Benjamin Franklin once coined the phrase “nothing can be said to be certain in life, except death and taxes.” I’m willing to put an addendum on that, with “and fantasy football injuries.” Let’s face it — this is a violent game, and getting banged up is going to happen. Although managers can do their best to minimize risks and maximize the chances of fielding a full roster every week, injuries are an inherent obstacle that needs to be overcome and navigated around.
Below is a quick rundown of the latest injury news (as of Tuesday morning) from around the league to fantasy-relevant players, and a quick recommendation of pivot options to consider that are widely available on waivers currently.
- More Waiver Wire Pickups
- Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Fantasy Football Injuries to Know
Quarterback
Brock Purdy (QB – SF)
News broke during Monday morning’s conference call with San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan that Brock Purdy had sustained injuries to his left shoulder and toe, with more evaluations currently pending. The Athletic’s 49ers beat reporter Matt Barrows stated that the team is considering the possibility of signing another quarterback this week to be the backup in their upcoming contest against the New Orleans Saints, if Purdy can’t recover in time.
The silver lining (if there is one) is that Purdy’s shoulder injury is to his non-throwing shoulder, which happened when he was driven to the turf on a hit during the first half. With Mac Jones being the only other healthy quarterback in the building, the team is scrambling to see how things will play out in less than a week.
Fantasy Impact: Purdy’s absence would further cripple a San Francisco offense that already struggled to find much success. Jones played admirably enough when given an opportunity with Jacksonville last year, but he is no more than an above-average backup at best. His presence under center is a further downgrade to Ricky Pearsall and Christian McCaffrey.
Running Back
Austin Ekeler (RB – WSH)
There is currently minimal information regarding Austin Ekeler’s injury status, but I’ll share the information we have. Ekeler started at running back ahead of “Bill” Jacory Croskey-Merritt on Sunday afternoon against the New York Giants, with the bulk of his opportunities occurring in the first half before the Commanders began to pull away with a lead.
It is possible that Washington limited his touches later on in an effort to preserve him for the rest of the season, but then news broke on Monday that he picked up a shoulder injury and was limited in practice. Given the quick turnaround for Washington as they play on Thursday, fantasy managers should closely monitor his status to determine the severity.
Fantasy Impact: If Ekeler is unable to suit up for this week’s Thursday Night Football contest against Green Bay, Croskey-Merritt would be in line to inherit additional touches, with backup Chris Rodriguez Jr. being activated. The Packers have a rather stout front that will make this an uphill battle regardless.
Wide Receiver
Drake London (WR – ATL)
After securing eight of his 15 targets for 55 yards (and multiple dropped touchdowns, might I add), Drake London was unable to finish Sunday’s game after being removed with a shoulder injury. Seen taking a hard fall on a contested throw, London was seen walking off the field, favoring it in noticeable pain, and failed to re-enter the final drive during a crucial situation.
The team has reported that London is dealing with an AC sprain, and all reports have him currently listed as day-to-day, but further testing will be required to determine the extent of the severity. Assuming that it is mild in nature, London has a chance of suiting up in Week 2, even with limited practice time. Additional information should be made available within the next 24-48 hours by the team.
Fantasy Impact: If Atlanta decides to give London a full week off to rest his shoulder (or if it is more damaged than we were led to believe), Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud will see a boost in targets, with several others being siphoned off to tight end Kyle Pitts. Mooney is also dealing with a shoulder issue, but did participate in three limited practices last week, and was considered a game-time decision until kickoff.
Xavier Worthy (WR – KC)
Xavier Worthy sustained a dislocated shoulder on the first drive of the game when he and teammate Travis Kelce accidentally collided into each other on a crossing route. First declared questionable and then ruled out, all reports currently have this labeled as a week-to-week scenario, with Worthy expected to miss some time, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Kansas City was already thin in its wideout core with Rashee Rice suspended, and this doesn’t help matters for a team desperately searching for big plays. Head coach Andy Reid refused to place a specific timetable on his return, but Worthy’s fantasy managers should be prepared to look for alternative options.
