With Week 1 of the fantasy football season less than one week away, we will be getting official injury reports around the time Labor Day ends. But with drafts happening this weekend, being up to date with injury news is key to drafting a good roster.
With only training camps and beat reporter news left to rely on, fantasy managers have to get a better handle on injury situations around the league and their potential implications.
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Fantasy Football Injuries to Monitor
There are various injuries to monitor heading into the start of the season. Some of them have had massive updates in the last few days. Let’s take a look at some of the standout injury storylines we have been tracking.
Quarterbacks
Patrick Mahomes (QB – KC) | Knee
Patrick Mahomes is working his way back from an ACL tear last season, but recent reports suggest he’s ready and 100% for Week 1. He can be drafted with confidence, although the Chiefs do project to be more run-heavy this season.
Michael Penix Jr. (QB – ATL) | Knee
Michael Penix Jr. has returned to practice over the last two weeks, but it remains to be seen if he will be healthy enough to play in Week 1. At the time of writing this, the Atlanta Falcons still had not named a starting quarterback for Week 1.
Running Backs
Ashton Jeanty (RB – LV) | Ankle
Ashton Jeanty did not practice on Tuesday or Wednesday due to an ankle sprain, but he was not placed on injured reserve (IR), which means the team expects him to return sooner rather than later. Raiders general manager John Spytek said Jeanty is in a “good spot” and he could be back for Week 1.
Breece Hall (RB – NYJ) | Groin
Breece Hall injured his groin on August 18th and was told he would miss 2-3 weeks of practice. That puts his Week 1 status in jeopardy, but the team hopes he will be ready in time. Expect Hall to get the official questionable tag next week.
TreVeyon Henderson (RB – NE) | Ankle
TreVeyon Henderson has not practiced since August 24th, when he suffered an ankle injury. His status is up in the air for the Week 1 Super Bowl rematch against the Seattle Seahawks on Wednesday. With the game just days away, Henderson may not be ready in time.
Jeremiyah Love (RB – ARI) | Ankle
Jeremiyah Love is working his way back from an ankle injury suffered in a preseason game. Beat reports lately have given him a 50/50 shot of playing in Week 1, so his managers should be ready with other plans if he doesn’t suit up.
Jonathon Brooks (RB – CAR) | Knee
After having some strong practices and preseason games, Jonathon Brooks has missed some practices with knee soreness. But Panthers head coach Dave Canales said he is “very optimistic” that Brooks will be ready for the opening game.
Keaton Mitchell (RB – LAC) | Undisclosed
Keaton Mitchell has missed at least five straight practices with an undisclosed injury. His status will have to be officially updated next week, which will provide some clarity. But until then, I would not expect to rely on Mitchell in Week 1.
Alvin Kamara (RB – NO) | Knee
Alvin Kamara has missed multiple weeks of practice now and does not appear ready to come back for Week 1. With Devin Neal released, Kendre Miller leaving practice with an injury this week and Kamara not ready, that opens up the door for a huge workload for Travis Etienne Jr. in Week 1.
Wide Receivers
Alec Pierce (WR – IND) | Ankle
Alec Pierce finally got a full practice in on Thursday, which is a great sign that he will be ready to go in Week 1. His ankle surgery was quite serious, but he appears to have done enough to let it heal and assume the No. 1 WR role in Indianapolis.
Luther Burden III (WR – CHI) | Groin
There was some initial concern when Luther Burden III suffered a groin injury, but he has returned to practice and is on track to be good to go for the start of the season next week. He has had no limitations in practice the last couple of days.
Puka Nacua (WR – LAR) | Psoas
With the worry about a suspension seemingly behind him, Puka Nacua also seems to have put his psoas soreness behind him. He returned to practice on Sunday and has practiced every day this week.
Malik Nabers (WR – NYG) | Knee
There have been a lot of conflicting reports about Nabers’ availability for Week 1 as he recovers from a torn ACL. His own comments this week don’t give us 100% confidence that he will play, but he certainly wants to. This might be a situation to monitor right up until next Sunday’s game.
Emeka Egbuka (WR – TB) | Toe
Emeka Egbuka is still trying to return to 100% health from a toe injury, but it might impact his Week 1 status. The Buccaneers said the team will need to see how Egbuka practices and performs next week before making a final decision. If he’s absent, Chris Godwin to the moon.
Jordyn Tyson (WR – NO) | Hamstring
Jordyn Tyson has been placed on short-term IR with another hamstring injury and will miss at least the first four games of the season. When it happened, the Saints said this might be an eight-week absence for Tyson, with a potential return sometime in mid-October.
Mike Evans (WR – TB) | Adductor
Mike Evans returned to practice around the first of September, which is a good sign he will play in Australia on Thursday next week. He has been sidelined all summer, but it appears the 49ers were being extra cautious about bringing him back.
Tight Ends
Tucker Kraft (TE – GB) | Knee
Tucker Kraft has finally been a full participant in practices the last couple of weeks. He appears to be fully recovered from his knee injury and should be ready to roll for Week 1. Only an unexpected setback would keep him out at this point.
George Kittle (TE – SF) | Achilles
George Kittle was activated from the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on August 23rd and has been practicing since then. He traveled to Australia with the team, which indicates he is playing. The question will be how much the 32-year-old tight end will play when he is just eight months removed from a serious Achilles injury.
Tyler Warren (TE – IND) | Groin
Tyler Warren practiced on Tuesday after missing some time with a groin injury. It was never considered very serious, so his Week 1 status should not be in doubt right now.
Sam LaPorta (TE – DET) | Hip
Sam LaPorta has been practicing for a couple of weeks after recovering from a hip injury. He was working back up to full speed, which means he should play in Week 1, but whether he gets a full complement of snaps remains to be seen.
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