NFL Preseason Injury Tracker: Breaking Down Top Training Camp Injuries and Their Impact on Fantasy Football

Some teams have had more luck than others when it comes to injuries this preseason. Here’s a look at some of the biggest injuries that have hit teams during training camp and beyond, including their recovery prospects and a fantasy perspective on notable players.

Please note: The list below does not include injuries that occurred before this year’s training camp.

Bears

Bengal

Chris EvansRB: Torn patellar tendon, seasonal absence
Amarius MimsOT: Pectoral muscle strain, expected return September 8
Cam sampleTHE: Torn Achilles tendon, season out

Bills

Fantasy twist: This isn’t ideal for Samuel, who is new to the team and needs as many reps as possible with QB Josh Allen. Samuel’s absence benefits the rest of the receivers, particularly Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir. Both of those guys move up in my rankings, and Coleman looks even better as a 10th-round pick. — Sal Vetri

Broncos

Tan

Luke WyplerC: Broken right ankle, out for the season
Nick Chubb, RB: Knee, expected to play this season

Fantasy twist: It’s unclear if Chubb will be ready to start in Week 1, though it seems unlikely at this point. Jerome Ford is the clear backup for the fantasy roster if Chubb misses time. Ford averaged 14.6 touches per game last year for 1,132 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns in the regular season.

Pirates

Chase Edmonds, RB: Not disclosed, return unclear
Your Opeta, G: Torn anterior cruciate ligament, out for the season

Cardinals

Chargers

Justin Herbert, quarterback: Foot, who returned to training on Monday (8/19), is expected to be ready for Week 1

Chiefs

Marquise Brown, WR: Shoulder, expected to return early 2024 season
McKade MettauerG: Torn MCL, surgery not required

Fantasy twist: The Chiefs’ receiving corps got a major upgrade this offseason, and Rashee Rice and rookie Xavier Worthy have taken full advantage of their opportunities with Hollywood Brown out of the lineup. If he misses time early in the season, Worthy can make the most of his absence.

Foals

Josh DownsWR: Left ankle sprain, expected return September 8
Samson Ebukam, DE: Torn Achilles tendon, likely out for 2024 season

Fantasy twist: Unfortunately, second-year WR Josh Downs suffered an ankle injury in early August after a promising offseason program. He’s expected to return for the regular season, which means his injury shouldn’t impact fantasy drafts too much given that he’s scheduled to be selected around the 13th round. It may take some time for him to get back into the swing of things, but his return should ultimately raise the bar a bit for Anthony Richardson as a passer once Downs is fully healthy, given the Colts’ talented receiver roster.

Commanders

Cowboys

Sam Williams, DE: Torn anterior cruciate ligament and middle cruciate ligament, out for the season
Chuma Edoga, OT: Left big toe, expected to start the season on the injury list

Dolphins

Eagles

Falcons

49ers

Fantasy twist: The San Francisco 49ers’ RB depth chart is looking a bit messy right now, with several of McCaffrey’s reserves also dealing with bumps and bruises. Jordan Mason has emerged as the likely reserve at CMC for the regular season, but even he’s been dealing with some hip soreness after Week 2 of preseason.

Giants

Jaguars

Fantasy twist: The Jaguars have added a ton of receiving options this offseason with the addition of rookie Brian Thomas Jr. and the signing of Gabe Davis. However, given Kirk’s primary role as a slot player, TE Evan Engram should be the biggest beneficiary, as he led all tight ends with 85 slot targets last season.

Fighter jets

Lions

Emmanuel Moseley, CB: Torn pectoral muscle, out indefinitely
Sam LaPorta, TE: Hamstring injury, potential to return after week 3 of pre-season
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB: Hamstring, potential to return after week 3 of pre-season

Fantasy twist: Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs are both dealing with hamstring injuries, but neither appears to be a concern for Week 1 as HC Dan Campbell expects both to return after the Week 3 preseason game against the Steelers. There’s no reason to downgrade either one in fantasy drafts barring some setbacks.

Packers

Fantasy twist: Veteran Josh Jacobs is coming off the least efficient campaign of his career with the Raiders in 2023, so not everyone was glowing with confidence that he’d return to his second-round value in fantasy drafts this year. However, with rookie Marshawn Lloyd being the RB most likely to push for work behind him and him having been hurt over the offseason with a hip injury and now a hamstring, Jacobs can handle all the work he can handle.

Panthers

Dane Jackson, CB: Hamstring injury, could miss six weeks after injury on August 14
Jonathon Brooks, RB: Knee, expected back around week 3-4

Fantasy twist: Jonathon Brooks is the Panthers RB to draft in fantasy, but those in need of an early-season flex option may want to consider Chuba Hubbard, who is currently selected in Round 13 of fantasy drafts. Hubbard totaled 1,135 scrimmage yards and five touchdowns as Carolina’s lead back last season and will enter the year behind an improved offensive line and hoping Bryce Young can make a leap in Year 2.

Patriots

Hunter Henry, TE: Lower body problems, expected to return early in the season
Mitchell Wilcox, TE: Calf, expected back early in the season
Austin Hooper, TE: Unknown injury, expected back early in the season
Christian Barmore, DT: Blood clots, out indefinitely

Robbers

Rams

Fantasy twist: Unfortunately, just as veteran Cooper Kupp is getting fit again heading into his 31st season, teammate Puka Nacua suffered a knee injury that will keep him under surveillance week to week. If Nacua misses the start of the year (or plays less than 100%), expect Kupp to bounce right back to his 2022 form, when he led all WRs in fantasy points per game.

Raven

Tyler Linderbaum, C: Soft tissue injury, return unclear
Keaton Mitchell, RB: Torn anterior cruciate ligament, on PUP list

Saints

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB: Leg injury, return unclear
Alvin Kamara, RB: Back pain, return unclear
Kendre Miller, RB: Hamstring, return unclear

Sea eagles

Steelers

Jaylen Warren, RB: Hamstring injury, out for “several weeks”, uncertain for week 1
Nate Herbig, OL: Torn rotator cuff, out for the entire 2024 season

Fantasy twist: Jaylen Warren was one of the league’s most efficient running backs in most categories last season, but unfortunately he suffered a hamstring injury in Week 2 of preseason. His absence isn’t expected to last long, which is good news, and once he returns, the Steelers expect to split him and Najee Harris as usual. Should he miss any time, expect a slight increase in receiving potential for Harris while he’s out.

Texans

Titans

Fantasy twist: Veteran DeAndre Hopkins wasn’t exactly a fantasy superstar in 2023, but if he starts the year at less than 100%, Calvin Ridley could get a bigger target share. His ADP as a WR34 could pay nice dividends given second-year QB Will Levis’ propensity to throw the deep ball, whose 22.4% deep target rate led all QBs in 2023, per PFF.

Vikings

Fantasy twist: Sam Darnold will start at quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings in 2024, which isn’t great news for those drafting WRs Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison.

On the one hand, Jefferson averaged 119 receiving yards per game and was the WR3 in Weeks 15-18 without Kirk Cousins at quarterback, so his fantasy value may not have taken a demonstrable hit with the news. On the other hand, Addison is a player who already seemed doomed to a touchdown regression after a 10-TD campaign as a rookie, and Darnold has averaged just a 3.5% touchdown percentage for his career.