September 11, 2020
The NFL kicked off its 2020 season Thursday night, but the majority of Week 1's action is still to come.
And with it, several tough injury decisions also will come for fantasy football team owners who are hoping for good news from players like Miles Sanders and Kenny Golladay.
As we'll do in this space throughout the season, here's a brief look at the latest fantasy football injury news for key players heading into Sunday:
UPDATE [3:50 p.m.] — Perhaps the chances of Evans playing are worse than we thought:
Bucs list WR Mike Mike Evans as doubtful for Sunday vs. Saints.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 11, 2020
From earlier:
Evans sat out practice Thursday and looks to have a 50-50 chance of playing in Tampa's season opener, as he works through a hamstring injury.
Here's what head coach Bruce Arians had to say about the setback, via ESPN:
"We'll take it all the way to the wire with him," the coach said. "He's got 1,000 reps already for this game, the whole camp. So it'll just be a game-time decision. If he doesn't go Friday, we'll take it all the way to the ballgame. If he can't play, other guys will step in and step up."
UPDATE [3:50 p.m. on Saturday] — It appears Miles Sanders' injury is not minor, as he will not make the trip to Washington with the team this weekend.
Source: Eagles’ RB Miles Sanders will not make the trip to Washington and, due to a hamstring injury that had him listed as questionable, is out for Sunday’s opener against the Washington Football Team.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 12, 2020
Sanders' status continues to frustrate not only Eagles fans but also his fantasy drafters. The Birds' top running back has been out for weeks and team officials have said it was a precaution. But with just days until the team's opener in Washington, Sanders is limited in practice and head coach Doug Peterson is lowering expectations, saying that he will likely be limited in the game as well. He was listed as questionable on the team's Friday injury report.
Is he still worth starting? Most people who drafted him have him as their RB1 and have no choice, but as we laid out in our first sit/start breakdown, locating or even starting Boston Scott could be worthwhile in Week 1.
UPDATE [3:45 p.m.] — Reagor did not appear on the Eagles injury report so he will be ready to go on Sunday.
From earlier:
It could still go either way with the Eagles first-round draft choice, but in a rare reversal of expectations, Reagor is practicing in full right now and looking completely healthy. The outlook weeks ago was that he would miss the Eagles' opener and potentially more, but now, it looks like he may actually play in Week 1. Reagor would still be a risky start, as we have no idea how many reps or targets he would get from Carson Wentz, but his health is certainly a good sign.
Montgomery's status has been up in the air all preseason. The Bears' RB1 practiced in full Thursday, opening up the possibility that he will be the workhorse in Week 1. This is good news for those who drafted him, but as always (and with most of the players in this article), keep an eye out as game day approaches.
Johnson, the Steelers No. 2 wideout, has not practiced this week due to a foot injury. The team has an extra day, with their opener coming on Monday Night, but the news isn't good for those who drafted him. James Washington could be the biggest beneficiary of a potential Johnson inactive designation.
Sutton has been listed as day-to-day on the latest injury reports, with a sprained AC joint in his shoulder. The setback seemingly comes out of nowhere, as another young Denver wideout in Hamler remains limited in practice. Both of these injuries are beneficial to rookie Jerry Jeudy, who becomes a potential starting option for fantasy owners. Daeshawn Hamilton is also worth keeping an eye on when setting your lineup.
As has been a concern all offseason long, with days to go before Week 1 we still don't know what to expect from the Niners' top two wideouts. Aiyuk (hamstring) was in practice Thursday, but in a limited capacity. Samuel (foot) did not participate at all. Both could miss the season opener but it looks like the rookie Aiyuk has the better chance of actually playing. Samuel was later ruled out after practice Friday.
UPDATE [3:30 p.m] — Golladay's status isn't looking great as of Friday afternoon:
The #Lions have declared WR Kenny Golladay (hamstring) as doubtful for Sunday’s game.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 11, 2020
From earlier:
The first of two very important Detroit skill players we'll highlight, Golladay is a concern to fantasy owners as the star wideout did not practice Thursday. Will his lingering hamstring issues effect his ability to play in Week 1?
Swift's limitation in practice is concerning for those who drafted him, with Adrian Peterson now on the roster and Kerryon Johnson also on the depth chart, there is a real chance he gets limited touches in Week 1 if he is active at all.
The Football Team's young wideout, Gandy-Golden is back in practice after concussion-like symptoms. It looks like he should be full-go in Week 1.
The following wide receivers were limited in practice. Their status' are worth keeping an eye on, but each is expected to participate in Week 1. The list below could lengthen before game day, but fantasy owners would be smart to have backup plans for each just in case:
Mike Williams, Chargers
Julian Edelman, Patriots
DeVante Parker, Dolphins
Preston Willians, Dolphins
Danny Amendola, Lions
Phillip Dorsett, Seahawks
Denzel Mims, Jets
Corey Davis, Titans
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