Fantasy Injury Updates: DeSean Jackson, Davante Adams, Tyrell Williams, more affect Week 7 WR rankings

Billy Heyen

Fantasy Injury Updates: DeSean Jackson, Davante Adams, Tyrell Williams, more affect Week 7 WR rankings image

Fantasy owners have dealt with a number of wide receiver injuries this year that have gone from one-week to multi-week absences. DeSean Jackson and Davante Adams have both missed multiple games, and Sammy Watkins, Marquise Brown, and Tyrell Williams are at risk of doing the same. That's almost worse than obvious lengthy absences because each week you hold out hope that they play only to be disappointed. Our Week 7 WR rankings have a number of question marks with these guys, although if they continue to be out, some sleepers could emerge (we're looking at you, Allen Lazard) ahead of your start 'em, sit 'em decisions.

For updates on last week's injured WRs Amari Cooper, Emmanuel Sanders, and Josh Gordon, go here; for updates on injured Giants' stars Saquon Barkley, Evan Engram and Sterling Shepard, go here; for more on banged-up RBs Todd Gurley and Devin Singletary, click here. For more news and updates, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.

WEEK 7 NON-PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker

Will DeSean Jackson play Week 7?

Doug Pederson said Monday morning he's "hopeful" that Jackson can make his return from injury in Week 7, then added later that Jackson "probably" won't practice Wednesday. Jackson hasn't played since leaving Week 2's game near the start because of an abdomen injury. 

Jackson's extended absence has allowed Nelson Agholor to stand in as the second-most important receiver for the Eagles, but even that hasn't been a ton of fantasy value. Jackson had eight catches for 154 yards and two scores in Week 1, so he's a great risk-reward fantasy option whenever he returns. He should help Carson Wentz, too.

MORE: Week 7 Waiver Report

When will Davante Adams be back?

Adams has missed the last two Packers' games because of a turf toe injury. He didn't practice all of Week 6, so it still could be an uphill climb for him to make a return on the short week for Green Bay, who plays Sunday against the Raiders.

Allen Lazard stepped up in the absence of Adams and Geronimo Allison, who left Monday's game with a concussion. Marquez Valdes-Scantling also delivered his usual one long reception. The Packers' offense will be looking forward to the return of Adams, and the Week 7 matchup with Oakland is a favorable one.

WEEK 7 PPR RANKINGS: Running backWide receiver | Tight end

Tyrell Williams injury update

Williams missed Oakland's Week 5 game in London with a foot injury, and he's had the Raiders' Week 6 bye to try and recover. Williams is "progressing well," according to The Athletic, but he will probably still be questionable this week.

A Williams absence would allow us to see if the Raiders want to get newly acquired Zay Jones heavily involved in the offense. There's probably only room in this scheme for one receiver to get heavy targets on top of Darren Waller. Williams and Jones are different receiver types, with Williams more of the deep threat, but Jones could make a good first impression if he's forced into the No. 1 WR role in Week 7.

WEEK 7: Waiver pickups | FAAB planner | Trade valuesSnap counts

Marquise Brown injury news

Brown (ankle) was inactive Sunday, and Ravens head coach John Harbaugh called him "day-to-day" Monday. Harbaugh added that Brown would likely play in Week 7 if he could make it back to the practice field this week. The Ravens play in Seattle on Sunday.

Brown being inactive in Week 6 didn't spike any Ravens' wideouts targets. Willie Snead led non-Mark Andrews options with five. Andrews had his best game since Week 2 in Brown's absence, so he might be the biggest beneficiary of a prolonged time out for Hollywood.

WEEK 7 DFS LINEUPS:
Y! cash | Y! GPP | DK cash | DK GPPFD cash | FD GPP

Will Sammy Watkins play Thursday night?

There is "optimism" that Watkins will return in Week 7 against the Broncos, according to Ian Rapoport. He was listed as a limited participant in practice Monday ahead of the Chiefs' Thursday Night Football matchup with the Broncos. Watkins was hurt on the second play of the game in Week 5 and missed Week 6.

When everyone's healthy, the expectation is that Kansas City's receiving corps features Tyreek Hill, Watkins, and then everyone else (and of course Travis Kelce at tight end). In Hill's Week 6 return, he was actually the fourth-highest snapped receiver, behind Demarcus Robinson, Byron Pringle and Mecole Hardman. Based on usage, it looks like Robinson is the most likely to have any fantasy relevance when both Watkins and Hill are healthy. If Watkins doesn't play Thursday night, Robinson is the most likely to have a good game besides Hill.

Billy Heyen