Wide receiver injuries continue to plague fantasy football owners, and ahead of Week 10, the statuses of Keenan Allen, Deebo Samuel, Mike Willams, and Brandin Cooks are all up in the air. Knowing the latest updates is key. If any of these receivers is out again, it will have a significant domino effect on the Week 10 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 10 fantasy landscape. For updates on ailing players Aaron Jones, Josh Allen, and Romeo Doubs, click here; for news on banged-up RBs Jonathan Taylor, Elijah Mitchell, Ezekiel Elliott, and Kyren Williams, go here; for the latest on injured TEs Darren Waller and David Njoku, go here.
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WEEK 10 FANTASY: Top waiver pickups | FAAB planner | Trade advice
Keenan Allen injury update, Week 10 fantasy outlook
Allen (hamstring) missed last week's game against the Falcons after his soft-tissue injury got worse during L.A.'s bye week. However, the veteran receiver is "close to turning the corner," and the Chargers won't place him on injured reserve, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
It's good to hear that Los Angeles won't be placing Allen on IR, but there's still no timetable for him to return. The Chargers had to lean on the trio of Josh Palmer, Michael Bandy, and DeAndre Carter in last week's game against Atlanta, and they might have to do it again this week against the 49ers. The 49ers' defense has struggled against WRs this season, allowing the 12th-most fantasy points per game to the position. If Allen and Mike Williams (ankle) are out again, consider Palmer a solid WR3 and both Bandy and Carter flex options.
WEEK 10 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Deebo Samuel injury update, Week 10 fantasy outlook
Samuel (hamstring) was seen at practice on Monday after the 49ers had a bye last week, according to beat writer Jennifer Lee Chan. He initially suffered the injury in Week 7 against the Chiefs.
The bye has hopefully helped Samuel, as he did not practice at all in the week leading up to the 49ers' Week 8 matchup against the Rams. Fantasy owners hope the versatile wide receiver can make it through a full week of practice, increasing his chances of playing against the Chargers on Sunday. However, San Francisco will need to take it easy with Samuel, as it doesn't take much for soft-tissue injuries to get tweaked. If he cannot play, Brandon Aiyuk becomes the team's No. 1 WR and is a WR2 in fantasy against the Chargers' defense, which is allowing the 13th-fewest fantasy points per game to WRs this season.
WEEK 10 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Mike Williams injury update, Week 10 fantasy outlook
Williams did not play in last week's game against the Falcons after suffering a high-ankle sprain in Week 7 against the Seahawks. However, the veteran wide receiver should be back soon, as it was initially reported on Oct. 26 that Williams is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks.
With Williams out for another week, QB Justin Herbert will be throwing to Palmer, Bandy, and Carter. Palmer led the Chargers with eight receptions (10 targets) for 106 yards, while Carter added five receptions (six targets) for 53 yards. Bandy recorded five receptions (eight targets) for 26 yards. Bandy is mostly a deep flex play in PPR leagues.
Brandin Cooks update, Week 10 fantasy outlook
Texans head coach Lovie Smith told reporters last week that Cooks (personal, wrist) would return to team meetings and workouts ahead of Week 10, according to beat writer Aaron Wilson.
The veteran wide receiver shockingly did not play last week against the Eagles after he was not traded at the deadline. If Cooks is back at practice this week, he should see a ton of targets against a Giants defense fresh off the bye. However, the vet wideout has a tough matchup, as New York allows the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to WRs this season. Cooks is, at best, a flex option in Week 10, but he always has the ceiling to do more. If he's out, Phillip Dorsett and Chris Moore would continue to see more targets, but neither can be trusted in fantasy leagues given the matchup.
