Every week, Kacey Kasem will bring you WR2s primed to exceed their slot in the weekly wr fantasy rankings and could help bolster your chances at fantasy football glory. 

Week 1 always has a way of taking the wind out of our sails. Sure, it’s lovely having football back. What’s not wonderful is when a wide receiver goes down with an injury and has to miss time.

Puka Nacua should be heading to the injured reserve with a sprained PCL. There is no timetable for how long Nacua will be shelved. Fantasy managers are now sprinting to find a decent replacement.

In this week’s WR2 Radar, I look at some of the more notable wide receiver injuries to monitor this and future weeks.

I will examine wide receivers that are readily available and that you can use to bolster your squad this week (or in the near future). Plus, find out what WR1s are pulling the wool over our eyes. Make sure to check out the Optimus Fantasy Rankings.

 

Wide Receiver Injury Round-Up

Wide receivers getting hurt is never fun, especially in the season’s first week. Here are some wide receiver injury situations you should monitor to set the optimal fantasy lineup.

Rondale Moore (ATL): IR (season-ending – knee)
Rome Odunze (CHI): Questionable (knee)
Tee Higgins (CIN): Questionable (hamstring)
Josh Downs (IND): Questionable (ankle)
Marquise Brown (KC): Questionable (shoulder)
DJ Chark (LAC): IR (season-ending – hip)
Puka Nacua (LAR): Out (knee) – headed to IR
Jordan Addison (MIN): Questionable (ankle)
Darius Slayton (NYG): Questionable (concussion)
Ricky Pearsall (SF): Out (chest)

 

Get Them Before Your Leaguemates

Brandin Cooks, Dallas Cowboys
39.8% Rostered on Sleeper

The Dallas Cowboys’ second wide receiver, Brandin Cooks, is someone you need to grab if still available in your fantasy football league.

The 30-year-old benefits from defenses focusing on superstar CeeDee Lamb.

Cooks received seven targets in Week 1, the second most on the team. He turned those targets into four catches for 40 yards and a touchdown. Additionally, he had one carry for 5 yards against a tough Browns defense.

The veteran wideout’s speed and playmaking ability make him an ideal option to flex. With tight end Jake Ferguson sustaining an MCL sprain, more balls will be directed at Cooks.

Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints
44.3% Rostered on Sleeper

A boom-or-bust player who should be on your radar is wideout Rashid Shaheed of the New Orleans Saints. Shaheed is an excellent pickup if he is available in your league.

The former Pro Bowler is known for his big-play potential. This ability was displayed in Week 1 when the wide receiver posted three catches for 73 yards and a score against the Panthers.

With defenses looking to stop Chris Olave, Shaheed benefits from favorable matchups. The Weber State product is a red zone threat who has built chemistry with quarterback Derek Carr.

He faces a tough Cowboys secondary in this week’s game. Leaving the 26-year-old on your bench is for the best. He will have more promising matchups as the season progresses, so be patient.

Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants
19.2% Rostered on Sleeper

The New York Giants drafted wideout Malik Nabers in the 2024 NFL Draft. Nabers looked good in Week 1, but Wan’Dale Robinson saw the most team targets. Robinson should be on your fantasy radar this season.

Quarterback Daniel Jones was awful, which isn’t anything new. Robinson stepped up, even with sloppy QB play. He saw 12 targets, hauling in six for 44 yards.

Although he did not score a touchdown, Robinson had three targets in the end zone.

This week, Robinson sees a favorable matchup versus the Washington Commanders. Jones should target the Kentucky alum numerous times in this contest.

 

It’s A Trap (Do Not Roster)

Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts

One player I don’t recommend picking up this week is wide receiver Alec Pierce of the Indianapolis Colts.

I wouldn’t bat an eyelash at rostering him in a league where I had a very deep bench (or a dynasty league where you can afford to drop a roster clogger). But other than that, I am not wasting a roster spot on the Cincinnati product.

Pierce did have a career game on Sunday, posting a 60-yard touchdown. Additionally, he had another big play of 58-yards. Still, Pierce gained only three catches on three targets. The volume was not there for the wideout.

We have to monitor Josh Downs‘ status to see if Pierce is a viable flex play. Once Downs returns from his ankle injury, Pierce will be an afterthought in this offense. Michael Pittman Jr. and Jonathan Taylor are both on this offense. The team also drafted Adonai Mitchell in 2024.

Allen Lazard, New York Jets

The connection between Allen Lazard and quarterback Aaron Rodgers was evident in Week 1, where Lazard hauled in six passes on nine targets for 89 yards and two scores.

Lazard and Garrett Wilson were the only Jets wide receivers who caught a pass in Week 1. Mike Williams playin his first game since tearing his ACL in Week 3 of last season. The former Charger will see his playing time limited until head coach Robert Saleh feels confident enough in his health. Once Williams is fully healthy, look for Lazard to take a back seat.

New York has various options in the receiver room, including Xavier Gipson and Malachi Corley. It is difficult to rely on Lazard to put up top-12 numbers weekly.

He finished Week 1 as WR3 in PPR leagues, scoring 26.9 fantasy points. The former Iowa State Cyclone should be regarded as a one-week wonder, not someone who will continually get you double-digit fantasy points.

For more from Kacey Kasem, follow her on X (formerly Twitter) @thekaceykasem & find The WR2 Radar on Optimus Fantasy every week.