Injuries objectively suck.
To this day it’s unclear why God hasn’t turned them off. Anyone who plays Madden of NCAA Football and does NOT turn off injuries is a monster in my humble opinion.
Of course, injuries continue to be a rather large part of fantasy football analysis, which is why Fantasy Life will continue to grind each and every fantasy-relevant issue throughout the season.
What follows is a breakdown of every fantasy-relevant injury ahead of Week 1.
Check out the late Friday edition of The Fantasy Life Podcast for a full breakdown on the issues from myself and Fantasy Life Head of Betting, Matthew Freedman.
Quarterback Injuries to Monitor
Joe Burrow, Bengals (calf, not listed)
Burrow is good to go for Sunday’s matchup against the Browns.
Fire him up as his usual upside QB1 self; just realize it’d make sense if his mobility is a bit limited early in the season.
No Fantasy Life ranker has Burrow any lower than eighth among all QBs.
Running Back Injuries to Monitor
Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (illness, questionable)
Stevenson is tentatively expected to suit up Sunday against the Eagles after missing Friday’s session with a sickness.
If active, Stevenson profiles as his usual PPR-friendly self inside a Patriots offense without too many proven avenues to go with the football.
Throw in an Eagles defense breaking in all sorts of new starters, and fantasy managers should confidently start Stevenson as the RB1 or RB2 that you drafted him to be.
A surprise inactive would shoot Ezekiel Elliott up into a volume-induced RB3 territory.
Kenneth Walker (groin, not listed), Kenny McIntosh, Seahawks (knee/hamstring, out)
Walker is good to go after being a midweek addition to the injury report. It’s unclear if he actually suffered a setback, as the Seahawks are notoriously tough to read when it comes to injury updates.
Oct 23, 2022; Inglewood, California, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) runs the ball against the Los Angeles Chargers during the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Regardless, Walker warrants RB2 consideration against a Rams defense with little going for it these days outside of world-beating DL Aaron Donald.
It remains to be seen just how much Zach Charbonnet and potentially DeeJay Dallas are used; for now, fire up the rising second-year talent as the explosive top-20 option that he was for most of 2022.
Breece Hall (knee), Jets
While Hall still practiced in a limited fashion this week, he’s fully expected to suit up Monday night against the Bills.
Still, head coach Robert Saleh did say the Jets would be “smart with” both Hall and Dalvin Cook (shoulder)
Don’t be surprised if Michael Carter maintains some level of involvement in the early going, meaning Hall is more of a low-floor RB3 with so much uncertainty surrounding the current pecking order here.
Zack Moss (arm, questionable), Colts
Moss appears to be truly questionable after failing to get in a full practice all week.
His absence would condense this expected three-back committee down to two backs in Deon Jackson and Evan Hull, but even then, neither RB would be more than a thin RB4 option with the Colts not exactly expected to light up the scoreboard in rookie QB Anthony Richardson’s NFL debut.
The likelihood that Richardson’s dual-threat talents leave little meat on the bone for his RBs adds to the already low-upside available here.
I’ll be answering the overwhelming majority of start/sit questions featuring a Colts RB with the other guy.
De’Von Achane (shoulder, not listed), Dolphins
Achane will make his NFL debut in a potential shootout against the Chargers.
Still, he was buried on the depth chart in the preseason and is tentatively expected to work behind both Raheem Mostert and Salvon Ahmed against the Chargers’ ever-flimsy run defense.
Mostert remains a borderline top-20 option thanks to the expectation that he receives 15-plus touches in this elite spot, while Achane is more of a bench stash at this point than someone fantasy managers should be looking to start with any level of confidence.
Kendre Miller (knee, questionable), Saints
Miller is on the wrong side of questionable after registering three consecutive DNPs.
Assuming he’s inactive, Jamaal Williams profiles as the offense’s potential every-down back, considering someone named Kirk Merritt is the only other RB currently on the roster while Alvin Kamara serves his suspension.
Of course, TE/QB/vulture Taysom Hill is always around to complicate matters; just realize Williams has a touch ceiling north of 20 as a three-point home favorite.
That’s hard to ignore in fantasy land, as the Twerk God deserves low-end RB2 treatment thanks to projected volume alone, even against a typically tough Titans run defense.
Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh, questionable), Falcons
The Falcons’ starting “joker” isn’t a recommended fantasy option even if active.
C-Patt’s absence would mostly be a good thing for the touch ceilings of Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier.
Dare Ogunbowale (hamstring, questionable), Texans
Sadly, there’s a chance Ogunbowale steals pass-down work if active.
If inactive, fantasy managers can feel better about Dameon Pierce’s chances of obtaining a true three-down role, although former Bills RB Devin Singletary will also be involved to some extent.
Ultimately, Pierce is a low-end RB2, with the Texans being one of just three offenses implied to score fewer than 19 points this week.
Gary Brightwell (knee, not listed), Giants
He won’t see more than a few snaps behind Saquon Barkley anyway.
Wide Receiver Injuries to Monitor
Cooper Kupp (hamstring, out), Rams
Head coach Sean McVay said it’s a “definite possibility” that Kupp lands on the injured reserve list. Very cool!
Look for Van Jefferson to lead the way during his absence, while some combination of TuTu Atwell, Puka Nacua, and Bennett Skowronek fill out the additional two spots in three WR sets.
While Jefferson deserves low-end FLEX consideration during Kupp’s absence, the real winner here is TE Tyler Higbee, who is Fantasy Life’s consensus TE6 vs. a Seahawks defense that allowed the second-most PPR points per game to opposing TEs last season.
Jaylen Waddle (oblique, not listed), Dolphins
Fire up Waddle as his typical upside WR2 self in Sunday’s potential shootout against the Chargers.
He managed to get in back-to-back full practices to end the week, indicating the rising third-year receiver is just about 100% following August’s unfortunate oblique injury.
Terry McLaurin (toe, not listed), Commanders
It’s great news for McLaurin, who seemed like a candidate to potentially miss early-season action after initially suffering the injury.
Presumably healthy and ready for his usual full-time role if the lack of an official designation means anything, McLaurin profiles as a borderline WR2 with the potential to boom against the Cardinals’ reigning 31st-ranked scoring defense.
Dec 4, 2022; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin (17) score a receiving touchdown during the first half against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
The biggest issue here could be the game script, as the Commanders are seven-point home favorites and might not need to keep their foot on the gas for a full 60 minutes to get the job done.
Christian Watson (hamstring, out), Romeo Doubs (hamstring, questionable), Packers
Watson is considered “week to week”, while Doubs appears to have a chance of suiting up after finishing the week with back-to-back limited sessions.
Even then: It’s tough to be overly excited about Doubs or rookie WR Jayden Reed as legit top-36 options at the position due to the uncertainty surrounding just how efficient and volume-heavy this Jordan Love-led passing attack will be.
I’ll be ranking Reed as the preferred option here, but even then he’s more of a “F*ck, I have to fill this FLEX spot with someone” option as opposed to a player you should be actively looking to jam into lineups.
Jerry Jeudy (hamstring, questionable), Broncos
Jeudy practiced in a limited fashion all week and is officially questionable for Sunday.
The reality that this is a late afternoon game means fantasy managers need to have a backup plan ready.
Close start/sit questions should go to the healthier players, as it’s not a guarantee Jeudy is ready to play his usual allotment of snaps even if active.
Still, this progression should be seen as a soft positive overall considering just how grim the original issue looked back in August.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (wrist, not listed), Seahawks
JSN will make his NFL debut against a Rams secondary lacking star power after Jalen Ramsey was shipped off to Miami during the offseason.
While it’s unclear exactly how the target share will be divided up between Smith-Njigba, DK Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett, the Seahawks drafted the Ohio State product in the first round for a reason.
JSN immediately warrants upside WR3 consideration and should win out in close start/sit decisions in full-PPR formats.
Marquise Brown (hamstring, questionable), Cardinals
The artist known as Hollywood practiced in a limited fashion all week.
It’s concerning that he never managed to get in a full session, and I’ll be answering the heavy majority of even somewhat close start/sit questions with the other guy.
Expecting Brown to post high-end fantasy numbers with (reportedly) Joshua Dobbs under center was already asking a lot, and this injury is the cherry on top of the Cardinals’ disaster of an offensive sundae.
Treylon Burks (knee, not listed), Titans
Burks practiced in full all week and will suit up in Week 1 despite suffering a scary knee injury in August.
