Finally, it is here. Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season is upon us. We all have freshly drafted fantasy football teams set to take us to a championship. Of course, things aren't that easy and your fantasy football lineups won't always go according to plan. One factor to account for is NFL injuries. To begin the season, things are likely at their calmest when it comes to the NFL Week 1 injury report – but we don’t want to jinx ourselves. The notable NFL injury updates for Week 1 are headlined by Cooper Kupp, Joe Burrow, and George Kittle all being in danger of missing this week's games. We can feel more optimistic about some of the latest NFL injury news than others, but be sure to update your Week 1 fantasy football rankings and NFL projections either way. Now that your fantasy football drafts are in the books, it's time to focus on important Week 1 start/sit lineup decisions and fantasy football advice surrounding some injured players. It all starts with the NFL injury report as you set Week 1 fantasy football lineups. 

 

Fantasy Football Injury Report

Updated: September 8

Week 1 NFL Injury Report for Quarterbacks

Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals (Calf)

Prior to signing a monster contract extension, Joe Burrow practiced in full on Wednesday. At this point, we can move forward with Burrow as planned for Week 1. This is also a plus for Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and all of Cincinnati’s skill players.

Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals (Knee)

The hope is that no one was planning to rely on Murray to begin the season. For clarity, Murray appears to be set to start the year on the PUP list as he recovers from last year's torn ACL. So, we can move forward for the first month of the season at a minimum. If you are truly desperate in two-quarterback leagues, then Joshua Dobbs or Clayton Tune could have some value once we know who will start for the Cardinals. Things will be tough for Marquise Brown, and while the volume will be there for John Conner, it might be hard to find room to run.

Week 1 NFL Injury Report for Running Backs

Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts

It has not been a smooth off-season for Jonathan Taylor, and fantasy managers that drafted early in the summer will be without their running back for the first four games after being placed on the PUP list. At this point, it still appears that Taylor will be back after the four games, but it remains unclear which jersey he will be wearing. 

Breece Hall, New York Jets (Knee)

To say there is a lot going on in the Jets offense would be an understatement. With Aaron Rodgers under center, they now have a true passing game. Additionally, between Breece Hall and Dalvin Cook, New York has a deep backfield. With Hall returning from injury, the Jets are going to be cautious and it also remains to be seen how the workload will be divided. On Thursday, Hall was still limited in practice, so at this point, if you have other options, I would err on the side of caution as it does not look great for Hall to have a full role on Monday. The other issue is that the Jets don’t play until Monday, so there won’t be any pivots available if unfavorable news breaks. 

Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks (Groin)

For those fantasy managers relying on Kenneth Walker this season, it was not a good sign to see him limited in practice on Thursday with a groin injury. It appears to be sticking around for Training Camp, so it is possible that there is nothing to worry about, but if he is unable to go, it could be a big debut for Zach Charbonnet.

De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins (Shoulder)

There is always some level of unknown with rookies, but there is no disputing De’Von Achane’s speed. Seeing Jeff Wilson placed on Injured Reserve means Achane moves right behind Raheem Mostert on the depth chart, so it is good news that the rookie practiced in full on Wednesday. Achane could be in line for some significant work and production, especially in PPR leagues. 

Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts (Arm)

This is going to be a situation to watch leading all the way up to kick off. Whether or not we really should be watching it might be a different story though. For two straight days, Zack Moss has practiced on a limited basis, and that included taking contact on Thursday. While it might appear that he is trending towards playing, Deon Jackson and Evan Hull will both in the mix as well. 

Kendre Miller, New Orleans Saints (Hamstring)

With Alvin Kamara suspended for the first three games of the season, there are opportunities to be found in New Orleans’ backfield. With that being said, it is not good news for Kendre Miller that the rookie was unable to practice Thursday as he deals with a hamstring injury. While Jamal Williams is going to have a large role, Miller was expected to fill the pass catching and third-down role. 

Cordarrelle Patterson, Atlanta Falcons

After practicing, albeit on a limited basis Wednesday and Thursday, Cordarelle Patterson is trending towards being available on Sunday. The problem though, is that Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier are both ahead of him on the depth chart, and that means limited fantasy value. 

Trayveon Williams & Chris Evans, Cincinnati Bengals

Chris Evans was back in practice on Monday, and that is a favorable sign for his Week 1 status. From a fantasy perspective, this is more for deeper leagues, and is only on our radar with Evans in line to replace Samaje Perine’s role in the offense behind Joe Mixon. Trayveon Williams is also in line for a similar role and appears to be ready to go for the start of the season after no longer being listed on the Injury Report. This could be a situation worth monitoring now that all parties are healthy.  

Week 1 NFL Injury Report for Wide Receivers

Cooper Kupp, Los Angeles Rams (Hamstring)

Cooper Kupp and his hamstring are likely to loom over this Injury Report for the next few weeks. We know that Kupp will not be on the field for Week 1, hello Van Jefferson, but beyond that, his timetable to return is unclear. It does appear though, that we are looking at a multi-week absence. 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks (Wrist)

Talk about progress. After having surgery on his wrist about two weeks ago, the rookie was already back in practice on Monday. Jaxon Smith-Njigba practiced in full on Wednesday, so he is ready to go as the third receiver behind D.J. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but it remains to be seen what his role will be in Seattle’s offense. 

Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders (Toe)

After previously dealing with turf toe in the preseason, Terry McLaurin practiced in full once again on Thursday. At this point, we can comfortably move forward with McLaurin for Week 1 in a good matchup against Arizona as one of Sam Howell’s main weapons. 

Jerry Jeudy, Denver Broncos (Hamstring)

While we thought Jeudy wouldn’t be ready to go for Week 1, it appears that he still might have a chance of taking the field. In each of the last two days, Jeudy has been limited in practice, and it is unclear how much more progress he needs to make to be active for Week 1. Even if that is the case, it is possible he begins the season in a limited role. That means Courtland Sutton will be busy with Tim Patrick also out for the season while Marvin Mims takes on a larger role in his NFL debut.

Marquise Brown, Arizona Cardinals (Hamstring)

While we may have trust issues in Arizona’s offense with Joshua Dobbs under center, someone has to catch a few passes. I’m not sure how many there will be to go around, but Marquise Brown figures to get the majority of targets. He has been practicing on a limited basis, so the thought is that he is ramping up towards Sunday. If he is unable to go, then Rondale Moore gains value. 

Christian Watson, Green Bay Packers (Hamstring)

Heading into year two, we are looking for Christian Watson to take on a large role in Green Bay’s offense. With that being said, it is concerning that Watson has yet to practice this week, and at this point, alternate arrangements should be prepared. 

Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (Hamstring)

With Watson not practicing, the good news for Romeo Doubs is that his hamstring injury did not prevent him from practicing, albeit limited, on Thursday. The expectation is that Doubs will be ready to go on Sunday, and if his teammate isn’t, he could be very busy.

DeVante Parker, New England Patriots (Knee)

While Patriots’ players are always tough to figure, the good news is that DeVante Parker continues to practice on a limited basis and appears to be ready to go for Week 1.

JuJu Smith-Schuster, New England Patriots (Knee)

While JuJu Smith-Schuster’s knee appears to be a chronic situation to continue monitoring, the good news is that there are no immediate concerns as we enter Week 1. 

Adam Thielen, Carolina Panthers (Ankle)

After a limited practice on Wednesday, Adam Thielen sat out practice on Thursday. That is not the direction we want to trend in, at the Carolina wide receiver situation could be something to keep a close eye on leading up to Bryce Young’s debut. Ultimately, fellow rookie Jonathan Mingo could be very busy on Sunday.

DJ Chark, Carolina Panthers (Hamstring)

After not practicing on Thursday, DJ Chark’s debut in Carolina uniform appears to be in jeopardy. This late in the week, a DNP is not going to generate much optimism, but Chark is more of a fringe fantasy option. 

Terrace Marshall, Carolina Panthers (Back)

With Thielen and Chark not practicing on Thursday, Terrace Marshall could be in a great spot for Sunday. After having limited reps each of the last two days in practice, Marshall not only is trending towards playing, but also towards being very busy. 

John Metchie, Houston Texans (Hamstring)

It is hard to feel confident about CJ Stroud and the Texans going into Baltimore, but someone needs to catch passes from the rookie. John Metchie appeared to be in line for some volume, so it is troubling to see him miss another practice with a hamstring injury. That means we truly could be looking at the Nico Collins show for any available targets with Robert Woods potentially involved. 

Odell Beckham, Baltimore Ravens (Ankle)

After practicing in full on Wednesday, it was troubling to see Odell Beckham added to the Injury Report on Thursday with an ankle injury. He was limited in practice and this is something we will need to keep an eye on as late additions to the Injury Report are never a good thing. 

Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants (Knee)

Wan’Dale Robinson showed flashes last season before tearing his ACL, and he has been making good progress in his return, but the Giants are rightfully taking things slow. It remains to be seen whether he will be active for Sunday’s game, but even if he is, it likely will be in a limited role.

Week 1 NFL Injury Report for Tight Ends

Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens

After missing six straight practices, it was tough to feel great about Mark Andrews. The good news though, is that Andrews is back in practice, even if it is on a limited basis. This appears to be a situation we are going to have to deal with at least for the next few weeks. Andrews appears to be trending in the right direction and will be active on Sunday, but a contingency plan should be prepared just in case with Isaiah Likely potentially in line for a larger role.

https://www.rotowire.com/football/player/mark-andrews-12559

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers (Groin)

After dealing with an adductor strain, George Kittle now has two straight days of practicing on a limited basis., At this point he is trending towards playing on Sunday. While we still need to stay tuned, things are moving in the right direction.

Logan Thomas, Washington Commanders (Calf)

Despite being a non-factor this pre-season while dealing with a calf injury, Logan Thomas is ready to go for the start of the season after not being listed on the Injury Report. With that being said, he is likely a peg down in the target hierarchy so the fantasy value is likely minimal in most leagues. 

Zach Ertz, Arizona Cardinals (Knee)

As he continues to work back from last year’s season ending knee injury, Zach Ertz is practicing on a limited basis. It remains to be seen how the work will be divided between Ertz and Trey McBride, but if the former is eased into action, McBride could get off to a strong start to the season. 

 

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