This article will be updated as practice reports roll in throughout the weekend. For the most up to date injury data between updates, bookmark this link and check it periodically.
What This Is:
*A no-nonsense quick-hitting analysis of fantasy-relevant player injuries that could impact performance on game day.
*A preview of the current week’s fantasy-relevant players with an injury through Friday night.
General Guidelines:
The following general rules apply for big shake-ups on the weekend:
*Players who are downgraded from full or even partial practice to “Did Not Practice” on Friday or Saturday, for any medical reason, are a long shot to play. Typically you’ll see teams say these players are a “game time decision” which is code for “they ain’t playing”.
*Players who have a concussion have up until Saturday night/Sunday morning to clear the protocol.
*If no “final update” is available, the player has either been officially ruled out or no news is good news.
The following players have already been ruled out as of Friday evening so get them out of your lineup!
Dawson Knox
Terrace Marshall Jr
Donovan Peoples-Jones
DeSean Jackson
Taysom Hill
Dwayne Washington
Zach Wilson
Tevin Coleman
Miles Sanders
Eric Ebron
Antonio Brown
Darrynton Evans
Julio Jones
Curtis Samuel
Dyami Brown
Corey Davis - Doubtful
The following notable players practiced in full on Friday and/or carry minimal concern.
Cole Beasley
Emmanuel Sanders
Allen Robinson II
Teddy Bridgewater
TJ Hockenson
Mark Ingram II
Brandin Cooks
Jonathan Taylor
Jordan Wilkins
Nyheim Hines
Mike Williams
Tua Tagovailoa
DeVonta Smith
Ben Roethlisberger
Jakeem Grant Sr
Auden Tate
DAndre Swift
Jamaal Williams
DeVante Parker
Dede Westbrook
Kendrick Bourne
Deonte Harris
Tyler Kroft
JJ Arcega-Whiteside
Rob Gronkowski
QUARTERBACKS
Dak Prescott - Calf
The Cowboys have been ambiguous to say the least as it relates to Dak’s calf strain. He’s had two weeks to recover but on Thursday, he suffered a minor setback. The Cowboys have a vice grip on the NFC East so there’s no reason to rush him back. The tea leaves suggest Prescott will sit in Week 8 so make contingency plans. If he’s active, temper expectations and minimize exposure due to re-injury risk.
Baker Mayfield - Shoulder
Mayfield’s injury didn’t go away. The pain and discomfort may have subsided but the structural issue that likely needs surgery isn’t over. He’s highly volatile the rest of the season which could lead to even more work for the Cleveland backfield.
RUNNING BACKS
Nick Chubb - Calf
Chubb is coming off a calf strain and practiced in full on Friday. However, re-injury risk is non-zero making him minimally to moderately volatile in Week 8. Otherwise, he’ll see his normal workload.
Alex Collins - Groin
Collins was downgraded to DNP this week due to this groin strain before ultimately being listed as limited again on Friday. This obviously isn’t going away any time soon and might be (yet again) Rashaad Penny week.
Antonio Gibson - Shin
He’s not even on the injury report anymore! He’s cured!
Not.
I mean listen, this is definitely a step in the right direction. However, until Gibson out-snaps J.D. McKissic AND doesn’t leave a game early, I’m not trusting him. He’s highly volatile in every format.
Austin Ekeler - Hip
Brandon Staley is “real hopeful” Ekeler will play this week after he sat out two practices in a row. In Week One, Ekeler was DNP-DNP-LP leading up to the game due to a hamstring strain, so resting him isn’t totally unprecedented. It’s possible he goes in Week 8 but don’t count on it and make contingency plans. Monitor the Injury Tracker through Sunday morning.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Jerry Jeudy - High ankle
Jeudy experienced "some soreness" so he didn't practice Friday. Even though Fangio says they're still optimistic he'll play, this does muddy the waters. Don't expect a ceiling game from Jeudy this week quite yet if active at all. This warrants monitoring throughout the weekend. Overall, he’s still a solid WR2/3 with (some) upside.
Jarvis Landry - MCL
Landry is still limited due to an MCL sprain. This did rear it’s head in Week 7 and shouldn’t be ignored. He’s moderately volatile in Week 8.
Kadarius Toney - Ankle
Toney’s ankle sprain seems to be progressing nicely as he’s now a limited practice participant. So long as he doesn’t have a setback, there’s a decent chance he’s going to be available Monday night. Keep in mind, though, that New York is extremely conservative in managing injuries and this is not a lock. If active, Toney is moderately volatile.
