We are just under a month away from the start of the 2024 NFL regular season. Over the past two weeks, we’ve seen far too many training camp and preseason injuries. Here is the latest injury update on every relevant fantasy football player.
To stay up-to-date on the latest injury news, check out PFN’s injury tracker.
Nick Chubb Injury Update
There hasn’t been much of an update for Nick Chubb, other than that he’s progressing well in his recovery from tearing multiple knee ligaments in Week 2 of last year.
But Chubb did a sideline interview during the Browns’ preseason game on Saturday, where he provided an update on his status moving forward.
But according to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler — and to the surprise of no one — Chubb is not expected to be ready for Week 1. My guess is he will start the season on the PUP list.
Fantasy managers considering drafting Chubb will do so knowing they will have to sit on him for what could be months. Jerome Ford is the presumptive starter in Cleveland for as long as Chubb is sidelined.
T.J. Hockenson Injury Update
Since our last injury update, there hasn’t been any new news on Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson, who tore his ACL and MCL last season.
Given the nature of his position, it’s easier for Hockenson to return than a guy like Chubb. However, Hockenson’s injury occurred in Week 17. An injury that late in the season makes it highly unlikely that he’ll be anywhere close to fully recovered in time to start the season.
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Hockenson opened training camp on the PUP list and will likely remain there to start the season. It’s highly probable he will return at some point, though, but Hockenson won’t be fully back until next year.
I would not consider drafting Hockenson until the final round or two of redraft leagues.
Russell Wilson Injury Update
Russell Wilson was limited early in training camp due to a calf strain, which saw him mostly just handing the ball off at practice. He is now back to throwing.
If not this weekend, then fantasy managers should expect to see Wilson get some preseason action next weekend.
Joe Mixon Injury Update
Joe Mixon was out for a couple of weeks with a quad strain. He has since returned to practice and looks to be 100%.
I doubt we will see Mixon in the preseason, but barring any aggravations, he should be good to go for Week 1.
Jonathon Brooks Injury Update
The Carolina Panthers’ rookie running back is coming off a November ACL tear. Jonathon Brooks is not practicing just yet but is expected to be activated off the PUP list sometime in August. That would put him on track to play in Week 1.
In the meantime, Chuba Hubbard has been operating as the RB1, a role he earned last season. He may be in store for a larger early-season role before eventually giving way to the rookie.
Given where the Panthers drafted Brooks, making him the first running back off the board, he’s going to be the starter sooner rather than later.
It will likely be a slow start for Brooks, but the second half of the season is more important than the first. If the injury keeps Brooks’ ADP depressed, fantasy managers should very much consider drafting him at a discount.
Chuba Hubbard Injury Update
The Panthers can ill-afford to lose Hubbard early in the season, as Brooks is not going to be ready for around a month or so. Hubbard went down at practice on Thursday and was grabbing at his right knee. He did not return to the field.
Given how new this injury is, we have no information. It could be anything from a bruise to something torn. There’s no sense in speculation. We will likely get an update from the team or an insider soon enough.
Kendre Miller Injury Update
It’s been a challenging beginning to Kendre Miller’s career. Due to injuries, he was sidelined for much of the 2023 preseason. Now, his 2024 season is off to a similarly concerning start.
It’s bad enough that Miller is dealing with yet another hamstring strain. Compounding the issue is his coaches are clearly frustrated with his inability to stay on the field.
Already firmly behind Alvin Kamara and Jamaal Williams, Miller can’t make up ground watching practice. He is completely off my draft board.
MarShawn Lloyd Injury Update
The Green Bay Packers’ rookie third-rounder missed OTAs and the start of training camp with a hip issue. Upon his return, he was quickly sidelined once again, straining his hamstring in the first preseason game.
There’s plenty of time between now and the start of the season. However, Lloyd is not considered a lock to be ready for Week 1.
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We already had reports of Lloyd being behind A.J. Dillon on the depth chart. While Lloyd has the talent to easily surpass Dillon, it’s not going to happen if Lloyd doesn’t get a chance to prove it.
The rookie looks like someone fantasy managers will draft as a handcuff and end up dropping within the first few weeks.
Keaton Mitchell Injury Update
It’s been a rough start to Keaton Mitchell’s career. He missed the first five weeks of his rookie season due to injury. After playing in two games, Mitchell got hurt again. He appeared in the Baltimore Ravens‘ next six games and thoroughly impressed before tearing his ACL.
Mitchell is currently on the PUP list. He likely will not be activated to start the season, meaning he will miss at least the first six weeks. Justice Hill should operate as the change-of-pace back behind Derrick Henry until Mitchell can return.
Mike Williams Injury Update
The oft-injured big outside receiver is on his way back from a torn ACL he sustained early last season. Mike Williams opened training camp on the PUP list. He’s been spotted doing a little something at Jets practices.
Williams is on the fringe of draftable in fantasy this year, but he does project to be the team’s WR2 opposite Garrett Wilson if healthy.
By all accounts, Williams is on track to be activated before the start of the season but will likely not be 100% for another couple of months. He’s worth a late-round dart throw.
Roman Wilson Injury Update
The Steelers’ rookie third-rounder sprained his ankle at practice a couple of weeks ago. Although he was carted off the field, fantasy managers shouldn’t fear the worst, as carts are used much more liberally during training camp.
According to Ian Rapoport, Wilson should be ready for the start of the season.
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Unfortunately, given that he’s a rookie, this is going to delay Wilson’s progression. The Steelers will likely ease him back into action.
