It’s never too early to check in on player injury statuses ahead of the 2022 season, and our news desk has you covered. Let’s take a look at the latest injury news and notes around the NFL.
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Mike Evans (hamstring) remains sidelined
Mike Evans (hamstring) didn’t play in the second preseason game and remains sidelined for the time being.
Fantasy Impact: Evans has been dealing with a hamstring strain that seems to be a yearly occurrence at this point, but signs point to it being minor. He was seen running around before the game, and he didn’t seem to have any issues with it. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor the news coming out of Tampa Bay with Tom Brady’s absence and Evans’ injury, but assuming those aren’t long-term problems, the veteran wideout may be in line to have the best season of his career in 2022.
Michael Thomas reportedly dealing with a ‘little bit of a hamstring’ issue
New Orleans Saints head coach Dennis Allen said Michael Thomas is currently dealing with a “little bit of a hamstring.” (Source: Nick Underhill on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Thomas was seeming to be doing well in training camp health wise, so this isn’t exactly ideal just a few weeks before the opening game. After playing just seven games combined across his last two seasons, any sort of injury for Thomas at this point is not ideal. This will remain a situation to monitor for fantasy managers.
Drew Lock returns to practice on Sunday
Drew Lock returned to Seattle’s practice on Sunday, meaning he could be available to play in the Seahawks’ third preseason game against the Cowboys on Friday night. (Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Lock had previously been earning the Seattle coaches’ favor before testing positive for Covid 19 after Week 1 of the preseason. Lock and Geno Smith are in a battle for starting QB, and their draft ADPs reflect this. Neither looks particularly useful in fantasy formats, though the presence of D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett will make whoever wins the starting job a bit more palatable in deeper leagues.
Russell Gage (leg) without definite timetable for return
Russell Gage (leg) is still without a definite timetable for his return and will continue to be sidelined for the time being.
Fantasy Impact: Gage has been dealing with a leg injury that he sustained over a week ago in practice, and there still hasn’t been much clarity on just how serious it is. It’s possible that it’s a minor injury that he will recover from soon, but it seems like the timeline might extend another few weeks at least. Depending on how soon he can return to the field, Gage could be a decent sleeper pick in the late rounds of fantasy drafts for the 2022 season.
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