Fantasy injury updates: The latest news on Michael Thomas, Drake London, Russell Gage and other WRs impacting Week 1.
Welcome back to “injury update season,” fantasy football owners. Just because it’s Week 1 doesn’t mean all players are healthy. In fact, a pair of potential WR sleepers (Rondale Moore and Allen Lazard) have already been ruled out, while several other key wideouts, including Michael Thomas, Drake London, Russell Gage and Jakobi Meyers were all listed as “doubtful” for their season openers. If someone is inactive, it will definitely affect WR rankings and start them, set them up.
Below, we bring you the latest news on these players and detail how their injuries could potentially affect their fantasy prospects and those of their teammates.
WEEK 1 INJURY UPDATES: Wide receivers | Tight ends | JK Dobbins | Chris Godwin
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WEEK 1 FANTASY PICKS: Sleepers | Buster | Start them, set them
Is Michael Thomas playing Week 1?

After participating in his third limited practice of the week on Friday, Thomas (hamstring) was officially listed as “questionable” for New Orleans’ Sunday afternoon game against the Falcons.
At this point, it sounds like Thomas is more “probable” than “doubtful,” so he should be out there for fantasy owners. We like Thomas as a low-end WR2 in both standard and PPR leagues, but he obviously comes with risks given his long injury history. Still, if he’s active, play him while you can, especially in what should be a favorable matchup. If Thomas is a surprise scratch, we bump Chris Olave up to a WR3 and Jarvis Landry up to a flex in PPR leagues.
WEEK 1 DFS LINEUPS: DraftKings | FanDuel | Yahoo
Is Drake London playing Week 1?

London (knee) was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week and was officially listed as “doubtful” for Atlanta’s Sunday afternoon home game against the Saints.
Atlanta’s new No. 1 wideout looks to be on the field when the Falcons open up the regular season. The 6-4, 213-pound USC product suffered a knee injury in the first quarter of the Falcons’ first preseason game against the Lions on Aug. 12. Despite this setback, SN Fantasy has London ranked as the No. 47 WR in both standard and PPR formats, as he will still be the team’s No. 2 option in the passing game behind second-year TE Kyle Pitts. London has some appeal in PPR leagues, but if you have depth at the WR position, it may be beneficial to bench him this week and maintain a long-term view of this highly touted WR. If London isn’t able to go, there aren’t any other Falcons’ pass catchers worth starting outside of Pitts.
WEEK 1 DFS: Best Values | Best stacks
Is Russell Gage playing Week 1?

Like Thomas and London, Gage (hamstring) also logged three straight limited appearances to end the week of practice and is listed as “questionable” heading into the Buccaneers’ Sunday night game against the Cowboys.
If Gage is unable to go after SNF, expect a higher snap count from fellow WR Julio Jones. Gage ranks as SN’s No. 64 WR in standard scoring formats and No. 62 WR in PPR scoring. But if “questionable” receiver Chris Godwin (knee) is out, Gage would shoot up into the 40s and be a solid flex, especially in PPR leagues. With multiple talented receiving options for Tampa Bay, it’s hard to really get a feel for Gage’s early season usage. Even in deeper leagues, he should stay on your bench until we see him in action.
WEEK 1 FANTASY PPR RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
Is Jakobi Meyers playing Week 1?

Meyers (knee) participated in practice this week on a limited basis and is officially “questionable” for the Patriots’ Week 1 early afternoon contest against the Dolphins.
WEEK 1 STANDARD FANTASY RANKINGS:QBs | RBs | WRs | TEs | D/STs | Kicker
The Patriots love to list players as “doubtful,” so we’re not too worried about this one. The fourth-year wideout appears to be in line to suit up on Sunday, which is good news for a Patriots offense that had its struggles in the preseason. Meyers saw a 24.4 percent completion rate last season (20th among WRs) and is a relied upon option in New England’s passing game. SN Fantasy has Meyers ranked as the No. 44 WR in standard leagues and No. 39 WR in PPR formats entering Week 1. His relatively low aDOT (9.6 yards) gives him more upside in PPR formats, but he could still be worth a flex to play in deeper standard leagues.
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