Injury updates in training camp are invaluable snippets of fantasy football information to follow with drafts just weeks away. As training camps ramp up across the league, so do the injury reports — and staying on top of them is crucial for fantasy managers. Whether it’s a star rehabbing from offseason surgery or a surprise name landing on the PUP list, even minor setbacks can shift depth charts and alter draft strategies. Here’s a breakdown of the most impactful injuries to monitor as camp battles heat up.
Justin Jefferson (hamstring)
Vikings WR Justin Jefferson is still being held out of practice with a mild hamstring injury. Jefferson left last Tuesday’s session early, mentioning tightness in his legs and calling the move precautionary — though it turns out it wasn’t entirely minor.
There’s no immediate reason to worry, especially with plenty of time before Week 1, but soft tissue injuries can be unpredictable. Jefferson missed time in 2023 with a hamstring strain in his other leg, so it makes sense for the team to be cautious here.
HC Kevin O’Connell said he has no concerns about Jefferson being ready for the season opener against the Bears, and that Jefferson is hopeful to get back on the practice field in the next couple of weeks. While there is no cause for concern just yet, the expectation is the star wideout will most of training camp so the situation is worth monitoring.
Devonta Smith (back)
Eagles WR Devonta Smith missed four straight practices this week with a back injury. Back injuries are nothing new to the 5th-year receiver. He wound up on the injury report multiple times last season with a back designation, but always played through it effectively.
While training camp reps are invaluable (especially with a new play caller in Philadelphia), there is no long-term concern here. The team is most likely being cautious in the early weeks of camp.
Joe Mixon (foot)
Texans RB Joe Mixon started camp on the NFI/PUP list with an unspecified foot injury and is expected to miss multiple weeks, according to NFL Insider Jordan Schultz.
What was initially downplayed as a minor injury has now kept him off the field through the start of camp, with no clear return date in sight. The team’s hoping he’ll be ready for Week 1, but the longer this drags out, the less certain that feels.
From a fantasy standpoint, it’s a situation worth monitoring. If Mixon isn’t ready to go, Nick Chubb looks like the next man up in what’s quickly becoming a shaky Houston backfield.
Xavier Worthy (concussion)
Chiefs WR Xavier Worthy left the team’s practice Tuesday with a concussion, and still has not returned as of Thursday evening. The second-year receiver is currently in concussion protocol and will continue to miss time until he can pass through the league’s protocol. That said, Worthy is in no danger of missing any time in the regular season.
Malik Nabers (shoulder)
Giants WR Malik Nabers suffered a minor shoulder injury that forced him to leave practice on Tuesday. HC Brian Daboll indicated it was nothing serious, but that the second-year receiver will likely see a lighter workload throughout the week. Nabers returned to practice Thursday, indicating this is a situation likely not worth monitoring.
Chris Godwin (ankle)
Bucs veteran WR Chris Godwin started training camp on the PUP list after suffering a gruesome dislocated ankle in late October of last year. Dislocated ankles are no joke and demand a long recovery process. Godwin has yet to practice, and there is no clear timetable for his return. While the team has said the plan is for him to be available in Week 1, that is a very lofty expectation for the nature of the injury and is looking less and less likely.
Reports surfaced last week that Godwin underwent a second ankle surgery this offseason, and press photos taken in June revealed signs of noticeable swelling still present in the injured ankle. The team’s decision to draft Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka (who has a similar route tree and play style to Godwin) in the first round could be an indication that the team recognizes Godwin could miss more time than originally expected. Egbuka has reportedly impressed early in camp. Take stock in the rookie until more news on Godwin is released.
Justin Fields (toe)
After being carted off the field at the Jets’ practice last Thursday, QB Justin Fields’ outlook is much more positive now. The 5th-year quarterback suffered a dislocated toe, but on his second toe, not his big toe, avoiding any major injury concern. Fields has since returned to practice this week fully and is practicing with a toe shield on his cleat. There is no major concern for Fields to miss any further reps at this time.
Brandon Aiyuk (knee)
San Francisco WR Brandon Aiyuk remains on the active/PUP list as he works his way back from last year’s ACL and MCL tears, and there’s still no set timetable for his return. GM John Lynch admitted there’s “not anywhere close” to a concrete timeline, though he added that Aiyuk’s recovery is progressing well given the severity of the injury.
In the meantime, Aiyuk has stayed engaged at camp — helping coach up the younger receivers during drills and walkthroughs, according to OC Klay Kubiak. That kind of presence is good to see, but from a fantasy standpoint, expectations should be tempered. A return sometime in October or November feels more realistic than anything early in the season. I’d avoid Aiyuk at his current ADP, and buy stock in second-year WR Ricky Pearsall instead.
Matthew Stafford (back)
QB Matthew Stafford still isn’t practicing, but the Rams continue to express confidence that he’ll be ready for Week 1. HC Sean McVay has labeled him “week-to-week” and made it clear the team has a plan, even if they’re not sharing the details publicly. McVay said Tuesday he’s “very confident” Stafford will be good to go for the season opener against Houston, but also noted he doesn’t want to commit to a specific timeline.
For now, QB Jimmy Garoppolo is handling first-team reps, and it’s unclear if Stafford will be back in time for joint practices ahead of the Rams’ preseason matchups with the Cowboys (Aug. 8) and Chargers (Aug. 16).
This is a situation to monitor, not for Stafford’s fantasy value, but for Rams pass-catchers WR Puka Nacua and WR Davante Adams. Garropollo is a significant downgrade from Stafford, and Adams loudly expressed his discontent with Garropollo during their shared time in Las Vegas.
Najee Harris (eye)
With the Hall of Fame Game in the rearview, there’s still no clear update on when RB Najee Harris will return to action. He’s been on the active/non-football injury list since mid-July after suffering an eye injury during a fireworks accident on the Fourth of July. Harris has been at the Chargers’ facility in street clothes, but hasn’t taken part in any on-field work.
Meanwhile, rookie RB Omarion Hampton continues to get an extended run with the starters. Once Harris is cleared, he’ll be in the mix for a role in what could turn into a split backfield, but for now, buy all the Omarion Hampton stock you can.
