How to handle Sammy Watkins’ injury in Week 5 fantasy football

Editor’s update: Although Sammy Watkins is listed as questionable, Adam Schefter and Ian Rapoport both expect him to play on Sunday Night Football against the Chiefs. It’s the late Sunday game, so it is reasonable to be concerned about a late scratch, but both national reporters seem fairly confidence about Watkins playing.

Things are not looking good for Sammy Watkins this week. The Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver is officially listed as questionable with hamstring and shoulder injuries. He was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, before the team downgraded him to limited on Friday.

Watkins had a big start to the season. He totaled 198 receiving yards and three touchdowns in the season opener, but he’s trailed off since then. He hasn’t found the end zone since then, and his catch rate has trailed off to a meager 52 percent. Watkins’ best game since Week 1 was a 64-yard effort in Week 3.

Despite slowing down the last three games, Watkins is still among the NFL’s top 10 in receiving yards, and his three scores are tied for second most. This would be a nice week to bounce back, but now his prospects of playing at all are up in the air. All it takes is one big game, which is what fantasy owners are hoping for.

Fantasy football analysis, Kansas City Chiefs WR Sammy Watkins

Getting downgraded in practice isn’t a great sign for Watkins’ Week 5 prospects. And with the Chiefs playing in the Sunday night game, it makes the decision even tougher. With Watkins slack production, Mecole Hardman and Demarcus Robinson are getting more work in the passing game, and might be a more reliable option at this point.