While free agent addition DeAndre Hopkins figures to be the offense’s rather undisputed No. 1 pass-game option, Burks flashed enough as a rookie to believe that he might be capable of making the most out of his opportunities.
That said: Burks isn’t anything more than a boom-or-bust WR4 option as the No. 2 WR in one of the league’s most run-heavy offenses against the Saints’ reigning ninth-ranked defense in PPR points per game allowed to opposing WRs.
Odell Beckham Jr. (ankle, not listed), Ravens
There was some concern here after OBJ was added to the injury report on Thursday with an ankle issue, but he practiced in full on Friday and is good to go for Sunday’s matchup against the Texans.
While the matchup isn’t anything to be overly concerned about, the pecking order in this new-look Ravens passing game remains rather murky.
Each of Beckham, Rashod Bateman, and Zay Flowers are more of “wait and see” WR4 options as opposed to players you NEED to get in your starting lineups.
DeVante Parker (knee, questionable), Patriots
Parker is tentatively expected to suit up after practicing in a limited fashion all week.
Still, it remains to be seen if new offensive coordinator Bill O’Brien will be able to pick this passing game out of its Matt Patricia-induced rut.
I prefer a wait-and-see approach with pretty much every Patriots fantasy option outside of Rhamondre Stevenson.
Adam Thielen (ankle, questionable), DJ Chark (hamstring, out), Terrace Marshall (back, not listed), Panthers
Thielen managed to get in a limited practice on Friday following Thursday’s DNP, but even if active, it’s hard to assume the 33-year-old veteran will be operating at 100%.
Should Thielen join Chark on the sideline, rookie Jonathan Mingo and Marshall would profile as the offense’s top-two WRs, with Laviska Shenault and/or Ihmir Smith-Marsette filling out three-WR sets.
Mingo and Marshall are interesting DFS tournament darts, just realize this isn’t the sort of offense to confidently start anyone from at the moment.
The Panthers presently join the Texans and Cardinals as the only Week 1 offenses implied to score fewer than 19 points.
John Metchie (hamstring, out), Texans
Look for Nico Collins, Robert Woods, Tank Dell, and Noah Brown to work as the offense’s primary WRs.
Collins is in play as a thin WR4 option, but nobody else is a recommended fantasy play against a typically ferocious Ravens defense that figures to make life quite difficult for rookie CJ Stroud in his NFL debut.
Wan’Dale Robinson (knee, doubtful), Giants
Look for Parris Campbell to work as the offense’s primary slot WR while Robinson gets back to 100% following last season’s ACL tear.
The Giants WRs could be relied on more than ever if Darren Waller (hamstring) is unable to suit up, although even then, we’re talking about thin WR5-type plays at best.
This is especially true against a Cowboys defense expected to absolutely dominate the battle through the air on Sunday night.
Tre'Quan Smith (groin, out), Saints
Chris Olave, Michael Thomas, and Rashid Shaheed will work as the Saints’ starting three WRs for their Week 1 matchup against the Titans.
Marquise Goodwin (illness, not listed), Browns
Goodwin could see a designed shot play or two as the offense’s de facto No. 4 WR, but he isn’t a realistic fantasy option due to the expectation of a sub-10 snap workload.
DeAndre Carter (knee, questionable), Raiders
He's not a realistic fantasy option, regardless, with the Raiders fully expected to feature Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers, and Hunter Renfrow in three WR sets.
KhaDarel Hodge (ankle, questionable), Falcons
Hodges is not a viable fantasy option anyway.
The Falcons are expected to feature Drake London and Mack Hollins as their clear-cut top-two WRs in an offense expected to lean on plenty of multi-TE/RB formations.
Dax Milne (groin, out), Commanders
Old friend Jamison Crowder is expected to work as Washington’s No. 4 WR for their Week 1 matchup against the Cardinals.
He’s not a viable fantasy option due to the expectation of very limited snaps.
Tight End Injuries to Monitor
Darren Waller (hamstring, questionable), Giants
Pain.
Waller’s injury comes out of nowhere, as he wasn’t listed on the injury report until popping up with a limited practice on Friday.
The issue is especially problematic with the Giants facing off against the Cowboys on Sunday night football.
