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 injury reports to watch and their fantasy football impact.
Update: For the most recent injury updates, make sure to check out our up-to-date Week 7 Fantasy Injury Report.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: QB update
Let’s go through the injuries currently impacting quarterbacks.
Teddy Bridgewater, Denver Broncos
Teddy Bridgewater was listed as limited on Monday’s estimated practice report with a foot issue. The Broncos are just being cautious on a short week. Bridgewater will be out there Thursday night.
Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Prior to the 49ers’ Week 6 bye, both Jimmy Garoppolo and Trey Lance were nursing injuries. Following the week off, Garoppolo looks fully recovered from his calf strain while Lance’s knee sprain is preventing him from practicing. It’s very early in the week, but it’s trending towards Jimmy G making the start this Sunday against the Colts.
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
Baker Mayfield has been dealing with a left shoulder injury for several weeks now. He dislocated his shoulder for what was at least the second time this season in Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals. Mayfield did briefly return to the game and was confident that he would be able to play through the injury. Kevin Stefanski said he’ll rely on Cleveland’s medical staff to make that determination. Mayfield did not practice Monday.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys’ superstar quarterback strained his calf on his game-winning, walk-off touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb Sunday evening. Dak Prescott underwent an MRI Monday to determine the extent of the injury. Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported that the team received good results. Fortunately, the Cowboys have Week 7 off, which gives Prescott two full weeks to rest up. He should be fine.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: RB update
Which running backs are dealing with injuries that may affect their game status?
Saquon Barkley, New York Giants
Saquon Barkley missed Week 6 with his sprained ankle. The Giants did not place him on injured reserve, which means they believe he has a good chance to return no later than Week 8. However, Barkley remains highly unlikely to play this week.
Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt, Cleveland Browns
Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are out for the Browns’ game aginst the Broncos on Thursday Night Football, per Rapoport. While Hunt was nursing multiple injuries entering Sunday’s game, it’s the calf injury he sustained in the second half that will keep him out of Week 7. Chubb is also out with a calf injury.
The outlook for Hunt is worse than Chubb right now, as the team placed Hunt on IR on Tuesday and he’s going to miss at least a month of action, likely more.
Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll said that Alex Collins did not play in overtime because of glute and hip injuries he suffered in Week 6. We will have to monitor Collins’ participation level at practice this week. If Collins is unable to play, Seattle’s backfield is a complete guessing game. DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer may form a committee, but Rashaad Penny is set to return from IR this week and would be in the mix as well.
Antonio Gibson, Washington Football Team
Antonio Gibson has played through his shin injury for multiple weeks now, but it seems like it finally got the better of him in Week 6. He had an MRI on Monday, which would not be necessary unless the team fears Gibson worsened the injury. Fantasy managers should brace for him to miss time. Rookie Jaret Patterson would be J.D. McKissic’s primary backup.
Melvin Gordon, Denver Broncos
Melvin Gordon has been playing through injuries for several weeks now. He was listed as limited on Monday’s estimated practice report with a hip issue. Gordon is healthy enough and will play Thursday.
Sony Michel, Los Angeles Rams
Darrell Henderson’s backup, Sony Michel, hurt his shoulder in the Rams’ demolition of the Giants. According to Sean McVay, Michel should be fine to play this week. He remains nothing more than a handcuff.
Latavius Murray, Baltimore Ravens
John Harbaugh said the team had no update on Latavius Murray’s injured ankle on Monday. We’ll have to wait until practices begin for any news.
WR Injury Update
How are the fantasy-relevant wide receivers dealing with injuries?
Odell Beckham Jr., Cleveland Browns
Odell Beckham Jr. injured his shoulder in the Browns’ loss to the Cardinals. He exited the game, missed some time, but ultimately returned in the second half. Beckham is clearly not 100% and was listed as DNP on Monday’s estimated practice report. Nevertheless, at this point, I expect him to play Thursday against the Broncos.
Tyreek Hill, Kansas City Chiefs
We know Tyreek Hill played through a quad contusion in Sunday’s win over Washington. What we don’t know is why he was on the sidelines for 1.5 quarters while the Chiefs were sputtering. Hill eventually returned to the game and played well. After his touchdown grab, he was sprinting around celebrating like nothing was wrong.
We’ll have to wait to hear from Andy Reid before we know anything further. Expect Hill to not practice in full this week but ultimately play on Sunday.
T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell, Indianapolis Colts
T.Y. Hilton “was doing fine today,” according to Frank Reich, who added a bit of caution regarding the veteran wideout’s status for this week’s game. Per Zak Keefer of The Athletic, the Colts will reevaluate Hilton’s health in 48 hours before deciding on his status for Week 7.
Although Parris Campbell was not exactly fantasy-relevant, it’s worth noting that his foot injury is potentially season-ending. The oft-injured receiver will go on IR, which only adds to the importance of Hilton being able to play this week.
Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
Vic Fangio said Jerry Jeudy will “do some things” this week and there’s “less than a 50% chance” he plays. Translation: he’s not playing on the short week. However, expect Jeudy to return in Week 8.
Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns
The Browns declined to activate Jarvis Landry for Week 6, but he is very close to returning from his MCL sprain. The team very well may activate Landry for Week 7. If not, he will undoubtedly return in Week 8.
The entire New York Giants receiving corps
Kadarius Toney was on pace for a monster game Sunday before he aggravated his ankle sprain. Given how quickly Toney was ruled out, it would be a surprise if he played in Week 7.
Kenny Golladay missed Week 6 with his hyperextended knee. The injury is expected to keep him out at least one more game.
Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard were nursing hamstring strains. Shepard returned in Week 6 and came out of the game healthy. Slayton was unable to go. Of the three remaining injured Giants receivers, Slayton appears to have the best shot at playing in Week 7.
TE Injury Update
Are there tight end injuries we need to be concerned about?
Noah Fant, Denver Broncos
The Broncos listed Noah Fant as limited on Monday’s estimated practice report with a foot issue. They are just managing his reps on the short week. He’ll play Thursday.