Injury history is one of the most overlooked and misunderstood variables when evaluating rookies for fantasy football. As the 2026 NFL Draft approaches, fantasy managers are focused on talent, landing spot, and draft capital, but availability remains the most important factor. In this article, we break down the injury histories of the top quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends in the 2026 NFL Draft class, translating medical reports into clear, actionable fantasy football insight. Not all injuries are created equal, and while prior injury is the biggest predictor of future injury, context matters. Below, you’ll find a detailed, player-by-player breakdown of each prospect’s injury history, recovery outlook, and what it actually means for dynasty rookie drafts in 2026.
Quarterbacks
Ty Simpson
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| October 25, 2025 | Low back injury | 0 games |
| January 1, 2026 | Rib fracture | 0 games |
Analysis: Simpson’s 2025 season got off to a hot start, but his production dropped off after a Week 9 back injury that lingered for the remainder of the season. During the Rose Bowl, Simpson took a helmet to the ribs, causing a small fracture that ultimately knocked him out for the rest of the game. Rib injuries heal very well, and as long as the subsequent effects of rib injuries (lat muscle stiffness, torso rotation limitations) are addressed with skilled rehab, there are no long-term effects that would impact Simpson in the NFL. His back injury should also be resolved. Overall, Simpson’s injury history is minimal and not a major concern heading into the NFL.
Garrett Nussmeier
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| July 31, 2025 | Abdominal injury | 0 games |
| November 8, 2025 | Abdominal injury (re-injury) | 4 games |
Analysis: A pre-season Heisman candidate, Nussmeier’s 2025 was hindered from the start by an abdominal injury that is now reported to be related to a cyst on his spine. Nussmeier attempted to play through the injury until November 8th, when an aggravation ultimately ended his season. The abdominals are critical for throwing power and accuracy. The oblique muscles, in particular, are powerful torso rotators and must be functioning well for a quarterback to deliver the ball with power, timing, and precision. Nussmeier admitted that his mechanics were altered due to the injury, and this undoubtedly contributed to his drop in performance in 2025. The emergence of new information suggesting a cyst as the underlying cause does add up. A cyst is a benign growth, but if located near a nerve root, it can create symptoms similar to what Nussmeier experienced. Cysts themselves are typically not a major issue, and if symptoms persist, they can be addressed relatively easily with removal. Nussmeier impressed at the Senior Bowl and could be a steal at a discount following a down season. His injury-plagued 2025 campaign should not be considered a major factor for future injury risk.
Carson Beck
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| December 7, 2024 | UCL injury in throwing elbow | 1 game |
Analysis: Beck underwent a UCL repair in late 2024 and was back to 100% health during a strong 2025 season for Miami. We’ve heard this story before. The Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) of the elbow is a critical passive stabilizer for throwers. The UCL must be strong and intact to allow the force generation during a throw to flow naturally from the legs, through the torso, through the shoulder, elbow, and finally into the wrist and hand. When the UCL is torn, the elbow becomes unstable, and the force cannot pass effectively to the wrist and hand. Fortunately, UCL repairs are becoming very successful and have good long-term outcomes. A major injury and surgery, but very little added injury risk long-term.
Jalon Daniels
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| October 8, 2022 | Right shoulder injury | 4 games |
| July 2023 | Back injury | 10 games |
| February 2025 | Minor knee surgery | 0 games |
| November 22, 2025 | Right shoulder injury | 0 games |
Analysis: Daniels dealt with his fair share of injuries during his collegiate career. A right (throwing) shoulder injury in 2022 cost him four games, and a back injury that began in training camp of 2023 resulted in 10 total games missed. After playing through the injury, Daniels experienced an exacerbation resulting in sharp leg pains, which can commonly occur from a disc-related injury. Daniels also underwent a minor knee procedure in February of 2025 but remained largely healthy in 2025, aside from a right shoulder injury in week 13. We have three different, unrelated injuries here, with two of the three showing potential for increased future injury risk. Prior injury is the biggest risk factor for future injury.
