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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Fantasy Football Injury Updates
J.K. Dobbins (ACL) has chance to play Week 1
Ravens’ head coach John Harbaugh said J.K. Dobbins has a chance to play in Week 1 depending on how he practices this week as reported by the Baltimore Sun’s Jonas Shaffer. (Source: Jonas Shaffer on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Dobbins did not play in the preseason and has not played since tearing his ACL last preseason. While his availability for Week 1 comes with the caveat of “if we see what we need to see” and still remains in question, the fact he has a chance to play shows how close he is to returning. Dobbins is not on the PUP list to start the season so that points to him returning in either Week 2 or Week 3 if he doesn’t play in the season opener against the Je
Allen Lazard: Status uncertain for Week 1
Allen Lazards’ status for week 1 is up in the air as HC Matt LaFleur was “non-commital” on if Lazard, who is missing time for undisclosed reasons. (Source: Tom Silverstein on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Lazard is thought to be the de facto number one receiving option in the post-Davante Adams Packers offense. It is now unclear if he will be playing in the Packers’ season opener against the Vikings. Aaron Rodgers has expressed his frustration with the younger receivers in the offense lately, and if Lazard misses time perhaps Randall Cobb or Sammy Watkins could be the benefactor of increased targets. Lazard is a borderline starter if healthy this week, but make sure to monitor his status before committing to using him in your season opener.
Robbie Anderson ‘ready to go’ for Week 1
Robbie Anderson has been cited saying he feels “better than ever,” a good sign that the 29-year-old will be fully healthy to begin this season. (Source: David Newton on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: Anderson is entering his third year as a Carolina Panther, and his first two seasons had somewhat mixed results. In 2020 he had a fairly impressive stat line of 95 catches for 1,096 yards, but he only managed three touchdowns. Last season he was extremely disappointing as he only managed 53 catches for 519 yards despite being peppered with over 100 targets. His 4.7 Yards per Target was by far the least of any player with at least 100 targets, and despite scoring five touchdowns Anderson consistently let fantasy managers down. However, with Baker Mayfield in town, perhaps Anderson has one more fresh start left in him with a QB that may just be the best he has had in his career. D.J. Moore is the only legitimate competition for targets at WR on the depth chart, so it is very possible Anderson once again passes the century mark in targets. If he can convert more of those targets into catches, something that an upgrade from Sam Darnold to Mayfield could help with, he could be a valid streaming option for fantasy managers on matchup dependent basis. If he is fully healthy, Anderson is a solid depth piece for your fantasy team in 2022.
Isaiah McKenzie (groin) a full participant in practice
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Buffalo Bills’ injury report states that WR Isaiah McKenzie was a full participant in practice. (Source: Tom Pelissero on Twitter)
Fantasy Impact: McKenzie has a chance to outperform his current average draft position of PPR WR62 this season in a largely vacated Bills passing attack. McKenzie is expected to operate as the team’s starting slot receiver, graduating from his gadget/returner role of the past. His return to practice gives him a strong chance of playing in the NFL season-opening game against the Los Angeles Rams, a potentially high-scoring affair.
Check out the 2022 Preseason Injury Report from Sports Injury Central
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