The Training Room: Injury Updates Entering Week 1

A new year brings new injuries, and I have you covered. My name is Jeff Mueller and I’ll be your new 4for4 Injury Analyst going into the 2023 season. Let me first say congratulations to my colleague Adam Hutchison as he continues on to his next endeavor. I have big shoes to fill and there’s no time like the present, so let’s dive in. We already have plenty of injuries to be concerned about moving into Week 1 of the season.

Joe Burrow, QB Cincinnati Bengals

Injury: Right Calf Strain

Projected Timetable: Active Week 1

Initial Thoughts:

Burrow missed five weeks of camp and preseason with his calf strain but has since returned to the field without limitation. Notably, he has not been wearing a sleeve anymore too, which would indicate that he no longer feels discomfort or concern in his movement patterns. I have low concern about Burrow entering the season for reinjury risk and you should, too. Despite the low concern, the Bengals may still be conservative with him in the first few weeks, specifically in regards to limiting any goal-line work such as quarterback sneaks to limit forceful pushing and to limit potential calf strain. Expect Joe Mixon to get a boost there if they get to the goal line.

Miles Sanders, RB Carolina Panthers

Injury: Groin Strain

Projected Timetable: Week 1

Initial Thoughts:

Sanders has been back to practice for 1.5 weeks now after suffering a low-grade groin strain, and has stated confidence in playing in Week 1. My concern on this one is his extensive history of hamstring strains and knee sprains leading to reduced volume, on top of running backs coach Duce Staley loving a three-back committee to preserve his starters' health. Sanders is cheap enough, but I would prefer other options over Sanders due to his volume concerns plus injury concerns. For Week 1, I do believe he will play and Carolina will give him whatever volume they think he can handle. Hopefully, the OL plays better than they did in preseason.

Devon Achane, RB Miami Dolphins

Injury: AC Sprain

Projected Timetable: Week 1-2

Initial Thoughts:

Achane suffered an AC sprain after getting landed on by a large defender (enter the BMI debates). He has returned to practice but remains in a non-contact jersey, which I do believe he will likely shed this coming week in practice. He likely has a chance to suit up for Week 1, but if he is not ready yet then likely we're looking at a Week 2 return to play. I would sit him in fantasy for now until we see this backfield play out. It will likely be Raheem Mostert as the lead with Salvon Ahmed as the key backup until Achane earns more.

Kendre Miller, RB New Orleans Saints

Injury: Hamstring Strain

Projected Timetable: Week 1-2

Initial Thoughts:

Miller has had a rough start to his NFL career, having missed the majority of the NFL combine and testing after having an MCL repair surgery then dealing with a sprain of the same right knee in camp and missing over a week. He played very well in his preseason game after returning from injury, but is notably now dealing with a recent hamstring strain. There's a chance that he will be ready for Week 1, but this likely reduces the chances of the Saints giving him a significant workload while Alvin Kamara remains out with suspension. I expect big games from Jamaal Williams early on this season.

Zack Moss, RB Indianapolis Colts

Injury: Forearm Fracture

Projected Timetable: Week 2-3

Initial Thoughts:

Moss suffered a forearm fracture, had surgery on July 31, and was provided an initial timeline of 4-6 weeks to return to play. That would place him right up against Week 1, but reports have surfaced that he and the Colts are aiming for a Week 2 or 3 return to play. Deon Jackson will presumably start at running back until Moss returns, but I do believe Moss will slide into the starting role once healthy.

Cooper Kupp, WR Los Angeles Rams

Injury: Hamstring strain

Projected Timetable: Week 2-5

Initial Thoughts:

Kupp suffered a reported mild hamstring strain on August 1 and was on track for a return prior to Week 1. However, he suffered a setback last week and is now seeing a specialist to determine the extent of his injury and underlying factors. Based on remarks from head coach Sean McVay, it sounds like the Rams will understandably take a very conservative approach to his return coming off of the setback. Reading between the lines, I believe he will miss several weeks to begin the season and we may not have him in our lineups until close to Week 4. The downside is that even upon return, he will continue to have reinjury risk plus a likely 10-15% production dip in his first few games. I agree with the takes that have dropped Kupp down to the WR12-15 range in drafts. Prepare for backup options for the early-season weeks.

Jerry Jeudy, WR Denver Broncos

Injury: Hamstring Strain

Projected Timetable: Week 3-4

Initial Thoughts:

Jeudy suffered a moderate-grade hamstring strain on August 24, only 2.5 weeks out from Week 1. The fact that he required help off of the field and onto the cart from two trainers, carted off, and then helped off of the cart and into the locker room indicated that this would not be a short 2-3 week timetable. He avoided IR, but given the timeline, I believe he will miss Weeks 1 and 2. The problem is that upon return, he still carries 15-20% reinjury risk plus an expected production dip of around 10-15%. You might be without Jeudy in your starting rosters for fantasy purposes for the first quarter to third of the season. The only Broncos receiver I would trust early on in my starting roster is Courtland Sutton.