Aug 18, 2023; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; The Carolina Panthers vs. the New York Giants in an NFL preseason game at MetLife Stadium. New York Giants Darren Waller before the start of the game. Mandatory Credit: Michael Karas-The Record
Fantasy managers NEED to have a backup plan – Chargers TE Gerald Everett and Packers TE Luke Musgrave *should* be available on most waiver wires should more bad news come to the surface by Sunday.
If things come down to a game-time decision and go south, consider streaming Cowboys TE Jake Ferguson, Bills TE Dawson Knox, or Jets TE Tyler Conklin (in that order).
Why won’t God turn off injuries again?
Mark Andrews (quad, questionable), Ravens
Andrews did manage to practice in a limited fashion all week, but he’s officially questionable for Sunday’s matchup against the Texans.
If active, Andrews is impossible to put on your bench unless we hear about a very small reported “pitch” count.
If inactive, overqualified No. 2 TE Isaiah Likely would instantly vault into the position’s upper-echelon of options.
Likely ripped off PPR TE2, TE3, and TE9 finishes in his only three games with a snap rate north of 50% last season, and the rising second-year option would warrant top-five consideration without Andrews in the picture ahead of a week with a ridiculous amount of top-fantasy TEs actively banged up.
George Kittle (groin, questionable), 49ers
Kittle managed to practice in a limited fashion all week, but is ultimately listed as questionable ahead of Sunday’s matchup against the Steelers.
The good news is that the game is at 1:00 pm ET, so fantasy managers don’t need to worry about a late afternoon/Sunday night issue.
Kittle should be in fantasy lineups of most shapes and sizes if he decides to give it a go, as the long-time stud is one of few players at the position talented enough to boom even with limited opportunities.
This is especially true considering the suddenly dire state of the position as a whole.
Zach Ertz (knee, questionable), Cardinals
Ertz isn’t a recommended starting option in fantasy land regardless of if he winds up suiting up.
This is due to both the generally depressing nature of the Cardinals’ (probable) Joshua Dobbs-led offense as well as the potential for rising second-year TE Trey McBride to turn this into a committee of sorts.
If you have a close start/sit question involving a Cardinals player, do yourself a favor and pick the other guy.
Other Injury Notes
Dolphins LT Terron Armstead (back/ankle/knee, out)
Not having one of your starting offensive tackles ahead of a matchup against Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack isn’t ideal, per sources.
Cowboys G/T Tyler Smith (hamstring, doubtful), T Tyron Smith (ankle, questionable)
This is hardly ideal news for Dak Prescott and company against Kavon Thibodue and the Giants.
Of course, fantasy managers are still starting Tony Pollard and CeeDee Lamb – even if there’s a fire – but it’s fair to slightly downgrade overall offensive expectations here should the Cowboys be down multiple offensive line starters.
Browns CB Denzel Ward (concussion, not listed)
He cleared the protocol and is good to go for Sunday’s battle of Ohio against the Bengals.
While Joe Burrow and company probably would have preferred to see Ward sidelined, his shadow didn’t prevent Ja’Marr Chase from catching 10 of 15 targets for 119 yards and a TD the last time these teams met up in 2022.
Falcons CB Jeff Okudah (foot, out)
The former No. 3 overall pick hasn’t met expectations during his short NFL Career.
Either way, his absence helps the potential for Jonathan Mingo and company to make the most out of Bryce Young’s NFL debut.
Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey (foot, out)
Hardly ideal, although the Ravens’ ever-frightening front seven figures to be more than enough to make rookie QB C.J. Stroud’s life quite difficult in his NFL debut.
RB Dameon Pierce is the only Texans player that fantasy managers should be at all thrilled about starting this week.
Seahawks S Jamal Adams (knee, out), CB Devon Witherspoon (hamstring, questionable)
This is good news for the Rams’ passing game, although TE Tyler Higbee remains the only true recommended start to feel especially good about inside of this Cooper Kupp-less offense.
Raiders DE Chandler Jones (personal, out)
Here’s to hoping Jones gets the help he needs.
His absence on Sunday is obviously good news for Russell Wilson and the Broncos passing game.
Commanders DE Chase Young (neck, questionable)
It’d be a lot cooler for Washington DST streamers if Young is able to suit up, but even then: We’re talking about the Cardinals here.
Continue to fire up the Commanders as one of the week’s top streaming options at the position; they’re also set up well enough in Week 2 against the Broncos.
