Can you’re feeling it within the air? There’s a completely different vitality this week because of the RETURN OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE! With the fantastic return {of professional} soccer additionally comes the unlucky return of accidents. Having the ability to efficiently navigate accidents all through a Fantasy Soccer season may be daunting, difficult, and complicated. Haven’t any worry; I’m right here to information you thru your participant’s harm points all 12 months. Welcome to the Week 1 Fantasy Soccer Damage Report. It feels good to be residence once more.
Be aware: This harm report might be up to date till the conclusion of Week 1. For essentially the most present harm information and evaluation, comply with me on Twitter @SGPNFootballDoc!
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Week 1 Fantasy Soccer Damage Report
Chris Godwin (WR) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
ACL Tear/ MCL Sprain, Damage Date: 12/19/2021
Chris Godwin went down with a season-ending knee harm. Godwin injured his ACL and MCL, stabilizing ligaments within the knee. These ligaments enable gamers to chop on the sector, preserve their stability, and face up to hits to their decrease physique. As a result of this extra knee harm, Godwin’s harm restoration is predicted to take longer than a typical ACL tear restoration.
With solely round 8.5 months of restoration earlier than Week 1, Godwin’s restoration is shifting forward of schedule, it appears. He was listed as a full participant in apply on Wednesday and is trending in the fitting route. Nevertheless, even when he does play this week, I’m not anticipating him to be very productive. I feel him being on the sector will solely make Mike Evans life simpler to have an awesome WR1 day. Godwin is extra prone to improve his manufacturing round Week 5 or 6.
Though he’s trending in the fitting route for Week 1, he’s a dangerous play early on this 12 months. – SIT
Zach Ertz (TE) Arizona Cardinals
Calf Damage, Preliminary Damage: 8/4/2022
The veteran TE made a direct optimistic influence for Arizona final season following his commerce from the Eagles. Seeking to be a big a part of the Cardinals’ offense this season, Ertz is having a regarding offseason. He suffered a calf harm on August 4th and missed the complete preseason. Fortunately for Cardinals followers, Ertz did return to apply at this time, nevertheless, in a restricted position.
He’s probably coping with a calf pressure which refers to wreck to his decrease leg muscle. These strains may be nagging accidents that have an effect on a participant’s capability to push off with energy out of their stance. Together with his acceleration and energy hampered, Ertz must watch out in his rehab as there may be additionally a average reinjury danger with these accidents. He’s being referred to as “day after day” however lacking all this time doesn’t give me hope that he’ll produce Week 1. Even when he’s on the sector, he’ll clearly not be 100% by Sunday.
Ertz has missed the complete preseason with a calf harm that can probably restrict him in Week 1. – SIT
Allen Lazard (WR) Inexperienced Bay Packers
Ankle Damage, Preliminary Damage: 9/1/2022
The Packer’s main returning WR is now a query mark for Week 1. WR Allen Lazard was slotted to probably be Inexperienced Bay’s WR1, however he injured his ankle final week. Not a lot info is accessible concerning the harm, however head coach Matt LaFleur stated Lazard “acquired stepped on final week.” At this level, all we all know is the Packer’s WR is coping with an ankle harm and isn’t working towards this week. His apply standing for the remainder of the week is significant to his Week 1 availability.
Too many questions surrounding the harm at this level. – MONITOR
Diontae Johnson (WR) Pittsburgh Steelers
Shoulder Damage, Preliminary Damage: 8/28/2022
Pittsburgh’s high WR coming into the season seems to be to be banged up going into the season opener. WR Diontae Johnson injured his shoulder whereas making a diving catch within the staff’s final preseason recreation. Head coach Mike Tomlin initially downplayed the harm, however it seems to be extra nagging. Johnson was restricted in apply on Wednesday and even famous himself that the harm was painful.
It does seem that Johnson is doing all the pieces he can to be prepared for Week 1. His apply standing will must be monitored however that is sounding like an AC joint harm. This shoulder and collarbone joint harm is painful, however most gamers are in a position to play by means of it. The Steelers’ lead WR additionally reportedly didn’t look like injured on the sector as he was nonetheless making catches in numerous positions.
The #Steelers record Diontae Johnson as a restricted participant at this time. I watched him go through particular person drills & present no actual limitations with the shoulder he injured vs the Lions. He caught balls with full extension and off the again shoulder. No contact, clearly, however a very good signal.
