Week 7 Injury Roundup. Updates on Key Fantasy Football Injuries.

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 on every fantasy-relevant injury ahead of Week 7. Check out the late Friday edition of The Fantasy Life Podcast for a full breakdown on the issues from Fantasy Life lead betting analyst Matthew Freedman.

Quarterback

Josh Allen (right shoulder, questionable), Bills

Allen is good to go despite kicking off the week with a limited practice. 

Still, it’s not ideal for fantasy managers hoping career-low marks in rushing yards per game (21.8) and carries per game (3.7) will improve. 

Of course, Allen remains on pace to throw for over 4,200 yards and 35 TDs for the fourth consecutive season and remains an upside QB1 regardless of the matchup.

Deshaun Watson (right shoulder, questionable), Browns

Watson ripped off fantasy QB8, QB25 and QB10 finishes in his first three games of the season and now finds himself set up well against a Colts defense that has allowed the seventh-most fantasy points per game to the position this season.

Still, he hasn’t exactly earned the benefit of the doubt after an uneven (to be kind) start to his career in Cleveland. Alas, Watson deserves low-end QB1 consideration with so many backups and bye weeks infiltrating Week 7.

Jimmy Garoppolo (back, out), Raiders

Brian Hoyer will be under center for Sunday’s matchup against the Bears. The 38-year-old veteran completed a b-e-a-utiful 48-yard strike downfield to rookie Tre Tucker last week, but otherwise seemed content to take what the defense was giving him.

Luckily, the Bears hardly present the most intimidating challenge, so Davante Adams and (to a lesser extent) Jakobi Meyers should be capable of keeping on keeping on against the league’s fifth-worst defense in yards per attempt allowed.

Justin Fields (right thumb, out), Bears

Ideally, D.J. Moore can still provide some booms with backup Bears QB Tyson Bagent under center – the rookie did absolutely pepper him with targets during time together on Sunday.

Aug 26, 2023; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields (1) looks on from the sidelines during the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Overall, Moore earned a 43% target share with T-Bag under center last week.

Don’t expect much from Bagent or anyone else in this passing game, but DJM is fine as a boom-or-bust WR3 in a winnable matchup against the Raiders.

Daniel Jones (neck, questionable), Giants

Still not cleared for contact per head coach Brian Daboll. It sure seems like Jones is on the wrong side of questionable ahead of what might be an UGLY weather game if early wind forecasts hold true

 I’d try to avoid starting any Giants not named Saquon Barkley and (kinda) Darren Waller if you can help it.

Kyler Murray (knee, IR), Cardinals

Could be back as early as Week 8. Joshua Dobbs remains a meh low-end QB2 during Murray’s absence, although this week’s sneaky shootout against the Seahawks could possibly bring out more of a boom than usual.

Even with Murray not quite healthy enough to return just yet: Fire up Marquise Brown as a recommended WR2 start overdue for a true boom performance against a defense that has allowed more PPR points per game to opposing WRs than any group in the league.

Running Back

Jeff Wilson (ribs/finger, not listed), Dolphins

Wilson is expected to make his 2023 debut. He’s tentatively expected to work as the clear-cut 1B RB to Raheem Mostert while De’Von Achane (knee, IR) remains out of the picture.

Fire up Wilson as a boom–or–bust FLEX type against this stiff Eagles front seven.

Meanwhile, Mostert will continue to warrant weekly upside RB1 consideration as long as he remains in line for weekly 15-plus touch workloads inside of the game’s top-ranked scoring offense.

Damien Harris (neck/concussion, out), Bills

The absence of Harris condenses this backfield to just two parties for the time being.

I like James Cook’s chances of flirting with an upper-end outcome against this banged-up Patriots defense, but hopeful RB1 heights look shakier than ever without the benefit of a featured role thanks to the reality that Latavius Murray remains a key part of this backfield.

Desperate bye week-ridden fantasy managers should particularly consider Murray in standard formats: He racked up a season-high 12 touches last week and is the lead goal-line back in a Bills offense implied to score 24.25 points – the sixth-highest mark of Week 7. 

