Wide receiver health could have a major impact on the 2026 NFL season, with several of the league's top playmakers returning from significant injuries or entering the year managing lingering recovery concerns. From ACL tears and Achilles injuries to knee, ankle and shoulder surgeries, each recovery carries different expectations for availability and performance. Here's the latest injury outlook, recovery progress and SIC Health Scores for the wide receivers with the biggest medical storylines heading into the 2026 season.

Malik Nabers - Knee, ACL - SIC Score 71 

Nabers' 2025 season ended in Week 4 with a torn ACL and meniscus in his right knee, requiring surgery in late October and a follow-up procedure this spring to remove scar tissue limiting his flexibility, a significant complication in ACL rehab. His timeline has been uncertain, described as still in rehab in late May before reports pegged him 70-80% through the process by mid-June. Him not landing on PUP to start training camp was a positive surprise, and it does allow him to practice and work his way back. Still, it would be a surprise if he can regain his previous form to start the season, since the limited motion and second surgery documented this spring are likely to inhibit his return. This is certainly positive news, but he's nowhere close to 100% right now, and if his season props assume a normal workload, the under looks like the smarter side. Given the injury's severity and the scar-tissue complication, this remains one of the most uncertain situations on this list, with the talent unquestioned but the near-term health outlook very much in doubt.

Tank Dell - Knee - SIC Score 82

He provided a major boost to the team during May and June 2026 spring workouts and mandatory minicamp, donning a helmet to catch passes and participate in side wide receiver drills. His 2025 season was entirely lost as he recovered from a catastrophic left knee injury originally suffered late in the 2024 campaign. The devastating injury—sustained on Dec. 21, 2024, during a touchdown reception against the Chiefs—resulted in a dislocated kneecap, torn ACL, torn MCL, torn LCL, and significant meniscus damage.

The extensive structural damage required multiple surgeries and a year-long rehabilitation, and it was always expected that Dell would miss the entire 2025 season. He has progressed ahead of the team's initial timeline by returning to the practice field this spring, though Houston is continuing to ease him back with limited team work until training camp.

Dell is expected to play during the 2026 season, but it would be surprising if he had no lingering effects given the catastrophic nature of the injury. As a smaller receiver whose game relies heavily on speed and explosiveness, it may be too much to expect an immediate return to his pre-injury dynamic form.

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Tee Higgins WR - Concussion - SIC Score 88

Tee Higgins dealt with multiple concussions during the 2025 season that interrupted an otherwise productive campaign. He first suffered a concussion in Week 12 against the Patriots, causing him to miss the following week's game against the Ravens. After clearing protocol, Higgins returned in Week 14 against the Bills and caught two touchdowns, but another hard hit to the turf triggered postgame concussion symptoms and sent him back into the league's protocol. Despite the setbacks, Higgins appeared in 14 games and finished with 79 receptions for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns.

He has shown no lingering effects this offseason and was a full participant during mandatory minicamp in June. Higgins appears to be fully recovered, but the Bengals will need to be cautious if he sustains another concussion. A third concussion within a calendar year could result in a more prolonged absence.

Alec Pierce - Ankle - SIC Score 76

He was sidelined for the entirety of May and June 2026 spring workouts, OTAs, and mandatory minicamp as he rehabilitates from offseason cleanup surgery on his left ankle. The procedure, performed in late March 2026, was intended to address a nagging ankle issue that had persisted since the end of the 2024 season. Rather than improving, the injury steadily worsened over the final month of his highly productive 2025 campaign, forcing him to manage significant pain on game days and miss practice time. After an initial platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection in January failed to relieve the discomfort, Pierce opted for surgery to avoid a more serious in-season setback.

Fresh off signing a four-year, $114 million contract extension to become the Colts' top receiving target, Pierce's revised four-to-six-month recovery timeline leaves his availability for the start of training camp uncertain, with the team targeting a return before Week 1. Limited offseason video has shown Pierce still favoring the ankle, suggesting he has not yet returned to full form.While the expectation remains that he will make a full recovery, he does not appear to be there yet. The Colts placed Pierce on the PUP list on 7/27.

Travis Hunter - Knee - SIC Score 79

Travis Hunter's rookie season was cut short after seven games because of a knee injury, but the Jaguars have been encouraged by his recovery this offseason.

We have heard a lot about lateral collateral ligament (LCL) injuries recently because of Patrick Mahomes, but LCL injuries are far less common than MCL tears and often require surgery, as was the case here. The good news is this was an isolated injury, and the procedure was a repair rather than a reconstruction requiring a graft. The challenge is that recovery can vary, especially for a player whose game depends on elite athleticism. While returning to quarterback after an LCL injury is one thing, playing wide receiver or defensive back is far more demanding, with cornerback in particular requiring constant reaction and change of direction. For that reason, we remain guarded until we see Hunter in live game action and how his knee responds.

Hunter was an active participant during mandatory minicamp and showed positive progress in his return, with head coach Liam Coen praising his work and continued improvement. General manager James Gladstone said Hunter is expected to be a "full go" for training camp, where he will continue his unique role playing both wide receiver and cornerback. No setbacks have been reported in his recovery.

Rashee Rice - Knee - SIC Score 88

Rice continues to recover from a minor right knee cleanup procedure performed in mid-May to remove loose debris that was causing inflammation. The surgery was considered relatively minor, and no setbacks have been reported.

The Chiefs wide receiver missed all of OTAs and mandatory minicamp due to a combination of post-surgery rehab and a 30-day jail stint related to a probation violation. However, he completed a team-issued rehabilitation program while incarcerated and was released on June 16.

Kansas City remains optimistic about Rice's recovery, with Andy Reid and the organization expecting him to be ready for training camp in late July. Assuming his next several weeks of rehab go as planned, Rice is on track for Week 1 availability and is not expected to begin camp on the PUP list.

Jayden Reed - Left Clavicle/Left Foot - SIC Score 94

Jayden Reed enters the 2026 season fully healthy after recovering from a broken left clavicle and a Jones fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his left foot that shortened his 2025 campaign. Reed fractured his collarbone during a Week 2 game against Washington while diving for a catch, but he had already been attempting to play through the foot injury, which originated during training camp. Once the clavicle fracture ended his season, he underwent surgery to address both injuries. Reed appeared in seven games during the 2025 season.

Reed returned to full health during the offseason and was a full participant throughout the Packers' mandatory minicamp, taking part in team drills without restrictions. After signing a three-year, $50.25 million contract extension, he enters training camp firmly established as one of Green Bay's top receiving targets. Now fully recovered, Reed is poised for a bounce-back season after an injury-plagued 2025 campaign.

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