The preseason has barely started and already we have seen some pretty notable names suffer injuries or at the very least, setbacks. Whether during practice or the game itself, fantasy football managers need to hold their breath in hopes that their favorite players make it out unscathed. Unfortunately for second-year running back Jahmyr Gibbs, that will not be the case.
During a Detroit Lions practice after their Week 1 preseason game, it was reported by multiple outlets that Gibbs suffered a hamstring injury. Should fantasy managers be worried? Or, can they take advantage of the questions surrounding the injury to get a potential steal at the RB position?
Latest News Surrounding Jahmyr Gibbs and His Hamstring Injury
Gibbs is a borderline first-round pick on average in PPR leagues right now, and that makes every injury newsworthy. While it doesn’t sound serious, if something like this lingers, it wouldn’t be surprising to see managers in your league avoid any “risk” and look elsewhere.
Pounce.
NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported that Gibbs’ injury was not considered significant but the team will be very cautious with his rest and rehab to make sure that he would be 100% healthy heading into the season. He also said that the RB should be ready for Week 1 against the Los Angeles Rams.
Good news on #Lions Pro Bowl RB Jahmyr Gibbs. Sources say the hamstring injury he suffered is not considered significant, but the team will be very cautious with rest and rehab to make sure he’s 100% healthy. My understanding is he should be ready for Week 1 vs the Rams. pic.twitter.com/BCKl657PsJ
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 14, 2024
Despite the narrative of David Montgomery being Detroit’s thunder to Gibbs’ lightning, the red-zone work actually leaned in favor of Gibbs after he worked into his full-time role.
The second-year back could very well end this season as a Tier 1 back, and any dip in his ADP could allow you to build a super team from the jump. For context, here is how Gibbs stacked up last season with the trio that is widely regarded as the class of the position.
Fantasy Points per Carry:
- Christian McCaffrey: 0.84
- Gibbs: 0.84
- Breece Hall: 0.58
- Bijan Robinson: 0.55
Percentage of Carries Gaining 10+ Yards:
- McCaffrey: 16.2%
- Gibbs: 14.8%
- Robinson: 14%
- Hall: 9%
Offensive Snap Percentage:
- McCaffrey: 80%
- Robinson: 68.3%
- Hall: 60%
- Gibbs: 56.7%
It’s not difficult to project Gibbs to enter the class of royalty this season as this Detroit offense continues to develop.
As for Montgomery, his value is about right. He’s a late fifth-round pick, priced behind the bell-cows but ahead of the committee-types. He was great in his role a season ago (+10.1% production over expectation) and should again be viewed as a weekly asset — one that does come with nice contingent value should Gibbs miss time.
You’re going to need him to score, and any increase in usage obviously helps those odds, but I’d avoid moving him up much on your draft board barring a significant change in tone surrounding this injury.
PFN Consensus PPR Fantasy Ranking for Jahmyr Gibbs
Note that these rankings are the PFN Consensus Rankings and may not fully match my analysis.
5) Breece Hall, RB | New York Jets
6) Ja’Marr Chase, WR | Cincinnati Bengals
7) Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR | Detroit Lions
8) Justin Jefferson, WR | Minnesota Vikings
9) A.J. Brown, WR | Philadelphia Eagles
10) Jahmyr Gibbs, RB | Detroit Lions
11) Garrett Wilson, WR | New York Jets
12) Jonathan Taylor, RB | Indianapolis Colts
13) Saquon Barkley, RB | Philadelphia Eagles
14) Puka Nacua, WR | Los Angeles Rams
15) Kyren Williams, RB | Los Angeles Rams