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 2.
Check out the late Friday edition of The Fantasy Life Podcast for a full breakdown of the issues from myself and lead Fantasy Life betting analyst Matthew Freedman.
Quarterback
Jimmy Garoppolo (ankle, not listed), Raiders
Jimmy G was limited Wednesday, but is good to go for Sunday’s road trip to Buffalo after finishing the week with back-to-back full practice.
He’s a borderline QB2 and only startable in superflex formats; even then you aren't feeling great ahead of this rather brutal matchup against the league’s reigning seventh-best defense in limiting fantasy points per game to opposing QBs.
CJ Stroud (shoulder, questionable), Texans
Added to the injury report on Friday, seemingly indicating the injury happened at practice. This is hardly ideal for anyone involved in a Texans offense that failed to find the end zone in their first 60 minutes of the season.
Going from Stroud to Davis Mills would certainly result in a downgrade for everyone involved, but even then, it’s tough to be overly excited about starting anybody from this offense anyway.
Dameon Pierce remains a low-end RB2 regardless of Stroud’s final status, while close start/sit decisions featuring any of the team’s WRs and TEs should go to the other guy considering the potential for this offense to be dealing with either an injured QB and/or a bad QB.
Running Back
Austin Ekeler (ankle, doubtful), Chargers
Ekeler didn’t practice all week and shouldn’t be expected to suit up Sunday against the Titans. Ekeler’s absence immediately elevates Joshua Kelley into high-end RB2 territory after the 25-year-old talent turned 16 carries into 91 yards and a TD against the Dolphins in Week 1.
Sep 10, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (30) celebrates after a touchdown in the first half against the Miami Dolphins at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
While it’d make sense if Isaiah Spiller and/or Elijah Dotson assist in some capacity, Ekeler himself even said Kelley is the next man up.
I would start Kelley ahead of guys like David Montgomery, Rachaad White and Dameon Pierce due to his potential for more of a true three-down role in a better overall offense.
Breece Hall (knee, questionable), Jets
Hall practiced in full on Friday and will suit up Sunday against the Cowboys, although head coach Robert Saleh confirmed that his stud RB will remain on a pitch count.
Still, Saleh did say that they’ll keep giving Hall a little more as they work him back in.
Last week Hall posted middling numbers in snap rate (32%), rush attempt share (37%) and route participation (19%), but he more than made the most out of his opportunities and wound up totaling 147 yards on 11 touches anyway.
He’s the consensus RB24 in the Fantasy Life Rankings and not someone who needs to be jammed into lineups.
Aaron Jones (hamstring, questionable), Packers
He claimed he could have returned to the game last Sunday, but that claim is looking iffy after the veteran didn’t manage to practice all week. Jones will be tough to trust as his usual upside RB2 self even if active due to the potential for AJ Dillon to soak up more work than usual.
If active, treat Jones as a likely limited RB3, while Dillon will rise up into the position’s top-15 options should he be forced into a starting role.
James Conner (calf, not listed), Cardinals
Good to go after getting in a full practice on Friday, the veteran RB has ripped off PPR RB5, RB12, RB4, RB15 and most recently RB20 finishes in five games since Kyler Murray (knee, IR) went down at the end of last season.
Don’t expect the production to look overly pretty, but it’s tough to fade pretty much anyone looking at 20-plus touches and 80%-plus snaps on a weekly basis.
Raheem Mostert (knee, not listed), De’Von Achane (shoulder, not listed), Dolphins
Mostert’s Wednesday DNP was confirmed to simply be a planned rest day.
The veteran has posted PPR RB18, RB13, RB38, RB7, RB37, RB15 and RB30 in his last seven games with Jeff Wilson (finger/midsection, IR) out of the picture.
Not a perfect hit rate, but consistent high-end snap-by-snap involvement has helped the 31-year-old veteran provide plenty of RB2 goodness with upside for even more.
Mostert remains a viable FLEX candidate in leagues of most shapes and sizes thanks to his potential to see 15-plus touches inside of one of the league’s most-lethal offenses when everything is clicking – particularly if Achane is once again a healthy scratch.
