A player's injury status can have a significant effect on fantasy football — it can alter draft strategy, roster construction, and, most importantly, it can determine start-or-sit decisions for your fantasy team.
Each week, I will comb through the official injury reports for each game and give updates and analysis for fantasy-relevant players. Injuries are fluid, so make sure to stay up to date by following @mario_pilato on Twitter.
ARZ | ATL | BLT | BUF | CAR | CIN | CHI | CLE | DEN | DAL | DET | GB | HOU | IND | JAX | KC | LVR | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN | NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF | SEA | TB | TEN | WFT
ARIZONA CARDINALS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| DeAndre Hopkins | WR | 89.8 | WR2 | Ankle | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Hopkins did not practice Wednesday or Thursday but was a limited participant on Friday practice. He is known for not missing games and playing through injuries, so I expect Hopkins to go in Week 7.
ATLANTA FALCONS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Calvin Ridley | WR | 81.2 | WR4 | Elbow | — |
| Julio Jones | WR | 80.9 | WR3 | Hamstring | — |
Mario’s take: Ridley was a limited participant for the whole week. He was taken off of the injury report on Friday and will play in Week 7.
Jones did not practice Wednesday but was a limited participant for Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. He was taken off of the injury report on Friday and will play in Week 7.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Mark Ingram | RB | 54.0 | N/A | Ankle | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Ingram suffered a mid-to-high left ankle sprain during the first quarter in Week 6. He came back into the game with a heavily taped ankle in the second quarter and exited for good after just one carry. The Ravens have a bye in Week 7, so I expect Ingram to be ready to play in Week 8.
BUFFALO BILLS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dawson Knox | TE | 62.0 | TE24 | Calf | Out |
| John Brown | WR | 62.8 | WR50 | Knee | Out |
Mario’s take: Knox missed Week 6 and practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 7.
Brown has not practiced all week, and he has been ruled out for Week 7.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Christian McCaffrey | RB | 76.6 | N/A | Ankle | Questionable |
| Curtis Samuel | WR | 65.0 | WR64 | Knee | Questionable |
Mario’s take: McCaffrey sustained a high ankle sprain during a TD run in the fourth quarter of his Week 2 game against the Buccaneers. He was placed on IR and will miss at least three weeks. McCaffrey's return-to-play timetable is around four to six weeks. I expect him to be a week or two away.
Samuel did not play in Week 6, and he was a limited participant all week. He was a limited participant all week last week before being a late scratch, therefore he needs to be closely monitored leading up to kickoff.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Joe Mixon | RB | 65.4 | RB8 | Foot | Out |
| Auden Tate | WR | 74.5 | N/A | Shoulder | Questionable |
| John Ross | WR | 48.2 | N/A | Illness | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Mixon injured his foot in the first half of Week 6. He returned after halftime, but Giovani Bernard saw an expanded role. Mixon did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday and was downgraded to out on Friday morning.
Tate did not play in Week 6 but was a limited participant on Wednesday and was a full participant on Thursday and Friday. He will suit up for Week 7.
Ross popped up on the injury report with a DNP due to illness on Friday. I do not expect him to play in Week 7.
CHICAGO BEARS
N/A
CLEVELAND BROWNS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Austin Hooper | TE | 72.6 | N/A | Illness | Out |
| Baker Mayfield | QB | 58.6 | QB23 | Ribs | — |
| Jarvis Landry | WR | 73.6 | WR36 | Hip/Ribs | — |
| Kareem Hunt | RB | 76.2 | RB5 | Ribs | — |
Mario’s take: Hooper popped up on the injury report Friday with a DNP. He suffered appendicitis and has been ruled out for Week 7. He could also miss Week 8.
Mayfield was pulled out of his Week 6 game due to his rib injury. He suffered the injury in Week 5 but was playing poorly in Week 6. It is possible the rib injury was affecting his ability to play. He was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice and was a full participant in Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. Baker was taken off of the injury report on Friday, and he will play in Week 7.
Landry and Hunt were both taken off the injury report on Friday and will play in Week 7.
DALLAS COWBOYS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dak Prescott | QB | 85.2 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
Mario’s take: Prescott suffered a compound fracture in his ankle during the third quarter of Week 5. A compound fracture is when the bone has gone through the skin. It is unclear if he suffered multiple fractures or ligament damage, which would create instability.
