We made it to Week 1! As we all get back into our weekly fantasy routines, let me help catch you up to speed on the Week 1 injury report.
Most teams won't release their first mandatory injury report until later this week, so my Week 1 Injury report is based on the information available. Players from each team will be listed in order of most likely to miss time to least likely.
Here's a quick refresher on the terms the NFL uses for injuries before diving in. "Out" is pretty straightforward, it simply means the player has been ruled out for the next game. "Doubtful" means the player is not likely to play and for fantasy purposes usually means they won't suit up.
"Questionable" is basically everything else besides healthy. It could really go either way in terms of likelihood to play and should be determined case by case.
Look for updates to this article later in the week.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR
Hopkins hasn't been practicing but will likely be able to play. The Cardinals won't begin releasing their injury reports until later in the week, so Hopkins' inclusion here is purely to put him on your radar to monitor.
No significant injuries were reported.
Rashod Bateman, WR - IR
Bateman suffered a groin injury earlier in the off-season and underwent core-muscle surgery in mid-August. For players like him who aren't ruled out for the whole season, the injured reserve designation means he has to sit out at least three games. Keep checking in for updates when we get closer to Week 4 to see if Bateman will return on time.
Miles Boykin, WR - IR
Boykin injured his hamstring in early August. Like Bateman, Boykin won't be eligible to return until Week 4.
Update:
Gus Edwards, RB - IR (season ending)
Edwards was the latest Ravens player to suffer a season ending injury. He and cornerback Marcus Peters both suffered season ending ACL tears within minutes of each other. For my more in depth thoughts on the impact of the Edwards injury, please refer to my latest article.
Marquez Stevenson, WR - IR
Stevenson suffered a head injury that will keep him out until at least Week 4 of his rookie season.
Shi Smith, WR - Out 2-3 weeks
Smith injured his shoulder in the Panthers' final game of the preseason. He has been ruled out for a few weeks, but avoiding the IR designation suggests he could be back sooner rather than later.
Tarik Cohen, RB - PUP
Cohen is still working his way back from last season's right ACL injury. The PUP designation means he'll have to miss 6 weeks of the season.
No significant injuries were reported.
Odell Beckham Jr., WR - Questionable
By all accounts, Beckham is expected to play but may be listed as questionable later in the week. His practice has been limited due to last season's ACL injury, but reports say he has looked good working on the side. Like DeAndre Hopkins, he's included here to keep him on your radar.
Update: Beckham is now being considered a game time decision.
No significant injuries were reported.
Noah Fant, TE - Questionable
Fant seems to be on track to play after missing some practice last week with an unspecified leg injury.
T.J. Hockenson, TE - Questionable
Hockenson is expected to play through an AC joint injury this week. Keep an eye on his status as the week progresses just in case he takes a step back.
Tyrell Williams, WR - Questionable
Williams is dealing with a groin injury but is also expected to play this week. With a thin receiver core, Williams could prove to be a significant streaming option in deeper leagues.
No significant injuries were reported.
Anthony Miller, WR - Questionable
Miller dislocated his shoulder last month but returned to practice this week. He is expected to be able to play in the Texans' season opener.
T.Y. Hilton, WR - IR
Hilton underwent surgery to correct a disc issue in his neck last week. His placement on the injured reserve means he could return as early as Week 4, but I'm skeptical. Even if he is able to return that soon, I worry that this neck injury could linger or flare up again.
Carson Wentz, QB - Questionable
It is still unclear if Wentz will be out on the field in Week 1. He missed time as a result of foot surgery earlier in the off-season, then spent some time on the COVID list. Watch his status closer to Sunday, but right now I assume he will play. If he does not suit up this week, Jacob Eason will get the start.
Update: Wentz is scheduled to start this Sunday. It should be a good matchup even though Wentz still carries some risk for both injury and performance.
No significant injuries were reported.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB - Questionable
Edwards-Helaire should be good to go this week after recovering from an ankle injury. Fellow running back, Darrell Williams is also expected to be on the field.
Josh Jacobs, RB - Questionable
Jacobs missed the first two practices of this week with an undisclosed issue. Since the Raiders don't play until Monday, they aren't required to release an official injury report until Thursday. At this point, it's anybody's guess what is keeping Jacobs out of practice.
Update:
Austin Ekeler, RB - Questionable
Ekeler was listed as did not participate in Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring issue. At this point, there isn't a lot of information on his availability this week.
No significant injuries were reported.
Will Fuller, WR - Out/Suspended
Fuller will serve the final game of his suspension from last season. He was also on the injury report with a foot injury, but was back at practice recently.
Dede Westbrook, WR - Questionable
Westbrook recently began practicing as he works his way back from an ACL tear suffered last season. The Vikings didn't put Westbrook on injured reserve, so I assume they expect him to make his debut in the first three weeks of the season.
