’t get a major update from McDaniel should probably be viewed as a good sign. When a player of the quality of Waddle does not even end up being a footnote of a press conference, that either suggests nothing has changed or that he is on track to play.
At this stage, the educated guess would be that Waddle plays against the Steelers on Sunday Night Football. The issue is that with the game being played late on Sunday, if he is a late inactive, fantasy managers would not have many options to turn to.
However, leaving Waddle out of lineups as a proactive play is risky. No defense has allowed more fantasy points to the WR position than the Steelers’ 38.18 in half-PPR scoring. We saw the potential for opposing WRs when the Buffalo Bills eviscerated Pittsburgh’s defense for 71.9 fantasy points in Week 5. Waddle and Tyreek Hill have the potential to inflict similar damage.
Even if Waddle is not someone you are willing to trust this week, Underdog Fantasy gives you the opportunity to make a play against the Steelers defense. With their weekly fantasy and pick ’em games, there is always a new way to get a slice of the action with Underdog Fantasy and their $100 deposit bonus for new users.
Insurance options are thin in the Sunday and Monday primetime games, but having a backup at RB, WR, or TE that managers can turn to if Waddle is a late scratch is a prudent move to make.
Keenan Allen, LAC | Hamstring (Questionable)
Given some of the quotes on Wednesday about Allen potentially resting until after the bye, we got a somewhat positive update for fantasy managers on Friday. Allen was listed as questionable for the Chargers’ Week 7 game against the Seahawks, and head coach Brandon Staley was quoted as saying he has “high hopes right now” when discussing Allen’s availability this week.
However, the Los Angeles Chargers and Staley could be simply trying to force the Seahawks to prepare for Allen, despite not planning to play him. This game is a late-afternoon kickoff, so fantasy managers still need to be prepared in case Allen is a late inactive.
MORE: Week 7 Fantasy Football Rest of Season Rankings
Additionally, even if Allen is active, that does not mean he will play a lot or have heavy usage. The Chargers will not want to risk him re-injuring his hamstring and missing further time. Therefore, expect them to be cautious with Allen. There is a real chance we could even see him on the field simply as a decoy.
Therefore, fantasy managers would be taking prudent steps if they look to find alternative starters to Allen this week. The Seattle Seahawks pose one of the tougher matchups for WRs, allowing just 23.83 fantasy points to the position on average in half-PPR scoring.
If Allen is out, then DeAndre Carter could be the WR2, with Josh Palmer already ruled out. The biggest winner might be Gerald Everett. Donald Parham is already out, and the Seahawks’ defense is the best matchup for a tight end through the first six weeks.
Tyler Lockett, SEA | Hamstring (Questionable)
It is touch and go as to whether Tyler Lockett will be on the field in Week 7. He managed to get in a limited practice on Friday after being a non-participant with his hamstring injury on Wednesday and Thursday.
In his Friday media availability, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll seemed optimistic about Lockett’s availability. However, as we have seen with Allen, hamstring injuries are tricky. The Seahawks have been a surprise package so far in 2022, but losing Lockett for an extended period would be a hammer blow to the offense.
MORE: Week 7 Fantasy WR Start/Sit Recommendations
The Chargers have struggled against opposing WRs this season. Their 30.58 fantasy points allowed to the position is the 10th-highest number in the league, so this could have been a prime bounce-back opportunity for both Lockett and DK Metcalf after tough outings last week.
If Lockett is out, there isn’t another WR that is a clear option to replace him for fantasy managers. No Seattle wideout not named Lockett or Metcalf has more than 10 targets this year.
After missing the last two weeks with a foot injury, Rashod Bateman has a shot to return in Week 7. He was limited all week at practice, but the hope is he can play in some fashion. The question is really about how much he can play and what his usage will be.
Bateman has struggled to find consistent fantasy success this season. His catch rate is down to 50 percent on the year, and he has relied heavily on big plays or touchdowns to produce for fantasy managers. With the usage uncertainty, he might be a player that fantasy managers should avoid this week unless they are desperate with four high-powered offenses on a bye.
Jahan Dotson, WAS | Hamstring (Questionable)
It was somewhat surprising to see Jahan Dotson listed as questionable after not participating Friday. The reports on Thursday were that he had re-aggravated his injury and was seen leaving practice with the trainers. That seemed to check out when he was absent on Friday.
The questionable tag changes the angle a little, but frankly, it would be a surprise if Dotson plays. The Commanders would be taking a huge risk with their rookie WR. Therefore, look for him to be either inactive or heavily limited. If he is out, then the absence of Dyami Brown makes it tough to know which WR could benefit. With Taylor Heinicke under center, this offense is loaded with fantasy question marks this week.
Josh Reynolds, DET | Knee (Questionable)
After missing Wednesday and Thursday, Josh Reynolds was able to practice Friday. That earned him the questionable tag, but it leaves a tricky situation. In recent weeks, Reynolds has been superb. He has scored either a touchdown or gone over 90 receiving yards in all of his last four games.
However, with this uncertainty over Reynolds’ health and the return of Amon-Ra St. Brown, Reynolds’ projected usage is far from a certainty. Even if he plays, it will be tough to trust him outside of 16-team Flex consideration. With DJ Chark also out, Kalif Raymond could be the third pass-catching option for the Lions. Raymond’s value would be limited to 16-team leagues and deeper, even if Reynolds sits.
Mack Hollins, LV | Heel (Questionable)
Mack Hollins was listed as limited all week in practice and is questionable for the weekend. He was a fantasy darling in Week 3 but has failed to show up over the past two weeks. With Davante Adams and Hunter Renfrow both healthy, it’s tough to know what this offense will look like because Las Vegas hasn’t had all of its top weapons on the field together for much of the year.
MORE: Week 7 Fantasy WR Rankings
The absence of Darren Waller does somewhat boost the outlook for Hollins if the latter is active, but it would be tough to trust him in 12- or 14-team leagues this week. If he is out, then Keelan Cole could be the main beneficiary, but his value is limited.
Marvin Jones Jr., JAX | Hamstring (Questionable)
We saw Marvin Jones Jr. added to the injury report late last week, which often is a bad sign. He was unsurprisingly ruled out for Week 6 but was able to put in limited practices all week leading up to a matchup with the New York Giants. Jones has been an inconsistent fantasy producer this year.
Jones’ performances make it tough to start him with confidence in anything shallower than a 16-team league, even when he is healthy. If he is out this week, Christian Kirk, Zay Jones, and Evan Engram all see a slight value boost.
WRs Cleared For Week 7
- Ja’Marr Chase, CIN | Hip
- Tee Higgins, CIN | Ankle
- CeeDee Lamb, DAL | Knee
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, DET | Ankle
- Nico Collins, HOU | Achilles/Wrist
- Braxton Berrios, NYJ | Back
WRs Ruled Out For Week 7
- Randall Cobb, GB | Ankle
- Christian Watson, GB | Hamstring
- Jamal Agnew, JAX | Knee
- Joshua Palmer, LAC | Concussion
- Kenny Golladay, NYG | Knee
- Kadarius Toney, NYG | Hamstring
- Elijah Moore, NYJ | Personal
- Julio Jones, TB | Knee
