By Andrew Doherty
As the NFL regular season kicks off this week, so does the start of fantasy football season. With all the rumors and speculation surrounding players dealing with injuries, it can feel like information overload. Not to worry, because here at 365scores we have you covered with the top injury situations to monitor coming into week one.
Injuries to Watch for Week 1
Chris Godwin
Coming off January ACL surgery, Godwin’s availability for week one is legitimately in doubt. While there is optimism after he began practicing without a knee brace this week, he still hasn’t been cleared for contact in practice. The Buccaneers aren’t going to tip their hand about whether or not Godwin will play until they have to, but I’d lean towards Godwin not playing against the Cowboys on Sunday. Playing week one was always an aggressive timeline based on when Godwin had his surgery, and players often need a ramp up period post ACL surgery. We won’t know for sure until Sunday, but I wouldn’t count on Godwin playing this week. Grab Julio Jones off waivers if he’s available.
JK Dobbins
Dobbins is currently 13 months into recovery from a gruesome knee injury in which he tore multiple ligaments. Before the injury, he was averaging 6.0 YPC as a part of Baltimore’s lethal rushing attack. With his week one status in doubt, it opens the door for veterans Mike Davis and recently signed Kenyan Drake. The signing of Drake in particular seems to signal that the organization is skeptical about Dobbins’ week one availability. Davis is more likely to see the bulk of the touches against the vulnerable Jets defense and is an attractive flex play with RB2 upside.
Michael Thomas
Thomas is over one year removed from the ankle surgery that cost him the entire 2021 season. There’s no reason to doubt he’s fully recovered, especially considering that the injury was initially treated non-surgically. Thomas did pop up on the injury report with a hamstring issue, but it’s believed to be minor. Every indication to this point suggests he will be ready for a full workload week one, but hamstring issues can be tricky and linger. If for some reason Thomas can’t go, Chris Olave is the Saints wide receiver likeliest to see an increase in targets.
Kadarius Toney
After showing flashes of game-changing ability as a rookie during an injury-plagued season, Toney’s injury woes continued throughout the summer. Toney battled a knee injury early in camp and later suffered from an undisclosed leg injury. The latest reports say he’s been practicing and looks 100%, but given his struggles to remain healthy as a pro it’s a situation worth monitoring up until game day. If you’re skeptical Toney will play or remain healthy, grab Wan’dale Robinson off the waiver wire to put your mind at ease.
Miles Sanders
Sanders missed two weeks of camp due to a hamstring injury that has been described as “moderate” in severity. He returned to practice last Thursday, but the risk of re-injury with a significant hamstring injury during the season is high. Sanders projects to be the Eagles primary ball carrier this season, so although he’s on track to play week one, it’s probably wise to stash handcuff RB Kenneth Gainwell on your bench.
Zach Ertz
Ertz has been dealing with a calf injury he suffered in early August and is considered day to day at this point. In all likelihood, he’ll be ready to go on Sunday barring a setback. With DeAndre Hopkins out, Ertz projects to be a target monster after averaging 4.5 targets per game with Hopkins on the field and 9 targets per game with Hopkins out. Simply put, if Ertz is healthy enough to play you can start him with confidence.
Drake London
London returned to practice Monday after being sidelined for over two weeks due to what the team described as London “being hit” on the knee. The most likely scenario is that London suffered a mild knee contusion and the team is exercising an abundance of caution. Head coach Arthur Smith would not commit to a timeline for London’s return to game action. In all likelihood, London will be a full go week one but it’s a situation worth monitoring as the Falcons are not going to rush him back.
Jaylen Waddle
There’s very little doubt that Waddle will play on Sunday after head coach Mike McDaniel said he “is very, very, very confident” that Waddle will be a full go for week one. Still, what has been described by the team as a “lower body soft tissue injury” that kept him out of practice for two full weeks is worth monitoring. Waddle was also spotted with a wrap on his leg last week, but the team insists it was precautionary.
Allen Lazard
We don’t have much information on what’s going on with Lazard, but he missed last weeks practices for undisclosed reasons. It’s unclear whether it’s due to an injury, but head coach Matt LaFleur was non-committal on Tuesday when discussing Lazard’s week one status. It could be nothing, but it’s definitely something that needs to be monitored right up until kickoff on Sunday.
