As we prepare for Sunday afternoon's kickoff for Week 9, fantasy football owners are closely monitoring the injury statuses of three veteran wide receivers (Cooper Kupp, Keenan Allen, Allen Lazard) who are dealing with nagging injuries that could potentially keep them on the sidelines. If any of these wide receivers do not play, we could see an abundance of tough start 'em, sit 'em questions at the WR and flex spots, so knowing the latest updates is crucial ahead of your lineup decisions.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these WRs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 9 fantasy landscape. For news on ailing RBs Jonathan Taylor, James Conner, Cordarrelle Patterson, D'Andre Swift, Gus Edwards, and Chuba Hubbard, click here; for the latest on banged-up TEs Mark Andrews and Darren Waller, click here.
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WEEK 9 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Cooper Kupp update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Friday that Kupp (ankle) will play in the Rams' Week 9 game against Tampa on Sunday, according to Rams beat writer Gilbert Manzano.
The star wide receiver told reporters last Sunday that he "dodged a bullet" with his ankle sprain, which is good news for fantasy owners. With Kupp expected to play Sunday against the Buccaneers, owners should have no issues starting him as their WR1 in fantasy. The Buccaneers' defense allows the 12th-fewest fantasy points per game to WRs this season, so this isn't the best matchup, but that's never mattered for Kupp in the past.
WEEK 9 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Keenan Allen injury update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Allen (hamstring) once again did not practice Friday, and Chargers coach Brandon Staley has called the veteran receiver 'day-to-day,' according to beat writer Fernando Ramirez. Allen told reporters on Wednesday that his hamstring got worse during the bye week when training, according to ESPN's Lindsey Thiry.
The veteran wideout has been dealing with this hamstring injury since Week 1 and has only played in one game since. With Allen trending downhill and Mike Williams (ankle) already ruled out for Sunday, fantasy owners will turn to Josh Palmer and DeAndre Carter. Both players have had their moments this season and are worthwhile plays against an Atlanta defense allowing the second-most fantasy points per game to D/STs.
WEEK 9 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Allen Lazard injury update, Week 9 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Lazard (shoulder) has logged multiple practices as a limited participant ahead of the Packers' Week 9 matchup against the Lions, according to beat writer Tom Silverstein. He missed last week's game against the Bills.
Green Bay's top wide receiver last week was rookie Romeo Doubs, who posted four receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown. Lazard has been Green Bay's most consistent wideout this season, averaging 4.3 receptions and 6.8 targets per game. If Lazard is healthy enough to play, he'll have a favorable matchup this week against the Lions, who allow the sixth-most fantasy points per game to WRs this season.
