Training camps and preseason games are underway. While it’s great to see football finally back, unfortunately that also means injuries. As always the injury reports are busy during training camp. Here’s the status of players with the most interest to the fantasy community.
Active/PUP: A player who, as a result of football-related injuries, is unable to take part in training camp practices may be assigned to the preseason PUP list. Players can be moved off the PUP list to the active roster at any time, even after one practice. (Wikipedia)
Colin Kaepernick, QB San Francisco 49ers – Kaepernick is dealing with a sore shoulder. He missed the 49ers first preseason game and is listed as day-to-day. Most reports out of 49ers camp say Blaine Gabbert has pretty much locked down the starting job. Kaepernick could still start games this year but all signs point to Gabbert being under center when San Francisco plays the Rams in Week 1.
Carson Wentz, QB Philadelphia Eagles – Wentz suffered a hairline fracture to his ribs in the Eagles preseason opener. He won’t be able to throw hard for 2-3 weeks. The Eagles are hoping to have Wentz back before the end of the preseason but the injury obviously hinders his development for early in the 2016 season. Wentz could still be under center at some point later in the year but Sam Bradford is locked in as the Eagles starter right now.
Jamaal Charles, RB Kansas City Chiefs – Chiefs general manager John Dorsey said he’s optimistic Charles will be ready to play in Week 1. Charles is still on active/PUP while he recovers from ACL surgery. Spencer Ware started the Chiefs preseason opener and scored a touchdown. Ware is currently a bargain at his 14th round ADP.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB Dallas Cowboys – Elliott missed the Cowboys preseason opener with a hamstring injury but took part in Monday’s walkthrough. He’s expected to return to practice Tuesday. With Elliott and Darren McFadden both hurt, Alfred Morris started Dallas first preseason game. Elliott’s ADP is still in the late first round.
Matt Forte, RB New York Jets – Forte took part in positional drills Sunday. He’s dealing with a hamstring injury and still hasn’t been able to fully practice since Aug.2. The fact that Forte was able to do some work means he could be close to returning. Bilal Powell will continue to run with the first-team offense until Forte is able to practice.
C.J. Prosise, RB Seattle Seahawks – Prosise returned to practice on Monday. He’s trying to earn a role as Seattle’s third-down back but Pete Carroll admitted Prosise is way behind after missing all of training camp and the first preseason game with a hamstring injury. There’s a chance Prosise still carves out a meaningful role if he plays well over the next three weeks.
Thomas Rawls, RB Seattle Seahawks – Rawls returned to team drills on Monday. The Seahawks have been bringing Rawls along slowly after he suffered a serious ankle injury last December. Christine Michael has been impressive during training camp and the first preseason game while Rawls has been out. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said recently Rawls and Michael will form a 1-2 punch this season. Rawls will likely still be the starter but he’s little overvalued at his fourth round ADP.
Charles Sims, RB Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Sims returned to practice on Monday. He had been nursing an ankle injury that cost him to miss the Buccaneers first preseason game. Sims’ absence wasn’t a concern. He’s locked in as Tampa Bay’s primary passing down back.
Karlos Williams, RB Buffalo Bills – Williams passed his physical and was removed from the active/NFI list. Williams showed up to camp out of shape and is suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s substance abuse program. Mike Gillislee and Reggie Bush will open the year backing up LeSean McCoy.
John Brown, WR Arizona Cardinals – Brown missed the Cardinals preseason opener because of a concussion. Arizona head coach Bruce Arians said Brown is making progress and he’s hopeful the receiver will be able to play in the Cardinals second preseason game. Brown should be considered day-to-day.
Corey Coleman, WR Cleveland Browns – Coleman missed the Browns first preseason with a sore hamstring but returned to practice on Monday. The injury wasn’t serious and the Browns were just being cautious with Coleman. Coleman currently has an ADP of Round 7.
Victor Cruz, WR New York Giants – Cruz just can’t get back on the field. Now he’s battling a groin injury. Cruz tried to practice on Sunday but he lasted just four reps. On Monday Cruz was working on the side with a trainer. Cruz hasn’t been on a football field since October 2014. Fantasy owners shouldn’t expect much out of him this year.
Josh Doctson, WR Washington Redskins – Doctson is expected to be sidelined for at least another week or two with his Achilles injury. It’s looking more and more like it’s going to be a lost training camp for the Redskins top draft pick. Jamison Crowder will open the year as Washington’s No. 3 receiver. If Doctson makes a fantasy splash, it likely won’t be until later in the season.
Josh Gordon, WR Cleveland Browns – Gordon was removed from the active/NFI list on Monday and is eligible to practice. Gordon reported to the team out of shape and injured his quad. He’s lost weight and appears to be in playing shape. Gordon has an ADP of Round 6.
Jeff Janis, WR Green Bay Packers – Janis will miss 4-6 weeks after having surgery to repair broken bones in his index finger. The injury puts Janis out of the No.3 receiver job, if he was ever a serious contender anyway. Janis will have to contribute on special teams assuming he even makes the final roster. Davante Adams will likely open the year as the Packers third receiver.
Malcolm Mitchell, WR New England Patriots – Mitchell dislocated his elbow in the Patriots preseason opener. He was having a strong game before the injury. Mitchell caught four passes for 55 yards. Luckily for Mitchell, the injury isn’t believed to be serious. He was in full pads for Monday’s practice and could only miss a few weeks. Mitchell would have some fantasy value this season if either Julian Edelman or Danny Amendola gets injured.
Sterling Shepard, WR New York Giants – Shepard suffered a groin injury in the Giants first preseason game. He was limited in practice Monday. The injury isn’t believed to be serious. Expect Shepard to be limited for a few days. The Giants can’t afford to lose him with so many question marks surrounding Cruz. Shepard will start opposite Odell Beckham and he offers plenty of fantasy upside this year. The rookie has an ADP of Round 7.
Markus Wheaton, WR Pittsburgh Steelers – Wheaton returned to practice Monday after missing the Steelers preseason opener with an undisclosed injury. Some reports stated Wheaton had a quad injury but the Steelers haven’t released anything official. Wheaton is expected to start opposite Antonio Brown this season. He currently has an ADP of Round 11.
Jared Cook, TE Los Angeles Rams – The Packers activated Cook off of active/PUP last week. He missed the start of training camp while recovering from offseason foot surgery. Cook didn’t play in the Packers preseason opener but he could see action this week. He’s battling with Richard Rodgers for touches at tight end in Green Bay’s offense.
Ladarius Green, TE Pittsburgh Steelers – Green is dealing with headaches and there are even reports that he may be forced to retire. He’s not close to being cleared to practice right now. Green is a risky fantasy pick at his Round 10 ADP with his future so uncertain.
Rob Gronkowski, TE New England Patriots – Gronk left Monday’s practice after pulling up while attempting to catch a pass. As this goes to print, we don’t know if the injury is serious or not. Obviously fantasy owners will be watching closely for updates.
Zach Miller, TE Chicago Bears – Miller resumed practicing on Saturday. He missed the first two weeks of training camp with a concussion. Miller should play in the Bears second preseason game. He’ll be a low-end TE1 most weeks as the third option in the Bears passing game behind Alshon Jeffery and Kevin White.