Injuries and Waiver Wire week 1 2023 UPDATED

By Joe COLONNA
Joe COLONNA

WEEK 1 NFL INJURY REPORT

 

QUARTERBACKS:

Aaron Rodgers - Rodgers injured his Achilles on the opening drive of Monday Night's game vs the Bills. He has suffered a torn Achilles and will miss the 2023 season.

Anthony Richardson - Richardson missed the last couple of snaps due to a knee injury vs the Jaguars, though post-game reports suggest that he is fine.

 

RUNNING BACKS:

J.K. Dobbins - Dobbins suffered a torn Achilles against the Texans. He left the game in the third quarter and was quickly ruled out. He will miss the rest of the 2022 season.

Austin Ekeler - Ekeler suffered an ankle injury on Sundy vs Miami. His status for practice is unclear at this time.

Aaron Jones - Jones did not return after injuring his hamstring vs the Bears.

 

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Diontae Johnson - Johnson suffered a hamstring injury and did not return to the game. Johnson is expected to be sidelined "a few weeks" due to the hamstring injury he suffered Sunday vs. the 49ers, per Adam Schefter.

Tyler Lockett - Lockett was evaluated for a concussion and could not return to the game. He cleared concussion protocol and should be good to go in week two.

Jakobi Meyers - Meyers was evaluated for a concussion and did not return in the second half. Meyers is currently in concussion protocol.

 

TIGHT ENDS:

Greg Dulcich - Dulcich injured his hamstring and could not return. Dulcich is expected to be sidelined multiple weeks after injuring the same hamstring that caused him to miss multiple weeks last season, according to Adam Schefter.

Pat Freiermuth - Freiermuth suffered a chest injury against the 49ers and was unable to finish the game.

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WEEK 2 FANTASY FOOTBALL WAIVER WIRE

QUARTERBACKS:

Brock Purdy - One of the more surprising results of Sunday's games was how well 49ers QB Brock Purdy played vs the Steelers. Coming off a UCL injury, Purdy passed for 220 yards, and 2 TDs. Purdy even rushed for 20 yards on three carries. Purdy has four great weapons to throw to in Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Deebo Samuel, and Bradon Aiyuk, along with a great offensive-minded head coach in Shanahan coaching him.

Jordan Love - Packers QB Jordan Love produced an eye-popping fantasy performance vs the Chicago Bears in week one. Love passed for 245 yards, three touchdowns (TDs), and finished with 28 fantasy points, despite being without second year WR Christian Watson. After learning the Packers' system behind Aaron Rodgers for a couple of seasons, Love could be an emerging quarterback for fantasy managers this season.

 

RUNNING BACKS:

Kyren Williams - It was believed by many that Cam Akers would be the lead running back for the Rams to start the season, but second-year RB Kyren Williams carried the ball rather well in week one. Handling 15 carries, Williams totaled 52 yards, two TDs. Starting RB Akers had just 29 yards on 22 carries for the Rams. Williams' performance may have earned him more carries moving forward.

Gus Edwards - The biggest news out of week one is that Ravens RB J.K. Dobbins has torn his Achillies and will miss the entire 2023 season. The next running back in Baltimore is Gus Edwards. Edwards carried the ball eight times for 32 yards on Sunday. He will see an increased workload along with our next recommendation, Justice Hill.

Justice Hill - Justice Hill was able to score two rushing touchdowns in week one for the Ravens, filling in for J.K. Dobbins. The TD's probably won't be there every week for Hill, but he should split carries in the backfield with Gus Edwards in this offense and be an option in deeper leagues.

Also Consider:
Kenneth Gainwell, Roschon Johnson, Josh Kelley

 

WIDE RECEIVERS:

Rashee Rice - The most impressive Chiefs receiver in week one was Rashee Rice. Rice, in limited action, hauled in three receptions for 29 yards and a TD vs the Lions on Thursday night. With other Chiefs' receivers struggling, perhaps the second-round pick, Rice, has earned more playing time moving forward. If he has earned more playing time, being on an offense with Patrick Mahomes is an outstanding situation.

Jakobi Meyers - Against his division-rival Broncos, Jakobi Meyers made the most of his opportunities in his Raiders debut. Meyers gained 81 yards on nine catches and scored two touchdowns. Meyers looks the part of a solid secondary receiver for the Raiders, right behind standout DaVante Adams.

Puka Nacua - The rookie fifth-round pick really came to play in week one. Nacua laced a 10-119-0 performance against the Seahawks in his debut. With Kupp missing the first four weeks of the season, expect Nacua and Atwell to step up for this Rams offense.

Robet Woods - Against the Ravens in week one, Woods showed that he still has something left with his 6-57-0 performance. Woods feels like a player who could be a steady source of production early in the season, as he builds on this performance with his rookie quarterback.

Rashid Shaheed - Picking up where he left off, Shaheed dazzled in week one. He accumulated five catches for 89 yards and a touchdown, with a long play of 41 yards. He might be a flex-option for teams in deep leagues in good matchups moving forward.

Also Consider:
Tutu Atwell, Josh Reynolds, Allen Robinson

 

TIGHT ENDS:

Hayden Hurst - With Chark injured in week one, Hayden Hurst stepped up for the Panthers. Hurst hauled in five receptions for 41 yards and a TD in this week one matchup. Hurst seems like a favorite target for Bryce Young, as Hurst was peppered with seven targets in this opening contest.

Noah Gray - Filling in for the injured Travis Kelce, Noah Gray hauled in three receptions for 31 yards on Thursday night vs the Lions. The Chiefs heavily use the tight-end position, as another tight end, Blake Bell, scored a TD for them in Kelce's absence. Gray should see enough volume to be low-end TE play on weeks when Kelce is inactive.

Also Consider:
Sam LaPorta, Isaiah Likely