Welcome to Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season. Just because there haven’t been any preseason games in the past week doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of teams dealing with injury issues that could carry into the regular season. Some big names are still uncertain for Week 1, some have already been ruled in, and some have been ruled out. Let’s take a look at all the injuries across the league so we can get a clear sense of where we’re going with our fantasy football lineups.

 

 


 

NFL Quarterback Injury Report

Zach Wilson, NYJ - Knee

UPDATE: 9/7 4:20 pm EST - After reports flooded in about Zach Wilson almost being ready to rock for Week 1, he's now potentially missing the first four games of the year. Doesn't seem like he was ever close to playing Week 1 now does it? Preseason coach speak had us there.

 

As the season is set to get underway, it’s wild to think that Zach Wilson may actually suit up for Week 1. Wilson, who worked out today, is still dealing with a meniscus tear as well as a bone bruise, but head coach Robert Salah said there is a chance Wilson WILL start in Week 1. That decision will come on Wednesday, so be on the lookout there.


 

NFL Running Back Injury Report

J.K. Dobbins, BAL - Knee

The question all along has been “will J.K. Dobbins be ready for Week 1” and we still don’t have anything definitive at this point. We do know that the next few days of practice will be crucial and depending on how he looks will determine his status. 

 

Miles Sanders, PHI - Hamstring

It was 20 straight days that the oft-injured Miles Sanders was away from practice but he returned late last week and looks to be all systems go for Week 1. Sanders projects to be the lead back in a system that features a three-headed monster and a quarterback that isn’t afraid to tuck the ball and run as well.

 

James Robinson, JAX - Achilles

From tearing your Achilles in Week 16 to playing in Week 1 of the following season feels unthinkable, yet, here we are and James Robinson WILL be playing the first game of the year for Jacksonville. If you don’t believe me, listen to head coach Doug Pederson himself!


Kenneth Walker III, SEA - Abdomen

Maybe because the Seahawks have that extra day considering they’re playing on Monday night, Kenneth Walker III could suit up. He has reportedly healed fast from the surgery he had on his hernia that kept him sidelined through all of his team's preseason games. Even if he does suit up, which is still a possibility, the limited reps he’s had with his team gives Rashaad Penny a massive leg up on the Week 1 workload.


Ty Montgomery, NE - Ankle

UPDATE: 9/7 4:20 pm EST - After Montgomery was injured during the teams final preseason game, there was talk that he could hit the injured list, but after seeing him practice in full on Wednesday, that theory seems to be out the window. Montgomery should be good to go for Week 1 barring any setbacks.

We’re not totally sure what the official word will be on Ty Montgomery as we approach Week 1 of the NFL season, but according to Mike Reiss of ESPN, Montgomery likely lands on injured reserve. Montgomery made the team out of camp and is expected to fill the James White role as the third-down, pass-catching back. Montgomery has served as a receiver and a running back during his career, so that sounds like a very comfortable role for him when he does suit up for the Pats.

 

Chase Edmonds, MIA - Groin

UPDATE: 9/7 4:20 pm EST - Chase Edmonds showing up on the injury report is a bit of a surprise. The Dolphins cut Sony Michel during roster cuts last week, paving the way to Edmonds SZN, but now a groin ailment kept him limited on Wednesday. There's nothing suggesting he won't play in Week 1 at this point, however.

 

 

 

NFL Wide Receiver Injury Report

Chris Godwin, TB - Knee

There are multiple sides to the Chris Godwin coin we have to flip. First, Chris Godwin was seen practicing without a knee brace on Monday.

That being said, Godwin was still wearing a non-contact jersey, which suggests he may not be ready for Week 1 if he can’t taste hits at practice.

Either way you’re looking at it, Godwin is very close to a return and his talent doesn’t exactly match his ADP.

 

Deebo Samuel, SF - Knee

Take a seat and just take a big sigh of relief because Deebo Samuel returned to practice on Monday. All systems go for Samuel entering Week 1 barring any setbacks.

 

Tee Higgins, CIN - Shoulder

After playing through a torn labrum in 2021, Tee Higgins had off-season shoulder surgery. He was seen back at practice on Monday as the season kicks off this week. What a great sign as Higgins looks to take another monster leap this year.


Michael Thomas, NO - Hamstring

UPDATE: 9/7 4:20 pm EST - Well, it took a couple of days, but the Saints got their WR1 back at practice on Wednesday, which is a great sign Michael Thomas will be suiting up for Week 1. If and when he's ruled in, we need to find out if there are any limitations to follow. 

We haven’t heard anything new on Michael Thomas this week, but late last week we heard that we should expect to see Thomas in Week 1.

He’s been sidelined by a hamstring injury for some time, but we haven’t had much to go on about the severity of it. With how injured the past couple of seasons have been for Thomas, even if he is active for Week 1, we should try finding out if there will be some sort of “pitch count” with his snaps.


Diontae Johnson, PIT - Shoulder

UPDATE: 9/7, 4:20 pm EST - There still hasn't been anything out of Steelers camp that suggests Johnson won't play Week 1, but he limited in practice on Wednesday.

It seemed like head coach Mike Tomlin wasn’t concerned about Diontae Johnson’s status heading into Week 1 when he was last asked about it. Johnson was seen at practice off to the side as he works his way back from the shoulder injury.


Jaylen Waddle, MIA - Lower Body

There has really been little to nothing about Jaylen Waddle other than the fact that we were told he’d be OK before the season. I guess the Dolphins coaching staff weren’t lying as Waddle returned to practice on Monday. 

