With Week 16 starting in a couple of days, fantasy football owners are checking the latest injury updates on wide receivers Courtland Sutton, Treylon Burks, Brandin Cooks, and Chase Claypool, all of whom missed the past couple of games due to injury. If these WRs can make it through a full week of practice and play this weekend, it will help fantasy owners who are still in the playoffs. However, if they're once again out, it will have a noticeable effect on WR rankings and start 'em, sit 'em decisions.
Below, we'll give you the latest updates on these WRs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 16 fantasy landscape.For updates on banged-up QBs Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, and Russell Wilson, go here; for the latest on ailing RBs Damien Harris, Jeff Wilson Jr., and Khalil Herbert, click here; for more on ailing stars Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Lockett, click here; for the latest on injured TEs Hayden Hurst and Dallas Goedert, go here.
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WEEK 16 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | FAAB planner
Courtland Sutton injury update, Week 16 fantasy outlook
Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said on Monday they are "definitely hoping" Sutton (hamstring) returns to play this week against the Rams, according to Aric DiLallla of Broncos.com.
If Sutton is ready to play and doesn't suffer any setbacks in practice, he has a solid matchup against a Rams' defense that is giving up the 12th-most fantasy points to WRs this season, making him a low-tier WR3. However, if Sutton is out for the third-straight week, Jerry Jeudy will be the only Broncos' receiver worth considering.
WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Treylon Burks injury update, Week 16 fantasy outlook
Burks (concussion) missed his second-straight game last week after failing to practice all week. The Titans hope the rookie wide receiver can clear the league's concussion protocol and return to the field this week against the Texans.
With Burks being out for the past two weeks, we've seen the Titans utilize tight ends Austin Hooper and Chig Okonkwo more. Last week against the Chargers, Okonkwo had four receptions (five targets) for 54 yards, while Hooper posted two receptions (four targets) for 33 yards. Okonkwo would have some low-end streamer appeal if Burks is out again. If he plays, Burks would be a boom-or-bust flex.
WEEK 16 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Brandin Cooks injury update, Week 16 fantasy outlook
Cooks (calf) missed his third-straight game last week against the Chiefs. The veteran wide receiver practiced in a limited fashion but was ultimately held out.
The last time we saw Cooks in action, he had five receptions (five targets) for 59 yards against the Dolphins in Week 12. The veteran wide receiver hasn't looked like the same receiver we saw last season when he was a must-start. If Cooks returns this week, he will be slotted as a low-tier WR2/3 against a Titans' defense that has allowed the most fantasy points to WRs this season. In the Texans' first matchup against the Titans in Week 8, Cooks had four receptions (six targets) for 73 yards. If he's out along with Nico Collins (foot), who failed to practice last week, Chris Moore will be worth a WR3/flex spot with Amari Rodgers serving as a boom-or-bust flex sleeper in deep leagues.
Chase Claypool update, Week 16 fantasy outlook
Claypool (knee) missed last week's game against the Eagles and will hopefully return to practice this week ahead of the Bears' Week 16 matchup against the Bills.
With Claypool sidelined, Bears quarterback Justin Fields got Byron Pringle, David Montgomery, and Cole Kmet involved in the passing game. If Claypool returns to practice this week, he should be viewed as a deep-league flex option against a Bills' defense that allows the 10th-most fantasy points to WRs this season. However, if the Bears' offensive line cannot protect Fields, we shouldn't expect a ton of production from their WRs.
