With just three weeks remaining in the fantasy football regular season, fantasy owners would love to see several banged-up WRs (Justin Jefferson, Tee Higgins, Michael Thomas, and Noah Brown) back on the field for an uber-important matchup. Will any of these key pass-catchers suit up in Week 12?
Below, we'll give you the latest news on these WRs and break down how their injuries could potentially affect the Week 12 fantasy landscape.
For the latest on injured pass-catchers Cooper Kupp, Mark Andrews, and Odell Beckham Jr., click here. For updates on ailing RBs De'Von Achane, Kenneth Walker III, Aaron Jones, and D'Onta Foreman, go here. For more on hurting RBs Kyren Williams, Dameon Pierce, and Antonio Gibson, click here.
WEEK 12 FANTASY: Full waivers list | FAAB budget planner
Justin Jefferson injury update, Week 12 fantasy outlook
Despite practicing for the past two weeks, Jefferson (hamstring) was not activated off injured reserve ahead of Week 11. According to The Athletic's Alec Lewis, head coach Kevin O'Connell told the media on Monday that "As of right now, I view him (Jefferson) as questionable." Although his head coach views him as questionable, it's too early in the week to speculate on his playing status for Monday night's home matchup against the Bears.
Even if Jefferson practices every day this week, that doesn't mean he's on track to suit up for MNF. We could see Minnesota opt for a more cautious approach, holding Jefferson out one more week with a Week 13 bye on deck. While it would be a blow for fantasy owners, it might be the Vikings' best plan of action to give Jefferson ample time to heal. If Jefferson misses his seventh straight game, look for T.J. Hockenson, Jordan Addison, K.J. Osborn, and Brandon Powell to see the bulk of the targets, with all but Powell being in play in fantasy leagues.
WEEK 12 STANDARD RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Tee Higgins injury update, Week 12 fantasy outlook
Higgins (hamstring) was sidelined for a second straight game in Week 11. Despite not practicing in the days leading into Cincinnati's Thursday night contest, Higgins gets a "mini-bye" ahead of the Bengals' Week 12 home game with the Steelers. According to NBC 5 Cincinnati's Charlie Clifford, when asked about Higgins' status, head coach Zac Taylor said, "Improving through the weekend, we will see on Wednesday."
Taylor's comments don't give us much insight into Higgins' availability for Week 12, outside of fantasy owners needing to closely monitor the Bengals' injury report to gauge his playing status. Given Higgins is dealing with a hamstring injury, there's a chance he ends up being on the wrong side of questionable come Sunday. If that's the case, then Ja'Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd, Trenton Irwin, and Tanner Hudson will likely be Jake Browning's most-targeted pass catchers against Pittsburgh, with Chase and Boyd being the only ones worth starting.
WEEK 12 PPR RANKINGS:
QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kickers
Michael Thomas injury update, Week 12 fantasy outlook
UPDATE: Thomas has been placed on IR and will be out until at least Week 16.
Despite having a bye week to heal up from a knee injury sustained in Week 10, Thomas looks like a long shot to suit up in Week 12. According to Saints' reporter Mike Triplett, head coach Dennis Allen said Michael Thomas and Marshon Lattimore's injuries "are going to take some time."
If Thomas isn't healthy enough to play this Sunday, fellow WRs Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and A.T. Perry are likely to be Derek Carr's go-to wideouts. Olave is a must-start, while Shaheed has some flex appeal in standard leagues. Perry is better suited as a DFS value and deep-league dart throw.
Noah Brown injury update, Week 12 fantasy outlook
After logging three straight DNPs to end the practice week, Brown (knee) was inactive for the Texans' Week 11 home victory over the Cardinals. It's still too early to gauge Brown's playing status for Houston's Week 12 divisional tilt against the Jaguars, however, the fact he was a "game-time decision" leading into Week 11 could point toward a return to play this Sunday.
If Brown's able to return to game action, he profiles as a solid WR3 against a middle-of-the-pack Jaguars pass defense. If he's out, Robert Woods has some deep-league appeal in a potential shootout, but he's behind Nico Collins, Tank Dell, and Dalton Schultz for targets.