N'Keal Harry, WR - IR
Harry will miss at least three weeks with a shoulder injury. Even when he returns, the off-season wasn't kind to Harry, and he will likely face an uphill battle to become fantasy relevant.
Hunter Henry, TE - Questionable
Henry injured his shoulder about a month ago and missed quite a bit of practice in that time. All signs currently point to Henry playing this week. His role in the offense remains to be seen, though, considering fellow tight end Jonnu Smith has been healthier the past month.
Michael Thomas, WR - PUP
Thomas was always expected to begin the year on the PUP ever since he underwent surgery in June to treat an ankle injury dating back to last season. This means he will be out until at least Week 7 (October 25).
Adam Trautman, TE - Questionable
Trautman suffered an ankle injury in late August but based on his initial 1-3 week timeline of recovery, he should be able to make it back for Week 1.
Saquon Barkley, RB - Questionable
Barkley is expected to play Week 1. The big question for Barkley is what his workload will be. If he's a full participant in practices this week, it would certainly comfort fantasy managers.
Kenny Golladay, WR - Questionable
Golladay returned to practice last week from a hamstring injury. He's expected to play, but keep an eye out for updates.
Jamison Crowder, WR - COVID
Crowder is in the league's COVID protocol. He is, under all assumptions, vaccinated, which means that he could still be cleared to play this week if he has two consecutive negative tests at least 24 hours apart. If Crowder isn't cleared in time, rookie wide receiver Elijah Moore's breakout campaign may get a jumpstart.
Update: Crowder was unable to clear the league's COVID protocol in time to play Sunday. Hopefully he is able to return in time for Week two.
No significant injuries were reported.
No significant injuries were reported.
No significant injuries were reported.
Jeff Wilson, RB - PUP
Wilson underwent a procedure to repair a torn meniscus earlier in the off-season. The move to the PUP means he'll miss at least the first six weeks of the regular season.
Trey Lance, QB - Questionable
Lance suffered a fractured finger in his throwing hand during the 49ers' final preseason game. Lance only expected to miss a week but, at this point, it looks like Jimmy Garopollo will get the start with the possibility for Lance to come in for limited plays.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR - Questionable
Aiyuk returned to practice Monday after missing time with a hamstring injury. There doesn't seem to be a concern that he'll miss the season opener, but look for Deebo Samuel to have a bigger role if he does.
Chris Godwin, WR - Questionable
Godwin was a limited participant in Tuesday's practice with a quadriceps injury. The Buccaneers play on Thursday, which means they are one of only two teams who have official practice reports currently. The fact that Godwin got at least some practice in is encouraging for his chances to play Thursday night.
Watch his status closely on Wednesday and leading up to kickoff to see if he makes it off the injury report.
Update: Godwin practiced in full on Wednesday and should be able to play Thursday night.
Antonio Brown, WR - Questionable
Brown got what the team referred to as a day of rest on Tuesday to make sure his knee was good to go for the Thursday night opener. Other Bucaneers' veterans also received rest days on Tuesday, so I'm not overly concerned by Brown's absence.
Update: Brown practiced in full on Wednesday and should be a full go Thursday night.
Darrynton Evans, RB - IR
Evans has been nursing a knee injury and will spend at least the first three weeks of the season on the injured reserve. He is unlikely to make a major fantasy impact on the field while star running back Derrick Henry is healthy.
However, Evans became a favorite of the Twitter fantasy community during the offseason by showing fantasy and e-sport content creators love and respect. Here's hoping he gets back on the field soon.
Following y’all back on twitter as well! It’s a lot of y’all be patient with me 🤝🔥🎮
— Darrynton Evans (@ItzLiveee) July 4, 2021
Curtis Samuel, WR - Questionable
Samuel has missed a significant amount of training camp with a groin injury. He was able to practice Monday and his familiarity with the Football Team's system means he should be good to go. Keep an eye on his practice reports later in the week to make sure he keeps trending in the right direction.
Update: Samuel was listed as did not participate in Wednesday's practice. Below is a video of him clearly in discomfort.
Second Update: Samuel has now been placed on injured reserve and will miss at least three weeks. This injury dates back to early June. According to healthline.com, the most severe grade of groin strain (Grade three) can take four months to heal. My concern is that at some point while trying to return Samuel has reaggravated the injury and reset the timetable for recovery. The team is currently optimistic but I personally am pessimistic that he is able to make his return in Week four.
This is the last route Curtis Samuel ran on the field before walking off to the side and working with trainers, you can tell he knew … didn’t look great #WashingtonFootball pic.twitter.com/TjUsIAEWk5
— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) September 8, 2021
Check back as new information comes in for updates to this injury report. Be sure to also be on the lookout for a brand new tool to help you track injuries even faster.
Thanks for reading! If you want to read more of my work, you can do so on my IDP Guys Author Page! If you are ever looking for some fantasy feedback, hit me up on Twitter at @DynastyDVM and follow @IDPGuys for more great content.
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