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Football is finally here again!!! This weekend, we will get to see many exciting playmakers in new places. We'll get our first looks at situations we have only dreamed about. We've already seen Gabe Davis ball out and Allen Robinson II fall out.
Davante Adams dons the black and silver and joins the rematch of last season's Week 18 "Why Don't They Just Tie?" game. Who will cover him? The Chargers added top-five coverage corner J.C. Jackson in the offseason. But wait! He just had to wait until right before the season to have ankle surgery! So no J.C. Jackson this week.
Other major IDP talents suffering from injuries include Deion Jones, J.J. Watt, Kamren Curl, Pete Werner, and Darnell Savage.
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J.C. Jackson Injury Update
The Chargers' star offseason acquisition who had 17 interceptions in the past two seasons with the Patriots had ankle surgery in late August to alleviate lingering pain. The surgery was not for an immediate injury, but the surgery itself takes a few weeks to rehabilitate. He was not placed on the PUP list or the IR, which would have required him to miss at least four weeks, but it looks like he is going to miss four or more weeks anyway.
Already, the NFL Network's Taylor Bisciotti has reported that Jackson is expected to miss the Chargers' Week 1 matchup against the division rival Raiders. It's also possible he misses Week 2 against the Chiefs, which will be played on a Thursday. Chargers coach Brandon Staley describes Jackson as "day to day" and says "the boot is coming off."
Without Jackson, Michael Davis, who allowed a modest 55% completion percentage in coverage but six TDs in 2021, steps into a starting role at one of the corners. IDP players would best find a replacement for Jackson on a different NFL team.
Deion Jones Injury Update
Atlanta Falcons OLB Deion Jones has been a three-down linebacker, piling up over 100 combined tackles in each of the five seasons he has been healthy, but his fundamentals have always been shaky. Last season, especially, he did not look good. He missed 16.9% of tackles he attempted, and he allowed a completion percentage of 84.8% when targeted, per PFF. At one point, he was considered a cut candidate.
He was not ultimately cut, but he was placed on the IR with a lingering shoulder injury. He missed Week 11 of 2021 with a shoulder strain, then he had shoulder surgery done on that shoulder in May, causing him to miss training camp. While he played this preseason, the shoulder must not have healed 100%. Either that or the Falcons are still not sure what they want to do with him.
Whatever the case, Jones will miss through at least Week 4. The IDP-friendly position of Falcons inside linebackers could be occupied by Rashaan Evans and Mykal Walker. Evans, who played right inside linebacker for the Titans last year, the same position at which Foye Oluokun racked up 192 combined tackles, is listed as the starter there for the Falcons.
J.J. Watt Injury Update
J.J. Watt is day-to-day with a calf injury, according to Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury. Watt, who is 33-years-old this season, has an unfortunate history of injuries. He missed the final 10 games of last season with a shoulder strain, and he has only played two full seasons in the past six years. He has not practiced all week, and the prognosis for his playing does not seem optimistic.
Kamren Curl Injury Update
Washington safety Kamren Curl was not practicing Wednesday, and coach Ron Rivera was not forthcoming with many details about his status. The first injury report of the week listed Curl as "DNP" (did not practice). Curl had a sling on at practice last week. He has a thumb injury.
If he does not play, Darrick Forrest and Percy Butler are expected to have roles filling in for him against the Jaguars. In their second and first years, respectively, neither should be expected to make big impacts in IDP fantasy football. Curl's absence could make borderline Jags fantasy plays like Christian Kirk or Superflex Trevor Lawrence more appealing, though.
Pete Werner Injury Update
Second-year linebacker Pete Werner was expected to step into a much bigger role for the Saints this season. It may be concerning that he has been dealing with on-and-off injuries all through the summer and up till today. Werner has been listed as "limited" at practice with a groin injury on both Wednesday and Thursday.
Let's look at the history of Werner's ongoing pain. In late July, Werner was put on the non-football injury list. He was in pads by the beginning of August, but no less than a week later, he suffered a setback and was sidelined again. Through the middle of August, he continued to be extremely limited in practice. Now he's still limited just days before the Saints' divisional showdown with the Falcons.
While Werner might be expected to play, the ongoing nature of this injury should worry his team managers. It sounds like something that could persist throughout the season, possibly decreasing his snap share and causing roster stress before each matchup.
Darnell Savage Injury Update
While he's listed as "questionable" on Sleeper and listed as "limited" on the official practice reports, it does not seem as if the Packers safety is in danger of missing the Week 1 game against the Vikings. He injured his hamstring at an early practice in August, but he returned to practice the last week of August. The starter in his fourth season is excited for the challenge of going up against Justin Jefferson and the strong Vikings passing attack. He said, “Our mindset is to be the best. And to be the best, you’ve got to beat the best."
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