Zack Moss (forearm, not listed), Colts
Moss is good to go for Sunday’s matchup against the Texans. He’s expected to form a committee of sorts with Deon Jackson.
Some have murmured that Moss could have a shot to handle lead-back duties this week, but even then he’s a thin RB3 play at best due to the likelihood that Anthony Richardson (similar to Jalen Hurts) soaks up fantasy-friendly goal-line opportunities even in the (probably rare) instances that this Colts offense manages to move the ball into the red zone.
Colts RBs combined for just 8.7 PPR points in Week 1; I’ll continue to answer the majority of all close start/sit questions involving them with the other guy.
Cordarrelle Patterson (thigh, not listed), Falcons
C-Patt isn’t a realistic fantasy option on his own, but his presence might limit the touch upside of Tyler Allgeier and even Bijan Robinson.
Arthur Smith gonna Arthur Smith, man.
Tyjae Spears (groin, not listed), Titans
Spears is good to go after practicing in full on Thursday and Friday.
Look for Spears to continue to work as the Chargers’ lead pass-down back, but see minimal overall touches behind Derrick Henry. He’s a handcuff, not a realistic fantasy option.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire (illness, questionable), Chiefs
CEH sandwiched a full session on Thursday with DNPs on Wednesday and Friday
His absence would condense this three-back committee into just two options – good news for both Isiah Pacheco and Jerick McKinnon.
Both would be in the RB3 conversation ahead of this potential shootout, as no Week 2 matchup has a higher game total than Chiefs-Jaguars (51.5) at the moment.
Kendre Miller (hamstring), Saints
Miller seems to be trending towards making his NFL debut after practicing in a limited fashion on both Thursday and Friday.
Still, Jamaal Williams is fully expected to keep working as the offense’s lead back for Monday night’s matchup against the Panthers. Williams is a volume-based RB2 again this week, although the presence of Miller would ding the Twerk God’s ceiling just a tad.
Miller isn’t anything more than a deep bench stash at this point; he’ll be the clear No. 3 RB once Alvin Kamara is back from suspension in Week 4.
Chris Evans (hamstring, questionable), Bengals
Evans’ absence would elevate Treveon Williams to more of a featured role behind bell-cow RB Joe Mixon.
Of course, neither backup is worthy of serious fantasy consideration as long as Mixon remains healthy.
Wide Receiver
Davante Adams (foot, non listed), Jakobi Meyers (concussion, out), DeAndre Carter (knee, not listed), Raiders
Fire up Adams as his usual WR1 self after he finished the week with back-to-back full practices.
Meyers’ absence sadly isn’t guaranteed to elevate Hunter Renfrow to a full-time role, as the long-time slot maven ran the same percentage of routes as Kristian Wilkerson (31%) last week.
Adams and RB Josh Jacobs are the only Raiders to be started with any level of confidence in Week 2.
Jaylen Waddle (oblique, not listed), Dolphins
He's good to go once again; continue to fire up the Dolphins’ overqualified No. 2 WR as a top-15 option at the position in fantasy leagues of all shapes and sizes.
DeAndre Hopkins (ankle, questionable), Titans
He didn’t practice all week, but there’s a chance this is more precautionary than anything considering Hopkins’ history of not practicing all that much anyway even when healthy.
His absence would certainly be a nice boost to the fantasy upside of both Treylon Burks and Chiggy Okonkwo against a Dolphins secondary that had no answers for Tyreek Hill and company last week.
Good news: This game kicks off at 1:00 pm ET, so fantasy managers will have their full bench at their disposal should Hopkins eventually be ruled out.
He’s a volume-driven low-end WR2 if healthy enough to suit up in this potential smash spot.
Christian Watson (hamstring, questionable), Romeo Doubs (hamstring, not listed), Packers
Watson failed to get in a full practice on Friday, meaning he might still very well be another week away from returning.
If active, fantasy managers will have to cross their fingers that the Packers won’t play him on limited snaps, as was largely the case for Doubs (67% route rate) in Week 1.
Jan 8, 2023; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson (9) rushes with the football during the first quarter against the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Ultimately, no Packers WR posted a snap rate north of 70% in Week 1 – I’ll be answering any sort of close start/sit question involving Watson with the other guy if active, while Doubs and Jayden Reed are more of low-end WR4 types than players who should be started with confidence.
