We're coming down to the final weeks of the fantasy football regular season and navigating around injuries has never been more important. It's been a challenging season defined by injuries to some of the league's biggest stars, introducing us to plenty of new names along the way. However, what happened before doesn't matter now as both real-life and fantasy teams make their postseason push. Chris Olave, Amari Cooper, and Rashid Shaheed know that feeling. Demario Douglas' Patriots can't relate, but maybe he can help you find fantasy glory if he gets back on the field.
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 De'Von Achane and Aaron Jones, click here; for news on ailing pass-catchers Tee Higgins, Dallas Goedert, Noah Brown, and Josh Palmer, go here; for the latest on Kenneth Walker III, go here.
WEEK 13 FANTASY: Full waivers list | FAAB budget planner
Chris Olave injury update, Week 13 fantasy outlook
For what felt like the first time all season, Olave and Derek Carr were on the same page of the same book. The connection between the two hasn't been strong, made even worse by a Saints offense that rarely finds the end zone, but the receiver hauled in seven-of-eight targets for 114 yards in the first half. Olave had only one target in the second half, and it resulted in an incomplete pass and a concussion for the second-year pro. He is now at the mercy of the protocol, having the clear all five steps before a return to action, putting Olave's Week 13 status in doubt.
We've had our fair share of concussions this year and pointed out every time that it's uncommon for a player to return the following week, so that will be no different here. The odds are certainly stacked against Olave, who does not have time on his side. The Saints are already without Michael Thomas (knee) who was placed on IR, and they also lost Rashid Shaheed to a thigh problem on Sunday. New Orleans doesn't have a fantasy-friendly offense to begin with, but if you're in need of replacements in the bayou, TE Juwan Johnson, WR A.T. Perry, and WR Lynn Bowden Jr. profile as the top options available. At this point, Johnson is the only one we'd trust in season-long leagues, but DFS players can take a shot on Perry, Bowden, or even Keith Kirkwood against Detroit's wilting pass defense.
WEEK 13 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Amari Cooper injury update, Week 13 fantasy outlook
Cooper is no stranger to adversity in 2023, dealing with a quarterback carousel and numerous offensive changes. There's been highs and lows, but more of the latter in the wake of Deshaun Watson's season-ending shoulder injury. Now we can add injury to Cooper's list after he took a shot to his ribs during Sunday's action. He left in the fourth quarter and did not return, though the Browns did say X-rays were negative. Updates beyond that were unavailable, so there should be more clarity in the coming days.
The Browns left Denver as an ailing bunch, losing rookie QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson to a concussion, DT Jordan Elliott to an ankle issue, and even Myles Garrett to a shoulder injury in addition to Cooper's issue. While the injuries are significant for the real-life Browns postseason dreams, fantasy owners shouldn't worry about it having too much of an impact on their teams. The fantasy playoffs are fast approaching, but Cooper isn't anything more than a flex option at the moment. The quarterbacks in Cleveland are simply too inconsistent, and Cooper's production has fallen off too much to trust going forward. We'd recommend pivoting elsewhere if possible, but if you are forced to trust someone in this Browns' offense and Cooper misses time, take a flier on rookie Cedric Tillman.
WEEK 13 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Demario Douglas injury update, Week 13 fantasy outlook
A season to forget in New England continued on Sunday as emerging rookie Douglas left with a head injury. The receiver has been one of the lone bright spots on a team that simply can't compete with a majority of the league, serving as WR1 over the past few weeks with injuries taking a toll on the offense. He was clotheslined on a punt return early in the fourth quarter and did not return. However, Douglas noted that he did not have a concussion, though that will be something to monitor if symptoms appear as the week unfolds.
The quarterback play between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe has been horrendous, making this a Patriots' offense that is mostly incapable of supporting anyone outside of Rhamondre Stevenson for fantasy purposes. An exception can be made for this upcoming matchup, making Douglas a worthy dart throw in Week 13 if he plays against a generous Chargers defense. If he's out, DeVante Parker is the most likely receiver to soak up his vacated targets.
Rashid Shaheed injury update, Week 13 fantasy outlook
Shaheed recorded two catches on five targets against the Falcons, but he was hampered by a thigh injury that cost him the remainder of the contest. The receiver eventually walked off the field with a towel over his head, picking up the ailment somewhere along the way in what appeared to be the second quarter. With Michael Thomas (knee) and Chris Olave (concussion) already on the shelf, Shaheed's injury forced New Orleans to go diving even further down its depth chart. It's unclear the extent of the receiver's thigh ailment, however, meaning that the Saints' struggling offense could be in line for even more woes down the road.
Without Shaheed, this offense is lacking a speedster who can stretch the field, which likely boosts the volume and snap share for Alvin Kamara, Juwan Johnson, and Taysom Hill. Otherwise, much like Olave, we're left with Perry, Bowden, and Kirkwood as WR replacements.
