Week 1 Fantasy Football Injuries, Coachspeak and News to Help You Win: Tua Tagovailoa, A.J. Brown Fallout & More
Zain Dhanani goes game by game and runs through the injury reports, coachspeak notes and more to give you an edge for your Week 1 fantasy lineup decisions.
I’m going game by game through the injury reports, comments from coaches and other news to explain what I expect it to mean for our lineups.
For players dealing with injuries, check the game-day reports on whether they sit, play with restrictions or get their normal workload, and compare your options in my Week 1 fantasy football rankings.
Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans
James Cook: More Receiving Work if Ty Johnson Sits
Anyone who’s listened to me this offseason knows I’ve brought up James Cook getting more involved in the passing game a number of times, and we may get a look at that immediately with Ty Johnson hurt. Johnson missed Wednesday and Thursday with a hamstring injury, putting some of Buffalo’s passing-down work up for grabs if he cannot play against Houston.
I’m most interested in seeing if that translates to Cook staying on the field on third downs and in the two-minute offense. Ray Davis is still available to take some of that work, but I like Cook’s opportunity to get a larger receiving role this week if Johnson sits since it better matches his skill set.
Cook is already in my lineup, but a few more opportunities to catch the ball would make me like his week even more. Against a tough Texans defense, he’s an interesting tournament play for DFS players.
Miami Dolphins vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Brock Bowers, Michael Mayer and Tre Tucker
Bowers is expected to miss the opener after a meniscus procedure, with initial reporting pointing to an absence of a game or two. Michael Mayer is the direct replacement I’m looking for on the waiver wire, and I comfortably have him as a fantasy starter this week.
However, I still prefer Juwan Johnson if both are available because I have more confidence that the Saints will feature him as a receiver.
A Bowers absence also strengthens the case for Tre Tucker, who I already liked because of his expanded preseason route tree. He remains a WR3/flex option and someone worth keeping beyond this matchup, as I discussed in my Receiver Score article.
Ashton Jeanty
Jeanty practiced Wednesday and Thursday fully after his training-camp ankle injury, and the Raiders’ update on his return was encouraging. I’m keeping him in my lineup barring a setback, with another reason for Las Vegas to involve him as a receiver if Bowers sits. That adds some upside, although the full practices are the strongest reason to feel better about the workload we were already expecting.
Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants
Malik Nabers
For Nabers, I’m watching how much the Giants plan to use him. His full practice participation in his return from a torn ACL is encouraging, but it would be encouraging if there were reports about any snap count reductions he could see.
The timing makes this more difficult because most of your alternatives will have already played by the time we get all the Sunday-night information. I’d still play him unless there are reports that tell me he will be extremely limited because there’s likely no better options on your roster or on the wire, but if you happen to have Courtland Sutton - that would make for an interesting choice if Malik Nabers is in a very limited role.
Dak Prescott, Javonte Williams and Tyler Smith
Dallas placed starting LG Tyler Smith on IR after thumb surgery, with T.J. Bass expected to replace him. Smith will miss at least four games, so this affects more than the opener against the Giants.
I’m lowering my expectations for Javonte Williams’ rushing efficiency because losing Smith makes those interior runs harder to block. It also puts more pressure on Dallas’ protection in front of Dak Prescott, although it doesn’t change how often Williams is expected to get the ball. He’s still a borderline RB1 this week given the matchup and point total, but something to keep in mind if he doesn’t perform well and for DFS considerations.
Atlanta Falcons vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Tua Tagovailoa, Cooper Rush and Jawaan Taylor
Tagovailoa was added to Thursday’s injury report with an oblique injury, and Cooper Rush took the first-team reps. The line shifted two points towards the Steelers on Thursday, and now Cooper Rush is slated to start.
Atlanta also had starting RT Jawaan Taylor miss Thursday’s practice with a knee injury, which makes me more concerned about the protection in a game where the Falcons may already be starting their backup QB.
I’m still starting Bijan Robinson and Drake London (though I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to sit London if you have good alternatives), but it is harder to get excited about Kyle Pitt if the offense has trouble sustaining drives.
