Only one NFL preseason game has been played, but multiple players with high fantasy expectations are currently dealing with injuries early in training camp.
Here are the QB injury updates you need to know about entering your fantasy football draft.
Fantasy Injury Update
Justin Herbert
After an offseason where Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert lost his top three targets in the passing game — Keenan Allen, Mike Williams, and Austin Ekeler — fantasy managers got some more unpleasant news when the organization announced Herbert picked up a plantar fascia injury to his right foot during training camp.
Herbert is expected to miss at least two weeks, but for the time being, no regular-season time. Herbert posted career lows across the board in 2023 with just 3,134 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, missing the final four games of the regular season after picking up a hand injury in Week 14 against the Denver Broncos.
Herbert is currently going No. 116 overall in the 10th round as the QB16 off the board.
Kirk Cousins
For those of you conspiracy theorists who thought Michael Penix Jr. was the selection at No. 8 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft because Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins was potentially having complications in his rehabilitation from a torn Achilles he suffered last season, well, this update should silence all of those doubters.
Falcons HC Raheem Morris said QB Kirk Cousins, who is recovering from a torn Achilles, has been medically cleared but the Falcons will be diligent with him and other players coming off injury in their “modified reps.” pic.twitter.com/FkI9GmxKZ4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 25, 2024
This is outstanding news for not only Cousins, but for the entire collection of blue-chip skill-position prospects in Atlanta. This mainly includes a bump in fantasy value for Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Kyle Pitts entering the 2024 NFL season.
The Falcons may still manage Cousins’ reps throughout training camp in an attempt to get an extended look at Penix, while cautiously ramping up the veteran quarterback’s workload through the preseason.
Cousins has been a remarkably consistent fantasy producer throughout his NFL career. He has thrown for over 4,000 yards and over 25 touchdown passes in a season on seven occasions, which has helped him generate three top-six fantasy finishes at the QB position.
Cousins is currently going No. 127 overall in the 11th round as the QB18 off the board.
Aaron Rodgers
New York Jets QB Aaron Rodgers has been regularly participating throughout offseason OTAs and training camp with no limitations for quite some time now while working his way back from an Achilles injury he suffered in the 2023 season opener against the Buffalo Bills.
Yet, despite the encouraging progress Rodgers has made, it doesn’t mean we are likely to see him on the field during preseason games. Reports suggest Jets head coach Robert Salah doesn’t believe the veteran quarterback will be taking the field during the exhibition schedule.
This could be subject to change if the Jets want their first-team offense to get additional live reps prior to the start of the season, but playing it safe with a veteran QB who is coming off of a career-threatening injury does make sense.
All signs indicate Rodgers will be ready to go under center when the Jets take on the San Francisco 49ers to start the season.
Rodgers is currently going No. 137 overall in the 12th round as the QB19 off the board.