Whether it's Josh Gordon's opening-season suspension or A.J. Green's potential knee injury, several big-name wide receivers are causing headaches during fantasy football drafts in 2016. But just in case you were thinking of altering your entire draft strategy because of these question marks, we're here to help calm your cheat sheets with some updates.
Here's the latest on Gordon, Green, John Brown, Dez Bryant, and Jordy Nelson.
MORE: Ultimate fantasy football cheat sheet
Of course, we'll be updating our fantasy WR rankings throughout the preseason, so check back often.
How long is Josh Gordon's suspension?
Browns receiver Josh Gordon will miss the first four games of the season while serving out a suspension that also cost him all of 2015. Yes, he's an off-field risk, but Gordon quickly reminded everyone of his tremendous upside by catching both of his targets for 87 yards and a touchdown in Cleveland's third preseason game, his first game action of any kind since Week 16 of the 2014 season. Add Gordon to the short list of suspended players, including Le'Veon Bell and Tom Brady, worth drafting and stashing. See where we have Gordon ranked among fantasy wide receivers for 2016.
Is A.J. Green hurt?
A.J. Green came up lame after a play in the third preseason game and was checked out by the team's trainers, but the Bengals star wideout said he just banged knees with Jaguars CB Davon House. It sounds like Green avoided any major injury, though we won't know anything for sure since he won't be playing in the final preseason game anyway. For now it's still safe to draft Green as a top-five fantasy receiver.
John Brown injury update
Cardinals WR John Brown is still experiencing headaches from a concussion suffered July 31 and isn't sure if he'll be ready for Week 1 (Sept. 11) against the Patriots. It's alarming that Brown's recovery has been so slow, but the good news is that this is his first concussion, according to Brown. Brown is a nice fantasy sleeper when healthy, but the lengthy recovery and unpredictable nature of concussions makes him too risky to draft as anything more than a WR4. Be careful here.
2016 FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS:
Quarterback | Running back | Wide receiver | Tight end | D/ST | Kicker
Is Dez Bryant hurt?
Dez Bryant is back at practice this week after missing almost a week with concussion-like symptoms, although the Cowboys' star doesn't think he has/had a concussion. Either way, we're more concerned with Bryant's QB situation in Dallas now. Sure, Dak Prescott has looked great this preseason, but trusting the rookie to keep Dez among the elite WR1s until Tony Romo (back) returns is asking a lot. Bryant has struggled without Romo under center in recent history, so don't be surprised if he gets off to a slow start in 2016, especially if the Cowboys limit Prescott and lean on the run game early.
SLEEPERS: 12 WRs | 7 QBs | 14 RBs | 9 TEs | One from each team
Jordy Nelson nearing return
After missing all of last season because of a torn ACL and dealing with knee tendinitis early in camp, Jordy Nelson finally participated in his first full practice of camp Monday. It's a good sign that Nelson will be ready for Week 1, though we wouldn't be surprised to see an early-season snap count for the 31-year-old as he gets up to game speed. Nelson is going to be a huge boost to the Packers offense and his fantasy teams, but it may not happen until midseason. He's best cast as a WR2, but someone is going to jump on him earlier than that.