It's finally here! Week one is upon us and football has finally come back into our lives. That also means that fantasy football is as well. We'll take a look at some of the biggest injury impacts for this week and how these players' chances of playing look.
Rob Gronkowski, Tight End, New England Patriots (hamstring)
Arguably the biggest injury storyline coming into week one, Gronkowski has been a wild card as to whether or not he will play Sunday night. He was a limited participant in practice all week and was listed as "questionable" on Friday. But, according to Providence Journal's Mark Daniels, Gronkowski was one of three who did NOT travel with the team to Arizona. And then NFL Network's Courtney Fallon reported hours after that Gronk was NOT expected to play on Sunday. And the Patriots announced on Friday night that Gronkowski will indeed not play, so be sure to take him out of your line-ups.
Matt Jones, Running Back, Washington Redskins (shoulder)
Jones originally hurt his shoulder during the pre-season and came into this week of practice still wearing a red "non-contact" jersey. But on Wednesday, he was able to practice in full contact. He also practiced in full on Thursday as well, which all signs point to him suiting up for Monday night. Jones may be on a snap count and lose some touches to Rob Kelley, but he appears ready to play. He will be nothing more than a low-end RB2 as his role is still undefined going into the game against the Steelers.
Jamaal Charles, Running Back, Kansas City Chiefs (knee)
Early last season, Jamaal Charles suffered another severe knee injury that required surgery. He had been rehabbing up until this point while being a limited participant in practice this week. But coach Andy Reid said on Friday that Charles is "doubtful to play", so it all but confirms that the star running back is not ready to return just yet from injury. Despite having a very juicy match-up against the Chargers, Charles will not have the chance to play against them this time around. Be sure to take him out of your line-ups as he is going to be week-to-week for the time being while he continues to rehab.
Kevin White, Wide Receiver, Chicago Bears (hamstring)
After missing all of his rookie season with a leg issue, Kevin White appeared poised to make his NFL debut on Sunday with no issues. On Thursday though, White appeared on the injury report with a hamstring injury. He has been a limited participant in practice on both Thursday and Friday, but will go into Sunday's game labelled as "questionable". White appears more than likely to play at the moment after still being able to practice through the issue, but this will be something to monitor on game day. If he plays, he will be a high-end WR4 against the Texans.
Carlos Hyde, Running Back, San Francisco 49ers (concussion)
Hyde suffered a concussion late in the pre-season and had been stuck in the protocol as he made his way back from it before Monday night's game against the Rams. On Thursday though, Hyde was completely cleared and practiced in full. He did not appear on the injury report after that and there is no reason to keep him from playing now. He will be tough to trust considering the tough defensive match-up against Los Angeles, but not because of any injury. Consider Hyde a mid-tier RB2 going into the Monday night showdown.
Thomas Rawls, Running Back, Seattle Seahawks
Rawls had a terrific showing in his rookie season before suffering a serious ankle injury that derailed him for the rest of the season. He had been working his way from it to be ready in time for week one. He appears to be ready to go as he was taken off the injury report on Wednesday for his ankle but then was back on Thursday with an illness. He did return to practice on Friday and will play on Sunday against the Dolphins, but he will NOT be the starter as coach Pete Carroll announced Christine Michael as the starter. Rawls will be the back-up while also being a pitch count as well. So despite his juicy match-up, Rawls isn't more than a high-risk RB3.
Jimmy Graham, Tight End, Seattle Seahawks (knee)
Graham went down last season with a terrible knee injury that caused him to need surgery. He has made a remarkable recovery though, as he was taken off the PUP list and has started practicing since the end of the preseason. Graham has been a full participant in every practice this week and is listed as "questionable" to play on Sunday. But because of his full participation in practice all week, Graham is likely to suit up and play. Despite that, he will be nothing more than a mid-tier TE2 as he will have to re-adjust back into the offense and may be on a pitch count for this week.
Will Fuller, Wide Receiver, Houston Texans (hamstring)
Fuller popped up on the injury report earlier this week with a hamstring issue. Since then, he has declared that he will indeed play on Sunday, along with coach Bill O'Brien also saying that Fuller would be "fine". He was a full participant in Friday's practice, so all signs point to him playing. In his NFL debut, Fuller will be a low-end WR3 in fantasy football.
Jordy Nelson, Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers (knee)
One of the biggest injuries in fantasy football last season was Nelson's knee injury that took away his entire 2015 season. He was held up during training camp for a bit due to a minor injury to his other knee. But he has practiced in full this week and is not listed on the injury report. He had said earlier in the week about being on a "snap count", but he will play regardless. Even if he only played 50% of snaps on Sunday, Nelson is a must-start, low-end WR1 against the Jaguars.
Carson Wentz, Quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles (ribs)
Wentz originally suffered a rib injury back early in the preseason and had been working his way back from it since. He was named the Eagles starting quarterback earlier this week and is not on the injury report this week, so all signs point to him playing against the Browns. In a juicy match-up, Wentz will still be nothing more than a moderate upside, mid-tier QB2 as he will be making his first career start.
Markus Wheaton, Wide Receiver, Steelers (shoulder)
Wheaton has been dealing with a shoulder injury for a bit of time now and has missed practice on both Thursday and Friday. He assured earlier in the week that he would play against the Redskins, but he appears unlikely to play at this point. The team holds one more practice on Saturday, but unless he participates, assume that Wheaton is out for week one.
Chris Ivory, Running Back, Jacksonville Jaguars (calf)
Ivory has practiced on a limited basis all week as he is dealing with a calf issue. He is listed as "questionable" for week one against the Packers but is expected to play as he still managed to participate in practice every day this week. Even if he does suit up, Ivory will be nothing more than a high-end RB3 at best as he will share snaps and touches with fellow running back T.J. Yeldon.
DeVante Parker, Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins (hamstring)
For the past few weeks, Parker has been dealing with a hamstring injury that has kept him out of a lot of practices. He did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday but did get in a limited session on Friday. Despite that, coach Adam Gase expects him to sit on Sunday against the Seahawks. He is listed as "questionable" right now but don't count on him playing on Sunday.
Tyler Eifert, Tight End, Cincinnati Bengals (ankle)
Eifert had surgery back in the off-season because of an ankle injury he suffered during the Pro Bowl. While he was never expected to play on Sunday, he did not practice all week and is weeks away from playing. So make sure to keep him out of your line-ups.