Fantasy Football Injury Reports (Preseason Updates): Christian McCaffrey, Tyreek Hill, Puka Nacua, Jaylen Waddle, MarShawn Lloyd, Elijah Mitchell, and more

We're less than one week away from the start of the 2024 NFL regular season, meaning it's time to finish up fantasy football drafts and make Week 1 start-or-sit decisions.

Our preseason injury updates and reports as of Friday, August 30, 2024, will give you the latest updates on key players, including Christian McCaffrey, Tyreek Hill, Puka Nacua, Jaylen Waddle, MarShawn Lloyd, Elijah Mitchell, and more. Unfortunately, injuries impact fantasy football decisions even before the season starts, so it's important to stay in the know and monitor the latest injury updates around the league.

To keep close tabs on all of the news across the NFL, make sure to favorite or bookmark the fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts on all the latest news.

• Quarterback fantasy football rankings
• Running back fantasy football rankings
• Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
• Tight end fantasy football rankings
• Kicker fantasy football rankings
• FLEX fantasy football rankings
• Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
• Superflex fantasy football rankings
• IDP fantasy football rankings
• Dynasty fantasy football rankings

Christian McCaffrey Injury Update

There was still no sign of San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey (calf) at the start of practice on Thursday. It's not overly surprising to hear McCaffrey is still sidelined by his strained calf, but it's still noteworthy he hasn't fully participated in practice since early August.

Still no sight of Brandon Aiyuk or Christian McCaffrey at the start of #49ers practice on Thursday

— Jennifer Lee Chan - threads @jenniferleechan (@jenniferleechan) August 29, 2024

There's no reason to believe that fantasy's consensus No. 1 overall pick is in any real danger of missing the regular-season opener next Monday night against the visiting New York Jets, but he'll need to return to practice at some point next week to restore a full level of confidence in that.

With Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) undergoing season-ending surgery, it makes a lot of sense to stash Jordan Mason in all settings just to be safe until CMC is in the clear for Week 1.

Tyreek Hill Injury Update

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (thumb) remained sidelined during Thursday's practice, according to David Furones of the Sun Sentinel. Hill has been wearing a brace on his right hand for the past few weeks, but Head Coach Mike McDaniel stressed that the star wideout could practice if needed.

Tyreek Hill, Jalen Ramsey, Aaron Brewer, Jaylen Wright, Calais Campbell, Quinton Bell not seen practicing for Dolphins on Thursday.

Jaylen Waddle, Tanner Conner in red jerseys.

— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) August 29, 2024

While the 30-year-old has yet to return to complete practice activities, fantasy managers should not be overly concerned with the superstar's status. The Dolphins will lean on the side of caution to ensure that Hill is ready for their season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars in just over a week.

Last season, Hill eclipsed the 1,700-yard mark for the second straight year while scoring 13 touchdowns. Given his elite speed and consistency, Hill remains a safe pick at the top of all fantasy drafts.

Puka Nacua Injury Update

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) was a full participant in practice Thursday, and he is "ready to roll," according to head coach Sean McVay. The sophomore wideout suffered a knee injury earlier this month but has avoided a significant injury and should be ready to suit up for next week's season opener.

Sean McVay says Puka Nacua is practicing fully.

“He’ll be ready to roll.”

— Stu Jackson (@StuJRams) August 29, 2024

Last season, the former fifth-round selection had 1,486 yards, which was the fourth-highest at his position. He also caught 105 passes and scored six touchdowns. The 23-year-old was very impressive down the stretch, as he scored the third-most PPR points from Weeks 13-17 among wideouts.

Nacua will be a popular pick toward the back half of the first round in all remaining drafts, as he should finish near the top among all pass-catchers this coming season.

Jaylen Waddle Injury Update

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (undisclosed) was seen in a non-contact practice jersey again on Wednesday afternoon. The Alabama product was seen wearing the same jersey earlier this week as he is being slowly eased back into game action.

The 25-year-old has been dealing with a lingering undisclosed injury for most of August now, but it is promising to see the wideout on the field, albeit in a non-contact setting.

Jaylen Waddle and Tanner Conner were in red jerseys. Jevon Holland was out there, but he and Waddle went indoors early in drills. https://t.co/Q8ZVQKqDzo

— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) August 28, 2024

Fantasy managers should continue to pay close attention to Waddle's status, as he could be a full participant in the coming days. Waddle signed a massive $84.75 extension earlier this offseason after posting his third-straight 1,000-yard campaign last season.

Even though he battled numerous injuries last season, he remains a top option at the wide receiver position given his big-play ability with a strong 73.6 air yards per game and a 2.88 average yards per route run.

MarShawn Lloyd Injury Update

Green Bay Packers rookie running back MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring) avoided starting his rookie on Injured Reserve and has made the 53-man roster. Meanwhile, running back AJ Dillon (neck) landed on IR and will miss the entire 2024 season. This is a pretty big turn of events for Green Bay's backfield, as it was initially expected that Lloyd was going to miss at least the first four weeks of the season.

