It’s always a challenge to navigate through injuries in fantasy football. We didn’t see any season-ending injuries in Week 1, but several players project to miss multiple weeks. As we look ahead to Week 2, here are the latest injury updates across the NFL.

Latest News and Injury Updates Impacting Fantasy Football

De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert Injury Update

Two injuries that flew under the radar in Week 1 were to both of the Miami Dolphins running backs. De’Von Achane missed practice Monday with an ankle issue and Raheem Mostert was out with a chest issue.

This is especially concerning as the Dolphins play the Buffalo Bills on a short week Thursday night. If the backs can’t return to the practice field on Tuesday, they may very well miss this week’s game.

If even one is out, Jaylen Wright would undoubtedly be active. However, I would pump the brakes on assuming he steps right into one of their roles. Jeff Wilson Jr. was the RB3 last week and handled five carries. He would be the presumptive starter and a desperation RB3 option. However, long term, Wright is the better stash.

Jordan Addison Injury Update

Jordan Addison entered Week 1 having just gotten over an ankle sprain. Unfortunately, he injured the other ankle during the Week 1 game.

The good news is Addison’s injury is not believed to be serious. The bad news is head coach Kevin O’Connell described Addison as having “pretty significant soreness.” He added the team would be smart with the sophomore wide receiver. Do not expect Addison to play this week.

Josh Allen Injury Update

Fantasy’s top quarterback hurt his left hand late in the Bills’ comeback victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Allen had his hand looked at on the sideline but was able to return to the game and lead the Bills to the win. Head coach Sean McDermott already said Allen is fine and will play Thursday.

Keenan Allen Injury Update

It is unclear if Keenan Allen even suffered an injury. When asked about it, Eberflus said he was only concerned about Rome Odunze. DJ Moore had a much more entertaining response.

DJ Moore thinks Keenan Allen's health is "fine" and nothing to worry about. Allen has been dealing with a heel injury.

"Yeah, he's just an old man … He's good," Moore says.

— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) September 9, 2024

Expect Allen to play in Week 2.

Jonathon Brooks Injury Update

The Carolina Panthers’ rookie running back is coming off a November ACL tear. Jonathon Brooks has been working hard to get back on the field. He will play this season, but it certainly won’t be Week 1.

On Tuesday, the team decided to leave Brooks on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list. The fact that they waited as long as they did is actually a good sign. It means the team believed there was a chance he would be ready before the end of September.

Chuba Hubbard will continue operating as the RB1 until Brooks can return. Hubbard looks to be in store for a larger early-season role before eventually giving way to the rookie.

Given where the Panthers drafted Brooks, making him the first running back off the board, he’s going to be the starter sooner rather than later.

Hollywood Brown Injury Update

It feels like a lifetime ago, but Brown got hurt in the Kansas City Chiefs’ first preseason game, suffering a sternoclavicular joint dislocation similar to the one Tyreek Hill sustained in 2019. That injury cost Hill four games.

After being evaluated, Brown avoided surgery and was given a 4-6 week timeline. We are coming up on five weeks now. Brown missed Week 1, but there is a chance he will be able to return this week. If not, fantasy managers should fully expect Brown back on the field in Week 3. It remains to be seen whether he will start in two-receiver sets opposite Rashee Rice and ahead of Xavier Worthy.

Nick Chubb Injury Update

Nick Chubb continues to make good progress recovering from tearing multiple knee ligaments in Week 2 of last year. To the surprise of no one, the Cleveland Browns placed him on the PUP list.

Chubb will miss at least the first month of the season, likely more. Jerome Ford is set to reprise his role as the lead back until Chubb both returns and ramps up to NFL game speed.

Josh Downs Injury Update

Early in training camp, Josh Downs went down with a high ankle sprain and hasn’t practiced in several weeks now. He did not play in Week 1 after not practicing all week. Fantasy managers will need to pay close attention to this week’s practice report. If Downs can get on the field Wednesday, it will bode well for his season debut occurring no later than Week 3.

Jake Ferguson Injury Update

The Dallas Cowboys’ tight end had his knee bent awkwardly on a reception and quickly left the game. He was diagnosed with a sprained MCL, but reports say it is possible he doesn’t miss any time.

The likelihood of Ferguson playing in Week 2 remains low. Nevertheless, this is extremely positive news. Fantasy managers should plan to be without Ferguson for a couple of weeks, but he could return as early as Week 3.

Tee Higgins Injury Update

Tee Higgins tweaked his hamstring at last Thursday’s practice. Despite saying he felt great, Higgins did not practice Friday and did not play on Sunday.

Monitor Wednesday’s practice report. If Higgins is absent, then there’s a strong chance he will sit out again this week. Andrei Iosivas will remain the primary beneficiary of Higgins’ missed time but is not startable until we see something better from Joe Burrow.

T.J. Hockenson Injury Update

Since our last injury update, there hasn’t been any new news on Minnesota Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson, who tore his ACL and MCL last season.

Given the nature of his position, it’s easier for Hockenson to return than a guy like Chubb. However, Hockenson’s injury occurred in Week 17. An injury that late in the season makes it highly unlikely that he’ll be anywhere close to fully recovered in time to start the season.

Hockenson opened training camp on the PUP list and will remain there to start the season, forcing him to miss Minnesota’s first four games. He will probably return at some point, but Hockenson likely won’t be fully back to form until next year.

DeAndre Hopkins Injury Update

It’s rare that players who play and don’t get hurt appear on the injury report. However, DeAndre Hopkins’ strange situation warrants an update.

