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Fantasy football drafts happen all year long, but the thick of draft season is ahead. That said, it's important to start monitoring the latest injury news around the NFL. Our offseason injury updates and reports as of Tuesday, June 18, 2024, will give you the latest updates on key guys.
In the thick of mandatory minicamp, let's take a look at injured players Joe Burrow, Deshaun Watson, Breece Hall, Jonathon Brooks, Gus Edwards, Josh Jacobs, and more.
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Joe Burrow Injury Update
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (wrist) said it is "tough to say" what percentage health-wise he is at right now but reiterated "I'll be ready to go by the season." Burrow didn't look right early on in 2023 after injuring his calf during training camp last summer, and then he suffered a season-ending right-wrist injury in Week 11 against the Baltimore Ravens. The former first overall pick in 2020 out of LSU has bookended his four seasons in the NFL so far with serious injuries, but he's been a solid QB1 option for fantasy managers otherwise.
Joe Burrow says it is “tough to say” what percentage health wise he is right now, but reiterates “I’ll be ready to go by the season.”
— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) June 11, 2024
The 27-year-old should be full-go for training camp next month and should be ready for the Week 1 season opener this fall, barring any setbacks with his wrist in training camp and the preseason. With one of the better one-two punches at wideout in the league, Burrow should be a fine midrange QB1 target in fantasy drafts after the big names at the position come off the board.
Deshaun Watson Injury Update
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson (shoulder) was recently throwing during 7-on-7 drills. While that was a promising sign for fantasy managers, general manager Andrew Berry painted a more encouraging picture. "First and foremost, Deshaun has really worked his tail off," Berry told the media on Monday. "He's really actually ahead of schedule. He's thrown the ball well."
The 28-year-old should be ready to go for Week 1 after undergoing shoulder surgery in November. But the real question is if he'll bounce back from a forgettable 2023-24 campaign. Although there's a good chance Watson will, he's still hard to trust to be the No. 1 signal-caller on any fantasy roster. (NBCSports.com)
Breece Hall Injury Update
New York Jets running back Breece Hall (lower body) was held out of minicamp practices as a precaution with a minor lower-body injury. "I'm just focused on continuing to get better and just to keep building my body up for the season," Hall said. "I could practice right now. I feel great, but the coaches are really cautious with me, and I appreciate them for that. It has been a good time still being a part of everything.
I do all the walkthroughs and stuff we've been doing." Last year, Hall didn't practice until late August after coming off a torn ACL, but he still racked up 1,588 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns in 2023. It may raise some eyebrows that he's dealing with an injury this offseason, but as long as he's fine in training camp, fantasy managers should have no worries taking Hall as a top-three fantasy RB in the first round of drafts. (NewYorkJets.com)
Jonathon Brooks Injury Update
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales wouldn't say whether or not second-round rookie running back Jonathon Brooks (knee) will be ready for the start of training camp next month. The Texas product is recovering from a torn ACL that he suffered on November 11 against TCU last year. Although Canales did not provide an update, he did say the team would ease him into action when he's ready to go. While Brooks should eventually be the clear lead ball carrier in Carolina, he might be on a snap count early in his career.
Canales wouldn’t say if rookie running back Jonathon Brooks would be ready for the start of training camp. Said he’d likely be eased into it when he’s good. Brooks is coming off an acl injury. pic.twitter.com/ifUbNMTM0n
— Mike Lacett (@mikelacett) June 12, 2024
On top of that, the Panthers offense is likely to be one of the worst units in the NFL once again. Brooks is one of the tougher players to evaluate in fantasy football, but he should be able to produce at least low-end RB2 numbers in the second half of his rookie campaign. His upside could be capped if quarterback Bryce Young and his supporting cast don't take a significant step forward in 2024.
Gus Edwards Injury Update
Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh said that running back Gus Edwards (undisclosed) "has been on a really good track" and is "likely" to be back for training camp at the end of July. Edwards worked off to the side with trainers during mandatory minicamp with an undisclosed injury.
Jim Harbaugh says Gus Edwards "has been on a really good track"
he says he is "likely" to be back for training camp
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) June 13, 2024
The 29-year-old should be ready for the start of the 2024 regular season, but it's worth monitoring his health this summer as he enters his first season in LA. With Austin Ekeler gone, Edwards should be the primary RB in the Bolts' backfield in what will be a run-first offense under new coordinator Greg Roman. Behind him will be J.K. Dobbins, rookie Kimani Vidal, and Isaiah Spiller. Edwards isn't much of a pass-catcher and has durability issues, but he managed a career-high 13 touchdowns in 17 regular-season games in Baltimore in 2023. Don't expect double-digit TDs in his first year in LA, though.
Josh Jacobs Injury Update
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (hamstring) has been doing everything during practice this week after missing the first week of organized team activities due to a minor hamstring injury before being limited in what he could do the second week of OTAs. The 26-year-old former Raiders RB joined the Packers this offseason on a four-year, $48 million deal to be their new lead back with Aaron Jones now in Minnesota. While Jacobs will be the clear leader of the Packers' backfield, he'll be spelled by AJ Dillon and rookie third-rounder MarShawn Lloyd.
