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It's officially August, meaning fantasy football drafts are ready to begin in full force. Our offseason injury updates and reports as of Tuesday, August 6, 2024, will give you the latest updates on key guys ahead of your crucial selections.
With training camp heating up and preseason action approaching, let's take a look at injured players Puka Nacua, Sam LaPorta, Josh Jacobs, Ladd McConkey, Jonathon Brooks, Geno Smith and more
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Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
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Puka Nacua Injury Update
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua (knee) suffered a knee injury this past weekend and is considered week-to-week. According to Adam Schefter, one of his sources said that the injury is "not serious." Fantasy managers can breathe a sigh of relief that the first description of it came as not one to worry about, but it will be something to monitor as training camp rolls along.
More injuries in LA: Rams standout WR Puka Nacua is now considered week to week after suffering a knee injury this weekend that one source described as “not serious.” pic.twitter.com/1VVwugcKDn
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) August 5, 2024
He'll still have to compete with Cooper Kupp for targets, but Matthew Stafford has proven there's more than enough to get Nacua plenty of fantasy points. That said, if his timeline for return runs longer than expected, he's a nerve-wracking selection at the end of Round 1 or the start of Round 2. Be sure to check on his latest injury updates as we inch toward the start of the season.
Sam LaPorta Injury Update
Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta (toe) did not participate in the team's joint practice with the New York Giants on Monday, as he is reportedly dealing with a toe injury. However, head coach Dan Campbell said the ailment is not a concern. At this point in the offseason, teams are likely to be extra cautious with their key players, but this should not ding LaPorta's standing ahead of the 2024 fantasy football season.
Dan Campbell says no practice for Sam LaPorta today. No team stuff for Brian Branch. Both are fine long-term, Campbell says.
— Colton Pouncy (@colton_pouncy) August 5, 2024
The 2023 second-round pick out of Iowa set the record for the most receptions by a rookie tight end (86) last season and finished the year as the overall TE1. Since Detroit didn't add much target completion behind Amon-Ra St. Brown and LaPorta, many view him as the clear first TE off the board in preseason drafts.
Josh Jacobs Injury Update
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (groin) was back on the practice field this weekend. This is good news after Jacobs missed practice on Thursday due to a minor groin issue. The injury appears to be behind him as Jacobs is back on the practice field. The Packers haven't tipped their hand to which back is going to be the starter heading into Week 1.
Josh Jacobs is back at practice after missing Thursday with a groin injury. He's returning kicks in warmups right now.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) August 4, 2024
The assumption is that Jacobs would lead the charge after signing almost a $50 million multi-year deal over the offseason. He'll likely share some backfield work with AJ Dillon and MarShawn Lloyd, but he has RB1 upside as the lead runner in an ascending offense.
Ladd McConkey Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers rookie wide receiver Ladd McConkey (undisclosed) was forced to leave Saturday's training camp practice early due to an undisclosed injury and remained out on Sunday. The Chargers haven't disclosed the specific nature of McConkey's injury after he initially was injured last Thursday in practice before returning on Friday.
Also not practicing today: Justin Herbert, Jamaree Salyer, Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, Junior Colson, Leon Johnson, Donald Parham, Kimani Vidal https://t.co/IDHbdEOK8P
— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) August 4, 2024
The 22-year-old second-rounder figures to start out of the slot in three-wide sets right away for the Bolts alongside DJ Chark Jr. and Joshua Palmer now that both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams are out of town. Fantasy managers shouldn't expect a huge target share in his rookie season, but it's not unreasonable to believe he has a chance to become Justin Herbert's WR1 in his rookie campaign. This makes him an intriguing selection in the WR4 range of drafts.
Jonathon Brooks Injury Update
Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) won't participate in preseason play. Unfortunately, the rookie could also miss time to begin his inaugural year. Brooks, the No. 46 overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, tore his ACL in November. With that said, the Panthers will likely limit him once he's healthy enough to return.
Canales: Jonathon Brooks will not play in any preseason games. Could start season on PuP.
They’re looking at maybe Week 3 or 4.— Joe Person (@josephperson) August 3, 2024
With Brooks potentially sitting out the first few games of his rookie season and set to share touches with Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders, he may fail to make a significant impact until the 2025-26 season. However, he should be given the chance to deliver at least a few fantasy-relevant games in 2024.
