The 2022 fantasy season is officially underway after the Week 1 matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams. With Sunday on the horizon, it is time for fantasy managers to take stock of their team, figure out starters, and make last-minute waiver additions.
Everybody loves their draft immediately after it happens, but things get much harder once decisions need to be made and injuries start popping up. One player that will require a tough decision in Week 1 is Green Bay Packers wide receiver, Allen Lazard. The veteran has been receiving tons of hype throughout the offseason but popped up on the injury report on Monday.
With the first games on the horizon, we now have to look at if Allen Lazard is still injured or if he’s worth starting if he is active in Week 1.
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Is Allen Lazard Injured or Playing in Week 1?
At some point this week, Allen Lazard got stepped on during practice. He hasn’t practiced since and was labeled as “doubtful” to play on Friday.
#Packers WR Allen Lazard is doubtful for Sunday’s game vs. Minnesota due to his ankle injury, while OL David Bakhtiari (knee) and Elgton Jenkins (knee/pec) are questionable.
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 9, 2022
Should I Start Lazard if Active in Week 1 for Fantasy Football?
At this point, it looks far more likely that Lazard is inactive for his first game of the season. If he can go, there is a considerable risk to starting the Packers' wide receiver.
Lazard hasn’t been able to practice this week, but we have seen players miraculously go from significantly injured to active on game day before. If that happens to be the case with Lazard, then fantasy managers could find themselves in a bind come Sunday.
Foot injuries and notoriously slow healing and easy to re-aggravate. Even if Lazard finds his way onto the field, there is no guarantee he will be able to make it through the game.
The appeal of starting Aaron Rodgers most trusted receiver will always be there, but this may be a week to pivot to a safer option that isn’t heading into the first game with an injury that cost him a week of practice.