6 Players Returning From Injury: Outlook & Predictions (2023 Fantasy Football)

NFL training camps are open, and fantasy football draft season is upon us. FantasyPros analysts Derek Brown, Andrew Erickson, Pat Fitzmaurice and Mike Maher kick off a series of preseason roundtables by discussing the most interesting training camp battles, players coming back from major injuries, players who changed teams and more. And below we’ll dive into our predictions for players returning from injury.

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Fantasy Football Players Returning From Injury

There are a number of players coming back from major injuries. Which of these players are you most optimistic about? Which of these players are you most pessimistic about?

Breece Hall | Javonte Williams

Pat Fitzmaurice: The Jets’ possible signing of Dalvin Cook will scare people away from Breece Hall. I tend to think the Jets still view Hall as their lead back after his ACL tear last season, but the team is clearly all in for 2023, and I think the Jets just want to make sure they’re adequately covered at a position with high injury rates. It’s fair to be concerned about what Cook would mean to Hall’s workload, but I don’t think it reflects concern about Hall’s recovery. Hall should be fine for the start of the season and at least 90%-95% of his awesome self early in the season.

I’m far more concerned about a running back who wasn’t placed on PUP to start training camp. I want no part of Javonte Williams coming off a multi-ligament knee tear. Williams tore his ACL and LCL — the same devastating injury J.K. Dobbins has been trying to overcome. I’m fading all injury optimism on Williams.

Breece Hall | Rashod Bateman

Andrew Erickson: Even if Breece Hall starts the season slowly, coming off his ACL injury, I expect him to be a league-winner when it matters most during the second half and fantasy football championships. I’ll continue to believe this even if the Jets sign Dalvin Cook.

Rashod Bateman has dealt with injuries through two full seasons, and his past numbers are dramatically boosted by a few big plays. If the Ravens were confident Bateman could be their long-term No. 1, they wouldn’t have drafted Zay Flowers.

Darren Waller | Javonte Williams

Derek Brown: For weeks, I’ve been screaming Darren Waller‘s name into the offseason ether. Waller has been unguardable and a target hog so far in camp. While Waller might not be attempting to bounce back from an ACL or other devastating injury, his problematic hamstrings and joints have hindered his availability over the last two seasons. If Waller can maintain his health, he can contend for the overall TE1 crown in 2023.

While all the early camp reports regarding Javonte Williams have been positive, consider me a cautious pessimist. Williams’ knee injury was horrendous, and we have seen this feature film too many times to know the probable outcome. Whether we’re worried about Williams eventually missing time, starting slowly out the gate, or having a lingering dip in effectiveness for 2023, the positive camp reports can only do so much to assuage fear and rekindle hope.

Lamar Jackson | Brock Purdy

Mike Maher: I’m optimistic about a Lamar Jackson bounceback for a number of reasons. For starters, the change at offensive coordinator should be a good thing for the offense as a whole and for Jackson’s passing numbers. And secondly, call me a cynic, but I question just how hurt Jackson was at the end of last year. Is that fair? Maybe not. But that’s where I am.

As for Brock Purdy, I’m pessimistic because, to be completely honest, I just don’t think he’s as good as a lot of people seem to think. Did he play well in a QB-friendly offense against a bunch of bad defenses down the stretch last year? Sure. Is he a good story and a fun player to watch? Yes. But (see the cynic note above), I’m just not convinced he’s the next Tom Brady because he hit a few wide-open receivers and got the ball to playmakers in space in an offense that set him up for success. The early reports from training camp are positive (if you’re reading this, Kyle Shanahan would love for you to trade for Trey Lance), but his brutal injury in last year’s NFC Championship game only gives me more questions about Purdy.