Drake London: A Better Matchup if Joey Porter Jr. Sits
Drake London’s matchup gets more appealing if Pittsburgh is without starting CB Joey Porter Jr., who remained limited with a back injury Wednesday and Thursday. I’m still more concerned about Atlanta’s QB and right tackle, but losing Porter would give Pittsburgh another issue to work around in coverage. London stays in my lineup, with a little more confidence in his matchup if Porter cannot go.
Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
Josh Jacobs, Green Bay’s Backfield and Offensive Line
Jacobs remains on the commissioner’s exempt list and is unavailable while on it. Green Bay has MarShawn Lloyd, Chris Brooks and Kaleb Johnson on its active roster, so the question is how the work gets divided.
The offensive line is another reason I’m cautious about this backfield. Starting LG Aaron Banks and RT Zach Bako-Bewele were limited Wednesday and Thursday with knee injuries, although LT Jordan Morgan improved to full participation Thursday. Minnesota’s ability to create pressure was already a concern for Jordan Love, and missing starters up front would make it harder to trust either the passing offense or the run game.
Matt LaFleur mentioned a running back-by-committee, so I’m more interested in what Lloyd’s role becomes than starting him immediately.
Minnesota’s Offense: An Upgrade if Green Bay’s Front Is Shorthanded
Green Bay has Javon Hargrave, Devonte Wyatt and Barryn Sorrell listed as limited, giving Minnesota three defensive starters whose availability matters for the matchup.
I like Minnesota’s offense more if Green Bay is missing multiple players from this group because it would have to replace starters both inside and on the edge. Hargrave and Wyatt matter for the interior blocking assignments, and a Sorrell absence would give Minnesota one less starting pass rusher to account for, so I’d bump Minnesota’s offense if multiple starters are missing and leave the matchup alone if they all play their normal roles.
Washington Commanders vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White
Croskey-Merritt has been limited with a groin injury, and even though he’s not on the injury report, it adds another possibility of load management to a matchup I already disliked. Anyone who followed me this offseason knows I was excited about Bill, but I would sit him this week even if he is active.
Washington has a difficult blocking assignment against Philadelphia, and falling behind would threaten the carries Croskey-Merritt needs. Rachaad White has the more useful receiving role if Washington is chasing the game, but I would still lean toward sitting both in a typical lineup.
Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley: An Upgrade if Washington Is Shorthanded
Washington has several starters banged up along its defensive front, with Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson and Daron Payne all limited Thursday.
I like Philadelphia’s offense more (if that was possible) if Washington is missing multiple players from that group. Losing Oweh or Chaisson would take away some of the edge pressure on Jalen Hurts, and Payne’s absence would be more directly helpful for Saquon Barkley on runs inside. Hurts and Barkley are already in my lineups, but this gives both a better chance to have a big week if Washington’s front is shorthanded. Both make fun DFS plays.
Chicago Bears vs. Carolina Panthers
Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland
The Bears have expressed optimism that Odunze will play against Carolina, and he has been listed as limited on Wednesday and Thursday’s reports with a calf injury. The decision for me is whether he is active with a normal workload, because that would keep me from giving his teammates an injury-related target bump in a highly concentrated pass offense.
If Odunze doesn’t play, I like the opportunity for both Luther Burden and Colston Loveland to get more involved. Burden is off the injury report after his training-camp groin issue and would move into the mid-tier WR2 conversation for me, but Loveland would rise to TE1 overall for this week. If Odunze is active, I want to know whether he’ll have any restrictions before starting him over a healthy receiver in the same tier.
Jonathon Brooks and Chuba Hubbard
Brooks was limited Wednesday and Thursday, but he returned to practice Friday. Dave Canales has discussed a rotation where one back handles a series, and the other enters on third down.
I still like Hubbard in the RB2/flex conversation against Chicago, with more confidence if Brooks is on a snap count, though none has been reported as of Friday. Brooks is still a bench stash for this week.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Jeremiyah Love, Tyler Allgeier and Isaiah Adams
Love’s return to practice after his preseason high ankle sprain gives us reason to watch the game-day reports, but being active and being ready for a substantial workload are different things. I want to know how much Arizona plans to use him before putting him in a lineup. I have him as a fringe RB2 for this week, and I’d lean towards sitting him if I have other options.