Terry McLaurin, WR Washington Commanders

Injury: Turf Toe

Projected Timetable: Week 1-2

Initial Thoughts:

McLaurin suffered his injury on August 21 and was in a boot until August 29. I’m projecting him to miss Week 1 with a decent chance to return for Week 2 of the season. He will likely experience a production dip for the first few games back, dependent on his ability to push off of that toe for running routes and changing direction. Boost Jahan Dotson for the first few games.

Jaylen Waddle, WR Miami Dolphins

Injury: Ribs

Projected Timetable: Week 1

Initial Thoughts:

Waddle’s injury was fairly mysterious but with more information it has become clear that he bruised his ribs after landing hard on a ball. I do not have concerns in regards to any rib fractures as we likely would have heard about that severity by now, plus he has returned to practice. He has confidently stated that he will be playing in Week 1, so low concern here. Start him.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR Seattle Seahawks

Injury: Left Wrist

Projected Timetable: Week 1-2

Initial Thoughts:

Smith-Njigba suffered a wrist fracture on August 19 and had surgery on August 24, only 2.5 weeks prior to Week 1. He has been practicing but while wearing a cast, which I would anticipate stays on until very close to Week 1. Is there a chance that he will play in the first game? Yes, but I would bet more on a Week 2-3 return when the bone fully heals. Time will tell, so watch for updates as the week progresses. I would lean on sitting him this first week. Bump to Tyler Lockett for the first few games.

Mike Evans, WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Injury: Groin strain

Projected Timetable: Week 1

Initial Thoughts:

While Evans will have some reinjury risk early on after suffering a groin strain on August 26, every report I have seen has indicated a low grade and that he has been able to return to practice. He has voiced confidence in his ability to play in Week 1, so I would not fade him at this point. Pray that Baker Mayfield can get him the ball.

Treylon Burks, WR Tennessee Titans

Injury: Left LCL Sprain

Projected Timetable: Week 1-2

Initial Thoughts:

Burks was lucky to avoid a more severe injury after suffering the LCL sprain on August 16. Initially, I thought he would be out for the first 3-4 games of the season, but he has been able to return to practice without a brace and has been seen changing direction, jumping off and aggressively landing on his left leg, with seemingly no limitations. In the video, he appears to be moving at around 80-85% speed, but I do believe he will be able to suit up for Week 1. Would I insert him into my starting roster for fantasy in Week 1? No, I would not. Wait this one out and see how he performs for a few weeks before considering playing him, and hope for no reinjuries or setbacks.

Romeo Doubs, WR Green Bay Packers

Injury: Hamstring Strain

Projected Timetable: Week 1-2

Initial Thoughts:

The Packers have been quiet on his injury suffered on August 30, and I am hesitant to think he will be ready for Week 1. Even if he is ready for the first week, given Jordan Love’s low passing metrics, I would not want Doubs in my starting roster and do not think the risk is worth the reward in DFS. Fade.

George Kittle, TE San Francisco 49ers

Injury: Groin Strain

Projected Timetable: Week 1-2

Initial Thoughts:

Kittle suffered a groin strain on August 9 and then reportedly suffered a setback on August 28. This gives bad reminders of last season when Kittle dealt with a groin strain and wound up missing the first two games. I am concerned about early season production, and to be honest, concerned about his full-season production if he is not getting touchdowns to buoy his weekly points. Considering tight end is still shallow, you might need to start him in Week 1, but consider other options and have a backup plan just in case.

Logan Thomas, TE Washington Commanders

Injury: Calf Strain

Projected Timetable: Week 1-2

Initial Thoughts:

Thomas has dealt with extensive lower extremity injuries over the last two seasons and now is coming off of a long-standing calf strain that held him out for over a month. While beat writers have stated he is expected to have a big role in this new offense, I have concerns about his longevity and ability to play all 17 games. Instead of drafting Thomas, I would recommend stashing Cole Turner, who has been fairly impressive in his time with Sam Howell. Turner might wind up being the late TE option to snag with Thomas’ high injury concern.

Injury Tracker 2023

Player	Position	Team	Injury	Week of Injury	Projected Return
Joe Burrow	QB	CIN	Calf strain	7/27	Week 1
Miles Sanders	RB	CAR	Groin strain	8/10	Week 1
Cooper Kupp	WR	LAR	Hamstring strain	8/1 and 8/30	Week 2-5
Jerry Jeudy	WR	DEN	Hamstring strain	8/24	Week 3-4
Terry McLaurin	WR	WAS	Turf Toe	8/21	Week 1-2
Jaylen Waddle	WR	MIA	Ribs	8/9	Week 1
Jaxon Smith-Njigba	WR	SEA	Left Wrist Fracture, Surgery	8/24	Week 1-2
Mike Evans	WR	TB	Groin strain	8/26	Week 1
Treylon Burks	WR	TEN	Left LCL sprain	8/16	Week 1-2
Romeo Doubs	WR	GB	Hamstring strain	8/30	Week 1-2
George Kittle	TE	SF	Groin strain	8/9 and 8/28	Week 1-2
Logan Thomas	TE	WAS	Calf strain	8/2	Week 1-2
Zack Moss	RB	IND	Forearm Fracture, Surgery	7/31	Week 2-3
Devon Achane	RB	MIA	AC Sprain	8/19	Week 1-2
Kendre Miller	RB	NO	Hamstring Strain	8/31	Week 1-2