Injuries and Waiver Wire week 1 2022

By Joe COLONNA
Joe COLONNA

QUARTERBACKS:

Mac Jones (Back) suffered a back injury vs the Dolphins. After the game, Jones received X-Rays which came back negative. According to Adam Schefter, scans came back “normal,” and the team will gauge how Jones is feeling throughout this week to determine if he is able to play vs the Steelers.

Dak Prescott (Hand) - Prescott left the game in the fourth quarter with a hand injury. He will undergo surgery and is expected to miss six to eight weeks.

 

RUNNING BACKS:

Najee Harris (Foot) - Harris left Sunday’s game with a foot injury in the fourth quarter and did not return. Harris’ tests came back negative, and there is a belief that he will be good to go vs the Steelers, per Adam Schefter.

Elijah Mitchell (Knee) - 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell suffered an MCL sprain against the Bears. He was placed on IR and is expected to miss eight weeks, according to sources.

 

 

 

WIDE RECEIVER

Keenan Allen (Hamstring) - Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen injured his hamstring and was ruled out against the Raiders. According to Ian Rapopport, Allen will have an MRI on his hamstring. With the Chargers playing on Thursday night, it would make sense if Allen had to miss week two.

Chris Godwin (Hamstring) - Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin suffered a hamstring injury in the first half of Sunday night’s game and was unable to return in the second half. He is expected to miss “some time,” per sources.

Tee Higgins (Concussion) - Higgins suffered a concussion and did not return. He will now enter concussion protocol.

Wan'Dale Robinson (Knee) - Giants wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson suffered a knee injury and was ruled out vs the Titans. He will undergo an MRI, but the injury is not considered serious. He is considered day-to-day at this time.

 

 

 

WEEK 1 WAIVER WIRE PICKUPS:

 

 

QUARTERBACKS:

Jameis Winston (NO) - The Saints have an offense loaded with weapons, and we certainly should be looking at the quarterback of this squad. With receivers like Michael Thomas, Jarvis Landry, rookie first-round pick Chris Olave, and RB Alvin Kamara at his disposal, Winston should see plenty of big games this season. The Saints face Tampa Bay at home and then travel to Carolina over the next two weeks.

Trevor Lawrence (JAX) - Lawrence threw for 275 yards and a touchdown in his opening contest vs the Commanders, which amounted to just 12.60 fantasy points. Lawrence will be playing from behind often, which will lead to increased volume and more fantasy points. The Jaguars have the Colts and the Chargers on their schedule for the next two weeks.

 

 

 

RUNNING BACKS:

Jeff Wilson Jr (SF) - With Elijah Mitchell suffering a knee injury, the 49ers will look to Jeff Wilson first, to handle the primary running back duties. The 49ers are one of the more run-heavy teams in the NFL, so Wilson should see plenty of volume if Mitchell were to miss any time.

Isiah Pacheco (KC) - Pacheco was a 2022 seventh-round pick that gained quite a bit of hype this offseason after a great camp, and he showed some of his potential in week one vs the Cardinals. Pacheco was the Chiefs’ leading rusher, carrying the ball 12 times for 62 yards and a touchdown. He even added a catch for 11 yards. Now, Edwards-Helaire is the lead back for KC, and McKinnon is still there, but don’t overlook Pacheco who appears to have a role in this offense.

Khalil Herbert (CHI) - Herbert is currently the number two running back in Chicago behind David Montgomery. However, Montgomery struggled in week one, with only 26 rushing yards on 17 attempts, while Herbert had 45 yards on just nine attempts on the ground. Perhaps this becomes more of a committee situation as the season progresses.

Kenneth Gainwell (PHI) - Philadelphia’s backfield is another one that you’ll probably want to avoid, but if you are in a pinch, take a look at Kenneth Gainwell. Gainwell had just five carries for 20 yards and a touchdown on the ground, but he also added two receptions for 12 yards as a receiver. Miles Sanders is still the lead back here, but Gainwell should manage to see a few touches every week.

Also Consider:
Jaylen Warren (PIT), Tyrion Davis-Price (SF)

 

 

 

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Jarvis Landry (NO) - Coming in at just 27% owned in NFL.com fantasy leagues, Landry is the top add at receiver this week. Landry led the Saints in targets, receptions, and yardage in week one vs the Falcons. The Saints have a tough matchup vs Tampa Bay next week, but they travel to Carolina in week 3. Landry makes for a nice depth option at receiver.

Tyler Boyd (CIN) - With Tee Higgins suffering a concussion in week one, Boyd is going to have to step up for the Bengals. This week, he hauled in four receptions for 33 yards on seven targets. He will get a nice matchup next week vs the secondary Dallas defensive backs, and in week three he faces the Jets. He’s not the most exciting player at this point, but perhaps he can be a flex option in a pinch.

Zay Jones (BUF) - One of the more interesting stats of week one for me was that Zay Jones had nine targets, operating as the number two receiver for the Jaguars. If he is going to see anywhere close to that volume on a week-to-week basis, he’s a fine add for any team needing a receiver.

Romeo Doubs (GB) - Doubs tied for second on the Packers in targets with five. With the Packers so thin at receiver right now, the fourth-round rookie might be in line for a role this season.

Jahan Dotson (WAS) - The first-round rookie pick scored two touchdowns on five targets in week one, which was great to see. However, he only had just three catches on the day. He’s got some potential, but it might just take time for it to fully be unlocked. He’s someone to keep an eye on, because of his role and draft pedigree.

Also Consider:
Donovan Peoples-Jones (CLE), D.J. Chark (DET), Curtis Samuel (WAS), Kyle Phillips (TEN)

 

 

 

TIGHT ENDS:

Hayden Hurst (CIN) - Another player who will need to step up for the Bengals if Higgins were to miss any time is Hayden Hurst. Hurst had eight targets, hauling in five for 46 yards in week one.

Evan Engram (JAX) - Engram might not have the same upside he once had as a former first-round selection, but he could be a solid addition if you’re in a pinch. He had four receptions for 28 yards on Sunday, which admittedly is not much, but it was nice to see him get some volume.