This injury removes Wilson from late-round dart-throw consideration, as he is unlikely to come into any fantasy value until later in the season.
Tyler Higbee Injury Update
Tyler Higbee remains on the PUP list as he works his way back from a torn ACL and MCL. Given that the injury was sustained so late in the season, it is extremely unlikely he is ready for Week 1.
In the interim, Colby Parkinson has been working with the first team. The former Seahawks TE hasn’t done much to start his career, but he could be poised to see the largest role of his career.
The Los Angeles Rams’ TE1 has always been on the fantasy radar during the Sean McVay era. Parkinson is worth a look in deeper leagues for those managers who completely punt the tight end position.
Jordan Addison Injury Update
Earlier this week, Jordan Addison landed awkwardly after leaping for a contested catch. Although he was carted off the field, carts are used very liberally, much like with Roman Wilson.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell revealed Addison is dealing with an ankle sprain but should be fine. Fantasy managers should have no concerns over Addison’s Week 1 availability.
J.J. McCarthy Injury Update
Unfortunately, the Vikings’ rookie quarterback will not see any regular season action until 2025. J.J. McCarthy tore his meniscus in the team’s first preseason game.
Given that he’s 21 years old, McCarthy and the Vikings rightly opted for the full repair rather than a trim, which would get McCarthy back sooner but have more long-term complications. Sam Darnold will start Week 1 for Minnesota.
Hollywood Brown Injury Update
The presumptive WR2 of the Chiefs fell awkwardly on his shoulder in the team’s first preseason game. He was taken to the hospital as a precaution but is otherwise fine in terms of his overall health. However, the shoulder is not fine.
Brown is dealing with an SC joint injury. It’s a rare injury that, to my knowledge, only otherwise happened to Tyreek Hill in 2019. That injury cost Hill four games.
The Chiefs will now have to say goodbye to Hollywood for at least the next month.
While Week 1 statuses will not be known for a while, fantasy managers looking to draft Brown should fully expect him to miss his revenge game against the Ravens to open the season.
Brown should be back by the end of September, though.
Jahmyr Gibbs Injury Update
Earlier in the week, Jahmyr Gibbs left practice with a mysterious “leg injury.” The worst part of training camp is the lack of clarity on injuries. We are heavily reliant on insiders to get us the details.
Fortunately, we were able to find out that the leg injury was a hamstring strain and is a relatively minor one.
Gibbs obviously will not be playing in the preseason (which, if we’re being candid, he was never going to play anyway), but does not appear to be in serious jeopardy for Week 1.
I am drafting Gibbs as normal at the back end of the first round.
Christian Kirk Injury Update
This is an injury we weren’t even aware of until Thursday. Christian Kirk has apparently been dealing with a bit of a calf strain. It’s not anything to be overly concerned about, but Kirk will be held out of practice for the remainder of the week.
As long as Kirk is back by the end of the month, he should be all set for Week 1.
Christian McCaffrey Injury Update
A couple of weeks ago, Christian McCaffrey strained his calf. He hasn’t practiced since.
For a veteran like McCaffrey, who has been the best running back in football for the past five years, missed practice time is not a concern. As long as he can get his body right for Week 1, fantasy managers should draft him as usual.
Given the lack of worry from the team, I would still take McCaffrey No. 1 overall with confidence.
Malik Nabers Injury Update
The Giants had a scare at practice last week when Malik Nabers left with a foot issue. It was since revealed to be a very minor ankle sprain.
Nabers has already returned to practice and is not at risk of missing Week 1.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. Injury Update
In one of the more wild injury stories of the preseason, Tyrone Tracy Jr. went down with a non-contact leg injury and was carted off the field with his leg in an air cast. It sure sounded like he was done for the season.
Not only was it later revealed to not be as serious, Tracy was back on the practice field Thursday, participating in individual drills. He may even be able to play in the team’s final preseason game, which would go a long way toward him securing the RB2 role behind Devin Singletary early in the season.
Zach Charbonnet Injury Update
It’s unclear if Zach Charbonnet is actually hurt. He apparently woke up with what is being described as tightness and has missed two days of practice so far.
The Seahawks don’t even know (or, at least, aren’t telling us) exactly what is going on. It’s something to monitor, but any injury being described as tightness is not something we should be worried about nearly a month away from the start of the season.
Alvin Kamara Injury Update
The Saints’ RB1 has been dealing with a back issue that has cost him a couple of practice sessions. It’s not a new issue, as it’s something he’s managed in the past.
The team is not worried about it, and neither should fantasy managers. Kamara should be back on the field well before the season starts.
Diontae Johnson Injury Update
For the past few days, Diontae Johnson has been held out of practice with a groin strain, but this doesn’t sound overly serious. Expect Johnson to be fine well before the regular season starts.
Tyler Lockett Injury Update
This is one injury that has largely been flying under the radar, probably because no one is particularly excited about Tyler Lockett as a fantasy asset. Nevertheless, he is a relevant player and he has not been practicing lately.
The good news is that Lockett’s leg injury is deemed minor and is not expected to keep him out for an extended period of time. There is no concern here. Fantasy managers should continue not drafting Lockett as normal.
Brandin Cooks Injury Update
Brandin Cooks left Thursday’s practice early. He is merely dealing with some knee soreness and is expected to be fine. No cause for alarm here.
Matthew Stafford Injury Update
After experiencing some tightness in his hamstring, Matthew Stafford has been held out of practice for a few days. He is reportedly improving and is expected to return to the field next week. This is not a concern for the regular season at the moment.