The unfortunate reality of the return of the NFL is when players are allowed to go full speed — injuries are bound to happen. And Week 1 of the NFL season was no exception. Now that fantasy football managers are diving into the updates and results from the weekend, several players have found themselves on the injury report, leaving their status for Week 2 in the air.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: QB update
Here is where we currently stand on several of the critical fantasy football QBs dealing with injuries.
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington Football Team
Fitzpatrick is expected to miss multiple weeks due to the hip injury he suffered Sunday. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Sunday [September 12] that Fitzpatrick is believed to have suffered a hip subluxation, and he’ll have an MRI on Monday to determine the extent of the damage.
The hope is nothing is broken, but there is concern. Taylor Heinicke will be the team’s starting QB moving forward. Heinicke went 11-of-15 for 122 yards and a touchdown in his relief of Fitzpatrick.
Washington has a short week coming up as they play the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football in Week 2.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: RB update
Let’s see how injury bugs are affecting RB committees.
Raheem Mostert, San Francisco 49ers
Raheem Mostert was arguably the biggest bust of the day in Week 1. In a sure-fire matchup against a lackluster Detroit Lions’ run defense, his day was over before it even began. Mostert left the game early with a knee injury after taking 2 carries for 20 yards and was quickly ruled out.
Mostert missed eight games in 2020 and 15 across the last four seasons with the 49ers. There has been no further update on the extent of Mostert’s injury.
With Trey Sermon a surprise inactive (coach’s decision), rookie Elijah Mitchell saw the majority of carries, rushing 19 times for 104 yards and 1 touchdown. He should be on the waiver wire radar for Week 2 until we know more but expect this to be a backfield by committee with his success.
Rashaad Penny, Seattle Seahawks
Penny left the game against the Colts with a left calf injury and did not return. According to Seahawks reporter John Boyle, head coach Pete Carroll said Penny’s calf tightened up on him and kept him out as a precaution. Penny missed all but the final three games of 2020 due to a torn ACL he suffered in Week 13 of the 2019 season.
WR injury update
News for pass catchers is essential in PPR leagues — let’s break down the WR fallout.
Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
Of all the injuries we saw in Week 1, this one looked the worst. But it appears that Jeudy might have caught a break.
Jeudy was tackled from behind after recording a deep catch with 8:40 left to go in the third quarter in Sunday’s game against the Giants, and his ankle rolled under the defender. Initial reactions were not good. Jeudy was carted off the field, but there was some “good” news.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, X-rays on Jeudy’s ankle were negative, believing he suffered a high ankle sprain. While this will keep him out multiple weeks, it does not end his season as initially feared. Jeudy was a breakout candidate for many but will have his season put on hold. Expect Courtland Sutton to see a significant target share and increased reps for KJ Hamler, Tim Patrick, and Noah Fant.
Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns
Despite his progress during camp, head coach Kevin Stefanski elected not to play Odell Beckham Jr. on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs. According to Rapoport, the Browns had planned on playing him, pending on how his warmups went. Apparently, they were not confident in what they saw as he was ruled out before kickoff. Beckham will attempt to return in Week 2 when the Browns take on the Houston Texans.
Michael Gallup, Dallas Cowboys
In the NFL’s season-opening game, Gallup got off to a hot start. He was peppered with targets early on (7), recording 4 receptions for 36 yards. However, his day was quickly over as he exited with a calf injury. According to Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News, Gallup suffered a calf strain. The injury is expected to sideline him for three to five weeks. Expect both Amari Cooper and CeeDee Lamb to lead the Cowboys’ passing attack.
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
Someone needs to explain what happened Sunday. Although he was dealing with a hamstring injury, Aiyuk was active. Yet, you couldn’t tell based on the box score.
Aiyuk did not see a single target on Sunday. In fact, Trent Sherfield saw more snaps and targets. There is a debate whether this was injury-related or Shanahan simply chose to play Sherfield over him. Still, given Aiyuk’s talent, this feels more injury-related than anything. Regardless, this is something fantasy managers need to keep track of moving forward.
TE injury update
As of now, there are no “new” critical tight end injuries coming out of Week 1.
Evan Engram, New York Giants
Despite working on the side of practice on Friday, Engram (calf) was ruled out for Sunday. There is hope he will return in Week 2.