Fantasy Football Injuries: Week 2

People say fantasy football is 80-percent luck and 20-percent expertise, or some percentage close to that. Most fantasy football players deem themselves, experts, after winning a handful of championships among friends. But not even the fantasy experts could have predicted the injury reports thus far.

This season is very different than past seasons because we are in a global pandemic but also because the NFL didn’t play any preseason games. Those semi-meaningless games are good for players to get some reps and get their bodies ready for the regular season. It’s a tune-up after a long offseason with minimal activity as a team.

This season has started off with a lot of injuries — some in-game and some lingering, existing injuries, leaving a number of you fantasy owners scrambling ahead of Week 2.

Fantasy Football Injuries: Week 2

*All rankings based on Sleeper PPR format after Week 1

There are three key players on the Injured Reserve and one star player doubtful after Week 1.

Dallas starting tight end Blake Jarwin, ranked 43rd in his position, and Indianapolis starting running back Marlon Mack, ranked 37th, are both done for the season — Jarwin with a torn ACL in the right knee and Mack with a torn Achilles tendon.

New York Jets starting running back Le’Veon Bell, ranked 47th, was placed on the Injured Reserve with a hamstring injury and the team hopes he will return by their Week 5 matchup against Arizona at home.

New Orleans Saints star wide receiver Michael Thomas, ranked 81st in his position, is battling a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss a few weeks but hasn’t been placed on IR. It’s not wise to expect him to play on Monday Night in Las Vegas. The report on if he practices or if he travels with the team will give owners a better idea of his status.

There are a number of players currently listed as questionable. Some injuries are more serious than others, but these players are the ones you have to look out for down the line.

The 49ers star tight end George Kittle, ranked 17th in his position, has a knee sprain, and will be a game-time decision against the Jets on Sunday.

Detroit Lions starting receiver Kenny Golladay is questionable with a hamstring injury and owners need to pay close attention to his status before Week 2’s game at Green Bay since he missed the last game.

Philadelphia Eagles starting running back Miles Sanders has a hamstring injury that kept him out of Week 1 and will be reevaluated before Week 2’s home game against the Rams. As of Thursday, he is likely to be a go.

Denver Broncos starting wide receiver Courtland Sutton is questionable with a shoulder injury that kept him out for Week 1 and he is a game-time decision for their next game in Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh Steelers starting running back James Conner, ranked 60th, injured his ankle during their first game and a timetable for his return is unknown at the moment. Head Coach Mike Tomlin is staying optimistic about Conner’s return but after being plagued with injuries last season, they may decide to be cautious.

Miami Dolphins starting wide receiver DeVante Parker, ranked 53th, has a hamstring injury that is up in the air at the moment. He was limited before the last game and will likely be a game-time decision before their home game against the Bills.

New York Giants No. 2 wide receiver Golden Tate is questionable with a hamstring injury that sidelined him last game and limited him in practice. Owners should keep a close eye if they are depending on his play.

Denver Broncos backup running back Phillip Lindsay is sidelined with turf toe and his timetable for a return is unknown. He is getting a second opinion soon and Head Coach Vic Fangio didn’t give much of an update on him when he was talking to the media.

Houston Texans starting wide receiver Brandin Cooks, ranked 89th, injured his quad in Week 1, and will be a game-time decision for Week 2’s home game against the Ravens.

The Texans backup running back Duke Johnson, ranked 77th, injured his ankle early in the game and didn’t practice with the team. Owners should keep him on the bench because he is a game-time decision.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers starting wide receiver Chris Godwin, ranked 28th, missed practice on Wednesday. He was entering into concussion protocol after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit in their loss against the Saints on Sunday. He isn’t listed as questionable so he shouldn’t miss Sunday’s home game against the Panthers.

The list of injured players is only those in the top half of their position rankings and does not include injuries on the offensive line or on the defensive side.

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