David Montgomery (ribs, out), Jahmyr Gibbs (hamstring, not listed), Craig Reynolds (hamstring/toe, questionable), Lions

Gibbs racked up 19 combined carries and targets on a robust (for him) 60% snap rate with Montgomery sidelined back in Week 3. The rookie himself said he’s embracing the role of being an “18 to 20” touch-a-game RB.

Gibbs is the Fantasy Life consensus RB18 and someone who should be fired up in far more fantasy lineups than not as the featured back of the league’s fourth-ranked scoring offense.

Kyren Williams (ankle, out), Ronnie Rivers (knee, IR), Rams

This presents a very complicated potential four-back committee for Sunday’s matchup against the Steelers. Incumbent backup Zach Evans is seemingly the favorite to start, but there’s no telling just how much the likes of Darrell Henderson, Royce Freeman and Myles Gaskin could also be involved.

Sep 10, 2023; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams running back Kyren Williams (23) carries the ball while being chased by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner (54) during the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Ultimately, it’d make a lot of sense if the answer to which RB to start in fantasy winds up being “no”, as Matthew Stafford and the WRs should be more relied on than ever.

Fire up Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua as the WR1s they’ve *both* been all season, while I’m also treating Stafford as a recommended QB1 start thanks to the potential for his TD rate to move in a more fantasy-friendly direction moving forward.

Kareem Hunt (thigh, questionable), Browns

Hunt failed to get in a full practice all week. Getting Deshaun Watson (right shoulder, questionable) back would help everyone involved, but either way Jerome Ford is set up for RB2-level success against a Colts defense that has allowed the 12th-most PPR points per game to the position this year.

Hunt is more of a low-end RB3 if active due to the potential for limited snaps while playing through the pain.

Roschon Johnson (concussion, out), Travis Homer (hamstring, not listed), Bears

Homer will join D’Onta Foreman and Darrynton Evans in what figures to be at least a somewhat split three-back committee. Still, Foreman was the clear leader of the pack last week, posting team-high marks in snaps (60%) and rush attempt share (45%) in Week 6.

Fire up Foreman as a TD-dependent low-end RB2 against a Raiders defense that has allowed 600 rushing yards to opposing RBs this season – the seventh-highest mark in the league.

Aaron Jones (hamstring, questionable), Packers

Jones said himself that he feels the best he’s felt since the injury occurred in Week 1, but is still ultimately questionable after failing to get in a full practice this week.

If active, A-aron is set up brilliantly against the Broncos’ league-worst defense in PPR points per game allowed to the position. A.J. Dillon will be a recommended volume- and matchup-based RB2 if Jones is sidelined once again.

Saquon Barkley (ankle, not listed), Giants

Barkley returned from injury to elite marks in snap rate (82%), rush attempt share (83%) and route rate (55%); he’s a recommended RB1 whenever healthy enough to suit up with this sort of workload despite the obvious potential pitfalls inside of the Giants’ league-worst scoring offense.

Christian McCaffrey (oblique), 49ers

Considered day-to-day, but unfortunately plays on Monday night against the Vikings so managers need to have a decent pivot plan if we don’t get more news by Sunday.

Even then, CMC profiles as more of a low-end RB1 than usual while playing through the pain inside of an offense with more than enough additional playmakers to not feel the need to feed a banged-up option.

Of course, McCaffrey should still be started in fantasy leagues of all shapes and sizes if active, ideally, managers found a way to roster either Jordan Mason or Elijah Mitchell, who will upgrade to borderline RB2 status should CMC be sidelined.

Zach Charbonet (hamstring, questionable), Seahawks

Didn’t practice all week, meaning Kenneth Walker should continue to be relied on as one of the most fantasy-friendly RBs in the game.

You don’t need more than one hand – if that– to count the number of RBs you’d rather have in your starting lineup ahead of a rather tasty matchup against the league’s third-worst defense in PPR points per game allowed to opposing RBs.

Wide Receiver

DeVonta Smith (hamstring, not listed), Eagles

Smith worryingly started off the week with a DNP, but he’s good to go after back-to-back limited sessions.

Just the WR35 in PPR points per game, Smith has struggled to get much going in recent weeks and wound up racking up the second-most unrealized air yards in Week 6 (137). Still, betting against this Eagles offense in general simply doesn’t seem wise – particularly when they are implied to score a week-high 27 points.