Diontae Johnson (hamstring), Steelers
Reportedly expected to miss up to four weeks, Johnson called himself day-to-day.
While it’d be great if Johnson’s optimism is warranted, fantasy managers can’t rely on him for at least this week with the Steelers matching up against the Browns on Monday night football.
George Pickens becomes a recommended upside WR3 start, while Allen Robinson and Calvin Austin are available as deep-league FLEX options, thanks to the likelihood that they run routes on a majority of Kenny Pickett’s dropbacks.
Jerry Jeudy (hamstring, not listed), Broncos
Head coach Sean Payton added that he doesn’t believe Jeudy will need a snap count this week.
It’s great news for the rising fourth-year WR, who ended 2022 on an absolute tear.
While it’s not a given Jeudy ascends to clear-cut No. 1 WR status in this new-look Broncos offense, he’s firmly in the borderline WR2 conversation ahead of a winnable matchup against the Commanders.
Puka Nacua (oblique, questionable), Rams
Head coach Sean McVay said Nacua “should” play in Week 2 against the 49ers.
While the matchup is already not ideal, this mid-week injury makes Nacua far less of a recommended WR3 option due to the reality that the 49ers-Rams kickoff isn’t until the late afternoon slot.
Aug 19, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (17) warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
Desperate fantasy managers who spent all their FAAB on Nacua for a reason might not have another choice; I’ll be answering most close start/sit questions involving the breakout rookie with the other guy due to these health and matchup concerns.
Brandin Cooks (knee, questionable), Cowboys
He's not believed to be dealing with a multi-week injury, but fantasy managers should plan on the veteran field-stretcher not being available Sunday afternoon after Cooks failed to practice all week.
His absence is a nice upgrade for Michael Gallup and (to a lesser extent) Jalen Tolbert, although it’d make sense if the matchup against Sauce Gardner and company compels head coach Mike McCarthy to embrace the run game even more than usual.
Ultimately, CeeDee Lamb and Tony Pollard are the only players in this offense who should absolutely be started in fantasy land.
Curtis Samuel (hip, not listed), Commanders
Look for Samuel to continue to work as the clear-cut No. 3 WR in this Sam Howell-led passing attack.
Still, Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson are fully expected to lead the way. Samuel is more of a desperate FLEX option or low-cost DFS play than anything.
DeVante Parker (knee, questionable), Kayshon Boutee (hamstring, not listed), Patriots
Parker failed to get up to a full practice this week and is officially questionable for Sunday night’s matchup against the Dolphins.
His continued absence would be good news for those streaming Kendrick Bourne, as he led the Patriots in terms of route participation (93%) and target share (21%) during last week’s loss to the Eagles.
Boutee was the next-man-up in terms of routes (74%) last week, but Bourne is the only viable fantasy option for the time being – treat him as an upside WR4 in a potentially ascending passing attack if Parker remains sidelined for another week.
D.J. Chark (hamstring), Panthers
He practiced in a limited fashion on both Thursday and Friday to start the week. Chark could be limited in his first game back and isn’t guaranteed to break into starting three-WR sets even if active.
His presence would seemingly be the biggest detriment to Terrace Marshall, although it’s not like any Panthers WRs are enticing fantasy options at the moment.
RB Miles Sanders is the only Carolina player who should be started in fantasy leagues of most shapes and sizes.
Wan’Dale Robinson (knee, doubtful), Giants
Parris Campbell will remain the Giants’ starting slot WR for the time being. Still, it’s best to refrain from trusting any Giants WR in fantasy land as long as the passing game looks largely incapable of, you know, completing a forward pass.
Even once Robinson is active, there’s a good chance he’ll be eased into a rotation of sorts.
Tight End
Travis Kelce (knee, questionable), Chiefs
Kelce gave practice viewers quite the scare on Friday, but head coach Andy Reid confirmed that the long-time stud TE will make his season debut on Sunday.
You don’t need me to tell you to start the four-time first-team All-Pro any chance he’s healthy enough to suit up.