Starting RG Isaiah Adams also missed Wednesday and Thursday with a knee injury, so Arizona could be without one of its interior blockers against the Chargers. If Adams sits, that would make the matchup less appealing for both Love and Tyler Allgeier.
Allgeier gets a better opportunity to handle the carries, but it’s possible Bam Knight is a factor in the pass game if the Cardinals get down early in this one like they’re supposed to. Allgeier is not appealing to me this week given the matchup and line concerns, even if Love is out.
Omarion Hampton, Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal
Hampton gets a matchup I like against Arizona in a game I expect the Chargers to win, and he would have a chance to handle more of the work if Keaton Mitchell is out or limited by his hamstring injury. Mitchell has been limited in practice this week, with Kimani Vidal also available behind Hampton.
I’m obviously starting Hampton, but I don’t think this game necessarily tells us how Mike McDaniel wants to divide the backfield over the season. Mitchell could be eased in if he plays, and a comfortable lead would give the Chargers a reason to use Vidal more later in the game. I’m probably not going to read too deep into this week’s snap shares unless it's very unfavorable to Hampton.
New Orleans Saints vs. Detroit Lions
Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne Jr.
Kamara returned to limited practice after his knee injury, with Kellen Moore saying the Saints needed to see how he responded. If he’s out, that gives me more assurances on Travis Etienne’s workload for this week and would likely boost him to a low-end RB1.
Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson
Tyson is on IR and will miss at least the first four games, and Oscar Delp’s hamstring injury is also worth watching after he missed Wednesday and Thursday’s practices. The Saints have opportunities for their younger WRs, but the players I trust to earn targets immediately are Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson.
I expect Moore to use two-TE sets to help manage the thin WR depth, with Noah Fant available to play in-line and Johnson able to work from the slot. If Delp also sits, it leaves Moore with fewer options at TE, making Johnson’s receiving role even more important. Yes, even a third-string TE matters because it removes possibilities of Johnson coming off the field.
Johnson is a TE starter for me this week and someone worth holding, since Tyson’s absence gives this receiving situation a chance to remain favorable beyond the opener.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Jalen McMillan, Chris Godwin Jr. and Emeka Egbuka
McMillan is doubtful for this week. Ted Hurst should fill in at the X receiver spot in his absence and makes for a fun tournament play in DFS and someone to get ahead of on the waiver wire in case he booms and McMillan never gets healthy.
If he sits, which seems likely, Chris Godwin and Emeka Egbuka get a target upgrade. Even though Egbuka practiced this week and is playing Sunday, I am still slightly concerned about the toe and potential matchup with DJ Turner. Godwin is a very interesting way to play this game.
Chase Brown, Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins
Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins are both good to go for this week. The Burrow-Chase-Higgins double-stack, for DFS, is a fun one.
Beyond the injuries, I’m interested in the Bengals’ plans to use Joe Burrow under center more often. Burrow has talked about running the ball and using play-action on early downs, and Chase Brown is the player I’m watching to see how much that changes the offense. If Cincinnati leans on those looks against Tampa Bay, Brown could get more opportunities to build his day through carries, with the play-action giving Chase and Higgins a chance to work down the field.
Burrow also said the approach will depend on the defensive front, so I’m watching what Cincinnati calls while the game is competitive.
New York Jets vs. Tennessee Titans
Breece Hall
Hall practiced fully on Wednesday and Thursday after his groin strain, and Frank Reich said the Jets would use him normally unless the coaches or medical staff supplied a rep limit. Reich also mentioned rotating the backs, so I’m expecting Hall’s usual role with some work for the other RBs. He’s a high-end RB2 in this matchup.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts
Lamar Jackson and Zay Flowers
Flowers improved from limited participation Wednesday to full participation Thursday - he’s ready to play after some injury scares during the summer. He’s a fringe WR1.