Josh Jacobs, running through the trash can tacklers. pic.twitter.com/cQLpB6GppP
— Ryan Wood (@ByRyanWood) June 11, 2024
The former 24th overall pick by the Raiders in 2019 out of Alabama led the league in rushing in 2022 and has gone over 1,000 yards rushing in three of his five NFL campaigns. Jacobs is moving to a Packers offense on the rise, meaning he should be a good bet for another 1,000-yard season if he can stay healthy in 2024.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba Injury Update
Seattle Seahawks second-year wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (shoulder) left Wednesday's practice last week at mandatory minicamp with a shoulder issue, but head coach Mike MacDonald indicated it's not a serious injury. Receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (toe) also left practice early after injuring his toe. It's possible that Smith-Njigba is held out for the rest of minicamp as a precaution, but the 22-year-old should be ready to rock at the end of July for the start of training camp.
... Jaxon Smith-Njigba left practice early with a shoulder issue but Macdonald indicated it's not serious. Laviska Shenault also left early after injuring his toe. George Fant didn't practice due to load management....
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) June 12, 2024
Despite being behind both DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on the receiving depth chart in his rookie campaign in 2023, Smith-Njigba impressed with 63 receptions for 628 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games played. The former first-rounder didn't see much downfield work, though, and will face a second straight season as the WR3 in Seattle. Consider him a WR4/flex in fantasy with upside for more in Year 2.
Courtland Sutton Injury Update
Denver Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton (ankle) said he had ankle surgery this offseason in Florida. On another topic, Sutton said his representatives and the team are discussing a contract extension, but they are in a "stalemate." This explains why the 28-year-old pass-catcher hasn't been present for organized team activities this offseason. Sutton is feeling good, though, and should be ready for training camp next month and the start of the 2024 regular season.
Courtland Sutton said he had ankle surgery this offseason in Florida and that’s why he was in Florida during the offseason.
Did say his reps and the team are talking about contracts as well. Added they are in a “stalemate” pic.twitter.com/UvWQ2csCeC
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) June 11, 2024
Contract-wise, he still has two years left on his deal, but only $2 million in guarantees. Sutton tore his ACL in 2020 and hasn't been able to come close to his 2019 Pro Bowl form when he produced a career-high 1,112 receiving yards. He did have a career-high 10 touchdowns in 16 games for the Broncos last year, but fantasy managers should expect a lot of regression with quarterback Russell Wilson no longer in town.
Khalil Shakir Injury Update
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (lower body) said he's all good and expects to be 100 percent healthy for the start of training camp at the end of July. Shakir suffered an undisclosed lower-body injury during minicamp practice earlier this week and didn't practice the rest of the week. However, it appears that the injury isn't serious and won't keep him off the field for the start of training camp.
Had a chance to catch up with #Bills WR Khalil Shakir after today’s final practice of minicamp. He didn’t get into specifics on his recent injury, but said he’s all good. He expects to be 100% at the start of training camp.
— Jay Skurski (@JaySkurski) June 13, 2024
Now that both Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis aren't in Buffalo, the 24-year-old former fifth-round pick in 2022 will have an increased role in the Bills' passing attack in 2024 after finishing the 2023 season off on a strong note. Still, Shakir has a ways to go to become relevant in standard-sized fantasy leagues after catching 39 passes for 611 yards and only two touchdowns in 17 regular-season games (10 starts) in his second NFL campaign in 2023.
Juwan Johnson Injury Update
New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson (foot) is scheduled to undergo foot surgery next week, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Johnson suffered the injury during Wednesday's minicamp practice and is expected to miss a significant chunk of time. However, the team is hopeful he'll be ready for the start of the regular season.
Saints TE Juwan Johnson is scheduled to undergo foot surgery next week that will sideline him “a while”, per source. The hope and belief for now is that he will be back for the start of the season. pic.twitter.com/i5NajzK24s
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 13, 2024
In Johnson's first year with Derek Carr, he caught 37 passes for 368 yards and four touchdowns in 13 games. He's been a fantasy football sleeper for the last few years and will remain one in 2024, so long as he can recover and get back to action. In his absence, Foster Moreau will likely handle TE1 duties, though Taysom Hill could see more work at that spot for the remainder of the offseason.
Darius Slayton Injury Update
New York Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton (undisclosed) left Tuesday's practice due to an undisclosed injury after appearing to slip while running a route. He got up and walked off the field gingerly. The nature of Slayton's injury still isn't known, but head coach Brian Daboll said he expects Slayton to be ready for training camp next month. Even though the 27-year-old's injury doesn't appear to be serious, it will be worth watching closely in training camp.
Despite the addition of rookie Malik Nabers in the first round this year, Slayton projects to be a starter for the G-Men in 2024. However, he'll probably be hard-pressed to top his career-high of 770 receiving yards a season ago. Additionally, both Wan'Dale Robinson and Jalin Hyatt could have increased roles in an offense led by quarterback Daniel Jones, who is returning from an ACL tear. Slayton will go undrafted in standard 12-team leagues. (TheAthletic.com)
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