Mark Andrews (quad, questionable), Ravens
Tentatively expected to suit up after getting in a full practice on Friday – something he failed to achieve in Week 1.
Fire up Andrews as his usual top-two TE fantasy self against a Bengals defense still adjusting to losing both of their longtime starting safeties in free agency.
The stud Ravens TE has posted 5-73-0, 8-89-1 and 8-125-1 receiving lines in his last three matchups against this defense.
Darren Waller (hamstring/rest, not listed), Giants
Waller is good to go for Sunday’s clash against the Cardinals.
While it’s pretty far from ideal that his hamstring is bothering him in any fashion, the ex-Raiders veteran added some context to his issue and said the issue is “nowhere near” as severe as the hammy issue he dealt with in 2022.
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
Waller is Fantasy Life’s consensus TE4 behind only Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews and T.J. Hockenson.
Pat Freiermuth (chest), Steelers
He looks to be good to go for Monday night after getting in a full practice on Friday.
Still, the lingering injury could lead to a more reduced role than usual considering the depth that the Steelers have compiled at the position. Muth isn’t ranked higher than the TE11 by any of the Fantasy Life rankers at the moment.
Dalton Schultz (thigh, not listed), Texans
He's good to go after practicing in full on Thursday and Friday
Still, Schultz worked well behind both Nico Collins and Robert Woods in C.J. Stroud’s pecking order last week and now will have to deal with a potential QB change if Stroud’s shoulder issue keeps him sidelined.
Schulz is the Fantasy Life consensus TE17 and isn’t a recommended start inside this lifeless Texans passing game.
Juwan Johnson (calf), Saints
He is tentatively expected to suit up Monday night against the Panthers after practicing in full on Friday.
While Johnson didn’t have the biggest counting numbers in Week 1, he ran a route on an elite 82% of Derek Carr’s dropbacks.
This sort of usage *should* lead to bigger games down the road, although the Panthers deserve credit for allowing the 10th-fewest PPR points per game to the position last year and specifically for holding Johnson to just one catch for 21 scoreless yards across eight quarters of action.
Johnson is a TD-dependent TE2 in this spot and is more of a deeper-league bench stash for now.
Greg Dulcich (hamstring, out), Broncos
Dulcich’s absence opens the door for Adam Trautman to potentially play a near-every-down role.
Still, this passing game should go through Jerry Jeudy and Courtland Sutton first and foremost; stay away from any Broncos TE in fantasy land until there’s some sign of upside in this passing game.
Other Notable Injuries
Dolphins OT Terron Armstead (back/ankle/knee, questionable)
It sure would be a lot cooler if Tua Tagovailoa had the services of the team’s best offensive lineman, but as the group demonstrated last week, explosions are still plenty possible even if Armstead remains sidelined for another week.
Still, his chances of suiting up look good after practicing in a limited fashion all week.
Seahawks OT Abraham Lucas (foot, IR), OT Charles Cross (toe, out)
The Seahawks will be without both of their starting tackles ahead of a matchup with stud second-year Lions DE Aidan Hutchinson, who was one of just seven players to rack up at least seven pressures in Week 1.
This offense fell off a cliff in the second half of last week’s matchup once Lucas and Cross were sidelined:
- First half: 13 points, 10 first downs, 5.3 yards per play, +0.122 EPA per play
- Second half: 0 points, 0 first downs, 0.9 yards per play, -0.754 EPA per play
WR DK Metcalf and RB Kenneth Walker are the only Seahawks who need to be started ahead of this sneaky dud matchup.
Patriots OT Trent Brown (concussion, questionable), G Sidy Sow (concussion, questionable), G Mike Onewenu (ankle, questionable), G Cole Strange (knee, questionable)
New England notoriously doesn’t put any effort into actually giving away meaningful information on their injury report.
Even then, it’s a big off-putting/hilarious that they chose to list Brown and Sow as questionable after three consecutive DNPs…while recovering from concussions.
Neither Sow nor Strange managed to get in a full practice throughout the week, potentially leaving the Patriots devastatingly thin on the offensive line ahead of a matchup with Bradley Chubb and company.
