While rankings and projections are beneficial, few things are more important in fantasy football than following injury updates. Injuries not only impact the player in question but the teammates and the offenses around them. Here’s an update on some critical QB and TE injury reports to watch and their fantasy football impact.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: QB update
Let’s go through the injuries currently impacting quarterbacks. Monitor these situations throughout the week and have contingency plans, if necessary.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen practiced in full Friday. He sprained his foot last week but carries no injury designation. He will start Sunday.
Tom Brady, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady popped up on Friday’s injury report with a right shoulder issue. He’s fine and is at no risk of missing Sunday night’s game.
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow was limited at practice Thursday and Friday but carries no injury designation. He will continue to play through his right pinky injury.
Andy Dalton, Chicago Bears
Andy Dalton tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday. Nick Foles will serve as Justin Fields’ backup on Monday night.
Taylor Heinicke and Kyle Allen, Washington Football Team
Earlier this week, Kyle Allen tested positive for COVID-19. On Friday, so did Taylor Heinicke. The team signed Garrett Gilbert off the street on Friday, and he will start if he has to. The team is optimistic that Allen could get cleared by Tuesday, though.
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Jalen Hurts got in a full practice on Friday and Saturday as he deals with a high ankle sprain. He’s listed as questionable and was going to be a game-time decision. With the Eagles now playing Tuesday, it seems increasingly likely Hurts will be ready to go. If he cannot go, Gardner Minshew would get the start.
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens held a walkthrough Friday, but Lamar Jackson did not participate for the third consecutive day. Jackson is questionable, and head coach John Harbaugh declined to rule Jackson out due to what has been revealed as a bone bruise. Jackson has never missed a game due to injury in his career and hopes have been raised that he could play this week.
Update: Jackson is inactive.
Daniel Jones, New York Giants
Daniel Jones is out this week with a neck injury. I remain confused as to why the Giants refuse to acknowledge he’s not playing again this season. Regardless, Jones remains on the active roster, but Mike Glennon will start.
Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum, Cleveland Browns
Baker Mayfield and Case Keenum both tested positive for COVID-19 earlier this week. Mayfield has more of a chance to return than Keenum, but both have an outside shot at getting cleared with the two extra days before this game is scheduled to be played. Nick Mullens will start if necessary.
Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
Aaron Rodgers did not practice all week due to his toe. Regardless, he carries no injury designation and will play this week.
Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
Ben Roethlisberger carries no injury designation and will play Sunday.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: TE update
Are there any tight end injuries we need to be concerned about? The TE market is already thin, so your alternatives will likely be grim if you have a player on this injury report.
Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals
Zach Ertz did not appear on the injury report at all on Wednesday or Thursday. On Friday, he popped up with a hamstring issue. Friday downgrades are never a good thing, and there is understandable concern about his availability.
Early on Sunday morning, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Ertz is “looking good to play today” according to a source. However, it is always worthwhile double-checking his status after pre-game warmups.
Tyler Higbee, Los Angeles Rams
After missing Monday’s game due to a false positive, Tyler Higbee actually tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday. Even with the Rams now playing Tuesday, he is unlikely to get cleared in time to play.
T.J. Hockenson, Detroit Lions
T.J. Hockenson had thumb surgery and is done for the year. This will be the last injury update on him this season.
Austin Hooper and Harrison Bryant, Cleveland Browns
Austin Hooper is one of numerous Browns players to test positive for COVID-19. Hopefully, with the game moved to Monday, he is able to return. As of now, however, he remains out.
Harrison Bryant was limited at practice all week with an ankle issue and is listed as questionable. David Njoku would be the primary tight end if Hooper cannot play, but if Bryant plays, the two would likely split snaps.
George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
George Kittle is dealing with a knee injury but carries no injury designation ahead of Sunday’s game. He will play.
Adam Trautman, New Orleans Saints
On Saturday, the Saints activated Adam Trautman from the injured reserve. He looks set to return Sunday night against the Bucs.