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The 2023 NFL season kicks off in less than a week and fantasy draft season is in full swing. However, there are plenty of injuries worth monitoring around the league that could affect fantasy football. Our fantasy football injury reports as of Friday, September 1 will give you the latest news on the top banged-up players including Cooper Kupp, T.J. Hockenson, Breece Hall, George Kittle, and more.
Being up-to-date on NFL injury news can give you an edge over your league mates in fantasy football. Week 1 matchups will be here before we know it, so keeping up with the latest injury headlines is paramount at this time of the year.
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.
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Cooper Kupp Injury Update
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp (hamstring) suffered a "setback" with his hamstring injury and will be day-to-day, according to head coach Sean McVay. Kupp said just last week that he was on track to be ready for Week 1 of the regular season against the Seattle Seahawks, but that may change now.
The 30-year-old All-Pro wideout tweaked his hammy back on Aug. 1 but had since returned to practice. Expect the Rams to be extra cautious with their best offensive weapon, which could mean holding him out to kick off the regular season. Kupp is still a top-10 fantasy selection in the first round of drafts, especially PPR setups, but this setback will make fantasy managers think twice.
T.J. Hockenson Injury Update
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said he feels "very good" about tight end T.J. Hockenson's (back, ear) availability for Week 1 of the regular season against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Hockenson, who also signed a massive extension to become one of the league's highest-paid tight ends on Thursday, has missed most of training camp drills due to an ear infection and lower-back stiffness.
The missed time is a bit of a concern, but as long as he's ready to go for Week 1, fantasy managers shouldn't really have any hesitations about taking him as a top-five TE1 in upcoming drafts. After coming over in a trade from the Detroit Lions last fall, the 26-year-old caught 60 passes for 519 yards and three touchdowns in 10 games for Minnesota.
Breece Hall Injury Update
The New York Jets' plan is to play running back Breece Hall (knee) in the Week 1 season opener against the Buffalo Bills, but they will be cautious with his workload. Hall returned to training camp practice two weeks ago but didn't play in the preseason and hasn't played in a game since suffering a torn ACL last Oct. 23. "We've never been worried about his availability; we just have to be smart," head coach Robert Saleh said.
Meanwhile, backfield mate Dalvin Cook said he couldn't speculate on what his potential workload will be in Week 1. Saleh said he feels comfortable with Cook, Hall and Michael Carter at RB, and the team also has rookie Israel Abanikanda. The 22-year-old is fully expected to eventually lead the Jets backfield in 2023, but until then, he'll have a lower weekly ceiling and floor in fantasy. (ESPN.com)
George Kittle Injury Update
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (undisclosed) didn't practice on Monday, and head coach Kyle Shanahan said he's still feeling after-effects of a previous injury in training camp. Kittle will not practice for the rest of this week with the plan to have him back full-go next Monday. The 29-year-old missed some training camp time due to a groin injury, so perhaps he's not quite over that just yet.
It's not really what fantasy managers want to hear with the start of the regular season coming next week, although it doesn't sound like an injury that will keep him out in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Kittle is easily a top-six fantasy TE that has the potential for big weeks, but he could also continue to be a bit frustrating on a week-to-week basis with so many mouths to feed in San Francisco.
Jeff Wilson Jr. Injury Update
Miami Dolphins running back Jeff Wilson Jr. (finger, rib) was placed on the injured reserve on Thursday. The 27-year-old is dealing with multiple injuries that are going to force him to miss the first four weeks of the regular season. However, Wilson's agent expects Wilson to return ahead of the Week 5 matchup against the New York Giants.
That is great news considering the team didn't offer much of a timetable for Wilson's return. The Dolphins might only be without Wilson for four games, which isn't too bad. In his absence, Raheem Mostert and rookie De'Von Achane (shoulder) are expected to have bigger roles in the offense.
Mark Andrews Injury Update
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (undisclosed) did not practice on Wednesday but worked out on an adjacent field and looked to be running well. The Ravens continue to be extra cautious with their star tight end due to an undisclosed ailment. His injury appears to be very minor and he's fully expected to be ready to rock for Week 1 of the regular season against the Houston Texans.
The 27-year-old's minor injury shouldn't dissuade fantasy managers from making him the second tight end off the draft board at the position behind the Chiefs' Travis Kelce. Baltimore has added a few more receiving options this offseason, but Andrews remains one of quarterback Lamar Jackson's go-to targets through the air.
De'Von Achane Injury Update
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said that he expects rookie running back De'Von Achane (shoulder) to be ready to practice next week as the team prepares for their Week 1 matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers. Achane was seen wearing a non-contact jersey at practice on Wednesday, and it looks like the team is taking it slow with the 21-year-old third-rounder heading into the regular season.
Raheem Mostert is the starter in this backfield, but Achane just became more interesting as a late-round flier in fantasy drafts with the Dolphins putting Jeff Wilson Jr. (undisclosed) on Injured Reserve on Thursday. Salvon Ahmed (head) is also dealing with an injury, so Miami's backfield is a bit beat up to open the year.
Zack Moss Injury Update
Indianapolis Colts running back Zack Moss (arm) still isn't practicing, but he also doesn't have a brace/cast on his right arm and was seen throwing and catching with his injured right arm on Thursday. Jonathan Taylor (ankle) is starting the year on the Physically Unable to Perform list and will miss the first four games. When healthy, Moss is the likely starter for the Colts, but we just don't know yet if he'll be available for the season opener on Sept. 10 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
If the 25-year-old isn't ready to go, Deon Jackson and rookie Evan Hull will split the backfield duties in Week 1. Only fantasy managers in deep leagues should be considering drafting anyone in the Colts backfield not named Taylor.
Jerome Ford Injury Update
Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (hamstring) was able to get back on the practice field on Thursday. The 23-year-old has been banged up lately due to a lingering hamstring issue. It sounds like Ford is feeling better now and is in line for the regular season opener versus the Cincinnati Bengals.
Ford is expected to serve as the change-of-pace back behind Nick Chubb. Ford only rushed the ball eight times last season, so his workload is limited. He probably won't be worth the gamble for many fantasy managers to begin the season.
Tyquan Thornton Injury Update
New England Patriots wide receiver Tyquan Thornton (shoulder) will spend the first four weeks of the season on the sideline. The team is placing him on short-term injured reserve. The sophomore suffered the injury during training camp.
The Patriots tried to design plays for the speedster in 2022 but failed to do so with much success. He caught just 22 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns in 13 games. Once healthy, Thornton will sit behind JuJu Smith-Schuster, Kendrick Bourne, and DeVante Parker on New England's depth chart.
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