Injury Report - Preseason

Photo: USA Today Sports

We continue to inch closer to the official start of the 2024 NFL season. Some drafts may have already occurred, but most will kick off in the next two weeks.

With another week of training camp and preseason games, injuries were certain to follow. With that, the analysis follows. If a player is not discussed below, I likely covered him in last week's article.

As a reminder, the projected timeline is my own, based on my clinical experience rehabbing sports injuries, historical data, and recent reports. Choose to follow it as you please.

Key: Position Player, Team | Injury | Adam's Projected Return Timeline

RB Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh | Hamstring Strain | Projecting Week 1 Return

Jaylen Warren exited last Saturday's game against the Buffalo Bills with a hamstring injury. It is never a good sign when a player is pulled and immediately ruled out, however in the preseason most teams will exercise caution.

Originally NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported that Warren was expected to miss “multiple weeks”. Later, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin downplayed the injury and was quoted saying, “[Warren's injury is not ] anything that's a long-term concern.”

Warren did not play in the final preseason game but said that he would suit up if it were the regular season game. RB hamstring data suggests Week 1 would be unlikely since the average return-to-play timeline is 2.6 weeks, but it seems like Warren is on track to be ready for that start of the season. In Week 1, do not be surprised to see Najee Harris handle most of the work if both are active.

WR Curtis Samuel, Buffalo | Toe Injury | Projecting Week 1 Return

Curtis Samuel, a late-round favorite and consensus WR61 among Footballguys draft rankers, is dealing with turf toe. Typically, turf toe can be a multi-week injury that carries a high re-injury risk, but there are rumors that Samuel is merely dealing with a minor toe injury, as tests for turf toe were negative.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott did say that Samuel “could” play in Week 1 but did not guarantee anything as of August 22nd. Assuming Samuel does not have turf toe, suiting up Week 1 would be very likely. It would also go a long way if Samuel practiced the next two weeks. 75% of skill position players (RB, TE, WR) with a toe injury/turf toe who logged at least a limited practice session during the final practice ended up playing.

TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas | “Foot Soreness” | Ready Week 1

Reports around rookie TE Brock Bowers' foot have been pretty vague, and given his recent injury history (high ankle sprain while at Georgia), it will certainly be something to monitor. Foot injuries among TEs average by far the most time missed (>5 weeks), but until we get more clarity, there is no need to hit the panic button just yet.

There is no indication that Bowers misses any time. So, for now, expect him to be ready to go a week from now.

QB Deshaun Watson, Cleveland | “Shoulder Soreness” | Ready Week 1

This past Wednesday, Deshaun Watson was limited in practice with shoulder soreness. Not great for a quarterback coming off shoulder surgery. The injury scare was short-lived as Watson returned to practice fully on Thursday.

Watson has not inspired much confidence in fantasy managers in the last few seasons, so it is understandable that some want to avoid him completely. However, Waton's struggles last season were tied to him trying to play through a shoulder fracture and labral tear. Cleveland may give Watson more rest days in 2024 to keep him fresh for Sundays, but assuming health, I expect him to have a good season.