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) September 7, 2022
Monitor his standing, but when Johnson performs Week 1, he needs to be in your lineup. – START
George Kittle (TE) San Francisco 49ers
Groin Damage, Preliminary Damage: 9/5/2022
San Francisco’s star TE George Kittle is beginning off the sport week within the worst approach. He injured his groin at apply Monday and was unable to apply on Wednesday. Each the character of the harm and his apply standing could be very regarding for his Week 1 availability. Groin accidents consult with an harm to the muscular tissues linked to a participant’s pelvis (internal hip or core). These accidents carry excessive reinjury dangers and are tough to rehab. It severely hampers a participant’s capability to run routes and shrinks their catch radius.
Kittle’s apply standing must be monitored intently, however this isn’t excellent news for San Francisco. This may simply flip right into a multi-week absence.
Kittle suffered a groin harm to start out the week and is unlikely to be productive in Week 1. – SIT
James Washington (WR) Dallas Cowboys
Jones Fracture, Preliminary Damage: 8/1/2022
The Dallas Cowboys are heading into the 2022 season on the fallacious aspect of the harm report. After shedding WR1 Amari Cooper within the offseason, there have been some query marks amongst the WR group. Former Steelers WR James Washington was introduced in to compete for the beginning WR3 position and reply some questions. Nevertheless, Washington suffered a Jones fracture early in August and can now miss the early a part of the season.
A Jones fracture refers to a damaged bone on the base of his pinky toe. It is a pretty widespread harm amongst athletes however one which comes with a irritating restoration window. Usually it takes between six and ten weeks for a full restoration, however that’s all depending on how shortly the bone heals. Intense rehab can not begin till that bone is absolutely healed. Washington has been moved to the short-term IR, which means he’ll miss a minimum of 4 video games. This harm, mixed with fellow Dallas WR Michael Gallup’s harm, means Dallas might be looking for a WR2 to start out the 12 months. Insert rookie WR Jalen Tolbert or veteran WR Noah Brown.
Washington is on the IR and can miss the primary 4 video games. – SIT
Van Jefferson (WR) Los Angeles Rams
Knee Surgical procedure, Preliminary Damage: 8/1/2022
Rams younger WR Van Jefferson was seeking to cement his position as WR3 this offseason. Sadly, Jefferson has had extra surgical procedures than catches this preseason. The Rams WR had an undisclosed deliberate surgical procedure performed on his knee this offseason and, in early August, required a second unplanned process.
Jefferson reportedly tweaked his knee in apply which brought about the necessity for a second surgical procedure. The excellent news is that each surgical procedures are described as minor, and there may be an expectation that Jefferson might be again within the early a part of the season. His Week 1 availability is in query because the Rams are unsure about his restoration timetable as of now. Jefferson has an opportunity to play Week 1, however it could probably be in a restricted position. Two surgical procedures to at least one knee in the identical offseason positively brings a good quantity of warning in drafting the Ram’s WR3. His absence from apply has solely given different younger WRs an opportunity to assert their stake as WR3 on this offense. Allen Robinson II Increase
Van Jefferson is OUT for Week 1. – SIT
Drake London (WR) Atlanta Falcons
Knee Damage, Preliminary Damage: 8/12/2022
Rookie WR Drake London comes into the NFL in a singular scenario. He’s fairly probably the very best WR on his staff (not together with suspended Calvin Ridley and TE Kyle Pitts). Now, this may increasingly converse extra to the truth that the Falcons WR group is laughable at greatest. Nevertheless, this offers the rookie a transparent path to a excessive goal quantity proper out of the gate. This may occasionally give him essentially the most upside out of anybody on this harm report.
The one downside with this situation is that London must be on the sector to make an influence. In his first preseason recreation, the Atlanta WR suffered a knee harm and has not been seen working towards since. The Falcons are being tight-lipped concerning the character of the harm, however head coach Arthur Smith appears optimistic. He states, “I be ok with the place he’s at” in reference to the rookie WR’s recreation one standing. At this level, I would wish to see the rookie get some practices underneath his belt to really feel assured about him in Week 1, however his alternative to be Atlanta’s WR1 is simple.
London was a restricted participant in Wednesday’s apply. It’s good to see him return to apply, however he might want to log a full apply session to believe in his knee. Simply as head coach Arthur Smith is stating, we must monitor the rookie’s apply standing and his knee’s response.
London’s Week 1 standing is up within the air and can rely upon his apply response. – MONITOR
Michael Thomas (WR) New Orleans Saints
Hamstring Damage, Preliminary Damage: 8/17/2022
The lock of the previous two years has been discovering Michael Thomas touchdown on a fantasy soccer harm report. This Week 1 harm report is not any completely different! After coping with ankle points for 2 straight seasons, he was lastly attending to the purpose the place he may absolutely take part in apply. In fact, simply as quickly as he was wholesome, Thomas discovered himself with a brand new nagging harm. I had my doubts about Thomas coming into the season, and this has solely worsened with the latest information of his hamstring harm.
