It feels like we're already midseason with all the fantasy injury updates on key wide receivers heading into NFL Week 1. Alas, we're only one game into the regular season, and already fantasy owners are worried about Mike Evans, Alshon Jeffery and Randall Cobb, among other stud receivers. Yep, it's going to be a long season.
Let's look at the fantasy updates on these injured receivers to see who might be on the field in Week 1, and who should be on fantasy benches.
MORE: Week 1 fantasy WR rankings | Quarterbacks | Running backs | Tight ends | Defenses | Kickers
Mike Evans injury update
Buccaneers WR Mike Evans (hamstring) returned to practice Friday, though it was just a walk-through session. Fantasy owners will have to pay close attention to Evans' status this weekend, as he's likely to be a true game-time decision on Sunday. If Evans is out, Vincent Jackson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins could move way up the fantasy rankings against the Titans.
Will Alshon Jeffery play Week 1?
The Bears' Alshon Jeffery (calf) was limited in Friday's practice and is questionable for Sunday's game against the Packers. Jeffery has been nursing the injury for more than a month, but is still shaping up to be a game-time decision for Week 1. It's worth noting that Eddie Royal (hip) and Marquess Wilson (hamstring) are also banged up, but expected to play. They would become interesting fantasy fliers if Jeffery sits, but tight end Martellus Bennett would probably get the biggest boost.
Victor Cruz's fantasy football outlook
The Giants have mercifully ruled out Victor Cruz (calf, knee) for Sunday night against the Cowboys, and ESPN Giants reporter Dan Graziano even thinks there's a "good chance" Cruz doesn't play before Week 4. Reuben Randle makes a nice fantasy sleeper Sunday night at Dallas and as long as Cruz is out.
Randall Cobb injury update
Packers WR Randall Cobb (shoulder) has been limited in practice this week, but is fully expected to play Week 1 against the Bears despite not being 100 percent. It's a bit of good news at an injury-ravished fantasy position, and we're trusting Cobb as a WR1, but it's hard not to like Davante Adams if Cobb is limited at all.
Will Michael Floyd play Week 1?
Though Michael Floyd (fingers/hand) remains limited at Cardinals practice, it's good news that he's able to participate at all. We're still 50/50 whether we think he'll be ready for Week 1, but at least there's a chance. If Floyd is out, we'll bump up both Larry Fitzgerald and John Brown in the WR rankings.
Roddy White injury update
The Falcons' Roddy White is practicing in full this week despite having surgery to remove bone spurs from his elbow on Aug. 23. It sounds like fantasy owners can tentatively expect to have White for the Monday night matchup against the Eagles, but you may want to handcuff him with Leonard Hankerson just in case.
Percy Harvin's fantasy football outlook
Despite being slowed by a hip injury all preseason, Percy Harvin is listed as probable for Week 1 against the Colts. There's always plenty of risk any time you rely on Harvin, but he should be on the field Sunday. He's worth a flier as a WR3 in deeper formats while he's healthy. That said, this should be a run-heavy Bills offense most weeks.
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