Keep Smith in those starting lineups and pray to the fantasy Gods for a bounce-back against this still Jalen Ramsey-less Dolphins defense.

JuJu Smith-Schuster (concussion, questionable), Demario Douglas (concussion, questionable), Kayshon Boutte (hamstring, questionable), Patriots

The Patriots featured DeVante Parker (78% route rate), Kendrick Bourne (92%), Jalen Reagor (22%) and Ty Montgomery (8%) with each of these banged-up parties out of action last week.

Ultimately, none are recommended fantasy options ahead of this dismal matchup inside of a passing game that has yet to truly catch its stride in 2023.

Bourne is the best dart throw of the group, but even then: Close start/sit decisions involving anyone functioning inside of an offense implied to score a week-low 15.75 points should probably go to the other guy.

Diontae Johnson (hamstring, not listed), Steelers

Hopefully Johnson’s brief 2023 debut was a sign of things to come from a target perspective. Overall, the stud WR went 3-48-0 on six targets in just 27 snaps before suffering a hamstring injury prior to halftime against the 49ers in Week 1

This 26.1% targets per route run clip is what Justin Jefferson has seen in 2023.

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (18) catches a pass in the fourth quarter during a Week 12 NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, at Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati Bengals won, 41-10. Pittsburgh Steelers At Cincinnati Bengals Nov 28

Kudos to the Rams defense for posting top-10 numbers in lowest yards per attempt, explosive pass play rate, and passer rating allowed this season; both Johnson and George Pickens are more WR3 types while both are healthy for however long this Kenny Pickett and Matt Canada-led “attack” continues to provide far more bad than good.

Alec Pierce (shoulder, questionable), Colts

Pierce has only earned a 13% target share with Gardner Minshew under center this season, as Michael Pittman (30%) and Josh Downs (21%) have been far more involved.

Pittman is the WR20 in PPR points per game this season and remains deserving of that low-end WR2 treatment even in a tough upcoming matchup against Myles Garrett and company.

Justin Watson (elbow, out), Chiefs

Rookie WR Rashee Rice posted a season-high 50% route rate last week with Watson partially sidelined.

Still, each of Marquez Valdes-Scantling (71%), Skyy Moore (50%), Kadarius Toney (35%) and Justyn Ross (4%) remain involved as well – and that was before the Chiefs decided to trade for old friend Mecole Hardman.

Rice is deserving of top fantasy billing, but even then he’s not more than a WR4 due to likely meh usage.

Davante Adams (shoulder, not listed), Raiders

Could be set up for a squeaky wheel target boom situation against the Bears after speaking out to the media this week about wanting to be more involved.

Despite the less-than-ideal volume, Adams remains the WR13 in PPR points per game and remains an auto-start in fantasy leagues of all shapes and sizes regardless of the matchup.

Wan’Dale Robinson (knee, not listed), Giants

There was finally a clear-cut big-three WR core in this Giants passing game last Sunday night, as Darius Slayton (93% route rate), Jalin Hyatt (80%) and Wan'Dale Robinson (73%) worked well ahead of Isaiah Hodgins (20%) and Sterling Shepard (0%) among others.

Unfortunately, Daniel Jones (neck, questionable) is iffy for Sunday, meaning Tyrod Taylor could once again be under center ahead of what might be an UGLY weather game if early wind forecasts hold true.

I’d try to avoid starting any Giants not named Saquon Barkley and (kinda) Darren Waller if you can help it.

Deebo Samuel (shoulder), 49ers

Considered day-to-day, but unfortunately plays on Monday night against the Vikings so managers need to have a decent pivot plan if we don’t get more news by Sunday.

Even then, Deebo profiles as more of a WR3 than usual while playing through the pain inside of an offense with more than enough additional playmakers to not feel the need to feed a banged-up option.

Tyler Lockett (hamstring, not listed), D.K. Metcalf (ribs/hip, questionable), Seahawks

Metcalf curiously wasn’t listed on the final injury report last week, so this newfound hip injury does seem to be a real issue. It’d make sense if the banged-up nature of this WR room leads to more usage for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who ran a route on a season-high 81% of Geno Smith’s drop back last week.

Ultimately, Metcalf remains a solid WR2 if active and Lockett is more of a boom-or-bust WR3 option, while JSN is still more of a hopeful WR5 stash.

