Staying up to date on NFL injury news is of the utmost importance for fantasy football success. The article below tracks all fantasy-relevant players currently listed on their team’s injury report and provides fantasy managers with actionable recommendations as new information rolls in.
Check back for updates from Tuesday through Saturday.
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**UPDATED AS OF SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12 AT 3 PM ET**
🏈 AFC East
◆ Buffalo Bills
Ty Johnson - RB (hamstring)
Johnson returned to a limited session Friday and is listed as questionable for Week 1 against the Texans.
Impact: Bills starting running back James Cook could significantly benefit if Johnson misses time. Reports have suggested that Cook, who held a thin snap majority last year, is expected to take on more receiving work this season. Cook could be the primary passing down running back outright should Johnson miss time, pushing him up the RB1 ranks.
◆ Miami Dolphins
Chris Bell - WR (knee)
Bell was activated from the active/non-football injury list in the middle of August as he makes his way back from a torn ACL. The Dolphins named him a Week 1 starter, and coach Jeff Hafley said there will be no “pitch count” for the rookie wide receiver.
Impact: Bell makes for a risky FLEX start against the Raiders, but he should be rostered wherever available.
◆ New England Patriots
TreVeyon Henderson - RB (ankle)
The Patriots ruled out Henderson for Week 1 against the Seahawks.
Impact: Starting running back Rhamondre Stevenson is a volume-based, high-end RB2 with RB1 upside despite the tough matchup. He is backed up by recent trade acquisition Corey Kiner and two practice squad players.
A.J. Brown - WR (ankle)
The Patriots placed Brown on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain.
Impact: Brown was diagnosed with the dreaded high-ankle sprain and will now be forced to miss the next four games while on injured reserve, with the soonest he can return being in Week 6 when the Patriots host the Jets. Mack Hollins stands to benefit in snap rate and route participation rate in his absence, although it was slot-man DeMario Douglas that led the team in route rate in their Week 1 loss to the Seahawks.
◆ New York Jets
Breece Hall - RB (groin)
Hall is practicing fully for Week 1 against the Titans. He was removed from the practice report Friday.
Impact: Hall is a fantasy football RB1 after signing a lucrative contract extension this offseason.
🏈 AFC North
◆ Baltimore Ravens
Zay Flowers - WR (hamstring)
Flowers was limited on Wednesday. He was removed from the injury report Friday and will play against the Colts.
Impact: Flowers is n upside WR2 against the Colts.
◆ Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase - WR (knee)
Chase is practicing fully for Week 1. He was removed from the injury report Friday and will play against the Buccaneers.
Impact: Chase appears to have successfully recovered from the hyperextended knee he suffered on August 25th and can be treated as an elite WR1.
Tee Higgins - WR (heel contusion)
Higgins is practicing fully for Week 1. He was removed from the injury report Friday and will play against the Buccaneers.
Impact: The team should have their top two receivers on the field when they open their season against the Buccaneers on Sunday. Higgins is a WR2.
◆ Cleveland Browns
The Browns’ skill position corps is healthy entering Week 1.
◆ Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers’ skill position corps is healthy entering Week 1.
🏈 AFC South
◆ Houston Texans
Tank Dell - WR (knee)
Dell will begin the season on injured reserve.
Impact: Dell will miss the first four games of the regular season, at minimum. Expect Jaylin Noel to serve as the primary slot receiver while newcomer Kayshon Boutte starts on the perimeter opposite Nico Collins, for the time being.
Jayden Higgins - WR (knee)
Higgins saw his 2026 season taken from him due to a torn ACL suffered in camp.
Impact: It’s a massive blow to a Texans team that was counting on Higgins taking another step forward in his Sophomore campaign. The team traded for Kayshon Boutte in the wake of the injury.
◆ Indianapolis Colts
Alec Pierce - WR (ankle)
Pierce was limited on Wednesday but removed from the injury report Friday. He will play against the Ravens.
