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NFL preseason injury tracker: Breaking down the key training camp injuries — and the fantasy football impact

yahoo sports staff
·8 min read

Some teams have been luckier than others so far this preseason on the injury front. Below is a look at some of the major injuries that have affected teams during training camp and beyond, including their recovery outlooks and some fantasy perspective on notable players.

Note: The below list does not include injuries that predate this year's training camp.

  • None

  • Chris Evans, RB: Torn patellar tendon, out for season

  • Amarius Mims, OT: Strained pectoral muscle, estimated return Sept. 8

  • Cam Sample, DE: Torn Achilles, out for season

Fantasy spin: This is not ideal for Samuel, who is new to the team, and needs as many reps with QB Josh Allen as possible. Samuel’s absence favors the rest of the receivers, notably Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir. Both guys are moving up my rankings and Coleman looks even better now as a 10th-round pick. — Sal Vetri

  • None

  • Luke Wypler, C: Fractured right ankle, out for season

  • Nick Chubb, RB: Knee, on PUP list (ineligible to play first four games of regular season)

Fantasy spin: I'm actively fading Chubb — it hurts to say that — given how significant his 2023 injuries were, in addition to his history (Chubb's left knee also suffered major damage at Georgia). With Chubb on hold for now, Jerome Ford is an interesting play-for-today pick. — Scott Pianowski

  • Chase Edmonds, RB: Undisclosed, return unclear

  • Sua Opeta, G: Torn ACL, out for season

  • BJ Ojulari, LB: Torn ACL, out for season

  • Justin Herbert, QB: Foot, returned to practice on Monday (8-19), is expected to be ready for Week 1

  • Marquise Brown, WR: Shoulder, expected back early in 2024 season

  • McKade Mettauer, G: Torn MCL, surgery not necessary

Fantasy spin: The Chiefs' receiving corps got a big-time upgrade this offseason, and Rashee Rice and rookie Xavier Worthy have been taking full advantage of their opportunities with Hollywood Brown out of the lineup. If he misses time early in the season, Worthy stands to gain the most of his absence.

  • Josh Downs, WR: Left high ankle sprain, estimated return Sept. 8

  • Samson Ebukam, DE: Torn Achilles tendon, expected to be out for 2024 season

Fantasy spin: Unfortunately, second-year WR Josh Downs went down with an ankle injury in early August, after a promising offseason program. He's expected back for the regular season, which means his injury shouldn't affect fantasy drafts too much considering he's being selected right around Round 13. It could take him a little time to get his rhythm back, but his return should ultimately mean a slightly higher floor for Anthony Richardson as a passer once Downs is at full health given the Colts' talented group of receivers.

  • Sam Williams, DE: Torn ACL and MCL, out for season

  • Chuma Edoga, OT: Left big toe, expected to begin season on injured reserve

  • Kion Smith, OL: Torn ACL, out for season

  • Odell Beckham Jr., WR: Undisclosed injury, starting the season on the PUP list (ineligible to play first four games of regular season)

  • None

  • Rondale Moore, WR: Knee, out for season

  • Christian McCaffrey, RB: Strained calf, timeline unclear

Fantasy spin: The San Francisco 49ers RB depth chart is looking a bit messy right about now, with several of McCaffrey's backups also dealing with bumps and bruises. Jordan Mason has emerged as the likely backup to CMC come the regular season, but even he's dealing with some hip soreness coming out of Week 2 of the preseason.

  • Gunner Olszewski, WR: Groin, could miss start of season

Fantasy spin: The Jaguars loaded up on outside receiving options this offseason with the additions of rookie Brian Thomas Jr. and signing Gabe Davis. However, given Kirk's primary role playing out of the slot, TE Evan Engram would be the greatest beneficiary if he's limited in any way to start the year, having led all tight ends with 85 slot targets just last season. — Kate Magdziuk

  • None

  • Emmanuel Moseley, CB: Torn pec, out indefinitely

  • Sam LaPorta, TE: Hamstring, returned to practice Monday, August 26

  • Jahmyr Gibbs, RB: Hamstring, returned to practice Monday, August 26

Fantasy spin: Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs are both dealing with hamstring injuries, but each of them returned to practice after Week 3's preseason game against the Steelers. There's no need to downgrade either in fantasy drafts, barring any setbacks.

