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Fantasy Football Injury Updates: Michael Thomas, C.J. Uzomah, Kenyan Drake, Daniel Bellinger (2022)

Fantasy Football Injury Updates: Michael Thomas, C.J. Uzomah, Kenyan Drake, Daniel Bellinger (2022)

It’s never too early to check in on player injury statuses ahead of the 2022 season, and our news desk has you covered. Let’s take a look at the latest injury news and notes around the NFL.

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Michael Thomas starts training camp on PUP list

According to ESPN’s Field Yates, WR Michael Thomas will begin training camp on the PUP list. (Source: Field Yates on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Thomas has dealt with ankle injuries that date back to his 2020 season, only having played seven games in the last two years. Previous reports said that Thomas was moving in the right direction physically, but the New Orleans Saints deemed him physically unable to perform as training camp begins. By placing him on the PUP list, the Saints have the ability to lift Thomas off at any point, but if he remains on the PUP list by the start of the regular season, he will be required to miss a minimum of four weeks. In his last full season, Thomas had an NFL record 149 catches, led the league with 1,725 receiving yards and scored nine touchdowns, finishing as the WR1 in fantasy. Despite this, his injury issues have been tough to monitor, and his average draft pick of WR29 in PPR formats, according to FantasyPros, reflects that uncertainty expressed by fantasy managers.

Jordan Epp


C.J. Uzomah placed on PUP List

The Jets announced that C.J. Uzomah will begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list. (Source: New York Jets)

Fantasy Impact: C.J. Uzomah finished the 2021 season as TE19, one spot off of his best fantasy finish of TE18 that came in 2018. Though he’s coming off of a solid year, it looks unlikely that Uzomah will have a repeat performance. The eighth-year TE signed with the Jets this offseason, and finds himself competing with Tyler Conklin and rookie Jeremy Ruckert for snaps. Chemistry is very important, and with Uzomah set to miss time early in training camp, he’ll miss out on valuable opportunities to build a rapport with QB Zach Wilson. Uzomah is currently being drafted as TE27 in full-PPR leagues, according to FantasyPros average draft position.

Brock Anderson


Kenyan Drake cleared for training camp

According to Vincent Bonsignore, Kenyan Drake has been cleared to participate in training camp. (Source: Vincent Bonsignore on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Kenyan Drake was RB31 in full-PPR leagues before landing on injured reserve with a broken ankle that he suffered in a Week 13 loss to the Washington Commanders. Entering 2022, the Raiders hired a new offensive-minded head coach in Josh McDaniels. McDaniels served as a long-time offensive coordinator with the New England Patriots and ran an offense that supported one of the league’s premier pass-catching backs, James White. The new scheme should work greatly in Drake’s favor as he was on pace to record 45 receptions for 437 yards last year. Drake will likely struggle to garner a meaningful amount of carries in a backfield that includes Josh Jacobs and rookie Zamir White but could see an uptick in pass-game usage if he’s able to fend off Brandon Bolden for those valuable third-down snaps.

Brock Anderson


Daniel Bellinger (quad) placed on PUP list

The Giants have placed fourth-round pick Daniel Bellinger on the Physically Unable to Perform list with a quadricep injury, according to Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson. (Source: Aaron Wilson on Twitter)

Fantasy Impact: Bellinger is part of the Giants’ overhaul at the tight end position, having signed free agents Ricky Seals-Jones and Jordan Akins as well after losing veterans Evan Engram and Kyle Rudolph in the offseason. The rookie had 31 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns last season for San Diego State. Bellinger arrived on Tuesday with all other rookies and can be activated at any point during camp. Bellinger took first-team reps, “caught the ball well” in minicamp, and “made a strong first impression,” so once he is cleared to practice, he should be the man to beat for the starting tight end spot in New York. The rookie could be a sleeper candidate at a shallow fantasy position if he can develop a rapport with Daniel Jones and become his go-to tight end.

Luke Monaldo


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