Fantasy football training camp injuries you should know about before drafting in 2024
There are a few non-championship sports holidays that everyone should celebrate with great passion. You have MLB Opening Day. There's also, of course, Week 1 of the NFL season. Now, let me be the first to denote the fantasy football draft season, which is officially in full swing.
What would we be if we didn't commemorate this lovely time of year during the dog days of summer?
But there's always a necessary amount of precaution one should take before starting any fantasy football draft. For one, you have to know if a player you're going to take is injured. That, or if their situation might be complicated by someone else's injury. No one wants to overzealously draft a potential bust because they didn't keep track of everyone's health.
It's the worst feeling in the world. Believe me.
With that in mind, as the 2024 NFL preseason unfolds, we'll keep track of every notable injury you should know before drafting in fantasy football. And yes, we'll keep updating this as more news rolls in.
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
The rookie out of Purdue was climbing up the sleeper rankings when he was carted off of the turf on August 13. Trainers reportedly put an aircast on his right left. The tailback was expected to help pick up some slack after Saquon Barkley left for the Philadelphia Eagles.
WR Marquise Brown, Kansas City Chiefs
A rough start for the Hollywood Era in Kansas City. Brown suffered sternoclavicular joint dislocation in the Chiefs' first preseason game on August 10. He's expected to miss a few weeks. Tyreek Hill missed four games with a similar injury in 2019.
#Chiefs WR Marquise “Hollywood” Brown is expected to miss four to six weeks with the sternoclavicular injury he suffered, per multiple sources. Opening night is three weeks from this Thursday night.
KC opens up at home vs Baltimore and then Cincinnati. pic.twitter.com/0lUx5mDfUP— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) August 13, 2024
QB J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
The No. 10 overall pick and national championship-winning QB from Michigan saw his rookie season derailed on August 13, as the Vikings announced he'll undergo surgery on his right knee to repair a torn meniscus. There's no timetable for his return.
WR DeAndre Hopkins, Tennessee Titans
Hopkins has a knee injury and will miss at least 4-6 weeks, according to Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky. That puts his regular season debut in doubt, at minimum. And his absence would be a big hit to anyone actually leaning on players like Will Levis.
OG Nate Davis, Chicago Bears
Yes, you're not going to draft a guard in fantasy, but Davis' ongoing questionable injury status during training camp potentially throws any Bears offensive skill players into flux. That means Caleb Williams, D.J. Moore, Keenan Allen, and Rome Odunze. Just be wary that the Chicago offensive line is not exactly a strong unit overall, especially without a starting guard on paper.
WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Nacua is "week to week" with a knee injury, which Sean McVay characterized as a burst bursa sac. That's not the biggest deal per se, but Nacua and Matthew Stafford managers should be wary.
WR Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers
If Brandon Aiyuk really does leave the Bay Area, Pearsall is an easy candidate to try and fill the All-Pro's role. Well, he's currently dealing with a shoulder injury in his all-important rookie training camp. Anyone still drafting Pearsall (or quarterback Brock Purdy) -- watch out.
WR Rondale Moore, Atlanta Falcons
An expected explosive weapon for the new-look Falcons, Moore will now miss the 2024 season with a knee injury. It's not necessarily a backbreaker for Kirk Cousins and Co. but still ... oof.
WR Kendrick Bourne, New England Patriots
We're not entirely sure why anyone would draft a Patriots offensive player in 2024, but Bourne is expected to be one of rookie Drake Maye's top targets. For the time being, he's on the PUP list as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered halfway through last season.
TE T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
A Pro Bowl-caliber tight end at his best, Hockenson is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season. He's ahead of schedule but has no timeline for a return yet. Anyone who manages Sam Darnold or J.J. McCarthy should be careful and operate accordingly.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Fantasy football training camp injuries you should know about before drafting in 2024
