This article is part of our Injury Analysis series.
Rookies are generally hard to gauge for fantasy owners, given the uncertainty surrounding their usage and potential productivity. Things get even trickier when an injury is thrown into the mix. This combination can be detrimental on draft day for owners overeager to add an up and coming talent.
Davis is Exhibit A. He was the first wide receiver drafted in April and landed in a fantasy friendly environment with an emerging quarterback in Marcus Mariota. However, a nagging hamstring injury has troubled him for multiple weeks now, and the Titans have stated he will evaluated on a week-to-week basis. The fact that the team turned to this designation suggests a mild to moderate strain. As a result, fans are denied the opportunity to see the 22-year-old in action and determine how quickly he will make an impact on the field and in fantasy lineups. Consequently, I would advise against overinvesting in Davis in nonkeeper leagues. Hamstring injuries are unpredictable at any stage, and Davis was already carrying an elevated injury risk after offseason ankle surgery to repair multiple ligament damage. Consider the rookie only after your starting roster is complete.
Fournette is helping Davis strengthen this confounding rookie case study, especially since the Jaguars remain tight-lipped regarding the specifics around his foot injury. The rookie running back first reported soreness in his foot last Friday, and hasn't practiced since. He won't play in the team's upcoming preseason game against the Buccaneers on Thursday. No true
Rookies are generally hard to gauge for fantasy owners, given the uncertainty surrounding their usage and potential productivity. Things get even trickier when an injury is thrown into the mix. This combination can be detrimental on draft day for owners overeager to add an up and coming talent.
Davis is Exhibit A. He was the first wide receiver drafted in April and landed in a fantasy friendly environment with an emerging quarterback in Marcus Mariota. However, a nagging hamstring injury has troubled him for multiple weeks now, and the Titans have stated he will evaluated on a week-to-week basis. The fact that the team turned to this designation suggests a mild to moderate strain. As a result, fans are denied the opportunity to see the 22-year-old in action and determine how quickly he will make an impact on the field and in fantasy lineups. Consequently, I would advise against overinvesting in Davis in nonkeeper leagues. Hamstring injuries are unpredictable at any stage, and Davis was already carrying an elevated injury risk after offseason ankle surgery to repair multiple ligament damage. Consider the rookie only after your starting roster is complete.
Fournette is helping Davis strengthen this confounding rookie case study, especially since the Jaguars remain tight-lipped regarding the specifics around his foot injury. The rookie running back first reported soreness in his foot last Friday, and hasn't practiced since. He won't play in the team's upcoming preseason game against the Buccaneers on Thursday. No true diagnosis has been provided, making it difficult to gauge how it should alter his value on draft day. It's worth noting Fournette dealt with a recurring ankle issue during his final year at LSU and missed a total of six games. Fournette is more of a sure thing than Davis, but tread cautiously for now and hope the issue resolves itself quickly.
Jamison Crowder and Jordan Reed
Two of Washington's top receiving threats are slowly improving after suffering injuries earlier in training camp. Crowder has returned to limited practice following a mild hamstring strain. The third-year wideout has begun taking part in 1-on-1 and 7-on-7 drills, and is optimistic about a full return in the near future. However, it wouldn't be surprising to see Washington hold him out of the upcoming preseason game due to the fickle nature of hamstring injuries. As long as he avoids any setback or re-injury, Crowder should be slotted somewhere in the sixth to seventh round of most standard leagues.
Reed remains sidelined with a sprained big toe on his left foot. He has begun making cuts, doing so in new, modified cleats equipped with orthotics. The modifications have reportedly alleviated pressure on the area and helped with his progression. The Pro Bowl tight end is optimistic that his time on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list is coming to a close. The team has stated they will wait until after their second preseason game to reevaluate his status. The team plays the Packers on Saturday.
Turf Burns
Devonta Freeman: The Falcons running back has been placed in the league's mandated concussion protocol after reporting concussion-like symptoms in practice over the weekend. I previously detailed the steps of the NFL return-to-play guidelines after Miami running back Jay Ajayi sustained a concussion. Ajayi has since returned to full practice and just recently received final clearance from an independent neurologist. Atlanta has already ruled out Freeman for the remainder of the week and suggested he could see minimal time for the remainder of the preseason. This shouldn't drastically alter his first-round value.
Jordan Matthews: A splashy trade was supposed to stabilize the Buffalo receiving unit and free them of the injury risk associated with former downfield threat Sammy Watkins. However, it is more of the same for the Bills as Matthews suffered an unusual injury in his first practice with his new team. Matthews has been diagnosed with a chip fracture in his sternum and his expected to miss multiple weeks recovering. The injury is fairly simple and will improve with time. There is little risk for complications and pain management will be the primary focus of treatment. As a result, I expect Matthews to play in Week 1. He may be limited a bit based on his level of pain tolerance but this setback shouldn't drastically alter his ADP.
Cam Newton: Another week, another small step forward for Newton. The Carolina quarterback was seen throwing in team drills on Sunday as he works his way back from surgery for a partially torn rotator cuff. Newton's progression has gone as well as can be expected though I still believe he could be in line for some early season struggles as he rounds back into top form. However, he's emerging as nice target for opportunistic fantasy owners willing to play the long game with his productivity.
Andrew Luck: Luck's progression hasn't gone quite as smoothly but it's difficult to determine if that is by design. The Colts have provided vague descriptions of his status while also publically praising his current arm strength and insisting he remains on track. The primary takeaway is that Luck is throwing a football and still has a chance to play in Week 1. However, Indianapolis remains noncommittal on his availability and have hinted another quarterback could be added to the roster. Have a suitable option for Week 1 available if you do opt to draft Luck.
Doug Baldwin: The Seahawks wide receiver is day-to-day after turning his ankle in practice. The incident resulted in a strain of his foot, not a sprained ankle as initially feared. Sprains are injuries to ligaments, while strains involve muscle and/or tendons. Baldwin's "upper" leg strain likely is to one of his ankle stabilizers overstretched during the fall. This shouldn't impact Baldwin's short-term or long-term value. A model of durability, Baldwin has missed just two games to injury during his six completed seasons as a pro and has appeared in 72 consecutive regular season games.
