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.
Fantasy Football Injury Report: QB update
Let’s go through the injuries currently impacting quarterbacks.
Baker Mayfield, Cleveland Browns
Despite dealing with a dislocated shoulder, torn labrum, and shoulder fractures, Baker Mayfield will return Sunday after missing just one start.
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
We are getting conflicting reports on Dak Prescott’s outlook for Sunday night’s game against the Vikings. Mike McCarthy and Prescott himself have hinted that they will exercise caution with Prescott’s calf and hold him out one more week.
Dr. Jerry Jones (not an actual doctor) is confident Prescott will be out there. Clarence Hill, who is a very reliable reporter, also believes Prescott will play. This is shaping into a true game-time decision, which is an absolute nightmare for fantasy managers. If you don’t have Kirk Cousins or Daniel Jones to fall back on, I think you have to sit Prescott.
Trey Lance, San Francisco 49ers
Trey Lance practiced all week and will return to action this Sunday as Jimmy Garoppolo’s backup.
Tyrod Taylor, Houston Texans
The Texans started the clock to activate Tyrod Taylor from IR but will not do so this week. Davis Mills will make at least one more start.
Zach Wilson, New York Jets
Zach Wilson is out this week with a knee injury. As a result, Mike White will start.
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 did individual drills at practice this week but did not practice at all officially. He is out another game but has a chance to return in Week 9.
Nick Chubb, Cleveland Browns
The Browns removed Nick Chubb from the injury report. He will play Sunday.
Alex Collins, Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks listed Alex Collins as questionable. He played through a questionable tag last week and handled 16 carries. He actually practiced more this week than last, so he should be good to lead this backfield once again. On Sunday Ian Rapoport reported that the expectation is Collins will play.
Austin Ekeler, Los Angeles Chargers
After practicing fully on Wednesday without any injury to speak of, Austin Ekeler missed practice Thursday and Friday with a hip issue and is questionable. Midweek downgrades are typically death sentences for a player’s chances of playing. However, head coach Brandon Staley said this on Friday:
“He just came up a little bit sore after the practice. It didn’t happen during the practice. He just had a little bit of soreness in his hip. He felt much better these last two days. Real hopeful that he can play.”
All indications Sunday morning are the Ekeler will be active. If Ekeler can’t go, Joshua Kelley and Justin Jackson would likely share the snaps.
Chris Evans, Cincinnati Bengals
While not necessarily fantasy-relevant, it’s worth noting that Chris Evans is out this week. Samaje Perine will once again play the role of the guy who takes away all of Joe Mixon’s passing-down work.
Miles Sanders, Philadelphia Eagles
On Friday, the Eagles placed Miles Sanders on IR. He was always expected to be out 2-3 weeks, so this is more of a procedural move than something to be overly concerned about. Sanders should be able to return from his sprained ankle when first eligible. Kenneth Gainwell, Boston Scott, and Jordan Howard will man the backfield in Sanders’ absence.
D’Andre Swift, Detroit Lions
I refuse to participate in Dan Campbell’s games anymore. D’Andre Swift is playing despite being listed on the injury report.
Jamaal Williams, Detroit Lions
Sunday update: Jamaal Williams is out.
WR Injury Update
How are the fantasy-relevant wide receivers dealing with injuries?
Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry, Cleveland Browns
The Browns’ top two wide receivers were both limited at practice throughout the week but will play on Sunday (despite Beckham’s questionable tag). It is just the second time all season that Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry are both active in the same game.
Antonio Brown, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Antonio Brown is out this week with an ankle sprain in an awkward location.
Corey Davis, New York Jets
Corey Davis hurt his hip flexor at Thursday’s practice and did not practice Friday. He is out this week.
T.Y. Hilton, Indianapolis Colts
T.Y. Hilton got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday after missing Wednesday. He is questionable, but I would tentatively expect him to return from his quad injury after missing just one game.
Sunday update: Hilton is active
Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos
The Broncos gave Jerry Jeudy the day off Friday as he was a bit sore after practicing the previous three days. Jeudy was not listed on the injury report because he was still technically on IR. The Broncos activated Jeudy Saturday afternoon. Barring something unexpected prior to kickoff, Jeudy will make his return.
Julio Jones, Tennessee Titans
At his advanced age, Julio Jones just can’t shake these soft tissue injuries like he could in his 20s. Jones will miss Sunday’s contest as he continues to deal with a hamstring strain.
Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons
Sunday update: Calvin Ridley is inactive due to a personal matter for the second time this season. At this point, fantasy managers should assume this will occur again and always have a backup plan in place when inserting Ridley into lineups.
Curtis Samuel, Washington Football Team
Curtis Samuel is not playing this week, and he’s nowhere close to returning. This groin injury is going to end up costing most of his season.
Sterling Shepard, Kenny Golladay, and Kadarius Toney, New York Giants
All three Giants wide receivers missed last week’s game. Sterling Shepard returned to practice this week and looks like he’s going to play. The Giants listed him as questionable. Kenny Golladay, meanwhile, did not practice all week and is out.
Kadarius Toney missed practice Thursday but returned to limited sessions Friday and Saturday. The Giants listed him as questionable. Unless you have an alternative at the ready, you probably can’t afford to roll the dice with the Giants playing Monday night.
TE Injury Update
Are there tight end injuries we need to be concerned about?
Eric Ebron, Pittsburgh Steelers
Eric Ebron will not play Sunday due to a hamstring strain. Rookie Pat Freiermuth is set for his most extensive workload of the season.
Rob Gronkowski, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rob Gronkowski was limited at practice all three days this week. The team listed him as questionable, and according to a report by Ian Rapoport early Sunday morning, Gronkowski is considered a game-time decision, but there is optimism he will be active.
Sunday update: With the Bucs on bye next week, the latest reports out of Tampa are not as optimistic as they were earlier in the week. It now looks like Gronk is more likely to sit, rest through the bye, and come back 100% in Week 10.
Dawson Knox, Buffalo Bills
We knew Dawson Knox would miss this game before Buffalo’s Week 7 bye, but now it is official — Knox is out. Tommy Sweeney will operate as the Bills’ primary tight end until Knox returns.