Packers announce their initial 53:

- Greg Joseph makes the team

- MarShawn Lloyd makes it while AJ Dillon's season is over

- Malik Heath and Bo Melton in, Grant DuBose out

- Tyler Davis to season-ending IR

- Arron Mosby makes the team

- Kalen King released

- Anthony…

— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 27, 2024

The 23-year-old third-rounder could still be eased in to begin his first year in the NFL, but this news makes him a much more intriguing late-round flier in upcoming fantasy drafts, especially if you select starter Josh Jacobs.

When healthy, Lloyd will compete with Emanuel Wilson for a change-of-pace role behind Jacobs, but Lloyd is fully expected to be Green Bay's No. 2 by the end of the year. He missed most of training camp and the preseason with hip and hamstring ailments.

Elijah Mitchell Injury Update

The San Francisco 49ers placed running back Elijah Mitchell (hamstring) on Injured Reserve on Tuesday, and his 2024 season is over. Mitchell, who was projected as the team's RB2, has dealt with injury problems throughout his career, having never played more than 11 games in a year.

The #49ers:
— Activated S Talanoa Hufanga from PUP, but will ease him back.
— Placed DL Kalia Davis on IR/to return, while placing RB Elijah Mitchell on IR without a return designation. His season is over. https://t.co/dk88YZM7Er

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 27, 2024

Jordan Mason is now expected to be the 49ers' RB2 behind Christian McCaffrey (calf) with Mitchell sidelined. Rookie Isaac Guerendo and Patrick Taylor Jr. will also see an uptick in playing time behind McCaffrey and Mason, with Mitchell now done for the year.

Brock Bowers Injury Update

Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce said he feels very good about rookie first-round tight end Brock Bowers (foot) being on the field for the Week 1 regular-season opener against the division-rival Los Angeles Chargers.

The Raiders are just being cautious with the rookie. Bowers hasn't practiced with the team since he missed the preseason game on Aug. 18 against the Dallas Cowboys due to foot soreness.

.@Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said he feels very good about Brock Bowers being on the field for the season opener. Raiders are just being prudent with their rookie tight end

— Vincent Bonsignore (@VinnyBonsignore) August 29, 2024

It's a bit concerning that the 21-year-old is missing valuable practice reps with starting quarterback Gardner Minshew II with the regular season quickly approaching, but it sounds like the Georgia product will be on the field in Week 1.

Fantasy managers shouldn't be expecting Bowers to be as good as Sam LaPorta was in his rookie season last year, but he has the ability to be a TE1 in fantasy immediately.

Dallas Goedert Injury Update

Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (oblique) was not practicing again on Thursday. Goedert continues to manage an oblique injury that he sustained toward the end of training camp, and he has eight days to recover in order to be ready for the regular-season opener against the Green Bay Packers next Friday.

Same for Goedert today https://t.co/F3Z5YOG7Ww

— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) August 29, 2024

The 29-year-old veteran tight end has settled into backend TE1 territory for fantasy managers, but he should be close to an every-down player in a juggernaut of an offense in Philadelphia in 2024. Grant Calcaterra would function as the Eagles' primary TE if Goedert's absence extends into Week 1, but that seems unlikely at the moment.

Brandin Cooks Injury Update

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) remained sidelined during the portion of practice that was open to the media, according to John Machota of The Athletic. Head coach Mike McCarthy expressed earlier in the week that the veteran was scheduled to return to the field on Thursday, but he may need some more time to get ready.

Cooks has been dealing with a lingering knee injury through most of August but is nearing the end of his rehab process. Fantasy managers should continue to pay close attention to his status prior to the season opener next week.

Cowboys WR Brandin Cooks (knee) was not at the portion of today’s practice open to reporters

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 29, 2024

The 30-year-old saw an uptick in touchdowns (eight) last fall compared to the three he caught in 2022 but continued to see a drop in yards, posting only 657. This was his second straight season falling under the 1,000-yard mark. Cooks remains a solid depth option in all leagues, as he should serve as the No.2 receiver in a high-octane Dallas passing attack.

Odell Beckham Jr. Injury Update

Miami Dolphins wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (undisclosed) had surgery over the offseason, according to David Furones of the Sun Sentinel. Miami reportedly knew about Beckham's injury and procedure before signing him in free agency. Although Beckham wanted to play Week 1, the Dolphins placed him on the PUP list, delaying his debut with the team until Week 5 at the earliest.

Chris Grier said the Dolphins were aware of OBJ's procedure done this offseason and that the team made the decision, going in favor of the "long play." Odell wanted to play Week 1.

— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) August 28, 2024

Furones notes that the team was comfortable with Beckham's injury status and made their decision based on the "long play" — essentially banking on the fact that Beckham will get healthy over the next month and make a big impact down the stretch.

From a fantasy football perspective, the veteran will operate behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, making it difficult for him to rack up points.

More Fantasy Football Analysis