The injury hits never seem to stop at wide receiver. Whether it's a first-round pick (Justin Jefferson, Cooper Kupp), a surging waiver-wire pickup (Odell Beckham Jr., Noah Brown), or someone in between (Tee Higgins), missing a key WR can put you in a bind during a must-win matchup. Ahead of Week 12, many fantasy football owners are dealing with this reality, and knowing the latest updates is key before locking in your ever-important start 'em, sit 'em decisions.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these important WRs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 12 fantasy landscape.
For updates on ailing RBs Kyren Williams, Dameon Pierce, and D'Onta Foreman, click here.
Justin Jefferson injury update, Week 12 fantasy outlook
Jefferson (hamstring) has been close to returning from the IR for the past two weeks, but it sounds like his fantasy owners will have to wait two more to get their first-round pick back. The Athletic's Dianna Russini reported on Thursday that Jefferson is unlikely to play on Monday night against the Bears. It's a bit of a surprise considering he was "questionable" ahead of the past two games, but with a Week 13 bye on the horizon for the Vikings, they're clearly not taking any chances with their star receiver.
Assuming Jefferson is out, Jordan Addison remains a must-start, and K.J. Osborn has some boom-or-bust appeal as a potential flex. He saw just two targets last week, which were two fewer than Brandon Powell, but in Weeks 5-8, Osborn averaged 5.5 catches, 7.5 targets, and 60.8 yards per game. He should get back on track in an above-average matchup against the Bears.
WEEK 12 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start-sit
Cooper Kupp injury update, Week 12 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Kupp was limited in practice on Thursday.
Kupp (ankle) was held out of practice on Wednesday and truly up in the air L.A.'s Week 12 game in Arizona. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported earlier in the week that Kupp is "day to day" with a low-ankle sprain, and given the injury issues he's dealt with the past two seasons, it's unlikely the Rams will look to rush him back if he's not closer to 100 percent. He'll have a chance to play if he practices in even a limited fashion on Thursday or Friday.
If Kupp is out, look for Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell to soak up more targets. Atwell was the WR21 in half-point PPR leagues during the four weeks Kupp was on the IR earlier this season, so can certainly pay off as a WR3/flex in a favorable matchup against the Cardinals' soft pass defense. Austin Trammell (six targets) was more involved last week, but we'd leave him and TE Tyler Higbee on your bench (or the waiver wire) given their unpredictable usage.
WEEK 12 DFS:
DK lineup | FD lineup | Best values | Best stacks
Tee Higgins injury update, Week 12 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Higgins missed practice again on Thursday.
Higgins (hamstring) once again missed practice on Wednesday, which isn't a huge surprise considering his injury was described as "week to week" ahead of Week 10. It seems unlikely he'll suit up against the Steelers barring a surprise turnaround.
Even if Higgins were to play, he'd be tough to start with Jake Browning under center. Ja'Marr Chase remains a must-start, but even Tyler Boyd is a risky play in a favorable matchup if Higgins is out. We want to see the Bengals' offense in action without Joe Burrow (wrist) for at least one game before we start recommending secondary and/or banged-up pieces of their offense, especially in weeks with all 32 teams in action.
WEEK 12 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Odell Beckham Jr. injury update, Week 12 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Odell Beckham Jr. was limited in practice on Thursday.
Beckham Jr. (shoulder) missed practice on Wednesday, which is a bit concerning since the Ravens last played on Thursday. Coach John Harbaugh originally said the receiver's shoulder injury "didn't look too bad," so there was optimism that he'd be ready on Sunday night against the Chargers. Now, we'll have to wait to see if he can get in a limited session on Thursday or Friday.
OBJ is on a hot streak right now, scoring in Weeks 9 and 10 before posting over 100 yards in Week 11. With Mark Andrews (ankle) out, Beckham would likely be in line for more targets. Against L.A.'s last-ranked pass defense, that would make him a must-start. However, the injury throws a wrench into things, and fantasy owners will have to monitor his status carefully. If he's out, Rashod Bateman (foot) and Nelson Agholor would suddenly be in the flex conversation in deep leagues, as either could be the No. 2 receiver behind Zay Flowers. TE Isaiah Likely is also a solid starting option this week.
WEEK 12 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Noah Brown injury update, Week 12 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Brown missed practice again on Thursday.
Just like last week, Brown (knee) sat out practice on Wednesday. If he's a DNP again on Thursday, that would put him closer to doubtful than questionable to suit up on Sunday against Jacksonville.
C.J. Stroud and the rest of the Texans' offense didn't miss a beat without Brown last week, and with Tank Dell, Nico Collins, Robert Woods, and Dalton Schultz dominating targets, Brown might not have a role once he returns. At the very least, both he and Woods are too risky to start if Brown is back this week, and if he's out, fantasy owners should keep rolling with Dell, Collins, and Schultz in shallow leagues and Woods in deep leagues.