Sterling Shepard - Hamstring
Shepard had a setback with this hamstring injury that he hasn’t recovered from. He’s highly volatile in Week 8 assuming he’s active.
Deebo Samuel - Calf
Samuel is in a precarious situation similar to what George Kittle faced prior to being placed on the IR. Now, Deebo isn’t even on the final injury report which indicates this is minor, but he’s still at minimal risk for re-injury in Week 8.
Michael Gallup - Calf
Copy/paste the Deebo analysis except Gallup is more moderately volatile.
TY Hilton - Quad
Hilton is trending in the right direction for Week 8 and he was a full participant on Friday. He carries moderate volatility overall this week as this is a soft tissue injury.
DeVante Parker - Shoulder/hamstring
Parker was limited all week in practice and still on the mend. He’s hard to trust as being active isn’t a slam dunk. If he plays, he’s at high risk for re-injury.
Odell Beckham Jr - Shoulder
Similar to Baker, this injury isn’t going anywhere. He’s highly volatile the rest of the season due to re-injury risk.
Chase Claypool and Terry McLaurin - Minor hamstring
Still on the injury report with a hamstring strain, there’s always a risk for re-injury. There’s just enough volatility here that I don’t want to be over-exposed/over-weight on them. Otherwise, they’re generally safe options.
TIGHT ENDS
Evan Engram - Calf
He’s been limited all year by this calf strain. Re-injury is always a possibility so he’s moderately to highly volatile this week.
Jonnu Smith - Shoulder
This mystery should ailment for Smith is exactly that - a mystery. As a result, he carries minimal to moderate volatility as re-injury is on the radar.
TENTATIVE PROJECTED RETURN DATES:
The following dates are based primarily on updates directly from beat reporters or the team. When appropriate, historical data & clinical experience are used to refine these dates. They are educated guesses. Not set in stone.
Russell Wilson - Week 12/13
Wilson’s camp will do all they can to bring Wilson back in Week 10 (the soonest he can return) but he’ll likely need more time than that.
Christian McCaffrey - Week 10
McCaffrey definitely suffered a setback despite any denials from the team. Now he’s out until Week Nine at the soonest. He’s moderately volatile moving forward as the Panthers need to decide if 90% of snaps and 25+ touches every game is worth it.
Davante Adams - Week Nine
Darren Waller - Week Nine/10
Saquon Barkley - Week Eight/Nine
Kadarius Toney - Week Eight/Nine
Sterling Shepard - Week Nine/10
Kenny Golladay - Week Eight/Nine
Nick Chubb - Week Eight
Baker Mayfield - Week Nine - 12
Dawson Knox - Nine/10
DeVante Parker - Week Eight/Nine
Sammy Watkins - Week Nine/10
Miles Sanders - Week Nine/10
Rob Gronkowski - Nine
Trey Lance - Week Eight
Latavius Murray - Week 10/11
Miles Sanders - Week 11
Terrace Marshall Jr - Week Eight - ???
Antonio Brown - Week 10/11
Chris Carson - Week 9/10
Carson’s (presumably) arthritic neck is a volatile condition. Carson is highly volatile the rest of the season.
Michael Thomas - Week Eight/Nine
Thomas is reportedly “a couple weeks away” which matches with the general guess of when his surgery was. When he returns, it could take 1-2 weeks for him to get his sea legs under him.
Tyrod Taylor - Week Eight/Nine
George Kittle - Nine
Will Fuller - Week Nine/10
David Montgomery - Week Eight/Nine
Logan Thomas - Week 10
Jeff Wilson - Week 10-12
Clyde Edwards-Helaire - Week 10/11
Kareem Hunt - Week 10/11
Julio Jones - Week 9 - 12
Ryan Fitzpatrick - Week 10/Unknown
Tyrell Williams - Unknown
Curtis Samuel - Unknown
Jerry Jeudy - Week Eight
Michael Gallup - Week 8
Tua Tagovailoa - Week Six/Seven
JaMycal Hasty - Week Seven/Eight
Jarvis Landry - Week Seven
Rashod Bateman - Week Six
Russell Gage - Week Seven
Damien Harris - Week Six/Seven
Julio Jones - Week Six
Rashaad Penny - Week Seven/Eight
Darius Slayton - Week Six/Seven
Marquez Valdes-Scantling - Week Eight/Nine