Tight End

Dallas Goedert (groin, not listed), Eagles

No issues here: Goedert practiced in a limited fashion all week and will suit up Sunday night against the Dolphins.

He’s ripped off 8-117-1 and 5-42-0 on season-high target totals of nine and eight over the past two weeks; continue to fire up the talented sixth-year veteran while realizing someone is going to be the odd man out inside of this loaded, but crowded, Eagles attack.

Dalton Kincaid (concussion, not listed), Bills

Kincaid has posted a route rate between 59-79% in all five of his games this season, but has yet to register even one top-12 finish in full-PPR scoring.

Perhaps better days are ahead, but Dawson Knox will remain involved, and he isn’t exactly set up super well against the Patriots’ 10th-best defense in PPR points per game allowed to the position.

Hunter Henry (ankle, questionable), Patriots

Henry managed to get in a limited practice on Friday after missing the team’s first two sessions of the week. He suffered the issue last week, accordingly leading to a season-low 54% route rate – and a season-high 59% mark for Mike Gesicki.

The ex-Dolphins WR TE would be a borderline TE1 option at the position with Henry sidelined; fantasy managers should expect more of a split than usual if Henry manages to play through the pain.

Sam LaPorta (calf, not listed), Lions

Only Travis Kelce (17.7) and Mark Andrews (14.3) have scored more PPR points per game than LaPorta (13.3) this season.

Fire him up as the upside TE1 he’s been all season even ahead of a ROUGH matchup against the Raven’s league-best defense in limiting PPR points per game to the position.

Pat Freiermuth (hamstring, out), Steelers

Muth is out for Week 7’s matchup against the Rams.

The Steelers featured an even rotation between Darnell Washington and Connor Heyward in his absence last week; neither are realistic fantasy starts inside of an offense that figures to feature the WRs and RBs far ahead of either TE in the passing game.

Kylen Granson (concussion, out), Colts

Look for the Colts to keep three TEs involved in an evenly enough split committee that renders each as non-viable fantasy options.

Andrew Ogletree deserves top billing, but Mo Alie-Cox and Will Mallory should alo be plenty involved.

Jalen Guyton (knee, IR), Chargers

Remains sidelined, but he could feasibly make life more difficult for Joshua Palmer and Quentin Johnston in future matchups.

Greg Dulcich (hamstring, out), Broncos

Dulcich is quickly back to the sideline after returning in Week 6. Look for Adam Trautman to lead the way again, but Chris Manhertz and more figure to also rotate inside of a passing game that keeps the WRs involved over pretty much everyone else.

Trautman is only worthy of dart-throw DFS consideration inside of an offense that has yet to truly find its rhythm in 2023.

Other

• Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey (knee, out), Xavien Howard (groin, questionable)
• Eagles RT Lane Johnson (ankle, not listed)
• Eagles DT Jalen Carter (ankle, not listed), CB Darius Slay (knee, not listed), CB Bradley Roby (shoulder, out), FS Reed Blankenship (ribs, out)
• Patriots DE Keion White (concussion, out), DB Jonathan Jones (knee, questionable), DT Christian Barmore (knee,  questionable), CB Shaun Wade (shoulder, questionable), CB Jack Jones (hamstring, questionable), DT Davon Godchaux (ankle, questionable), LB Trey Flowers (foot, questionable), S Kyle Dugger (foot, questionable), DB Cody Davis (knee, questionable), LB Josh Uche (knee/foot, out)
• Ravens FS Marcus Williams (hamstring, out),  CB Kevon Seymour (ankle, out)
• Steelers OLB T.J. Watt (heel, not listed)
• Chargers OLB Joey Bosa (toe, not listed), S Derwin James (ankle, questionable)
• Packers CB Jaire Alexander (back, questionable)
• Giants OT Andrew Thomas (hamstring, out), Matt Peart (shoulder, out), OT Evan Neal (ankle, questionable), C John Michael Schmitz (shoulder, out), G Mark Glowinski (quad/ankle, <>), G Shane Lemieux (biceps/groin, IR)
• 49ers LT Trent Williams (ankle)
• Seahawks C Evan Brown (hip, questionable), G Phil Haynes (calf, questionable), OT Jake Curhan (ankle, questionable)