Injuries are an unavoidable menace in fantasy football. Whether it is a fluke injury to a previously sturdy superstar or another in a long-line of muscle pulls for an injury-prone player whose upside is too big to quit, in-season injuries can make or break fantasy teams.
Preseason injuries, however, are not always bad. From those who are recovering from the serious knocks of the previous season to those who suffer slight nicks early in the offseason program, players carrying injuries into the summer are often undervalued. Here is a look at the most important fantasy assets entering the summer with injury questions and a few thoughts on their outlook for this season.
1. Andrew Luck, QB, Colts
Injury: Shoulder surgery (throwing) in January to fix an injury from September of 2015
Despite missing a game with a concussion, Luck managed 4,240 yards and 31 touchdowns playing with what we now know was a bum throwing shoulder. It stands to reason he will be even better after getting the issue fixed in January, but that surgery has put the quarterback’s status for the start of training camp and perhaps even Week 1 in question, especially since the Colts still have not offered a timetable for him to begin throwing. Unless Indy suddenly becomes much more forthcoming, Luck’s timeline is unlikely to clear up before camp.
BEST CASE: Luck is able to return without incident early in training camp.
WORST CASE: Luck’s status remains murky throughout camp, and he is forced to miss the start of the season.
MOST LIKELY: Luck skips the preseason but is ready for Week 1.
2016 full-season pace: 4,523 yards, 33 passing TDs and 14 INTs
2. Cam Newton, QB, Panthers
Injury: Shoulder surgery (throwing) in March to repair partially torn rotator cuff suffered on Dec. 11, 2016
A lost season for the Panthers became even worse when Newton suffered an injury to his throwing shoulder in December. The quarterback battled through the issue the rest of the season and attempted to use rest and rehab to fix the problem early in the offseason, but he eventually required rotator cuff surgery in March. Despite the operation, Newton resumed light throwing in June and is expected to be ready early in camp.
BEST CASE: Newton’s throwing program goes well over the summer, and he is a full-go for camp.
WORST CASE: Newton suffers a setback as he ramps up activity and is forced to miss most of camp.
MOST LIKELY: Newton is limited early in camp and the preseason but is fully healthy well before Week 1.
2016 full-season pace: 3,743 passing yards, 20 passing TDs, 15 INTs with 383 rushing yards and 5 TDs
3. Sammy Watkins, WR, Bills
Injury: Left foot surgery on Jan. 20 to address a recurring injury
News of Watkins undergoing surgery on his left foot is no longer a surprise, but it remains troubling. Still, the surgery is nothing compared to the Bills’ decision to decline Watkins’ fifth-year option, a choice which suggests the team has little faith the 2014 No. 4 overall pick will be able to stay on the field in the final year of his rookie deal. Watkins looks to be on track for camp, but there is no way to be confident he will stay on the field, making second-rounder Zay Jones an interesting late-round target.
BEST CASE: Watkins returns ready for camp and avoids any setbacks prior to Week 1.
WORST CASE: Watkins’ recovery drags on throughout camp, and he is less than 100 percent for Week 1.
MOST LIKELY: Watkins is limited throughout camp but ready for Week 1.
2016 full-season pace: 56 catches for 860 yards and 4 TDs
4. Tyler Eifert, TE, Bengals
Injury: Back surgery on Dec. 27, 2016 to fix a lingering injury
No stranger to offseason recoveries, Eifert spent all of the 2016 offseason on the shelf with a stubborn ankle injury, which was complicated by a back issue. The ankle did eventually heal, but the back injury lingered throughout the season before forcing Eifert to miss the final two weeks. While the issue is hopefully fixed, Eifert himself said he is not sure if he will be ready for camp, and the drawn-out nature of his ankle recovery means nothing can be taken for granted about Week 1. Eifert is a high-end TE1 when healthy, but the ‘when healthy’ part is a big concern.
BEST CASE: Eifert is ready for camp and makes it to Week 1 without any setbacks.
WORST CASE: Eifert’s recovery lingers once again, and he is forced to miss games.
MOST LIKELY: Eifert is limited throughout camp, but he is ready for Week 1.