The harm brought about him to overlook two weeks of apply with some questions on his return date. He was in a position to lastly return to the apply subject this week in a restricted style. The expectation amongst the Saints is that he’ll play Week 1. Nevertheless, I need no half in having Thomas in my fantasy lineup. For a man who didn’t play a single snap all final season, he isn’t somebody who can afford to be lacking snaps. Hamstring accidents are brutal accidents that may simply linger into the season and restrict a participant’s explosiveness.
Thomas remains to be restricted by the hamstring harm, which is able to damage his manufacturing. – SIT
Darren Waller (TE) Las Vegas Raiders
Hamstring Damage, Preliminary Damage: 7/28/2022
The Las Vegas Raiders have introduced in some new faces on the offense to try to hold tempo with the high-powered AFC West. This staff’s success additionally depends on their present star gamers to supply as effectively. Waller has missed the vast majority of the Raider’s coaching camp and all of their preseason video games. At first, it was assumed this was attributable to contract negotiation points, however it later surfaced it was attributable to a hamstring harm.
This needs to be considerably alarming to Raider followers and fantasy house owners alike. Hamstring accidents are one of the burdensome accidents within the league that end in missed enjoying time. A giant purpose for this is because of their excessive reinjury charges, as it’s tough to gauge how wholesome the muscle is in rehab. It seems Waller suffered from one in every of these setbacks as he returned for one apply a number of weeks in the past and instantly missed the subsequent 4 practices.
The Raiders TE was in a position to lastly return to apply final week and, in a little bit of a shock, just isn’t even listed on the staff’s Week 1 harm report. Having the ability to string collectively some full participation practices was key for Waller’s rehab. He’s nonetheless not out of the woods but with the harm, however with him carrying no harm designation into Week 1, it’s important to begin him if in case you have him.
Waller’s lengthy absence with a hamstring pressure is regarding, however he’s a begin when accessible. – START
JK Dobbins (RB) Baltimore Ravens
ACL Tear, Preliminary Damage: 8/28/2021
JK Dobbins has obtained A LOT of hype this offseason, significantly from the fantasy soccer neighborhood. I’m not amongst these merely anticipating Dobbins to come back again and have a tremendous 12 months. I really suppose the Ravens backfield might be a headache for fantasy house owners this season with a very good Oline and secure of succesful RBs. Dobbins suffered not solely an ACL tear but additionally harm to his LCL ligament. Each ligaments serve to stabilize the knee in numerous planes of movement, and multi-ligament accidents are likely to complicate restoration. Extra harm to the knee comes with extra concern for the participant to return to their pre-injury enjoying degree shortly.
There was no timetable set for Dobbins’s return thus far, and he has not seen any dwell motion but. With no preseason or 11-on-11 reps, I discover it exhausting to consider he might be prepared for an enormous workload early within the season. One other indication for Dobbins seeing a lighter workload is the late signing of RB Kenyan Drake. Simply as we witnessed with Saquon Barkley final 12 months, we cannot simply assume these guys will come again and carry out at excessive ranges. Dobbins logged a restricted apply this week, however with no full participation, it’s unlikely he performs Week 1.
With no dwell reps underneath his belt, it’s unlikely Dobbins performs a lot Week 1 if in any respect. – SIT
N’Keal Harry (WR) Chicago Bears
Excessive Ankle Sprain, Preliminary Damage: 8/6/2022
New Chicago WR N’Keal Harry was turning some heads within the offseason along with his new staff. After buying and selling away their WR1 in Allen Robinson, the Bears had been on the lookout for somebody new to step up within the offense. There was optimism that Harry may do exactly that, however this has since modified as he injured his ankle a number of weeks in the past. The harm was a excessive ankle sprain that brought about sufficient harm that tightrope surgical procedure was used to repair the ligaments.
A excessive ankle sprain refers to wreck to the ligaments that maintain collectively your two decrease leg bones. The harm happens above the ankle, and it requires far more restoration time than a typical low ankle sprain. Harry is taking a look at round an eight-week restoration with this harm if there are not any setbacks. Harry has formally been positioned on the injured reserve and can miss a minimum of the primary 4 video games of the season. This leaves the Bears THIN on the talent place; search for Darnell Mooney and Cole Kemet to see a fantasy enhance right here.
Harry is on IR and OUT within the first 4 video games. – SIT
Michael Gallup (WR) Dallas Cowboys
ACL tear, Preliminary Damage: 1/2/2022
The Dallas Cowboys have been hit with some surprising unhealthy information on the harm entrance this low season. After taking some hits to their WR group and Oline, the Cowboys figured they must take care of their WR2 being out to start out the season. Nevertheless, Dallas WR Michael Gallup will not be sidelined so long as initially anticipated. Struggling an ACL tear close to the tip of a season virtually ensures you’ll miss some video games the next 12 months. Whereas I nonetheless suppose he’ll miss a while, the indicators out of Cowboys camp level to this being lower than initially anticipated.
