As we get closer to the start of the season, every injury update becomes more important, especially when it comes to potential late-round sleepers. At WR, three such players -- Josh Palmer, K.J. Hamler, and Sterling Shepard -- have been in the news as they deal with various ailments.
Below we'll give you the latest news on these three wide receivers and break down how their injuries could affect their fantasy outlooks heading into the season.
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K.J. Hamler injury update
Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said Monday the team expects wide receiver Hamler to participate in 11-on-11 work, and he could potentially play in their final preseason game against the Vikings. The former Penn State star was activated off the PUP list earlier this month and participated in individual drills last week. Hamler missed the 2021 season with a torn ACL and dislocated hip that he suffered in Week 3. If healthy and back to 100 percent, Hamler could be the Tyler Lockett of the Broncos' offense with his speed and ability to stretch the field.
Hamler should be available in the later rounds in 12-team leagues. The Broncos lost Tim Patrick earlier this month to a torn ACL, which means Hamler has a chance to step up as the team's No. 3 wide receiver. Hamler's ADP on FantasyPros is No. 209, and he's ranked No. 81 among WRs. SN Fantasy has the young receiver ranked 66th in standard and 64th in PPR formats. As a rookie in 2020, Hamler had 30 receptions (56 targets) for 381 yards and three touchdowns. We should expect those numbers to increase across the board as the Broncos look to replace the targets left by Patrick (85). However, Hamler is considered a "very high risk" player by Draft Sharks' exclusive Injury Predictor tool, so don't count on him for every-week production.
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Josh Palmer injury update
Chargers head coach Brandon Staley told reporters Monday that Palmer was placed in the concussion protocol after suffering the head injury on Saturday night against the Cowboys, per Daniel Popper. Palmer had three receptions for 75 yards and a touchdown against Dallas. The 22-year-old wideout is competing with Jalen Guyton for the No. 3 wide receiver spot behind Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. He may lose some ground in the race for the No. 3 job, but it was reported that he was the clear front-runner to take that spot, so he should be fine as soon as he's healthy.
Palmer is another one of those wide receivers that will be available late and could provide some value in L.A.'s high-octane offense. The 6-1, 210-pound field-stretched is ranked 64th in standard and 68th in PPR formats by SN Fantasy heading into this season. Last season as a rookie, Palmer posted 33 receptions (49 targets) for 353 yards and four touchdowns. It would not be a surprise to see him get an extra 30 targets this year as he becomes more comfortable in the offense. If either Mike Williams or Keenan Allen were to get hurt, Palmer would suddenly become a borderline must-start player.
UPDATE (8/24): Palmer cleared the concussion protocol on Wednesday and is doing individual drills, per Bridget Condon of the NFL Network.
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Sterling Shepard injury update
The veteran wide receiver will be activated from the active/PUP list before Week 1, according to Dan Duggan. Duggan also adds that the Giants "ramped up" Shepard last week to get him prepared for the regular season opener against the Titans. Shepard is working his way back from a torn Achilles he suffered in Week 15 last season. The 29-year-old wide receiver was jogging back in June, which is a good sign on his road to recovery.
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If Shepard is ready to go by Week 1, he would be a reliable receiving option for Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. Before going down with his Achilles' injury, the veteran wide receiver was averaging 7.6 targets per game, which is solid considering the additions of Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney. The Giants have a new head coach in Brian Daboll, who helped take the Bills' offense to another level and could do the same thing in New York. However, it will be tough with inconsistent play at quarterback and a receiver unit trying to figure out its roles. Shepard is worth a late-round flier in deep PPR leagues, but given his injury history (14 total, according to Draft Sharks' Injury Predictor tool), he's no sure thing.
UPDATE (8/26): The veteran wide receiver is listed as out for Sunday's preseason finale against the Jets, per Duggan.
UPDATE (8/24): Shepard practiced for the first time on Wednesday since tearing his Achilles last season, according to ESPN's Jordan Raanan.