2016 full-season pace: 58 catches for 788 yards and 10 TDs
5. Kevin White, WR, Bears
Injury: Broken fibula on Oct. 2, 2016, surgery to repair the issue in October
After missing his entire rookie season with a stress fracture in his shin, White was finally able to get on the field for four mostly poor games as a sophomore before suffering a severe high-ankle sprain which also resulted in a broken fibula. There was talk the receiver would be able to return late in the season, but White never materialized, and his level of participation during the offseason program was unclear. A beat reporter even said the Bears “don’t know” whether White will ever regain his explosiveness. White has a big opportunity in a wide open depth chart, but it just does not seem like his health will cooperate. Despite dealing with a thumb injury of his own which could limit him early in camp, Cameron Meredith is a better bet.
BEST CASE: White comes into camp healthy and explosive before grabbing the No. 1 job.
WORST CASE: White suffers yet another leg injury in camp.
MOST LIKELY: White is “healthy” for Week 1 but struggles with his explosiveness and efficiency.
2016 full-season pace: 76 catches for 748 yards and 0 TDs
6. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks
Injury: Broken fibula and tibia on Dec. 24, 2016
Playing with a PCL injury early in the season, Lockett was coming on strong before breaking his leg on Christmas Eve, an injury which required surgery. It is tough to gauge Lockett’s status considering how optimistic the Seahawks always seem to be about injuries, but the receiver has said he is targeting a training camp return and was pictured wearing a helmet during OTAs. Even if he is able to get back in camp, Lockett will face competition for targets from Paul Richardson, who emerged in his absence during the playoffs.
BEST CASE: Lockett returns early in camp and is 100 percent healthy for Week 1.
WORST CASE: Lockett’s recovery drags deep into camp, and he is forced to miss the start of the season.
MOST LIKELY: Lockett is able to return during camp, but he is limited early in the season.
2016 full-season pace: 44 catches for 637 yards and 2 total TDs
7. Giovani Bernard, RB, Bengals
Injury: Torn ACL on Nov. 20, 2016
In the same game the Bengals lost A.J. Green to a since-healed hamstring injury, Bernard’s season ended because of an ACL tear. Bernard’s recovery has gone more slowly than Green’s, and he was only able to work on the rehab field during the offseason program. It looks like he will be sidelined into training camp, but it is possible he avoids the reserve/PUP to open the season. Even if he is able to come back healthy, Bernard faces tough competition for his passing-game role from second-rounder Joe Mixon.
BEST CASE: Bernard returns at some point in camp and is ready for Week 1.
WORST CASE: Bernard is forced to begin the season on the reserve/PUP, costing him six games.
MOST LIKELY: Bernard avoids the PUP but misses several games and is limited in others before fully returning.
2016 full-season pace: 539 rushing yards, 62 receptions for 538 yards, 5 total TDs
8. Josh Doctson, WR, Redskins
Injury: Achilles’ injury last summer, landed on injured reserve in October
Doctson’s rookie season was not completely lost in that he played two games, but he did almost nothing during the summer and was held to just two catches because of a lingering Achilles’ issue. The good news is Doctson appears close to full health heading into camp, and he has a great shot to earn a big role.
BEST CASE: Doctson is let loose at the start of camp and becomes the clear No. 2 receiver.
WORST CASE: Doctson suffers a setback and is unable to establish himself as a starter.
MOST LIKELY: Doctson is limited early in camp, but he proves his health and grabs a starting job.
2016 full-season pace: 16 catches for 528 yards and 0 TDs
9. Theo Riddick, RB, Lions
Injury: Wrist injury in December, underwent surgery on both wrists following the season
With Ameer Abdullah out with a foot injury – he is good to go now – Riddick took over as the lead back, easily setting a career high with 92 carries and maintaining his receiver-like role in the passing game in just 10 games. Unfortunately, his season came to a premature end because of a wrist injury, and he was forced to have surgery on both wrists following the season. The third-down back did not get in any work during the offseason program, and it is not clear how early he will return to camp. Riddick’s role is secure, but his health is a major question mark.
BEST CASE: Riddick returns ready for camp and once again tops 75 catches.
WORST CASE: Riddick does not get back on the field until late in camp and is limited early in the season.
