Dontayvion

Wicks

After being mentioned as week-to-week on Monday, Wicks has now logged two straight practices to open the week. He was limited on Wednesday and was listed as limited again on Thursday, leaving his Week 7 availability up in the air for the time being. It’s an encouraging sign for Wicks, but even if he does suit up against the Texans, he’ll be hard to trust in fantasy with Christian Watson now healthy.

Wicks left Sunday’s game against the Cardinals in the first quarter because of a shoulder injury. He was initially listed as questionable to return but was later ruled out. Early reports said he was considered week-to-week, but a return to practice this soon gives him a shot at suiting up for Week 7. Wicks wore a brace on his upper arm at practice and should be listed as a limited participant, but it’s a step in the right direction for the second-year wideout.

Wicks exited in the first half of Sunday’s win over the Cardinals and did not return to the field. He reportedly had an MRI on his shoulder, but that didn’t reveal any significant damage. The second-year receiver ran just seven routes before exiting and caught one of three targets for nine yards. It’s been a disappointing two-week stretch for Wicks, who was a popular waiver wire add following his 5-78-2 line in Week 4 on 13 targets. He’s worth stashing on IR spots in leagues that allow it, but Wicks doesn’t carry much fantasy value at this time given his injury and Christian Watson’s return.

Wicks banged up his shoulder in the first half and was declared done for the day at halftime. He had one catch for nine yards on three targets before suffering the injury. Christian Watson, returning from an ankle injury this week, has two catches for 58 yards and a score with Wicks sidelined.

Watson is back after suffering an ankle injury a couple weeks ago. It’s hard to say whether he’ll see a full complement of snaps and routes against the Cardinals, though he could see a deep target or two from Jordan Love. Dontayvian Wicks could continue to play ahead of Watson for now. Packers declared S Kitan Oladapo, DL Brenton Cox Jr., T Andre Dillard, T Travis Glover, TE John FitzPatrick, and DL Devonte Wyatt inactive against the Cardinals.

Watson suffered a mild high-ankle sprain in Week 4 and missed Week 5’s contest because of it. He was limited in practice for all three sessions this week, giving him a legitimate shot at suiting up on Sunday. Still, a one-week absence because of a high-ankle sprain would be on the low end for missed games, so fantasy managers who are counting on Watson should have a backup plan in place. Dontayvion Wicks took Watson’s place in the lineup last week and was targeted seven times, though he only reeled in two for 20 yards.

Watson has been limited in both practices to start the week and could be trending toward a return after missing last week’s game with an ankle injury. His return would likely relegate Dontayvion Wicks back to his normal backup role, after Wicks started in place of Watson last week.

Waiver wire darling Wicks fell flat against an exploitable Rams secondary. With Christian Watson sidelined, Wicks ran a route on 20 of the Packers’ 28 drop backs and saw a team-high 27 percent target share. Everything aligned for a decent day but the Love-Wicks connection fizzled out in a balanced offensive game plan. Wicks has now caught seven of 20 targets over the past two games. He’ll have to boost his efficiency if he’s going to come through in Week 6 against an Arizona defense that ranks among the NFL’s worst.

Wicks’ season-high snap share came on the heels of a Christian Watson injury, but his 58 snaps were only seven fewer than Romeo Doubs (65), who led the team. Wicks led the Commanders with 13 targets against the Vikings and should see an increased role, with Watson likely to miss extended time. We should temper expectations for Wicks entering Week 5 against the Rams, but the second-year receiver has been targeted on an impressive 26.5 percent of his routes this season. He’ll have some appeal as a WR4 next week.

Per Rapoport, an MRI revealed no fracture in Watson’s ankle, but the injury could land the third-year receiver on injured reserve. Watson was carted from the field in the first half and obviously didn’t return to the field. He’s caught just five passes for 80 yards and one touchdown on the year. Dontayvion Wicks emerged to play on a season-high 58 snaps last week, and will be in line to see a busier workload while Watson is out.