As we inch closer to the start of the 2022 NFL regular season, fantasy football owners are searching their news feeds to find the latest injury updates for Week 1. Michael Thomas and Drake London were hampered by injuries over the past couple of weeks but look on track to play in Week 1, which could help their ADPs and rankings. Meanwhile, Isaiah McKenzie is dealing with an injury, which could impact his standing for the Bills' regular-season opener against the Rams.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these four wide receivers and break down how their injuries could potentially affect their fantasy outlooks heading into the season.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2022 fantasy cheat sheet
Michael Thomas injury update, fantasy outlook
Thomas has been sidelined by a hamstring injury for about 10 days, but columnist Jeff Duncan reported on Thursday that he's hearing positive news about the veteran wide receiver. Duncan also said that he would be surprised if Thomas is not in the starting lineup when the Saints play the Falcons in Week 1.
This is great news for the Saints' offense as they look to get back at full strength for the first time since 2020. With Thomas back in the fold, New Orleans has their star No. 1 wide receiver back, which should boost the play of quarterback Jameis Winston and the other receivers on the field. Thomas currently has an ADP of 67 and is WR28, however, he can easily outplay this when healthy. The veteran wide receiver should be a starter in your lineup in Week 1.
2022 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
Drake London injury update, fantasy outlook
London (knee) was among the multiple not at the opening portion of practice on Thursday, according to beat writer D. Orlando Ledbetter.
This is not a great sign for the rookie wide receiver, who we've not seen play since Atlanta's first preseason game against the Lions. London's ADP is 95 overall and WR39, which is an interesting spot, given the other wide receivers listed around him (DeVonta Smith -- WR36, Allen Lazard -- WR37, Hunter Renfrow -- WR38). With there being uncertainty around his knee, it might be best to sit London in Week 1 against a solid Saints' secondary.
2022 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers | Top 200 | Superflex
Michael Gallup injury update, fantasy outlook
Gallup is continuing to work his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered late last season. The veteran wide receiver was placed on the active/PUP list, which is a good sign for his return to the field. Head coach Mike McCarthy said Wednesday that Gallup "looks excellent" and his rehab is "going very smooth," according to Michael Gehlken.
The 26-year-old wide receiver will obviously not be in no one's lineup in Week 1, but he's worth picking up later in fantasy drafts as he'll be the Cowboys' No. 2 wide receiver when he's cleared to play. The Cowboys will be leaning on Gallup along with rookie Jalen Tolbert to help fill the void left by Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson. Gallup's ADP is 125 overall and WR50 due to the nature of his injury. However, if Gallup can look like the receiver we saw last year, he will be in the WR2/FLEX conversation for fantasy.
2022 FANTASY SLEEPERS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | One from each team
Isaiah McKenzie injury update, fantasy outlook
McKenzie suffered an undisclosed injury in practice on Saturday and hasn't practiced since, according to ESPN's Alaine Getzenberg. She added that Bills GM Brandon Beane said it would be hard to hold out McKenzie for Week 1, but we'll see.
The 27-year-old wide receiver was not high on a lot of people's draft boards due to the other weapons that the Bills have (Stefon Diggs, Gabriel Davis, Dawson Knox). However, it appeared that McKenzie was going to be Buffalo's starting slot wide receiver to kick off Week 1. If McKenzie is held out, his spot in the slot would go to veteran Jamison Crowder. At best, McKenzie is a low-tier FLEX option in one of the more high-powered offenses in the NFL.