Impact: Pierce missed the bulk of the offseason program and preseason, making it less likely his role materially grows after signing a four-year contract extension. That leaves wide receiver Josh Downs as the player most likely to take on an expanded role in the offense.
◆ Jacksonville Jaguars
LeQuint Allen Jr. - RB (hip)
Speaking to media on September 2, Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said he would be “pleasantly surprised” if Allen were able to suit up for Week 1. He did not practice on Wednesday before drawing the questionable tag.
Impact: Although running back Bhayshul Tuten could take on a little extra receiving work, Coen identified journeyman running back Ameer Abdullah as a potential replacement on passing downs and even complimented big-bodied running back Chris Rodriguez‘s pass protection abilities in the same press conference.
◆ Tennessee Titans
The Titans’ skill position corps is healthy entering Week 1.
🏈 AFC West
◆ Denver Broncos
The Broncos’ skill position corps is healthy entering Week 1.
◆ Kansas City Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes- QB (knee)
Chiefs head coach Andy Reid said “there’s a good chance” quarterback Patrick Mahomes will start Week 1’s game against the Broncos. He was removed from the injury report Saturday and will play against the Broncos.
Impact: While there wouldn’t be any physical limitations for Mahomes, the team has made clear it plans to feature running back Kenneth Walker as an offensive focal point. Starting left tackle Josh Simmons was ruled out Saturday, leaving Mahomes’ blindside protection in the hands of undrafted free agent rookie Kahlil Benson.
◆ Las Vegas Raiders
Brock Bowers - TE (knee)
Bowers will reportedly miss “a game or two” after undergoing a meniscus trim on Tuesday. He has been ruled out for Week 1.
Impact: Despite Kubiak’s optimistic comments this week, we wouldn’t be shocked to see Bowers miss more than a couple games to start the season. Raiders No. 2 TE Michael Mayer is a locked-in TE1 in Week 1 against the Dolphins and for as long as Bowers remains sidelined.
Ashton Jeanty - RB (ankle)
Jeanty suffered an ankle injury in camp that was initially thought to be much worse. He practiced in full for Week 1 before being removed from the injury report Friday.
Impact: Jeanty can be treated as an RB1. Rookie running back Mike Washington could still handle a FLEX-worthy workload after establishing himself as a capable playmaker in the preseason.
◆ Los Angeles Chargers
Keaton Mitchell - RB (hamstring)
Mitchell was limited on Wednesday. He was removed from the injury report Friday and will play against the Cardinals.
Impact: The backfield picture behind established starter Omarion Hampton remains in flux, with both Mitchell and Kimani Vidal likely subject to game flow and situational roles.
Brenen Thompson - WR (hip)
Thompson was limited on Wednesday. Thompson injured his hip in the Chargers’ preseason game against the 49ers. He was removed from the injury report Friday and will play against the Cardinals.
Impact: Thompson took preseason snaps with both the first- and second-team offenses, likely putting him in the No. 4 wide receiver role. He is unlikely to be FLEX-viable in 12-team leagues, but is a name to know for single-game DFS slates.
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🏈 NFC East
◆ Dallas Cowboys
Malik Davis - RB (hip)
Davis suffered a hip injury in practice Friday and was carted off the field. He is scheduled to undergo surgery and was placed on injured reserve.
Impact: The Cowboys released both Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah at roster cuts and now have only Emari Demercado on the active roster behind starter Javonte Williams. Expect Israel Abanikanda to be elevated to the active roster from the practice squad for Week 1, while Williams appears likely to see all the work he can handle against the Giants. Williams is a locked-in RB1 in Week 1.
◆ New York Giants
Malik Nabers - WR (knee)
Nabers suffered a torn ACL in Week 4, 2025. He is practicing fully for Week 1 against the Cowboys, but coach John Harbaugh stopped short of saying Nabers will play in the season opener. He is listed as questionable.
Impact: Nabers likely belongs in the WR2 tier if active against the Cowboys, though a snap count is possible.
◆ Philadelphia Eagles
Eli Stowers - TE (hamstring)
Stowers was limited in practice this week and was listed as questionable for Week 1 against the Commanders.
