Friday means we start to get some answers when it comes to injuries around the NFL and their fantasy football impact. Week 1 is traditionally one of the quieter weeks, but we still have some big names on the NFL injury report in Week 1. Let’s take a look at the latest news and fantasy impact for Tee Higgins, Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins, and others.
What Is the Latest Injury News for Week 1?
Christian McCaffrey Injury Update
Throughout camp and the preseason, Christian McCaffrey has been dealing with a calf injury. He was back at practice early this week but was limited on Thursday. On Friday he looked to be moving well at practice and close to full speed. We will have to wait for Saturday for an official designation, but there is a chance that McCaffrey might not have any injury designation.
The issue comes if he is questionable this week because the 49ers play on Monday Night Football. Therefore, fantasy managers may have to make a tough decision Sunday whether to wait for their stud RB or risk benching him in case he does not play.
Tee Higgins Injury Update – Doubtful
Higgins was listed as limited with a hamstring injury on Thursday. This was both new and unexpected, which is often concerning. You never want to see a player added to the injury report, especially with a hamstring.
READ MORE: Higgins’ Long History of Hamstring Injuries Continues, Availability in Doubt for Opener
With that said, Higgins did practice in some capacity. He also spoke to the media after practice and did not seem to be in any distress or discomfort. However, Higgins was not seen on the field Friday when the other receivers were going through warm-ups.
Higgins was listed as doubtful on the final injury report and is, therefore, not expected to play in Week 1.
Puka Nacua Injury Update – Cleared
Much as we suspected, Puka Nacua will be good to go in Week 1. Nacua has been practicing in full for two weeks now and should have no limitations on Sunday. There should be no reason not to start him this week.
Keenan Allen Injury Update – Questionable
Allen was absent from practice last Wednesday out of the blue with a foot issue. However, general manager Ryan Poles told reporters that the “injury” was minor discomfort related to a cleat issue. Therefore, this isn’t expected to be an issue for Allen going forward.
Allen was listed as a limited participant on Wednesday due to a heel injury. Even though he remained limited on Thursday, there was no major concern about his missing time. Then, on Friday, there was mixed news, with Allen able to practice in full but still listed as questionable on the injury report.
We have seen reports of the NFL being strict with teams about their injury reports, so some of those could just be an abundance of caution for the Chicago Bears. Head coach Matt Eberflus told reporters that Allen’s “outlook looks good” for playing Sunday.
If Allen does miss time, Rome Odunze would likely be the main beneficiary. Allen and Moore are expected to be on the field in two-receiver sets, a role that Odunze would likely fill if Allen were absent.
DeAndre Hopkins Injury Update – Questionable
Hopkins was reported to have suffered a knee strain on July 31, and it was believed he would be out 4-6 weeks. This week fits right in the middle of that scheduled return, but there is no guarantee he will be ready to go against the Bears.
Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan told reporters from the team’s official website that Hopkins “is progressing.” He also said that, as long as Hopkins feels good during practice this week, “he’ll be ready to roll.”
SEE MORE: NFL Injury Report
On Thursday of Week 1, Hopkins revealed that he tore his MCL but did not have surgery on the injury. This is his second MCL tear after doing the same with the Cardinals back in Dec. 2021. That injury cost Hopkins the final six games of the season and resulted in him having surgery. If he needs surgery this time, he could be looking at 2-3 months on the sidelines.
Ahead of practice on Friday, head coach Brian Callahan said that Hopkins would be questionable heading into Week 1. That means Hopkins could well be a game-time decision this week. Additionally, we could also see him limited if he is on the field.
Tyler Lockett Injury Update – Questionable
Tyler Lockett will be listed as questionable for the Seattle Seahawks heading into Sunday. However, the veteran WR says he will be playing, despite his thigh injury. Potentially being limited does not help his fantasy value, which is already under threat, with Jaxon Smith-Njigba expected to emerge this season.
This would be a week to look elsewhere if you have other options to start over Lockett.
