Wide receiver injuries are already popping up ahead of Week 1, not allowing fantasy football owners to catch their breath before watching the injury reports all week leading up to kickoff. Brandin Cooks will at least be decided by Thursday Night Football, while A.J. Green, Golden Tate, and Breshad Perriman will have owners worrying into the weekend. There's also depth chart news on Dede Westbrook, who might've found his way onto a number of fantasy benches late in drafts.
For updates on key RBs, including Sony Michel, James Robinson, and Cam Akers, click here. For all the latest fantasy injury news and updates, check back here and on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.
DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Ultimate 2020 cheat sheet
Brandin Cooks injury update
The Texans "carefully managed" Cooks practice reps all August, and he was listed on Monday's injury report as limited due to a quad injury. There hadn't been any indication during the summer as to what Cooks' injury was, so at least now we know. A limited Monday practice suggests Cooks will be good to go Thursday, although Texans beat writers have speculated that his snaps will be limited to open the season.
In what likely will be a season-opening shootout, Cooks could still have a big fantasy game in limited snaps Thursday night. Right now, he's a risky play as a WR3, so a full practice in the next few days might ease worries a bit. Will Fuller is the top wideout to play for Houston in Week 1, with Randall Cobb providing flex appeal in PPR leagues and Kenny Stills only usable in very deep formats.
WEEK 1 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is A.J. Green playing Week 1?
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters Monday that he expects Green to be a "full-go" in Week 1. That comes after Green was various degrees of limited throughout training camp while dealing with a hamstring injury.
There's a chance that Green is also held to limited snaps in the opener after not having a full camp. Against the Chargers on Sunday, Green is a risky WR3 play. If possible, it might be best to see Green get one game under his belt before trusting him in your fantasy lineups. Green being active would slightly lower the value of Tyler Boyd, but he's still a strong WR3 play in PPR formats and a flex in standard leagues.
WEEK 1 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Will Golden Tate play Week 1?
Tate missed Monday's practice with a hamstring injury. He reportedly hasn't practiced since the final week of training camp due to what's being called a soft-tissue injury. The Giants don't play in Week 1 until Monday night against the Steelers, giving Tate an extra day.
The buzz out of training camp has all been behind Sterling Shepard being New York's No. 1 wideout, and Darius Slayton is coming off a strong rookie year. An absent or limited Tate just sets them up to solidify their spots in Week 1. If Tate plays after not practicing much, there's a good chance his playing time will be limited. All three of New York's WRs are in WR3/flex range, with Tate being the one who gains the most value in PPR formats (although not if his snaps are held down).
WEEK 1 DFS CASH LINEUPS:
Yahoo | DraftKings | FanDuel
Breshad Perriman injury news
Perriman is "feeling a lot better" while dealing with swelling in his knee, according to Jets head coach Adam Gase. Perriman hasn't practiced since late August. The Jets open the season Sunday in Buffalo.
When healthy, Perriman likely fills Robby Anderson's shoes as the deep threat in New York's offense, but it looks unlikely he'll play a major role in Week 1. With rookie Denzel Mims also dinged up, Jamison Crowder could be joined by Chris Hogan and Braxton Berrios as the Jets' receiving corps Sunday. Only Crowder is worth considering against a solid Buffalo defense and probably only in PPR leagues.
WEEK 1 DFS TOURNAMENT LINEUPS:
Yahoo | DraftKings | FanDuel
Dede Westbrook depth chart update
Depth charts aren't everything, but Jaguars WR Dede Westbrook was listed with the third-team offense Monday on Jacksonville's depth chart. Considering Westbrook has been a reliable option since he entered the league for the Jags, such a public demotion can't be good.
The Jaguars shape up to be very bad this year, so you should have no worries about dropping Westbrook if you already drafted him. Avoid him entirely if still drafting. Beyond DJ Chark, who's a starting fantasy wideout, Jacksonville looks like it'll count on Chris Conley, Laviska Shenault and Keelan Cole. Shenault has some intrigue as a rookie in the late rounds of a draft, while Conley could rack up PPR value while the Jags play from behind.