Fantasy football owners readying their lineup for championship week need to keep an eye on the statuses of Christian Watson, Chris Olave, Tyler Lockett, and Deebo Samuel. All four WRs landed on injury reports to start the week, and if they aren’t able to suit up, it’s crucial to know which pass-catchers will benefit from their absences and be worth start ’em, sit ’em consideration in Week 17.
Below, we’ll give you the latest news on these WRs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 17 fantasy landscape.
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WEEK 17 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start ’em, sit ’em
Christian Watson injury update, Week 17 fantasy outlook
According to the Packers’ official injury report, Watson (hip) did not practice on Wednesday. He got banged up late in the first half of Green Bay’s Week 16 road win in Miami and couldn’t return to game action.
It’s likely Watson gets pegged with a “questionable” tag ahead of Sunday, but if he’s unable to practice the next two days, there’s a good chance the rookie wideout sits out against the Vikings. Watson’s loss would certainly hinder a Packers’ offense that’s starting to find its groove and is in must-win mode, and if he can’t go, look for Allen Lazard, Romeo Doubs, and Randall Cobb to be Aaron Rodgers’ preferred options out wide. Lazard and Doubs have appeal in 12-team formats, while Cobb should be looked at as a cheap DFS play.
WEEK 17 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Chris Olave injury update, Week 17 fantasy outlook
Olave (hamstring) practiced in a limited fashion on Wednesday, according to the Saints’ official injury report. Olave missed the Saints’ Week 16 win over Cleveland but could potentially make his return to game action this Sunday against Philadelphia.
Despite a tough matchup against an Eagles defense that sports the third-lowest EPA/drop-back, Olave’s worth a start if he’s able to suit up. The rookie wideout’s commanded a 28.5-percent target rate (12th among WRs), and his big-play ability could result in a respectable fantasy output in championship week. If Olave can’t go, look for fellow rookie WR Rashid Shaheed and TE Juwan Johnson to garner their fair share of targets, putting both squarely on the start ’em, sit ’em bubble in 12-team leagues despite the tough matchup.
WEEK 17 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Tyler Lockett injury update, Week 17 fantasy outlook
Lockett (hand) didn’t participate in Seattle’s Wednesday practice but was present during the team’s walkthrough. Lockett underwent hand surgery just 10 days ago, and while fantasy owners would love to see him log a limited practice session, the eight-year vet could still suit up this week without practicing.
Earlier in the week, head coach Pete Caroll said, “I know what he wants to do, he wants to play, so we’ll see… He needs to find out, is he comfortable with being able to catch the football and hang onto it and all that kind of stuff?” If Lockett feels comfortable enough, there’s a chance he suits up, but all signs point toward him being a game-time decision. If he plays, Lockett’s worth starting despite a tougher matchup against a well-rounded Jets defense, but if he can’t go, expect an even larger target share going to DK Metcalf.
Deebo Samuel injury update, Week 17 fantasy outlook
Samuel (ankle, knee) was listed as a “DNP” for Wednesday’s practice, according to the 49ers’ official injury report. Samuel’s missed San Francisco’s past two weeks since suffering his ankle injury, and it’s unlikely he suits up this Sunday against Las Vegas.
Samuel’s loss gives Brandon Aiyuk, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings an opportunity to see an uptick in usage this week against a below-average Raiders’ pass defense. We’ll see if Samuel makes his return in Week 18 against the Cardinals, but if not, he should still be ready to go for the postseason.
