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We're just a few days away from the NFL Kickoff Game, and the hype is unreal. It's been more than 200 days since Super Bowl 58, the last official NFL game, and it's been almost 250 days since the last time most people played fantasy football.
If you have completed your drafts, you're probably thinking about which players to start or sit in Week 1. You also have to consider which players are dealing with minor injuries or returning from more severe injuries.
Without further ado, let's look at some injuries to watch and consider heading into Week 1. Don't forget to bookmark our fantasy football player news page, or download the free RotoBaller fantasy football mobile app with push notification alerts to stay notified.
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Mark Andrews, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Mark Andrews' 2023 season was ruined by injuries, as he missed the first game of the season and got hurt early in Week 11 against the Bengals. That caused him to miss the rest of the regular season, but he returned in the AFC championship game against the Chiefs.
The former fantasy TE1 spent the offseason trying to get back to his best but suffered a major setback on August 14. He was driving to the Ravens' team facility before colliding with another vehicle.
Mark Andrews says he is ready for Thursday's game against the Chiefs!
"Bottom line is he is healthy and he will be ready to go for the opening game against Kansas City."-@golic
"Starting the season off against this Kansas City Chiefs defense, you're gonna wanna have the full… pic.twitter.com/fPQjlziGfH
— DraftKings Network (@DKNetwork) September 2, 2024
He reportedly suffered no injuries but still missed two weeks of training. Andrews returned to practice on Friday and is looking good. "Mark looked good," said Ravens head coach Jim Harbaugh.
"He looked good [and] had a good practice." Harbaugh did say something similar last year before Andrews missed the first game of the season, but all signs point to him being ready for Week 1, so don't expect a huge game from Isaiah Likely.
Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling, WR, Buffalo Bills
The Bills' receiving core has changed a lot since last year, and two big additions to their WR room have been Curtis Samuel and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. However, both wideouts recently suffered injuries, and their status for Week 1 is in doubt.
Samuel is dealing with turf toe while MVS suffered a neck injury. They returned to practice recently, and Sean McDermott recently said the duo have "a real good chance'' of playing in Week 1. This is not anything concrete, and it wouldn't be surprising if they missed time.
The Bills' WR core is weaker than usual, but don't worry about Josh Allen in fantasy football. He has reached a level where he can succeed despite weak WR play. Keep an eye on Khalil Shakir and Keon Coleman, as they could have big games.
Marquise Brown, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Despite winning back-to-back Super Bowls, Chiefs fans have dealt with mediocre WR play ever since Tyreek Hill's departure. Marquise Brown arrived to play alongside Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy and wants to help Patrick Mahomes win another MVP.
However, he suffered a shoulder injury during the team's preseason opener and missed the rest of the preseason and training camp. According to Chiefs GM Brett Veach, Brown can now laugh without feeling discomfort but still might need a couple of weeks before he fully recovers.
From @GMFB: #Chiefs WR Marquise "Hollywood" Brown (SC joint sprain) is out for Week 1 against the #Ravens, but he should be back soon... pic.twitter.com/Vzcil25q1K
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 2, 2024
"Hollywood won't be back this week and we'll just see how it goes [from there]," said Chiefs head coach Andy Reid. "But the kid's amazing. His progress has been incredible, but I wouldn't predict him being there this week."
Much like what was said about Josh Allen, Mahomes will find a way to succeed. Look for Rice, Worthy, and Justin Watson to fill the void created by Brown's injury.
Keenan Allen, WR, Chicago Bears
New Bears WR Keenan Allen missed practice last week due to a foot injury, but according to GM Ryan Poles the issue is minor and Allen is expected to be ready for when the Bears take on the Titans in Week 1.
However, Allen did miss the last four games of 2023 due to a heel injury, so you should keep that in mind if you want to start him as soon as he comes back. This might be concerning if you have Caleb Williams on your fantasy team.
Williams will need his receiving core to be at their best heading into his first official NFL game, and if one of his top targets is feeling discomfort, it will hurt what he can accomplish against a weak Titans team.
Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Jordan Addison had a terrific rookie season and continued his production even after Kirk Cousins went down with an injury. In the offseason, Vikings fans expected him to develop alongside Justin Jefferson, but despite Jefferson's return from injury, the Vikings are going through an injury crisis.
J.J. McCarthy will miss the entire 2024 season due to injury, and Addison was close to experiencing the same fate. According to Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, Addison "avoided a major injury" but was "fine".
However, Vikings beat reporter Darren Wolfson said that although Addison is progressing well, his injury is not expected to be fully recovered for Week 1’s matchup against the Giants. Fantasy managers will have to keep a close eye on this situation before the game.
If he misses Week 1, Sam Darnold could have a poor game, and players such as Jalen Nailor and Brandon Powell can be more involved.
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
After being named the best football player in the world by his peers in the NFL Top 100 list, Tyreek Hill is looking to silence the doubters and win a Super Bowl without Patrick Mahomes. However, both Hill and his running mate Jaylen Waddle are dealing with injuries.
Hill is dealing with a minor thumb injury, while Waddle's injury is currently undisclosed. However, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel announced on Monday that they'll both be full participants in practice this week and have no setbacks.
I expect Jaylen Waddle to be an All Pro - Tyreek Hill pic.twitter.com/f2Q20dagUK
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) September 2, 2024
Hill also spoke to the media, claiming that he is "100% healthy" and the Dolphins claimed their cautiousness was because they wanted to "keep him out of harm's way."
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Tennessee Titans
Many NFL fans expected DeAndre Hopkins to be washed up when he arrived in Tennessee, but he proved his doubters wrong and succeeded even when rookie QB Will Levis was promoted to be the Titans' starter.
Hopkins is crucial to Levis' success, and his chances of playing well will instantly plummet if Hopkins is not on the field. Levis might have to deal with this possibility heading into Week 1 against the Bears, as Hopkins is sidelined with an injury.
DeAndre Hopkins discusses the importance of giving back to the community with his first Nashville youth football camp and preparing for the Titans season opener pic.twitter.com/5ooeKUBT0d
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) September 2, 2024
He strained his knee in August and recently spoke during a youth football camp in Nashville. "Of course, I'm preparing to play," Hopkins said. "But you know, there are measures [in place]. I'm sure [the Titans] will make the right call."
This is hardly the most optimistic thing to say, and fantasy managers will have to be cautious heading into Week 1. If Hopkins misses time, Treylon Burks could use this opportunity to save his career.
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