He underwent surgery immediately because the risk of infection is high. Typically, patients are immobilized from four to eight weeks and start weight-bearing exercises and physical therapy at six to eight weeks.
DENVER BRONCOS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Courtland Sutton | WR | 72.9 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| K.J. Hamler | WR | 53.7 | WR94 | Hamstring | — |
| Noah Fant | TE | 65.1 | TE10 | Ankle | — |
Mario’s take: Sutton left the game in Week 2 due to a knee injury and cramping and was later diagnosed with an ACL tear. Sutton will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Hamler and Fant suffered injuries in Week 4. They both missed Week 5 and Week 6. They were both taken off of the injury report on Friday and will play in Week 7.
DETROIT LIONS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Marvin Jones Jr. | WR | 61.2 | WR43 | Knee | — |
| Danny Amendola | WR | 72.4 | WR75 | Foot | — |
Mario’s take: Jones did not practice Wednesday but was a limited participant Thursday and Friday. He was taken off of the injury report on Friday and will play in Week 7.
Amendola was a limited participant at Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. He was taken off of the injury report on Friday and will play in Week 7.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Equanimeous St. Brown | WR | 38.7 | N/A | Knee | Questionable |
| Robert Tonyan | TE | 69.6 | TE6 | Ankle | Questionable |
| Aaron Jones | RB | 66.7 | RB70 | Calf | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Brown was a limited participant all week. He was taken off of the injury report on Friday and will play in Week 7.
Tonyan did not practice Wednesday or Thursday but was a limited participant Friday. He will play in Week 7.
Jones popped up on the injury report Friday with a DNP due to a calf injury. This is extremely concerning coming this late in the week. The Packers' medical staff is known to be conservative, and I do not expect Jones to play in Week 7.
HOUSTON TEXANS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Jordan Akins | TE | 72.4 | TE37 | Ankle/Head | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Akins missed Week 5 and Week 6 with a high ankle sprain and concussion. He did not practice all week, and I do not expect him to play in Week 7.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Michael Pittman Jr. | WR | 61.3 | N/A | Calf | Out |
| Parris Campbell | WR | 72.8 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Mo Alie-Cox | TE | 91.3 | N/A | Knee | Out |
Mario’s take: Pittman had surgery to repair compartment leg syndrome in his calf. The typical return-to-play timeline is six weeks. I expect him to return in Week 8.
Campbell was carted off the field in Week 2 after spraining his MCL and PCL. Campbell's multi-ligament injury has ruled him out indefinitely. I expect him to be back in four to six weeks.
Allie-Cox did not play in Week 6 and needs to be monitored as the week progresses.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| D.J. Chark Jr. | WR | 75.1 | WR26 | Ankle | — |
| Laviska Shenault Jr. | WR | 72.9 | WR39 | Hamstring | — |
| Tyler Eifert | TE | 54.3 | TE38 | Neck | Out |
Mario’s take: Chark and Shenault were limited participants all week. They were taken off of the injury report on Friday and will play in Week 7.
Eifert was a limited participant during the week but was ruled out for Week 7 on Friday.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Sammy Watkins | WR | 66.9 | N/A | Hamstring | Out |
Mario’s take: Watkins injured his hamstring in Week 6, and the severity is unclear. A Grade 1 strain typically requires one to two weeks to recover, and a Grade 2 strain takes three to six weeks to recover. Watkins did not practice all week and has been ruled out for Week 7.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Bryan Edwards | WR | 70.6 | WR105 | Ankle/Foot | Out |
Mario’s take: Edwards suffered a high ankle sprain in the third quarter of Week 3. He did not play in Week 4 or Week 5. Edwards did not practice all week and has been ruled out of Week 7.
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Austin Ekeler | RB | 84.5 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Justin Jackson | RB | 63.1 | RB28 | Knee | Questionable |
| Keenan Allen | WR | 86.7 | WR11 | Back | — |
Mario’s take: Ekeler was carted off in the first quarter of Week 4. He hyperextended his knee at an awkward angle, immediately grabbed his hamstring, and could not put any pressure on his left foot. Ekeler escaped with a Grade 2 hamstring tear; he will miss four to six weeks.
