I hate injuries. I wish we could turn injuries off like in Madden. Unfortunately, not only do we know injuries are a huge part of the NFL, we know that dozens of players will get hurt before the season even starts. We typically know we will lose at least a handful of big-name players. In 2019, A.J. Green suffered an injury early in camp and never played a game.
However, the 2020 season is unlike any other. With training camp starting late and padded practices not beginning until mid-August and the preseason canceled, the opportunity for serious injury is reduced. With that being said, the lack of offseason team activities and minimal full speed practices put players behind the eight ball when it comes to conditioning. I expect there to be more injuries this season, specifically soft tissue injuries than we’ve ever seen. That will be in addition to players missing games due to positive coronavirus tests (and even false positives).
The good news with this list is it is devoid of anyone fantasy-relevant missing the entire season. The bad news is we have more names on it than we should.
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Deebo Samuel (WR – SF)
The 49ers’ sophomore and top wide receiver on their depth chart, Deebo Samuel, broke his left foot on June 16. We know for a fact that he will miss the start of the season and I can’t help shake the feeling of similarities between this and 2019 A.J. Green. While the injuries are not the same, we’re hearing that Samuel should return a few weeks into the season. I’m not so sure. Foot injuries are notoriously tricky and very susceptible to re-injury as players return not when the bone has healed completely, but when the bone has healed enough to play. Samuel is straight up off my board in standard-sized redraft leagues.
Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF)
I cut the analysis of Samuel short because the beneficiary would be Brandon Aiyuk, but he’s nursing a hamstring strain. While he has three weeks to recover, hamstring injuries are tricky. With the heart of draft season upon us, we will have to act without full knowledge of his status. I’m more optimistic on Aiyuk than not and definitely want him if he’s healthy, but there’s a very real chance Week 1 rolls around and he’s just not ready. It’s also worth noting that Jalen Hurd tore his Achilles as well. Trent Taylor and Kendrick Bourne may be Jimmy Garoppolo’s top two receivers in Week 1.
Rashaad Penny (RB – SEA)
For a brief moment in 2019, it looked as though Rashaad Penny as about to finally usurp Chris Carson as the Seahawks’ RB1. A torn ACL quickly derailed that. He is going to open the season on the PUP list and is firmly off the redraft radar. Carlos Hyde is the backup and handcuff to Carson.
Darrell Henderson (RB – LAR)
The Rams’ uncertain backfield may be forced into clarity by Darrell Henderson’s hamstring strain. While it’s a minor strain and he’s almost certain to be back for Week 1, the missed practice time combined with the Rams hating him and drafting Cam Akers in the second round increases the likelihood that Akers carries a heavier workload out of the gate. I wouldn’t be surprised if Malcolm Brown played ahead of Henderson, too.
Sony Michel (RB – NE)
I wavered on whether to include Sony Michel. I don’t really care if he’s healthy or not. He is completely off my board in all formats. Even if his foot is fully recovered by Week 1, I expect this backfield to be dominated by Damien Harris and James White.
Kenyan Drake (RB – ARI)
This one seems extremely minor as Kenyan Drake was in a walking boot at this time last season as well. He was sure to let us know in a tweet about it. Drake is experiencing general soreness in his foot, but says he will be good to go Week 1. I believe him and he will be an RB1 for as long as he stays healthy. He carries substantial risk, though, because the Cardinals have no allegiance to him so if he gets hurt, misses time, and Chase Edmonds plays well, Edmonds could easily take the RB1 job from Drake.
Tyrell Williams (WR – LV)
Tyrell Williams tore his labrum for at least the third time in his football career. He’s played through it twice so he understands what it takes, but it certainly hinders his ability. He’s off the fantasy radar. Bryan Edwards is quickly becoming a prime late round WR target.
Diontae Johnson (WR – PIT)
It was almost as if Diontae Johnson’s missed practice time was revealed in passing like “no big deal.” This seemed pretty concerning, but Johnson returned to practice over the final week of August. Assuming he remains off the injury report the remainder of the offseason, treat this injury like a nonissue.
Mike Williams (WR – LAC)
The Chargers’ WR2 sprained his shoulder and has already been essentially ruled out for Week 1. That’s very discouraging as Mike Williams was being pretty undervalued in drafts. He could miss as much as a month to open the season. I have no concerns over Williams’ role when he returns, but stashing injured WR4s seems unwise. Rookie Joe Reed is a name to watch in the interim.
Alshon Jeffery (WR – PHI)
Still recovering from offseason foot surgery, Alshon Jeffery is not going to be ready for Week 1. He may not even be on the Eagles come Week 1. He shouldn’t be drafted outside of the deepest of redraft leagues. Expect DeSean Jackson and Jalen Reagor to start on the outside with Greg Ward in the slot and a whole lot of two TE sets from the Eagles.
Denzel Mims (WR – NYJ)
The Jets’ rookie wide receiver has been out with a hamstring injury and we’ve gotten very little information regarding his status. Denzel Mims is extremely unlikely to be a factor early in the season but could emerge as a top target for Sam Darnold on a wide receiver depth chart largely bereft of playmakers as the season goes on.
Jarvis Landry (WR – CLE)
Following a surprise offseason hip surgery, Jarvis Landry is far from a lock to be ready for Week 1. Perennially undervalued, Landry is as safe of a pick as you can get in fantasy football when healthy. He’s never missed a game and, to be perfectly frank, he’s the real WR1 on the Browns. I want Landry if he’s ready to go, but the fact that we are less than two weeks from opening day and we’re not sure is extremely disconcerting.
David Montgomery (RB – CHI)
There was a whirlwind of emotions surrounding David Montgomery’s non-contact injury at practice during the last week of August. When you hear “non-contact injury” and “carted off the field,” you can be certain that player’s season is over…except when those descriptions aren’t entirely accurate. Montgomery did suffer a non-contact injury, but he walked off the field on his own power and was carted to the locker room because it was very far away. His season is undoubtedly not over.
Montgomery’s injury is being described as a medium grade groin strain. Groin injuries are very troublesome for running backs and highly susceptible to re-injury, particularly if the player returns too soon. Expect the Bears to be overly cautious with Montgomery. Week 1 is firmly off the table. It would not be shocking to see him back Week 2 or 3, but Week 4 seems like a more realistic timetable. Regardless of Montgomery’s health, you shouldn’t be drafting him anywhere near his ADP. Tarik Cohen would seem to benefit from a Montgomery injury, but his role and usage seem pretty locked in. Ryan Nall may handle early-down carries Week 1, but this is a backfield where you want to either get Cohen late or avoid altogether.
D’Andre Swift (RB – DET)
The Lions’ rookie running back hasn’t practiced with a left leg injury since August 19. This initially sounded like the type of injury that would cost him practice time during the season, but he would ultimately play through. Now, I’m not so sure. Swift is in real danger of missing Week 1, but even if he returns, he will be firmly behind Kerryon Johnson. I fully expect Swift to flip that backfield, but Matt Patricia is an old school (read: terrible) football coach and it wouldn’t shock me if he kept Swift on the sidelines to “teach him a lesson” about being injured. I still like Swift this season, but he needs to be lowered in the ranks at this point.
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Jason Katz is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive or follow him @jasonkatz13.