Impact: Stowers appears unlikely to have a meaningful role in the offense during his rookie season.
◆ Washington Commanders
Jacory Croskey-Merritt - RB (groin)
Croskey-Merritt was limited on Wednesday. He was removed from the injury report Friday and will play against the Eagles.
Impact: Croskey-Merritt has a fairly wide range of potential outcomes. He is slated for lead rushing duties and reportedly improved his passing game skills this summer. Consider Croskey-Merritt a low-upside RB2 in a difficult matchup against the Eagles.
🏈 NFC North
◆ Chicago Bears
Rome Odunze - WR (calf)
Odunze was limited on Wednesday after suffering a calf injury last week. He ultimately drew the questionable tag.
Impact: Odunze is currently considered day-to-day but the team elevated wide receiver Kaden Davis Saturday, introducing some level of uncertainty for Odunze’s potential game-day status against the Panthers. If inactive, wide receiver Luther Burden and tight end Colston Loveland would command significant target shares.
◆ Detroit Lions
Isiah Pacheco - RB (back)
Pacheco was placed on injured reserve to start the season. General Manager Brad Holmes said he “hopes Pacheco returns this season.”
Impact: Well, that doesn’t sound great. There appears to be something more insidious going on with Pacheco’s back than initially thought. Lions coach Dan Campbell said running backs Jacob Saylors and Sione Vaki could split touches behind Jahmyr Gibbs. Saylors appears to be the first player up. On that note, Gibbs is the clear No. 1 overall fantasy pick in the final days of fantasy drafts.
◆ Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs - RB (commissioner exempt list)
Jacobs was placed on the commissioner exempt list amidst troubling domestic violence allegations. His initial court date was recently moved up from November to September 10.
Impact: The commissioner exempt list brings a wide range of outcomes regarding how many games we expect Jacobs to miss this season. That said, the fact that his initial court appearance was moved up near the start of the regular season could allow the league additional motivation to levy a suspension, pending the outcome of his appearance. Either way, don’t expect Jacobs on the field any time soon, leaving MarShawn Lloyd as the lead back in the interim.
Tucker Kraft - TE (knee)
Kraft is practicing fully for Week 1 against the Vikings. He was removed from the injury report Friday.
Impact: Kraft’s rehab from last year’s ACL tear has gone very well. He warrants TE1 treatment even while playing on a potential snap count.
◆ Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings’ skill position corps is healthy entering Week 1.
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🏈 NFC South
◆ Atlanta Falcons
Michael Penix Jr. - QB (knee)
Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Penix “did not believe that he was ready” to play in Week 1 against the Steelers. He is practicing fully, but will be declared inactive for Week 1.
Impact: We expect Penix to almost immediately take over under center, once healthy enough to do so.
Tua Tagovailoa - QB (oblique)
Tagovailoa suffered an oblique injury during Friday’s practice that will now sideline him for Week 1 against the Steelers.
Impact: Cooper Rush will get the start under center for the Falcons with both Penix and Tagovailoa sidelined. While Rush should not be viewed as a significant downgrade to the offense as compared to Tagovailoa, he does not warrant streaming consideration against the Steelers.
◆ Carolina Panthers
Jonathan Brooks - RB (groin)
Brooks had been sidelined by a groin injury for more than a week before logging a limited session on Wednesday. He was removed from the injury report Friday.
Impact: Brooks shot up offseason draft boards as Chuba Hubbard dealt with a hamstring strain, but Hubbard is now practicing fully. If Brooks is ready to play in Week 1, this backfield appears destined for a muddied timeshare.
◆ New Orleans Saints
Alvin Kamara - RB (knee)
Kamara was limited on Wednesday. He drew the questionable tag for Week 1 against the Lions.
Impact: Kamara could miss Week 1 against the Lions, leaving newcomer Travis Etienne as the largest beneficiary. If active, Kamara would be a dicey PPR FLEX.