Jackson was a limited participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday but was a full participant Friday. I expect him to play in Week 7.
Allen was a limited participant at practice Wednesday and Thursday but a full participant Friday. He was taken off the injury report Friday, and he will play in Week 7.
LOS ANGELES RAMS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Darrell Henderson Jr. | RB | 86.9 | RB20 | Thigh | – |
| Robert Woods | WR | 68.4 | WR21 | Groin | – |
| Tyler Higbee | TE | 72.3 | TE14 | Hand | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Henderson, Woods and Higbee did not practice on Thursday or Friday but practiced Saturday. Henderson and Woods were taken off of the injury report on Saturday and will play on MNF. Higbee is considered questionable for MNF, and I expect him to play..
MIAMI DOLPHINS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| DeVante Parker | WR | 76.4 | N/A | Groin | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Parker injured his groin in the fourth quarter and did not return to the game. The severity is unknown, and he will undergo further evaluation. Parker will rest during his Week 7 bye and most likely be ready for Week 8.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dalvin Cook | RB | 82.2 | N/A | Groin | Out |
Mario’s take: Cook suffered a groin injury in Week 5. A Grade 1 strain typically takes one to two weeks to recover. He did not play in Week 6, and I expect him to return in Week 8 after the bye.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Julian Edelman | WR | 70.0 | WR34 | Knee | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Edelman was a limited participant all week, and he will play in Week 7.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Michael Thomas | WR | 57.4 | WR8 | Ankle/Hamstring | Out |
| Emmanuel Sanders | WR | 71.3 | N/A | COVID-19 | Out |
Mario’s take: Thomas has yet to return to the action since his Week 1 injury. It is concerning that he popped up on the injury report with a new injury. He missed practice Thursday and Friday. Thomas was officially ruled out for Week 7 on Friday.
Sanders tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday and has been ruled out for Week 7.
NEW YORK GIANTS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Saquon Barkley | RB | 60.2 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Sterling Shepard | WR | 68.5 | WR80 | Toe | Questionable |
Mario’s take: Barkley sprained his MCL and tore his ACL and meniscus in the second quarter of Week 2. He will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of the season.
Shepard has been on IR for a toe injury the past four weeks but was taken off Thursday. He has a chance to return in Week 7.
NEW YORK JETS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Sam Darnold | QB | 58.7 | QB28 | Shoulder | Questionable |
| Chris Hogan | WR | 56.1 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Jamison Crowder | WR | 76.7 | WR24 | Groin | Doubtful |
| Breshad Perriman | WR | 58.8 | WR52 | Undisclosed | — |
| Denzel Mims | WR | – | – | Hamstring | — |
Mario’s take: Darnold injured his shoulder after getting slammed to the turf in the first quarter of the Week 4 clash against the Broncos. He went into the locker room and came back out to play. Most likely, his X-rays came back negative, and he received an injection in his shoulder. I believe he has a Grade 1 A/C sprain. Return to play can take up to three weeks. He did not play in Week 5 or Week 6. Darnold was a limited participant all week, and I expect him to play in Week 7.
Hogan was injured in Week 5 and was put on IR. He underwent arthroscopic surgery and will miss at least eight weeks.
Crowder was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice, a non-participant in Thursday’s practice, and a limited participant in Friday’s practice. I expect Crowder to play in Week 7.
Perriman was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and a full participant in Thursday’s and Friday’s practice. He was removed from the injury report on Friday and will play in Week 7.
Mims was taken off of IR and will make his NFL debut in Week 7.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Dallas Goedert | TE | 69.8 | N/A | Ankle | IR |
| Alshon Jeffery | WR | N/A | N/A | Foot | Out |
| Jalen Reagor | WR | 54.4 | N/A | Hand | IR |
| Miles Sanders | RB | 60.4 | N/A | Knee | Out |
| Zach Ertz | TE | 59.6 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
Mario’s take: Goedert fractured his ankle in Week 3. Typically, bone takes six weeks to heal. Goedert will miss Week 7.
Jeffery is recovering from a Lisfranc injury and was ruled out for Week 7.
