Puka Nacua, DJ Moore and more injury updates for fantasy-relevant WRs in NFL Week 3
· Yahoo Sports
It’s time for a wide receiver injury round-up with just one day to go before the Sunday games in NFL Week 3. Puka Nacua and DJ Moore are just two of the fantasy football-relevant wide receivers we’re watching.
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Nacua wasn’t able to suit up last week and things don’t look good for him this week, either.
Moore started last week’s game before suffering a shoulder injury that ruled him out for the rest of the contest. His status remains uncertain going into the weekend.
Here’s the latest injury updates on Nacua, Moore and several other wide receivers who have drawn designations ahead of their contests.
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Puka Nacua injury update
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (12) leaves the field following a game against the Arizona Cardinals at SoFi Stadium. Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Nacua sat out last week with his hip/groin issue and he appears set to sit out in Week 3, also.
The Rams wideout did not practice at all this week and has drawn the doubtful tag. It is extremely rare for a player to beat the doubtful tag, so expect Nacua to be ruled out.
Earlier in the week, head coach Sean McVay said on ESPN Los Angeles that Nacua was “not making great progress.”
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However, ESPN’s Sarah Barshop reported on Friday that McVay said he expects Nacua to play in Week 4, barring any setbacks.
The veteran wide receiver was spotted doing some rehab work on the side field to close out the week, so that’s a sign of progress.
DJ Moore injury update
Buffalo Bills wide receiver DJ Moore (2) prior to the game between the Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills at New Highmark Stadium. Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Moore, who is dealing with an AC joint sprain, was limited to start the week, sat out Thursday, and then returned to a limited practice on Friday before receiving the questionable tag.
“We shall see,” Moore said when asked about his Week 3 status, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic reported.
In order to be cleared, Moore’s shoulder has to show it’s stable and can take contact, Buscaglia added.
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Zay Flowers injury update
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers (4) Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Despite not practicing on Wednesday and Thursday, Flowers, who is dealing with a hamstring injury, still made the trip to Brazil with the team and he was then upgraded to a limited participant on Friday.
While he’s listed as questionable, the fact that Flowers made the trip and was able to log a limited session to close out the week gives him a chance to go.
That said, The Baltimore Banner’s Jonas Shaffer is skeptical, saying Flowers “seems unlikely he’ll play” on Sunday.
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The tough part here is hamstring injuries can be tricky and have a high risk of re-injury, so the Ravens might be wise to give him another week.
DeVonta Smith injury update
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) scores a touchdown during the second quarter at Nissan Stadium. Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Smith started out the week as a non-participant with his hamstring injury before turning in a limited practice on Friday, which now puts him on a path to play.
The Eagles will drop their final injury report of the week on Saturday, so we’ll know more then.
Right now, it seems like Smith is headed for a questionable tag.
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Mike Evans injury update
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Mike Evans (5) watches from the sideline during a game against the Tennessee Titans in the fourth quarter at Levi’s Stadium. Credit: David Gonzales-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Evans has drawn the questionable tag this week for his hip injury after not practicing over the first two days prior to his limited practice on Friday.
We would normally be concerned for most players, but Evans is the kind of experienced veteran who doesn’t need to practice much or at all to play.
Adding to that, head coach Kyle Shanahan said after last week’s game that Evans could have finished if the score was closer, so that adds to the optimism he’ll suit up.
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Jalen Coker injury update
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jalen Coker (18) celebrates his score with fans during the second half of the NFC Wild Card Round game between the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams at Bank of America Stadium. Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Coker is on the injury report for a second straight week with his ankle injury. The third-year wideout was able to play despite the issue last week.
Coker began the week limited, did not practice on Thursday, and then finished off the week with a limited session on Friday before receiving a questionable tag.
According to The Athletic’s Joe Person, Coker “looked good” running routes at practice, so signs point to him playing. We’ll still be glued to the inactives on Sunday to make sure.
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Michael Pittman Jr. injury update
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. (11) runs following a catch against the Atlanta Falcons during the first quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Pittman didn’t play last week while battling a foot issue that NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport called a “flare-up of his plantar fascia.”
He did, however, see an upgrade in participation from where he was last week, when he didn’t log any practice participation on Thursday and Friday.
This week, Pittman was a limited participant on all three days in advance of him getting the questionable tag. It looks like he’ll be a game-time decision.
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Nico Collins injury update
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) catches a pass before playing against the Las Vegas Raiders at Reliant Stadium. Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)It was status quo for Collins and his hamstring injury this week, as he failed to practice at all after missing last week’s game.
He has been ruled out for Week 3.
Given the fact that there was seemingly no progress for the veteran wide receiver, we’d guess he’s questionable, at best, for Week 4.
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Caleb Douglas injury update
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Caleb Douglas (7) runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Credit: David Brytus-Imagn Images via Reuters Connect (Reuters)Douglas hurt his ankle last week in the loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
The rookie wide receiver didn’t take part in practice once in the lead up to the game against the Kansas City Chiefs and has been ruled out for Sunday.
He remains iffy for Week 4.
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