Fantasy Football News

Saints WRs Rashid Shaheed and Tre'Quan Smith left Saturday's practice early with groin injuries, according to Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.football. We'll see about the severity of each issue, but it seems particularly noteworthy for Shaheed. He's not only expected to run ahead of Smith on the depth chart, but Shaheed also missed June minicamp with what was deemed a minor groin injury. Even if this instance also proves minor, we haven't been excited about Shaheed's 2023 fantasy football outlook. He'll need an injury to Chris Olave or Michael Thomas to pull him up our WR rankings.

Saints WR Chris Olave led the team in targets (13), receptions (9) and receiving yards (147) in Sunday's loss to the Panthers. The rookie claimed 31.7% target share in a game that both Michael Thomas (foot) and Jarvis Landry (ankle) left early. WR Tre'Quan Smith added a 4-105 receiving line on 5 targets. We'll see about the severity of the injuries, but Olave is looking like a weekly starter for 3-WR fantasy football leagues.

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the new ankle injury for Saints WR Michael Thomas will keep him out for the rest of the season. New Orleans reportedly tried to trade for receiving help before Tuesday's deadline but couldn't get anything done. That leaves Marquez Callaway, Tre'Quan Smith and Deonte Harris as the top WRs for QB Taysom Hill going forward. Expect New Orleans to also lean heavily on Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram -- both in the run game and as pass-catchers (well, Kamara, at least, on that front).

Saints WR Tre'Quan Smith isn't listed on the Week 1 injury report. He missed much of August with a leg injury but will be available for Sunday's opener vs. the Packers. Smith should join Marquez Callaway as New Orleans' top 2 WRs -- but we'd try not to use Smith in Week 1 fantasy lineups.

Per beat writer Nick Underhill, Saints WR Tre’Quan Smith has been out of practice since Tuesday with an apparent leg injury. HC Sean Payton downplayed the injury, but Smith’s absence is a missed opportunity with Michael Thomas sidelined. In his absence, more reps have gone to guys like Deonte Harris, Marquez Callaway and Lil’Jordan Humphrey. Harris is likely to miss the first 2 games following a July DUI.

Saints WR Michael Thomas is expected to miss the beginning of the regular season after June ankle surgery, according to NFL Network's ian Rapoport. Thomas reportedly needed ligaments repaired in the ankle, stemming from last September's injury. "It simply never recovered," Rapoport reports. Doctors reportedly recommend a 4-month recovery. From a June surgery date, that would stretch into October -- potentially costing Thomas half the season. We'll keep an eye out for more details. For now, at least, the Saints' top wideout becomes no more than a late-round fantasy pick. Tre'Quan Smith, Marquez Callaway and other Saints pass-catchers obviously stand to see their opportunities increase. We'll also see whether New Orleans dips into the trade market for WR help. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the team has been "nosing around" available free agents at the position.

Update: The Athletic reports that Thomas "may miss up to five games."