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We have hit the ground running from an injury perspective in 2023, as the new season seems to be filled with an assortment of injuries to notable fantasy football players. As we head into Week 2 of the NFL season, the amount of injury news has remained significant. These are the latest notable injury updates as of Thursday, September 14, 2023.
Fantasy football stalwarts such as Aaron Jones, Travis Kelce, Austin Ekeler, and many more have been dealing with injuries ahead of Week 2. We have plenty of must-starts on this week's injury list, so fantasy managers should be ready to pivot should things go south.
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Kenneth Gainwell Injury Update
The Philadelphia Eagles ruled out running back Kenneth Gainwell (ribs) for the Week 2 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday night. Gainwell picked up a rib injury in the Week 1 win over the New England Patriots on Sunday while operating surprisingly as the team's lead back. He was unable to practice all week.
Gainwell is still worth a pickup in leagues where he's still available, but he'll have to wait until Week 3 to make an impact. Fantasy managers who were thoroughly disappointed by D'Andre Swift's Week 1 performance in his Eagles debut -- one carry for three yards, one catch for no gain -- should be ready to deploy him in a flex spot with Gainwell out against a bad defense this week. Rashaad Penny should also make his Philly debut after he was a surprise healthy scratch in the season opener.
Austin Ekeler Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler (ankle) is missing his second straight day of practice on Thursday. Ekeler was away from the team on Wednesday to attend the funeral of his agent, but he probably wouldn't have practiced anyway.
Ekeler is shaping up as being up in the air to play in Week 2 in Tennessee against the Titans, even if he's able to return to practice in some fashion on Friday. Fantasy managers should be formulating backup plans right now in case Ekeler is limited or unable to go this Sunday.
If he's inactive or limited in Week 2, Joshua Kelley, who had 16 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown in the Week 1 loss to the Miami Dolphins, would be a must-start as an RB2. Kelley needs to be rostered in all fantasy leagues in case Ekeler's injury causes him to miss time.
Aaron Jones Injury Update
Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones (hamstring) missed a second straight practice on Thursday and stayed inside after the stretching period when the team went outside to work.
Jones tweaked his hamstring at the end of a long touchdown catch and run in the Week 1 win over the Chicago Bears and didn't return to a game that was already decided. But now that the 28-year-old has yet to practice this week, he's likely to be up in the air for Week 2 against the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday.
Fantasy managers need to have a backup plan in place in case he's limited this weekend or is unable to play at all. If Jones can't go, AJ Dillon becomes a must-start on the road, with rookie Emanuel Wilson backing him up.
Christian Watson Injury Update
The Green Bay Packers' injury woes aren't limited to the aforementioned Jones, as wide receiver Christian Watson (hamstring) also missed yet another practice on Thursday after being with the team for the stretching period.
Watson was inactive for the Week 1 victory over the Chicago Bears and has yet to practice this week. The 24-year-old still has a chance to practice on Friday, but at this point, his availability for Sunday's Week 2 contest in Atlanta against the Falcons isn't looking great.
Fantasy managers should be preparing as if Watson will miss a second straight game. With the second-year wideout out last weekend, Romeo Doubs operated as the Packers' top pass-catcher. Rookies Jayden Reed and Luke Musgrave will also continue to have higher ceilings this Sunday if Watson remains sidelined.
Travis Kelce Injury Update
Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy said that tight end Travis Kelce (knee) looked good during a limited practice on Wednesday, but head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach will make the final call on whether Kelce plays in Week 2 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Nagy said the team has prepared game plans for if Kelce plays and if he doesn't. The 33-year-old All-Pro was inactive in last Thursday night's loss to the Detroit Lions and he seems truly questionable to play again this week.
Kelce is a no-brainer must-start if he plays, but if he misses a second straight game, Noah Gray will again serve as the No. 1 tight end. There will also be added targets for receivers like Marquez Valdes-Scantling, Skyy Moore, Kadarius Toney and Justin Watson, among others.
DeAndre Hopkins Injury Update
Tennessee Titans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins (ankle) missed the open part of practice on Thursday for the second straight day. It was believed that Hopkins might have been receiving a rest and maintenance day on Wednesday, but two straight missed practices to open the week have him potentially being questionable for a Week 2 meeting with the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday.
The 31-year-old is a WR2 as Tennessee's top aerial target for quarterback Ryan Tannehill if he's active. Nuk will need to return to some form of practice on Friday to have a shot at suiting up against the Bolts. If Hopkins is out or limited this weekend, Treylon Burks would basically become a must-start in fantasy as the team's top wideout.
Darren Waller Injury Update
New York Giants tight end Darren Waller (hamstring) doesn't expect to be limited by his hamstring injury in Week 2 against the Arizona Cardinals. "Nah, I'm playing," Waller said. Waller also said his hamstring injury shouldn't be a concern moving forward after he didn't take part in practice on Wednesday.
His hamstring injury in 2022 with the Las Vegas Raiders was much different, and he said what he experienced in the Week 1 blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys wasn't even comparable. The 31-year-old is definitely a bit of an injury risk for his fantasy managers, but as long as he can stay on the field, he's expected to lead the Giants pass-catchers in targets in 2023.
If Waller is active this Sunday, keep him in your starting lineups after he led the team in catches in the season opener. UPDATE: Waller returned to a limited session on Thursday.
Brandin Cooks Injury Update
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Brandin Cooks (knee) is dealing with a sprained MCL in his knee, according to a source. Cooks didn't practice for the second straight day on Thursday and instead is working with the rehab group, according to head coach Mike McCarthy.
McCarthy said the Cooks was improving and has a chance to play in Week 2 against the New York Jets, but he'll have to get on the practice field on Friday in order to have a shot. The 29-year-old had just two catches for 22 yards on four targets in his Cowboys debut in the Week 1 drubbing of the New York Giants, but Dallas really wasn't forced to go to the air in a game that was never close.
If Cooks is out or limited this Sunday, Michael Gallup and Jalen Tolbert, as well as tight end Jake Ferguson, would have expanded roles behind top wideout CeeDee Lamb. Cooks has become an extremely shaky lineup play this week against one of the best defenses in the NFL.
Diontae Johnson Injury Update
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson (hamstring) said there's no firm timeline for his return after injuring his hamstring in the Week 1 loss to the San Francisco 49ers, and he's calling himself "day-to-day."
He said he's doing better after not really being able to walk the first couple days after the injury. A day-to-day designation is pretty generous, as Johnson is expected to miss up to four weeks. The Steelers are currently considering whether to place him on short-term Injured Reserve, which would require him to sit out for four games.
In the 27-year-old's absence, George Pickens, Allen Robinson II and Calvin Austin II will be the team's top three wideouts, with tight end Pat Freiermuth (chest) also likely to see more targets.
Jerry Jeudy Injury Update
Denver Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was a full participant in the team's Thursday practice session. Jeudy missed Denver's season opener against the Las Vegas Raiders and was limited in Wednesday's practice due to a hamstring injury.
The talented wideout's upgrade in practice participation on Thursday bodes well for his chances of returning to the Broncos lineup for a Week 2 home matchup against the Washington Commanders. Should Jeudy return, the fantasy stock of fellow Denver receivers Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. would take a hit. Jeudy's fantasy managers should monitor his practice participation on Friday.
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