The start of the 2024 NFL season is just on the horizon, but multiple players with high fantasy expectations are currently dealing with injuries early in training camp.
Here are the WR injury updates you need to know about entering your fantasy football draft, including big names.
Latest Around Puka Nacua Injury
Los Angeles Rams WR Puka Nacua picked up a knee injury over the last week that is expected to keep him off the practice field over the next few weeks, with the second-year wideout being considered week-to-week at the moment.
Fortunately, Rams head coach Sean McVay commented on Nacua’s status and calmed fans’ nerves.
“Really just had a little bit of a bursa sac, kind of burst it, and it’s just gonna be week to week with him,” McVay said. “Nothing serious, nothing structurally. He’ll be in good shape and he’ll recover and we’ll be ready to go. No threat of anything for [Week 1].”
Nacua’s participation in practice will certainly be of great interest to fantasy managers, but the initial indications are encouraging.
Nacua is currently coming off the board at No. 13 overall in the second round as the WR7.
Jaylen Waddle Injury Update
Miami Dolphins WR Jaylen Waddle has picked up what head coach Mike McDaniel considers to be “minor stuff” when missing practice earlier this week.
Fortunately for Waddle shareholders, this undisclosed injury doesn’t exactly feel like a big threat to his status for the season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars early next month — which is over three weeks away at this time.
Waddle is currently coming off the board at No. 35 overall in the third round as the WR17.
Jayden Reed
After missing some practice time on the practice field earlier this week, Green Bay Packers WR Jayden Reed returned to the field on Thursday.
Practice No. 13: Jayden Reed (calf) is back. Elgton Jenkins getting a vet rest day, while Ty’Ron Hopper (ankle) is new to the injury list. pic.twitter.com/a9K24muURZ
— Rob Demovsky (@RobDemovsky) August 8, 2024
Unless Reed suffers some sort of setback, fantasy managers should be confident he will be 100% by the start of the 2024 NFL season.
Reed is currently coming off the board at No. 76 overall in the eighth round as the WR32.
Ladd McConkey
Los Angeles Chargers WR Ladd McConkey has been drawing a fair amount of praise through his first week of training camp but picked up a lower-body injury on Saturday and consequently missed some practice time.
Ladd McConkey –
Hard to tell from this angle re: knee or ankle/foot, but it appears that Ladd is favoring his left side. I don’t see an ankle roll here, but maybe jams it or tweaks his knee.
College ankle injuries were to Right side
Dealt w/ knee tendinitis 2022 (side unknown) https://t.co/68wwgsyNIW pic.twitter.com/7rZX8LzCzZ— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) August 3, 2024
Fortunately for those who believe McConkey could be the WR1 in this Chargers’ passing offense, he did manage to return to practice on Thursday.
McConkey is currently coming off the board at No. 93 overall in the eighth round as the WR41.
DeAndre Hopkins
Tennessee Titans leading WR DeAndre Hopkins was one of the first significant injuries of training camps across the league when he suffered a knee injury that is expected to keep him out for several weeks.
Hopkins’ expected timetable for recovering from this injury could be in the 4-6-week range, which could jeopardize his status for the 2024 season opener.
Hopkins is currently coming off the board at No. 95 overall in the eighth round as the WR44.
Ricky Pearsall Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers rookie WR Ricky Pearsall re-injured the same shoulder that saw him start training camp on the NFI list.
49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said Pearsall’s absence from practice is more precautionary, which is good news for a team that could need his services if Brandon Aiyuk is traded ahead of the season.
Pearsall is currently coming off the board at No. 176 overall in the 15th round as the WR79.
Josh Downs
Indianapolis Colts WR Josh Downs is set to miss some time after suffering a high ankle sprain at practice earlier this week.
Downs showed promise his rookie year and is a candidate for an expanded role in this passing attack, but could see his status for the season opener in jeopardy depending on the severity of the sprain.
Downs is currently coming off the board at No. 144 overall in the 12th round as the WR61. At that price, he was largely a high-upside option, and if his ADP dips following this injury, that could make him a solid value if he misses a minimal amount of time in-season.
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