Jaylen Warren Injury Update – Cleared
Good news for Jaylen Warren, who practiced in full Friday and was cleared to play in Week 1. Warren hurt his hamstring in Week 2 of the preseason and faced a race against time to be ready. We still do not know how much he will play this week, with Najee Harris set to be the starter.
Warren is a tough call for fantasy managers because he has plenty of upside with his explosive style. However, if you can, it might be prudent to sit him as he continues to work his way back from an injury that has a relatively high re-injury rate.
Jordan Addison Injury Update – Cleared
Jordan Addison is set to play in Week 1 after recovering enough to log a full practice on Friday. There are still concerns over Addison’s fantasy viability with Sam Darnold under center, and he may well still be limited in some ways. If you have an alternative option, this would potentially be a good week to sit Addison.
Josh Downs Injury Update – Out
When Josh Downs suffered his ankle sprain a few weeks back there was the potential he could be ready for Week 1. Unfortunately, that has turned out not to be the case, as Downs has been ruled out on Friday after not practicing all week.
In his absence, Adonai Mitchell and Alec Pierce should both get opportunities, but it is tough to know which will have the most fantasy relevance. It is likely the only Indianapolis Colts players you can start for fantasy this week are Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor, and Michael Pittman Jr.
Antonio Gibson Injury Update – Questionable
Antonio Gibson received the dreaded mid-week downgrade due to a hip injury. He was at least able to practice on Friday but is limited for Week 1. We did not know exactly how the Patriots’ backfield would shake out to start the season, but Gibson is expected to be the change of pace back alongside Rhamondre Stevenson.
If Gibson cannot go, JaMycal Hasty would likely be the backup, and Kevin Harris would be expected to get elevated from the practice squad in a cover role. However, we could see rookie RB Terrell Jennings.
A.T. Perry Injury Update – Questionable
It was concerning to see A.T. Perry unable to practice Thursday or Friday due to a hand injury. The young receiver had practiced in full on Wednesday, so to be a complete downgrade to absent is tough. Usually, after not practicing for two straight days, a player would be ruled out or listed as doubtful, but Perry is questionable.
There is an outside chance he plays this week, but using him for fantasy was already a stretch, and this makes it a situation to avoid completely.
Matt Gay Injury Update – Questionable
Yes, we have kicker news in Week 1. Matt Gay underwent surgery for a hernia in the offseason and did not practice all week. However, Eberflus told reporters Gay did kick and is questionable for the week. Eberflus told reporters, “We’ll see in the next two days. He’s feeling good. We’ll make that decision when we need to make that decision.”
If Gay is out, rookie Spencer Shrader will kick and could be an intriguing deep league pickup in what should be an entertaining game between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans.
Russell Wilson Injury Update – Questionable
Russell Wilson was a mid-week downgrade with a calf injury and was limited again Friday before being listed as questionable. Wilson had a calf issue before training camp, and it appears he has aggravated it ahead of Week 1. No one has definitively said Wilson will not play, but that certainly seemed to be the feeling among the beat reporters.
“If I can go, I’m going to go and try to do everything I can to help us win… if not, I’m going to do everything I can to help us win in that way, too,” Wilson said when speaking to reporters. “I’m going to do everything, as you guys know, to be ready to rock.”
“You hate these nagging things. I’ve been feeling great the last few weeks. I’ve been feeling really good. Just kind of felt a little funny yesterday.”
If Wilson cannot go, Justin Fields will get a chance in Week 1. Fields has more upside at the QB position from a fantasy perspective but potentially downgrades the value of the pass catchers. However, both quarterbacks are fairly even in that regard overall.
Roman Wilson Injury Update – Out
It appears to be a bad week to be called Wilson in Pittsburgh. Rookie WR Roman Wilson has been unable to recover from his ankle to injury to make it onto the field ahead of Week 1. This may just be the team being cautious, but fantasy managers will have to wait another week. Veteran WR Van Jefferson is expected to be the man in two receiver sets this week.