Running Backs
Jeremiyah Love
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| November 30, 2024 | Left knee injury | 0 games |
| January 1, 2025 | Left knee injury (aggravation) | 0 games |
| April 5, 2025 | Hamstring strain | 0 games |
Analysis: The consensus RB1 in rookie drafts in all formats enters the NFL with a relatively clean injury history. Love battled a mild, unspecified knee sprain toward the end of 2024 but has no reports of offseason surgery, and this did not linger into the 2025 season.
Jadarian Price
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| June 24, 2022 | Achilles rupture | Season ending |
Analysis: Price tore his Achilles tendon during summer workouts ahead of the 2022 season, forcing him to miss the entire season. Just 18-years-old at the time, Price has been able to fully recover without any reported setbacks or additional injuries. We know how horrific an Achilles tear can be, especially for a running back. However, being 18 at the time of his Achilles tear and subsequent surgery is a massive benefit and has allowed him to fully recover and regain his explosive playing style. Price was a productive back behind superstar Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame, proving that as surgical techniques and rehab continue to improve, more and more athletes will be able to fully recover from this devastating injury. The history of an Achilles tendon tear will add risk for future injury, though to date, he has been able to avoid any subsequent injuries.
Nick Singleton
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| January 29, 2026 | Foot fracture | 0 games |
Analysis: Singleton made it through his collegiate career at Penn State without any major injuries; however broke his 5th metatarsal (Jones fracture) during practice ahead of the senior week a few months ago. This is the same injury that Derrick Henry endured during the 2021 season, and many other running backs and athletes have returned from this exact injury and played well. Any foot fracture runs the risk of elevated future injury risk, but relatively speaking, a Jones fracture is less of a long-term issue than a Lisfranc or ankle fracture. The 5th metatarsal sits along the outside of the foot and provides a predominantly stabilizing role. Its associated joints need some, but not much, mobility, which helps provide for a sound return to sport. Singleton’s future injury risk only takes a mild hit from this injury.
Jonah Coleman
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| November 8, 2025 | Left knee/lower-body injury | 1 game |
Analysis: Coleman missed one game in his collegiate career due to a mild, unspecified knee injury. He was able to return and avoid any major re-injury or surgeries. As far as running backs go, a mild knee sprain is not going to be a major added risk for future injury, and fantasy managers have little reason to fear his injury history.
Wide Receivers
Jordyn Tyson
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| November 5, 2022 | ACL/PCL/MCL Tear | 3 games |
| Late 2024 | Clavicle fracture | 2 games |
| October 8, 2025 | Hamstring strain | 3 games |
Analysis: Be honest, Tyson is the reason you are reading this article. The smooth and talented wide receiver out of Arizona State is laced with talent, but has a significant injury history. As we know, prior injury is the number one risk factor for future injury.
In 2022, Tyson suffered a major knee injury, tearing the ACL, MCL, and PCL, requiring season-ending surgery and forcing him to miss the entire 2023 season. A major knee injury and surgery will always be a risk factor for future injury, particularly for early-onset arthritis and other joint degeneration-like conditions (think Todd Gurley). The good news is these issues usually do not become symptomatic until the late 20’s-30’s at the earliest, meaning Tyson should have several good years before any potential degenerative changes become a functional issue. Tyson has clearly shown he has functionally returned to an elite athletic profile from his knee injury, and while it is a risk factor for future injury, any major issues likely would not happen for several years.
In 2024, Tyson broke his clavicle. This is usually not a long-term concern as the clavicle is a non-weight-bearing joint and heals very well. Assuming he regained full range of motion, a clavicle fracture adds next to no added injury risk.
The hamstring is a concern, however. Hamstring strains are the most commonly recurring injury, and a history of one hamstring strain, especially one that has lingered this long, is a risk factor for future hamstring strains. Tyson is young enough that he should be able to fully regain the strength, power, and elasticity of the hamstrings in attempts to reduce re-injury risk, but this one has to be considered.