Fantasy spin: Veteran Josh Jacobs is coming off the least efficient campaign of his career with the Raiders in 2023, so not everyone was beaming with confidence that he would return on his second-round value in fantasy drafts this year. However, AJ Dillon has been ruled out for the year with a neck injury, and rookie Marshawn Lloyd enters the year with a hamstring injury, which might just put Jacobs in line for all the work he can handle.

  • Dane Jackson, CB: Hamstring, could miss six weeks after Aug. 14 injury

  • Jonathon Brooks, RB: Knee, on PUP list (ineligible to play first four games of regular season)

Fantasy spin: Brooks makes sense as a stash-and-hold for those looking for long-term upside, especially if you have IR spots to work with. Those in need of an early-season flex option can consider Chuba Hubbard, currently being selected in Round 13 of fantasy drafts. Hubbard totaled 1,135 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns as the lead back in Carolina last season and will start the year behind an improved offensive line and hope that Bryce Young can take a leap in Year 2.

  • Hunter Henry, TE: Lower body issue, expected back early in season

  • Mitchell Wilcox, TE: Calf, expected back early in season

  • Austin Hooper, TE: Undisclosed injury, expected back early in season

  • Christian Barmore, DT: Blood clots, out indefinitely

  • None

  • Puka Nacua, WR: Knee, expected to be ready for season opener

  • Tyler Higbee, TE: Knee, on PUP list (ineligible to play first four games of regular season)

Fantasy spin: Unfortunately, just as veteran Cooper Kupp gets healthy leading up to his age-31 season, teammate Puka Nacua suffered a knee injury that has him considered week-to-week. If Nacua misses any time to start the year (or is less-than-100%), expect Kupp to immediately return to his 2022 form where he led all WRs in fantasy points per game.

  • Tyler Linderbaum, C: Soft tissue injury, return unclear

  • Keaton Mitchell, RB: Torn ACL, on PUP list (ineligible to play first four games of regular season)

  • Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB: Leg injury, return unclear

  • Alvin Kamara, RB: Back tightness, returned to practice August 20

  • Kendre Miller, RB: Hamstring, on IR (ineligible to play first four games of regular season)

Fantasy spin: With Kendre Miller on IR, Alvin Kamara is the clear-cut RB1 in this offense with Jamaal Williams working in behind him at RB2. A sneaky beneficiary of Miller's injury could actually be TE Taysom Hill, however, especially around the goal line. Hill now has TE eligibility in Yahoo leagues and will likely once again be an X-factor in this Saints offense. — Kate Magdziuk

  • None

  • Jaylen Warren, RB: Hamstring, looking probable for Week 1

  • Nate Herbig, OL: Torn rotator cuff, out for entire 2024 season

Fantasy spin: Jaylen Warren was one of the league's most efficient running backs in most categories of note last season, but unfortunately, he suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 of the preseason. He's expected to be good to play Week 1, when the Steelers will likely resume their usual split between him and Najee Harris. Should Warren miss any time, expect a slight uptick in receiving upside for Harris while he's out.

  • None

  • DeAndre Hopkins, WR: Knee sprain, expected back for Week 1

Fantasy spin: Veteran DeAndre Hopkins wasn't exactly a superstar for fantasy in 2023, but if he starts out the year at less-than-100%, Calvin Ridley could be in for an increased target share. His ADP as the WR34 could return nice dividends given second-year QB Will Levis' propensity to sling the deep ball, having posted a 22.4% deep target rate that led all QBs in 2023 per PFF.

  • Jordan Addison, WR: Ankle, return unclear

  • Robert Tonyan, TE: Back spasms, return unclear

  • J.J. McCarthy, QB: Torn meniscus, out for season

  • T.J. Hockenson, TE: ACL recovery, on PUP list (ineligible to play first four games of regular season)

Fantasy spin: Sam Darnold is set to start at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, which isn't great news for those drafting WRs Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

On one hand, Jefferson averaged 119 receiving yards per game and was the WR3 in Weeks 15-18 without Kirk Cousins under center, so his fantasy value may not have taken a demonstrable hit with the news. On the other hand, Addison is a player who already seemed doomed for regression in the touchdown department after a 10-TD campaign as a rookie, and Darnold has averaged just a 3.5% touchdown rate over his career.

Given that Hockenson's ACL and MCL injuries happened around Christmas last year, it's hard to know if he'll actually be ready after missing the first four games of the season after landing on the PUP list.