DFS Army’s Gthom breaks down preseason injuries to watch around the NFL with regards to fantasy football. Each player mentioned will have an overall grade on how to view their injury: “not serious” (least severe), “actively monitor” (medium severity) and “concerning” (most severe).
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DeVonta Smith (WR, PHI) – Groin – Actively Monitor
Smith has missed at least five straight practices which makes his injury the most concerning of this group. Soft-tissue injuries are always concerning and the groin can be a sensitive area to heal.
Nick Sirianni says DeVonta Smith (groin) is still day-to-day. Won’t practice today. His 5th straight practice missed #Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) August 10, 2022
Any serious injury is tough to gauge during the preseason because teams are not required to report them like they are during the regular season. Despite missing some practice time Smith is progressing towards being full strength.
DeVonta Smith is doing some rehab work on the side field. Positive sign. First day I’ve seen him do that during practice #Eagles
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) August 10, 2022
You can even see the rehab work that Eliot Shorr-Parks’ tweet refers to in the video below from Martin Frank. Head coach Nick Sirianni believes Smith to be day-to-day.
There’s DeVonta Smith working on a side field with a trainer. Sirianni said he’s day to day. #Eagles pic.twitter.com/F5EQq7gtGb
— Martin Frank (@Mfranknfl) August 10, 2022
This injury was deemed “actively monitor” because it may linger through the season if reinjury were to occur either now, or later down the road. Here is what Fantasy Points lists on their injury glossary about groin strains: “1-3 weeks recovery… Depending on severity, players can return faster but are at increased risk of re-injury…” Overall you should not be concerned with Smith heading into Week 1 but that doesn’t mean his injury won’t pop up again.
Diontae Johnson (WR, PIT) – Hip Flexor – Not Serious
On August 8th we learned that newly extended Diontae Johnson was dealing with a hip flexor injury at camp.
Mike Tomlin said that Diontae Johnson is working through a hip flexor.
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) August 8, 2022
This injury has sidelined Johnson for a few days but it was always deemed a minor injury. Johnson has slowly ramped back up to being nearly 100-percent.
The #Steelers are back in pads for practice. Among those in attendance, but not in full pads: Diontae Johnson, Chase Claypool, Zach Gentry and Kevin Dotson. Johnson (hip) is at least in shoulder pads, so we’ll see about his level of participation.
— Chris Halicke (@ChrisHalicke) August 11, 2022
This injury should clear up well before camp breaks. Unless there is a setback then Johnson will be a full-go for Week 1.
Kyler Murray (QB, ARI) – Wrist – Not Serious
Prior to being diagnosed with COVID-19, Murray was showing signs of a lingering wrist injury back in July.
Kliff Kingsbury said Kyler Murray had some tenderness in his right wrist but "everything's good" and "he threw and threw really well today."
— Josh Weinfuss (@joshweinfuss) July 29, 2022
After recovering from COVID-19, he returned to practice still dealing with the aforementioned sore wrist.
Kingsbury says Kyler Murray’s wrist is one reason he hasn’t thrown much lately. Will pick it up next week. Backup Colt McCoy has arm soreness and is resting it.
— Kent Somers (@kentsomers) August 9, 2022
This wrist injury should not be viewed as serious but it is something to monitor as we head into the season. Running quarterbacks do not play well in fantasy football when injured, namely Murray himself. It is worth noting that head coach Kliff Kingsbury does not expect Murray to play much of the preseason games, if any at all, according to a Chuck Harris tweet.
Melvin Gordon (RB, DEN) – Foot – Not Serious
On Wednesday we learned that Gordon injured his foot and was unable to practice. This becomes even more polarizing given the fantasy community’s rightful obsession with sophomore Javonte Williams. Any missed games from Gordon will increase Williams’ role in this offense (the same could be said for Gordon should Williams miss).
Nathaniel Hackett said Melvin Gordon III has a foot injury and they’re managing it.
He didn’t practice today.
— Aric DiLalla (@AricDiLalla) August 10, 2022
Rumors swirled early that the injury to Gordon’s foot was expected to be minor. On Thursday that rumor was confirmed from a James Palmer tweet, according to his source.
Looks like #broncos RB Melvin Gordon isn’t practicing either today via the #cowboys. Second straight day he’s missing with a foot issue. It’s not serious I’m told
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) August 11, 2022
Being back at practice is obviously what we want to see but overall this injury is minor. Gordon and Williams’ fantasy value remains in-tact as it stands today.
MORE FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYSIS FROM GTHOM
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