If you are here, it's likely because your fantasy team has been affected by injuries.
Join the club.
There is a ton to discuss this week, so let's get down to business.
Understanding the NFL's Injury Report
(per Dr. Bramel - Footballguys OG)
"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
- RB Travis Etienne Jr.
- RB Rhamondre Stevenson
- RB Ray Davis
- WR Dontayvion Wicks
- WR Cooper Kupp
- WR Diontae Johnson
- RB Rachaad White
- WR Quentin Johnston
- WR Ladd McConkey
Trending Doubtful (Likely Inactive)
- TE T.J. Hockenson
- WR Jakobi Meyers
Trending Probable (Expected to Play)
- RB Aaron Jones
- RB Nick Chubb (Coming off PUP)
- WR Michael Pittman Jr.
- WR Josh Downs
- RB Zamir White
- RB Brian Robinson Jr.
- WR Ricky Pearsall
- RB Jordan Mason
- WR Mike Evans
- WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
Ruled Out
- TE Dallas Goedert (hamstring)
- RB Jonathan Taylor (high ankle sprain)
- RB Tyjae Spears (hamstring)
- RB Jerome Ford (hamstring)
- RB Jonathon Brooks (knee)
- WR Rashid Shaheed (knee surgery on IR – projected season ending)
- WR Jauan Jennings (hip)
- RB Cordarrelle Patterson (ankle)
- WR Treylon Burks (knee – IR canidate)
* Key: Player | Injury | Game Status Listing | Playing Expectation
Sunday 9:30 AM Game (London)
RB Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville | Hamstring | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
Travis Etienne Jr. has been battling injuries all season long and picked up another in Week 6. Etienne is Questionable heading into Week 7 with a hamstring strain. This is typically a multi-week injury in the NFL, with >80% of NFL RBs since 2017 missing at least one game.
It was promising to see that Etienne was able to practice this week, although in a limited fashion (LP). When looking at fantasy-relevant players who logged an LP in their final practice session, only 62% of players went on to start. When I drilled down to just RBs, that number dipped to 54%. A lot of data points suggest Etienne sits this week. Luckily, the Jaguars play in London again, and fantasy managers will know his status early.
RB Rhamondre Stevenson, New England | Foot | Questionable | 50/50
Rhamondre Stevenson did not practice at all heading into Week 6 due to his foot injury. This trend continued in Week 7, but Stevenson was able to practice in full on Friday. Even though this is a great sign, I am not sold that Stevenson suits up this week.
The Patriots have still listed the former Sooner as "Questionable" heading into Week 6, and head coach Jarod Mayo has said that Stevenson will "be a game-time decision." Like Travis Etienne Jr., we will know early whether or not Stevenson is available due to the early London kick-off. However, if your fantasy team has been relying on Stevenson's services, I would make sure you have a backup plan.
Sunday 1:00 PM EST Games
RB Ray Davis, Buffalo | Calf | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
Rookie RB Ray Davis was a late addition to the injury report, popping up with a calf injury on Thursday. A late week, soft tissue injury is never a good sign.
Because Davis' injury appears to have surfaced later in the week, I think his availability for Week 7 is very much in jeopardy. However, for what it is worth it, whether the rookie can play or not might not matter. James Cook is off the injury report and figures to be the focal point of Buffalo's rushing attack.
WR Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay | Shoulder | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
After flashing in Week 4, Dontayavion Wicks has been rather disappointing, and things have only gotten worse. Now, the second-year wideout has picked up a shoulder injury.
There is still no word on the specifics of Wicks' shoulder injury, but it's very possible he sustained an AC joint sprain since this is a common injury for NFL WRs. Based on limited information, it's hard to make a projection, but right now, I lean towards Wicks sitting in Week 7.
TE T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota | Knee | Questionable | Likely Inactive
T.J. Hockenson has been inching closer to his 2024 debut as he recovers from ACL reconstruction. Although Minnesota has opened Hockenson's practice window, he still has not practiced without limitations. Until he does so, I do not think Hockenson will play.
RB Aaron Jones, Minnesota | Hamstring | Questionable | Likely Active
Aaron Jones was originally listed with a hip injury following Week 6 but it has since been changed to a hamstring strain. Despite the data pointing toward Jones missing Week 7, he is currently on track to play.
Jones is not a stranger to injury – no surprise for an RB who has played in the NFL for eight seasons. I've examined how RBs have performed following injury by looking at the fantasy points vs. expected based on their specific injury. Amongst active NFL RBs, Jones ranks as one of the worst.
- RBs with calf strains avg a 22% decrease in fantasy points; Jones' decreased by 30% in 2020
- In 2021 and 2022, Jones performed well below expected due to MCL sprains
- Just last year, in his first game back from his hamstring injury, Jones' fantasy points decreased by 60% (average is 23%)
Every injury is different, but I've looked at these trends to identify whether players are good/bad at playing through injury. Jones looks like a risky start in Week 7.
RB Nick Chubb, Cleveland | Knee | Questionable/PUP | Likely Active
Cleveland has announced that Nick Chubb will make his season debut in Week 7 and he will be activated off the PUP. Chubb has been recovering from knee surgery that ended his 2023 season. I'd like to see how Chubb looks and his usage before inserting him into lineups. Even with Jerome Ford out, Chubb still carries a decent amount of risk.
