Week 1 is upon us when means real, updated NFL Injury Reports. As the NFL has evolved so too have the injury reports. Injury information now comes in an assortment of varieties with varying descriptions about a player's activity level or health status. Last week I helped break down the assorted transaction lists that are injury related, but decoding these various reports can help influence weekly roster and waiver wire decisions entering a new matchup.
The first are NFL Practice Reports. Any player with a noted injury must be listed on the team's daily practice report. An NFL injury meets this requirement if it results in a missed game or forces an early exit during a game or practice. Teams are supposed to report detailed information, including the specific location of the ailment as well as the involved side.
If the player did not take part in any portion of practice they are listed on the report as Did Not Participate (DNP) in Practice. Those who completed a portion of practice are noted with Limited Participation (LP) in Practice, while the status of those who partook in everything is recorded as Full Participation (FP) in Practice. Practice reports are provided three times during the week for most games, though games played on Wednesdays or Thursdays may only require two practice reports. Not all players who miss practice are in danger of missing games. Veterans and proven talent are often allotted rest or recovery days and may receiver a DNP or
Week 1 is upon us when means real, updated NFL Injury Reports. As the NFL has evolved so too have the injury reports. Injury information now comes in an assortment of varieties with varying descriptions about a player's activity level or health status. Last week I helped break down the assorted transaction lists that are injury related, but decoding these various reports can help influence weekly roster and waiver wire decisions entering a new matchup.
The first are NFL Practice Reports. Any player with a noted injury must be listed on the team's daily practice report. An NFL injury meets this requirement if it results in a missed game or forces an early exit during a game or practice. Teams are supposed to report detailed information, including the specific location of the ailment as well as the involved side.
If the player did not take part in any portion of practice they are listed on the report as Did Not Participate (DNP) in Practice. Those who completed a portion of practice are noted with Limited Participation (LP) in Practice, while the status of those who partook in everything is recorded as Full Participation (FP) in Practice. Practice reports are provided three times during the week for most games, though games played on Wednesdays or Thursdays may only require two practice reports. Not all players who miss practice are in danger of missing games. Veterans and proven talent are often allotted rest or recovery days and may receiver a DNP or LP label as a result. All NFL practice reports can be found here on Rotowire. Practice reports for the Seahawks-Patriots Week 1 matchup are already listed.
The Game-Status Report is what many consider the actual "Injury Report." These reports are released by 4 p.m. ET two days before game day and include the standard terms Questionable, Doubtful and Out. If it's determined that an injury will prevent a player from suiting up, he must be listed as Out with injury details provided. Doubtful is used when a player is unlikely to play, while Questionable means the individual is not certain to play. There is a degree of variability with these classifications, but usually players marked Questionable have a 50/50 chance of playing while those listed as Doubtful have a low chance at playing. Rotowire also provides a one-stop-shop for these designations here.
The New England running back is biggest name on the first injury reports of the year. Henderson, who played in every game last season, suffered an ankle injury on August 24. He has been a DNP everyday so far, including Monday. A degree of clarity will come late Tuesday when the official Game-Status Report is released, but the Patriots seem poised to err on the side out caution with the shortened week of prep and a longer build up to Week 2. Rhamondre Stevenson will remain the starter for New England and will continue to see his responsibility increase if Henderson does not play.
The Giants receiver has been slowly working his way back from last season's torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). It appears Nabers has not been a FP in any practice thus far, and an official Practice Report will provide potential insight to his overall status for Week 1. Historically Nabers has had success against Dallas, averaging 9.7 receptions and 117 yards in his three games against the Cowboys. However, receivers tend to bounce back slower from ACL surgery than do other positions. Furthermore, the two division rivals don't play until the Sunday night contest, making any sort of questionable label more difficult to navigate. Anyone investing in Nabers is playing the long game and should remain patient as the year begins.
Turf Burns
Ja'Marr Chase: The Bengals receiver was in uniform for Monday's practice and is trending in the right direction for a Week 1 start. Chase is nursing a hyperextended left knee sustained in practice. The term hyperextension is not a true injury diagnosis and more of a description of how the injury occurred. A mild hyperextension often leaves the injured individual with a low-grade sprain/strain or a bone contusion. None of these ailments is considered serious but can be slow to heal. Chase seems to be on track for Week 1 against the Buccaneers, but monitor the impending NFL injury reports to be certain.
Jeremiyah Love: A high ankle sprain has limited Love since mid-August, but he has slowly upped his usage at practice. Now there is growing optimism that he will be available to make his professional debut in Week 1. Given the amount of time he has been shelved, look for Tyler Allgeier to see plenty of carries as the team works Love back into the mix. His Week 1 value takes a hit, but he remains an intriguing year-long option.
Christian McCaffrey: When you roll the dice on McCaffrey you must be prepared for weekly appearances on the injury report. The veteran running back, fresh off the largest workload of his career, is already nursing tightness in an undisclosed area and has been a LP in practice. The 49ers appear confident he will play against the Rams, but anyone familiar with McCaffrey's body of work know this could easily be a game-time decision. Kaelon Black makes for a suitable handcuff.
Puka Nacua: Nacua is expected to play Week 1 despite lingering soreness in his psoas muscle. He has slowly upped his level of participation in practice, increasing confidence in his availability for the matchup in Australia. The uniqueness of the injury makes it one worth monitoring, but Nacua is too good to consider benching if he is active against the 49ers.
Tyler Smith: The Cowboys All-Pro left guard will start the year on the injured reserve after it was determined he will need surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb. Offensive linemen don't directly score points for fantasy owners but do make an impact on the productivity of other offensive players. Multiple injuries to a team's front line can leave a quarterback scrambling while denying running backs open rushing lanes. T.J. Bass will fill in at left guard for at least the next four weeks. The first two matchups versus the Giants and Commanders are not particularly daunting, but the Cowboys are scheduled to take on the Ravens and Texans in Weeks 3 and 4. Both teams enter the year with defenses ranked in the top 10 for potential fantasy output. Dak Prescott and company are still expected to be a top tier offensive unit but may take a slight step back as the depth of the O-line is tested.