Jets OT Mekhi Becton (knee, questionable), Duane Brown (shoulder, questionable)
Both are expected to play through the pain for Sunday’s matchup against the Cowboys.
Cowboys G Zack Martin (groin, questionable), OT Tyler Smith (hamstring, doubtful)
Martin was a midweek addition to the injury report, although the all-world guard did manage to get in a limited session on Friday.
The absence of Martin AND Smith would leave the Cowboys awfully thin up front ahead of a tough matchup against the Jets’ elite defense.
You’re starting Tony Pollard and CeeDee Lamb regardless; just realize losing the consensus best guard in the league lowers the scoring upside for everyone involved.
Colts G Quenton Nelson (toe, questionable)
He got in a limited practice on Friday after back-to-back DNPs to start the week.
His absence would warrant a slight downgrade for the Colts' rushing attack as a whole, although Anthony Richardson will remain a top-10 option at the position either way.
Ravens C Tyler Linderbaum (ankle, out), LT Ronnie Stanley (knee, out)
This is not ideal for anybody involved in this Ravens offense.
Treat RBs Gus Edwards and Justice Hill more as borderline RB3/FLEX options as opposed to options that NEED to be started.
Giants OT Andrew Thomas (hamstring, questionable)
Losing one of the game’s very best offensive tackles wouldn’t be great for a unit that is fresh off allowing the third-highest single-game pressure rate since 2020.
Thomas is officially a game-time decision for Sunday. While the Cardinals don’t figure to be quite as threatening as Micah Parsons and company were in Week 1, losing Thomas wouldn’t help anyone involved in this offense meet their fantasy ceilings.
Jaguars C Luke Fortner (ankle, questionable), G Brandon Scherff (ankle, questionable)
Being down two starting offensive linemen against Chris Jones and company wouldn’t be ideal, although both Fortner and Scherff did end the week with back-to-back limited practices.
Chargers DL Joey Bosa (hamstring, questionable)
He managed to get in a limited practice on Friday after back-to-back DNPs to start the week.
The presence of one of the league’s single-best defensive linemen would certainly help the Chargers’ cause in attempting to slow down King Henry on the ground.
Raiders DE Chandler Jones (NIR/personal, out)
Maxx Crosby will still make plenty of plays, but the upside of this pass rush remains well below its potential ceiling as long as Jones remains sidelined.
Commanders DE Chase Young (neck, not listed)
Young will make his 2023 debut and adds yet another first-round talent to this loaded Commanders D-line.
Good luck, Russ!
Ravens CB Marlon Humphrey (foot, out), FS Marcus Williams (pec, out)
Joe Burrow and company couldn’t have asked for a better get-right spot than a sunny home matchup against a banged-up Ravens defense missing arguably the two most talented players in their secondary.
Texans S Jalen Pitre (chest, out), Jimmie Ward (hip, out)
Missing two safeties is certainly good news for Anthony Richardson and this Colts passing game.
Falcons CB Jeff Okudah (foot, questionable)
Absence would be good news for Jordan Love and company
Even then: Okudah’s game participation shouldn’t be resulting in any MAJOR fantasy swings for all parties involved.
Buccaneers CB Carlton Davis (toe, out), DB Christian Izien (concussion, questionable)
Good news for the chances of Justin Fields and company getting on track, although their performance in Week 1 doesn’t give much credence to the idea that there’s truly a pass game ceiling worth chasing in Chicago.
D.J. Moore remains the only recommended start in this offense aside from Fields, and even then he's more of a borderline WR2 due to projected volume problems.
Panthers CB Jaycee Horn (hamstring, IR)
Horn’s absence is a plus for everyone involved in the low-key loaded Saints aerial attack.
Chris Olave should already be started in lineups of all shapes and sizes, but don’t be surprised if Michael Thomas and Rashid Shaheed provide FLEX-level goodness against this banged-up secondary.
Cardinals S Budda Baker (hamstring, questionable)
The heart and soul of the Cardinals was a Friday addition to the injury report, meaning the issue seemingly happened at practice.
Not great ahead of a matchup against Saquon Barkley and company. Baker’s absence would be a nice boost for Barkley and the rest of the Giants’ offensive attack.
