Fantasy Football Injury Updates: Julio Jones, Adam Thielen, Golden Tate, more impact Week 14 WR rankings

Billy Heyen

Fantasy Football Injury Updates: Julio Jones, Adam Thielen, Golden Tate, more impact Week 14 WR rankings image

It looks like only one of the three top-10 WRs dealing with injuries for Week 14 is likely to play, and that's Julio Jones. Both Adam Thielen and T.Y. Hilton have arrows pointing downward as we get closer to the weekend. The wide receiver rankings will also be affected by the statuses of Golden Tate, JuJu Smith-Schuster and rookie Parris Campbell, and we have updates on all of them below as you get ready to make your crucial fantasy start 'em, sit 'em decisions for the first round the playoffs.

For updates on banged-up TEs Evan Engram, Greg Olsen, Gerald Everett, and David Njoku, click here; for news on injured RBs Dalvin CookJosh Jacobs, Marlon Mack, and more, go here. Follow us on Twitter for more news and updates @SN_Fantasy.

WEEK 14 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Is Julio Jones playing Week 14?

After Dan Quinn said earlier in the week that Jones' Week 14 availability was "trending upward," Jones got in a limited practice Wednesday as he attempts to return from a shoulder injury that held him out of game action on Thanksgiving. The Falcons play at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday against the Panthers.

Jones' return would knock each of the remaining Atlanta receivers down a notch in the pecking order, with Calvin Ridley becoming a boom-or-bust WR3, Russell Gage dropping to a PPR FLEX option, and Christian Blake falling out of fantasy consideration.

WEEK 14 DFS LINEUPS:
DK Cash | DK GPP | FD Cash | FD GPP | Y! Cash | Y! GPP

Adam Thielen injury update

After Thielen practiced in limited fashion in Week 13 but then missed Monday night, it appeared his hamstring injury may have gotten worse. He missed practice both Wednesday and Thursday and looks in doubt for Week 14 against the Lions.

The biggest beneficiary of Thielen's absence remains tight end Kyle Rudolph, who's a borderline fantasy starter whenever Thielen doesn't play. Stefon Diggs remains the only Minnesota WR worth using if Thielen is out Sunday.

WEEK 14 PPR RANKINGS: Running back | Wide receiverTight end

Golden Tate injury news

Pat Shurmur said Wednesday that Tate is "trending up" in his quest to be available for Monday Night Football in a revenge game against the Eagles. Tate missed Week 13 due to a concussion. He was a full participant in Thursday's practice, so assuming his concussion is a non-issue protocol wise, he should be good to go for Monday night.

The Eagles have a bad secondary, which makes Tate appealing, but Eli Manning is likely to start for Daniel Jones. It's not obvious whether that's an upgrade or downgrade, but it adds a layer of uncertainty after Tate's fantasy owners knew Jones would feed him the ball. Tate is still worth playing in PPR leagues if he's active, and Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton should both see around seven targets targets, as well.

MORE WEEK 14:
Waiver pickups | FAAB planning | Stock watchSnap counts | Fantasy playoff SOS

T.Y. Hilton injury update

Hilton said Wednesday that he's unsure if he'll make it back this season, but that he's "doing everything (he) can." The Colts play Sunday at 1 p.m. ET against Tampa Bay's weak secondary as Hilton battles a calf injury.

Hilton's comments at least make it sound like he'll be out another week, pushing Zach Pascal into No. 1 duties again coming off an 100-yard game. Against the Bucs, Pascal can be used as a WR3. It looks like Parris Campbell might be back from injury to take over No. 2 duties from Marcus Johnson.

MORE WEEK 14 DFS: Stacks | Values | Lineup Builder

Is JuJu Smith-Schuster playing Week 14?

Smith-Schuster told reporters Wednesday that he considers himself "week-to-week." He added that he's running but not cutting yet. The Steelers play in Arizona at 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday.

It sounds like JuJu will miss at least another week. In his absence, James Washington will remain the only playable Pittsburgh wideout. Consider him at least a FLEX option in a favorable fantasy matchup with the Cardinals.

MORE WEEK 14: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em

Parris Campbell injury news

Campbell (hand) was a full participant in Colts practice Wednesday. He hasn't played since Week 9, but looks likely to return to face Tampa Bay on Sunday while Hilton will probably be out.

Campbell's last game was his best (five catches for 53 yards in Week 9). He likely slots right in as the No. 2 WR behind Zach Pascal (although Marcus Johnson could still maintain that role), making Campbell at least an interesting DFS play against such a bad pass defense.

Billy Heyen