MOST LIKELY: Riddick is limited early in camp but is ready to go by Week 1.
2016 full-season pace: 85 receptions for 594 yards, 571 rushing yards, 10 total TDs
10. Mike Williams, WR, Chargers
Injury: “Mild disc herniation” during rookie minicamp
Williams’ arrival was just another log added to an already blocked river in the Chargers’ pass-catching corps, so a back injury suffered on the first day of rookie minicamp could prevent him from winning an early role. He was not able to participate in the offseason program, he may not be ready for camp and every missed practice puts him further behind, especially with Keenan Allen and Travis Benjamin both back healthy from their knee injuries and Tyrell Williams coming off a breakout season.
BEST CASE: Williams is healthy for camp and earns a starting job.
WORST CASE: The injury turns out to be worse than reported and costs Williams his season.
MOST LIKELY: Williams is limited into camp, preventing him from earning an early-season role.
11. Latavius Murray, RB, Vikings
Injury: Ankle surgery in March
Fresh off a three-year, $15-million deal with the Vikings, Murray underwent ankle surgery to fix an issue which hampered him late in 2016. Likely expecting to be the starter when he signed his deal, Murray now faces a lengthy recovery and has to deal with second-rounder Dalvin Cook’s competition for carries, a competition he is at best second-favorite to win. Even if he gets healthy, Murray is likely looking at a backup role.
BEST CASE: Murray is ready at the start of camp and earns an even timeshare with Cook.
WORST CASE: Murray’s injury lingers into the regular season.
MOST LIKELY: Murray comes back in the middle of camp but loses the starting job to Cook.
2016 full-season pace: 901 rushing yards, 38 catches for 302 yards, 14 total TDs
12. Jamaal Charles, RB, Broncos
Injury: Torn ACL on Oct. 11, 2015, surgery on both knees November of 2016
One of the most dynamic backs of his generation, Charles’ career has hit the skids since he tore his ACL in 2015. He was not really himself before landing on injured reserve last year, and that was two surgeries ago. Charles was able to do “light drills” during the offseason program and appears on pace for training camp, but expecting him to both stay healthy and steal the starting job from C.J. Anderson is a stretch.
BEST CASE: Charles returns to his pre-injury form and takes over the starting job.
WORST CASE: Charles once again struggles to recover his form and is let go at final cuts.
MOST LIKELY: Charles settles into a change-of-pace role behind Anderson.
2016 full-season pace: 213 rushing yards, 11 receptions for 75 yards, 5 total TDs
13. Dennis Pitta, TE, Free Agent
Injury: Dislocated hip on June 2, released June 7
Unfortunately, Pitta’s career is almost certainly at an end after he dislocated his hip for the third time in early June. He was cut the following week. While he will not be fantasy relevant, Pitta is leaving behind 121 targets. Ben Watson (Achilles), Maxx Williams (knee) and Crockett Gillmore (shoulder, back) are the likely recipients of that work, but all three are coming back from injuries of their own. Unless someone emerges in camp, this looks like a situation to avoid.
BEST CASE: Watson or Williams emerge as the clear starter during camp.
WORST CASE: All three take on roles, completely removing any fantasy upside.
MOST LIKELY: The worst-case scenario.
2016 full-season pace: 86 catches for 729 yards and 2 TDs
Other injuries worth monitoring
*Marcus Mariota, QB, Titans – Broken leg in December, no restrictions for camp
*Le’Veon Bell, RB, Steelers – Groin surgery in March, ready for training camp
*Julio Jones, WR, Falcons – Foot surgery in March, ready for training camp
*Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs – Shoulder surgery in February, may be limited early in camp
*DeMarco Murray, RB, Titans – Minor hand surgery in June, ready for training camp
*Eddie Lacy, RB, Seahawks – Ankle surgery in October, ready for training camp
*Corey Coleman, WR, Browns – Hamstring injury in May, expected back for camp
*Corey Davis, WR, Titans – Ankle surgery in January, ready for training camp
*John Ross, WR, Bengals – Shoulder surgery in February, questionable for camp
*Tavon Austin, WR, Rams – Wrist surgery in May, likely ready for training camp
*Tajae Sharpe, WR, Titans – Foot surgery in June, expected back for training camp