Reagor tore the UCL in his thumb during his Week 2 matchup. This is the same injury that caused Drew Brees to miss five games last year. Reagor has been put on IR and will miss at least three weeks. I would expect Reagor to miss three to five weeks in total.
Sanders injured his knee on a 74-yard run in the third quarter in Week 6. The mechanism of the injury leads me to believe he injured his meniscus. He received an MRI and is believed to miss one to two weeks. Sanders will miss Week 7.
Ertz suffered an ankle injury early in the fourth quarter last week. He suffered a high-ankle sprain and will miss three to four weeks. Ertz’s return-to-play timeline is around four to six weeks, he has been ruled out for Week 7.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
N/A
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Jeff Wilson | RB | 65.8 | RB55 | Calf | Questionable |
| Tevin Coleman | RB | 65.8 | N/A | Knee | IR |
| Jordan Reed | TE | 86.9 | N/A | Ankle | IR |
| Raheem Mostert | RB | 89.1 | N/A | Ankle | Out |
Mario’s take: Wilson did not play in Week 6 but was a limited participant at practice all week. He will play in Week 7.
Coleman suffered a knee sprain in Week 2. He did not play in Weeks 3, 4, or 5. Coleman was placed on IR and will miss at least one more week.
Reed left the first quarter with an ankle injury but returned in the second quarter of Week 3. Later in the game, he was seen getting his knee looked at and was ruled out shortly after. Reed was placed on IR and will miss the next five to seven weeks.
Mostert injured his ankle in the second quarter of Week 6. He tried to return in the third quarter but was ruled out for the rest of the game. I believe he either suffered a high ankle sprain or a moderate-lateral ankle sprain. He did not practice Wednesday or Thursday and has been ruled out for Week 7.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Carlos Hyde | RB | 59.9 | RB70 | Shoulder | — |
Mario’s take: Hyde missed Week 4 and Week 5 with a shoulder injury. He practiced in a limited fashion Wednesday and Thursday and was a full participant Friday. Hyde was taken off of the injury report on Friday and will play in Week 7.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Chris Godwin | WR | 72.5 | WR5 | Hamstring | — |
| Mike Evans | WR | 65.3 | WR17 | Ankle | — |
| Rob Gronkowski | TE | 72.3 | TE8 | Shoulder | — |
| Scotty Miller | WR | 64.2 | WR68 | Hip/Groin | — |
Mario’s take: Godwin, Evans, Gronkowski and Miller were all taken off of the injury report on Friday. They will play in Week 7.
TENNESSEE TITANS
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Jonnu Smith | TE | 84.8 | TE8 | Ankle | — |
| A.J. Brown | WR | 78.0 | WR19 | Knee | — |
Mario’s take: Smith injured his ankle in Week 6. He was seen on the sideline taped up and trying to run, but he did not return to the game. I believe he suffered a minor ankle sprain. Smith was a limited participant at practice Wednesday and a full participant at practice on Thursday and Friday. Smith was removed from the injury report on Friday and will play in Week 7.
Brown popped up on the injury report Thursday and sat out of practice. I believe this is just a maintenance issue for his knee. Brown was a full participant at Friday’s practice and was taken off of the injury report. He will play in Week 7.
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
| Player | Pos | PFF grade | Consensus Rank | Injury | Status |
| Antonio Gandy-Golden | WR | 50.0 | N/A | Hamstring | Out |
| Logan Thomas | TE | 56.2 | TE19 | Neck | Questionable |
| Isaiah Wright | WR | 56.8 | WR85 | Shoulder | Out |
| Steven Sims Jr. | WR | 62.9 | N/A | Toe | IR |
Mario’s take: Gandy-Golden suffered a hamstring injury in Week 6 and did not return to the game. He did not practice all week and was ruled out for Week 7.
Wright did not practice all week and was ruled out for Week 7.
Thomas did not practice Wednesday but was a full participant Thursday and Friday. He was removed from the injury report on Friday, and he will play in Week 7.
Sims was placed on IR with a toe injury, ruling him out for at least the next two games.
Mario Pilato has a master's degree in Kinesiology and a bachelor's degree in Exercise Sports Science, along with eight years of experience in the strength and conditioning industry, including at the collegiate and NFL level. His injury analysis articles will appear weekly.
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