It's that time of year again. The time of year when fantasy football teams are scrambling for a chance to snag the final playoff spots in their league. The time of year when NFL teams are scrambling for a chance to secure a playoff spot of their own. The time of year when injuries pop up like you've never seen before. That's what we're up against in Week 13 and probably every week from here on out. Teams are resting players and managing their many ailments in the hopes that they'll be healthy down the stretch, but fantasy owners don't have the luxury of knowing whether it's rest or something to be concerned about. We'll sift through the chaos with WRs like Chris Olave, Amari Cooper, Keenan Allen, Tee Higgins, and Tank Dell and figure out how you should proceed during the busiest time of the year.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these key WRs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 13 fantasy landscape.
For updates on banged-up RBs Aaron Jones, De'Von Achane, and Kareem Hunt, click here; for the latest on hurting TEs Dallas Goedert, Dalton Schultz, and Trey McBride, click here.
WEEK 13 FANTASY ADVICE:
Sleepers | Busts | Projections | Start-sit
Chris Olave injury update, Week 13 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Olave was limited again in practice on Thursday.
Olave (concussion) managed to turn in a limited practice on Wednesday in a surprising turn of events. The receiver was placed into concussion protocol on Sunday and did not return, seemingly indicating that tests confirmed the head injury to be true. However, since the second-year player was able to get back on the field this quickly, it raises the question: Did Olave truly sustain a concussion? Even players who were able to return in one week's time haven't practiced this quickly, making this an interesting situation to monitor.
The former Ohio State star was finally on the same page of the same book with Derek Carr on Sunday, collecting seven-of-eight targets for 114 yards in the first half. Olave will still have to clear the protocol, but if he's progressing this quickly, it seems that will happen sooner than later. With Michael Thomas (knee) on IR and Rashid Shaheed (thigh) kicking off his practice week with a DNP, New Orleans might be left with Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill as their top two weapons on offense. If Olave can't go, that leaves the likes of A.T. Perry, Lynn Bowden Jr., or even Keith Kirkwood as potential replacement receivers on the Saints. However, if Olave does play, fantasy owners will be salivating over a good matchup with the Lions' struggling pass defense on tap, even if Carr continues to struggle throwing the ball.
WEEK 13 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Amari Cooper injury update, Week 13 fantasy outlook
Cooper (ribs) was listed as a DNP on Wednesday, but this appears to be a rare case where fantasy owners shouldn’t be concerned about that. The Browns' injury report indicates the receiver’s status was “not injury related - rest, ribs,” suggesting that his absence is more precautionary than anything else. There was some initial concern on Sunday after Cooper took a big hit and did not return, but as long as he gets back on the field before the practice week concludes, we should be in good shape to see him battle the Rams in L.A. on Sunday.
The Browns are coming into Week 13 with a lengthy list of ailments, which could also result in a new starting QB. Dorian Thompson-Robinson also missed practice with a concussion, meaning the newly signed Joe Flacco is in line to start until DTR is cleared. Cooper’s fantasy value has seen a significant drop with the rookie under center, something that should improve with Flacco. The veteran QB is notoriously immobile and shows a lot of faith in his team’s top WRs. A Flacco start could bode well for Cooper and catapult him back up the rankings, while DTR’s presence likely relegates him to a flex option while Cleveland works out the kinks in its passing attack.
WEEK 13 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Keenan Allen injury update, Week 13 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Allen missed practice again on Thursday.
Allen (quad) did not practice on Wednesday, making this a situation to monitor as the week unfolds. The receiver is no stranger to the injury report, having popped up with a shoulder problem the past two weeks. Allen's ailments are likely attributed to rest days, as the Chargers try to manage their star throughout a long and grueling season. Unless he turns in another DNP on Thursday, we'll continue to assume the Chargers WR is good to go when they take on the Patriots in New England on Sunday.
Fantasy owners already know that Allen is a must-start whenever he's on the field, but what should you do in the event of an unlikely inactive? Quentin Johnston, Jalen Guyton, and Derius Davis would likely split the work in the WR room, but considering how L.A. has operated in recent weeks, we'd lean Guyton as the receiver to trust. Johnston was benched and Davis is more of gadget guy. Fantasy managers will hope this new injury is nothing serious for Allen, considering there is no real replacement option available on this team that would make you feel comfortable. Don't worry about the receiver until you're given a reason to panic.
Tee Higgins injury update, Week 13 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Higgins was limited in practice on Thursday.
Higgins (hamstring) has missed the past three games with the injury, but the indication appears to be that he has a chance to end the streak this week. The Cincinnati Enquirer's Kelsey Conway reported that the team is hopeful Higgins will return on Monday night against the Jaguars. However, the timing of the Bengals' Week 13 contest means that we will be left in the dark a little longer, with initial practice reports not coming out until Thursday. We'll have to wait and see, but it's not out of the question for Cincinnati to take this down to 90 minutes before kickoff on Monday night.
Plenty has changed for the Bengals this season since Higgins last played. Joe Burrow (thumb) is out for the season, leaving Jake Browning to fill that role going forward. Higgins hasn't built a rapport on the field with Browning, giving us some concern about starting him this week. With the regular season in fantasy winding down, we'd avoid starting Higgins if you have other viable options. Until the Bengals start putting points on the board with their backup QB, we'll be left to look back on what's become a wasted season in Cincinnati.
Tank Dell injury update, Week 13 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: According to ESPN's DJ Bien-Aime, Dell returned to practice on Thursday.
Dell (calf) was also listed as a DNP on Wednesday, continuing what feels like a league-wide trend as we enter the home stretch of the 2023 season. According to KPRC 2's Aaron Wilson, the rookie's injury is believed to be minor, meaning there is optimism that he will be able to play against the Broncos on Sunday. Head coach DeMeco Ryans also indicated that the team expects him to be OK.
As long as Dell registers a practice in some way before the week concludes, the rookie can be confidently played in fantasy lineups as usual. The Texans' offense has earned our trust with the show they've put on in recent weeks, meaning we could be in line to see plenty of points on Sunday. Dell is firmly WR1 in Houston and should be treated as such in fantasy. With Noah Brown (knee) also on track to return this week, Houston's aerial attack will be must-see TV. Consider Dell a WR1 and Brown a flex option in Week 13.
