Julio Jones (hamstring) and Kenny Golladay (hip) feel like they've been hurt all year. Meanwhile, DeVante Parker (hamstring) and Tyler Boyd (concussion) have only been hurt in recent weeks. Regardless of when they were injured, fantasy football owners will be looking for updates on their statuses ahead of Week 16 (a.k.a., Championship Week). These injuries will impact our Week 16 WR rankings, key start 'em, sit 'em decisions, and potential waiver wire strategy for owners in need of wide receiver depth.
For the latest updates on injured RBs Ezekiel Elliott, Cam Akers, James Robinson, and Ronald Jones, click here; for more RB updates on Christian McCaffrey, Myles Gaskin, Antonio Gibson, and Joe Mixon, click here; for the latest on banged-up TEs George Kittle, Eric Ebron, and Mike Gesicki, go here. For all the latest fantasy updates, follow us on Twitter @SN_Fantasy.
WEEK 16 STANDARD RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Julio Jones playing this week?
Jones (hamstring) has missed the last couple of games for the Falcons and has been dealing with the nagging hamstring injury all year long. Despite that, Jones appears to be targeting a return to the field in 2020.
According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Jones received a PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injection to his hamstring that is aimed at helping him get back on the field for one of the final two games this season. Fantasy owners will be hoping that it ends up being this week's Falcons-Chiefs game, as Jones figures to have a solid matchup and get plenty of targets in a game where the Falcons will likely have to throw a lot.
That said, there's no guarantee that Jones will be healthy enough to play. Soft-tissue injuries tend to linger, and with the Falcons out of the playoff hunt, the team could play it safe with Jones even though he's trying to avoid being shut down for the season.
If Jones doesn't play, Russell Gage will see a lot more volume and could be a WR3 across from Calvin Ridley. He's definitely worth picking up if available, as he has produced at a solid clip without Jones this year.
WEEK 16 PPR RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Kenny Golladay playing this week?
Golladay (hip) was once again unable to practice for the Lions last week. While he may be trying to return to action, it still seems unlikely that will play again this season, as he has continually been a non-participant at practice and hasn't played since Week 8.
As long as Golladay continues to miss time, Marvin Jones will serve as the No. 1 receiver for the Lions and will be a viable WR2 in fantasy. T.J. Hockenson will pick up extra targets at the TE spot, and Quintez Cephus, Mohamed Sanu, and Danny Amendola will likely round out the receiving corps. There isn't much value among those three receivers, but Amendola could be a very low-end flex option in PPR leagues since the Lions will have to throw a lot against the Buccaneers in Week 16.
WEEK 16 WAIVER WIRE: Top pickups | FAAB budget planner
Is DeVante Parker playing this week?
UPDATE: Parker was limited in practice on Tuesday, which is a good sign for his potential availability on Saturday.
The Dolphins were "hopeful" that Parker (hamstring) would be able to play last week, according to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, but he ultimately wasn't able to get on the field. That said, their optimism, coupled with Parker's limited participation every day at practice last week, indicates that he should have a chance to play in Week 16.
Parker's practice status will need to be watched, but so long as he isn't downgraded to a non-participant, he should be on track to play. We won't know that for sure until he logs a full practice session, but he seems to be trending in the right direction. Hamstring injuries can linger though, so it still needs to be tracked closely.
In the event that Parker can't play again, Lynn Bowden would continue to see an increase in reps with Isaiah Ford and Mack Hollins seeing extra playing time. Bowden would be the only one of that trio worth starting as a standard flex and PPR WR3.
Is Tyler Boyd playing this week?
Boyd suffered a concussion in the Bengals' stunning win over the Steelers on Monday. Heading into this weekend's game against the Texans, he should be considered questionable, at best, as he'll have to clear the NFL's concussion protocol on a short week. Fantasy owners should not plan on him being available for that contest.
With Boyd looking unlikely to play, Tee Higgins and A.J. Green will be the top receivers for Ryan Finley against a porous Texans defense. They will have a shot to be worthwhile WR3/flex plays, and Giovani Bernard may get some extra catches out of the backfield. No other receiver would have fantasy value, especially considering that the Bengals were a higher-volume run offense with Finley under center.