Fantasy Impact: With Worthy expected to miss some time recovering, Marquise Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Tyquan Thornton would slide into the top three slots on Kansas City’s depth chart. The Chiefs square off against Philadelphia in a critical Week 2 contest — the team can’t really afford to start the season 0-2.
Jauan Jennings (WR – SF)
San Francisco really can’t catch a break when it comes to the injury bug. Early in the fourth quarter, Jauan Jennings left the field, favoring his left arm, after catching two of his five targets for a measly 16 yards. Expected to be the 49ers’ alpha option after they traded Deebo Samuel and while they await the return of Brandon Aiyuk, Jennings’ absence would compound issues with an already thin depth chart.
Nick Wagoner of ESPN asked head coach Kyle Shanahan for an update on Monday afternoon and was told that Jennings’ initial imaging looked OK, but further results were pending. Shanahan at least sounded somewhat optimistic regarding his chance to play. Thankfully, San Francisco has an early kickoff on the road against New Orleans at 1 p.m. ET, so managers will have the ability to change course.
Fantasy Impact: It didn’t take long for San Francisco to be ravaged again. If Jennings were to miss Week 2, most of his targets would slide to Pearsall, with veterans Skyy Moore, Marquez Valdes-Scantling and the newly-signed Kendrick Bourne. Additional check-downs would surely go McCaffrey’s way as an outlet in the passing game.
Matthew Golden (WR – GB)
Green Bay came out of the gate on fire, with quarterback Jordan Love slinging the ball all over Detroit’s secondary at will. Once out to a comfortable lead, the team eased off the gas and favored playing clock management with their run game instead, limiting second-half targets and opportunities for Matthew Golden and company.
Golden popped up on the injury report with an ankle injury and a limited participation practice designation. The team is already without Christian Watson for several more contests, Jayden Reed continues to play through a Jones fracture in his left foot and Dontayvion Wicks is also nursing a calf strain. The Packers have a shortened week as they play against Washington in this week’s Thursday Night Football contest at Lambeau Field.
Fantasy Impact: As Golden is already practicing (even in a limited capacity), I’d anticipate him suiting up for Week 2, barring any sort of setback. Golden and Reed would continue to represent the most explosive playmakers at Green Bay’s disposal, with Romeo Doubs and tight end Tucker Kraft working shorter routes.
Christian Kirk (WR – HOU)
Christna Kirk missed Week 1 with a hamstring strain, with expectations set on this Sunday as a more realistic return date. In his absence, Houston struggled mightily in the passing game, with quarterback C.J. Stroud completing just 19 passes for 188 yards and an interception against the Rams. Neither Jayden Higgins nor Jaylin Noel seized the opportunity as a difference-maker, and preseason reports were glowing about the connection between Kirk and Stroud.
Fantasy Impact: Hamstring injuries are notorious for being rather fickle and prone to setbacks, so it wouldn’t be a major surprise to see Kirk play this out cautiously. If he can play on Sunday against Tampa Bay, I’d be willing to consider him an immediate Flex option in PPR formats. Otherwise, Higgins and Noel will continue to rotate with Xavier Hutchinson in a committee situation.
Tight End
George Kittle (TE – SF)
Have I mentioned yet that San Francisco is cursed? Yeesh. George Kittle visited the medical tent during the first half of Sunday’s 17-13 victory over Seattle and was later ruled out with a hamstring strain.
ESPN’s Nick Wagoner reported that Kittle already underwent an MRI to determine the severity, and head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed in Monday’s media session right out of the gate that Kittle is expected to miss “at least a few weeks.” Ian Rapoport later put a timetable of 3-5 weeks as a return date. Regardless of which statement is correct, Kittle’s managers should plan on being without his service for the short term, with him being a possible injured reserve (IR) candidate.
Fantasy Impact: Kittle’s anticipated absence, along with clouds surrounding quarterback Brock Purdy and wide receiver Jauan Jennings, has San Francisco’s offense in a direct tailspin. I can’t endorse Luke Farrell or Jake Tonges as waiver wire pickups, even in the short term. Managers would be best suited to look elsewhere for help at the position, such as Cleveland’s Harold Fannin Jr.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