WR Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis | Back | Questionable | Likely Active
Michael Pittman Jr. is still listed as Questionable due to his back injury. Pittman played through this injury last week, and I expect him to do the same in Week 7.
WR Josh Downs, Indianapolis | Toe | Questionable | Likely Active
Similar to Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs appears to be playing through a nagging injury. Downs' toe injury did not keep him out in Week 6. Despite limited practice participation most of the week, I expect Downs to play.
Sunday 4:05 PM EST Games
WR Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas | Ankle | Doubtful | Likely Inactive
Since 2017, >90% of NFL players listed as "Doubtful" on their team's final injury report ended up sitting out that week. Meyers likely misses Week 7. Expect Brock Bowers to see another healthy target share.
RB Zamir White, Las Vegas | Groin | Questionable | Projecting Active
After being limited all week with a groin injury, Zamir White was able to practice without restraints (FP) Friday. This practice trend suggests White should be active in Week 7 and could reclaim his role as starting RB.
WR Cooper Kupp, LA Rams | Ankle | Questionable | Projecting Active
Cooper Kupp has been nursing a high ankle sprain for the last four weeks, but he was able to return to the practice heading into Week 7.
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) October 16, 2024
Although he might not been 100% (since he was unable to practice fully), I think Kupp hs a good chance of playing this week. The bigger question is "Do we start him?"
If Kupp does play, he does carry some risk. High ankle sprains have a moderate re-injury rate, and on average, NFL WRs see a 20% decline in fantasy production in their first game back. With that said, I would play Kupp in all formats. We've seen his high ceiling and connection with Matthew Stafford. Even with limited snaps, Kupp has top-12 upside every week.
WR Diontae Johnson, Carolina | Ankle/Hamstring/Ribs | Questionable | Projecting Active
Diontae Johnson is dealing with a cornucopia of injuries heading into Week 7. Johnson's ankle injury has been going on for several weeks, but he added a hamstring injury after Week 6. The veteran WR was held out of practice earlier in the week before returning Friday and picking up a rib injury.
Here’s head coach Dave Canales discussing #Panthers leading receiver Diontae Johnson’s injury status. He was listed as “limited” on the injury report today (hamstring and ribs in addition to the ankle, which he’s nursed all week).
— Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) October 18, 2024
Johnson is questionable for Sunday, officially. pic.twitter.com/JdSjPtWofC
I think it's possible Johnson was limited Friday due to pain, as a serious rib injury/fracture likely would have kept him out of practice completely. Although he is banged up, I still think Johnson will play this week.
WR Brian Robinson Jr., Washington | Knee | Questionable | Projecting Active
After missing last week with a knee injury, Brian Robinson Jr. has returned to practice and is trending toward playing in Week 7. Robinson's practice reports suggest that he will be active.
Sunday 4:25 PM EST Games
WR Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco | Chest | Questionable | Likely Active
The 49ers have announced that Ricky Pearsall will be activated off the PUP following the unfortunate preseason incident where he was shot in the chest.
RB Jordan Mason, San Francisco | AC Joint Sprain | No Injury Designation
Jordan Mason is not carrying an injury designation heading into Week 7, but I still think it is important to discuss his AC joint sprain. Mason carries some risk due to the fact that he could exit early again.
Consider your options but Jordan Mason is risky play imo.
— Adam Hutchison (@TheRealAdam_H) October 18, 2024
Uncommon to not miss at least one game with an AC Joint Sprain - one of the most often re-injured injuries amongst RBs.
His shoulder injury comes down to pain tolerance. It's possible that he either injures it again or San Francisco plans on limiting his touches with a 3-man committee of Mason, Isaac Guerendo, and Patrick Taylor Jr.
Monday Night Games
WR Mike Evans, Tampa Bay | Hamstring | Questionable | Projecting Active
Mike Evans is Questionable heading into Sunday for his Monday night game vs. Baltimore. Evans has been historically good at playing through injury, even starting when listed as "Doubtful" on injury reports in years past. I expect him to play.
RB Rachaad White, Tampa Bay | Foot Injury | Questionable
Rachaad White has been limited in Buccaneers practices to start this week with a foot injury. Foot injuries have a history of being very limiting for RBs, typically netting time missed with a high risk of re-injury. His uncertainty for Week 7, combined with a possible 3-man committee, is enough reason to avoid White where possible.
WR Marvin Harrison Jr.., Arizona | Concussion | Questionable | Likely Active
Marvin Harrison Jr. cleared the concussion protocol and was able to practice in full on Friday. He should be active come kick-off.
WR Quentin Johnston, LA Chargers | Ankle | Questionable | Projecting Inactive
Quentin Johnston missed a chunk of Week 6 due to an ankle injury and has not practiced at all this week with the same injury. Johnston has some extra time to recover as the Chargers do not play until Monday night. However, based on practice reports, it does not look good.
WR Ladd McConkey, LA Chargers | Hip| Questionable | 50/50
Ladd McConkey has been limited all week with a hip injury. The former Georgia Bulldog struggled with injuries in college, and it's possible this has carried over to the NFL. Saturday's practice report will be very telling.
