Week 7 Fantasy Injury Updates: Diontae Johnson, Dalton Kincaid, and Pat Freiermuth
The Steelers are coming off a bye week and appear to have made good most of it. Vacation is all about rest and relaxation, and that appeared to be on the menu for injured players Diontae Johnson and Pat Freiermuth. They’ve both been out with injuries but appear to be set to return.
Dalton Kincaid of Buffalo, who missed Week 6 due to a concussion, appears to be in the same boat. Can he clear protocol in time to return in Week 7? More importantly, does it even matter in terms of fantasy? As we begin Week 7, we’ll address all of these questions and more.
We’ll give you the most recent information on these players and explain how their injuries may effect the Week 7 fantasy landscape. Click here for the latest on injured QBs Justin Fields, Trevor Lawrence, and Jimmy Garoppolo; here for the latest on injured RBs Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, David Montgomery, and Kyren Williams; here for more on injured QBs Deshaun Watson, Daniel Jones, and Kyler Murray; and here for the latest on injured RBs Jahmyr Gibbs, Roschon Johnson, Jeff Wilson Jr., and Aaron Jones.
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Diontae Johnson injury update, Week 7 fantasy outlook
Coming off their bye week, health is trending in the right direction for the Steelers. The team opened the 21-day practice window for Johnson on Monday, indicating that his return is near as the receiver will come off IR in the near future. He was forced out of action in Week 2 against Cleveland after failing to record a catch. Johnson said last week that he feels “completely great and healthy,” so a Week 7 return against the Rams seems likely.
It’s a good sign for the Pittsburgh offense, but it’s unclear how big the difference that Johnson can make. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada has received endless criticism for the Steelers’ struggles on offense, with many calling for his firing. Pittsburgh allows just 15.8 points per game (third worst), but it should still see a boost with Johnson coming back. He won’t be a top fantasy option, but he still has WR3 upside against a suspect Rams’ secondary, especially during a six-team bye.
Dalton Kincaid injury update, Week 7 fantasy outlook
After suffering a concussion in Week 5, Kincaid was kept on the sideline in Week 6. It continues a trend this season that hasn’t seen very many players return from a concussion in just one week’s time. With three limited practices prior to Week 6, Kincaid will aim to clear concussion protocol in advance of the Bills’ matchup in New England against the Patriots.
The rookie hasn’t been a great fantasy option thus far in 2023, failing to live up to big expectations in an explosive offense. Kincaid has yet to record 50 receiving yards in a game and hasn’t scored a touchdown either. The presence of Dawson Knox limits the rookie’s ceiling and lowers his floor, as well. We wouldn’t consider starting Kincaid until he starts posting some solid numbers. If Kincaid is out, that would make Knox a potential starting option, especially in a week with so many teams on a bye.
Pat Freiermuth injury update, Week 7 fantasy outlook
Continuing the trend of the Steelers getting back to full strength, Freiermuth (hamstring) says he expects to play in Week 7, adding he would’ve played if the team didn’t have a bye in Week 6. A hamstring injury kept ‘Muth out in Week 5 after he went down in Week 4 during Pittsburgh’s blowout loss in Houston. It was expected to be a two-to-three week recovery timeline for the tight end, who is right on track to be back when the Steelers take on the Rams in L.A.
The issue with Freiermuth is the same thing holding back Johnson’s fantasy expectations — a bad offense. On a team that doesn’t score a ton of points and struggles to move the ball, it’s tough to have faith in Freiermuth’s ability to produce. We know what he’s capable of, but the tight end projects as a TD-dependent option until the Steelers start to find a rhythm. Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward would be slated to fill in for the Freiermuth if he can’t play, but neither warrants fantasy consideration.
