A spate of injuries this week has thrown fantasy lineups into flux, and fantasy managers into a collective cold sweat.
Once-gleaming fantasy football rosters are now riddled with question marks after untimely injuries in the days leading up to the season opening Sunday (this begs the question: are there timely injuries?). Let’s dig into the various (many) injuries and how they might affect your start/sit decisions and last-minute waiver wire pickups.
Early Games
Bears @ Lions
DE Robert Quinn (ankle) is the only Bears player listed as out for Sunday’s game, while T Germain Ifedi (triceps), LB Khalil Mack (knee), RB David Montgomery (groin), WR Cordarrelle Patterson (knee), CB Buster Skrine (finger), T Jason Spriggs (knee), WR Javon Wims (Achilles) are all listed as questionable. Montgomery, recovering from a groin injury, would be an iffy fantasy start against Detroit, as he could be limited and Chicago is an underdog. They might not get the game script required for Mont to thrive.
TE Hunter Bryant (hamstring), S C.J. Moore (hamstring), and T Halapoulivaati Vaitai (foot) are all out for Detroit. You may have heard WR Kenny Golladay (hamstring) is listed as doubtful. Fantasy managers need to make contingency plans -- Babytron could be out beyond Week 1, depending on the severity of the hamstring issue. Marvin Jones becomes a must-play against the Bears, and T.J. Hockenson suddenly has opportunity-based upside and profiles as the team’s best (and biggest) option in the red zone.
WR Danny Amendola (hamstring), DE Da'shawn Hand (groin), CB Jeff Okudah (hamstring), LB Julian Okwara (knee), and CB Darryl Roberts (groin) are listed as questionable for the Lions.
Eagles @ Football Team
Eagles DT Javon Hargrave (pectoral, hamstring) and WR Alshon Jeffery (foot) are out. DE Derek Barnett (hamstring), and T Lane Johnson (ankle) are questionable. RB Miles Sanders (hamstring) did not make the trip to Washington. He'll miss Week 1 with a lingering hamstring issue, meaning RB Boston Scott should slide into the team's starting role. Scott, who excelled for the Eagles during the stretch run of the 2019 season, should be plugged into lineups in 12-team leagues. Scott should get Sanders' targets -- or something close to it -- out of the Philly backfield, along with a good portion of his rushing workload. Corey Clement might deserve some flex consideration in deep formats.
WR Jalen Reagor (shoulder) practices in full this week. Barring a setback, he’ll play against Washington and should be in fantasy lineups.
Washington LB Thomas Davis (calf) is out against Philadelphia, while CB Kendall Culler (knee) is doubtful and T Saahdiq Charles (calf) is questionable.
Seahawks @ Falcons
Seahawks T Cedric Ogbuehi (pectoral) is out for Sunday’s game. WR Phillip Dorsett (foot) is considered questionable. Dorsett didn’t participate in Friday’s practice.
Falcons DE Charles Harris (ankle) and CB Kendall Sheffield (foot) are out. Meanwhile, DT Marlon Davidson (knee) is questionable. Julio Jones (hamstring) was limited on Friday, but don’t fret. He’s set to play against Seattle.
Packers @ Vikings
Packers LB Randy Ramsey (groin) is out for Sunday’s game. DE Montravius Adams (toe) and G Billy Turner (knee) are doubtful to play against Minnesota.
The Vikings didn’t report any injuries in the run up to Week 1. Fire up your Vikings studs.
Jets @ Bills
Jets QB Joe Flacco (neck), WR Denzel Mims (hamstrings), RB Lamical Perine (ankle), and LB Avery Williamson (hamstring) are out. Mims’ absence means Breshad Perriman and Jamison Crowder should see a solid number of passes come their way this week. G Alex Lewis (shoulder) and S Marcus Maye (calf, ankle) are listed as questionable.
Bills CB Josh Norman (hamstring) is out -- an ever-so-slight boon for Sam Darnold. DT Vernon Butler (hamstring) is questionable for the Bills.
Colts @ Jaguars
Colts S Julian Blackmon (knee) has been declared out for Sunday and LB Matthew Adams (ankle) is listed as questionable against Jacksonville. T.Y. Hilton got a rest day on Friday. He should be ready to go against what should be a beatable Jaguars secondary.
TE Tyler Davis (knee) is out for Jacksonville. TE Tyler Eifert missed practice on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday due to non-injury related reasons. If you have to start Eifert this week, make sure those non-injury related issues don’t hinder his availability for the season opener.
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Raiders @ Panthers
Raiders G Richie Incognito (Achilles) was the only player limited in Friday’s practice. No one has been declared out or questionable for the Raiders.
Carolina G Dennis Daley (ankle) will miss Week 1. CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver (hamstring) and DE Stephen Weatherly (hamstring) are listed as questionable.
Chargers @ Bengals
Chargers C Mike Pouncey (hip) is out for Week 1. Pouncey has long struggled with hip ailments. Hopefully for LA, this injury won’t keep him on the shelf for long. T Bryan Bulaga (hamstring), TE Virgil Green (quadricep), G Trai Turner (knee), and WR Mike Williams (shoulder) head into Week 1 with questionable tags. Fantasy players should keep a close eye on Williams, who’s expected to be a game-time decision against the Bengals. If he’s a full go, Williams gets a superb matchup against a weak Cincy secondary in a game that could very easily shoot out.