 

Drake London, ATL - Knee

The Falcons got the best news they possibly could on Monday as Drake London returned to practice. They’re hopeful he can play Week 1, but head coach Arthur Smith said “we’ll see what he looks like” so nothing official yet.

 

Kadarius Toney, NYG - Leg

It looks like it’s all systems go for Kadarius Toney as he’s battled through injuries the entire preseason. He’s battled through injuries since being drafted, but as of Week 1, he’s healthy and ready to go.

 

Michael Gallup, DAL - Knee

Although Michael Gallup has been ruled out for Week 1, it’s not all bad news. He wasn’t placed on injured reserve, leaving a return available before Week 5. Head coach Mike McCarthy stated that Gallup has hit all his milestones and looks really good as he returns from his January ACL tear. We should see Gallup sooner rather than later.

 

Jakobi Meyers, NE - Leg

We weren’t sure what Jakobi Meyers’ injury was when he left the Patriots final preseason game, but he was spotted during practice wearing a leg sleeve. Something he doesn’t normally wear.

It’s also interesting to note that the Patriots signed Laquon Treadwell, which is interesting considering Meyers has been reportedly practicing on a limited basis.

 

Van Jefferson, LAR - Knee

UPDATE: 9/7 4:20 pm EST - The official word on Jefferson's status has come down; he has been ruled out for Week 1 as he continues to work his way back from knee surgery.

The first injury report of the year has been released for the Rams and bad news, Van Jefferson was listed as a DNP on Monday. It’ll be a quick turnaround for Jefferson considering the Rams play their first game of the year on Thursday night. Monitor the practice reports the next couple of days, but his Week 1 status is bleak at best.

 

Allen Lazard, GB - Undisclosed

We’re unsure what Allen Lazard is sidelined with, but it’s serious enough that his Week 1 status is in the air. Lazard enters the season with the opportunity to be the Packers WR1 to start the campaign, but this would be less than ideal for the oft-injured wide receiver.

 

Sterling Shepard. NYG - Achilles

We don’t know when Sterling Shepard will return to the field, but we do know he is close. The Giants activated Shepard from injured reserve and he has been practicing with the team, but expectations are he’s not ready for Week 1.

 

Rondale Moore, ARI - Undisclosed

There was concern with Rondale Moore not practicing last week and everyone was hoping his absence wasn’t due to anything serious and then he stepped onto the practice field on Monday and all concern was gone.

 

Christian Watson, GB - Knee

The Packers rookie receiver looks like he’s going to be ready for Week 1, at least that’s the plan and what head coach Matt LeFleur is hoping. If you want to know Aaron Rodgers thoughts on their second-round draft pick this year, here’s a listen;

 

Byron Pringle, CHI - Quadriceps

We saw Byron Pringle return to practice on Monday, all but assuring is he’ll be available for Week 1 barring any setbacks.

 

Velus Jones, CHI - Undisclosed

Just like Byron Pringle before him, Velus Jones returned to practice on Monday and that solidifies his status for the Bears’ Week 1 game.

After resting his hamstring for the past couple of weeks, Russell Gage has been at practice since last week and looks primed and ready to roll for the 2022 season.

 

NFL Tight End Injury Report

George Kittle, SF - Groin

UPDATE: 9/7 4:20 pm EST - In a surprising turn of events, George Kittle missed practice on Wednesday due to a groin injury suffered on Monday. We still have a few days before the 49ers lace up their cleats for Week 1, but this is something that possibly could keep him from joining his teammates. Monitor the practice reports for the rest of the week.

 

Zach Ertz, ARI - Calf

UPDATE: 9/7 4:20 pm EST - Ertz returned to the practice field on Wednesday and has officially been listed as a game-time decision for Week 1.

Zach Ertz has officially been listed as “day-to-day” and Wednesday will be a big day to tell where he is and if he’s going to suit up for Week 1.

It is worth noting that head coach Kliff Kingsbury said DeAndre Hopkins was “day-to-day” just last year and he missed an entire month of football. Thanks to @FBInjuryDoc on Twitter for pointing that fact out.

 

Albert Okwegbunam, DEN - Lower Body

Broncos tight end Albert Okwegbunam was asked about being held out of the Broncos' final preseason game and said he had a lower body issue, one which he said he could’ve played through if it were the regular season.
 

Logan Thomas, WAS - Knee

We could actually see Logan Thomas suit up in Week 1. There has been no official decision on his Week 1 status as he comes back from his ACL tear. It doesn’t sound likely he’ll be available, but it’s a possibility.

Whether he plays or not, he’s VERY close to a return. Great news for fantasy owners.

 

Irv Smith Jr., MIN - Thumb

Just look at the quote below from head coach Kevin O’Connell on his feelings about Irv Smith Jr. heading into Week 1. Could it finally be Irv Smith Jr. SZN?


 

Daniel Bellinger, NYG - Concussion

It’s been an offseason full of injuries for the Giants' rookie tight end, but that hasn’t stopped them from listing Daniel Bellinger as their TE1. After being activated off PUP for a quad injury, he suffered a concussion. That said, he was seen at practice last week and that’s a good sign he’ll be cleared from protocol by the time Sunday’s Week 1 game rolls around.

 

Pharaoh Brown, TE - Quadriceps

It was noteworthy when the Texans signed O.J. Howard while Pharaoh Brown was injured because that made us question how serious Brown’s injury was. Well, that was put to rest when we saw Brown at practice on Monday. He should be good to go for Week 1.

 


 

 

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