Oscar Delp - TE (hamstring)
Delp did not practice on Wednesday. He was ruled out Friday.
Impact: Starting tight end Juwan Johnson is a steady TE1 with no positional target competition.
Jordyn Tyson - WR (hamstring)
Tyson begins the regular season on injured reserve. He will miss the first four games of the season, at minimum.
Impact: Devaughn Vele should begin the season in the starting lineup opposite Chris Olave, with both players routinely used in the slot. Olave’s weekly range of outcomes rivals almost any receiver in the league for as long as Tyson remains out, while tight end Juwan Johnson should return weekly TE1 finishes.
◆ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Emeka Egbuka - WR (Toe)
Egbuka suffered a toe injury in camp and has missed the previous three weeks. He is practicing in full for Week 1 against the Bengals and was removed from the injury report Friday.
Impact: Egbuka is a WR2 with WR1 upside.
Jalen McMillan - WR (knee)
McMillan was limited on Wednesday. He is listed as doubtful for Week 1 against the Bengals.
Impact: McMillan is listed as the Buccaneers’ No. 3 wide receiver on the depth chart. He is a boom-bust FLEX if active, in what should be a fantasy-friendly game environment. Rookie wide receiver Ted Hurst could start in his place if McMillan is unable to go, though second-year wide receiver Tez Johnson would also factor in.
Sean Tucker - RB (hamstring)
Tucker did not practice on Wednesday. He drew a doubtful tag for Week 1 against the Bengals.
Impact: Buccaneers 1A running back Bucky Irving and 1B running back Kenneth Gainwell could both pick up one or two extra touches if Tucker sits. Irving appears most likely to absorb Tucker’s goal line role and is an upside RB2 against the Bengals.
🏈 NFC West
◆ Arizona Cardinals
Jeremiyah Love - RB (ankle)
Love was limited on Wednesday after missing the last month with a high-ankle sprain. Head coach Mike LaFleur said Monday he “feels good” about Love’s availability in Week 1, although the rookie back is reportedly a “game-day decision.”
Impact: Tyler Allgeier was listed as the starter on the team’s official depth chart for Week 1, which makes sense when taken in context with Love’s missed camp time. That also signals the potential for Love to be eased into game action, should he ultimately gain clearance to play in Week 1 against the Chargers. Either way, the talented rookie appears to be fighting an uphill battle for the start of his first professional season. This is likely a worthwhile buy-low opportunity.
◆ Los Angeles Rams
The Rams’ skill position corps emerged from their Week 1 loss to the 49ers healthy.
◆ San Francisco 49ers
Ricky Pearsall - WR (knee)
Pearsall was placed on season-ending injured reserve.
Impact: Pearsall will miss the entirety of the 2026 season, opening a clearer path for De’Zhaun Stribling to contribute during his rookie season.
De’Zhaun Stribling - WR (ankle)
Stribling suffered an ankle injury in the team’s Week 1 win over the Rams.
Impact: We’re still waiting on confirmation of the injury from the team, who did rule out an Achilles injury Friday. As such, fantasy managers will want to check back early next week for an update on the rookie’s status.
◆ Seattle Seahawks
Zach Charbonnet - RB (knee)
Charbonnet will begin the season on the physically unable to perform list, although the team remains optimistic he will be able to beat his initial recovery timeline.
Impact: Rookie Jadarian Price is poised to begin the season as the primary back in Seattle, with George Holani on hand to soak up change-of-pace reps. The team appears content to keep the situation fluid and without a true workhorse, similar to the way they handled Kenneth Walker and Charbonnet last season. Even so, Price is positioned well to return value weekly for fantasy drafters who invested a sixth-round pick in his services this offseason.
Sam Darnold - QB (hip)
Darnold reportedly suffered an “unusual muscle strain” in the team’s Week 1 win over the Patriots.
Impact: Although injured reserve is reportedly not being considered, Darnold appears to be in danger of missing time. Drew Lock, who came into the game in relief of the injured Darnold, would be in line to start, should Darnold miss time.
