Week 2 Fantasy Football Injury Report

Sunday Update

Actives/Expected Actives

Travis Kelce (start everywhere), Mark Andrews (start everywhere), Jerry Jeudy (30% re-injury risk not a must-start, limit cash exposure), DeAndre Hopkins (unknown severity, highly volatile, avoid in DFS, not a must-start), CJ Stroud (moderate volatility)

Inactive/Expected Inctives

Austin Ekeler, Jakobi Meyers, Brandin Cooks, Christian Watson, Aaron Jones, Diontae Johnson, Puka Nacua

This article will be published Friday and continuously updated through Sunday morning — at which point the final Sunday update will be sent in the newsletter before lock.

This is in addition to a Tuesday update with transaction recommendations, and a Thursday Night Football preview. Remember that these projections are an imperfect analysis working with the most current information and five years of historical data. If players practice in full, they’ll be excluded from any specific analysis and should be assumed healthy unless otherwise stated.

The following fantasy-relevant players are officially OUT this week (or doubtful).

The following players were full participants in practice on Friday and should not be considered “at risk” unless otherwise stated below.

“*” indicates full breakdown below

Quarterbacks

CJ Stroud - Shoulder

The assumption we need to make (because this is a practice injury) is that Stroud is having shoulder issues from throwing, since it's unlikely he was taking hits. This is probably a blip on the radar and not anything to worry about unless we see a significant dropoff in accuracy from the rookie.

Running backs

Austin Ekeler - Ankle

Ekeler is listed as doubtful with this ankle injury. Monitor his practice status next week. Generally, plan on being without Ekeler for 2-3 weeks if it’s a high ankle sprain, as I suspect. Otherwise, this could be a 1-game absence. Personally, I’m probably starting Joshua Kelley despite the tough run defense from the Titans, as he’ll see enough volume in a game the Chargers are favored to win.

Aaron Jones - Hamstring

Jones is listed as questionable but has not practiced all week. Although it is possible he plays, it doesn’t seem likely. Since 2018 RBs have missed 1.25 games per hamstring injury. At worst, Jones will be back in Week 4 based on the current available information. There are probably better options than A.J. Dillon, but he’s a fine play this week.

Wide Receivers

Jerry Jeudy - Hamstring

As predicted, Week 2 seems like a lock barring a last-second setback. Watch for the 30% recurrence rate in DFS, but Jeudy should provide gamers with a decent flex option in his first week back. Minimize DFS exposure until next week, though.

Christian Watson - Hamstring

The initial projection for Watson was Week 2 or 3, and early this week, it was looking to be Week 3 as he had not practiced for two days, until Friday. Last year a player by the name of Christian Watson went DNP-DNP-LP and ended up playing. This one is going to come down to the wire. Here’s what you need to know: There’s a 30% hamstring recurrence rate Watson has already succumbed to this calendar year. If he tries returning too soon, another setback is in the cards. Fantasy gamers who need a big week or don’t mind the risk can start him if he’s active. But he should absolutely fade in cash games.

Diontae Johnson - Hamstring

Johnson is not likely to play in Week 2. Reports on his hamstring say he could miss “up to” 4 weeks. Unless they move him to IR on Saturday afternoon, expect him to be back in Week 3 at best or Week 5 at worst based on historical data. Do not drop him.

Brandin Cooks - MCL

Cooks reportedly has a grade I MCL sprain, and he’s a “game-time decision” as many Cowboys have been in the past. He’s a coin flip, but it’s not likely he plays or plays well, as he’ll be at significantly less than 100%.

DeAndre Hopkins - High Ankle

This one is legitimately hard to decipher since Hopkins rarely practices as it is. So it’s impossible to know if his lack of practice is due to the injury or not. My gut tells me he doesn’t play this week, and if he does, he won’t be as effective. Even if active, he should be sat in favor of Treylon Burks or even Chigoziem Okonkwo.

Puka Nacua - Oblique

The waiver wire sensation is (probably) dealing with the aftermath of his massive workload spike. This doesn’t seem severe, and the Rams say he’ll go. Listen, if you didn’t start the season with him on your squad, you probably spent upwards of 75% of FAAB on him. Start him.

Tight Ends

Travis Kelce - Knee

He’s a go. Start him.

Mark Andrews - Quad

The vibes are indeed much better for Andrews this week, who practiced in full on Friday. Obviously, this one was odd from the start, so be sure and check the final actives/inactives on Sunday morning, but if he’s in the Ravens lineup, he should be in yours.

Darren Waller - Hamstring

Waller’s current issue is likely associated with/ his lower back and hamstring history. The fact of the matter is he’s a 31-year-old big boy with a long-standing low back issue and a hamstring strain. He’s either going to stay healthy and lead the Giants in targets and touchdowns or has the potential to flame out and spend most of his time on the training room table. The unfortunate reality is there’s likely not a middle ground for Waller. Gamers should either commit now or move him for a WR2-3 before his value takes a nose dive.