The change I’m most interested in for this passing offense is how Declan Doyle uses play-action. Doyle wants Lamar Jackson under center more often so he can hold the run fake longer, giving routes more time to develop down the field. If the linebackers step toward Derrick Henry, I like the opportunity for Flowers and the other pass catchers to work into the space behind them.
I’m also watching whether Lamar keeps his designed rushing work alongside those changes.
Alec Pierce
Pierce has remained limited following offseason ankle surgery, but Shane Steichen has said he is on track to play. Daniel Jones is also returning after last season’s Achilles injury, giving us a first regular-season look at the offense with both of them back.
I’m not comfortable putting in Pierce this week given the matchup and potential ramp.
Jonathan Taylor: A Better Matchup with Nnamdi Madubuike Sitting
Madubuike is not going to play this week, per Jesse Minter. This should boost Jonathan Taylor, since Madubuike is a strong run-stopping defender. The ceiling is high for JT given the lack of depth and the injury along the defensive line for the Ravens.
Cleveland Browns vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jakobi Meyers, Brian Thomas and Parker Washington
Meyers remained limited Thursday, but he has said he expects to play Sunday. If he is active and expected to play his normal role, I’m keeping him in the WR3/flex conversation. If he sits or has meaningful restrictions, I’d give Thomas and Washington a bump. Washington would be in WR2 territory for me with BTJ as a flex.
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars RBs, Cole Van Lanen and Anton Harrison
Starting RT Cole Van Lanen is a potential game-time decision with a knee injury, with Walker Little set to replace him if he cannot play. Things seem to be trending positive for Van Lanen since he practiced Friday, but the team is still going to make it a game-time decision.
The surprise was LT Anton Harrison missing practice on Friday. Keep an eye out for his status.
The hope is that Trevor Lawrence has his two starting offensive tackles, but if he doesn’t, he could face more pressure from Jared Verse and company.
Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice and Josh Simmons
Mahomes and Rice were both full participants in Thursday’s practice, which is encouraging for Kansas City’s passing offense as they return from knee injuries. Xavier Worthy was also a full participant with a shoulder injury, so his practice status is moving in the right direction as well.
If Rice is cleared for his normal receiving role, I’m comfortable starting him. Mahomes is a QB1 option for me if he is cleared to start Monday night, but I’m more cautious about the rushing production in his return. Starting LT Josh Simmons’ back injury adds to that concern, with rookie Kahlil Benson tracking toward replacing him against Denver. If Simmons sits, I’m more concerned about the protection and less comfortable counting on Mahomes to turn pressure into rushing production in his first game back.
New England Patriots vs. Seattle Seahawks: Week 2 Injury Notes
A.J. Brown, Romeo Doubs and Mack Hollins
Brown suffered a high ankle sprain against Seattle and is now on Injured Reserve. That is a reported estimate rather than a guaranteed return date, but it is enough to plan for a replacement over the coming weeks.
For the next waiver run in deeper leagues, I’m checking whether Romeo Doubs or Mack Hollins is available as a speculative bench add. Hollins was more involved than Romeo Doubs in Week 1 and was the direct beneficiary of Brown going down. Again, a deep league situation for Hollins.
Sam Darnold and Drew Lock
Seattle received encouraging test results on Darnold’s hip, but Mike Macdonald said his initial expectation was that Drew Lock would play against Arizona in Week 2. If Darnold cannot play, Lock is worth adding in Superflex leagues, and he is a reasonable bench stash before that decision if you need QB depth.
If Lock starts, I’m keeping you’re obviously playing Jaxon Smith-Njigba, but I’m not interested in anyone else in the Seahawks pass game. I think the team will lean on Jadarian Price in the run game for Week 2.
Los Angeles Rams vs. San Francisco 49ers: Week 2 Injury Notes
De’Zhaun Stribling and Demarcus Robinson
Stribling left the opener against the Rams with an ankle injury, and his availability for Week 2 is still something to monitor. Demarcus Robinson ran a route on 88.9% of San Francisco’s dropbacks after Stribling left.
Any WR who starts in this offense is always interesting, which makes Robinson a deep-league add.
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