It was reported that Hopkins sprained his knee early in training camp. Just before Week 1, we learned this knee sprain was actually an MCL tear. Typically, torn MCLs are season-ending injuries. Yet, Hopkins played in Week 1.

Unfortunately, fantasy managers who started Hopkins were sorely disappointed, as he was limited to fewer than 20 snaps. It is unclear if Hopkins’ playing time will increase as he gets healthier. My best guess is Hopkins won’t look like himself all season and will end up being a wasted pick.

MarShawn Lloyd Injury Update

The Green Bay Packers rookie third-rounder missed OTAs and the start of training camp with a hip issue. After returning, he was quickly sidelined again, straining his hamstring in the first preseason game.

After initial reports that Lloyd would open the season on IR, his situation took a surprising turn for the better. Not only was Lloyd left on the active roster, but he returned to practice on Sunday ahead of the Packers’ Friday night opener in Brazil.

Lloyd did not play but looks very close to getting back on the field. Fantasy managers should continue to keep him stashed on benches.

Jordan Love Injury Update

By now, we’ve all seen the video where Jordan Love’s knee appears to “pop.” The fact that he escaped with an MCL sprain is a massive win. Love is expected to miss anywhere from 3-6 weeks. The fact that head coach Matt LaFleur said Love won’t go on IR is an encouraging sign for his return potentially being on the shorter side of that timeframe.

For now, the Packers appear set to start Malik Willis, who I am confident is not capable of winning any games. It’s a huge downgrade for the entire offense. I suspect after watching Willis play this week, someone else will be under center in Week 3.

Keaton Mitchell Injury Update

It’s been a rough start to Keaton Mitchell’s career. He missed the first five weeks of his rookie season due to injury. After playing in two games, Mitchell got hurt again. He appeared in the Baltimore Ravens’ next six games and thoroughly impressed before tearing his ACL.

Mitchell is currently on the PUP list. He likely will not be activated to start the season, meaning he will miss at least the first four weeks. Justice Hill should operate as the change-of-pace back behind Derrick Henry until Mitchell can return.

Puka Nacua Injury Update

Evidently, we all should have been more concerned about Puka Nacua’s knee injury. Despite practicing in full leading up to the Rams’ Week 1 contest, Nacua was clearly not over the injury.

A rather innocuous sliding catch resulted in him aggravating the same knee. He missed a few plays before attempting to return but was quickly pulled from the game and ruled out.

Nacua is also being described as week-to-week. For everyone’s sake, hopefully, Nacua sits for as long as he needs to completely get over the issue. If it was that easy to aggravate it once, it’s bound to happen again if he returns too soon.

On Monday, head coach Sean McVay finally revealed what some Twitter doctors suspected all along — that Nacua sprained his PCL and will go on IR. This is probably the best-case scenario for fantasy managers, as it would allow us to avoid the weekly game of IR-ing him on Friday, having to pull him off IR on Tuesday, and then waiting until Friday to be able to put him back.

In the meantime, DeMarcus Robinson is on the weekly streaming radar, while Cooper Kupp looks like the guy from 2021 who had the greatest WR season of all time.

David Njoku Injury Update

In Week 1, David Njoku’s leg got caught underneath a defender while he was being tackled. He immediately left the game, walking very gingerly to the locker room.

On Monday, we learned that Njoku is dealing with the dreaded high ankle sprain. He is being described as week-to-week, which is apparently the new generic nondescript term for every injury in the NFL.

High ankle sprains are typically 4-6 week injuries. Depending on the severity, it is possible Njoku can return sooner. At this point, fantasy managers will have to play the game of keeping Njoku on the bench until he can be placed on IR when officially ruled out on Friday.

Rome Odunze Injury Update

I didn’t even realize Rome Odunze had gotten hurt until head coach Matt Eberflus said the rookie wide receiver was headed for an MRI on his knee Monday morning. The results of that MRI are yet unknown, but the fact that he was going for one at all is not great.

Odunze was more a second-half play anyway and should not have been in Week 1 lineups. This isn’t necessarily a big loss for fantasy managers, but it does decrease the likelihood that Odunze is a difference-maker down the stretch. His absence consolidates the Bears’ target share, which should boost Moore and Allen’s values if Caleb Williams can play better.

Kenneth Walker III Injury Update

In the second half of the Seahawks’ win over the Broncos, Kenneth Walker III sustained what is being described as a core/abdominal injury. It’s something he’s dealt with in the past, which raises a little concern.

After the game, Walker said he was “good.” His removal is being described as precautionary.

If Walker isn’t able to play this week, it wouldn’t be the first time a player thought he was fine and wasn’t. However, it does sound as though Walker avoided anything serious. As long as he can practice by Thursday, fantasy managers should expect Walker to play this week. If Walker can’t go, Zach Charbonnet would be a top-24 option.

Russell Wilson Injury Update

Russell Wilson aggravated his calf at practice last Thursday. Despite his best efforts to get ready for the game, as well as telling the team he was good, the Steelers opted to go with Justin Fields.

Given that Fields didn’t make any glaring mistakes, didn’t turn the ball over, and the Steelers won the game, it’s hard to imagine Mike Tomlin benching him. Fantasy managers should expect to be able to start Fields once again, but he will be on a short leash, as Wilson will likely be active as the backup.

Fantasy Injury Updates: Latest on Puka Nacua, Rome Odunze, Kenneth Walker III, and Others