Gameday Injury Expectations: Week 2

Photo: USA Today Sports

While it was exciting to have football back in our lives last week, many fantasy football teams may be feeling the effects of the injuries that occurred. Even though it is only Week 2, in some ways more than others, our teams might feel like they are in mid-season form. 

Here are the main injuries to track as we head into Sunday.

Understanding the NFL's Injury Report

(per Dr. Bramel)

"The injury report released by the NFL is [made up of] two reports. The first is the Practice Participation report, which lists which injured players practiced and their participation level. It also includes players who rested or missed practice for non-injury-related reasons. The second is the Game Status Report, which gives the probability a player will play, i.e., Questionable, Doubtful, Out. The Practice Participation Report is released every day of the week (Monday through Saturday). The Game Status Report is released with the Friday participation report (Wednesday for Thursday games, Saturday for Monday games). In this feature, I'll include the Game Status Listing and my expectations of their likelihood of playing."

If you are reading this article on Saturday, make sure to come back on Sunday morning as more updates trickle in within the next 24 hours.

Current Status on High-Impact Injured Players

Gameday Decision

• WR A.J. Brown
• WR Jayden Reed
• WR Jameson Williams 
• QB Russell Wilson

Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)

• QB Jordan Love 
• RB Ken Walker III 
• TE Jake Ferguson 
• WR Tee Higgins
• WR Keenan Allen

Trending Probable (Expected to Play)

• WR Josh Downs

Ruled Out

• RB Christian McCaffrey (Achilles - on IR) 
• WR Puka Nacua (knee - on IR) 
• WR Jordan Addison (ankle)
• WR Hollywood Brown (shoulder - heading to IR) 
• TE David Njoku (ankle) 

Key: Player | Injury | Game Status Listing | Playing Expectation

Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games

WR Jameson Williams, Detroit | Ankle | Questionable | Likely Active

During Jameson Williams's breakout performance last Monday, he appeared to tweak his ankle but was never removed from the game due to injury. It would seem as if Williams is dealing with some lingering effects, as he was a limited practice participant this week.  

Williams did not miss practice this week but was just limited every day, suggesting that his ankle injury is not bad enough that he cannot play. Since 2017, on average, NFL WRs miss 1.4 weeks with an ankle injury, but 61% of them were able to play without any time missed. Examining which teams are the least struck with injury destinations, Detroit is near the top. 81% of the fantasy-relevant players on the Lions that are listed as Questionable, actually end up playing. This ranks 7th among the 32 NFL teams.  

Despite the "Questionable" designation heading into Sunday, I think there is reason to be optimistic about Williams playing.

Update: Per Ian Rapoport, Williams is expected to play Sunday.

QB Jordan Love, Green Bay | MCL Sprain (knee) | Doubtful | Likely Inactive

The aftermath of the Jordan Love injury in Brazil was nerve-racking for fantasy managers, but for the most part, the news was good after learning his injury would not be season-ending.

Love suffered an MCL sprain, and although I think he could return sooner than the initial 3-6 week timeline that was provided, I do not think it will be this week. Considering Love did not practice all week, the practice reports back up my assumption as well.

Update: Jordan Love was downgraded to Doubtful. He will likely miss Week 2. Per reports, Love is eyeing a Week 5 return date. 

WR Jayden Reed, Green Bay | Calf/Shin | Questionable | Gameday Decision

Jayden Reed was a late addition to the injury report, as the Packers reported that the second-year wide receiver was limited with a calf/shin injury. This injury has been under-reported, and for that reason, I speculate that Reed is likely to play. However, until we learn more about the specifics of this injury, Reed should be viewed as a true game-time decision. 

Update: Per Ian Rapoport, Jayden Reed is expected to play Sunday.

WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis | Ankle | Questionable |  Likely Active

Josh Downs practiced all week and was even a full participant on Friday. All signs point to him returning in Week 2. However, I would not recommend putting him into lineups just yet.

Following high ankle sprains, WRs can experience a 12-18% decline in fantasy production. 

Update: Per Ian Rapoport, Josh Downs is 50/50 on whether he plays or not. Based on this information and the possibly fantasy football impact of his injury, I would avoid. 

Downs has been ruled out. 

RB Ken Walker III, Seattle | Core/Oblique | Doubtful |  Likely Inactive

Ken Walker III did not practice all week with an oblique injury, and Seattle officially has Walker listed as doubtful heading into Sunday. Very few players listed as "Doubtful" end up playing (<5%).

Oblique injuries tend to yield multi-week absences, so I would not rule out Walker missing Week 3. If you roster the Seahawk RB, I would make plans for next week as well.

Update: Walker is officially out.

TE Jake Ferguson, Dallas | MCL sprain (knee) | Doubtful | Likely Inactive

Similar to Joran Love (above) I do not think Jake Ferguson will play this week either due to his MCL sprain (knee).  Skill position players (WR, TE, RB) typically miss more time with an MCL sprain due to their positional requirements. Dallas also has Fegurson listed as "Doubtful" which nearly ensures he will not suit up on Sunday. Nearly 95% of players listed as Doubtiful on their team's final injury report do not play. 

Update: Jane Slater of NFL Network, Jake Ferguson has been ruled out. As expected.