A player's injury status can have a significant effect on fantasy football — it can alter draft strategy, roster construction and, most importantly, start-or-sit decisions.
Each week, I will review the positional players’ injuries from Thursday's and Sunday’s games. Injuries are fluid, so make sure to stay up to date by following @mario_pilato on Twitter.
Thursday, September 10th
Houston Texans @ Kansas City Chiefs
RB DUKE JOHNSON JR., PFF Week 1 Consensus Rank: RB45 — Ankle injury
Johnson suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter and did not return. The severity of the injury is unknown until further evaluation. Johnson’s Week 2 availability is in question.
Sunday, September 13th
Seattle Seahawks @ Atlanta Falcons
N/A
Carolina Panthers @ Las Vegas Raiders
WR Henry Ruggs III, PFF Week 1 Consensus Rank: WR39 — Leg injury
Ruggs sustained a lower leg injury late in the first half but returned. He was not as productive afterward, but he said in his press conference that the injury was just an awkward tackle and not a big deal.
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings
N/A
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions
N/A
Miami Dolphins @ New England Patriots
WR DeVante Parker, PFF Week 1 Consensus Rank: WR28 — Hamstring injury
Parker re-injured his hamstring in the third quarter and did not return. It's concerning that it was the same hamstring he has been having issues with. Parker should sit and let the hamstring fully heal to avoid it becoming a recurring issue.
New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills
RB Le’Veon Bell, PFF Week 1 Consensus Rank: RB21 — Hamstring injury
Bell injured his hamstring late in the first half. He returned to the field with his leg heavily wrapped and was shut down for the game after five plays in the third quarter. Bell strained his hamstring in an area closer to his hip — this is worrisome and could cost him more time.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Washington Football Team
RB Boston Scott, PFF Week 1 Consensus Rank: RB17 — Undisclosed injury
Scott left in the third quarter due to an undisclosed injury but returned to finish the game.
Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars
RB Marlon Mack, PFF Week 1 Consensus Rank: RB27 — Torn Achilles
Mack tore his Achilles in the second quarter of the Colts' Week 1 loss to the Jaguars. He is out for the season.
Cleveland Browns @ Baltimore Ravens
TE David Njoku, PFF Week 1 Consensus Rank: TE44 — Knee injury
Njoku suffered a knee injury early in the game and did not return. Further details will be provided upon evaluation.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Cincinnati Bengals
RB Justin Jackson, PFF Week 1 Consensus Rank: RB58 — Quad injury
Jackson left the contest early due to a quad injury and did not return. We will have to see how the injury reacts in the next couple of days before determining his Week 2 availability.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ New Orleans Saints
WR Michael Thomas, PFF Week 1 Consensus Rank: WR1 — Ankle injury
Thomas appeared to roll his ankle late in the fourth quarter of the game. He walked to the sideline under his own power but with a limp. The severity is unclear, but from the film, it looks like he reacted quickly and avoided a serious injury.
Arizona Cardinals @ San Francisco 49ers
TE George Kittle, PFF Week 1 Consensus Rank: TE1 — Knee injury
Kittle left in the second quarter due to a knee injury but returned later in the game. He was not productive in the second half, but I believe he is not dealing with a serious injury. The main thing will be to watch for swelling over the next few days before his Week 2 availability can be determined.
Dallas Cowboys @ Los Angeles Rams
TE Blake Jarwin, PFF Week 1 Consensus Rank: TE16 — Knee injury
Jarwin injured his knee on the final drive of the second quarter and did not return. It is feared that he tore his ACL. Jarwin will undergo further evaluation to diagnose the full extent of his injury.
Mario Pilato has a master's degree in Kinesiology and a bachelor's degree in Exercise Sports Science, along with eight years of experience in the strength and conditioning industry, including at the collegiate and NFL level. His injury analysis articles will appear weekly.
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