An ACL tear sometimes takes NFL gamers round 11.5 months to totally get well and return to enjoying. Gallup will solely be 8.5 months in his restoration as soon as Week 1 hits. Earlier within the offseason, I used to be anticipating him to overlook a minimum of the primary 4 to 6 video games. It appears Dallas has different concepts, as Gallup has surprisingly been moved off the PUP to start out the season after passing his bodily. He’s nonetheless restricted in apply however appears to be nearer to a return than initially thought. With Amari Cooper shifting on within the offseason, this leaves loads of targets left on an offense with little or no confirmed WR expertise exterior of CeeDee Lamb.
Gallup’s Week 1 availability is unlikely, and I don’t suggest the danger this week. – SIT
Robert Tonyan (TE) Inexperienced Bay Packers
ACL Tear, Preliminary Damage: 10/28/2021
Lastly, some optimistic evaluation for this Week 1 harm replace. Inexperienced Bay TE is a participant I’m really surprisingly excessive on regardless of coming off an ACL tear final season. Tonyan could have 10.5 months of restoration time by the beginning of the season, which is barely lower than common however nonetheless effectively throughout the applicable restoration window. He additionally has not suffered any setbacks in his rehab and is progressing effectively. Getting his first 11-on-11 reps with the starters in apply this week is an enormous step, and he’s trending in the fitting route for Week 1.
Tonyan has begun the week with restricted participation in Wednesday’s apply. The Inexperienced Bay TE has steadily been progressing in his rehab, however his Week 1 availability is unclear at this level. He would wish to log a minimum of one full session in apply to be ok with him beginning Week 1. Coming off the ACL tear, I count on a slower begin for Tonyan and for him to select it up by Week 4 or 5.
Tonyan could also be accessible to play this week, however I’m anticipating a sluggish begin for him. – SIT
Zach Wilson (QB) New York Jets
Bone Bruise, Damage Date: 8/12/2022
The younger New York Jets QB gave each fan and fantasy proprietor a scare this preseason. After taking place awkwardly after making a lower whereas scrambling, the web took over and assumed the worst. Thankfully for Wilson, he solely suffered a bone bruise and meniscus tear in his knee and never an ACL tear. He had surgical procedure to take away the injured a part of his meniscus and has to present his bone time to heal from the bruise.
The restoration window offered by the staff was 4 to 6 weeks. After some preliminary optimism on the possibilities Wilson begins Week 1, it seems that the ship has sailed. Head coach Robert Saleh has formally dominated out QB Zach Wilson for this week, and Week 4 seems to be like the brand new goal date. This leaves backup QB Joe Flacco in line for the beginning towards his previous groups.
Wilson is OUT Week 1; insert Flacco’s revenge recreation. – SIT
Robert Woods (WR) Tennessee Titans
ACL Tear, Preliminary Damage: 11/3/2021
To wrap up this Week 1 harm report, former Los Angeles Rams WR Robert Woods injured his knee in apply in the course of final season. The harm was shortly confirmed to be an ACL tear and finally ended his Rams profession. Woods is now a member of the Tennessee Titans and is on the lookout for a recent begin. The chance for the brand new Titans WR will undoubtedly be there as Tennessee parted methods with each Julio Jones and AJ Brown this offseason.
Robert Woods presents an attention-grabbing case that can have an effect on your fantasy soccer danger tolerance. On the plus aspect, the goal quantity needs to be there as a wholesome Woods is a transparent WR1 in Tennessee. Nevertheless, for the reason that harm occurred in November, Woods will probably not be 100% to start out the season. I initially was far more skeptical about Woods coming into the 12 months, however his apply participation has modified this some.
Woods has been an energetic participant in fall camp and even had some restricted practices in Could OTAs. This gradual ramp-up in actions with no setbacks was solidified by his participation within the staff’s final preseason recreation. Now he didn’t get a ton of enjoying time, however the truth the staff felt ok for him to be on the market says quite a bit about his well being standing. I really suppose Woods could also be one of many few gamers coming off a significant harm to take an opportunity on this fantasy soccer season.
Woods just isn’t on the harm report this week and is predicted to be a full go. – START
Suspensions:
A fast reminder of the influence of Fantasy Soccer gamers who might be suspended throughout the 2022 NFL season.
Deandre Hopkins (WR) Arizona Cardinals – 6 video games
Calvin Ridley (WR) Atlanta Falcons – 17 video games
Deshaun Watson (QB) Cleveland Browns – 11 video games
