The 2026 fantasy football season is almost here, and the wide receiver injury board already has plenty of names worth watching. With Week 1 approaching and drafts still underway, managers need the latest on the pass-catchers who could shape early lineup calls - and a few of the biggest fantasy receivers are still working through issues.
Ja’Marr Chase is one of the cleanest cases on the list. He had a scare at practice late last month when he landed awkwardly, then was limited last week because of a knee issue, according to ESPN’s Ben Baby.
Even so, Zac Taylor said he “feels good about” his star receiver, and the expectation is Chase will be ready for Week 1. That keeps him in his usual spot as a locked-in WR1.
Tee Higgins is in a similar place. He’s dealing with a heel contusion and was also limited at practice last week, but Jeremy Rauch of FOX 19 Now reports there’s no concern about his Week 1 status.
Puka Nacua is carrying more than one storyline into the opener. He’s dealing with a psoas injury, and there’s also the lawsuit situation that could eventually lead to league discipline.
Still, Sean McVay said he expects Nacua to play in Week 1, according to ESPN’s Sarah Barshop. Asked about him, McVay said, “Yeah, absolutely,” and added, “That’s what I’ve heard.
I haven’t heard anything different.” Nacua is entering a contract year and remains a locked-in WR1.
Malik Nabers is working his way back from a torn ACL, and the signs are encouraging. John Harbaugh said Nabers took part in team and individual work last week, and SNY’s Connor Hughes noted that Harbaugh says they’re preparing for all outcomes as it pertains to Nabers’ availability.
His Week 1 status still hasn’t been confirmed, but he appears to be trending toward playing. The bigger question is workload.
Nabers put together a huge rookie season with 109 catches, 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns before the injury cut his sophomore year short, and if he gets back to form, he has WR1 upside.
Zay Flowers has also been on the injury report lately with an undisclosed issue, but he returned to practice for the first time in weeks on Sept. 3, per the Baltimore Banner’s Jonas Shaffer. That points toward Week 1 availability. Flowers’ ceiling is tied to Lamar Jackson staying healthy, and for now he sits as a WR2 with borderline WR1 upside.
In Tampa Bay, Emeka Egbuka looks on track. A toe injury kept him out of practice for an extended stretch, but Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times shared video on Sept. 2 of Egbuka working on a side field and running without any obvious problems from the injured toe.
He appears to be ramping up for Week 1. With Mike Evans gone and Chris Godwin getting long in the tooth, Egbuka is expected to step in as the Buccaneers’ No. 1 receiver and should return WR2 value.
Khalil Shakir has been quiet on the practice field for a few weeks because of an undisclosed injury, but there was a positive sign last week when he was spotted doing some work on the side, according to video shared by WGR 550’s Sal Cappacio. That gives him a shot at Week 1 availability.
Shakir was the top target in Buffalo’s passing game last season, though the addition of DJ Moore complicates that picture. For now, he’s best viewed as a mid-range flex option.
Rome Odunze briefly caused a scare when he exited practice early last week with what looked like a leg injury, but the Chicago Tribune’s Sean Hammond reported he would have stayed on the field if Bears trainers hadn’t pulled him. The Athletic’s Dan Wiederer said Odunze “should be all good” for Week 1, so there’s no real concern there.
He’s expected to be Chicago’s No. 1 wide receiver, though he’ll have to share targets with Luther Burden and Colston Loveland. That keeps Odunze in borderline WR2 territory.
Burden is another Bears receiver trending in the right direction. He suffered a groin injury at practice last month and missed all of the preseason, but he’s been back on the field recently and looks set for Week 1.
Burden should be at least Chicago’s No. 2 receiver, and it’s not out of the question that he could push past Odunze. He enters the opener as a flex play.
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