Xavier Legette Injury Update
Carolina Panthers rookie first-round wide receiver Xavier Legette (foot) underwent an MRI on Monday after leaving practice early on Sunday, and tests revealed that he did not suffer a fractured foot. This is great news for the rookie first-rounder out of South Carolina, but he is being labeled "day-to-day" and is not expected to play in the team's preseason opener against the Patriots on Thursday. Legette was dealing with a hamstring issue earlier this offseason, so expect the organization to be cautious with him moving forward.
#Panthers WR Xavier Legette had an MRI that ruled out a fracture in his foot, per league source.
He’s considered day-to-day.
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) August 4, 2024
While Legette's size-speed combination makes him an intriguing fantasy football option, Carolina could have one of the worst offenses in the NFL for the second consecutive season, and veteran wideout Diontae Johnson is expected to be the clear No. 1 wide receiver for Bryce Young.
Geno Smith Injury Update
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (hip, knee) has returned to training camp practice on Monday and is doing some throwing in full pads. Smith injured both his hip and knee during practice last week but is back on the field and should be just fine in time for the start of the 2024 regular season this fall. The 33-year-old probably won't play in the team's preseason opener this Saturday against the Los Angeles Chargers, though.
Geno Smith is indeed back for #Seahawks. pic.twitter.com/qXaBdlQJk6
— Corbin K. Smith (@CorbinSmithNFL) August 5, 2024
Smith had by far the best season of his career in 2022, throwing for 4,282 yards, 30 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 17 starts, but he predictably came back down to Earth last year and finished with 3,624 passing yards, 20 TDs, and nine picks in 15 games. He still has one of the best receiving duos in the league in DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, so a bounce-back year is possible, just don't expect Smith to be a top-12 fantasy QB when all is said and done.
Jermaine Burton Injury Update
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton returned to practice on Sunday after being out for a couple of practices last week due to an ankle injury. At the time, the team was calling it an ankle tweak and it seems like that's how it ended up playing out. The rookie receiver is expected to take over the spot left by Tyler Boyd which should translate into a steady diet of targets from Joe Burrow.
Jermaine Burton is back in uniform for practice after being out for a practice last week.
— Charlie Goldsmith (@CharlieG__) August 4, 2024
There are still some unknowns surrounding Tee Higgins, so Burton's value could fluctuate through training camp. Either way, Burton has been a good value selection in dynasty formats and is ranked as the 71st receiver in Rotoballer's half-PPR draft rankings.
Rashod Bateman Injury Update
Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Rashod Bateman suffered an injury to his midsection during Monday's training camp practice. It's unclear exactly what type of injury Bateman suffered, but he was seen walking off the field with a trainer while holding his midsection or ribs. The 24-year-old wasn't able to finish practice and may now be in danger of missing the team's preseason opener on Friday against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Rashod Bateman appeared to injure his midsection the play of the day for the Ravens.
Here is your daily camp update⬇️https://t.co/oaIlfYb0nu
— Jamison Hensley (@jamisonhensley) August 5, 2024
Baltimore's coaching staff said all offseason that Bateman was going to have a much bigger role in the passing game in 2024 after he caught only 32 passes for 367 yards and one touchdown in 16 regular-season games a year ago. But Bateman has already dealt with multiple injuries in training camp, and fantasy managers will most likely want to see it before believing it with the former first-rounder.
Jerry Jeudy Injury Update
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy returned to practice on Sunday after being limited with a knee injury over the last week or so. He has been participating in individual drills and workouts since Friday. Jeudy was brought in via trade to be the complement to Amari Cooper. Last year, Cooper was far and away the top target out of all of the receivers and the next best pass-catcher was tight end David Njoku.
Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy returned to full practice participation Sunday for the Browns as their biggest offseason pick-up tries to show he's ready. https://t.co/asHQMKfjCe
— Akron Beacon Journal (@beaconjournal) August 4, 2024
Jeudy hauled in 54 receptions for 758 yards and two touchdowns in a lackluster offense on the Denver Broncos last season. There's still some chemistry to build with Deshaun Watson, but Jeudy is being drafted in the later rounds of re-draft leagues right now.
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