While rankings and projections are beneficial, nothing is more important for fantasy football than following injuries, as a player’s outlook (and team’s context) will change with nearly every occurrence. Here’s an update on some critical injury reports to watch and their fantasy football impact.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: QB update
Here is where we currently stand on several of the critical fantasy football QBs dealing with injuries.
Marcus Mariota, Las Vegas Raiders
The Athletic’s Tashan Reed reported that Marcus Mariota didn’t participate in Wednesday’s walkthroughs. He is dealing with a quad injury.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: RB update
Let’s see how injury bugs are affecting RB committees.
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
The Newark Star-Ledger’s Zack Rosenblatt reported that Saquon Barkley is questionable for Thursday night’s game against the Washington Football Team. He played 47% of the Giants’ offensive snaps last week, finishing with 27 total yards on 13 opportunities (rushing attempts plus targets). With such a short turnaround, many reports suggest that he’ll see a similar workload against Washington. Barkley can be viewed as a low-end RB2.
Jeff Wilson Jr., San Francisco 49ers
The Athletic’s David Lombardi reported that Jeff Wilson Jr. recently resumed running as he recovers from a torn meniscus. He’s still expected to return around midseason.
Josh Jacobs, Las Vegas Raiders
The Athletic’s Vic Tafur reported Wednesday that Josh Jacobs did not practice due to toe and ankle injuries. He went on to mention that the running back could miss several Wednesday practices to rest.
If Jacobs were to miss time or continues to get banged up, then Kenyan Drake would see a larger workload. Drake signed a two-year, $11 million contract with every dollar guaranteed during free agency. He’s been productive over the last three seasons, totaling 3,266 yards and 27 touchdowns in 45 games.
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
Miles Sanders was a limited practice participant on Wednesday. He’s dealing with an ankle injury, but many reported it as a rest day.
WR injury update
News for pass catchers is essential in PPR leagues — let’s break down the WR fallout.
Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported Wednesday that Odell Beckham Jr. will miss this week’s game against the Texans. He was a surprise inactive last Sunday afternoon. It’s clearly not a good sign that Beckham has already been ruled out five days ahead of the game. However, his absence opens the door for Donovan Peoples-Jones and Anthony Schwartz.
Schwartz is my preferred target in deeper formats. He caught 3 of 5 targets for 69 receiving yards last week against the Chiefs.
Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills
ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg reported that Gabriel Davis didn’t practice on Wednesday due to a lower-body injury. He’s a WR5 against the Dolphins this week. The target volume won’t be there for Davis unless one of the other Bills receivers misses time.
Davis caught 2 of 5 targets last week for 40 receiving yards and 1 touchdown. He only played 51% of the Bills’ offensive snaps. Davis also finished with fewer targets than Emmanuel Sanders (8).
Tyrell Williams, Detroit Lions
Tyrell Williams was placed in the concussion protocol after taking a hard hit last Sunday against the 49ers. He did not practice on Wednesday.
Amon-Ra St. Brown could see additional targets if Williams misses time. However, running back D’Andre Swift (11) and tight end T.J. Hockenson (11) led the Lions in targets. It is difficult to trust any of the Detroit receivers in anything but deep fantasy leagues.
Michael Thomas, New Orleans Saints
ESPN Field Yates’ reported that the Saints transferred Michael Thomas from the reserve/PUP list to the reserve/COVID-19 list on Tuesday. Tom Pelissero reported that he tested positive for the virus.
Keelan Cole, New York Jets
Ralph Vacchiano of SportsNet New York reported Wednesday that Keelan Cole is on track to return to practice this week.
Jamison Crowder, New York Jets
Al Iannazzone of Newsday reported that Jamison Crowder still has “to clear one more hurdle” to return from the reserve/COVID-19 list. While he is out, receivers Corey Davis and Elijah Moore will continue to see heavy targets.
Preston Williams, Miami Dolphins
Preston Williams was limited at Wednesday’s practice with a foot injury, according to Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald.
TE injury update
Which fantasy-relevant tight ends are on the injury report as the season draws closer?
Pharaoh Brown, Houston Texans
Aaron Wilson of SportsTalk 790 Houston reported that Pharaoh Brown missed Wednesday’s practice after suffering an unspecified injury. Last week against the Jaguars, Brown caught 4 of 5 targets for 67 receiving yards. He outproduced fellow tight end Jordan Akins. He is someone to keep on your radar in deep formats.
Evan Engram, New York Giants
Evan Engram has been ruled out for Thursday’s game against Washington. Tight end Kyle Rudolph will continue to operate as the Giants’ starter. He caught 2 of 5 targets for 8 receiving yards. Rudolph is a low-end TE3.
Zach Ertz, Philadelphia Eagles
Josh Tolentino of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that Zach Ertz didn’t participate in stretches prior to Wednesday’s practice. The veteran tight end is dealing with a hamstring injury. If Ertz misses any time, Dallas Goedert would be an immediate beneficiary.
There were five games last season in which Ertz was inactive or played less than 50% of the offensive snaps. Goedert averaged 6 targets, 53 receiving yards, and a robust 12 PPR fantasy points in those games.