We are now two weeks into camp, and the injuries around the league are piling up. Fantasy football managers are beginning to prep for their upcoming drafts and need to be aware of how the injuries to the players below will impact their seasons. All season long, the Fantasy Injury Team will be pumping out weekly articles recapping the weekly injuries during camp, as well as weekly injury recaps on Tuesdays and weekly injury previews on Saturdays in-season. Be sure to purchase the Draft Injury Guide and become a member today!
Malik Nabers
Injury: Shoulder
Analysis: Nabers injured his shoulder on Tuesday, but returned to practice Thursday and has been seen making acrobatic catches as usual. Shoulder injuries of this nature are not a risk for future injury or performance decline.
Justin Jefferson
Injury: Hamstring
Analysis: Jefferson remains out of practice with a hamstring but has been seen rehabbing with the training staff. Jefferson’s injury was always deemed mild, but it will be a risk factor for injury in-season as hamstrings have a 20-30% recurrence rate. Jefferson’s age (26) and Minnesota’s caution with him in the pre-season will help reduce this risk, and he remains an elite fantasy asset.
Joe Mixon
Injury: Foot
Analysis: There are no updates on Mixon’s foot from last week’s recap. Whenever Mixon does return, his age, injury history, and career volume will continue to put him at high risk for another injury.
Xavier Worthy
Injury: Head Equilibrium
Analysis: Worthy was thought to have a concussion, but ultimately had a fluid issue in his ear, causing his equilibrium to be thrown off. One of the main ways the body balances itself is through fluid in the inner ear; when this is off, balance and other motor functions can be impaired. He is now fine.
Marquise Brown
Injury: Ankle Injury
Analysis: Brown is dealing with a mild ankle injury. Receivers average missing less than a week with ankle sprains, so it is unlikely this will affect week 1 status. Ankle injuries have recurrence rates around 30% and Hollywood Brown already has a long injury list. Before this injury, he was considered “high risk” for injury.
Isaiah Likely
Injury: Foot Fracture
Analysis: Likely will miss about six weeks with a small foot fracture that occurred after rolling his ankle. It’s unclear which bone is fractured, but a short timetable to return is encouraging that this will not lead to long-term issues. Expect Likely’s fantasy production to take a hit in the first few games after returning, but should play well for most of the season.
Ladd McConkey
Injury: Undisclosed
Analysis: McConkey is dealing with an undisclosed injury that is not expected to be anything major. Will continue to look out for updates.
Zay Flowers
Injury: Knee Injury
Analysis: Flowers is dealing with a mild knee injury. When mild, these typically do not cause any long-term problems or performance dips.
Devonta Smith
Injury: Back Injury
Analysis: Devonta missed most of practice this week with back soreness, but was seen warming up on Friday. This is a positive sign that his injury truly is just a sore/stiff back. This should not be a long-term problem or one that will affect him for week 1.
Najee Harris
Injury: Eye Injury
Analysis: There are no updates on Najee Harris’ eye condition.
Baker Mayfield
Injury: Hand contusion
Analysis: Mayfield is dealing with a contusion on his right hand. This will make it difficult to grip the ball and throw, but it is not a long-term issue. As soon as swelling goes down, he should return to 100% with no lingering injury risk.
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Injury: Knee Injury
Analysis: Harrison is dealing with a mild knee injury. Mild knee injuries like this typically are not a cause for concern long-term from an injury risk standpoint or a performance decline standpoint.
Deebo Samuel
Injury: Hand injury
Analysis:
Dalton Kincaid
Injury: Knee
Analysis: Kincaid missed a short period of time with a knee injury but has returned to practice, and this should not be a long-term issue.
Elijah Moore
Injury: Leg Injury
Analysis: Moore missed some practice with a leg injury but has returned. This should not be a long-term issue.
Braelon Allen
Injury: Knee Injury
Analysis: Allen has returned to practice after missing some time with a mild knee injury. Such a short absence makes it unlikely this knee injury lingers into the season or affects his production at all.
Brandon Aiyuk
Injury: ACL/MCL
Analysis: Aiyuk remains on the PUP list with no clear timetable to return from ACL/MCL surgery.
Christian Watson
Injury: ACL
Analysis: Watson remains on PUP but is reported to be doing very well in rehab. Watson’s injury was in week 18, meaning he has less than 9 months from the time of surgery to week 1.
Chris Godwin
Injury: Ankle Dislocation
Analysis: Godwin remains on the PUP list as he rehabs his ankle dislocation.
Cam Skattebo
Injury: Hamstring Injury
Analysis: Skattebo is dealing with a mild hamstring injury. Hamstrings have a 20-30% recurrence rate, and the Giants will be careful with their rookie bruiser. Skattebo has a short injury history, and even with the addition of the hamstring, his injury risk remains low.
Jauan Jennings
Injury: Calf Injury
Analysis: Jennings’ calf injury is to the same calf he injured in the off-season. Calves have a 15-20% recurrence rate, which we are seeing with Jennings. San Francisco would be wise to take their time with Jennings. Receivers average a big 37% decline in fantasy points in the first game after a calf injury. Any more recurrences will risk impacting his week 1 status and production level.
Cade Otton
Injury: Hamstring Injury
Analysis: Otton injured his hamstring this week and has not yet returned to practice. Hamstrings have a 20-30% recurrence rate.
Bhayshul Tuten
Injury: Hamstring Injury
Analysis: Tuten returned to practice after missing some time with a hamstring injury. The rookie will have to avoid the 20-30% recurrence rates of hamstrings in order to win playing time.
Dontayvian Wicks
Injury: Calf Injury
Analysis: Wicks returned to practice after missing time with a mild calf injury. Calf injuries have a 15-20% recurrence rate but his ability to return so quickly indicates it was very mild, and less likely to be a recurring issue.
Marshawn Lloyd
Injury: Groin Injury
Analysis: The often injured Lloyd will miss some time with a groin injury. Groin recurrence rates are as high as 18%.