Bengals DT Geno Atkins (shoulder) will miss his first game since 2013. It’s a not-insignificant blow for the Bengals’ defense, which should be avoided in fantasy. S Shawn Williams (calf) is also out for the Bengals. CB LeShaun Sims (not injury related) is considered questionable.
Dolphins @ Patriots
S Clayton Fejedelem (pectoral) is doubtful for Miami. WR DeVante Parker (hamstring) and Preston Williams (knee) were limited early in the week but are expected to play against New England.
Patriots T Yodny Cajuste (knee) and WR Gunner Olszewski (foot) are out for Week 1. WR N'Keal Harry (shoulder), CB Jonathan Jones (foot), TE Dalton Keene (neck), LB Cassh Maluia (knee), and DE Chase Winovich (shoulder) are considered questionable. Harry made an appearance on the injury report on Friday; he’s expected to suit up against Miami. Julian Edelman was removed from the injury list this week and should be plugged into lineups.
Browns @ Ravens
Browns T Christopher Hubbard (ankle), CB Kevin Johnson (liver), CB Greedy Williams (shoulder), LB Mack Wilson (knee) are out for Week 1. The absence of Williams and Johnson could lead to another opening day spike week for Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore pass catchers. The Browns will be without their starting safety too. That could portend good things for Mark Andrews.
CB M.J. Stewart (hamstring), C J.C. Tretter (knee) are listed as questionable for Cleveland. If Tretter can’t go, the Ravens Defense becomes an even better play against Baker Mayfield and company.
Ravens RB Justice Hill (thigh), DT Justin Madubuike (knee), and WR Chris Moore (finger) are all out for Week 1. Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins will operate behind Mark Ingram. Neither will be trustworthy starts in fantasy leagues. G Tyre Phillips (ankle) has been declared questionable.
Afternoon Games
Cardinals @ 49ers
Tackle Josh Jones is the only player declared out for the Cardinals, though receiver KeeSean Johnson was placed on the team’s COVID-19 list on Friday. The team is sifting through contract tracing data to see who Johnson may have been in contact with -- a fairly serious situation that’s worth monitoring this weekend.
On the Niners side, Deebo Samuel (foot) will miss Week 1, along with cornerback Jason Verrett. Samuel’s absence is less-than-great news for those intent on starting Jimmy Garoppolo this week. If Brandon Aiyuk -- listed as questionable for Week 1 -- can suit up, he could see a glut of targets in a game with sneaky high-scoring upside. Aiyuk got in limited practices on Thursday and Friday; he’s trending in the right direction.
Tevin Coleman could sit in this one due to the horrific air quality in the Bay Area as the state of California struggles through its climate change apocalypse. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said it will be Coleman’s decision. He has a preexisting sickle cell trait. Without Coleman, Raheem Mostert is locked in for 20-plus touches and Jerick McKinnon could see solid usage as a pass catching back against Arizona.
Bucs @ Saints
Bucs WR Mike Evans (hamstring) was upgraded to questionable on Saturday as the team continues to toy with fantasy managers’ emotions. It’s best to wait on Sunday morning reporting on Evans’ injury before deciding to use him or bench him for Week 1. He could be limited if he’s able to play.
Saints DE Marcus Davenport (elbow) and C Cesar Ruiz (ankle) are out. CB P.J. Williams (hamstring) is considered questionable. Losing Williams would be a slight boost for Tampa’s passing attack.
Sunday Night Football
Cowboys @ Rams
Cowboys CB Jourdan Lewis (ankle) is out. WR Amari Cooper (hamstring) practiced in full during the final three days of the week -- he’ll be a full go for Sunday night, and should see plenty of coverage from stud corner Jalen Ramsey.
Meanwhile, RB Darrell Henderson (hamstring) -- who seemed a long shot to be active for Week 1 -- is well on his way to playing against Dallas. Coming off the injury and listed behind starter Malcolm Brown on the team’s depth chart, I’m not sure Henderson is deployable this week in fantasy unless you’re in a (very) deep league.
Monday Night Football
Steelers @ Giants
Steelers WR Diontae Johnson (foot) is fully expected to play against New York after he missed Thursday’s practice and caused a panic among fantasy players.
LB Tae Crowder (hamstring), WR Golden Tate (hamstring), and TE Levine Toilolo (hamstring) were all limited for the Giants on Friday. ESPN's Jordan Raanan said Tate "doesn't seem 100 percent" after watching the veteran at practice this week. He could be a game time decision for Monday night. It’s probably best to keep him on your bench unless you’re hard up at receiver.
Titans @ Broncos
Titans LB Vic Beasley (knee), G Jamil Douglas (hand), T Dennis Kelly (not injury related), LB Derick Roberson (knee), G Rodger Saffold (not injury related) didn’t practice on Friday.
WR Corey Davis (hamstring) and S Kenny Vaccaro (not injury related) both practices in full Friday and should play against Denver.
Broncos LB Mark Barron (hamstring), LB Von Miller (ankle), and WR Courtland Sutton (shoulder) didn’t practice Friday. Miller is expected to miss most -- if not all -- of the season. Sutton should be a game-time decision against the Titans, who struggled last season against outside receivers. Tim Patrick, listed as a co-starter alongside Jerry Jeudy on the team’s depth chart, could be an emergency fantasy spot start if Sutton can’t go.