Heading into Sunday's Week 12 action, fantasy football owners are checking for the latest injury updates for several standout pass-catchers (Ja'Marr Chase, Deebo Samuel, Marquise Brown, Allen Robinson, and Tyler Higbee) whose availability could affect last-minute start 'em, sit 'em decisions at wide receiver and tight end.
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these pass catchers and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 12 fantasy landscape.
WEEK 12 INJURY UPDATES: Fields | Running backs
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WEEK 12 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Busts | Start 'em, sit 'em
Is Ja'Marr Chase playing Week 12?
UPDATE: The Score's Jordan Schultz reported Saturday afternoon that Chase is not expected to play on Sunday against Tennessee.
UPDATE 2: Chase is officially OUT.
Chase (hip) was officially listed as "questionable" ahead of the Bengals' Week 12 road matchup against the Titans, according to beat writer Geoff Hobson. The second-year wide receiver was a limited participant at practice on Thursday.
Earlier this week, Bengals QB Joe Burrow told reporters that he expects Chase to play against the Titans, per ESPN's Ben Baby, which was news to everybody after Cincinnati head Zac Taylor was "non-committal" on the young wideout's return. Chase has missed the Bengals' past three games due to a hip injury he suffered in Week 7 against the Falcons. In that game, the former first-round pick had eight receptions (11 targets) for 130 yards and two touchdowns. If Chase plays, he's a must-start in a favorable matchup against a Titans' defense that has allowed the fifth-most fantasy points per game to WRs this season. Both Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd are in play for fantasy owners regardless of whether Chase suits up, but they'd obviously have more upside if he's out.
WEEK 12 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Is Deebo Samuel playing Week 12?
UPDATE: ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Sunday morning that Samuel is expected to play against New Orleans.
UPDATE 2: Samuel is officially ACTIVE.
Samuel (thumb) was officially listed as "questionable" on the team's final injury report ahead of Sunday's game against the Saints.
The 26-year-old star wide receiver practiced in a limited fashion throughout the week, hence the questionable tag for Sunday's contest. Samuel missed the 49ers' Week 8 game against the Rams after initially suffering a hamstring injury in Week 7. However, San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters Friday that this new hamstring injury "was something different." Samuel remains a must-start if he's active. If he's out, expect more touches for Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and George Kittle, all of whom are must-starts regardless.
WEEK 12 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Is Marquise Brown playing Week 12?
UPDATE: Brown has been officially activated on the IR, indicating that he will play on Sunday against the Chargers.
UPDATE 2: Brown is officially ACTIVE.
Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury told reporters on Friday that Brown (foot) is expected to start on Sunday against the Chargers, according to beat writer Darren Urban. The veteran receiver has yet to be activated off injured reserve after suffering a non-surgical foot fracture last month.
Brown is coming back at the right time, as the Cardinals just lost Rondale Moore (groin). Before going down with the foot injury, Brown was excelling as the Cardinals' WR1 without DeAndre Hopkins, who was serving his six-game suspension at the time. Thanks to high volume and ample big-play ability, Brown should be viewed as a WR2 in fantasy. Even though Hopkins wasn't there earlier in the season when Brown was averaging over 10 targets per game, Brown was contending for targets with Moore and Zach Ertz (knee), both of whom are out this week. He should once again see a high workload.
Is Allen Robinson playing Week 12?
UPDATE: NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported Sunday morning that Robinson is not expected to play against Kansas City.
UPDATE 2: Robinson is officially OUT.
Rams head coach Sean McVay said on Friday that Robinson (ankle) is listed as "questionable" to play on Sunday against the Chiefs, according to ESPN's Sarah Barshop.
The injuries continue to pile up for the Rams, who are already without star wide receiver Cooper Kupp (ankle) and Matthew Stafford (neck). If Robinson cannot play on Sunday, Van Jefferson, Ben Skowronek, and Tutu Atwell will be potential flex options for fantasy owners. Jefferson has the higher upside with his big-play ability despite Bryce Perkins being in line to start against the Chiefs. However, if Robinson does play, he's still worth a WR3/flex spot, as Kansas City's defense is giving up the sixth-most fantasy points per game to WRs this season.
WEEK 12 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel
Is Tyler Higbee playing Week 12?
UPDATE: Higbee is officially ACTIVE.
Along with Allen Robinson, Tyler Higbee (knee) is also listed as "questionable" to play on Sunday against the Chiefs, according to ESPN's Sarah Barshop.
If Higbee cannot play Sunday, the Rams' offense will be in serious trouble, as Higbee has been their second-best receiving threat this season. The veteran tight end did not practice on Wednesday but practiced in a limited fashion on Thursday. If Higbee can play on Sunday, owners should still start him against a Chiefs' defense that's allowing the 13th-most fantasy points per game to TEs. He could be a go-to option in the offense.