Overall, Tyson’s injury list is not ideal, but we should really be looking at this as two problematic injuries, not three, as the clavicle is essentially a non-factor. He has shown the ability to play extremely well following the major knee injury, and while yes, it does add risk for future injury, major issues are unlikely to happen any time soon. There is added risk with Tyson, but the upside is massive, and dynasty fantasy football players should consider Tyson a worthwhile early first-round rookie draft pick.
Carnell Tate
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| November 8, 2025 | Lower-body injury | 3 games |
Analysis: Tate missed three games last year with an undisclosed lower-body injury. There’s little detail available, but Tate did not need surgery, and he returned to finish out the season. A moderate-severity lower-body injury can influence future injuries, but without much detail on the structures involved, it is difficult to fully dissect. It’s unlikely this adds more than minimal risk for future injury.
Denzel Boston
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| November 8, 2025 | Knee injury | 1 game |
Analysis: Boston missed one game with a lower-body injury. The nature of the injury is undisclosed, but only missing one game indicates low severity and little to no added injury risk in the future.
Omar Cooper Jr.
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| December 6, 2025 | Right ankle/lower body injury | 0 games |
Analysis: Cooper injured his right ankle late in 2025 but did play three weeks later in the Rose Bowl. The reports never clarify what the injury was, but there are mentions of ankle/knee, which often indicates a high ankle sprain. If true, there will be some added injury risk going forward, but not enough to concern dynasty players in their rookie drafts.
Chris Bell
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| October 25, 2025 | ACL Tear | 4 games |
Analysis: Bell tore his left ACL in October, requiring season-ending surgery and forcing him to miss out on combine and pro day testing. A major knee surgery will always be more than just a blemish on his injury risk profile, but we’ve seen plenty of young players return from ACL tears and get back to peak performance. Bell’s recovery will likely extend into his rookie season, and his landing spot will play a role in how quickly he sees the field, but he should be able to regain full speed and athleticism by year two at the latest. His injury risk will be slightly elevated due to the ACL.
Tight Ends
Kenyon Sadiq
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| October 18, 2025 | Lower Body Injury | 1 game |
Analysis: The unanimous TE1 in the 2026 draft enters the NFL with a relatively clean injury record. Sadiq missed one game in 2025 with a mild lower-body injury but returned and played great the rest of the season. With only one mild injury on his resume, Sadiq enters the NFL with almost no inherent risk factors for injury and remains an extremely promising rookie with big-time fantasy upside.
Oscar Delp
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| September 16, 2025 | Ankle Injury | 1 game |
| 2025 | Hairline foot fracture | 0 games |
Analysis: Delp played through most of the 2025 season with a hairline fracture in his foot, but reported that he did not experience any pain or limitations. Delp did not participate in the NFL combine due to this injury but did perform well during his pro-day in March. A hairline fracture is an extremely small fracture that will typically heal perfectly with no negative impacts on mechanics, production, and is not a big increased risk for future injury. Delp is relatively safe from any major risk factors for injury.
Justin Joly
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| October 25, 2025 | Left-leg injury | 1 game |
Analysis: Joly injured his left leg on a 59-yard touchdown against Pittsburgh. He did finish that game but missed the following before returning to full action. Some reports suggest this was a hamstring injury, some suggest a quad injury. Either way, it’s a mild muscle injury that only cost him one game. An injury this mild for a player this young will only be a minor added risk for future injury.
Eli Raridon
| Date | Injury | Time Missed |
|---|---|---|
| December 2021 | ACL tear | Season ending / lengthy rehab |
| October 2022 | ACL re-tear | 8 games |
Analysis: Raridon falls into the unfortunate group of athletes who sustain a second ACL tear within a year of the initial injury. He first tore his ACL in high school, and less than a year later re-tore the same ligament after arriving at Notre Dame. Since the re-tear he has remained healthy and productive, but two major surgeries on the same knee will be a big risk for future injury.